The Black Raven by Katharine Kerr
The Black Raven is the second book in the Dragon Mage sequence of Deverry from Katharine Kerr. Once again, we spend the majority of the book in the past, exploring Lillorigga’s burgeoning dweomer power and her relationship to the various souls she is destined to encounter again when she becomes Niffa in the future. At the moment, it is fairly confusing trying to keep straight who is who in both the past and the current incarnations. The only person who I can really keep straight is Maddyn the bard (in the past) becoming Rhodry Maelwaedd (in the present), and this is due to the silver rose ring.
Once again, I would urge anyone interested in this book to start at the beginning of the series (starting with Daggerspell). Kerr has explained that her books should be seen almost as three acts in a play, or as a Celtic knot, whereby the complicated pattern will only become clear once you have seen the whole.
Although I adore spending time in the past — particularly with Lillorigga, who I believe to be one of Kerr’s strongest characters — I became frustrated with the fact that Rhodry’s story has not progressed AT ALL in two books. He is still sitting in Cengarn, waiting for the longest winter in the world to end so that his plot can move forward. The only times we ever visit Rhodry is when he figures in storylines from the past, such as the history of his enmity with Raena.
That said, The Black Raven is still worthy of four stars in my opinion, because Kerr writes the past so beautifully. In fact, barring the few outright mentions of dweomer or Wildfolk, this could be a strong historical novel about Celtic times. Kerr brings to life the politics, the in-fighting, the heraldry, the weaponry. It is very easy to enjoy all of the little details that she adds. One I would mention is the fact that the characters’ knowledge of medicine and surgery is limited to what was actually known at that time. So, when the princess Bellyra is suffering from postnatal depression, Nevyn talks about her humours being out of balance. I also love how he ponders why some wounds fester, while others don’t, and why blood can be different colours depending on where the body is cut in battle. These are all matters that would frustrate the chirurgeons of the time.
Nevyn’s return is deeply welcome, both in this novel and the previous. During the Westlands cycle he was absent, and I found Jill unable to fill his shoes. Despite his massive dweomer power, he is wise and compassionate and enjoys the details of people’s lives. He takes apprentices willingly and with patience. He is one of the strongest parts of the Deverry series, and it is a joy to read more of him.
All in all, I really enjoyed The Black Raven and cantered through the rather slight volume (in comparison to prior books in the series). I’m looking forward to the next.
Deverry — (1986-2009) Publisher: Even as a young girl, Jill was a favorite of the magical, mysterious Wildfolk, who appeared to her from their invisible realm. Little did she know her extraordinary friends represented but a glimpse of a forgotten past and a fateful future. Four hundred years-and many lifetimes-ago, one selfish young lord caused the death of two innocent lovers. Then and there he vowed never to rest until he’d rightened that wrong — and laid the foundation for the lives of Jill and all those whom she would hold dear: her father, the mercenary soldier Cullyn; the exiled berserker Rhodry Maelwaedd; and the ancient and powerful herbman Nevyn, all bound in a struggle against darkness… and a quest to fulfill the destinies determined centuries ago. Here in this newly revised edition comes the incredible novel that began one of the best-loved fantasy seers in recent years — a tale of bold adventure and timeless love, perilous battle and pure magic.
Act one: Deverry — In the UK, the third book is Dawnspell: The Bristling Wood, and the fourth book is Dragonspell: The Southern Sea.
Act two: The Westlands — in the UK, the third book is A Time of War and the fourth book is A Time of Justice.
Act three: The Dragon Mage
Act four: The Silver Wyrm — in the UK, these are continuations of Act Three: The Dragon Mage.
Hang on. Rhodry’s plot is about to move forward in a big way. :-)
You’re right about Jill vs. Nevyn as characters. She’s a journeywoman, he was a master. It shows.