Conspiracy of Ravens

The Shadow, Book 2

By: Lila Bowen

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

RT Award winner, 2015

Supernatural creatures create chaos across an unforgiving western landscape in the second audiobook of a propulsive and cinematic fantasy adventure series that began with Wake of Vultures.

Nettie Lonesome made a leap—not knowing what she'd become. But now her destiny as the Shadow is calling.

A powerful alchemist is leaving a trail of dead across the prairie. And Nettie must face the ultimate challenge: Side with her friends and the badge on her chest or take off alone on a dangerous mission that is pulling her inexorably toward the fight of her life.

When it comes to monsters and men, the world isn't black and white. What good are two wings and a gun when your enemy can command a conspiracy of ravens?

The Shadow

• Wake of Vultures
• Conspiracy of Ravens
• Malice of Crows
• Treason of Hawks

©2016 Lila Bowen (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Great originality

In my opinion, what the writer does well: setting, dialogue, original ideas, action. I love the southwest I love the idealized version of Miss Bowens Southwest who can resist gunslingers and monsters?
What I found distracting was every once in a while Mr. Wen would slip and use modern terms. Also she made it a point to tell us that the protagonist is on school and yet she’s vocabulary that should be beyond her. All of that is rather minor. The biggest problem I had with these two books is the writer has the protagonist say “goddamn“ Too often. You are a lighter, use another episode. They had more than one curse word that in those days. Not understanding my religious believes, the repetition of this word over and over bogs down the dialogue which was otherwise excellent. If you guys don’t read for content in mechanics like I do, and you like this genre, then young no doubt give it more stars than I did. This has nothing to do with the writer, but I’m upset that I could only get the first two on audible. I am visually impaired so unless something changes, the story ends here for me. Happy reading!

Amazing Sequel

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! the characters are richly brought to life and given voice by a talented author and narrator.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dan. He's the voice of reason.

What about Robin Miles’s performance did you like?

Fantastic character transitions!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Nettie/Rhett's duality creates perspectives that really make you think, laugh, and cry. Her loneliness comes through all that toughness to create a unique vulnerability.

Was GD necessary that much?

I really like these books but saying godamn so much was distracting and not even applicable some times. I loved Deadwood but when Al S. swore it seemed real.

Wonderful!

A great book. Well written, with the writer staying very true to the characters. Well read!

Please get the rest of the series

I’m not much of a reviewer but I have been an avid listener since 2008 and I wanted to state that I really enjoyed this book and the previous one. I absolutely love the western fantasy mix ( dark tower series my most favorite). Then throw in the gender/sexuality theme!! I’m loving it. I very much hope audible gets the rest of the series.

Bravo!

Worth the time in all the ways. Great story, characters, delivery—the whole shebang. If you’re on the fence, read this book (after you read the first in the series.)

Lives up to the hype!

Excellent supernatural mysteries with excellent plots and MC'S. This is dark! Superbly wriiten and performed. Love this series!

A solid followup to Wake of Vultures

Conspiracy of Ravens seemlessly picks right up where the first book in the series, Wake of Vultures, left off.

Nettie, now Rhett, continues his quest as both the mysterious Shadow and a Durango Ranger: "killing what needs to die." This time, he crosses paths with a cantankerous Irishman, the mysterious "Buck," and an unspeakably ruthless railroad proprietor with a talent for alchemy and torture.

Rhett's journey is one of justice and revenge, but it is also one of personal discovery, as he learns more about who -- and what -- he is, and what he wants. Like in Wake of Vultures, Lila Bowen gives us a story with plenty of diversity and depth, and a core group of good, solid characters who remain endearing and tenacious, even among the unsavory folk of Durango.

I was very excited to see that Robin Miles returned to narrate this book. Once again, she completely kills it.

I'll be looking forward to the next book!

I want more!

This second book was even better than the first! An interesting old west meets sci-fi series. If you want something new and different to listen to, This series delves in to humanity, the struggle within ourselves and then straight out monsters - what more could you want!? I know this is rather vague, but this series is very hard to describe. There are 2 more books that are not on audible and all I can say is I WANT MORE PLEASE!!

Loved the first one; this one not so much.

The narration remains wonderful. The last half of the book didn't feel well thought out. I stopped caring. There is a scene in the middle that I loved and an interesting character from that scene may cause me to get the next book.