Aleks Mickelsen and the Call of the White Raven

Zaria Fierce Series, Book 5

By: Keira Gillett

Narrated by: Michele Carpenter

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Aleks Mickelsen is a changeling with diminishing magical powers and a complete nuisance for a new a pet. For the first time in his life, he's lost. He led his friends to the wrong place.

They might joke about there being worse things to face than disorientation, but comparing what Aleks did to the Wild Hunt breathing down their necks (even if the comparison is somewhat favorable) isn't all that comforting.

Hopefully, Aleks can get his head on straight and get them all back on track to fighting Fritjof, otherwise chaos is going to win.

©2018 Keira Gillett (P)2018 Keira Gillett

A beautifully written and narrated adventure

I was given a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. 

First, let me apologize for how long it has taken me to write this review. I recently gave birth in an emergency Csection after having a really horrible pregnancy, which resulted in a few hospitalizations. But! I am giving it now, and hopefully will continue on with my book reviews now that things are somewhat normal, for me anyways.

This is book 5 in the Zaria Fierce series, though it follows my favorite, Aleks Mickelsen. It is a continuation of book 4, in which Aleks and friends join Nori to stop Fritjof from escaping the Under World and reaching land to wreak havoc on both the Fae and humans.  

In this story, Aleks obtains a white raven, which are rare, who takes a shine to Aleks. It is not always a fun relationship, though it is entertaining for readers and listeners. Aleks learns how to work with the Raven throughout the story and eventually starts liking the Raven. Ultimately, Aleks ends up in the Fae Realm where he is sent on multiple tests where he has to save his friends in various trials. These trials are set up for Aleks to fail, but does he? Not to spoil anything, but the ending of this story is by far my favorite ending. I still get goosebumps just thinking about it.

I really enjoyed this story. I loved the Zaria Fierce aspect of the series, but I love Aleks so much. He is my favorite character and I love that his life is being explored more. I cannot wait until the next book. Again, Carpenter brings this story to life in her wonderfully brilliant narration. I really strongly encourage anyone and everyone to read these books. I can't wait to obtain the paperback versions so I can read them to my son when he is a little older and marvel at the illustrations with him. That is the only downside to the audiobooks, I miss out on all the beautiful artwork! 

This series is definitely worth it, whether you read or listen. The narrator brings the story to life in a vibrant way. I love the Norwegian fairy-tale aspect of the series. It is full of adventure and action packed. I feel sorry for this group of friends because they can't seem to ever catch a break. I also love all the other smaller story lines that are happening between the characters, especially since they are all getting older since their first adventure. You will not be disappointed for investing time into this series, I can promise you that!

Like a day out and a great adventure...

This volume of the Zaria Fierce series feels like a fun camping trip. A combination of an adventure and a love story.

The book is once again full of imaginative things and characters - a wishing well, a cave, a witch, a bird (whose permanent echoing eventually became a bit of a pain in the neck to me) , foxes - and a king not wishing to be king :-)

Entertaining from beginning to end and recommended.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Great New Sequel

I really enjoyed this next book. Aleks is definitely becoming my favorite character in the series. Seeing him face his fear, and his fate, in accepting who he is, has made me think, and reminds me of my own individual quest for identity.

The story on the whole is intriguing, and I’m looking forward to the next installment.

Michele is becoming an excellent storyteller. I thoroughly enjoyed her performance of this book.

Definitely a favorite series

This book, as well as the rest of the Zaria Fierce world, are such wonderfully engaging stories!

we are simply hooked

5th book and we are still hooked
we thoroughly enjoy this serie
fantasy and family friendly

Love this series!

It's good to be back with the gang! Poor Aleks has a lot on his plate, and it's only made worse with the arrival of a very annoying, (to him anyway), white raven! Continuing on from the last book, Aleks has to put aside his feelings and try to work with his sister, Nori, and his friends, to stop Fritjof before it's too late. But it's not only evil Dragons they have to contend with, it's also his fae "family" and relations. Those that are supposed to be closest to him, want the location of the Lost Well in order to use it to rule. Aleks' friends are taken hostage, and he is given a task to rescue them before the time runs out. The only help he gets is some riddles that reveal the location of his friends. Can he do it or will he be forced to reveal the location?

This series is so good! It has a lot going for it, and both myself and my son love reading them. The characters are all well written and likable. Aleks just wants a normal life, but fate wants something else from him. He is such a reluctant hero, but that makes him more likable. The others in the group are the same. They are each easy characters to like and are worthy heroes and heroines!! It's one thing I love about the series.

Another thing is the fast paced plot and all the fantastical creatures the author has created. Aleks struggles with the fact that he is a changeling and in the Fae realm, changelings are things that everyone hates, at least that's what he has been told, so Aleks struggles with the decision of whether he wants to be Fae or Human. Yet he immediately does what's needed to help his friends. I love the friendship between all the kids and how strong it is!!

In all, this series is such a great read for any age. It's action packed, exciting, entertaining and the settings are always wonderful. I'm looking forward to seeing where the author takes it from here and how the dynamics of the group will have changed now that there's royalty in their group!!

Michele Carpenter has such a pleasant and easy voice to listen to. She gave each character their own unique tone and captured the atmosphere really well. Her portrayal of the Raven was awesome!! I thoroughly enjoyed her performance here!!

I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.

To Fae or Not to Fae

The gang's back together again, and yet growing... and growing pains naturally brings teenage drama even to a supernatural group. Additionally we cannot 'quoth the raven nevermore' because the difference between Edgar Allen Poe's winged nuisance and Aleks' is black and white. Deception, Riddle Games, and Magic Abound as always.

Since there are far more supporting character dialogues than usual, especially female, the 'pointer' on who is speaking gets a little blurred. Despite this the narrator does excellent as always.

Staying true to the feel of previous installments there is a contradicting but pleasantly twisted mix of normal life problems amongst fae court intrigue, bursts of adrenaline filled dashes to reach intellectual puzzles, and family that you love to hate. I am eager to see how Aleks' company will deal with the aftermath of this one.

Fun for the Whole Family

I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.

What an enjoyable series! I love the way in which these characters and their relationships have developed across the series. The focus on this trilogy is on Aleks and a decision he needs to make. But he needs to help his sister and he brings his friends along for the adventure. I really enjoy the recurring theme [both in the Zaria trilogy and this one] how everyone in their group has their strengths and working together is how they are able to move forward. There's lots of action, different creatures, good humor and a bit of teenage angst, which was very cute. Fun for the whole family!

The narrator, Michele Carpenter, is incredible. She has various voices for all of the characters and creatures, which make this a very enjoyable listen.