Call of the Raven

By: Wilbur Smith

Narrated by: Elliot Chapman

Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

The son of a wealthy plantation owner and a doting mother, Mungo St John is accustomed to the wealth and luxuries his privilege has afforded him. That is until he returns from university to discover his family ruined, his inheritance stolen and his childhood sweetheart, Camilla, taken by the conniving Chester Marion. Fuelled by anger and love, Mungo swears vengeance and devotes his life to saving Camilla - and destroying Chester. 

Camilla, trapped in New Orleans, powerless to her position as a kept slave and suffering at the hands of Chester's brutish behaviour, must learn to do whatever it takes to survive.  

As Mungo battles his own fate and misfortune to achieve the revenge that drives him and regain his power in the world, he must question what it takes for a man to survive when he has nothing and what he is willing to do in order to get what he wants.  

An action-packed and gripping adventure by best-selling author Wilbur Smith about one man's quest for revenge, the brutality of slavery in America and the imbalance between humans that can drive - or defeat - us.

©2020 Orion Mintaka (UK) Ltd. (P)2020 Audible, Ltd

Slave trader

I only finished the book because I wanted to know if Mungo got his girl.
Did not enjoy it

Call of the Raven

The Ballantine series is continuing to be one of the best series I’ve ever read! Wilbur Smith, God rest his soul was one of the most incredible story tellers I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Do not miss this series, you will never forgive yourself.

Wilbur lost the plot with this one

Not the best collaboration. Weak, repetitive and predictable. Not up to his usual standard at all.

Not up to Wilbur Smith standards

The story flows pretty well but the African scenes lack the depth of knowledge that a good writer has. I can’t say I enjoyed the book as I have books written by Wilbur Smith himself.

A Quick novel for Smith

I jumped on the chance to listen to another of Wilbur Smith's narrated novels. This narrator is definitely not the best I've heard read one of Smith's books. Sometimes it felt like he was spitting out words faster than I could follow them. His accent for Camilla was particularly appalling, but all in all it wasn't so bad that you can't finish the story. The story itself was a bit of a disappointment. Sometimes, it holds you in its grip just like one of Smith's earlier novels, and at other times it feels like he's just filling in pages. The ending felt especially contrived, not at all what we've come to expect from Wilbur Smith. It's also notably shorter than his most well loved stories. It almost felt as if he was cranking out a novel he owed his publisher. Still, any fan of Wilbur Smith will enjoy this early look at Mungo's defining early life and first love. It's worth the credit. Just don't set your hopes too high.

Best book Ever

I have been reading or listening to Wilbur Smith for over 40 years. This is one of the best books he has written, action, moral story, twists and turns. It is hard to believe that after all of these years that Wilbur Smith can continue to develop story lines like the one in this book. I listen to books on tape. I did not want it to be over. I hope there is a continuation for Mongo St. John.
HIghly recommend.

adolescent sex unnecessary

good story well developed good character development plot was interesting but adolescent sex scenes almost embarrassing even in private

call of the raven

a good read but not Wilbur's usual riveting story telling that leaves you reeling. The narrator was good.

Pure Gold from Wilbur once more

Any true Wilbur fans will be aware of the character Mungo St John, here you learn about his beginnings. Truly enjoyable from start to finish

Full of suspense and adventure

The story is excellent and take me back to bygone days. It is such a Hugh pity that the narrator didn’t do his research and kept miss pronouncing African place names on the book. It’s a shame that effort is made for French words but not African words

Awesome again ..

Wilbur Smith never fails to ignite my imagination and transport me to the centre of the story he is telling. Compulsive reading/listening .. action, intrigue, surprise and thoughtful awareness - another star in the galaxy of Wilbur’s storytelling.

Wilbur Smith and Mungo St John - re-united

What a great addition to Wilbur Smith's portfolio.

I've been a little bit disappointed by some of the recent collaborations - they've not flowed or been as scene setting as Wilbur Smith has been.

For me, this is a return to what I love to read from him. The story flows with the much cherished ebb and flow of action, adventure and emotions. The Mungo St John we met in A Falcon Flies (a classic) is excellently defined in this book to become the man we were introduced to many years ago in the Ballantyne novel.

If you're a traditional Wilbur Smith fan, you'll not be disappointed. A very nice touch right at the very end as well...

Very good but.......

Having read every Wilbur book ever written, I was a tad disappointed. Storyline was good but not like his earlier novels....

Enthralled

Could not put it down. Totally mesmerising from beginning to end. A great read as always with Wilbur Smith

Brilliant to the last

Loved it, heartbreaking, harrowing and intriguing to the end. Enjoy it as much as I.

Another Good Yarn

Beautifully narrated as usual but a rather predictable story as we cross the Atlantic Ocean various times. I did enjoy the detail, basic story and the detail of the African Forests, life on board a sailing ship and of New Orleans. I wasn't bored but I have heard and read better Wilbur Smith stories.

Spoiled by key mispronunciation of St. John

Extremely annoying mispronunciation of St.John throughout. A bit of research could so easily have got this right.

justifying slavery is never a good thing

Although well written the story sits uncomfortably with me. Slavery was never the right choice