Conspiracy of Ravens

By: Lila Bowen

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

The sequel to Wake of Vultures, where a rich, secret world is hiding beneath the surface.

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?

©2016 Lila Bowen (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Kevin Hearne

was right...this series is amazing and original. I burned through both both books in record time! Timely themes in a western Steampunk setting including mystical creatures, Gods, and American history. The reader does a great job with the whole cast especially the highly original MC. A must-read for our times! 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.

Wonderful!

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

Disappointing

Any additional comments?

Conspiracy of Ravens unfortunately doesn't compare to the first book's potential. Instead of Rhett/Nettie growing with his/her new found abilities, responsibilities and relationships, we get snide pettiness, arrogance, ingratitude and stupidity. The reader gets to hear about how proud Rhett is to be made a scout as he goes on and on (and on) about how important it is to be a leader, then returns to the camp fire and picks a fight with anyone trying to offer advice on how to take out the sorcerous villain that owns the railroad. Rhett won't even listen to Earl, who's helped her learn to remember what she sees as The Shadow _and_ has first hand experience of the railroad camp. Instead, per usual, Rhett storms off unprepared and without a plan.

*sigh* It's getting tiresome to hear about a tantrum throwing jerk, blaming everyone else for their predicament, again and again and again. I keep wondering why Dan, Winnifred, Sam and Earl put up with Rhett. I keep wondering why Lila Bowen dropped the ball.

The narrator does a good job, which makes listening bearable. Despite Robin Miles' best efforts, I find myself rolling my eyes at the contrived situations in the story and the limited emotional range of Rhett/Nettie. I have about two hours left to listen to and now, to add to the MC's lack of character development, Mary Sue elements are popping up. Here's hoping it won't end deus ex machina.

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!

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.