The Black Song

A Raven's Blade Novel, Book 2

By: Anthony Ryan

Narrated by: Steven Brand

Length: 17 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

A matchless warrior is pitted against a near-God in the second epic installment of the Raven's Blade series.

It has long been our lot in life, brother, to do what others can’t.

Vaelin Al Sorna was known across the realm as the greatest of warriors, but he thought battles were behind him. He was wrong. Prophecy and rumor led him across the sea to find a woman he once loved and drew him into a war waged by the Darkblade, a man who believes himself a god - and one who has gathered a fanatical army that threatens all of the known world.

After a costly defeat by the Darkblade, Vaelin's forces are shattered, while the self-proclaimed immortal and his army continue their terrible march. But during the clash, Vaelin regained some of the dark magic that once gave him unrivaled skill in battle. And though the fight he has been drawn into seems near unwinnable, the song that drives him now desires the blood of his enemy above all else....

©2020 Anthony Ryan (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"Both returning readers and those new to the series will be drawn in by the expert worldbuilding, crackling dialogue, gripping action, and subtle shifts of the political chessboard.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Gripping and exciting.” (The Quill to Live)  

A bit disappointed

Was really looking forward to the continuation of this series. I can’t really put my finger on it, but it bored me where none of the other book did. Still, a good listen, but the previous books put this one to shame.

Slow

Nothing like the previous book in series. A bit of a boring jumble. why do I have to use 15 words to say I didn't like this book?

It’s just a stream of torture

Blood song is one of my favorite books of all time. This book is not that one. This book is just a string of descriptions of gruesome torture and carnage, broken every so often with a minute of storyline, then back to torture or descriptions of bodies that met terrible ends. If that is your thing, get this book. If you like the cleaver, subtle story line of blood song that keeps you on edge, don’t read this trilogy. This trilogy is about triggering your horror reflex. Ryan knocks it off for long enough to bring the story to an close for maybe two hours at the end, which is why it gets two stars.

Maybe I expected better

This is an Anthony Ryan's book though and through. But maybe my expectations were more than it should have been. If u liked his other book u will like this one as well.

wonderful

I enjoyed every minute. the narration was great, as Sreven Brand never fails to deliver a great performance. I liked everything about these books. the characters are very well developed, the world-building is excellent and Rhett are never loose ends left hanging.

I'm looking forward to the next book!

Steven Brand is one of my favorite narrators

and his voice is perfect for these novels. Anthony Ryan actually made me shed a tear when this one ended.

Great story and wonderful narration.

I listened to all the books about the tale of Vaelin. They were all great stories. I loved the way the last book ended. can't wait for the next one.

another great addition to the series.

I enjoyed this book I have to be honest and say that this book didn't draw me in quite as much as the original trilogy, (which are among my all time favorite books) but it was still a great book it was well written and well read. I'm hoping there is more to come on this series. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoyed the first 3.

Loved it!

A. Ryan is a great storyteller and I enjoyed every word of this series. I hope it continues.

perfect resolution to one of my favorite series

The queen of Fire was a great book to bring the ravens shadow trilogy to a close but the ravens blade and Black song closed all the loops that I was left thinking about after blood song.