Raven Calls (Early Review)
Raven Calls by C.E. Murphy
Walker Papers #7
Something wicked this way comes…
Suddenly, being bitten by a werewolf is the least of Joanne Walker’s problems.
Her personal life in turmoil, her job as a cop over, she’s been called to Ireland by the magic within her. And though Joanne’s skills have grown by leaps and bounds, Ireland’s magic is old and very powerful…
In fact, this is a case of unfinished business. Because the woman Joanne has come to Ireland to rescue is the woman who sacrificed everything for Joanne—the woman who died a year ago. Now, through a slip in time, she’s in thrall to a dark power and Joanne must battle darkness, time and the gods themselves to save her.
Suddenly, being bitten by a werewolf is the least of Joanne Walker’s problems.
Her personal life in turmoil, her job as a cop over, she’s been called to Ireland by the magic within her. And though Joanne’s skills have grown by leaps and bounds, Ireland’s magic is old and very powerful…
In fact, this is a case of unfinished business. Because the woman Joanne has come to Ireland to rescue is the woman who sacrificed everything for Joanne—the woman who died a year ago. Now, through a slip in time, she’s in thrall to a dark power and Joanne must battle darkness, time and the gods themselves to save her.
After quitting her job and professing her feelings to Morrison, Joanne is in a race against time (literally) as she travels to Ireland to fight the werewolf infection brewing inside of her. However, once she arrives, she finds that infection to be nothing in comparison to the rest of the issues she must face. The magic she will be facing is older than she can imagine and is tied directly into The Master that has had a hand in all the turmoil thus far. Now she must save the very woman who gave her life to save Joanne, even if it means risking everything herself, for failure may give The Master the last foothold he needs to come into this world. She'll need all the help she can get as she travels through time as there will me more than a few obstacles in her path.
Raven Calls had a much different feel to it than the previous books, more in the realm of regular fantasy rather then urban. This had a lot to do with the setting being in Ireland and all of the time jumping. I also missed the dynamic between Joanne and all of the other characters we have come to love. Thank goodness at least Gary tagged along. It just wouldn't have felt the same without him. Although, even he wasn't around for a large portion of the book. However, once I got over my character withdraw and made myself focus on Joanne, I really started to get into Raven Calls. The main theme of this series has been Joanne's growth from being a pain in the rear, to slowly starting to accept the magical "woo-woo" stuff. In Raven Calls, she took that growth one step further and started to finally have confidence in herself and abilities. And let me tell you, that has made all the difference. Although it does have me a little worried because that may mean she is almost ready for the final showdown and the end of the series.
When I finished the previous book, Spirit Dances, I wanted to throw a temper tantrum of epic proportions. Seeing as I have two small children, trust me, I have learned from the best. I was just so devastated after all that build up between Joanne and Morrison and then a tiny carrot was dangled, but taken away so quickly. I mean, it was a write and complain to your senator type of ending. (Yes, I realize that wouldn't have made a lick of difference, and really doesn't make much sense, but considering how anti-political I am, it just shows how much I was impacted by that ending.) For all of two seconds I had plans to boycott the following book, Raven Calls, but that idea was quickly thrown out the window once I realized I wouldn't get to find out what would happen next if I did that. Even so I went into reading Raven Calls more than a bit petulant and convinced that I wouldn't enjoy it due to the lack of Morrison. Well, I am now humbly admitting I was wrong, at least in part. The book was very good. Now, would I have enjoyed it even more if Morrison could have somehow come on the journey? Probably, but the few phone calls and interactions between the two of them gave me just enough relief to tide me over. However I will say this, if the two of them do not get some face time in the next book, well, it is game on!
While I enjoy reading urban fantasies, I vastly prefer the ones that have a romantic sub-plot as well. So, it really says something that Raven Calls was easily able to get past my petulance due to frustration in the romance department. The world C.E. Murphy has created is so vast and rich, with characters that suck you right in, and Raven Calls only continued that trend. Between the epic world building, character growth and a killer plot, Raven Calls is one heck of a read. Major kudos!
(Received a copy from Netgalley)
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