![\"Raven's](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51qYcIjI1aL._SX300.jpg?w=1200\" "\\"Raven's")
<\/a><\/div>\nAs such, yesterday marked the beginning of the CSFF blog tour<\/a> of Raven’s Ladder<\/a><\/strong> by Jeffrey Overstreet<\/a><\/strong>. This book is the third novel in his fantasy series, The Auralia Thread<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The surprising thing<\/strong> is that this book reminds me more of book one, Auralia’s Colors<\/a><\/strong>, than of book two Cyndere’s Midnight<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n To be sure<\/strong>, the beginning and the ending of the novel hearkens to book two with its action, villains<\/a><\/strong>, and beastmen<\/a><\/strong>, but the larger middle reminds me much of book one with its careful presentation of the faults and failures of a society teetering on collapse. <\/p>\n Book one dealt with the fall of House Abascar<\/strong> and King Cal-Marcus. This novel deals with House Bel-Amica and Queen Thesera. The first kingdom appeared prosperous, solid, and likely to last forever, but it fell… with a tumultuous crash that shook the expanse. <\/p>\n For the second house<\/strong>… well, to not give away the ending… let’s just say that all the right ingredients are present for it to degenerate, nay mutate, into a nightmare. As if it isn’t one already.<\/p>\n In each of these houses we see echoes of our own western society<\/strong>… the focus on self-fulfillment, youth, power, fads, and luxury. And this is the chief danger, the primary tool that the seers use to entrap the citizens and the royalty.<\/p>\n While book two is filled with horrific, physical danger at the hands of beastmen, book three has the subtler, serpentine danger<\/strong> of the temptation to forget one’s calling, one’s history, and go with the flow, stop caring, and give in.<\/p>\n And the young King Cal-Raven is right at the vortex.<\/strong> Undertaking a mission given by the Keeper, he sees a glorious vision of his house’s future, but then loses all… beginning with his boot. Taken as a slave to House Bel-Amica, he must face his doubts, his temptations, his failures, and his past to help those who need help the most, including his lost and enslaved mother.<\/p>\n And in the process Cal-Raven uncovers the greatest secret of his enemies<\/strong>, the seers, setting up the next novel… with yet more secrets to reveal, and a climactic finish. <\/p>\n That is, of course, unless Jeffrey has another novel up his sleeve (rubs hands together hopefully, hee-hee).<\/strong><\/p>\n Oh, and make sure you read my fun interview last year with Jeffrey Overstreet<\/a><\/strong>, as well as with, you guessed it, Jordam the Beastman<\/a><\/strong>!<\/p>\n If you love fantasy novels, then this series, including Raven’s Ladder, is worthy of your highest attention.<\/em><\/strong> Written with a non-intrusive lyrical quality using careful attention to craft, Jeffrey Overstreet<\/a><\/strong> has created a series of first-rate novels you will thoroughly enjoy.<\/p>\nThe Enemies<\/h3>\n
King Cal-Raven<\/h3>\n
My Interviews!<\/h3>\n
My Recommendation<\/h3>\n
The other members of the CSFF Blog Tour:<\/h3>\n