I sometimes forget that Marillier is a slowburn fantasy writer. Action, when it happens, is swift, brutal and harrowing for everyone involved so the bulk of the book is character building. Raven Flight is very much about everyone coming to grips with what they have to do for the greater good. Neryn and Flint both have to square their circles of guilt. Tali and Reagan have to learn to anticipate, not react, no matter how strategic those reactions are.

And above all the Good Folk need to get off their high horses and be proactive if they want peace once more.

When we last left Neryn she had joined up with the rebel folk and learned that there was devastating consequences to her powers if she wasn't careful and a larger destiny she needed to fulfill. We open with Neryn still recovering from calling forth he aid of the Good Folk in a fight against Keldec's forces as well as learning what it means to be part of Shadowfell.

In some ways I think that life at Shadowfell is slightly more romanticized then it should be, but its a trait of Marillier's writing that I can't quite be irritated by. Life is rough and people die all the time, so even though Shadowfell seems like a haven the reader is constantly reminded that for all the laughter and companionship these people share, they are not safe at all.

The news that Flint learns is indeed a game changer. Its not a surprise to the folks of Shadowfell (or it won't be, Flint has not rejoined them by the time he learns what Keldec is so excited about), but the timetable will be. Neryn's fretting about having maybe 2 years to find the other Guardians, when really she doesn't even have that.

The summary mentions Tali is worried about Neryn's love for Flint, but it goes deeper. Neryn isn't a stupid girl with a head full of glitter; though she cares for and trusts Flint he still is part of the folk who basically murdered her grandmother. He may play the good guy and work for the betterment of all, but he does nasty, brutal things and she doesn't ignore that so the fear is still there.

Tali is an interesting character who had to grow on me. Initially she is cold and rude to Neryn, even though Neryn is supposed to be the Key to the puzzle of their victory. Its all well and good that she thinks she's a bit loose in the head, but as Neryn trains and travels with her the reader begins to see its more then that. She's seen so many young girls and boys like Neryn come and go, so many killed or run off or captured that Neryn is a harsh reminder. She's not tough or strong, she has no fighting skills to speak of. She lived on the road all those years, but that hardly qualifies her to be one of Reagan's trusted people.

In the end Tali is worried that she'll let Neryn down as well as Reagan and she's tired of that feeling.

The ending scene is a little confusing since Flint thinks one thing and a few paragraphs later has found the answer he didn't want, but knew he would find. I'm not sure if this is a trilogy or longer, it feels a bit like it will be longer, but Marillier surprises me with how deftly she can bring a story to a close without really tying all the loose ends up. ( )

So far, this series is moving at quite a slow pace. Lots of walking around and less detail on the actual plot. It's much more character driven than fairies-and-magic driven. I do really like Neryn, she's just so very capable even when she's facing new challenges. Her strength is in patience and kindness, which may not make for an exciting read but it does make for a satisfying one.

I like Marillier's stories, so I'm being a touch generous with the rating because it does verge towards glacially slow. ( )

Not quite as strong as Shadowfell, but a solid sequel and a good foundation for book number 3. I definitely want to know what happens next, and I can't ask for more from the middle book in a series. ( )

For too long Alban has been a land in turmoil, its people suppressed, the Good Folk shunned. The King has turned on his land and installed fear into his people but now the people are ready to fight back. The rebels of Shadowfell are preparing for a war against the King, a war to bring peace back to the land, a war to save them all and Neryn is the key to winning the war.

As a caller Neryn has the ability to call the other folk forth, without whose help there would be no war. But before she is able to call them to war she must first learn to master her gift. Neryn must travel the four corners of the kingdom in order to find the Guardians and learn from them the secrets of harnessing her power, but it is not an easy road to tread, and as a valuable asset to the resistance, she will not be travelling alone.

Tali, a skilled fighter and fierce loyalist to Alban and the rebellion, is not the easiest person to get along with at the best of times, so having to accompany Neryn on a dangerous journey across the country will bring rising tensions and new found respect. But while everyone is busy fighting and sacrificing for the resistance, Tali is frustrated to see that Neryn is distracted from her quest by Flint.

Raven Flight across a turmoil landscape, a call to the past, a hope for the future. A journey of trials and hardships, of friendships and love, this is a quest to save a land that is crying out to be healed. A beautiful tale that continues Neryn's quest to save her homeland from the hands of a tyrant. A story that is as moving as it is magical. ( )

Where Shadowfell did the world building, Raven flight does the character building. Neryn grows, just a bit, but we find out so much more about Tali and the choices she has made. Neryn’s Caller training has begun as they seek and find the Guardians. Bonds between friends are tested, and strengthened. I am anxious for the third in the series to see how the corrupt ruler is overthrown.

“But some things did not change...
Courage, for instance. Dedication to a cause. Comradeship. When they were strong and pure, when they came from deep in the bone, those qualities could hold fast against all odds.”
― Juliet Marillier, Raven Flight
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