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dzurek66's review
4.0
The beginning of a strong series
I've read everything that Steve McHugh has published. I'm never disappointed. They are generally easy and quick reads with the story going from action to action in a nearly unstoppable way. In a way Lucas is a super hero. Not unbeatable like superman but more like Batman and gets his ass handed to him on occasion.
I've read everything that Steve McHugh has published. I'm never disappointed. They are generally easy and quick reads with the story going from action to action in a nearly unstoppable way. In a way Lucas is a super hero. Not unbeatable like superman but more like Batman and gets his ass handed to him on occasion.
calbowen's review
1.0
Infodump
So much infodumping. Very difficult to get into a story when the dialog stops for the POV to explain what they all said. The time jumps didn't help either.
So much infodumping. Very difficult to get into a story when the dialog stops for the POV to explain what they all said. The time jumps didn't help either.
themanfromdelmonte's review
1.0
DNF 69% after I lost the will to live. This reads less like a novel and more like a pitch for a Jason Statham action flick.
What to say about this collection of words? Well, firstly, this book is in two distinct halves. The first is where the protagonist interacts with the other cardboard cut-out characters, and the author makes some juvenile attempts at fantasy writing. That, at least, is better than what comes after, which is the storyboarding for the shoot-em-up. This is clearly where the author’s heart lies as it’s where the product placement (cars, guns, watches) ramps up.
It bills itself as an urban fantasy noir except there’s nothing noir-ish about it. Less skulking about in the dark underbelly of the City, more Bad Boys style, screaming along in the – what was it? – oh yes, the ‘Audi R8 V10 Spyder Performance Carbon Black.’ Jeez.
We’re asked to believe that the protagonist is 2000 years old and is some kind of super- assassin. Trouble is, he comes across like any other John Wick clone. He doesn’t appear to have any motives and no credible risk of dying because (fanfare) he can escape to the Rift and his ‘embers’! Speaking of the Rift, because I suppose I must, the description is risible. ChatGPT could do better.
Lastly, despite this being an existential threat to humanity, no-one but a bunch of Americans appears to be doing anything about it. And doing so with that peculiar exceptionalism where, free from self-doubt, there isn’t a problem that can’t be solved with a dose of the right stuff and an HK45 compact tactical.
Send for John McClane. At least he'll have better dialogue.
What to say about this collection of words? Well, firstly, this book is in two distinct halves. The first is where the protagonist interacts with the other cardboard cut-out characters, and the author makes some juvenile attempts at fantasy writing. That, at least, is better than what comes after, which is the storyboarding for the shoot-em-up. This is clearly where the author’s heart lies as it’s where the product placement (cars, guns, watches) ramps up.
It bills itself as an urban fantasy noir except there’s nothing noir-ish about it. Less skulking about in the dark underbelly of the City, more Bad Boys style, screaming along in the – what was it? – oh yes, the ‘Audi R8 V10 Spyder Performance Carbon Black.’ Jeez.
We’re asked to believe that the protagonist is 2000 years old and is some kind of super- assassin. Trouble is, he comes across like any other John Wick clone. He doesn’t appear to have any motives and no credible risk of dying because (fanfare) he can escape to the Rift and his ‘embers’! Speaking of the Rift, because I suppose I must, the description is risible. ChatGPT could do better.
Lastly, despite this being an existential threat to humanity, no-one but a bunch of Americans appears to be doing anything about it. And doing so with that peculiar exceptionalism where, free from self-doubt, there isn’t a problem that can’t be solved with a dose of the right stuff and an HK45 compact tactical.
Send for John McClane. At least he'll have better dialogue.
kevinscorner's review
4.5
The Last Raven was not at all what I was expecting when I went in knowing it’s an urban fantasy. It reads so much like a police/military thriller with its guns, cars, and watches, just with the addition of major fantasy elements. Different from the usual urban fantasies I prefer, but definitely not unwelcome.
The Rift is an alternate dimension that occasionally breaks through onto earth, changing animals and humans and giving them fantastical powers. In modern day America, Lucas is a riftborn warrior and the last surviving member of the Raven Guild after a massacre. He has left that life and struggles with survivor’s guilt. But when an old friend from the Rift Crime Unit comes to him for help when some FBI and RCU agents are ambushed and killed, he returns to find betrayal and links to the mystery of what happened to his old Guild.
The Last Raven is intense and action-packed
with prompt pacing and a light-handed touch on world-building. Steve McHugh wisely chose not to do a massive exposition dump right at the beginning, but instead parceled out the mythology of the world he crafted and the background of Lucas throughout the book just when it becomes relevant. This made for a thrilling ride with big bloody action set pieces and a steady unravelling of the mystery.
I really liked Lucas as our main protagonist, who is the typical action hero but with more depth and the added dimension of some fantastical latent powers. I particularly appreciated the brand of friendship and brotherhood he had with the men and women he had to leave behind when he left. The book also injected the story with some social commentary on racism and immigration, although it did not have much time to dig deeper.
The Last Raven is an action-packed urban fantasy thriller and a great opener to what could be a serial series.
The Rift is an alternate dimension that occasionally breaks through onto earth, changing animals and humans and giving them fantastical powers. In modern day America, Lucas is a riftborn warrior and the last surviving member of the Raven Guild after a massacre. He has left that life and struggles with survivor’s guilt. But when an old friend from the Rift Crime Unit comes to him for help when some FBI and RCU agents are ambushed and killed, he returns to find betrayal and links to the mystery of what happened to his old Guild.
The Last Raven is intense and action-packed
with prompt pacing and a light-handed touch on world-building. Steve McHugh wisely chose not to do a massive exposition dump right at the beginning, but instead parceled out the mythology of the world he crafted and the background of Lucas throughout the book just when it becomes relevant. This made for a thrilling ride with big bloody action set pieces and a steady unravelling of the mystery.
I really liked Lucas as our main protagonist, who is the typical action hero but with more depth and the added dimension of some fantastical latent powers. I particularly appreciated the brand of friendship and brotherhood he had with the men and women he had to leave behind when he left. The book also injected the story with some social commentary on racism and immigration, although it did not have much time to dig deeper.
The Last Raven is an action-packed urban fantasy thriller and a great opener to what could be a serial series.
chloefrizzle's review
3.0
This is the first book in a new Urban Fantasy series. It come out of the gate fast-paced, and maintains that momentum to the end. It's dramatic and gorey and has just the right amount of feeling bad for our characters.
The Last Raven follows Lucas. The book isn't shy about telling you right away that Lucas has recently seen all of his friends murdered, and he isn't feeling too good about that. in the middle of him struggling to get back on his feet, he's called in to help with a suspicious magical investigation.
While the book does dump onto you that the character is angsty, it takes its delicate time introducing you to the world and magic system. The information is fed to the reader at a manageable pace. This also provides some anticipation, as we don't get to find out what our protagonist's powers are until later in the book, once we're already comfy with the system. It's a solid world, and I'm excited to see more of it in future books.
A video review including this book will be on my Youtube channel in the coming weeks, at https://www.youtube.com/c/ChloeFrizzle
Thanks to Podium and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
The Last Raven follows Lucas. The book isn't shy about telling you right away that Lucas has recently seen all of his friends murdered, and he isn't feeling too good about that. in the middle of him struggling to get back on his feet, he's called in to help with a suspicious magical investigation.
While the book does dump onto you that the character is angsty, it takes its delicate time introducing you to the world and magic system. The information is fed to the reader at a manageable pace. This also provides some anticipation, as we don't get to find out what our protagonist's powers are until later in the book, once we're already comfy with the system. It's a solid world, and I'm excited to see more of it in future books.
A video review including this book will be on my Youtube channel in the coming weeks, at https://www.youtube.com/c/ChloeFrizzle
Thanks to Podium and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
abigcoffeedragon's review
1.0
Infodump
So much infodumping. Very difficult to get into a story when the dialog stops for the POV to explain what they all said. The time jumps didn't help either.
So much infodumping. Very difficult to get into a story when the dialog stops for the POV to explain what they all said. The time jumps didn't help either.
kitvaria_sarene's review
5.0
If you loved the Hellequin Chronicles, you'll probably love this as well.
While I still miss Nate and his friends, I'm happy to have an all new series with new characters. Lucas was similar enough in personality to scratch my itch, while being different enough to stand on his own two feet.
A lot of action, plenty of mysteries and secrets in the past, a whole new sort of magic and mythology to be discovered, mixed in with some science and what almost felt like a thriller - I was hooked from the first to the last page.
As always the cast is the major strength in McHugh's books, and I can never get enough of his no nonsense attitudes. The good at heart, willing to sacrifice for friends, family, or even complete strangers, but on the other hand quite happy to mow through the bad guys? Yes, I sometimes need exactly that to brighten my day, while also being well entertained. Beating up some Nazis definitely is a high in my book.
The inclusive cast, with people of all walks of life, just makes it feel smoother and more real. They all have their own motivations and quirks, and I just love how everyone is allowed to be who they are. Lucas has an amazing circle of friends, and is love to go for a drink with them all.
I have no idea how he manages to make everyone just feel so real in such a short time, but I love (or hate) these charactets already, after just the one book. I definitely can't wait for more, luckily the wait won't be too long!
My only, really slight, niggle is just how overpowered Lucas already feels here - with Hellequin that just stacked up ever more over the course of the books. Here we start at such a high level, I've no idea how insane stakes are supposed to go in later books. As I enjoyed the full on battle mode. I didn't mind it much, I just think some scenes almost lost a bit of their stakes and suspense due to it.
While I still miss Nate and his friends, I'm happy to have an all new series with new characters. Lucas was similar enough in personality to scratch my itch, while being different enough to stand on his own two feet.
A lot of action, plenty of mysteries and secrets in the past, a whole new sort of magic and mythology to be discovered, mixed in with some science and what almost felt like a thriller - I was hooked from the first to the last page.
As always the cast is the major strength in McHugh's books, and I can never get enough of his no nonsense attitudes. The good at heart, willing to sacrifice for friends, family, or even complete strangers, but on the other hand quite happy to mow through the bad guys? Yes, I sometimes need exactly that to brighten my day, while also being well entertained. Beating up some Nazis definitely is a high in my book.
The inclusive cast, with people of all walks of life, just makes it feel smoother and more real. They all have their own motivations and quirks, and I just love how everyone is allowed to be who they are. Lucas has an amazing circle of friends, and is love to go for a drink with them all.
I have no idea how he manages to make everyone just feel so real in such a short time, but I love (or hate) these charactets already, after just the one book. I definitely can't wait for more, luckily the wait won't be too long!
My only, really slight, niggle is just how overpowered Lucas already feels here - with Hellequin that just stacked up ever more over the course of the books. Here we start at such a high level, I've no idea how insane stakes are supposed to go in later books. As I enjoyed the full on battle mode. I didn't mind it much, I just think some scenes almost lost a bit of their stakes and suspense due to it.
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