Cry of the Raven (The Ravenwood Saga #3)

Synopsis

Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker-- a power greater than any in history. She embraces her role as Nightwatcher, able to intercede for her people in the dream world, but the dark shadow of war draws ever closer.

Working together, the Great Houses come up with a plan to secure borders from the approaching Dominia Empire. But dissension, conflict, and suspicion threaten to destroy their tenuous treaty, and as the empire burns a path across the lands, Damien Maris starts to lose his ability to raise the water, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire's attacks.

The only one who can keep the Great Houses unified and restore her husband's power is Selene. But it will require that she venture deep into the dream world to confront the enemies of her past who will do anything to stop her power. Will it be enough, or will both worlds fall under the empire's might?

Loved

• Selene. Throughout the series, I haven't completely loved Selene just because she was so cold in the first book, and then so unsure in the second. But in this third book, Selene just shines. She continues to have some amazing character development as she learns what her power is supposed to be used for and why her family was given the gift of dreamwalking. She makes so many hard decisions in this book, and every time she chooses to be courageous, selfless, and loving, when earlier in the series she couldn't have made these decisions.

• The Light. I love how Selene's relationship with the Light has grown to where he has become her strength, guide, and source of power. Selene discovers that the Light gave her family the power to walk in dreams to comfort and inspire, and Selene takes on this role with confidence and selflessness. Her relationship with the Light gives her strength to not only help the soldiers fighting in the war, but fight the Dark Lady as she tries to spread evil and darkness.

• The Seven Houses. In this book we get much more of the other Houses as they all have to join together to fight the Empire. I really enjoyed getting to know the other lords and ladies, learning their histories, and seeing how they use their gifts to protect and lift their people. I also appreciated how the Houses decide to put aside their grudges and somewhat shady histories, and decide to stand together and fight.

• Damien and Selene. While the second book was focused on the romance of Damien and Selene's relationship, this book was focused on the power of their relationship. This book isn't as romantic, but Selene and Damien are able to give each other the strength and courage each needs to fight his/her own battle- Damien lifting walls of water and leading his people to fight the Empire, and Selene facing the Dark Lady and reclaiming her home at Rook Castle. I love how this story comes full circle in that Selene uses the Light to comfort and heal Damien, after he has brought the goodness of the Light into her life. Their relationship is much deeper in this book and I loved how they ministered to each other and pushed each other to use their gifts to their full potential through the Light.

Didn't Love

• This third book did not disappoint and I wouldn't change anything about it, except that Damien and Selene are apart for much of it, which is the worst :(

Content

• Language: 
• Only language from this world, such as "Da'artan!"

• Sexual content: 
• Referenced affairs.
• A few kisses, one described as quite passionate, with hair getting messed up and cheeks flushing.

• Violence:
• There is quite a bit of violence in this book because the war with the Empire comes to its climax.
• There are some battle scenes where many people are maimed, stabbed, and killed in various ways. Not much blood/gore is described, just bodies and people dying.
• A secondary character dies with an arrow through his chest.
• Main character cuts off a man's hand and almost kills another man, and feels sick after both these events.
• A character puts people in a "death sleep" by walking in their dreams and putting darkness in their minds through the Dark Lady.
• Intense fighting with the Dark Lady- choking, using nightmares and fears, and trying to encourage despair with darkness.


• Religious themes:
• The Dark Lady (a patroness of evil) is given power by those who believe in her. She tries to discourage others by causing them despair and darkness. There is a very real battle with her at the end that is very much a symbol of light defeating darkness.
• Damien and Selene actively worship the Light and converse with him everyday. He guides their actions and gives them power in their respective spheres. The Light is referred to as a "he," but could be applied to any religion, higher power, or spirituality.

Overall Thoughts

I had to wait almost a year for this book to come out after I read the first two, and it did not disappoint! I just loved Selene in this book, after not loving her for the other two books. She becomes a powerful, selfless, and courageous leader in this book, which is so satisfying considering she began the series as a cold ghost-like apparition who put away all emotion to follow orders. I loved watching Selene change the destiny of her family by using her gift for good instead of evil. I enjoyed seeing the Houses come together and getting to know the other lords and ladies. The war is climatic and intense on both the physical front and the dream front, in which both Damien and Selene lead, respectively. This was the perfect conclusion to an intense, adventurous, and moving series that inspires all readers to come closer to their Light, whatever that may be for them.