I met Morgan L. Busse a couple years ago, and though her steampunk series has me intrigued, I just haven’t been able to fit them into my reading schedule. So, of course, when the opportunity to read the first book in her new series, The Ravenwood Saga, I agreed and I can’t wait to see where she takes this series next!
About the Book
Lady Selene is the heir to the Great House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person’s dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. For the last hundred years, the Ravenwood women have used their gift of dreaming for hire to gather information or to assassinate.
As she discovers her family’s dark secret, Selene is torn between upholding her family’s legacy–a legacy that supports her people–or seeking the true reason behind her family’s gift.
Her dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations, but who will also bring about the downfall of her own house.
One path holds glory and power, and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and execution. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?
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In My Opinion
This is book number one in Morgan L. Busse’s newest fantasy series, but don’t let the category deter you—this book will appeal to a variety of readers. Action, mystery, and the possible beginnings of romance are included in this read.
Selene is a dreamwalker—she can enter people’s dreams and discover their secrets and fears. Her mother wants Selene to use her power to manipulate others to the will of their house, but Selene fights it—or tries to—by telling herself not to feel.
All of houses in the land (each lord or lady of said houses has their own power) come to Rook Castle to discuss a treaty. Getting to know the players in this story through there houses adds great layers to Mark of the Raven.
Lord Damien is intrigued by Selene. She is a fighter and there’s a coldness to her but not quite like what he sees in her mother and sister.
While the setup of the book (and series) takes a little while, once readers meet Damien, the story progresses. With twists, turns, a moral dilemma for Selene, house secrets, and unexplained deaths, Busse gives readers intrigue, action, and depth.
And the ending? Oh, this ending will have you clamoring for book two.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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Hallo, Hallo — travelling through my WP Reader & the twitterverse seeking readers who’ve been appreciating the Ravenwood Saga!
I must say, I remember your blog’s name as I believe we have the tendency of being on the same blog tours time after time! 🙂 For this one, I was so overjoyed I could join the tour for Ravenwood as I still remember how happy I was to feature this series during #blogmas last year!! I still feel a bit hungover on the world, the story and the concepts therein to where I’ve been appreciating discussing this story with fellow readers who might have felt this marked a recent book hangover for them as well! I don’t often feel that way about a series but this one had so much inside it to discuss, I’ve been happy to find everyone whose posted something about the books!!
I agree with you – before I even concluded MARK I was itching to read FLIGHT — what was your favourite aspect of MARK though? I know you’ve dodged specifics to avoid spoilers – but I was curious – was it the internal conflict of Selene? The war of fate and conscience war within Damien? Or was it the world itself – as it envelopes you into the dual spirituality of the Light and the Dark Lady as this world tries to finds its wings to be more self-assured by its own concepts against the will of the people?
I was curious too – which of the characters spoke to you the most?
So now that I’ve read FLIGHT, I am drawn to Selene even more. Her internal struggle to discover who she is, whether she’ll follow the leading of her mother or the leading of the light, and her desire to please everyone. Morgan Busse did such a wonderful job with everything (setting, character, conflict), it’s hard to pick a favorite. And even though FLIGHT is quite a bit different than this first book (heavier on the internal conflicts and searching than outward struggles, but there is that too), it is nonetheless as wonderful. Watch for that review this week.
Ooh this is fantastic, Suzie!!
I can’t wait to read your fuller thoughts on FLIGHT and I will definitely come back to read them – I do agree there is a switching of focus between the two novels and of course, there is a build-up I am hoping which allows the younger sister to increase in age by the time the 3rd releases – though I look forward to hearing all the aspects of what you enjoyed or even things you might have questioned once your full review comes round.
It has been such a wonderful series to discuss in the blogosphere and it is lovely how everyone is approachable and is loving to share their views! I am overjoyed you’ve become attached to Selene… I think she really had the hardest road and as you said… the next book is quite important in regards to her soul’s journey and her personal destiny within this world.