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Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Review of The Broken Raven (Shadow Skye #2) by Joseph Elliott

The Broken Raven (Shadow Skye #2) by Joseph Elliott
Format:  Hardcover
Publisher:  Walker Books US   
Number of pages:  336  
Published:  January 21st, 2021
Source:  Raquel Stecher via Candelwick Press     

Opening Lines:  "My face is on fire, but I'm not gunna scream.  I don't think I could even if I tried."

The Broken Raven takes place about a month after the events in the first book and introduces a new character, Sigrid a twelve-year-old Dreamhain girl.  I would recommend starting with The Good Hawk before reading this book to understand the various clans and main characters struggles and achievements in the previous book.  

After having rescued Clann-a- Tuath and 
escaping Norveg, Agatha and Jaime return to the Isle of Skye, only to find that a rival clan,  The Raasay have taken over their homeland.  Luckily they're able to find refuge with neighboring Clann-na- Bruthaich.  At first the two clans are able to work together, but slowly their relationship becomes strained causing tension between the two sides.  Jaime's clan is in the process of trying to convince Clann-na-Bruthaich to help them to force The Raasay into leaving their enclave, but the clans are divided over whether or not to combine their forces to push them out.  However, once the sgàilean or shadow creatures used in their battle in Norveg are inadvertently released, the two clans are forced to join together to fend them off.   Jaime is then chosen to track down Budhbh, a man in Scotia who helped to contain the sgàilean in the past and Agatha sneaks away from camp to warn Lilea's parents, members of the Raasay, and show them how to defend themselves from the encroaching  sgàilean.  Meanwhile Sigrid is forced into servitude to Konge Grimr's as his eyes and is headed with him to Ingland.  Grimr's hopes the king Edmund of Ingland will aid him in taking over the Isle of Skye and all of Scotia, and to finally get his revenge against Agatha.

The Broken Raven is told in the alternating narratives of Agatha, Jaime and newcomer Sigrid.  Each of their storylines take them in different directions with new obstacles for each them to face.  Jaime is reunited with the Bo Riders and encounters a new creature (Imitator's)  while trying to locate Budhbh.  Agatha is assisted by Aileen, Jaime's friend, in making their way to The Raasay, but are held prisoner when The Raasay refuse to believe they're in danger.  Sigrid is under constant watch by Konge Grimr's men, who despise and want to off her any chance they get. When Lady Beatrice offers her the opportunity to escape in exchange for warning the Isle of Skye about the king of Ingland and Konge's plans, she doesn't hesitate.  However, escape for her will lead to one challenge after another, as Konge Grimr's has sent his most trusted man to hunt her down and bring her back to him at any cost.  I quite enjoyed the inclusion of Sigrid into the story, it changed things in an exceptional way.  Sigrid is determined, and her enhanced memory adds humor and certainly danger.  While the story ended on a cliffhanger, I am even more excited to read The Burning Swift next.  I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the talented artists who created the covers of Good Hawk and The Broken Raven, the illustrations were designed by twins  Anna and Elena Balbusso, I just love how they so beautifully capture the essence of the story.     **A huge thank you to Raquel Stecher from Candlewick Press for the hardback copy in exchange for a review**        

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