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Walker Papers #7
Raven Calls
Something wicked this way comes…
Suddenly, being bitten by a werewolf is the least of Joanne Walker's problems.
Her personal life in turmoil, her job as a cop over, she's been called to Ireland by the magic within her. And though Joanne's skills have grown by leaps and bounds, Ireland's magic is old and very powerful….
In fact, this is a case of unfinished business. Because the woman Joanne has come to Ireland to rescue is the woman who sacrificed everything for Joanne—the woman who died a year ago. Now, through a slip in time, she's in thrall to a dark power and Joanne must battle darkness, time and the gods themselves to save her.
Suddenly, being bitten by a werewolf is the least of Joanne Walker's problems.
Her personal life in turmoil, her job as a cop over, she's been called to Ireland by the magic within her. And though Joanne's skills have grown by leaps and bounds, Ireland's magic is old and very powerful….
In fact, this is a case of unfinished business. Because the woman Joanne has come to Ireland to rescue is the woman who sacrificed everything for Joanne—the woman who died a year ago. Now, through a slip in time, she's in thrall to a dark power and Joanne must battle darkness, time and the gods themselves to save her.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
99 people are currently reading
1777 people want to read
About the author
C.E. Murphy
96 books1,787 followersCE Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her–a six year old kid–to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.
She also writes paranormal romance as Murphy Lawless and cozy mysteries as Catie Murphy.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.
She also writes paranormal romance as Murphy Lawless and cozy mysteries as Catie Murphy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
August 6, 2012
For tonight's rendition of Lazy Reviewing, I'm pilfering my own posts from the comments section. (Don't judge me. This is the seventh book.)
Raven Calls might be a Walker novel, but with the story placed out of time and in a different setting , it almost read like an aside to the series.
The concept of time loops is played with a lot. A. Lot. It's something we've already seen in relation to Present Jo and Past Jo, but this book works the hell out of them. To the point that many sections seemed more abstract theory than concrete plot. This is similar to the issue I had in the beginning of the series: sorta getting Jo's magic system, but not really because it all seemed too indistinct.
Granted, Murphy is trying to close up some plot holes and show that everything is meant to come full circle...but, here's the thing: Jo spends an entire book flailing about closing time loops that I never realised were still open-ended. My take is that Murphy had questions SHE wanted answered. Questions I wasn't asking, so I wasn't invested. Sloppy reading on my part? I don't think so (but I invite others to prove me wrong).
For me, the closing of the loops created more questions. They also necessitated plot elements which struck me as all too convenient.
Wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff. It's a bitch.
Another issue and another nod to the indistinct nature of things: the villain. The Master is ill-defined. I know he's a Big BIG Bad, a malevolent force that needs to be stopped and whose influences have been trickling into the wider arc from the beginning blah blah [ insert evil deed here ]. He pops in, throws some lightning and an I'll Get You, My Pretty annnnnd pops back out. The best (only) way I can summarize him is by saying his creepy, oily magic is tainting the world. I don't fear him enough.
No more griping. I gave it a three, so there are good points. Jo is Jo - a smart-ass heroine whose growing confidence in her ability makes her all the more likable. Gary is the best friend anyone could ever ask for. Morrison is hot - and very real in his exasperation and concern. New character Cat is a welcome, fiesty addition. Her responses to magic are a perfect balance of wary and awed and I'd love to see more of her. Cernnunos...I sometimes wish for an alternate time-line in which he and Jo could get it on. Er. Explore their connection. Yeah. And the one positive that came out of all the time loops: more characters drawn from Celtic folklore.
There's heaps more I could say, but instead I'll focus on what's to come (hmn, review the seventh wasn't so hard after all). The events of this book set Jo up for another field trip, one I'm truly looking forward to. I'm sure it will mean some harsh realizations and emotional upheaval, but I've got faith in Jo. She can handle it.
Raven Calls might be a Walker novel, but with the story placed out of time and in a different setting , it almost read like an aside to the series.
The concept of time loops is played with a lot. A. Lot. It's something we've already seen in relation to Present Jo and Past Jo, but this book works the hell out of them. To the point that many sections seemed more abstract theory than concrete plot. This is similar to the issue I had in the beginning of the series: sorta getting Jo's magic system, but not really because it all seemed too indistinct.
Granted, Murphy is trying to close up some plot holes and show that everything is meant to come full circle...but, here's the thing: Jo spends an entire book flailing about closing time loops that I never realised were still open-ended. My take is that Murphy had questions SHE wanted answered. Questions I wasn't asking, so I wasn't invested. Sloppy reading on my part? I don't think so (but I invite others to prove me wrong).
For me, the closing of the loops created more questions. They also necessitated plot elements which struck me as all too convenient.
Wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff. It's a bitch.
Another issue and another nod to the indistinct nature of things: the villain. The Master is ill-defined. I know he's a Big BIG Bad, a malevolent force that needs to be stopped and whose influences have been trickling into the wider arc from the beginning blah blah [ insert evil deed here ]. He pops in, throws some lightning and an I'll Get You, My Pretty annnnnd pops back out. The best (only) way I can summarize him is by saying his creepy, oily magic is tainting the world. I don't fear him enough.
No more griping. I gave it a three, so there are good points. Jo is Jo - a smart-ass heroine whose growing confidence in her ability makes her all the more likable. Gary is the best friend anyone could ever ask for. Morrison is hot - and very real in his exasperation and concern. New character Cat is a welcome, fiesty addition. Her responses to magic are a perfect balance of wary and awed and I'd love to see more of her. Cernnunos...I sometimes wish for an alternate time-line in which he and Jo could get it on. Er. Explore their connection. Yeah. And the one positive that came out of all the time loops: more characters drawn from Celtic folklore.
There's heaps more I could say, but instead I'll focus on what's to come (hmn, review the seventh wasn't so hard after all). The events of this book set Jo up for another field trip, one I'm truly looking forward to. I'm sure it will mean some harsh realizations and emotional upheaval, but I've got faith in Jo. She can handle it.
February 9, 2012
slight disclaimer: I managed to win a copy from a giveaway. The only bias this gives me is the sheer pleasure of reading an autographed copy before the release date. (Think ferret style happy war dance at the mailbox) That alone is a rush of lush proportions. It also means if the book hadn't lived up to the rush I'd be snarling and gnashing my teeth in despair rather than gushing all over the place.
I wish there were more stars to award a book. A symbol or number of them that would convey - Just GO get the Book. If you haven't read the series, hurry, you have time to gobble down the previous six by March 1st. The book can stand alone, but not enjoying the how Walker ends up on this adventure is simply cheating yourself as a reader of quite a tale. This series started perfect and manages to keep getting better with each book...Every Time, no exceptions or maybes. Rarely are the twists and turns foreseeable, beyond Walker kicking herself as she gets knocked tail over tea kettle and girding herself to get back up and grow, and that is plain admirable.
CE Murphy has the ability to notch tension up to a fever pitch sending characters and readers right over cliff's edge. Then leave them there, begging for more instead of grabbing pitchforks and torches to go find her. This is an unusual talent and she uses it with precision. Jim Butcher is her only equal in this regard. For all the careening the characters do to save the day there isn't a wasted word, moment or unnecessary rabbit-hole side trip. Even when, like the characters, we can't see the full implications of it at that second.
The cast of characters is a tight core group with each character growing, revealing subtle nuances or jaw-dropping details with equal realism. The book is an ensemble piece, and yet is all Walker's story. Most of the supporting cast sits this book out or plays out their role within Walker's mind. Save Morrison who manages to steal a couple scenes long distance while being simply Morrison.
While the previous six books were set in Seattle, this one has Walker in Ireland, all over Ireland in concise, beautiful detail. Each place becomes vivid in the mind's eye, crisp, no uncertainties and all the more real for it. The nuances of same, yet different, between American culture, Irish culture and mythic culture are deftly woven without snags.
Would I want to be Walker? Goodness, No. Her life now is the epitome of one wild, crazy, EPIC ride, but I will wait with baited breath for every single adventure of hers to read. Am also now desperately hoping the young Irish Mage is rattling the author's equanimity demanding her own series, even if it takes another KickStarter campaign.
My last thought before I go back and excerpt read bits of the book again is if you aren't one of the Kickstarter patrons for No Dominion start making offerings to your God/desses that a print copy becomes available to buy. Otherwise by page 88 you will be kicking yourself instead feeling slightly smug while overwhelmingly anxious for that tale to be waiting in your inbox.
Enough gushing - Read or miss out on some of the best adventures in Urban Fantasy, in Fiction.
I wish there were more stars to award a book. A symbol or number of them that would convey - Just GO get the Book. If you haven't read the series, hurry, you have time to gobble down the previous six by March 1st. The book can stand alone, but not enjoying the how Walker ends up on this adventure is simply cheating yourself as a reader of quite a tale. This series started perfect and manages to keep getting better with each book...Every Time, no exceptions or maybes. Rarely are the twists and turns foreseeable, beyond Walker kicking herself as she gets knocked tail over tea kettle and girding herself to get back up and grow, and that is plain admirable.
CE Murphy has the ability to notch tension up to a fever pitch sending characters and readers right over cliff's edge. Then leave them there, begging for more instead of grabbing pitchforks and torches to go find her. This is an unusual talent and she uses it with precision. Jim Butcher is her only equal in this regard. For all the careening the characters do to save the day there isn't a wasted word, moment or unnecessary rabbit-hole side trip. Even when, like the characters, we can't see the full implications of it at that second.
The cast of characters is a tight core group with each character growing, revealing subtle nuances or jaw-dropping details with equal realism. The book is an ensemble piece, and yet is all Walker's story. Most of the supporting cast sits this book out or plays out their role within Walker's mind. Save Morrison who manages to steal a couple scenes long distance while being simply Morrison.
While the previous six books were set in Seattle, this one has Walker in Ireland, all over Ireland in concise, beautiful detail. Each place becomes vivid in the mind's eye, crisp, no uncertainties and all the more real for it. The nuances of same, yet different, between American culture, Irish culture and mythic culture are deftly woven without snags.
Would I want to be Walker? Goodness, No. Her life now is the epitome of one wild, crazy, EPIC ride, but I will wait with baited breath for every single adventure of hers to read. Am also now desperately hoping the young Irish Mage is rattling the author's equanimity demanding her own series, even if it takes another KickStarter campaign.
My last thought before I go back and excerpt read bits of the book again is if you aren't one of the Kickstarter patrons for No Dominion start making offerings to your God/desses that a print copy becomes available to buy. Otherwise by page 88 you will be kicking yourself instead feeling slightly smug while overwhelmingly anxious for that tale to be waiting in your inbox.
Enough gushing - Read or miss out on some of the best adventures in Urban Fantasy, in Fiction.
July 10, 2012
You wouldn't expect Native American Shamanism & Celtic Mythology to blend well into a cohesive storyline. Yet book after book, C.E. Murphy succeeds in delivering a story that keeps you on your toes. I love the fact that you never quite know what to expect.
Joanne Walker, born Siobhan Grainne MacNamarra Walkingstick, began as a disbeliever in book 1 and has gradually learned to use her shamanic powers throughout the series. You definitely need to have read the first 6 books in the series before starting this and I would go one step further and strongly recommend the short story in Winter Moon. Events that began in "Banshee Cries" take on new importance and culminate in Raven Calls.
In this book we learn a lot more about Jo's Celtic heritage and specifically about her mother, the Irish Mage. Time travel, time loops and jumps through spirit world levels could confuse those not familiar with Jo's history, but I personally loved all the twists and turns.
I will definitely be picking up the next two (and final) books in this series.
Joanne Walker, born Siobhan Grainne MacNamarra Walkingstick, began as a disbeliever in book 1 and has gradually learned to use her shamanic powers throughout the series. You definitely need to have read the first 6 books in the series before starting this and I would go one step further and strongly recommend the short story in Winter Moon. Events that began in "Banshee Cries" take on new importance and culminate in Raven Calls.
In this book we learn a lot more about Jo's Celtic heritage and specifically about her mother, the Irish Mage. Time travel, time loops and jumps through spirit world levels could confuse those not familiar with Jo's history, but I personally loved all the twists and turns.
I will definitely be picking up the next two (and final) books in this series.
August 14, 2014
Seventh in the Walker Papers urban fantasy series and revolving around an urban shaman, Joanne Walker, a detective in Seattle. This story continues where
Spirit Dances
, 6, left off.
My Take
This is more fantastical . . . hmmm, maybe not . . . than earlier stories. I think my thoughts were that Raven Calls is more fantastical because Joanne goes off to Ireland and flips back in time, battles the Morrígan, meets up with ancestors — and her mum! — battles more bad guys . . . Yep, it's definitely more fantastical, lol. Yeah, I know you're gonna say that Joanne battles bad guys, meets up with gods and monsters, runs around on alternate planes, and shapeshifts all the time. And she does. However, this is more. And scarier because Joanne loses Gary in time and battle! And the cauldron from Walking Dead , 4, plays a very important part in this.
She finds her family's beginnings with some interesting crossover into the Irish gods and goddesses and werewolf origins with a dip into the fae mythology — I did tell ya this was fantastical, right? Speaking of family, Jo has learned that her mother dumping her off on her dad was more altruistic than she had thought, what with her mom needing to save the world over and over again, cleansing the taint from Irish soils.
One of the things I like about this series, about Jo, is her ability to laugh at herself. Suddenly thrown into this woo-woo world with magical powers, and in spite of all her reluctance to learn, Jo does poke fun at it. I love it that Morrison called Gary and sent him to help Jo in Ireland. And that impulse buy of hers at the airport. Very impractical, but oh so pretty. The sad realization about the warmth of the necklace, and its current state made me cry.
Oh. My. God. Shelia tells Joanne about her father and Oh. My. God. It makes tremendous sense, and Joanne, again, gets her childhood's perspective twisted . . . or should I say untwisted? . . . yet again.
I'm feeling left out on the high king/husband issue and on how Suzanne fits into this. Is Murphy saying that what's happening in this distant past is because of Suzanne rewriting time? How does Suzanne eliminating a zombie in Seattle in Jo's time change time in Ireland thousands of years ago? Then there are Méabh's words about Nuada being the last of the aos sí kings and men coming to the seat of Tara ever since, and she's speaking as if it's a change. I don't get where it's any different. It's loop after loop after loop in this story. It leaves as many questions as well as tying so many things together. I am feeling so confused.
Ah-ha, the explanation behind the living silver hand. Nice one. This definition of the Fir Bolg is a new one! I never thought (or read anywhere) that the Fir Bolg are humans. It does make sense, in a way. That cracked me up when Brigid tells Jo that she is on a warrior's path, and it's vindication for Jo when everyone so far has been telling her that shamans only heal.
Mmm, I like how Murphy describes Cernunnos, as "a raw piece of star stuff made into a beautiful inhuman form full of lust and energy and anger".
How Murphy manages to maintain Gary's speech patterns is amazing. It makes him so real.
Oh, yeah. That's one of our biggest problems these days: might makes right. Murphy ties that concept right into the Master's philosophy and doesn't that sound like what's happening in our world today? The world is full of people who don't want to work together. They're all out for their piece of the pie, and it's a concept that Jo finally gets in Raven Calls, that she is only part of a whole. Truths she doesn't want to know and needs to know.
Murphy talks of how we throw money at companies to build bigger, better, badder weapons while schools hold bake sales to purchase supplies for kids. Think of how poorly funded orphanages and foster care systems are funded. How much better the world could be if we threw that kind of weapons-money into raising ALL our children to be better people.
Oh, god, it's too funny. Fifteen-year-old Joanne is railing away at twenty-eight-year-old Joanne, and she's so full of truths. MORE truths, lol. Only, I really shouldn't be laughing at older Jo. It's what we do. It's what I do. Run. Be fearful of success.
The Story
Joanne’s on the run in so many ways: she’s quit her job and she’s racing off to Ireland, desperately believing her only hope of surviving the werewolf bite is to find the woman in her vision. Only she turns out to be vicious with her own Master, one Jo is determined to destroy.
Meeting Lugh and the Morrígan persuades Jo, rather quickly, that this Ireland is not “the place of balance and peace” Lugh believes. All due to Suzanne’s re-writing of time in Walking Dead , and Joanne must “close the loop”.
The Characters
Joanne Walker, aka, Siobhán Walkingstick, is a half-Irish, half-Cherokee shaman detective on the Seattle PD. Her spirit guides are Raven and Rattler. Gary Muldoon is her seventy-four-year-old best friend, a taxi driver, her companion in this whole new shamanic world of Jo's, and he carries a totem spirit, a tortoise. His late wife was Annie. Aidan is Jo's child who survived the birth. Coyote gets a cry for help in this, and big Coyote shows up as well. Sheila MacNamarra is Jo's dead mother/banshee. Caitríona O'Reilly is Sheila's oldest niece and will become the next Irish Mage.
Méabh (think Maeve) is the trifold goddess and Queen of Connacht and Ulster — and the Morrígan's only child. To be king, a man had to get Méabh's blessing. Brigid — maiden, mother, crone — was the other side of the Morrígan — warrior, witch, death. Cernunnos is the god of the Hunt and leads the Wild Hunt, and is still a "creature of order . . . [who] . . . helped maintain the flow of life into death". Áine is a goddess of chaos
The aos sí, a.k.a., elves, Tuatha de Daanan
Lugh is the ard rí Joanne meets first. Nuada of the Silver Hand made Jo's necklace as well as the sword she got from Cernunnos. Eochaidh is the guy who cut off Nuada's hand. Bres, once ard rí, was the zombie removed from time. Seems that the Red Caps have also been twisted, realistically, into Murphy's fae world. Although I do disagree with Caitríona calling him a leprechaun; it's just too far outside the pale for me. As for her referring to him as a fear darrig? Nope, Ain't buying that one either. Ailill Mac Mata is Mébh's love and a Gancanagh, who's all about love and life.
Captain Michael Morrison had been Joanne's boss — until she quit. And they're both looking forward to her getting back. Billy Holliday, a medium, doesn't know it, but he's Jo's former partner. Suzanne Quinley is the "teenage demigod granddaughter to the Wild Hunt".
Tara is a spiritual center with a standing stone, the Lia Fáil , Stone of Destiny. A gwyld is the Gaelic word for shaman. At Tara, they are called connected; our time calls them adepts. An ard rí is the high king. Cromm was the Fomorian king Nuada defeated. Special Agent Sarah Buchanan Isaac was Jo's best friend in school and married to the boy, Lucas, who fathered Jo's children.
The Morrígan is surrounded by three ravens, carries a blazing sword, and looks just like Jo's mother. And she calls the Master hers. Banshees are wailing women, creatures of the Master. So far, all we know about the Master is that he's the big bad. Aibhill is the O'Brien banshee, the queen of the banshees and lives in the "heart of Thiobraid Áran ".
The Cover & Title
The cover is perfect blending metaphor and reality with the grays of a stormy Ireland. The stone Celtic cross with a sweater-clad Jo holding her mother’s necklace, her beaded belt continuing to proclaim her mixed heritage. The rocky hill before her with Raven flying overhead.
The title is the familiar for several characters in this — the Morrígan and Joanne — the Raven Calls to attack or to save.
My Take
This is more fantastical . . . hmmm, maybe not . . . than earlier stories. I think my thoughts were that Raven Calls is more fantastical because Joanne goes off to Ireland and flips back in time, battles the Morrígan, meets up with ancestors — and her mum! — battles more bad guys . . . Yep, it's definitely more fantastical, lol. Yeah, I know you're gonna say that Joanne battles bad guys, meets up with gods and monsters, runs around on alternate planes, and shapeshifts all the time. And she does. However, this is more. And scarier because Joanne loses Gary in time and battle! And the cauldron from Walking Dead , 4, plays a very important part in this.
She finds her family's beginnings with some interesting crossover into the Irish gods and goddesses and werewolf origins with a dip into the fae mythology — I did tell ya this was fantastical, right? Speaking of family, Jo has learned that her mother dumping her off on her dad was more altruistic than she had thought, what with her mom needing to save the world over and over again, cleansing the taint from Irish soils.
One of the things I like about this series, about Jo, is her ability to laugh at herself. Suddenly thrown into this woo-woo world with magical powers, and in spite of all her reluctance to learn, Jo does poke fun at it. I love it that Morrison called Gary and sent him to help Jo in Ireland. And that impulse buy of hers at the airport. Very impractical, but oh so pretty. The sad realization about the warmth of the necklace, and its current state made me cry.
Oh. My. God. Shelia tells Joanne about her father and Oh. My. God. It makes tremendous sense, and Joanne, again, gets her childhood's perspective twisted . . . or should I say untwisted? . . . yet again.
I'm feeling left out on the high king/husband issue and on how Suzanne fits into this. Is Murphy saying that what's happening in this distant past is because of Suzanne rewriting time? How does Suzanne eliminating a zombie in Seattle in Jo's time change time in Ireland thousands of years ago? Then there are Méabh's words about Nuada being the last of the aos sí kings and men coming to the seat of Tara ever since, and she's speaking as if it's a change. I don't get where it's any different. It's loop after loop after loop in this story. It leaves as many questions as well as tying so many things together. I am feeling so confused.
Ah-ha, the explanation behind the living silver hand. Nice one. This definition of the Fir Bolg is a new one! I never thought (or read anywhere) that the Fir Bolg are humans. It does make sense, in a way. That cracked me up when Brigid tells Jo that she is on a warrior's path, and it's vindication for Jo when everyone so far has been telling her that shamans only heal.
Mmm, I like how Murphy describes Cernunnos, as "a raw piece of star stuff made into a beautiful inhuman form full of lust and energy and anger".
How Murphy manages to maintain Gary's speech patterns is amazing. It makes him so real.
Oh, yeah. That's one of our biggest problems these days: might makes right. Murphy ties that concept right into the Master's philosophy and doesn't that sound like what's happening in our world today? The world is full of people who don't want to work together. They're all out for their piece of the pie, and it's a concept that Jo finally gets in Raven Calls, that she is only part of a whole. Truths she doesn't want to know and needs to know.
Murphy talks of how we throw money at companies to build bigger, better, badder weapons while schools hold bake sales to purchase supplies for kids. Think of how poorly funded orphanages and foster care systems are funded. How much better the world could be if we threw that kind of weapons-money into raising ALL our children to be better people.
Oh, god, it's too funny. Fifteen-year-old Joanne is railing away at twenty-eight-year-old Joanne, and she's so full of truths. MORE truths, lol. Only, I really shouldn't be laughing at older Jo. It's what we do. It's what I do. Run. Be fearful of success.
"Sure and legend never lets truth get in the way of a good story."
The Story
Joanne’s on the run in so many ways: she’s quit her job and she’s racing off to Ireland, desperately believing her only hope of surviving the werewolf bite is to find the woman in her vision. Only she turns out to be vicious with her own Master, one Jo is determined to destroy.
Meeting Lugh and the Morrígan persuades Jo, rather quickly, that this Ireland is not “the place of balance and peace” Lugh believes. All due to Suzanne’s re-writing of time in Walking Dead , and Joanne must “close the loop”.
The Characters
Joanne Walker, aka, Siobhán Walkingstick, is a half-Irish, half-Cherokee shaman detective on the Seattle PD. Her spirit guides are Raven and Rattler. Gary Muldoon is her seventy-four-year-old best friend, a taxi driver, her companion in this whole new shamanic world of Jo's, and he carries a totem spirit, a tortoise. His late wife was Annie. Aidan is Jo's child who survived the birth. Coyote gets a cry for help in this, and big Coyote shows up as well. Sheila MacNamarra is Jo's dead mother/banshee. Caitríona O'Reilly is Sheila's oldest niece and will become the next Irish Mage.
Méabh (think Maeve) is the trifold goddess and Queen of Connacht and Ulster — and the Morrígan's only child. To be king, a man had to get Méabh's blessing. Brigid — maiden, mother, crone — was the other side of the Morrígan — warrior, witch, death. Cernunnos is the god of the Hunt and leads the Wild Hunt, and is still a "creature of order . . . [who] . . . helped maintain the flow of life into death". Áine is a goddess of chaos
The aos sí, a.k.a., elves, Tuatha de Daanan
Lugh is the ard rí Joanne meets first. Nuada of the Silver Hand made Jo's necklace as well as the sword she got from Cernunnos. Eochaidh is the guy who cut off Nuada's hand. Bres, once ard rí, was the zombie removed from time. Seems that the Red Caps have also been twisted, realistically, into Murphy's fae world. Although I do disagree with Caitríona calling him a leprechaun; it's just too far outside the pale for me. As for her referring to him as a fear darrig? Nope, Ain't buying that one either. Ailill Mac Mata is Mébh's love and a Gancanagh, who's all about love and life.
Captain Michael Morrison had been Joanne's boss — until she quit. And they're both looking forward to her getting back. Billy Holliday, a medium, doesn't know it, but he's Jo's former partner. Suzanne Quinley is the "teenage demigod granddaughter to the Wild Hunt".
Tara is a spiritual center with a standing stone, the Lia Fáil , Stone of Destiny. A gwyld is the Gaelic word for shaman. At Tara, they are called connected; our time calls them adepts. An ard rí is the high king. Cromm was the Fomorian king Nuada defeated. Special Agent Sarah Buchanan Isaac was Jo's best friend in school and married to the boy, Lucas, who fathered Jo's children.
The Morrígan is surrounded by three ravens, carries a blazing sword, and looks just like Jo's mother. And she calls the Master hers. Banshees are wailing women, creatures of the Master. So far, all we know about the Master is that he's the big bad. Aibhill is the O'Brien banshee, the queen of the banshees and lives in the "heart of Thiobraid Áran ".
The Cover & Title
The cover is perfect blending metaphor and reality with the grays of a stormy Ireland. The stone Celtic cross with a sweater-clad Jo holding her mother’s necklace, her beaded belt continuing to proclaim her mixed heritage. The rocky hill before her with Raven flying overhead.
The title is the familiar for several characters in this — the Morrígan and Joanne — the Raven Calls to attack or to save.
May 15, 2013
To say I was disappointed with this book would be an understatement.
It picks up right where we left off, with Jo leaving to go to Ireland with the thought of getting the werewolf bite healed. Of course way more things go awry.
The pros about this book.. Gary. Actually for that was really the only pro.
After we had gotten so far last book with the relationship between Morrison & Jo. With her accepting her powers and finally embracing them.. Well this story took a huge leap back.
Not only is Morrison not on this adventure with her, he is only talked to twice briefly on the phone and they are already saying I love you. What with only a kiss finally shared between them in the last book? What happened? Seriously!
Yes the Irish part of the book was interesting to a certain extent. Finding out about her mother was slightly interesting, but the Time travel aspect. Really?!? Joanne is obviously some super Shamanic Mage combo. (insert rolling eyes here)
I just felt this book was really lacking. So much so that it made me sad. It's not enough to make me give up on the series, as I still have hope that the next story will involve some normalcy. 2 stars.
It picks up right where we left off, with Jo leaving to go to Ireland with the thought of getting the werewolf bite healed. Of course way more things go awry.
The pros about this book.. Gary. Actually for that was really the only pro.
After we had gotten so far last book with the relationship between Morrison & Jo. With her accepting her powers and finally embracing them.. Well this story took a huge leap back.
Not only is Morrison not on this adventure with her, he is only talked to twice briefly on the phone and they are already saying I love you. What with only a kiss finally shared between them in the last book? What happened? Seriously!
Yes the Irish part of the book was interesting to a certain extent. Finding out about her mother was slightly interesting, but the Time travel aspect. Really?!? Joanne is obviously some super Shamanic Mage combo. (insert rolling eyes here)
I just felt this book was really lacking. So much so that it made me sad. It's not enough to make me give up on the series, as I still have hope that the next story will involve some normalcy. 2 stars.
May 2, 2012
I like this series but I felt like this book was a big misstep. For one, Joanne was ridiculously immature, abrasive, and dumb. It's not like she's ever fully had her shit together but it's like she took about a thousand steps back from the progress she'd made in the first six books. Additionally, part of my love for this series is the ensemble and their relationships with Joanne. For the most part Gary and Coyote were absent for the action, Morrison only popped up in a couple of phone calls, and the others weren't around at all. And finally, while I don't read these books explicitly for the romance, after the build-up over six books of Joanne's relationship with Morrison I expected something a lot less lame and anticlimactic than ILYs exchanged over the freakin' phone. I get that Murphy wanted to explore Joanne's Irish heritage but the way this book was developed and plotted did not work for me at all.
June 4, 2012
More lulz!
And I was really enjoying the Irish mythology. Right up my alley. Gancanagh was fun. Meabh was fun too, and Catriona, and the "new banshee queen"... hope to see more. I was even hearing Irish accents when they spoke. =)
I took a break to get some library books read before they were due back, which is why it took so long... but I gobbled this one up!
The final battles could have felt a wee bit less rushed... not terribly satisfying or even fully comprehensible. Not quite anti-climactic... kind of quick and not very strong. Still entertaining, though, with neat elements.
Okay, ready for the next in the series!
And I was really enjoying the Irish mythology. Right up my alley. Gancanagh was fun. Meabh was fun too, and Catriona, and the "new banshee queen"... hope to see more. I was even hearing Irish accents when they spoke. =)
I took a break to get some library books read before they were due back, which is why it took so long... but I gobbled this one up!
The final battles could have felt a wee bit less rushed... not terribly satisfying or even fully comprehensible. Not quite anti-climactic... kind of quick and not very strong. Still entertaining, though, with neat elements.
Okay, ready for the next in the series!
January 2, 2013
I first picked up "Urban Shaman" Urban Shaman (The Walker Papers, Book 1) back in 2009, during a really bad part of my life. Urban Shaman was recommended to me by a bookseller whose tastes I shared, and, I must say, I was immediately drawn in to this new and fascinating world. Since then, Ms. Murphy has never failed to deliver what I believe to be some of the most well written character development and world building in urban fantasy today.
Writers can take many directions with their work, and there are many demons out there, ready, willing and able to sacrifice the writer's integrity of storyline to the gods of marketing. It is the strongest writer who holds her story in her heart, retains her character's continuity, and develops the types of souls that Ms. Murphy imbues her characters with.
With "Raven Calls" Joanne begins to truly come into her own, as a Shaman and as a human being. There is great pain in this volume of her story, as well as great growth. She was, as a Shaman, "mixed up fresh" to do a job, and to do it well. Many things go wrong in the beginning of her life, things that cause her great agony and great loss. Whether planned or not by the being that created her, this history comes to a head in Raven, with an outcome both devastating and inevitable. In all belief systems, there must be pain before there is growth, and Joanne not only suffers the pain, but also begins to truly grow into who she is meant to be.
In this volume of the story, the secondary characters also begin to truly show their true worth and growth as humans (and, yes, not-so-humans). Joanne has suffered, and even died, for those she cares about, and you see, in this volume more than any other, that her belief in, and caring for, this incredible group of very special people in her life does not go unrewarded. You cannot watch what Joanne has gone through, cannot see her pain and growth, without either anteing up or getting out of Dodge. In Raven, everyone antes up, and it shows in their own personal growth.
There are losses in this book, to be sure. Two of the long-term characters must, through dint of the storyline, be lost. It hurts, but it is a necessary, and not an unexpected loss. Circles close, and it is time for that part of Joanne's life to be done. I was unutterably sad to see them go, but their part in the story was over. Joanne is, truly, on a warrior shaman's path, and a new story, in a way, has begun.
Several people who review this book are upset, in that they think the `romance' part of the book should have been worked out by now. Sorry, people, this isn't a romantic fantasy, thank goodness! This is a whole other creature. It deals with growth, honour, and doing what is right no matter the cost, not with `girl gets boy and lives happily ever after in a cottage in the woods with a white picket fence the end.' Not that I don't WANT the girl to get the boy - and the fact that the boy she wants actually understands what must be done and is willing to wait for her is, in my estimation, PRICELESS. Her love knows that, given a good outcome, Joanne will come back to him. Until then, he is her rock, her keystone, and she needs him to be where he is, who he is, and what he is for the time being. God bless C.E. Murphy for developing a "true" story line - a story line that doesn't lead straight to a bed instead of to the development of a woman's soul. Sure, Joanne hurts, and she wants, and she has to make personal decisions that suck, and hurt people, especially one person in particular, that she loves - but, by goddess, she is going to do what it takes to make sure that the most people gain, in the end, from her losses. She hurts, she bleeds, and she knows, deeply and without any doubt, that the people closest to her are willing to hurt and bleed right alongside her, so that she can do what she needs to do. Now THAT is an incredible author, with an incredible story to tell, who never takes her eye off the prize. This is an amazingly well developed series, with depth and breadth, and characters I would be proud and happy to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with in a fight.
A few of the characters stand out in this story, and beg to have their own stories told. Gary is, as always, a touchstone in Joanne's life, and he has his own adventure in this story, one which, though we aren't sure what really happened (yet - I know that Ms. Murphy has written the story as another volume, and I am dieing to get my hands on it!) but Gary comes back sad, and yet even more `Gary-ish. He is a character no other writer that I can think of has been skilled enough to write. At 74 years-old, a time when most men would be sitting in their rocking chairs, Gary is out there still learning, still growing, and giving Joanne that depth of knowledge-the baggage, shall we say-that, having being "mixed up fresh," she doesn't have. Brilliant!! Even Cernunnos has a part in this adventure across the seas, in an Ireland of ancient times, in the lower world, where all things are as they once were. We meet new characters, some who survive, and some who don't, and Joanne finally gets to know who her mother truly was. She is given the opportunity to know her mother again, and to finally accept, and say a true goodbye.
If you are having trouble understanding what is going on in Raven Calls, please, do yourself a favour and go get Urban Shaman, then each of the other books in the series, then read Raven again. This is a magnificent series, and, if you really do like strong female role models, strong secondary characters, and a story of great depth and development, you will not be disappointed. Me? I read every single one of the stories over again, from the start, every time a new Walker Papers edition comes out before I read the new one-C.E. MURPHY ROCKS!
Writers can take many directions with their work, and there are many demons out there, ready, willing and able to sacrifice the writer's integrity of storyline to the gods of marketing. It is the strongest writer who holds her story in her heart, retains her character's continuity, and develops the types of souls that Ms. Murphy imbues her characters with.
With "Raven Calls" Joanne begins to truly come into her own, as a Shaman and as a human being. There is great pain in this volume of her story, as well as great growth. She was, as a Shaman, "mixed up fresh" to do a job, and to do it well. Many things go wrong in the beginning of her life, things that cause her great agony and great loss. Whether planned or not by the being that created her, this history comes to a head in Raven, with an outcome both devastating and inevitable. In all belief systems, there must be pain before there is growth, and Joanne not only suffers the pain, but also begins to truly grow into who she is meant to be.
In this volume of the story, the secondary characters also begin to truly show their true worth and growth as humans (and, yes, not-so-humans). Joanne has suffered, and even died, for those she cares about, and you see, in this volume more than any other, that her belief in, and caring for, this incredible group of very special people in her life does not go unrewarded. You cannot watch what Joanne has gone through, cannot see her pain and growth, without either anteing up or getting out of Dodge. In Raven, everyone antes up, and it shows in their own personal growth.
There are losses in this book, to be sure. Two of the long-term characters must, through dint of the storyline, be lost. It hurts, but it is a necessary, and not an unexpected loss. Circles close, and it is time for that part of Joanne's life to be done. I was unutterably sad to see them go, but their part in the story was over. Joanne is, truly, on a warrior shaman's path, and a new story, in a way, has begun.
Several people who review this book are upset, in that they think the `romance' part of the book should have been worked out by now. Sorry, people, this isn't a romantic fantasy, thank goodness! This is a whole other creature. It deals with growth, honour, and doing what is right no matter the cost, not with `girl gets boy and lives happily ever after in a cottage in the woods with a white picket fence the end.' Not that I don't WANT the girl to get the boy - and the fact that the boy she wants actually understands what must be done and is willing to wait for her is, in my estimation, PRICELESS. Her love knows that, given a good outcome, Joanne will come back to him. Until then, he is her rock, her keystone, and she needs him to be where he is, who he is, and what he is for the time being. God bless C.E. Murphy for developing a "true" story line - a story line that doesn't lead straight to a bed instead of to the development of a woman's soul. Sure, Joanne hurts, and she wants, and she has to make personal decisions that suck, and hurt people, especially one person in particular, that she loves - but, by goddess, she is going to do what it takes to make sure that the most people gain, in the end, from her losses. She hurts, she bleeds, and she knows, deeply and without any doubt, that the people closest to her are willing to hurt and bleed right alongside her, so that she can do what she needs to do. Now THAT is an incredible author, with an incredible story to tell, who never takes her eye off the prize. This is an amazingly well developed series, with depth and breadth, and characters I would be proud and happy to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with in a fight.
A few of the characters stand out in this story, and beg to have their own stories told. Gary is, as always, a touchstone in Joanne's life, and he has his own adventure in this story, one which, though we aren't sure what really happened (yet - I know that Ms. Murphy has written the story as another volume, and I am dieing to get my hands on it!) but Gary comes back sad, and yet even more `Gary-ish. He is a character no other writer that I can think of has been skilled enough to write. At 74 years-old, a time when most men would be sitting in their rocking chairs, Gary is out there still learning, still growing, and giving Joanne that depth of knowledge-the baggage, shall we say-that, having being "mixed up fresh," she doesn't have. Brilliant!! Even Cernunnos has a part in this adventure across the seas, in an Ireland of ancient times, in the lower world, where all things are as they once were. We meet new characters, some who survive, and some who don't, and Joanne finally gets to know who her mother truly was. She is given the opportunity to know her mother again, and to finally accept, and say a true goodbye.
If you are having trouble understanding what is going on in Raven Calls, please, do yourself a favour and go get Urban Shaman, then each of the other books in the series, then read Raven again. This is a magnificent series, and, if you really do like strong female role models, strong secondary characters, and a story of great depth and development, you will not be disappointed. Me? I read every single one of the stories over again, from the start, every time a new Walker Papers edition comes out before I read the new one-C.E. MURPHY ROCKS!
February 10, 2012
Review originally posted on my blog: A Book Obsession..
After quitting her job and professing her feelings to Morrison, Joanne is in a race against time (literally) as she travels to Ireland to fight the werewolf infection brewing inside of her. However, once she arrives, she finds that infection to be nothing in comparison to the rest of the issues she must face. The magic she will be facing is older than she can imagine and is tied directly into The Master that has had a hand in all the turmoil thus far. Now she must save the very woman who gave her life to save Joanne, even if it means risking everything herself, for failure may give The Master the last foothold he needs to come into this world. She'll need all the help she can get as she travels through time as there will me more than a few obstacles in her path.
Raven Calls had a much different feel to it than the previous books, more in the realm of regular fantasy rather then urban. This had a lot to do with the setting being in Ireland and all of the time jumping. I also missed the dynamic between Joanne and all of the other characters we have come to love. Thank goodness at least Gary tagged along. It just wouldn't have felt the same without him. Although, even he wasn't around for a large portion of the book. However, once I got over my character withdraw and made myself focus on Joanne, I really started to get into Raven Calls. The main theme of this series has been Joanne's growth from being a pain in the rear, to slowly starting to accept the magical "woo-woo" stuff. In Raven Calls, she took that growth one step further and started to finally have confidence in herself and abilities. And let me tell you, that has made all the difference. Although it does have me a little worried because that may mean she is almost ready for the final showdown and the end of the series.
When I finished the previous book, Spirit Dances, I wanted to throw a temper tantrum of epic proportions. Seeing as I have two small children, trust me, I have learned from the best. I was just so devastated after all that build up between Joanne and Morrison and then a tiny carrot was dangled, but taken away so quickly. I mean, it was a write and complain to your senator type of ending. (Yes, I realize that wouldn't have made a lick of difference, and really doesn't make much sense, but considering how anti-political I am, it just shows how much I was impacted by that ending.) For all of two seconds I had plans to boycott the following book, Raven Calls, but that idea was quickly thrown out the window once I realized I wouldn't get to find out what would happen next if I did that. Even so I went into reading Raven Calls more than a bit petulant and convinced that I wouldn't enjoy it due to the lack of Morrison. Well, I am now humbly admitting I was wrong, at least in part. The book was very good. Now, would I have enjoyed it even more if Morrison could have somehow come on the journey? Probably, but the few phone calls and interactions between the two of them gave me just enough relief to tide me over. However I will say this, if the two of them do not get some face time in the next book, well, it is game on!
While I enjoy reading urban fantasies, I vastly prefer the ones that have a romantic sub-plot as well. So, it really says something that Raven Calls was easily able to get past my petulance due to frustration in the romance department. The world C.E. Murphy has created is so vast and rich, with characters that suck you right in, and Raven Calls only continued that trend. Between the epic world building, character growth and a killer plot, Raven Calls is one heck of a read. Major kudos!
After quitting her job and professing her feelings to Morrison, Joanne is in a race against time (literally) as she travels to Ireland to fight the werewolf infection brewing inside of her. However, once she arrives, she finds that infection to be nothing in comparison to the rest of the issues she must face. The magic she will be facing is older than she can imagine and is tied directly into The Master that has had a hand in all the turmoil thus far. Now she must save the very woman who gave her life to save Joanne, even if it means risking everything herself, for failure may give The Master the last foothold he needs to come into this world. She'll need all the help she can get as she travels through time as there will me more than a few obstacles in her path.
Raven Calls had a much different feel to it than the previous books, more in the realm of regular fantasy rather then urban. This had a lot to do with the setting being in Ireland and all of the time jumping. I also missed the dynamic between Joanne and all of the other characters we have come to love. Thank goodness at least Gary tagged along. It just wouldn't have felt the same without him. Although, even he wasn't around for a large portion of the book. However, once I got over my character withdraw and made myself focus on Joanne, I really started to get into Raven Calls. The main theme of this series has been Joanne's growth from being a pain in the rear, to slowly starting to accept the magical "woo-woo" stuff. In Raven Calls, she took that growth one step further and started to finally have confidence in herself and abilities. And let me tell you, that has made all the difference. Although it does have me a little worried because that may mean she is almost ready for the final showdown and the end of the series.
When I finished the previous book, Spirit Dances, I wanted to throw a temper tantrum of epic proportions. Seeing as I have two small children, trust me, I have learned from the best. I was just so devastated after all that build up between Joanne and Morrison and then a tiny carrot was dangled, but taken away so quickly. I mean, it was a write and complain to your senator type of ending. (Yes, I realize that wouldn't have made a lick of difference, and really doesn't make much sense, but considering how anti-political I am, it just shows how much I was impacted by that ending.) For all of two seconds I had plans to boycott the following book, Raven Calls, but that idea was quickly thrown out the window once I realized I wouldn't get to find out what would happen next if I did that. Even so I went into reading Raven Calls more than a bit petulant and convinced that I wouldn't enjoy it due to the lack of Morrison. Well, I am now humbly admitting I was wrong, at least in part. The book was very good. Now, would I have enjoyed it even more if Morrison could have somehow come on the journey? Probably, but the few phone calls and interactions between the two of them gave me just enough relief to tide me over. However I will say this, if the two of them do not get some face time in the next book, well, it is game on!
While I enjoy reading urban fantasies, I vastly prefer the ones that have a romantic sub-plot as well. So, it really says something that Raven Calls was easily able to get past my petulance due to frustration in the romance department. The world C.E. Murphy has created is so vast and rich, with characters that suck you right in, and Raven Calls only continued that trend. Between the epic world building, character growth and a killer plot, Raven Calls is one heck of a read. Major kudos!
August 12, 2012
This book picks up almost immediately after the events at the end of the last book, Spirit Dances, with our lovely protagonist Joanne Walker on her way to Ireland to take care of that pesky werewolf bite. I had some very big expectations for this book after the way the last book ended, and in most ways those expectations were met, maybe even surpassed. And yet, I can't help deducting one respect point for the missing characters in this instalment. Phone calls are all well and good (very good, actually) but after being made to wait six books (SIX books!) for something to happen between Jo and Morrison, and then to have this be what I call a "departure book" - basically a book in a series that sticks out as separate from the rest in some way and can often be referred to as "the one where she goes to ... " and to have nearly all of the secondary characters I've grown to know and love be absent as well, was a slight disappointment.
However, that was basically my only complaint with this book. The rest of it was grade A awesome. The narrative was fresh and funny as ever. Joanne has always been comical, but some of her inner thought processes in this one had me laughing out loud. I love the way she weighs up her options when she faces a new situation or danger. She counts them on one hand, then on the other hand, then on the third hand...it really tickled me. One of my favourite passages that displays this:
"On the positive side, I'd caught a banshee with nets before. On the less positive side, it had taken Sheila's help to hold it in place. But on another positive side, I was a lot more confident in my powers than I had been then. Of course, on the negative side that confidence was currently stymied by a werewolf bite and general uncertainty about using my skills at full bore. Then again, back on the positive side --- apparently I was an octagon---if things were going to explode, they might take a banshee or too along with them."
This kind of dithering made the narrative seem friendly and relatable and I could really connect well with Jo because of it. Obviously her Shamanic and fighting skills have both improved exponentially since book one, but that doesn't means she always knows exactly what to do in any given situation. There is no "How to be a badass Shaman" handbook, after all. So seeing her face down the bad guys even with this level of uncertainty, really upped my respect for her as a main character.
The delightful Gary, her septuagenarian BFF was with Joanne for some of the book which I was very thankful for, and his scenes were as sweet as can be and often highly amusing as well. They really are very close friends now, probably more like family, actually, and it's just adorable to watch. We also meet some interesting new characters, revisit some old ones, as well take on some amazing creatures, beasties and bad guys. All of the things you have come to expect from this series is here (Except Morrison!).
I'm really, and I do mean REALLY, looking forward to the next book and just hope (wish, pray, expect, demand) that the rest of the gang will be reunited once more and that we will also find out what Jo will be doing now that she is officially unemployed...
I give this 4 stars and a big, fat Morrison-shaped heart.
Review Copy: Received from the publisher for an honest review
However, that was basically my only complaint with this book. The rest of it was grade A awesome. The narrative was fresh and funny as ever. Joanne has always been comical, but some of her inner thought processes in this one had me laughing out loud. I love the way she weighs up her options when she faces a new situation or danger. She counts them on one hand, then on the other hand, then on the third hand...it really tickled me. One of my favourite passages that displays this:
"On the positive side, I'd caught a banshee with nets before. On the less positive side, it had taken Sheila's help to hold it in place. But on another positive side, I was a lot more confident in my powers than I had been then. Of course, on the negative side that confidence was currently stymied by a werewolf bite and general uncertainty about using my skills at full bore. Then again, back on the positive side --- apparently I was an octagon---if things were going to explode, they might take a banshee or too along with them."
This kind of dithering made the narrative seem friendly and relatable and I could really connect well with Jo because of it. Obviously her Shamanic and fighting skills have both improved exponentially since book one, but that doesn't means she always knows exactly what to do in any given situation. There is no "How to be a badass Shaman" handbook, after all. So seeing her face down the bad guys even with this level of uncertainty, really upped my respect for her as a main character.
The delightful Gary, her septuagenarian BFF was with Joanne for some of the book which I was very thankful for, and his scenes were as sweet as can be and often highly amusing as well. They really are very close friends now, probably more like family, actually, and it's just adorable to watch. We also meet some interesting new characters, revisit some old ones, as well take on some amazing creatures, beasties and bad guys. All of the things you have come to expect from this series is here (Except Morrison!).
I'm really, and I do mean REALLY, looking forward to the next book and just hope (wish, pray, expect, demand) that the rest of the gang will be reunited once more and that we will also find out what Jo will be doing now that she is officially unemployed...
I give this 4 stars and a big, fat Morrison-shaped heart.
Review Copy: Received from the publisher for an honest review
March 10, 2012
"WHAT...?"
Okay I'm not going to say exactly what came out of my mouth when I finished this book, but some might get the point.
Honestly I have to say I did enjoy this book and really, it was good. I'm just being stubborn and grumpy because I think with the way things have ended it is going to be a long while before we get some Morrison. I'm not talking about a stupid phone call either!
Joanne going off to Ireland made sense and caught my interest. Gary meeting up with her there was great. But the werewolf bite... hmm.
I was eager for Joanne to discover more of the mysteries from her Irish side and it was non-stop action and kept me on the edge of my seat all the way. But the werewolf bite...hmm. I loved Jo meeting up with her family and working things out with her mom. I'm looking forward for more of her father.
The time travel thing didn't bother me, though I can see where others might get confused but I waited for this to come out on audio cause I didn't want to waste my time trying to read Gaelic. I wanted to get right to the story and loved how Jo had her own issue's with Gaelic. Gabra Zackman does an excellent job at narrating. I went and got the whole series in audio because I think Gabra really hits Jo's character and the rest of the cast very well.
I was very excited about this book, even knowing I was going to miss Morrison and Billy, and I truly was enjoying it except one flaw kept coming at me again and again. The werewolf bite! After 6 books, 15 months in Joanne's world, this supposed action and reason for her to run off to Ireland to find a cure for herself made no sense to me. Jo defeated the werewolf, literally altering the woman's DNA and cured her breast cancer on top of that. But for some reason she couldn't heal herself. After all in each of these books Jo keeps getting things thrown at her and she's growing but she doesn't remember that one thing about herself that she can WILL her own body, that her thoughts and will have power over her OWN body, not just everything around her. That was the one true flaw for me. Thinking about where the series is going to go from here.. might be another.
I've been hoping, at some point in Demon Hunts that Jo might reconnect with her dad and have some heart to heart, or smack down with Sarah and Lucas. But with 2 books left in the series I have this feeling that Morrison is going to be the end result. That the next two books in the series are going to keep Joanne busy and when she finally gets back to Seattle and Morrison it will be the end. In my head I kinda pictured Morrison and Jo having more. Him being there to wrap his arms around her and stand up with her to face the demons in her past. I guess we'll see what happens. I know I'm committed to the last book.
Okay I'm not going to say exactly what came out of my mouth when I finished this book, but some might get the point.
Honestly I have to say I did enjoy this book and really, it was good. I'm just being stubborn and grumpy because I think with the way things have ended it is going to be a long while before we get some Morrison. I'm not talking about a stupid phone call either!
Joanne going off to Ireland made sense and caught my interest. Gary meeting up with her there was great. But the werewolf bite... hmm.
I was eager for Joanne to discover more of the mysteries from her Irish side and it was non-stop action and kept me on the edge of my seat all the way. But the werewolf bite...hmm. I loved Jo meeting up with her family and working things out with her mom. I'm looking forward for more of her father.
The time travel thing didn't bother me, though I can see where others might get confused but I waited for this to come out on audio cause I didn't want to waste my time trying to read Gaelic. I wanted to get right to the story and loved how Jo had her own issue's with Gaelic. Gabra Zackman does an excellent job at narrating. I went and got the whole series in audio because I think Gabra really hits Jo's character and the rest of the cast very well.
I was very excited about this book, even knowing I was going to miss Morrison and Billy, and I truly was enjoying it except one flaw kept coming at me again and again. The werewolf bite! After 6 books, 15 months in Joanne's world, this supposed action and reason for her to run off to Ireland to find a cure for herself made no sense to me. Jo defeated the werewolf, literally altering the woman's DNA and cured her breast cancer on top of that. But for some reason she couldn't heal herself. After all in each of these books Jo keeps getting things thrown at her and she's growing but she doesn't remember that one thing about herself that she can WILL her own body, that her thoughts and will have power over her OWN body, not just everything around her. That was the one true flaw for me. Thinking about where the series is going to go from here.. might be another.
I've been hoping, at some point in Demon Hunts that Jo might reconnect with her dad and have some heart to heart, or smack down with Sarah and Lucas. But with 2 books left in the series I have this feeling that Morrison is going to be the end result. That the next two books in the series are going to keep Joanne busy and when she finally gets back to Seattle and Morrison it will be the end. In my head I kinda pictured Morrison and Jo having more. Him being there to wrap his arms around her and stand up with her to face the demons in her past. I guess we'll see what happens. I know I'm committed to the last book.
November 4, 2012
SPOILER ALERT: It's impossible to discuss this book without referencing events from the previous novel, SPIRIT DANCES. Please don't read this post unless you're all caught up or don't mind spoilers from previous novels. (There's a bit of a give away in the blurb.)
As you may have guessed from me daring you to read URBAN SHAMAN, the first book in the Walker Papers, I'm a big fan of the series. Seven books in, I'm still completely hooked.
At this point in the series, Joanne's quite different from the Jo we met in URBAN SHAMAN. She's come into her own and accepts her shamanic gifts, though she's still not a master. She's also explored her roots on both her mother and father's sides of the family. On a romantic front, Jo and Morrison have finally taken steps in the right direction (squee!), thanks to Jo quitting the force. Unfortunately, not everything is roses. Jo learns best by making mistakes and her latest mistake was getting bitten by a werewolf.
One of the best parts of the Walker Papers is the cast. Joanne's one of my favourite urban fantasy protagonists. She's grown so much over the course of the series, both in terms of her powers and on a personal level. Her growing acceptance of her gifts and her heritage has been lovely to watch and I am so stoked that Jo and Morrison have finally acted on their feelings. And the series would be nothing without Gary. I love that old man. He's the heart of the series in so many ways and I love his relationship with Joanne. There are also a host of amazing secondary characters but most of them aren't in RAVEN CALLS because the book takes place in Ireland not Seattle.
Another great part of RAVEN CALLS? The story. It ties in so nicely with threads from previous novels. We get to explore Joanne's Irish ancestry and delve even more deeply into Celtic mythology, which is amazing because the world building in the series is fantastic. We get to explore Tara and watch Joanne fight banshees and werewolves and a mysterious force known as the Master, which instantly had me thinking about Doctor Who. =) C. E. Murphy presents a very different take on werewolves and their origin. It's thoroughly original and I can't want to see what the ramifications will be for Joanne and company.
Once again, the author has delivered an exciting urban fantasy tale filled with mythology, action, and humour. Readers unfamiliar with the series will the Walker Papers will want to go back to the beginning since the novels build on one another but you won't be disappointed if you decide to invest the time. C. E. Murphy knows how to build engaging characters and layered worlds. You're sure to enjoy the ride!
http://www.tyngasreviews.com
As you may have guessed from me daring you to read URBAN SHAMAN, the first book in the Walker Papers, I'm a big fan of the series. Seven books in, I'm still completely hooked.
At this point in the series, Joanne's quite different from the Jo we met in URBAN SHAMAN. She's come into her own and accepts her shamanic gifts, though she's still not a master. She's also explored her roots on both her mother and father's sides of the family. On a romantic front, Jo and Morrison have finally taken steps in the right direction (squee!), thanks to Jo quitting the force. Unfortunately, not everything is roses. Jo learns best by making mistakes and her latest mistake was getting bitten by a werewolf.
One of the best parts of the Walker Papers is the cast. Joanne's one of my favourite urban fantasy protagonists. She's grown so much over the course of the series, both in terms of her powers and on a personal level. Her growing acceptance of her gifts and her heritage has been lovely to watch and I am so stoked that Jo and Morrison have finally acted on their feelings. And the series would be nothing without Gary. I love that old man. He's the heart of the series in so many ways and I love his relationship with Joanne. There are also a host of amazing secondary characters but most of them aren't in RAVEN CALLS because the book takes place in Ireland not Seattle.
Another great part of RAVEN CALLS? The story. It ties in so nicely with threads from previous novels. We get to explore Joanne's Irish ancestry and delve even more deeply into Celtic mythology, which is amazing because the world building in the series is fantastic. We get to explore Tara and watch Joanne fight banshees and werewolves and a mysterious force known as the Master, which instantly had me thinking about Doctor Who. =) C. E. Murphy presents a very different take on werewolves and their origin. It's thoroughly original and I can't want to see what the ramifications will be for Joanne and company.
Once again, the author has delivered an exciting urban fantasy tale filled with mythology, action, and humour. Readers unfamiliar with the series will the Walker Papers will want to go back to the beginning since the novels build on one another but you won't be disappointed if you decide to invest the time. C. E. Murphy knows how to build engaging characters and layered worlds. You're sure to enjoy the ride!
http://www.tyngasreviews.com
March 3, 2012
Riddle me this, why does Joanne have to learn everything the hard way? At this point, I'm just as tired as Joanne. Reading through all the trials and tribulations she goes through makes me weary and I'm just the reader. In this new installment of Walker Papers, Joanne is in Ireland. She felt a pulling in her gut and races over to there to do what she feels she must do. She wrecks havoc.
The short summary of this story is she fought, won and lost. People died. I want to discuss Joanne. This is one messed up woman. Between her self esteem issues and Mommy didn't love me abandonment issues, I want to slap her hard. Ever meet the person who seems to always be in the position of "saving" the world at work? They are so busy and bad things seem to happen to them? Then as you get to know this person, you realize, the "bad things" are because they caused it themselves. This is Joanne. I'm torn. I feel bad for her but as I get to know her more, I want to beat her. Her troubles literally stem from herself. The newest revelation about her ability to time travel explains so much. What Joanne assumed to be "truths" were not exactly right. That's the problem with people who focus on the "truth" and "right or wrong". They are subjective. They don't deal in facts. They are not self aware. They are self centered. The amount of collateral damage is beyond calculation. I think the better question to ask is, "who didn't die and who isn't damaged by Joanne?"
The only version of Joanne I can respect is her younger self she stole from. That Joanne is self aware, confident and logical. The Joanne we are treated to can be explained best as - self saboteur. Joanne doesn't need enemies. She's doing a great job of getting herself killed by her lack of planning and self defeatist attitude. I loved when she received a kick in the ass by her younger self.
This world Ms. Murphy creates is complex with many pieces of mythology integrated into a magical world. I have very little knowledge of Irish and Native America mythology. As far as I'm concerned, it was fascinating and so well designed. I liked it! There was one thing that broke my heart in this story. It wasn't the different people dying or being tortured. It was Joanne's message from her younger self to Coyote. It was a hot mess train wreck. I felt sorrow and longing for Coyote. He deserves better.
I highly recommend this book to Urban Fantasy readers who enjoy pain, sorrow, anguish and a bittersweet ending.
The short summary of this story is she fought, won and lost. People died. I want to discuss Joanne. This is one messed up woman. Between her self esteem issues and Mommy didn't love me abandonment issues, I want to slap her hard. Ever meet the person who seems to always be in the position of "saving" the world at work? They are so busy and bad things seem to happen to them? Then as you get to know this person, you realize, the "bad things" are because they caused it themselves. This is Joanne. I'm torn. I feel bad for her but as I get to know her more, I want to beat her. Her troubles literally stem from herself. The newest revelation about her ability to time travel explains so much. What Joanne assumed to be "truths" were not exactly right. That's the problem with people who focus on the "truth" and "right or wrong". They are subjective. They don't deal in facts. They are not self aware. They are self centered. The amount of collateral damage is beyond calculation. I think the better question to ask is, "who didn't die and who isn't damaged by Joanne?"
The only version of Joanne I can respect is her younger self she stole from. That Joanne is self aware, confident and logical. The Joanne we are treated to can be explained best as - self saboteur. Joanne doesn't need enemies. She's doing a great job of getting herself killed by her lack of planning and self defeatist attitude. I loved when she received a kick in the ass by her younger self.
This world Ms. Murphy creates is complex with many pieces of mythology integrated into a magical world. I have very little knowledge of Irish and Native America mythology. As far as I'm concerned, it was fascinating and so well designed. I liked it! There was one thing that broke my heart in this story. It wasn't the different people dying or being tortured. It was Joanne's message from her younger self to Coyote. It was a hot mess train wreck. I felt sorrow and longing for Coyote. He deserves better.
I highly recommend this book to Urban Fantasy readers who enjoy pain, sorrow, anguish and a bittersweet ending.
February 26, 2012
Unfortunately not the best book in the series. It suffers from lack of clear direction and plot confusion. The writing, which I usually love, is jumbled and at times repetitive.
I still love Jo and can't wait for the next adventure. I will say that this does suffer from a lack of Morrison and .
However, all the time loops close and some scars are healed while other goodbyes are made more final. This was more of a story about Sheila and Jo's relationship with her. Also with Jo's search for justice and a cure. Morrison, as always, was her anchor while Gary was her right hand. At times it was confusing and dense but during the action scenes and the times Jo bared her soul, it was quite riveting.
There is a new character on the scene, one I hope we meet again.
Also, as an amateur Ancient Irish historian, I liked the heavy influence of the Celtic mythologies. There were certain things I took issue with (but only from a personal POV as opposed to any historical inaccuracies) and it's clear the Murphy has done her homework. She also did a very good job of explaining events, places and Gaelic to the readers.
The next book brings us back to America and I'm eagerly awaiting "Mountain Echoes".
***** I have to warn any readers that if they haven't read any of the first six they will be horribly confused. The writing can be dense and twisty and I, as an avid reader of this series, found myself confused at times. I don't recommend this for anyone who hasn't read what has come before.
I still love Jo and can't wait for the next adventure. I will say that this does suffer from a lack of Morrison and .
However, all the time loops close and some scars are healed while other goodbyes are made more final. This was more of a story about Sheila and Jo's relationship with her. Also with Jo's search for justice and a cure. Morrison, as always, was her anchor while Gary was her right hand. At times it was confusing and dense but during the action scenes and the times Jo bared her soul, it was quite riveting.
There is a new character on the scene, one I hope we meet again.
Also, as an amateur Ancient Irish historian, I liked the heavy influence of the Celtic mythologies. There were certain things I took issue with (but only from a personal POV as opposed to any historical inaccuracies) and it's clear the Murphy has done her homework. She also did a very good job of explaining events, places and Gaelic to the readers.
The next book brings us back to America and I'm eagerly awaiting "Mountain Echoes".
***** I have to warn any readers that if they haven't read any of the first six they will be horribly confused. The writing can be dense and twisty and I, as an avid reader of this series, found myself confused at times. I don't recommend this for anyone who hasn't read what has come before.
February 18, 2012
Raven Calls – C.E. Murphy
All I can say is ---WOW. What a book. This has to be the best that C. E. Murphy has produced in this series yet. While I normally hate books that deal too much with history, (history of a religion, pantheons, witchcraft …anything) in this book the ‘teaching’ was absolutely painless, It was actually fun learning the’ history’ of these Legends and about the Fey.
In this book Joanne has to find out how to stop from turning into a were-wolf, find her best friend Gary who has followed Joanne to Ireland and has now gone off with the Morrigan (this happens several thousand years in the past)on the Wild Hunt, find her mother’s bones and burn them. Then she needs to take out 24 Banshees and deal with some of her newer power that is coming on line stronger than ever, a cousin who just came into her OWN power. Oh, and she gets to meet a completely new bunch of Gods, Goddesses and Kings AND have Morrison declare his love for her! And did I forget to mention the time-travel?
While this may seem like too lofty of a project for one book, it is not. C. E. has seamlessly blended all of these bits into one electrifying story that will keep you up until the wee hours of the morning.
C. E. imbued this book with her usual humor and I think she even cranked it up a notch. Many parts of the book had me giggling to the point people started staring at me while I was reading it in public!
One other thing to love about this writer and this book is that C. E. doesn’t give us a woebegone heroine who bemoans her fate and her choices. There is nothing I hate more than a main character that is always brooding and inner-dialoguing and as I said, be-moaning their lives. BLECH!
All I can say is ---WOW. What a book. This has to be the best that C. E. Murphy has produced in this series yet. While I normally hate books that deal too much with history, (history of a religion, pantheons, witchcraft …anything) in this book the ‘teaching’ was absolutely painless, It was actually fun learning the’ history’ of these Legends and about the Fey.
In this book Joanne has to find out how to stop from turning into a were-wolf, find her best friend Gary who has followed Joanne to Ireland and has now gone off with the Morrigan (this happens several thousand years in the past)on the Wild Hunt, find her mother’s bones and burn them. Then she needs to take out 24 Banshees and deal with some of her newer power that is coming on line stronger than ever, a cousin who just came into her OWN power. Oh, and she gets to meet a completely new bunch of Gods, Goddesses and Kings AND have Morrison declare his love for her! And did I forget to mention the time-travel?
While this may seem like too lofty of a project for one book, it is not. C. E. has seamlessly blended all of these bits into one electrifying story that will keep you up until the wee hours of the morning.
C. E. imbued this book with her usual humor and I think she even cranked it up a notch. Many parts of the book had me giggling to the point people started staring at me while I was reading it in public!
One other thing to love about this writer and this book is that C. E. doesn’t give us a woebegone heroine who bemoans her fate and her choices. There is nothing I hate more than a main character that is always brooding and inner-dialoguing and as I said, be-moaning their lives. BLECH!
March 7, 2012
Originally Posted http://ufreview.com/2012/03/06/raven-...
Review:
When I was looking through the available arcs on NetGalley and came across this one I jumped all over it, I have loved this series from the beginning and couldn't believe my luck when I got an email saying "here's your copy go read and review" ok I paraphrased a little but I was really excited! I was not disappointed unlike the previous six books this story takes place in Ireland and most of the minor characters you come to expect were not in this book with the exception of Gary who is around for some of the adventure.
The book takes place immediately after the end of Spirit Dances and Joanne feels a pull to go to Ireland and she wants to do something about that pesky werewolf bite at the same time. Even more so than the previous books this one is packed with action from cover to cover. I did miss the other characters that are usually present, Billy and Morrison although Morrison does make the occasional cameo via the phone. I thought this was one of the best books in the series for a couple of reason.
First it takes place in Ireland and I loved the references to Celtic mythology. Ireland is so steeped in legends and CE Murphy does a wonderful job of showing them in the book and it was nice to see something other than the Native American mythology. The second thing I liked was you get to see some of Joanne's family, you have heard about them in other books but this is really the first time she interacts with them. It's hard to review this book without giving away spoilers because it is just so action packed! If you have been a fan of this series go grab a copy NOW! You won't regret it!
5/5 I couldn't put it down!!
Review:
When I was looking through the available arcs on NetGalley and came across this one I jumped all over it, I have loved this series from the beginning and couldn't believe my luck when I got an email saying "here's your copy go read and review" ok I paraphrased a little but I was really excited! I was not disappointed unlike the previous six books this story takes place in Ireland and most of the minor characters you come to expect were not in this book with the exception of Gary who is around for some of the adventure.
The book takes place immediately after the end of Spirit Dances and Joanne feels a pull to go to Ireland and she wants to do something about that pesky werewolf bite at the same time. Even more so than the previous books this one is packed with action from cover to cover. I did miss the other characters that are usually present, Billy and Morrison although Morrison does make the occasional cameo via the phone. I thought this was one of the best books in the series for a couple of reason.
First it takes place in Ireland and I loved the references to Celtic mythology. Ireland is so steeped in legends and CE Murphy does a wonderful job of showing them in the book and it was nice to see something other than the Native American mythology. The second thing I liked was you get to see some of Joanne's family, you have heard about them in other books but this is really the first time she interacts with them. It's hard to review this book without giving away spoilers because it is just so action packed! If you have been a fan of this series go grab a copy NOW! You won't regret it!
5/5 I couldn't put it down!!
March 5, 2015
It's funny. I like all the characters in this series, and I love the concepts about energy and healing and Shamanism. In spite of that, these books frustrate me because (to me) they're somewhat surreal and disjointed. There's too much of rapid scene-shifting, and random characters popping in and out, and there's no warning for most of it. You're reading along, and some new character or object pops up at random. No set-up at all. So I find myself losing interest and wanting to get the books over with, and then I won't read the next book in the series for a while, and when I start in I think "I really like C.E. Murphy's ideas," and then I keep reading and remember why I took a long break.
I also think these books are suffering somewhat from the same proclivity Kevin Hearne has in his books, which is why I stopped reading him: they become Too Epic. It's the problem I guess many authors and movie makers and TV show writers face - how to top the big events of their last book or movie or TV show. As a result, you end up with your main character dealing with banshees, and leprechauns, and an evil being who is so bad that some people might believe he's actually the devil, and the God of the Wild Hunt, and fae, and time travel back and forth and back and forth, and you get the point. It becomes Too Epic, and its epicness prevents the author from writing the kind of interesting little story that captured the readers in the first book or two of the series.
I'll probably read the next one, because I want to learn more about Joanne's Dad, but after that I think I'm done.
I also think these books are suffering somewhat from the same proclivity Kevin Hearne has in his books, which is why I stopped reading him: they become Too Epic. It's the problem I guess many authors and movie makers and TV show writers face - how to top the big events of their last book or movie or TV show. As a result, you end up with your main character dealing with banshees, and leprechauns, and an evil being who is so bad that some people might believe he's actually the devil, and the God of the Wild Hunt, and fae, and time travel back and forth and back and forth, and you get the point. It becomes Too Epic, and its epicness prevents the author from writing the kind of interesting little story that captured the readers in the first book or two of the series.
I'll probably read the next one, because I want to learn more about Joanne's Dad, but after that I think I'm done.
March 27, 2012
I rarely give C.E. Murphy's books GREAT ratings. Why? Because I am not in touch with my inner shaman. Why do I go back? Because I LOVE her characters. The first one hundred pages of Raven Calls were absolutely great for me - I was smiling, enjoying myself and wondering if I was finally "getting it". I was ready to give a 4.5 stars, heck maybe even 5 stars. I enjoyed those 100 pages more than I have any of her others. I can deal with fae, legends, magic, even SIGHT. But once we move on to astral planes and gardens and shamanic enterprises my interest completely dries up. (I wanted to make a joke about a keltie lacking water, but my coffee hasn't quite brought me to form yet.) Thank goodness for Gary and quite frankly all of the other characters no matter how extraneous because they kept book in hand. I understand that this is C.E. Murphy's "thing" this inner exploration, but it is not mine. Despite this I keep coming back because I love Joanne, Billy, Gary, Melinda, Thor (I miss Thor), Sheila, even Coyote and Raven. I especially love Morrison and Joanne. Note to C.E. Murphy, Don't dangle the carrot forever.
May 24, 2017
I'm definitely in the minority here but I thought this book was below par. I've always found time travel fascinating but Joanne jumps back and forth through time meeting all kinds of people, defeating all kinds of evil. I didn't recognize many of the people she was meeting so I couldn't put things in any kind of sequence. I just found it all so confusing. I thought her ability to time travel was interesting at first since she basically did it accidentally but instantly she was an expert? Yeah it just didn't make sense to me.
And what was up with the I love you's between Morrison and Joanne? They had one kiss and she bolted and all of a sudden they're calling each other to say I love you. It just didn't seem plausible.
I'm hoping Mountain Echoes comes back down to reality and Joanne, Gary and Morrison resume to normal behaviors.
And what was up with the I love you's between Morrison and Joanne? They had one kiss and she bolted and all of a sudden they're calling each other to say I love you. It just didn't seem plausible.
I'm hoping Mountain Echoes comes back down to reality and Joanne, Gary and Morrison resume to normal behaviors.
November 18, 2020
A bit confusing and not the best in the series. From time to time the heroine is both dimwitted and definetly rude and seems that all the evolution and changes she underwent are completely lost.
May 3, 2018
Amazing read. Too bad it had a cliff-hanger ending.
October 7, 2018
Raven Calls is the seventh book in the Walker Papers series written by C.E. Murphy and centred on Joanne Walker (born Siobhán Walkingstick) is a half-Cherokee/half-Irish, was a Seattle Police Officer and mechanic who so happen to be a shaman.
Joanne Walker has just quit her job as a police officer and haven been bitten from a werewolf (Spirit Dances). After receiving a vision, she believes that she could find a cure back in Ireland. Therefore, she boards a plane in hopes her visions were correct. Joanne Walker was surprised to meet Gary Muldoon when she arrived in Dublin. Apparently, Michael Morrison was worried about her and suggested to Gary Muldoon to fly to Ireland to help her out. They head for the place Joanne Walker has seen in her vision, Hill of Tara, when suddenly the madness of this installment begins.
The narrative then seesaws its way back and forth in time as Joanne Walker meets, converses with, and at times battles a series of supernatural beings with her ever-growing shamanistic powers. It is a plot that is totally driven by immense quantities of Irish mythology and uncontrollable time travel. Due to the time travel situation, Joanne Walker fights some of the mythological foes more than once – from different points in the past and the present. Furthermore, Joanne Walker had to find a way to save her mother’s soul, who has become a banshee, as well as a cure for her lycanthrope.
Raven Calls is written somewhat well. Murphy has mixed the Indigenous and Irish beliefs rather well with the element of time travel. The action is fast-paced and flows rather well despite the extremely convoluted plot. It was more than convoluted, as the plot was a tad cryptic, confusing, and far too chaotic for my taste. However, time travelling stories tend to do that to me more often than not. However, I felt like I had to suspend my disbelief a tad too much – something I have not done to this degree since the first book – Urban Shaman.
Throughout the book, I felt that the personality of Joanne Walker had regressed quite a bit. She behaved like an obnoxious adolescent or similar to how she acted in earlier installments of the series – as if the growth between Urban Shaman and Spirit Dances have been forgotten or disregarded. However, I do like the face-to-face interaction with her younger self and I hope that this encounter put the obnoxious adolescent attitude where it belonged – in the past.
All in all, Raven Calls is written somewhat well and a somewhat good continuation for the series, which I plan to read in the very near future.
Joanne Walker has just quit her job as a police officer and haven been bitten from a werewolf (Spirit Dances). After receiving a vision, she believes that she could find a cure back in Ireland. Therefore, she boards a plane in hopes her visions were correct. Joanne Walker was surprised to meet Gary Muldoon when she arrived in Dublin. Apparently, Michael Morrison was worried about her and suggested to Gary Muldoon to fly to Ireland to help her out. They head for the place Joanne Walker has seen in her vision, Hill of Tara, when suddenly the madness of this installment begins.
The narrative then seesaws its way back and forth in time as Joanne Walker meets, converses with, and at times battles a series of supernatural beings with her ever-growing shamanistic powers. It is a plot that is totally driven by immense quantities of Irish mythology and uncontrollable time travel. Due to the time travel situation, Joanne Walker fights some of the mythological foes more than once – from different points in the past and the present. Furthermore, Joanne Walker had to find a way to save her mother’s soul, who has become a banshee, as well as a cure for her lycanthrope.
Raven Calls is written somewhat well. Murphy has mixed the Indigenous and Irish beliefs rather well with the element of time travel. The action is fast-paced and flows rather well despite the extremely convoluted plot. It was more than convoluted, as the plot was a tad cryptic, confusing, and far too chaotic for my taste. However, time travelling stories tend to do that to me more often than not. However, I felt like I had to suspend my disbelief a tad too much – something I have not done to this degree since the first book – Urban Shaman.
Throughout the book, I felt that the personality of Joanne Walker had regressed quite a bit. She behaved like an obnoxious adolescent or similar to how she acted in earlier installments of the series – as if the growth between Urban Shaman and Spirit Dances have been forgotten or disregarded. However, I do like the face-to-face interaction with her younger self and I hope that this encounter put the obnoxious adolescent attitude where it belonged – in the past.
All in all, Raven Calls is written somewhat well and a somewhat good continuation for the series, which I plan to read in the very near future.
July 5, 2020
I definitely found this to be the worst of the series so far. I think what I like about this series is the blend of characters and human issues mixed with the excitement of the supernatural (you know, the fun of the urban fantasy genre in general) and this book was missing some of those aspects.
We got plenty of magic and Irish lore as Joanne travels to Ireland to learn more about her heritage and cure a werewolf bite, but I really missed all of the side-characters and the continuing storylines that surround the main arc. This kind of felt like a spin-off type of novel, or like an in-between novella sort of story that you would squeeze in between books.
I just found this by itself to be rather tedious to get through due to all of the new information. The author was spitting out Irish gods, goddesses, and historic landmarks all over the place and I simply couldn’t really get a good sense of where we were in terms of the setting or with the other characters.
We got plenty of magic and Irish lore as Joanne travels to Ireland to learn more about her heritage and cure a werewolf bite, but I really missed all of the side-characters and the continuing storylines that surround the main arc. This kind of felt like a spin-off type of novel, or like an in-between novella sort of story that you would squeeze in between books.
I just found this by itself to be rather tedious to get through due to all of the new information. The author was spitting out Irish gods, goddesses, and historic landmarks all over the place and I simply couldn’t really get a good sense of where we were in terms of the setting or with the other characters.
September 2, 2020
Jo flies to Ireland in response to a vision of a mystical lady she saw after being bitten by a werewolf. While there she, and Gary, have a fascinating experience filled with Celtic legends coming to life.
I loved how Gary fit into the story and her connection to her mom and the various Irish goddesses fit into the Jo’s lineage. Some of it was a little corny and there were a few obviously quick fixes to the storyline, but otherwise an interesting trip.
Footnote: 1) After the first unrealistic jolt of the addition of Gary’s arrival, he felt like he belonged in what was happening.
Fave scenes: the first fight with Morrigan, Jo & Bridget’s final conversation, Jo fighting the dragon heads and the ancient raven spirit.
I loved how Gary fit into the story and her connection to her mom and the various Irish goddesses fit into the Jo’s lineage. Some of it was a little corny and there were a few obviously quick fixes to the storyline, but otherwise an interesting trip.
Footnote: 1) After the first unrealistic jolt of the addition of Gary’s arrival, he felt like he belonged in what was happening.
Fave scenes: the first fight with Morrigan, Jo & Bridget’s final conversation, Jo fighting the dragon heads and the ancient raven spirit.
December 29, 2018
Fast-moving action and a shaman heroine learning and growing at a stumbling run. JoAnne's momentum is a stumbling run while navigating her path as both a healer and warrior in this series. This tale was especially engaging and follows quickly after her emergence as a shape-shifter. New skills stretched to the limit as previous hasty decisions build to a crescendo during a decisive battle with a powerful enemy. Various friends and relatives appear and reappear to bolster her amidst painful and healing challenges. I loved it and finished the whole book in a day!
December 30, 2018
The start of the 'Raven Calls' was really well written and it was sufficient to make me want to read the story all the way to the end.
If you enjoy romantic fiction, you might like this series but it is fairly predictable, a bit slow at times and not as well crafted as others in the genre. The premise was good but if you have not read the preceding books in the series, then starting at book 7 means there are bits that don't make all that much sense.
It's OK holiday fare but is definitely not at the top of my 'must read' list.
If you enjoy romantic fiction, you might like this series but it is fairly predictable, a bit slow at times and not as well crafted as others in the genre. The premise was good but if you have not read the preceding books in the series, then starting at book 7 means there are bits that don't make all that much sense.
It's OK holiday fare but is definitely not at the top of my 'must read' list.
January 28, 2024
Time travel almost usually is done badly, and this is no exception. Joanne goes to Ireland, meets cousin, then bounces up and down the time stream because the author seems to be out of ideas. She jumbles up too many concepts and characters, and spending far too much time with Joanne's inner monologue. It doesn't gel and it's a waste of word count.
I've liked the series, average or a bit above, but I checked out the description of the next, and it sounds like the author is still doing dumb things with time. I'm bowing out.
I've liked the series, average or a bit above, but I checked out the description of the next, and it sounds like the author is still doing dumb things with time. I'm bowing out.
March 7, 2012
3/4 - pg. 56 - realizing that sometimes the internal monologuing can drag a bit and is inconveniently placed. It's distracting and irritating as it seems like it's always during an action sequence or a pivotal scene and I find myself impatiently skimming to get back to the scene. I then have to go back and reread.
Ok. I have been anticipating this book ever since I finished the last one. Ms. Murphy's series is fantastic and addicting and always seem to end on cliffhangers! A pet peeve with any other author, but I guess I'm willing to not hold it against this author since I love her series so much. That being said, I left the note that I had jotted down when I was first began the book, b/c it was what I was feeling at the time and felt strongly enough to stop what I was doing and write it down.
Once again, Joanne is hurtling feet first into danger and things unknown, at least to her. Her loyal and very entertaining sidekick, Gary, is along for the ride. We catch up with Joanne literally hours after the last book ended and she returns to Ireland to finally face her destiny and learn the truth about her mother and her powers. And boy, did she ever! I never go into plot detail with these reviews I do b/c part of the joy of reading is discovering these things first. And part of the charm of this series is that we are along for the ride as Joanne learns through trial and error, just what exactly it means to be a Shaman.
What I did enjoy most about this book was the character growth that Joanne experiences. She is maturing and finally accepting her powers and seemingly her destiny. While she experienced maturity and growth in every book, we finally see what a fully accepting and open minded Joanne is capable of. Her abilities aren't infallible but boy are they awesome! I greatly enjoyed Joanne as Kick Ass Shaman and I was not disappointed at all by the movements of this latest edition to the series. And I also loved that we finally! learn about Joanne's mother. And we finally get some closure on the issues that Joanne had with her. It was also very entertaining to meet members of Joanne's Irish family, past and present, and to learn the vital roles each of them have in the adventures that Joanne is on.
I love how Ms. Murphy seamless and successfully blends elements of different mythologies into her world. And they make sense! Her detailing and world building seem so effortless, I could picture this world in vivid detail. The action sequences and scenes seemed so real and even the mystical, mythological elements blended perfectly.
That being said, I'll go back to the irritated note that I jotted down. One of the disadvantages of first person narrative is that we are literally and figuratively stuck inside the head of the main character. We are limited to what that character feels and experiences. And we are privy to whatever thoughts they might have. And boy does Joanne think a lot! And in a tongue in cheek way, she often acknowledges that her inner monologues/struggles are inappropriately timed. But as a reader, nothing is more distracting as to be pulled out of an exciting sequence/scene b/c the main character has to "think". And when that "thinking" goes on for a few pages, it hits my irritation button. Cuz, I'm impatient and want to know what's going on! So I often find myself skimming these inner monologues to finish the scene and then go back and reread. And since I'm impatient, I don't want to have to go back. But.... there's the rub. Joanne has to inner monologue b/c that's how she grows and figures out what she needs to do. And since this is all about Joanne's growth, what she thinks matters. I guess that I was getting impatient with how indecisive she was, but that's no different than any of the other books. Maybe I was irritated while reading them also, but I was so into this book and so much happens, stopping to "think" slowed things down way to much for me. It's like what is done on popular TV shows... pivotal scene/action sequence... CUT TO COMMERCIAL! And I do realize that this series wouldn't be near as good if it were in 3rd person, omniscient narrative since we wouldn't experience Joanne's growth and struggles first hand. So for me... rock and a hard place. What I love is also what drives me nuts... lol...
And this book also ends in a cliffhanger, but Ms. Murphy seems to be gathering all the threads of Joanne's life to braid into conclusion. The next book is, I'm assuming, going to be about her father and I...CAN'T...WAIT! I'll probably be irritated again, as I want to learn more about Joanne without losing the action. I don't really want the author to change a thing about how she writes these books, but she is definitely evoking stronger emotions with me with each book. That must be success right? :)
So for me, this book was more of a 4.5/4.75. Can't rate it a full 5 b/c I was irritated while reading during about 1/2 this book. I loved it though and I definitely strongly recommend this series. I know I sound strange, rating a book so high after ranting about it but I do love this series. I guess that's when you know that a series is truly a favorite, when you care enough to rant or rave about each addition. This book was action packed and brings us closer to the end of the series arch. I don't want it to end but I do like that things are not left open ended.
Ok. I have been anticipating this book ever since I finished the last one. Ms. Murphy's series is fantastic and addicting and always seem to end on cliffhangers! A pet peeve with any other author, but I guess I'm willing to not hold it against this author since I love her series so much. That being said, I left the note that I had jotted down when I was first began the book, b/c it was what I was feeling at the time and felt strongly enough to stop what I was doing and write it down.
Once again, Joanne is hurtling feet first into danger and things unknown, at least to her. Her loyal and very entertaining sidekick, Gary, is along for the ride. We catch up with Joanne literally hours after the last book ended and she returns to Ireland to finally face her destiny and learn the truth about her mother and her powers. And boy, did she ever! I never go into plot detail with these reviews I do b/c part of the joy of reading is discovering these things first. And part of the charm of this series is that we are along for the ride as Joanne learns through trial and error, just what exactly it means to be a Shaman.
What I did enjoy most about this book was the character growth that Joanne experiences. She is maturing and finally accepting her powers and seemingly her destiny. While she experienced maturity and growth in every book, we finally see what a fully accepting and open minded Joanne is capable of. Her abilities aren't infallible but boy are they awesome! I greatly enjoyed Joanne as Kick Ass Shaman and I was not disappointed at all by the movements of this latest edition to the series. And I also loved that we finally! learn about Joanne's mother. And we finally get some closure on the issues that Joanne had with her. It was also very entertaining to meet members of Joanne's Irish family, past and present, and to learn the vital roles each of them have in the adventures that Joanne is on.
I love how Ms. Murphy seamless and successfully blends elements of different mythologies into her world. And they make sense! Her detailing and world building seem so effortless, I could picture this world in vivid detail. The action sequences and scenes seemed so real and even the mystical, mythological elements blended perfectly.
That being said, I'll go back to the irritated note that I jotted down. One of the disadvantages of first person narrative is that we are literally and figuratively stuck inside the head of the main character. We are limited to what that character feels and experiences. And we are privy to whatever thoughts they might have. And boy does Joanne think a lot! And in a tongue in cheek way, she often acknowledges that her inner monologues/struggles are inappropriately timed. But as a reader, nothing is more distracting as to be pulled out of an exciting sequence/scene b/c the main character has to "think". And when that "thinking" goes on for a few pages, it hits my irritation button. Cuz, I'm impatient and want to know what's going on! So I often find myself skimming these inner monologues to finish the scene and then go back and reread. And since I'm impatient, I don't want to have to go back. But.... there's the rub. Joanne has to inner monologue b/c that's how she grows and figures out what she needs to do. And since this is all about Joanne's growth, what she thinks matters. I guess that I was getting impatient with how indecisive she was, but that's no different than any of the other books. Maybe I was irritated while reading them also, but I was so into this book and so much happens, stopping to "think" slowed things down way to much for me. It's like what is done on popular TV shows... pivotal scene/action sequence... CUT TO COMMERCIAL! And I do realize that this series wouldn't be near as good if it were in 3rd person, omniscient narrative since we wouldn't experience Joanne's growth and struggles first hand. So for me... rock and a hard place. What I love is also what drives me nuts... lol...
And this book also ends in a cliffhanger, but Ms. Murphy seems to be gathering all the threads of Joanne's life to braid into conclusion. The next book is, I'm assuming, going to be about her father and I...CAN'T...WAIT! I'll probably be irritated again, as I want to learn more about Joanne without losing the action. I don't really want the author to change a thing about how she writes these books, but she is definitely evoking stronger emotions with me with each book. That must be success right? :)
So for me, this book was more of a 4.5/4.75. Can't rate it a full 5 b/c I was irritated while reading during about 1/2 this book. I loved it though and I definitely strongly recommend this series. I know I sound strange, rating a book so high after ranting about it but I do love this series. I guess that's when you know that a series is truly a favorite, when you care enough to rant or rave about each addition. This book was action packed and brings us closer to the end of the series arch. I don't want it to end but I do like that things are not left open ended.
May 17, 2017
I wanted to like this book more. It has action, character development, and some great interactions with side characters, but it tries too hard to be mystical and the time-travel revelations are often not explained well enough and become confusing. Also, the Master is a vague Big Bad - he's not clearly defined and the show down with him seems anti-climactic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2017
C.E. Murphy and the great narrator do not disappoint as Joanne Walker or her other names. I love these tales and the series and all her people who stand at her back, to give her support in impossible situations. I look forward to listen to this series on audio book.
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