Master of Crows is a high fantasy romance but it is a complex high fantasy with so many different facets that I dislike that it could be misconstrued as "just" a romance (and I also hate the naked back on the cover). Silhara, the Master of Crows, is a powerful mage who has many an enemy and lives in genteel poverty tending a grove of oranges on a crumbling estate surrounded by very few beloved companions. His power, his past, his enemies, his poverty make him susceptible to the lesser god of Corruption who looks to use Silhara's corporeal form to once again reign over the world. Silhara is determined to beat Corruption and finally concedes that he needs the help of the powerful Conclave to aid in the search of Corruption's defeat. Martise is slave to the powerful (and wealthy) Cumbria but gifted in ancient language translation due to a training for a Gift of magic that never manifested. She is also skilled at watching, listening, and remembering. Cumbria has promised her freedom (the return of the piece of her soul he stole to enslave her) if she successfully spies on Silhara and proves his heresy. The build of their relationship is slow. Silhara knows from day one she is a spy but still needs her translation skills to help him search for a way to defeat Corruption. Martise is petrified of Silhara. His reputation is of evil and he does some shocking things to her in an attempt to get her Gift to manifest. But Silhara's care for his companions and his orchard belie a different man from the one he presents to the world.Looking back, I do think some of the world building is sacrificed in order to focus more on their relationship but it was still a beautifully sculpted world and such an interesting high fantasy premise. This book is a gem. I'm often wary of self-published books, I think we've all been burned before. So full disclosure: my expectations were very low going in. I was so pleasantly surprised by Draven's Master of Crows. I was actually taken aback by the level of care and artistry that went into the book.The gothic atmosphere of Neith feels at once familiar and refreshingly new, like nowhere else we've been before. The descriptions of the manor itself, and Silhara's nightmares are genuinely eerie. Each one of her characters, without exclusion (yes even the dog) are fully fledged personalities that stand on their own as interesting and likable (or so horrible you love to hate them). Their interactions seem natural, evolving and endearing.Martise, the female protagonist of the novel, carefully walks the line between vulnerability and defiance, not falling so far on one side or the other to be a negative stereotype or a super woman that defies believably. She remains relateable as someone who despite her best and most noble impulses, feels as though she must betray a potential friend to win her freedom. Silhara is gloomy (Are all fairy tale heroes gloomy, or just the books I've read lately?) but thankfully, he's also funny, thoughtful and contrite.The story is so deceptively simple, but I kept turning pages because it was also such macabre fun. Unlike other books I've recently reviewed *cough*, the lore of Draven's world is woven into the story naturally, we learn as the characters do, we are shown and not simply told how they come to the conclusions they do. There is politics and ancient history, but we get them in doses and they are always, always relevant to the story, not simply plot devices to be stuffed into narrative gaps.The book is melodramatic. Absolutely. Occasionally, it wanders into full soap opera territory, though never so far as to be an uncomfortable bodice ripper. Bonus points for leading men who ask for consent! This novel is more graphic than most I read, so be aware it really falls as heavily into the "romance" genre as it does "high fantasy." Frankly, I'm okay with that as at least the romance is interesting and well written.Master of Crows is short. Quite short. It starts out strong but suffers from a lull in the third quarter where we take a few little detours that I'm not sure added anything but length. Still the ending came back strong. Aside from a few awkward metaphors Draven's style of prose is good. She seem to suffer from some poor word choices from time to time, and there are some details that can be left out since they add nothing--"ablutions" frankly, I didn't need to know every. single. freaking time.I dunno, I don't have a whole lot to say! This was a short, sweet novella with genuinely spooky moments, straddling the line between romance, fantasy and horror in a way that was more rewarding, creative and stylistic than most published genre romances.
What do You think about Master Of Crows (2009)?
Wow! This book was a real treat. I loved it. And the cover!!!!! Mega gorgeous
—Pam
When will I learn that "Romance" means "lots of kinky sex"....
—angela222
Nice, easy, fun and interesting story...
—marmaroza
