‘Ravenheart’ is the third book in the Rigante series although each book can be read as a standalone novel and doesn’t have to be read in conjunction with the others. Although no official date is given as the setting for the novel it is widely accepted that the peoples at the beginning of the Rigante series are written to reflect the Roman and Celtic cultures and then progress from thereon in through time. This third novel, ‘Ravenheart’, is set 800 years after the original Roman/Celtic battles of the first novel and finds the once proud Rigante people suppressed by the Varlish race. It’s a time when muskets are a new form of weaponry and cannons have just come into use as weapons on the battlefield. In itself this makes ‘Ravenheart’ different from any other Gemmell novel I have read as he usually focuses on time periods that involve nothing beyond horseback riding and melee weapons.Many of Gemmell’s novels have a set hero and a structure that follows that one person throughout the story. ‘Ravenheart’ is a tad more multifaceted in that respect as there are several main characters whose lives intercede with each other and play major roles in the heroic, yet tragic, story that make up this beautifully written novel. Jaim Grymauch is a well respected Rigante rogue who has a big heart (not in the medical definition of the term although we don’t get his full medical history so who really knows?!?) and is akin to a house trained bear with wild instincts and undertones. Okay, I’m just using the bear analogy as an educated guess as I’ve never really owned a bear although some of my past girlfriends have been way too bear like in stature, temper and hair growth so I feel I know what I’m on about as nowadays I gain far more pleasure from a bare behind than a bear behind but anyways…So, yeah, Jaim is one of the main characters and it is he who opens and closes the story. In fact, it’s almost fair to say that this novel is a bunch of intertwined stories that all cross paths and around halfway through I found myself wondering where on earth the novel was taking me. At that time in the story the main character was Kaelin Ring a teen on the verge of manhood who, although polite and educated, has a strong temper that gets him into trouble. This temper is a problem as the woman who he falls in love with, Chara (whom I assume is the full lipped beauty on the front cover of the book…the guy is most definitely Jaim as he only has one eye), just happens to be the sister of the man he is to duel to the death with. Ah, the course of true love never does run smooth! There’s more romance in this book than in the other novels I have read by David Gemmell and during the middle part I felt it was dragging the story down a bit. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy reading romance, because I do, but in the context of this particular story I would have preferred less of it. In fact, I even had another problem with this novel. I know! Two problems in one Gemmell novel…this is very unusual for me. The character of the Moidart, the Varlish noble ruler who hates the Rigante and controls most of the area in which the story takes place, starts out very evil but for no apparent reason he seems far more pleasant towards the end and it just seemed like a very strange transformation. In the overall context of the story though these “problems” made very little difference to my enjoyment of the novel and I really enjoyed it and will be seeking out the fourth, and I do believe the final, book in this series which is titled ‘Stormrider’.‘Stormrider’ is the soul name of a character we are introduced to in this novel. All four books in this series are titled after the soul names of major characters with ‘Ravenheart’ being the soul name of Kaelin Ring and I’m now thinking of picking out a soul name for myself. ‘Bookmarc Blogpants’ just doesn’t sound mystical enough and the best I can come up with is ‘Throbbingsword Bookreader ‘ so perhaps I should just pass on the soul name after all. Also a recurrence in the series are the seers. As with all seers in what seems like all novels, regardless of the author, they seem to answer questions with questions and I wish I could meet a seer one day just so I could slap him/her one and scream, “just give me a straight answer dammit!” right in their face! As it is Gemmell’s seers give advice to select members of the Rigante but never tell them what they should do and also answer questions with questions and speak in riddles. Oddly, and perhaps this is no coincidence, that fully describes the customer service I’ve experienced at my local Sears store. Who would have thought seers and Sears were so intimately related?!?If you enjoy historical fiction with heroism, tragedy, romance and characters that will find a place in your heart then you’re probably already a Gemmell fan but if he has somehow passed you by then I would fully recommend the books I’ve read so far in the Rigante series; ‘Sword in the Storm’, ‘Midnight Falcon’ and of course ‘Ravenheart’.
While this work of fantasy continues the story of the Rigante, it is obvious that author David Gemmell must've had ideas for other stories between book # 2 and book # 3. Sadly, we'll probably never see them. This book takes place hundreds of years after book 2. We are given hints and brief tidbits about what happened after book 2 and before this title. But hundreds of years have passed and the continuity between the first two books is broken, though referred to. In fact, this book and probably it's successor could have been a whole new series.This time, the story really deals with the fact that the Rigante highland clans have been subjugated by the Varlish. Obviously, Gemmell wants us to draw a correlation between Brits and Scots. Now, we are immediately made aware, we are in an era of muskets and pistols... sabers and rapiers... older swords and such are considered outdated weapons. At that point, I almost put the book down thinking that Gemmell had made too big of a jump for me. Most of us think of fantasy material as being knights, warriors, barbarians, and the like. But I stayed with it... Gemmell does an excellent job telling a thrilling story, with just enough actual fantasy stuff interjected to be a really interesting read. The Black Rigantes (unsubjugated outlaws) are full of rogues, but nevertheless are honorable and noble. In fact, often are portrayed as more noble than the dominating Varlish. By the time we get to the end of the book there is the idea that these peoples can learn to truly respect one another and work together and I'm certain that will play an important part in the next book. This has been a fun series, even with the hundreds of years gaps..
What do You think about Ravenheart (2002)?
Much of this book is classic David Gemmell. Reminiscent of books like Legend and Waylander. The action is good, the world is interesting. The plot is well paced and classic Gemmell. My main problem with this book is raised expectations. I expect Gemmell characters to be memorable. I expect his worlds to be well defined and relatable. The characters are fine, and the world is fine, but they aren't great.If another author had written this book, I would have praised it greatly, but because of my expectations, I can only mildly recommend this book.I recommend this book to those who have read all of the Drenai Tales and liked them. If you haven't, go read Legend.
—Troy G
Gemmell's characters are deeply flawed, but all the more beloved for it. I had lumps in my throat several times throughout the course of this novel. Like the two books preceding this in the Rigante series, Ravenheart is beautiful for the human dimensions--the full spectrum of human motivations, griefs, and triumphs are on display. If you like rich characterization with your heroic tales, instead of unicorns and rainbow-generated magic, check out this series. BTW, each book stands alone quite solidly.
—Lon
Another great book in this series. Ravenheart is a little less epic than the books of Connovar and Bane, but it does a wonderful job at displaying the next stages of intolerance and discrimination after the epic battles hundreds of years earlier. Many great and interesting characters were introduced in this book including Maev Ring who is an intelligent and formidable woman. Her nephew Kaelin Ring and Jaim Graymauch are stand outs. We are also teased with the storyline of the Moidart and his son Gaise and the honorable Mulgrave. This book had some great foreshadowing from the Wyrd which will obviously be critical to the final story of the "Raven and the Stag". I can't wait. I have to say the last few chapters of this book were riveting. The actions of the School teacher we so inspiring and the ending. Well my heart grew three sizes and I had a good cry. What an impact!Overall this series has been amazing! Such wonderful story telling from David Gemmell.
—Tammy
