The third and final of the Chronicles of the Raven, and for all it’s fluff it’s definitely been enjoyable fluff.

Of the three, I’d say I liked this one the best. Barclay and the reader have both settled into his characters, and I still find them a likeable bunch. I suppose if picking faults I’d say that they’re getting a little less ‘developed’ and more stereotypes of themselves, but it’s okay.

The plot picks up about 5 years after Noonshade ends, and doesn’t gloss over all the problems caused by events in that novel. Specifically, what happens when two mages from different colleges have a baby. Imagine more power than the world has ever seen, all at the subconcious whim of a 5-year-old child…!

And while it stays fairly simple, the plot works better for it: we don’t have to struggle to relate to the motives of characters, some wanting to protect a child, others seeing her death as the only way to save the world from being destroyed by hurricanes, earthquakes and tidal waves caused as she struggles to prematurely learn to cope with immense magical abilities.

My big complaint about it all is the ending. There are a further three books – the Legends of the Raven – but it wasn’t until I reached the end of this one that I realised they must follow on quite closely. Well – I certainly hope they do, as there’s a large resolution somewhat missing at the end of Nightchild!!