The Legends of the Raven series kicks off exactly where Chronicles of the Raven left off. Why are these separate series? In fact, were I not a bit compulsive these days about buying all of a series before reading it (thank you, Mr Robert Jordon!) I’d have been quite annoyed to get to the end of CotR with so much still hanging!

But fortunately, I did have the next book in the series, and I think I want to say it’s the best yet. By now the Raven themselves are old friends, and while I daresay there’s a lot you daren’t think about too deeply, Barclay does bring warmth and humour to these characters. And more: Elfsorrow sees the mercenary band travel to the southern continent, land of the Elves, and the steamy heat of the rainforests.

The descriptions of the rainforest really swept me up. Told from two sides – that of the inhabitants, and that of two groups of strangers – it’s the later that really got me. All my fears of giant bugs and arachnids, poisonous snakes and tiny little frogs that would kill you in seconds… ::shudder::

But as well as physical atmosphere, there’s a sense of danger for the group, too. Barclay’s strength has always been the lack of invulnerability his characters are invested with – and this time it’s coming at them from all sides!