Shadowheart (Legends Of The Raven) by James Barclay
01/10/2003 . Source: Sana Master 

pub: Gollancz. 421 page enlarged paperback. Price: £10.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-575-07331-4.

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It does appear that James Barclay's works are fast becoming a by-word in 'pulp' fantasy. The space David Gemmell so masterfully occupies is now being shared.

But without appearing to discredit James Barclay, I must admit his ability with characterisation suffers besides Gemmell's magnetic personae. Barclay's characters are just not etched with enough in the way of feeling. This is, I must admit, a constant gripe of mine but to my mind a story is only as good as the characters it depends on.

So when I met Hirad Coldheart, the Unknown Warrior/Sol, Erienne and Denser I was hoping for great things. Especially considering the fact that I particularly admired the magic and mythology that sustained the world and that they have been dubbed the genre's most popular heroes.

I read some of Barclay's first books on the Raven and was impressed with the story he was telling.

I had hoped for some progression in his characters in 'Shadow Heart' but I was disappointed. The core of the story resting on the elite fighting force called the Raven and its rigid principles was a good idea but loyalty to 'the Raven' was expressed mainly through Hirad's nagging and repetitive 'we're Raven!' in a suitably heroic and aggressive manner. The characters were flat and in consequence execrably dull.

One can quite easily imagine a conversation to reach a juddering halt just past introduction. This insipidity, coupled with a series of impossible and highly improbably victories contrives to make this book quite unconscionably bad! Despite this it is ridiculously readable!

What is it about novels that are really quite silly at heart that makes them so very addictive? The hidden nicotine factor kicks in on the first page and retains its hold until the book is done. But enough digression, back to the book.

'Shadow Heart' is the fifth book in the 'Legends Of The Raven' series and it runs in a chronological order, the subsequent book picking up after the preceding. In this novel, the Raven find themselves having to break a member out of prison, reclaim some stolen magic books and shield one mage who is the 'Neo' of this particular universe from grasping political powers who would use her.

Now impossible odds are good once in a while- the reader breathes a sigh of relief and the heroes share a look of intense amazement. The problem with the Raven is that EVERY battle has amazing odds against them and it just becomes too much of a good thing. The elves from across the ocean are a welcome addition with their superiority and impartiality and their fighting ability is truly spectacular but the suspense is gone by the end.

The element of doubt that should infuse the text is no longer there and the Raven become boringly victorious and virtuous. There is nothing quite so exciting as a character with dubious intentions faced with moral dilemmas. All of which are lacking in this novel.

In conclusion, Barclay should be read but I believe after the first few novels his appeal begins to pall. His plots are really quite basic and I have just denounced his characterisation, which considering his promising beginning is a real disappointment.

Sana Master