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  • Blackwing

  • The Raven's Mark, Book 1
  • By: Ed McDonald
  • Narrated by: Colin Mace
  • Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (443 ratings)
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Blackwing cover art

Blackwing

By: Ed McDonald
Narrated by: Colin Mace
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Summary

The republic faces annihilation, despite the vigilance of Galharrow's Blackwings. When a raven tattoo rips itself from his arm to deliver a desperate message, Galharrow and a mysterious noblewoman must investigate a long-dead sorcerer's legacy. But there is a conspiracy within the citadel: traitors, flesh eaters and the ghosts of the wastelands seek to destroy them, but if they cannot solve the ancient wizard's paradox, the Deep Kings will walk the earth again, and all will be lost. 

The war with the Eastern Empire ended in stalemate some 80 years ago thanks to Nall's Engine, a wizard-crafted weapon so powerful even the Deep Kings feared it. The strike of the engine created the Misery - a wasteland full of ghosts and corrupted magic that now forms a no-man's-land along the frontier. But when Galharrow investigates a frontier fortress, he discovers complacency bordering on treason: then the walls are stormed, and the engine fails to launch. 

Galharrow escapes only because of the preternatural magical power of the noblewoman he was supposed to be protecting. Together they race to the capital to unmask the traitors and restore the republic's defences. Far across the Misery, a vast army is on the move, as the empire prepares to call the republic's bluff. 

Blackwing is a gritty epic fantasy for fans of Mark Lawrence, Scott Lynch and Daniel Polansky. 

Read by Colin Mace. 

©2017 Ed McDonald (P)2017 Orion Publishing Group

What listeners say about Blackwing

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great world, and story!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story; a refreshing take on dark fantasy with some brand new monster archetypes! The performance was excellent, but there are quite a few errors and re-takes that haven't been edited out, which interrupts the flow of the story slightly. Overall highly recommended!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Unexpectedly brilliant

This book really took me by surprise. When I started it, it felt quite gimmicky. Very dark and with a very dry sense of humour.
But then it...blossomed. I really started to care about Galharrow. I really cared about his party of outcasts and criminals. And the ending...Good God. This book made me want to weep for its characters.
The narrator was absolutely perfect for the part of Galharrow. I loved Colin Mace in this. His gravelly voice, his pacing, his pent up emotion when necessary. It was poetry.
I'm eager to see what the next instalment brings.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent grimdark

Mark Lawrence better up his game or this lad will be king of grimdark. Can't wait for more - hope they keep the same narrator too

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Grim, Dark, Beautiful

Not a light hearted read, but if you're looking for despair with a slice of doom you'll find it here. One man, tortured past and present against unstoppable odds and yet much more than that brilliantly read, a top read.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A very good fantasy novel with plenty of action

It was an excellent fantasy story with a well written and complex world, and a magic system that was able to hold itself up consistently.

I liked the characters well enough, though I didnt fall in love with them the way I would have liked too, which was the only thing really letting the story down for me. Even so, it was packed full of flawed, funny and badass characters - there just weren't any I personally was able to connect to.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Awesome grim dark fantasy

I really enjoyed the book and narration, overall but the editing at times seemed flawed.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Slow build fantasy

It took a while to get into the story but once I did it was good. Well paced with interesting characters. I recommend it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

noir fantasy

enjoyable book with a black edge throughout. noir crime novel meets historical fantasy. narration was good adding to the enjoyment.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

By the dead, that was great.

💀👍wow. Great origonal dark fantasy work. The pace lifted as I delved deeper in to the misery.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Not Bad

I quite enjoyed listening to this first book but, if I am honest, I don't think I liked it enough to get the next two books. Who knows, I might change my mind at a later date.

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