Raven Unveiled

The Fallen Empire, Book 3

By: Grace Draven

Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan

A woman with the gift to speak to the dead—and the assassin pursuing her—may be the only chance a crumbling empire has of holding back true evil, in this electrifying fantasy romance from the USA Today best-selling author of Radiance.

Siora has been on the run for longer than she cares to remember, from her past and her gift. Born with the ability to see and speak to ghosts, she has heard their desperate pleas as an otherworldly predator stalks the dead amid the fertile killing fields of the collapsing Krael Empire. The creature’s power and reach are growing with every soul it consumes, but Siora is preoccupied with her own troubles: namely an assassin who has sworn an oath of vengeance against her.

Gharek of Cabast was once the right-hand man of the reviled empress but is now a wanted fugitive. Although his reasons for hunting Siora are viscerally personal, what Gharek can’t anticipate is that when he finally does find her, she will hold the key to saving his world, or what’s left of it. To make good on old debts and protect the vulnerable dead from a malevolent force, Gharek and Siora will both need to make an ally out of an enemy—and trust that will be enough to save each other.

©2022 Grace Draven (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Feel good book / another good sequel

i am not sure if i rabk this book higher or lowert than the rest of the series but as always, she is a great story teller and makes you feel all good and fuzzy inside after reading her books. Definitely recommend it.

There needs to be more stories in this world

I loved this so much, and I wish there were more stories within this world, especially with the people who were integral to the three books so far.

This could not have been an easy story to write. There is so much anguish and struggle in this book. Siora and Gharek deserve so much more hope.

It was good to see Halani and Malachus and the free traders again. I'm not thrilled with their final reception and treatment of Gharek, even after everything he did. Which is why I really hope for more books to add to the story.

Fantastic series. Grace Draven is brilliant in her world building and in portraying pure, raw human emotions.

Achingly beautiful

“Will you stay with me beyond the rising of the sun and the fall of the empire…”
“… beyond the life of stars and the end of days.”
Oh, my heart! This book put me through the wringer in all the best ways. A slow burn with only a single, beautiful but slightly detailed, sex scene, this a love story for the ages.

“He was growing heartily sick of being knocked unconscious and bound.”
I suspect it would still be pretty good as a standalone, however the backstories are complicated and built in the prior book. There were some recaps and explanations. If you’ve never listened to this author before, this would actually be a great place to start.

Gharek: “I know nothing of nobility...”
Siora: “… but everything of devotion.”
Gharek has done awful things to ensure his daughter Estrid’s welfare, and in many ways he started at rock bottom here. Siora’s ability to talk to ghosts and her fierce integrity provided the perfect counterpoint.

“He was still a man hollowed out by his history and his deeds, but in the abyssal black of his spirit a light flickered to life, one of guilt, of regret. He didn’t try to snuff it out, but embraced it where it danced along the edges of his souls and burned the edges of the numbness reigning there.”
For all the angst, darkness and horror, the tone overall was about redemption and hope.
Compared to the previous book, I better enjoyed the mystery, action, and magic.

Three things made this stand out. One, narration was spectacular (especially the otherworldly parts). Two, the characters were complex and unique, including supporting characters like armless Estrid or Azael (sp?), the elder woman with a childlike mind. Three, I can’t say it better than she wrote: the beauty of this author’s prose “sleeps in my soul.”

Twists and Turns

Great characters throughout the series. Full of twists and turns as they adventure through the story.

Never disappointed

Grace’s ability to deliver a rich story with complex and substantial characters is reaffirmed with every story I read or listen. The performance provided transportation into the story without distraction which in my opinion means they did an excellent job. Thank you for the ride.

Amazing!

Grace Draven is a fantastic author. Her characters are complex and nuanced. Her plots are interesting and her worlds are complex. This book is a wonderful example of her work. I have read everything she has written so far and listened to all her audio books. I enjoyed the narrator as well. I highly recommend this audio book, as well as well as all her other works.

wonderful story

I just love Siora and Garreck! This book kept me on the edge of my seat with all the hunting and sneaking around, and so much happened in the end! I was happy to see Halani and Malachus again. I liked how subtlety all 3 stories were connected. It was a great ending. I'm hoping to get glimpses in future books of what happens to this empire.

Absolutely Wonderful

I love Grace Draven! every book is amazing! I would always recommend her to any romance fantasy book lovers- You will always fall in love with the lead characters.