The Crow - Alison Croggon

Rating: 4 1/2

The third in this impressive quartet shifts the focus from Maerad to her brother, Hem, who we last saw travelling to Turbansk with Cadvan's close friend, Saliman.

Hem is finding it hard adapting to life as a Bard in Turbansk, his only refuge being his work in the houses of healing, and his only friend, a white crow he names Irc. The pace shifts dramatically in this book, with the threat of all-out war as the Nameless One's army descends on Turbansk. When Hem comes across the wild orphaned girl Zelika, an unexpected friendship forms, and together with Saliman, they flee to join the resistance. Hem soon learns that he has a part to play in Maerad's quest for the Treesong, and discovers too that he may have an ally in the Elidhu. Hem volunteers to spy on the Nameless One's child armies, but when he is separated from Zelika, Hem finds himself in a struggle to survive.

Alison Croggon's story-telling continues to mature throughout the saga, with this being the darkest installment yet. Although not immediately drawn to Hem's character or the people of Turbansk, their struggle is engaging, and the child armies are quite frankly terrifying! The final few chapters are wonderfully written and gripping, leaving me very impatient for the final chapter in this wonderful series.