Eyes of Crow
by Jeri Smith-Ready
This isn’t a review so much as homage. I finished this book earlier, and I’ve been mulling it over all day. Above all, Eyes of Crow is a book that stays with you. Haunting, that’s a good word for it. After reading her tragic masterpiece, Requiem for the Devil, I was somewhat prepared for that when I opened this book, which I bought at Nationals.
I haven’t read it before now partly because I was saving it, like a child tucks away a treasure or a sweet to savor during that perfect moment. And partly because I didn’t want to — because once I did read it, I would no longer have the anticipation of reading to look forward to. Many of you know, I read insanely fast. It’s both a gift and a curse.
Well, today, I found myself home alone during a thunderstorm. Andres had to work, and the kids are in Cancun with their grandmother for another day. All the signs augured ideal confluence, so I went and got the book from its place of honor on my nightstand, and then returned to my office to curl up in my favorite armchair.
I can’t express what Jeri Smith-Ready has done with this book. As all fantasy ought to be, it is simultaneously beautiful, heartbreaking, and transportive. I ceased to hear the rain outside my windows, creating a soft rush in the tires of passing cars. I did not hear the hail drumming on my roof or the hungry rumble of the thunder god.
For a space of about three hours, I visited a world that exists only in the imagination of Jeri Smith-Ready.
The heroine, Rhia, is a woman of ethereal fragility, bolstered by inexplicable strength. A dark dance, that of light and shadow, life and death, weaves through her very soul. I experienced the story with anger, wonder and sometimes trepidation. By that I mean, the author moved me. I can offer no greater compliment.
And when I finally surfaced, I felt like a dreamer awakening from a dream that was not my own. Somnolent, aching for something that was never mine, but the glory and glamor of it brushed me briefly and left an echo of its shine. This is a book that leaves you with a hole in your chest, tears in your eyes, and aching for more.
Voice of Crow? I’m so there.
July 30th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
After reading this, I’ll have to check out this book. :)
July 30th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
It’s seriously wonderful, Tempest.
July 30th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Wow, you have me wishing I had this book in my hands right now. I’m adding it to my TBB list.
July 30th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Read this book about two months ago. I agree with all of what you said but I couldn’t have put it that way myself. Really like this author. She sold a vampire series too. I’m looking forward to that one.
But these Crow book are special because of the way they incorporate shamanistic beliefs. Very original. Sometimes Rhia really made me mad but I couldn’t stop reading.
July 30th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
“…All the signs augured ideal confluence…”
This is beautiful wordsmithy!
July 30th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Thank you. With a book this fine, I felt I needed to make extra effort.
July 31st, 2007 at 12:02 am
i haven’t bought this one yet – mostly because the title of the book in combination with the main character’s name kinda freaked me out. silly i know – but come on – what are the odds?
I’ll have to gut it up now because it sounds like just my thing… which also is kinda freaky in an alternate universe kinda of way. wwweeeeee-ooooohhhhh.
August 1st, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Sounds wonderful. I’ll definitely check this out.
August 18th, 2007 at 5:43 am
This was the first Luna book I read and when it came out, I read the blurb and decided to try this because I had just started reading a few fantasy romance ebooks and wanted to give Luna a try. I’m so glad it was Jerri’s book. It was breathtaking. I’d put the book down saying to myself that there were things out there that I had to do around the house but my mind would just keep coming back to the story and I had to keep reading. Even though it will soon be one year since the book has been out and I read it, scenes are still with me! Many of them on their journeys, the death, the wars, the treehome, and more! I’m picturing it all now! GO GET THIS ONE! I’m so looking forward to the next book VOICE OF CROW thats out in Oct.