AudioBook Review: Ravenwood

Ravenwood

By:  Nathan Lowell

Publisher:  Podiobooks

Publish Date:  January 2010

Format:  Podiobooks

Series:  1st in Tanyth Fairport Adventure series

Recommendation:  A low key relaxing read full of nature and human magic.

Book Synopsis:
A Tanyth Fairport Adventure.

After twenty winters on the road, Tanyth makes one last pilgrimage in her quest to learn all she can about the herbs and medicinal plants of Korlay before settling down to write her magnum opus. Her journey is interrupted when she stops to help a small village and learns that much of what she knows of the world may not be quite as it seems.

In this work, Nathan Lowell blends wiccan tradition and shamanistic lore into a fantasy quest and creates a world for a new - if unlikely - heroine to explore. She learns that the familiar sometimes hides the fantastical and that, even when you think you’ve made your decisions, life doesn’t always agree.

First Sentence:
Somewhere up in the canopy, a jaybird greeted the dawn loudly and with the vigor usually reserved for mating and feeding.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Listen At:
iTunes  /  Podiobooks

**I listened to this book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Tanyth has spent the last twenty winters, of her fifty-three, travelling between different herbal experts. She learns something new from each. She's on her way to the last of the old witch women, who kept old knowledge of plants and seeds - Gerdie Pinecrest. Tanyth passes through a little town. Her kindness remembered when one of there own falls ill. The next morning they go out looking for her for healing help. Finding these young couples need help Tanyth stays for the winter to teach them of healing herbs. Tanyth finds she helps them through more troubles for a raising new town than they all expected.

So descriptive! Drew a whole picture here of Tanyth and the woods she travels through. A calm and peaceful connection here, like being one with Mother nature. Respectful to nature, take only what you need and say thank you along with nurturing her back. So much knowledge of plants and herbs also, which is the center of the story until we get into the meat of the town and troubles Tanyth comes across. She even learns about herself as the story goes.

The folks in this small village are kind and goodhearted. They take Tanyth in and accept her, even when she thinks she's talking like a crazy old woman. Nathan drew a strong friendship between Tanyth and the folks here in Ravenwood. One that in the end brought tears to my eyes for an honor they felt was owed to Tanyth (it's just a hearth).

The more you read Tanyth and see the towns reaction to her blessings, you start to wonder if she doesn't have a touch of magic to her. Even her dreams through the crows eyes. Creative with a touch to let your mind wonder about it. And look forward to more tales of Tanyth's adventures to learn about herself.

The little village seems very productive and organized. Something Nathan is meticulous at. Nathan has an amazing mind for creating set rules. Then, he throws in the rule breakers. The folk here are innocent to the troubles that could come down the road they are so close to, even things they tried to leave behind in the big city. Nathan takes his characters and town to the brink in the way of terrible things that could happen. Well done.

It's a slower pace story of a life in a healer's shoes as she travels and helps others. I keep thinking while listening if I would read this book, rather than listen to it. Honestly, I don't think I would. It's a bit calm for me. The beginning is slower start as we meet Tanyth and the town. This is not a bad thing, so many love this in a book. But, as the story went, I couldn't stop from listening. Something caught me and I kept going. And I'm thrilled I did.

The book is slow starting, for me, but the ending is well worth the extra care at the beginning.

Gardeners and Nature lovers might enjoy this story. The relaxing feel nature gives is how I'd explain how Nathan reading this story makes me feel with words and descriptions of nature.

Nathan makes it very easy to understand the book when reading to us. I would recommend Nathan's audiobooks any day to anyone. Even if you have a hard time with audio, give Nathan's books a try. You might find you catch much more than you thought you would.

I'll be looking for the next Tanyth Fairport Adventure: Zypheria's Call. (already available in ebook.)