Aspect of Crow

Eyes of Crow (Aspect of Crow #1)

Author: Smith-Ready, Jeri
Format: Trade Paperback
Type: Novel
Page Count: 480pp.
Pub. Date: November 1, 2006
Publisher: Luna

From the Editors of Barnes and Noble:
Mixing Native American folklore and mythology with romantic fantasy, Jeri Smith-Ready’s Eyes of Crow revolves around a courageous young woman who is forced to come to grips with her destiny — even if it means losing everything and everyone she holds dear.

In a society where everyone has a totem animal and some sort of related magical ability, Rhia is connected with the Spirit of Crow, which gives her the terrifying power to not only see the intimate details of a person’s death but also help their passage to the Other Side. But afraid to fully embrace her dark gift, it takes the tragic death of her mother to propel her towards her vocation — and a future that includes hateful fanaticism, carnage and a looming all-out war.

Heavily inspired by shamanistic philosophy — power animals, animal spirit guides, etc. — it’s no surprise that the Maryland-based author (and somehow, appropriately enough, Baltimore Ravens fan) is an avid animal lover, even fostering shelter dogs until they can be adopted. Bearing that in mind, any fantasy fan who enjoys novels strongly influenced by mythology and folklore (books written by Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Patricia A. McKillip, Juliet Marillier, C. E. Murphy, et al.) will enjoy this genre-blending hybrid, which is much more than just another romantic fantasy. The allegorical use of paganism and animism in particular underscores all-too-timely themes like religious prejudice, intolerance, environmentalism, etc. Like the aforementioned Dart-Thornton’s epic Crowthistle Chronicles, Smith-Ready’s Eyes of Crow is just the first installment in what could be an entertaining and profoundly moving series. Jean M. Auel meets Mercedes Lackey.

–Paul Goat Allen

Voice Of Crow (Aspect of Crow #2)

Author: Smith-Ready, Jeri
Format: Trade Paperback
Type: Novel
Page Count: 464pp.
Pub. Date: October 1, 2007
Publisher: Luna

THE DEAD CRY OUT TO HER . . .

In pain, in fear, and in longing — with every passing Rhia hears the cries of the departed. This “gift” from the ancient and mysterious Crow gives Rhia an intimate connection to death. One that holds her soul hostage to enemies from the Other Side, even as her people are threatened by the enemies they call Descendents. But a new prophecy offers hope: Rhia’s infant son may hold the key to freedom.

And then he is stolen from her.

To save her family, protect her home, and reclaim her soul, Rhia will travel as far as she must. To the Descendants’ towering white city . . . or even to the Land of the Dead itself.