I Am Raven

Brann used to fly with Raven, but now Raven is gone, destroyed by Dragon. Brann is with Cub, lead by Coll, who was once a Wolf. Brann's crew is missing and so, when given the opportunity to go with Cub to the North to find out what has happened to them, she is desperate to go, even though she is living with a terrible fear she cannot explain. Cub and the crew travel North to meet the High Constructs and they begin to find out about their world and what has happened in the past that is still shaping their present.

I Am Wolf was one of my favourite reads last year and so I was very keen to read I Am Raven, the second book in the series. Focusing on a different character, and telling a different story from another point of view, makes it very interesting and I enjoyed this one just as much as the last.

Brann is as flawed as Coll and each bring their own traits to the stories. The world they inhabit is dark and strange and yet the constructs are like families. Like I Am Wolf, this book has echoes of Mortal Engines, whilst at the same time being completely original.

I knew this would not be the end of the story when I finished I Am Raven, but even so, seeing the title of the next book, We are Dragon, made me want to read straight on. I love Science Fiction and this story completely grabbed me. Suitable for Upper Key Stage 2, this is destined to be a real classic!

240 pages / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+

Following the destruction of the Raven construct by the fearsome Dragon, Brann has teamed up with Coll, Fillan and Rieka. They are travelling on Cub, the Construct they built together. Brann is determined to find out what happened to the missing Raven crew, so Cub heads north to try and discover the truth. Here, they will discover things that will forever alter the way they see their world, and learn more about themselves - and each other.

In this novel, the author concentrates on the character of Brann and we learn more about her life and personality. We are also introduced to the mighty High Constructs, and a new and terrifying enemy is revealed.

Fast-paced, beautifully written, and with a cast of interesting and sympathetically drawn characters, I Am Raven is a triumphant sequel to the equally brilliant I Am Wolf. With its themes of friendship and loyalty, the reader is drawn into the frightening world of Cub and his crew.

Brann is a complex character; she is Raven and should not feel fear, but she is constantly haunted by images from her past. We also learn more about Rieka this time, and are given teasing insights into her past and her family.

Intriguingly, one of the main characters in the book is actually a computer program. This gives the author the chance to ask the reader questions about technology, its place in the world and what could happen if it becomes too clever and begins to take over and make its own rules. If used as a class reader, this could be an excellent discussion topic, particularly given the prolific use of technology by children today.

The novel ends with a tantalising cliffhanger as Rieka is forced to make a difficult decision in order to escape danger, and I am already looking forward to the third novel in this addictive series! To gain maximum enjoyment from I Am Raven, it should be noted that readers should read I Am Wolf first - if they haven't already! Highly recommended.

240 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+