Tracy Brisette
“The story captures your imagination, and then your heart, and takes the reader on an epic adventure!”
“The story pulled me in immediately. The love between father and sons is felt deeply, and in places, moved me to tears. The sword play was described in such a way that it makes the reader feel a part of the battles.
I’ve just finished, and can’t wait to read it again!”
Deedra Winey
-For Audio Book-
“This book was written so well , I didn’t want to put it down!”
This book was written so well , I didn’t want to put it down! There were Highlanders and monsters.There were bare chest warriors of male and female persuasion.The characters were excellent. Narration by the author and Elizabeth Wiley was wonderful
David Blixt
Award winning author of Master of Verona and Voice of the Falconer
“David Doersch erupts onto the literary scene with his debut novel, The Gathering Storm”
“David Doersch erupts onto the literary scene with his debut novel, 'The Gathering Storm,' weaving an intricate and thrilling tale centered around the enigmatic swordsman Corvus Corax, who rallies a compelling cast of characters whose stories converge in an epic crescendo of courage, sacrifice and indomitable spirit. A page-turning pulse-hammering ride!"“
Michelle at Chelle's Book Ramblings
"If you are looking for a diverse cultural mixture, action, spectacular fight scenes and an overall interesting plotline to carry it all? Look no further."
If you are looking for a diverse cultural mixture, action, spectacular fight scenes and an overall interesting plotline to carry it all? Look no further.
I enjoyed the adventure and high-stakes scenes in this book a lot, the references to different cultures and how they need to work together to achieve a greater goal, protect all they hold dear.. There are multiple POV's throughout the story and if you are not used to that (which is common in fantasy lately) it might get confusing at first, but you'll pick up the pace soon enough... because that's another great thing about this story. Its pacing has a steady rhythm and it doesn't let down the reader.
However, I do have one or maybe two complaints ... I loved having so much diversity in the main cast, but I felt that they could have been a little more developed... a bit more back story and background setting for them would have made it great for me, but still it didn't hurt at all the story I'm just nitpicking.
The other thing that bothered me was world building. There could have been a bit more cohesion because there were so many different cultures to mix... Then again, it doesn't hurt the story either unless you are really getting into the grit of it.
If you want an action-packed fantasy to read for the summer, I would suggest giving this book a look.
Bill Haynes
“This turned out to be an epic read”
Although an avid reader throughout my life (84 years), I came to the classic genre of Epic Storytelling late in my life. Actually, through the help of an entirely different medium: film. In 2001, Peter Jackson’s film series, the “Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien, fascinated me and his comment that he had to leave “so much out from the original story” triggered me to read Tolkien’s books from cover to cover—becoming entranced in every detail, hoping the stories would continue.
This book by David Doersch, The Gathering Storm, Chronicles of the Ravens, Book I, has had the same effect on me. The characters become alive and real on every page and their lives relatable and true to human experiences throughout centuries. A must-read story calling for more. I will make sure that every member in my family has a copy, and intergenerational conversations can commence. Waiting for Book II.”
Dawn at Dawn’s reads
“The first book of his Chronicles of the Raven series, is a masterful weaving together of multiple plot threads for several key character groups.”
David Doersch’s debut novel The Gathering Storm, the first book of his Chronicles of the Raven series, is a masterful weaving together of multiple plot threads for several key character groups. With the descriptive prowess of Tolkien, Follett, and Rutherford, Doersch creates a world reminiscent of their historical and mythical realms. The primary character, Corvus Corax, strives to rally the people of Green Mount to band together to fight off the Barbar invaders at Eagle’s Gate, similar to Gandalf rallying the denizens of Middle Earth to defeat the army of Saron at the Battle of Helm’s Deep. The key adversary is the horde of Barbar warriors, an interesting amalgam of Viking raiders and Orcs. An additional subplot follows the machinations of the duplicitous Archbishop of the “church” trying to get a foothold in the realm, who reeks of the corrupt practices and political maneuverings of one of Follett’s archbishops, versus the indigenous polytheistic faiths. While Doersch’s plots and characters may call to mind elements from medieval history or plots of other works, he has created his own distinct world here. His battle scenes flow like a choreographed danced, the movements of the combatants, both male and female, so fluid they are almost poetic. Time is taken to carefully structure the different realms, cultures, and mores of diverse people readers can readily recognize. Through his detailed descriptions, he creates in the reader’s mind’s eye a new world fully peopled with characters readers can easily root for and hiss at during exciting battle scenes as defense of homelands clash with invasion and conquest. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
“A very readable book, emotional, fast-paced and with some of the most finely executed battle scenes I have ever read”
I just finished The Gathering Storm, Book One of David Doersch’s Chronicles of the Raven and, as the author requested, now give it an Official Book Review.
We all have hobbies we are passionate about, and two of mine are reading/writing Fantasy, and studying the lore, myths and Druidic mysteries of the ancient Celts. Yet interestingly, those passions have seldom if ever blended, meaning that I have no true experience reading Celtic Fantasy.
But there is a first time for everything, so my first sojourn into this sub-genre of the Fantastic is the island-continent of Daffyd, from the highland villages of the Green Mount to the cold lakes and cities of the Kingdom of Lachland. Distant lands that hold at least two things in common, their fierce independence and an invasion by the savage yet unquestionably cunning Barbárs hordes and their sadistic Angor blood-shaman allies. Yet this is no straightforward tale of good versus evil, or, if it is, then it is as much against the evil hiding in plain sight and under the white mantle of nobility as it is against blood mad barbarians. For as the tale marches forward so too do complex plots, plans within plans, emerge as varying enemies with different agendas join in alliance against the highland and Lachlanders. Thus too do three parallel stories take shape: one of the highlanders Corvus Corax, called the Raven, along with his sons and longtime friend Yazid; one of the wastrel Princess Darienne, Queen Isador, and Captain Zach of the Lanchland; and a third of the Aslene mystics Mama Warad and her three votaries from the distant deserts of the Silken Emperor whose mission carries the fates of all.
A very readable book, emotional, fast-paced and with some of the most finely executed battle scenes I have ever read, what makes David Doersch’s Chronicles of the Raven stick out is his attention to detail. Each character, even the secondary and below ones, is well-rounded and each culture distinct and based upon real-world ones. Being knowledgeable of the old lore myself, as well as a Black Belt in Northern Longfist style Kung Fu, I can say with full confidence that Doersch captures the spiritual essence of the Celtic lands, and I especially appreciated Aslene martial arts and mysticism whose forms remind me of my own Kung Fu training.
The battle cry goes out as swords are drawn… “Protect the Tor!”
Ian E.S. Adler
- Ian E.S. Adler, M.Ed., Stars Uncounted - Fantasy Review Blog.
"The Fury reveals the Chronicles of the Raven as a Fantasy of consistent, incredible, expanding and intricately detailed depth..."
I have finished The Fury, Book Two of David Doersch's Chronicles of the Raven and, as the author requested, now give it an Official Book Review.Fulfilling the promise Book One made, The Fury reveals the Chronicles of the Raven as a Fantasy of consistent, incredible, expanding and intricately detailed depth as old intrigues come to fruition or wither depending while revealing layers that were only hinted at and others utterly unexpected as the world of Hortus and story itself reaches beyond the borders of Daffyd. A story that is now far more than a Celtic Fantasy about the women and men of Green Mount and Lachland protecting their homes from the savage Barbárs hordes, the Church of the Five, and the blood-magicking Angor shamans. Powers far greater are now at play as ancient, forgotten legends come to life, and one of Doersch's great qualities is that he forces to reader to be as keen-eyed as the best of archers to gain full understanding.
But understanding or not – and the Five know many of the characters themselves are in the not category – the Autumn Equinox is nigh and now the fate of the world depends upon the Raven Corvus Corax and his friends ascending and matching the ancient call: The battle cry goes out as swords are drawn… "Protect the Tor!" In other words, Book Three will open with a literally earth-shaking battle.