Quirky, original, strange - these may be the words in your head when reading this book. With a cast featuring the wandering soul of Richard III, a talking Raven who knows far too much and a fallen angel, it's easy to see why. But the real delight may be in the characters - Molly, Frank and Peggy. In amongst the magical realism their stories are simple and endearing. They make mistakes, but you'll be on their side. It's different - go with it!
All this time Raven has been peering into the shed with one eye pressed against the window, not a favourite pastime for a bird with an amazing beak. These people have been talking about the king as if they know him. That's what humans do, they gather information as Raven gathers souls, and they are the Tremblings, as Jackdaw shoed him, in their bony little shed. For Raven, so used to the limitless skies, humans always surprise him with their happiness inside such little boxes.
He talks to the Tremblings, but cannot hear him. 'Mayhap and mayhem, do tiny spaces make you feel safe in your perilous lives?'
Raven tries again. 'Come Tremblings, tell of angels, and I will tell you of kings, for I must not stay long.'
Raven has his work cut out keeping his glimmering eye on both the living and the dead. The line between then is so easily drawn. One step and you're over, but he doesn't say that to the Tremblings in their small snug shed. Now he knows where to find them, he flies again into the cold night air.
