The Heart of the World

"Nicholas Kotar has written a gem. The Raven Son series has a depth that is rare and refreshing. This is the kind of story you can escape into and come out desiring to be a more virtuous person. Lewis and Tolkien would be proud." - SamC

"I really enjoyed reading this third installment in the Raven Son series. Kotar's writing is a joy to read, and I'm impressed by the layers of meaning that he is able to handle deftly in his believable characters. I'm already looking forward to rereading all three of these books--- which is a high honor I do not bestow lightly anymore, having reached the point in my life where I've realized I won't live long enough to read everything on my TBR pile.

Like the first two books, this book has a FANTASTIC pace--- it moves from scene to scene breathlessly, with action and interest. That's the double-edged sword that made me give this volume 4 stars instead of 5--- sometimes the pacing was SO fast, that I actually missed the significance of something and had to reread a passage to make sure I didn't miss the details for the action. :-) There were also times I had to make myself linger on a moment--- because the moment deserved more time, and the action of the book didn't want to let me slow down.

I also appreciated the author's originality. It can be easy for fantasy to become formulaic in its attempt to be mythic; the Raven Son books do not make this error. There were plot twists that surprised and delighted me, two of which have stayed with me since I finished the book, making me think. No spoilers here though, you'll have to read it for yourself. :-)

Now, who's got the countdown until Book 4????" - Tess

"This book in the series covers so many plot twists and climaxes, that it's easy to get lost and yet hard to put down. This is where all of the main characters begin to see how well the four different cultures in this epic have preserved different aspects of the truth about the world they live in. And how the main character learns that they all need each other in order resist the destructive ways of those who, in various ways, are turning to other gods. There are so many intresting parallels between these four cultures and various cultures here on Earth, and even mythical races (e.g. giants, changers, spirits, etc) are presented in a way that is consistent with all the myths you encounter in ancient texts." - KSed

"I am LOVING this series. Thriling characters combined with fantasy and the supernatural and magic. Beliefs are shattered and battles fought to reclaim Vasyllia and defeat the Raven. Kotars writing is simply enchanting and the imagery rich and just beautifully written. I wish him much success with this series and believe it would make a fantastic tv series" - Vasiliki Mazis

"Book three in Nicholas Kotar's Raven's Son series, The Heart of the Word, proves that it is no accident. Kotar is an excellent new author. Nay, an excellent weaver of tales. Kotar taps into a style of writing that draws the reader not only into the world depicted on the pages of the book, but challenges the reader to find the characters in his own heart, to join with their struggles and share in their joys." - Daniel Watkins