Demonstorm is the sixth world-saving exploit of James Barclay's heroic-fantasy "Mission Impossible" team, The Raven-?first seen in his 1999 debut novel Dawnthief.

Again the war-ravaged continent Balaia is in big trouble. Bigger than ever. Attacked for excellent reasons by the barbarian Wesmen, the magical college of Xetesk desperately misuses its doomsday weapon of "dimensional magic", and tears a hole between realms. Endless hordes of demons come swarming through, eager to make Balaia their new home. No ordinary weapon will kill them, but they can drain human souls with just a touch. The odds are, as always, impossible.

Meanwhile, after dealing severely with impostors who took their name in vain, the weary, scarred survivors of The Raven have given up war and retired to the sunny southern continent. You can't run away from the end of the world, though, and more than one world faces extinction. The demon beachhead threatens the realms of the dragons and even the dead:

"You know how I said The Raven would never ride again? Seems I was lying."

Barclay pushes his characters to the ragged edge and beyond, as they fend off inexhaustible demon armies, suffer heavy losses in nightmare treks across occupied territory, and weaken day by day while the enemy grows ever stronger. One mad possibility remains, a commando raid into the demon dimension where their strength is greatest?

The tension is unremitting, the action unsparing. There's less room for Barclay's usual glints of humour in the long slog of fighting for what any sane mercenary should recognize as a lost cause. Still, The Raven has always managed to win through, though at great cost. Demonstorm battles its way to an appropriate finish, and delivers the goods--though this must surely be The Raven's last adventure. Edge-of-the-seat stuff.--David Langford

2008-02-27 An Excellent Romp

I really didn't want to like this book.

Two reasons really. One, because this was a free gift with a book club. (Brilliant idea give him the sixth book in the series and make him buy the other five) and two because I had read some negative reviews.

I had a choice, take a risk and buy the first book in the series or just jump in near the end. Well I am glad I read this book as I have now found another must have author. Barclay writes with an incredible pace and the characters shine though their actions.

The battles are relentless and bloodthirsty. You can see how much the author likes the characters he has created in the passion he depicts in The Raven. The story is dotted with sadness and emotion. The Raven themselves provide plenty of humour with their banter.

Barclay gives plenty of nods to fans of the series and there is a scene in particular involving a face off between The Raven and "The Raven" which must have had fans drooling as they read through it.

I cannot recommend starting with Dawnthief as I have not read that yet but I will most certainly read it and soon!