Chronicles of the Raven Series by James Barclay

Septern is a genius and happy that everyone knows it. No mage on Balaia comes close to matching his abilities in the development, design and casting of spells. No mage understands the intricacies of the mana spectra like he does. No mage ever will. He is a true one-off. Believing himself safe in the cocoon of his mansion, Septern chooses to ignore the war which rages outside his borders and continues to train the elite of Balaia's young mages... moreSeptern is a genius and happy that everyone knows it. No mage on Balaia comes close to matching his abilities in the development, design and casting of spells. No mage understands the intricacies of the mana spectra like he does. No mage ever will. He is a true one-off. Believing himself safe in the cocoon of his mansion, Septern chooses to ignore the war which rages outside his borders and continues to train the elite of Balaia's young mages. For his students, it is the opportunity of a lifetime. For Septern, it is peace from the demands of the colleges of magic while he continues his research. And Septern needs peace because he is on the verge of creating the ultimate spell. The spell that could end the world. But now, his genius and conceit threaten to be his undoing. In his creation, Septern sees the beauty of magic in its purest form and is determined to demonstrate it. But allies and enemies alike see something entirely different. They see the weapon that will win the war and bring everlasting domination to its owner. And to gain this prize, they will do absolutely anything. Chapbook less

The Raven: six men and an elf, sword for hire in the wars that have torn apart Balaia. For years their loyalty has been only to themselves and their code. But, that time is over. The Wytch Lords have escaped and The Raven find themselves fighting for the Dark College of magic, searching for the location of Dawnthief. It is a spell created to end the world, and it must be cast if any of them are to survive.

An apocalyptic spell has been cast, an ancient evil banished, and now the land of Balaia, still riven by war, must live with the consequences. The spell has torn a rip in the sky, a pathway to the dragon dimension.

The third volume of James Barclay's bestselling Chronicles of The Raven sees Raven set against Raven as Balaia faces up to the threat of the One magic unified in one person: the five-year-old daughter of Erienne and Denser of The Raven.Barclay has made a trademark of blistering pace, superbly described action and characters who, with their flaws, humour and dedication to each other, are swiftly becoming cult heroes with fantasy fans.