Merula

The Children of Corvus, Book 2

By: L.E. Harrison

Narrated by: Andrew McDermott

The law is sacred. But so is the truth.

In Blackwater Hills, even the gods keep secrets.

What if you were born with a secret so dangerous, even the gods wanted you dead? In the secluded forests of northern Maine, USA the tribe of Corvus the beast god guards an ancient truth: some are born with the power to change shape—and those who are must never be allowed to live.

On a cold October morning, the veil between worlds grows thin. Samuel Singleton vanishes through a portal into the Shadowlands, a realm ruled by a fearsome witch goddess and haunted by things that should not exist. When he returns, something in him is... wrong. Primal. Dangerous.

Deep within the stone walls of Blackwater Castle, newly consecrated priestess Cadie Maxwell is haunted by doubts about a brutal law that demands the death of all shapeshifting males. Questioning everything she’s been taught, Cadie flees beyond the Great Shield that hides her homeland from the world —searching for answers, and the truth about the god she once served without question.

In the quiet town of Ashland, Cadie meets Jonathan and Sarina Lance, siblings desperate to find their missing father, a famous novelist whose trail leads straight back to Blackwater Hills. But what awaits them beyond the Great Shield is not the novelist—it is Samuel, delirious and transformed, with darkness rising inside him.

As Cadie unravels a hidden history of lies and betrayal, she must choose to protect the sacred laws that bind her people—or risk everything to save the man who may doom them all.

Some secrets were buried for a reason. Some gods are better left sleeping. And some fates cannot be outrun.

©2017, 2018, 2019 Lisa A. Erb (P)2025 Lisa A. Erb

Critic reviews

Readers’ Favorite 5 Stars

One of ReadFreely's 50 Best Indie Books

An IHIBRP 5-Star Recommended Read

Winner of the Virtual Fantasy Con Award for Best Dark Fantasy

Great series so far! Very original

I was very confused at first. So I read book 1 again. (I read the 1st book a long time ago so I needed a refresher). I didn't understand who these new characters were at first. But I kept going and finally, it all started to make sense. Totally worth having to listen to the book a second time! I really loved book one. Book two was close but not quite as good, in my opinion. I listened to the audible version and maybe I just didn't vibe with the new narrator. He's good. I just couldn't listen at my normal quicker speed. But still, well worth the listen! Cant wait to start book 3! 

Great story

Great Story, great narration. The story was gripping and exciting, making you want want more. Having a country within a country was very interesting. I don't want to give away the plot so get the book and find out more!

All in the family 😁

This book by had me in a trance, I couldn't stop listening to it. I listened 6 hours straight. I am hooked. Katie was an awesome heroine and I can't wait to hear what she does in book 3 ( Corvus). Samuel is an unlikely hero, and it pained me to hear everything be he has gone through. I was shocked to be hear about Johnathan Jr. and eagerly awaiting the verdict.
The narrator was talented and Drew me into every scene. I definitely recommend this book even though I initially wasn't sure I would like the book. I love it

Worth a credit?🤷‍♀️

Merula: The Children of Corvus, Book 2 by L.E. Harrison is a continuation of the fantasy world of Corvus. Samuel Singleton grew up with the people of Corvus not knowing who his parents were. They treated him as an outcast and now that he has come of age, things seem to be changing, and not for the better.

Acadia “Cadie” Maxwell, the newest member of the Sacred Order, believes she has figured out the mystery and is trying to help Samuel fulfill his destiny.

This book is very well written. Even though I have not listened to book one, I easily fell into the story and was able to understand what was going on. I think the reason for this was because the author prefaces each character’s section as coming from their POV and where they are, be it in Ashland, Maine or in the alternate dimension of Blackwater Hills.

Narrator, Andrew McDermott, gives a job well done. 👍🏻 Even though he has a light Irish (or sometimes I hear more of a Scottish lilt) accent, it seemed to go well with this fantasy genre. I would LOVE to hear more books from him that are set in either England, Scotland or Ireland. Maybe more Regency romance books or Highland warrior romance stories. 😉 Come on “powers that be!” You have a rare gem of a narrator in this man! Use him to his full potential!!

Is this book worth a credit! I say absolutely!👍🏻👍🏻

Merula

I have not read/listened to the first book but I did not feel I was missing something when I listened to it. It was the book cover that first attracted my attention and the book does not disappoint.