In dreams, Ronan was always getting into trouble, and even though he often died, equally as often Opal saved him because she was an excellent dreamthing and a psychopomp (which is the proper name for an excellent dreamthing). [p. 15]
A novella (if that) which takes place the summer after The Raven King. Opal, who came from Ronan's dreams, roams the countryside around the Barns, observes Ronan and Adam as they come to terms with changes in their lives, and wonders why Ronan is refusing to dream a new forest.
I had no idea Opal existed until I spotted a reference to it on Goodreads -- and it's only available in the UK as an Audible audiobook, or via Google Play. I'm glad I found it, because I think it helps bridge the gap between the Raven Cycle and Call Down the Hawk. There's context for Adam's departure and for the nightwash, and though Opal doesn't necessarily understand human stuff, her observations show us Ronan's grief and desperation (everyone is leaving him), as well as his maturing relationship with Adam, and his determination to adjust to a changed life.
Opal is a marvellous viewpoint character: she's not human, and she doesn't understand 'the animal world', but she is fascinated by it. At the same time, she is a child -- an eternal child -- and she's driven by impulse, curiosity and fear. And through the filter of her perceptions, the mundane becomes strange.
Now I want to read the whole of the Ronan trilogy: but I can't, because only the first volume has been published ...
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