Having adored The Merciful Crow, I was SO excited for The Faithless Hawk! If you’re looking for an immersive fantasy duology that will keep you reading, then please pick these up. The Faithless Hawk is a brilliant sequel which delivered action, intrigue, and swoons.
Summary
As the new chieftain of the Crows, Fie knows better than to expect a royal to keep his word. Still she?s hopeful that Prince Jasimir will fulfill his oath to protect her fellow Crows. But then black smoke fills the sky, signaling the death of King Surimir and the beginning of Queen Rhusana’s ruthless bid for the throne.
Queen Rhusana wins popular support by waging a brutal campaign against the Crows, blaming them for the poisonous plague that wracks the nation.
A desperate Fie clings onto a prophecy that a long-forgotten god will return and provide a cure to the plague. Fie must team up with old friends? and an old flame? to track down a dead god and save her people.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Faithless Hawk is a thrilling sequel to Fie’s story of mercy, revenge, and justice. Not only is it written gorgeously, The Faithless Hawk asks readers questions about what, and who we, are willing to sacrifice for our goals. There are the same amazing character with new layers. Fie and her passionate spirit, the way she has to balance her new responsibilities, and her need to accept help and guidance. Then there’s Jasimir and Tarvin who are just precious cinnamon rolls! There were some scenes with Tarvin which ripped my heart out okay!?
I loved how Owen evolved and developed our concepts of the world from The Merciful Crow. Without feeling forced or dumped on us, the stories we used to know took on new meanings. Especially as The Faithless Hawk takes a closer look at rulers. What they are willing to compromise to achieve their goals. Who they are willing to sacrifice. How we sometimes have to betray the ones we love to protect them. All’s never fair in love or war. I loved how clever The Faithless Hawk felt. We get an expanded world, which is one of my favorite in YA fantasy, and then an even twisty-er plot!
And did I mention that there were EVEN MORE CATS?! Just when I thought this book couldn’t get better, we got to see SO many cute fur balls. Overall, The Faithless Hawk is just such a perfect sequel. Full of characters who won’t stand up, won’t take a stand, even with their seemingly abundant power. The destruction of ambition, war, and revenge. Villains that you can’t help but admire a bit – you’ll get there I promise – and such fantastic new side characters.
Find The Faithless Hawk on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.