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jkneebone's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Call Down the Hawk is the first book in the sequel series to The Raven Cycle, but it is definitely it's own entity. Framed as being a story about the Lynch brothers, we get POVs from both Ronan (happier and stronger in his dreaming, but also restricted because of it to living at the Barns, not able to move to Boston with Adam) and Declan (terrified for his brothers' safety and making himself as boring as possible to hide, no matter how little he actually wants to). We are also introduced to another dreamer, Hennessy, an artist who suffers from a recurring nightmare from which she brings back copies of herself, and Jordan, the oldest of those copies, who loves Hennessy but longs for the life she could live if she didn't share a face with six other girls.
We also learn that there is a group called the Moderators who are trying to eliminated dreamers, who they call Zeds, from existence. Moderators work with Visionaries, who help them find both Zeds and other Visionaries; all of the Visionaries are convinced that a dreamer is going to bring on the end of the world. We get a POV as well from Carmen Farooq-Lane, a businesswoman-turned-Moderator with a personal investment in eliminating Zeds, even as she begins to question the Moderators methods.
I was hesitant to pick up Call Down the Hawk because, although I loved The Raven Cycle, I found it ultimately unsatisfying as a trilogy (the end of book 4 was not good imo). I didn't want to go into another Maggie Stiefvater series without knowing if the same thing would happen. But then I got into an audiobook slump, and I knew the audiobook for Call Down the Hawk would be excellent (it's the same person who did TRC, truly one of the best narrators I've experienced), so here we are.
This was a really good read. Maggie Stiefvater excels at beautiful language and compelling characters, and this book has both in spades. The prose is so unique and thoughtful, alternating between vivid descriptions and pithy dialogue, it's simply a delight to read. The characters in The Raven Cycle were my favorite part of the series, and that continues here - not just the characters we already knew, but all the new ones who get introduced as well. I love the slightly more balanced Ronan we met in this book, and I can't believe that Stiefvater got me feeling sorry for Declan - Declan! - just a few chapters into this book. I loved the dynamic between Hennessy and Jordan; Jordan might be my favorite new character of the series. Carmen Farooq-Lane's sections were a bit harder to get through, partially because she is currently a Bad Guy, but I have a feeling she isn't going to stay that way for long.
All that being said, I didn't feel there was much actual plot to this book - it mostly felt like a lot of set-up, further world-building and introduction of new characters, to carry us into book two. Despite some intense things happening, the stakes felt pretty low until the very end of the book, and it didn't feel like anything was resolved at the end, even for a temporary pause - I still have a lot of questions because so many things were introduced, and none of them were answered. So I remain slightly concerned about how the series is going to come together, but I'm not opposed to a series opener that is mostly world-building - I will definitely be reading book 2.
Call Down the Hawk reads less like YA than TRC did, for me, because even though most of the characters are still teenagers, they're acting like adults - I mean, Declan has always been a mini adult, and is technically 21(?) at this point, but Hennessy and Ronan are living on their own and doing what they want despite being 18/19 - plus there are new characters introduced, like Farooq-Lane, who are fully adults. That being said, despite some cursing (it is about Ronan Lynch after all) and violence, there's nothing to make this inappropriate for a high school audience.
We also learn that there is a group called the Moderators who are trying to eliminated dreamers, who they call Zeds, from existence. Moderators work with Visionaries, who help them find both Zeds and other Visionaries; all of the Visionaries are convinced that a dreamer is going to bring on the end of the world. We get a POV as well from Carmen Farooq-Lane, a businesswoman-turned-Moderator with a personal investment in eliminating Zeds, even as she begins to question the Moderators methods.
I was hesitant to pick up Call Down the Hawk because, although I loved The Raven Cycle, I found it ultimately unsatisfying as a trilogy (the end of book 4 was not good imo). I didn't want to go into another Maggie Stiefvater series without knowing if the same thing would happen. But then I got into an audiobook slump, and I knew the audiobook for Call Down the Hawk would be excellent (it's the same person who did TRC, truly one of the best narrators I've experienced), so here we are.
This was a really good read. Maggie Stiefvater excels at beautiful language and compelling characters, and this book has both in spades. The prose is so unique and thoughtful, alternating between vivid descriptions and pithy dialogue, it's simply a delight to read. The characters in The Raven Cycle were my favorite part of the series, and that continues here - not just the characters we already knew, but all the new ones who get introduced as well. I love the slightly more balanced Ronan we met in this book, and I can't believe that Stiefvater got me feeling sorry for Declan - Declan! - just a few chapters into this book. I loved the dynamic between Hennessy and Jordan; Jordan might be my favorite new character of the series. Carmen Farooq-Lane's sections were a bit harder to get through, partially because she is currently a Bad Guy, but I have a feeling she isn't going to stay that way for long.
All that being said, I didn't feel there was much actual plot to this book - it mostly felt like a lot of set-up, further world-building and introduction of new characters, to carry us into book two. Despite some intense things happening, the stakes felt pretty low until the very end of the book, and it didn't feel like anything was resolved at the end, even for a temporary pause - I still have a lot of questions because so many things were introduced, and none of them were answered. So I remain slightly concerned about how the series is going to come together, but I'm not opposed to a series opener that is mostly world-building - I will definitely be reading book 2.
Call Down the Hawk reads less like YA than TRC did, for me, because even though most of the characters are still teenagers, they're acting like adults - I mean, Declan has always been a mini adult, and is technically 21(?) at this point, but Hennessy and Ronan are living on their own and doing what they want despite being 18/19 - plus there are new characters introduced, like Farooq-Lane, who are fully adults. That being said, despite some cursing (it is about Ronan Lynch after all) and violence, there's nothing to make this inappropriate for a high school audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
adoereading's review
5.0
To have Ronan back in my life in these pages is delightful even if it means he is at risk. He would’ve done it on his own even if the events weren’t happening. Not to mention seeing his relationship with Adam altering and growing is something wonderful. Even get the mention of the rest of the gang.
Now, what I love about CDTH is it is focused on the Lynch brothers. It is The Dream Trilogy after all but we’re getting more of Declan and Matthew. We’re diving more into the world of dreamers and things that should not be yet are. We’re getting a better understanding why D is the way he is rather than simply having Ronan’s side.
It’s a scary and magical world out there even while learning there’s more dreamers because those who can bring back their wildest ideas are being hunted.
Can Ronan survive? Will he find others to trust?
Now, what I love about CDTH is it is focused on the Lynch brothers. It is The Dream Trilogy after all but we’re getting more of Declan and Matthew. We’re diving more into the world of dreamers and things that should not be yet are. We’re getting a better understanding why D is the way he is rather than simply having Ronan’s side.
It’s a scary and magical world out there even while learning there’s more dreamers because those who can bring back their wildest ideas are being hunted.
Can Ronan survive? Will he find others to trust?
scipianne's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
piamikaela's review
4.0
i loved it. the portrayal of the Lynch Brothers' unique relationship, the diversity, the problems both impossibly magical and heartbreakingly human, stiefvater gives us a story that remedies most of the qualms i had with her original raven cycle series. every interaction felt so much more real, so much more believable, each character arc so substantial and neatly woven together.
the only issue i had was with carmen, whose story and perspectives i felt weren't weaved in as seamlessly into the story, though hopefully i'll find myself feeling differently in the next installments. nevertheless, the expansion of the universe and the direction the dreamer trilogy is heading is wonderful, and stiefvater's whimsical writing style continues to remain fitting. objectively, there was a lot of explanation and confusion may have been experienced for those not familiar with the events that took place in the raven cycle despite stiefvater writing this to be separate from it.
still, the enjoyment this brought me was immense, and i have not felt this way about her work since the dream thieves. while i would have preferred her to use discarded characters from trc, such as the dream pack (though who is to say they aren't to come), and of course, more scenes with adam, i am excited to get to know the new characters, and occasionally see old ones, and witness the Lynch Brothers continue to grow and evolve.
the only issue i had was with carmen, whose story and perspectives i felt weren't weaved in as seamlessly into the story, though hopefully i'll find myself feeling differently in the next installments. nevertheless, the expansion of the universe and the direction the dreamer trilogy is heading is wonderful, and stiefvater's whimsical writing style continues to remain fitting. objectively, there was a lot of explanation and confusion may have been experienced for those not familiar with the events that took place in the raven cycle despite stiefvater writing this to be separate from it.
still, the enjoyment this brought me was immense, and i have not felt this way about her work since the dream thieves. while i would have preferred her to use discarded characters from trc, such as the dream pack (though who is to say they aren't to come), and of course, more scenes with adam, i am excited to get to know the new characters, and occasionally see old ones, and witness the Lynch Brothers continue to grow and evolve.
ametakinetos's review
I can't identify anything that was overwhelmingly bad about it - the concept and characters were intriguing and unique - but I kept forgetting about it. It didn't compel me to pick it up once I'd put it down.
This is probably just a me thing.
This is probably just a me thing.
josies02's review
4.0
ronan lynch going on the run and being wanted by the government just because his boyfriend didn’t text him back
unicorn1408's review
5.0
The book follows the Lynch brothers, that we are already familiar with from The Raven Cycle, and some other characters introduced in this book. There are dreamers (people who can take stuff out of their dreams) and those who hunt dreamers. There are people who have a talent of finding dreamers, a market for unusual items and an amazing painter on the wrong side of the law.
It has a darker atmosphere than The Raven Cycle. And the characters, especially Ronan, have matured quite a bit(But don't worry, he's the same bold Gryffindor at heart that jumps to reckless actions and would do anything for his loved ones). Also, prepare to absolutely fall in love with Declan Lynch.
There aren't any especially action-packed scenes, but the beauty of the story resides more in the magic atmosphere that surrounds everyone and the characters and the relationships they build during the events. Each character has their unique voice and you feel the joy and sadness of each of them. Ronan is trying to have a normal life and is failing miserably at it, not quite suited for the ordinary. Declan has been living the most boring life possible for years, but a more rebellious side of him begins to emerge. Jordan wants to be her own person, Hennessy discovers a love for life she didn't realize still existed within her. And Carmen leaves behind her quiet and peaceful life as she becomes more entangled in a much greater plot. The end result of all this is beautiful. And I especially adored that the characters raised the questions I myself wondered about when reading the Raven Cycle concerning some biological issues of a certain character (more than this would be a spoiler for Blue Lily, Lily Blue)
If this has sparked your interest, please pick it up! (But after you read the Raven Cycle!!!!)
It has a darker atmosphere than The Raven Cycle. And the characters, especially Ronan, have matured quite a bit(But don't worry, he's the same bold Gryffindor at heart that jumps to reckless actions and would do anything for his loved ones). Also, prepare to absolutely fall in love with Declan Lynch.
There aren't any especially action-packed scenes, but the beauty of the story resides more in the magic atmosphere that surrounds everyone and the characters and the relationships they build during the events. Each character has their unique voice and you feel the joy and sadness of each of them. Ronan is trying to have a normal life and is failing miserably at it, not quite suited for the ordinary. Declan has been living the most boring life possible for years, but a more rebellious side of him begins to emerge. Jordan wants to be her own person, Hennessy discovers a love for life she didn't realize still existed within her. And Carmen leaves behind her quiet and peaceful life as she becomes more entangled in a much greater plot. The end result of all this is beautiful. And I especially adored that the characters raised the questions I myself wondered about when reading the Raven Cycle concerning some biological issues of a certain character (more than this would be a spoiler for Blue Lily, Lily Blue)
If this has sparked your interest, please pick it up! (But after you read the Raven Cycle!!!!)
m4rl33n's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0