I like the new characters introduced, although I was sad we didn’t see much of Adam, Blue, and Gansey. I also love that we get to see Declan’s POV and personality clearly now. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book and for a while I couldn’t tell were it was going, but the writing was as masterful as always and I look forward to the rest of the books!

Content Warnings

trintrin's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

I think this is genuinely the most fun I've had reading a sequel series. Sequel series are always in that weird grey area of scratching the same itch that only your favourite characters from the main series could, but also either risk going overboard with additional world-building, new characters, and plot devices, or risk going stale with same old characters, and same old world. This book hits a sweet, sweet spot.

I was kinda indecisive seeing this is gonna be about Ronan (and by extension, Adam, who would obviously be a major part of his life) because Ronan Lynch is my absolute favourite character and I do not want to tarnish the perfect image I have of him in my head. I didn't know what other adventures little old Henrietta offered, seeing that the quest for Glendower is over, I didn't know what the focus is going to be in Ronan and Adam's relationship, seeing as he would've gone to college. But, boy, oh, boy, did the Lynch brothers deliver.

The Characters

Sure, this book doesn't have the ride-or-die friendships like the Gangsey, but it does have interesting characters. Absolutely head over heels in love with Jordan and Hennessy, I would sacrifice myself to the ley-line to protect these girls. DECLAN LYNCH!! I knew he would pull through, always had faith in him. Someone needs to give this boy a hug, some warm cocoa, and peace. Also, fuck Niall Lynch. I used to think he wasn't that bad, just a very absent father, but good lord. A very interesting side to Matthew which I didn't even consider was possible. Hopefully we get to see more of that. Still kinda lukewarm on Farooq-Lane. Interesting character, certainly, just not sure how much I like her. Parsifal

, too soon, my boy, too soon

. Bryde, the ever-mysterious Bryde. Excited to get to know him better. Lilliana too, I have high hopes for her.

The Plot

The plot is darker than TRC, which is expected considering four teenagers going on a hunt for a dead Welsh King is going to be more on the friendshipy-adventurous side, while organisations that hunt down dreamers and dreams would be significantly darker and grittier. The world is much bigger than a small, rural town in Virginia, whaddayaknow. Especially when you throw the Lynches into the equation, as it's both about their messed up family history and narrated by them. The introduction of new characters was perfect, the pacing was perfect, the development of both the plot and the characters was perfect, the unexpected

Mór Ó Corra

plot-twist which I totally should've seen coming was perfect, Stiefvater's beautiful writing in all her glory was perfect, all in all, perfect. :D

Should you read this if you loved The Raven Cycle?

I would say it depends on which part of TRC you loved. TRC had a good plot, but the phenomenal characters were what carried the series. Whereas, this series has incredible characters, but the amazing plot is the focus. Fair warning though, there's little to nothing of Gansey, Blue and Noah, and only crumbs of Adam, if that's what you're looking for. If Ronan, Chainsaw, Orphan-Girl, Matthew, Declan, and the Lynch family history mystery with some cool new characters sounds like your thing, definitely give it a try!

Content Warnings

booksandstardust's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

julia6d7e4's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I'm reading this book a few years after it came out, so the entire series is already out (and on my next-to-read list), so my review will reflect that greatly. Knowing this book is part of a trilogy makes book one feel like act one of a play. We are introduced to the main characters and the conflicts they face. And, that is all we get until the very end which is mostly set up to lead into Act 2 aka Book 2. I think sometimes this can make a book a bit boring and hard to get through, but that was hardly the case for this one. Because the characters and plot are so deeply intertwined, we need the whole book to set everything up for what is coming.

Content Warnings

sophiesmallhands's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

lukevirgo's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

i missed my emotional support twinks and i’m very excited to see where this series takes them. i was surprised to leave this book liking declan. i’m now a supporter of every lynch brother.

Content Warnings

readwithria's review

Go to review page

mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Call Down the Hawk is a good book that I just don’t have any strong feelings about. I don’t even have that much to say about it, honestly. It was fine, and I neither liked it nor disliked it.

I feel I am not this book’s intended audience. I like a plot heavy book with a goal of some kind, and this ain’t that. I like my books to be medium to fast paced, and this book is slow and methodical. I like when the choices the protagonist makes impact the plot, and this book felt very reactionary. None of these things are bad things, they’re just not what I prefer.

I did really enjoy Declan Lynch, which was a pleasant surprise! Jordan was also a wonderful addition to the world.

I honestly don’t know if I’m going to keep reading this series. Right now I feel like I’d rather read a Wikipedia article (mostly so I can figure out what the actual plot is, because I don’t really know).

This was a book, and I didn’t dislike it, but honestly I just don’t care about it. 3 stars.

Content Warnings

toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was a reread and wow I love this book it was so good. Super excited to read the next two right afterwards. Just absolutely love the writing and complexity of the characters, as well as Will Patton as the narrator in the audiobook is just fantastic.

Content Warnings

More...