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queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
5 ⭐ CW: Violence, gun violence, murder, descriptions of blood, suicidal thoughts, suicide
Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater is book one in The Dreamer Trilogy. I don't even know how to start this review. Maggie has done it again, and apparently she has taken over my life this year. Now I just need to find a paperback edition of Mister Impossible.
This book takes place after the events in The Raven Cycle. Gansey and Blue have left on a road trip and Adam is at Harvard. Which leaves us with a very lonely, and more broody than usual, Ronan. We also get way more of Declan this book, and from the bland fun sucker that was the Declan we got in the Raven Cycle, we now have a reason to care about him. I am confused and conflicted, because now I care about Declan and just want him to be happy and without burden.
We also follow Hennessey, another dreamer, who only dreams copies of herself; and Farooq-Lane, a dreamer hunter who is searching for the dreamer that has been prophesied to end the world. It was fascinating getting a look at another dreamer and how that affected her. It was great seeing the interplay between Hennessey and Ronan, and you get the sense that Ronan is way more in control than we've seen him be.
I love Maggie's writing so much. She's so good at writing about abstract concepts and dreams in a way that makes you visualize them without even understanding what that would look like in reality. There are just so many themes and messages in this book, that I can't list them all. I don't even know if I understand them. I seriously need to get my hands on Mister Impossible, which I'm told will destroy me. Bring. It. On.
Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater is book one in The Dreamer Trilogy. I don't even know how to start this review. Maggie has done it again, and apparently she has taken over my life this year. Now I just need to find a paperback edition of Mister Impossible.
This book takes place after the events in The Raven Cycle. Gansey and Blue have left on a road trip and Adam is at Harvard. Which leaves us with a very lonely, and more broody than usual, Ronan. We also get way more of Declan this book, and from the bland fun sucker that was the Declan we got in the Raven Cycle, we now have a reason to care about him. I am confused and conflicted, because now I care about Declan and just want him to be happy and without burden.
We also follow Hennessey, another dreamer, who only dreams copies of herself; and Farooq-Lane, a dreamer hunter who is searching for the dreamer that has been prophesied to end the world. It was fascinating getting a look at another dreamer and how that affected her. It was great seeing the interplay between Hennessey and Ronan, and you get the sense that Ronan is way more in control than we've seen him be.
I love Maggie's writing so much. She's so good at writing about abstract concepts and dreams in a way that makes you visualize them without even understanding what that would look like in reality. There are just so many themes and messages in this book, that I can't list them all. I don't even know if I understand them. I seriously need to get my hands on Mister Impossible, which I'm told will destroy me. Bring. It. On.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Blood
danaslitlist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Maggie Stiefvater did it again; she penned another novel that gripped me from beginning to end and ran me through every emotion that's humanely possible. I'm not sure how she manages to consistently write books that leave me clawing for more at the end of every page and remain creative and fresh.
Call Down The Hawk (CDTH) is everything The Raven Cycle (TRC) is and isn't. There's moments in CDTH that make you remember the flavor of TRC, but in its entirety it manages to stand alone. One of the main aspect of the book that I loved the most was that it felt as if it was written for the fans of TRC who had grown up since the first series had concluded. It was more mature, a bit darker, a bit more in everything. Maggie has a great gift for writing for a large variety of readers ranging from young adult to new adult audiences.
It isn't so much a fantasy as TRC. Call Down The Hawk is instead more focused on the realities of our every day world and how Dreamers and Dreamkillers, as well as those stuck in between are forced to function knowing that magic is so deeply rooted around them. The themes are heavier and the stakes feel higher. Where I described The Raven Cycle as "Stand by Me" meets "Buzzfeed Unsolved", Call Down The Hawk feels more reminiscent of an action/detective movie meets TRC.
I love the new characters so much and that was one of my biggest fears going into this series. It's impossible to not compare characters from a previous series, especially ones that had such a huge impact on Ronan's story. But the new additions are fleshed out and so complex that I didn't find myself missing the Gangsey. The expansion of the world of dreamers was everything I had hoped it would be and seeing how there are so many other sides to the coin that is Ronan was enjoyable. It was also a pleasure to have more of an inside look into Declan and Matthew.
I understand for some fans of the Raven Cycle, that the changes in terms of how this book is written (though I'd argue it is so distinctly Maggie Stiefvater) and the theme changes could lead to feeling let down. But I think it's important to remember that this series, while connected to TRC, is not supposed to be a cut out of that series. This is the world of the Lynch Brothers and The Henneseys, of Farooq-Lane and the Visionaries. And I think in that regard it is perfect in every way.
Please check out the content warnings as mentioned above, some of the themes are darker and may be triggering).
Call Down The Hawk (CDTH) is everything The Raven Cycle (TRC) is and isn't. There's moments in CDTH that make you remember the flavor of TRC, but in its entirety it manages to stand alone. One of the main aspect of the book that I loved the most was that it felt as if it was written for the fans of TRC who had grown up since the first series had concluded. It was more mature, a bit darker, a bit more in everything. Maggie has a great gift for writing for a large variety of readers ranging from young adult to new adult audiences.
It isn't so much a fantasy as TRC. Call Down The Hawk is instead more focused on the realities of our every day world and how Dreamers and Dreamkillers, as well as those stuck in between are forced to function knowing that magic is so deeply rooted around them. The themes are heavier and the stakes feel higher. Where I described The Raven Cycle as "Stand by Me" meets "Buzzfeed Unsolved", Call Down The Hawk feels more reminiscent of an action/detective movie meets TRC.
I love the new characters so much and that was one of my biggest fears going into this series. It's impossible to not compare characters from a previous series, especially ones that had such a huge impact on Ronan's story. But the new additions are fleshed out and so complex that I didn't find myself missing the Gangsey. The expansion of the world of dreamers was everything I had hoped it would be and seeing how there are so many other sides to the coin that is Ronan was enjoyable. It was also a pleasure to have more of an inside look into Declan and Matthew.
I understand for some fans of the Raven Cycle, that the changes in terms of how this book is written (though I'd argue it is so distinctly Maggie Stiefvater) and the theme changes could lead to feeling let down. But I think it's important to remember that this series, while connected to TRC, is not supposed to be a cut out of that series. This is the world of the Lynch Brothers and The Henneseys, of Farooq-Lane and the Visionaries. And I think in that regard it is perfect in every way.
Please check out the content warnings as mentioned above, some of the themes are darker and may be triggering).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
msradiosilence's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Tldr; Ronan and company are back and better than ever, and the cast, the writing, and the stakes are *chef’s kiss*.
Read my full review at: https://www.rainyreader.com/single-post/call-down-the-hawk.
Read my full review at: https://www.rainyreader.com/single-post/call-down-the-hawk.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Trafficking, and Alcohol
our_bookish_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
There is something intimate in being read to, hearing someone speak in a ragged, raspy, growling tone... It gives you goosebumps. Will Patton, sweet baby bajebus, your voice does things to me.
Also, Maggie Stiefvater did it again! I got sucked right into this story, just like TRC and do NOT regret a thing! The world, the characters, the story, multi-POV, new characters mixed with existing ones from TRC! GOD DAMN IT YOU'RE FUCKING BRILLIANT!
There is so much going on in this one!
My reactions were as goes:
Oh shit!
Matthew, oh, my heart. 🥺 I'm not crying, you are. 🥲
What!?
Oh my gods!
Gasp!! Oh fuck!
*shocked face* 😲😮
*almost crying*🥺
*sad face*😞😟
Well shit, I did not see that coming.
Now if I can get Cloud Library to cooperate, I can start Mister Impossible!
Also, Maggie Stiefvater did it again! I got sucked right into this story, just like TRC and do NOT regret a thing! The world, the characters, the story, multi-POV, new characters mixed with existing ones from TRC! GOD DAMN IT YOU'RE FUCKING BRILLIANT!
There is so much going on in this one!
My reactions were as goes:
Oh shit!
Matthew, oh, my heart. 🥺 I'm not crying, you are. 🥲
What!?
Oh my gods!
Gasp!! Oh fuck!
*shocked face* 😲😮
*almost crying*🥺
*sad face*😞😟
Well shit, I did not see that coming.
Now if I can get Cloud Library to cooperate, I can start Mister Impossible!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cursing, Gun violence, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Murder
limiwh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Suicide, Blood, and Death of parent
jenarae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Physical abuse and Sexual content
rebecca713's review against another edition
3.0
(mild spoilers) I'm just not a fan of multiple perspectives when the stories don't intersect until the last 40 pages. Also the chapters were very very short and too many of them ended on cliffhangers, so it was really hard to get invested in any of the stories since they kept cutting off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Murder
seanamcphie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
carlyisnotliterate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.0
spent half of this book trying to remember if Jordan was the dream or the dreamer lmao
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Panic attacks/disorders
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"does any part of you still look at the sky and hurt?"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror and Death
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts