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jnishi's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my goodness! If I could rate this higher than 5 stars I would because this book and its predecessor are some of the best MG fantasy novels I have read and I have read a lot. These books have depth and complicated, complex characters and some of the best world building I’ve seen. This book had me smiling, cheering, and sobbing. My 4th graders begged me for this book after reading “Sparrow Rising” and I ended up buying three copies. Seriously fantastic books. Do yourself a favour, pick up “Sparrow Rising” and “Call of the Crow” and read them. Meanwhile I’ll be here anxiously waiting for August to come so I can read the next book.
captain_valour's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
icarooster's review against another edition
medium-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
hamletphase's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
This was INSANE. I haven’t read a YR book this good in so long.
moonxantarctica's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 !!
i dont really care about the characters as much as i should which is unfortunate but the worldbuilding makes up for it. i love this world so much like its crazy. i hope to see more of it!!
the emotional scenes were good, there were a lot of very convenient situations but its ok i forgive. the set up to the ending throughout the books were worth it like that was pretty awesome
also the snowflakes dropping this book bc of two sentences are so funny homophobia was so 10 years ago grow up
i dont really care about the characters as much as i should which is unfortunate but the worldbuilding makes up for it. i love this world so much like its crazy. i hope to see more of it!!
the emotional scenes were good, there were a lot of very convenient situations but its ok i forgive. the set up to the ending throughout the books were worth it like that was pretty awesome
also the snowflakes dropping this book bc of two sentences are so funny homophobia was so 10 years ago grow up
hovelsthedest's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
writehollydavis's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely incredible! I'm going to have a book hangover for sure. Jessica knows how to draw all the emotions out of me!! With so much action and twists, the characters are pushed to their limits! My jaw dropped more than once during this book. I can't wait for the final book in Skyborn...August please get here quickly!!
yo0ntm's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
5.0
briarrose1021's review against another edition
5.0
OMG! I thought Khoury played with my feelings in book 1. I was wrong. The tension she introduced was mere child's play compared to some of the events in this book. I don't like it, Jessica Khoury! I mean, I do. But I don't.
This book picks up right after the events of Sparrow Rising. Ellie, Nox, Twig, and Gussy are on the run (on the fly?), trying to evade the king, who is still determined to capture Nox. When his Goldwings cannot track down and capture Nox, the king brings in "The Hunter" to do the job.
While Ellie doesn't have a specific plan on what to do next, Nox does. He is going to make good on the promise he made to his mother. He is going to free her from the prison where she's been held for years. But plans aren't foolproof, and a prophecy/vision given to Ellie about Nox has her trying to convince Nox to become more than he is. Will he? Can he?
Though there was danger and violence in Sparrow Rising, it was largely a book of light, of hope. Ellie was trying to become a Goldwing and she wasn't going to let anyone or anything get in the way of that. At the end, though, she learns that everything is not what she thought, and she begins to see the darkness that had been hidden in her kingdom.
Following that realization, Call of the Crow is a much darker book than Sparrow Rising. Indeed, it is darker than many middle-grade novels. Where the individuals who suffered from Wing Rot were simply exiled from their cities in the first book, we see sufferers having their wings cut off in this book. The attacks from the gargols in the first book largely followed rules, and they attacked during rain storms. In this book, those rules are thrown out and attacks begin happening in broad daylight. And the protagonists face setbacks and situations that are not typical of middle-grade novels. That said, it is the darkness of this book that makes it so good. It also, I suspect, is being used to set up the series finale, though I can't really tell you why without getting into major spoiler territory.
Khoury continues with the world-building in Call of the Crow, as we see many new locations; we also get a little more history of the Clans, which raises just as many questions as it answers. We also get to see continued character development, with the relationships among the protagonists growing and changing. For those who don't like how things with Zain were left in Sparrow Rising, we do see him again. We also meet some new characters, some good and some bad, who I am looking forward to learning more about in the next book. I especially liked how Ellie and Nox's relationship grows; the two of them continue to push each other to improve, and that sometimes causes conflict, but it also helps strengthen their friendship. I especially liked how Nox finally called out Ellie for her tendency to railroad people into doing what she wants to do, even while Ellie was trying to get Nox to see that he deserves to be more than a thief.
As for that ending. Oh, man, that ending. Let me just say that I was listening to the audiobook as I did with Sparrow Rising, and this one was again narrated by Emily Eiden (Ellie's POV) and Michael Gallagher (Nox's POV). For most of the audiobook, I was listening while at work, and that worked for most of the book. For the last several chapters, though, it did not. I had to wait until I was back home and could devote ALL of my attention to the story. And there were definitely tears. Khoury was an absolute wizard with that ending, and I cannot wait to read or listen to Phoenix Flight and see what Khoury has in store.
This book picks up right after the events of Sparrow Rising. Ellie, Nox, Twig, and Gussy are on the run (on the fly?), trying to evade the king, who is still determined to capture Nox. When his Goldwings cannot track down and capture Nox, the king brings in "The Hunter" to do the job.
While Ellie doesn't have a specific plan on what to do next, Nox does. He is going to make good on the promise he made to his mother. He is going to free her from the prison where she's been held for years. But plans aren't foolproof, and a prophecy/vision given to Ellie about Nox has her trying to convince Nox to become more than he is. Will he? Can he?
Though there was danger and violence in Sparrow Rising, it was largely a book of light, of hope. Ellie was trying to become a Goldwing and she wasn't going to let anyone or anything get in the way of that. At the end, though, she learns that everything is not what she thought, and she begins to see the darkness that had been hidden in her kingdom.
Following that realization, Call of the Crow is a much darker book than Sparrow Rising. Indeed, it is darker than many middle-grade novels. Where the individuals who suffered from Wing Rot were simply exiled from their cities in the first book, we see sufferers having their wings cut off in this book. The attacks from the gargols in the first book largely followed rules, and they attacked during rain storms. In this book, those rules are thrown out and attacks begin happening in broad daylight. And the protagonists face setbacks and situations that are not typical of middle-grade novels. That said, it is the darkness of this book that makes it so good. It also, I suspect, is being used to set up the series finale, though I can't really tell you why without getting into major spoiler territory.
Khoury continues with the world-building in Call of the Crow, as we see many new locations; we also get a little more history of the Clans, which raises just as many questions as it answers. We also get to see continued character development, with the relationships among the protagonists growing and changing. For those who don't like how things with Zain were left in Sparrow Rising, we do see him again. We also meet some new characters, some good and some bad, who I am looking forward to learning more about in the next book. I especially liked how Ellie and Nox's relationship grows; the two of them continue to push each other to improve, and that sometimes causes conflict, but it also helps strengthen their friendship. I especially liked how Nox finally called out Ellie for her tendency to railroad people into doing what she wants to do, even while Ellie was trying to get Nox to see that he deserves to be more than a thief.
As for that ending. Oh, man, that ending. Let me just say that I was listening to the audiobook as I did with Sparrow Rising, and this one was again narrated by Emily Eiden (Ellie's POV) and Michael Gallagher (Nox's POV). For most of the audiobook, I was listening while at work, and that worked for most of the book. For the last several chapters, though, it did not. I had to wait until I was back home and could devote ALL of my attention to the story. And there were definitely tears. Khoury was an absolute wizard with that ending, and I cannot wait to read or listen to Phoenix Flight and see what Khoury has in store.