Review: The Talon of the Hawk by Jeffe Kennedy

The Talon of the Hawk
Author: Jeffe Kennedy
Reviewer: Gikany & Una
Rating: B+

What We’re Talking About:

Since the first book, The Mark of the Tala, we have been eagerly awaiting Ursula’s book.  The Talon of the Hawk was originally to be the final book in this trilogy, but the good news is that this trilogy is now the Twelve Kingdoms series.  However, Ursula’s book wasn’t quite what we expected and both Gikany and Una were torn about it.

Ms. Kennedy has an amazing ability to truly capturing a character.  The books in this series are told from the point of view of one of the three sisters.  Each book had a unique feel because Andi, Ami and Ursula are very different women.  Ursula is incredibly independent and private.  She keeps her emotions tightly bundled and buried.  It is a little difficult to connect to her emotionally because she holds herself apart.  But through her story, we watch her slowly discover herself.  For a woman who has allowed herself to be solely defined by her role and her duties, it was stunning to behold her awakening.  Out of the three sisters Ursula grew the most.  Watching her discover that she has wants and desires and was willing to take risks for those things was a compelling coming of age story for the eldest sister.  Seeing her strive for what she wants and not just clinging to duty and honor was amazing.

One element that has Gikany and Una torn is Ursula’s love interest.  Harlan was an enigma.  Granted our perspective of him is entirely Ursula’s (who trusts no one) and we kept waiting for him to betray her.  Even after the story ended, we figured he would still betray her.  Harlan is just too good to be true.  Maybe what also triggered our distrust were a few moments when Ursula allowed herself to completely let go of control and allow Harlan to dominate her and the situation.  This did not sit well with us and seemed out of character for her.  In spite of our reservations, the dance of their courtship was gripping.

The best part of Ursula’s story is that she is the one to tie up all the loose ends from the previous novels: Ami’s missing daughter, who will be the heir, the threat of war against Andi and the Tala, and the threat of Uorsin.  We loved how Ms. Kennedy wove all these loose ends together and resolved them.  Although the ending was quick, it was thorough and logical. We eagerly await the next book in the series (Daphne’s book) and we are hopeful we will see the aftermath of the ending of The Talon of the Hawk. Although we do not know what to expect, we can’t wait to see what happens next in this world.

Our Rating:  B+ Liked It A Lot

About the Book:

A HEAVY CROWN

Three daughters were born to High King Uorsin, in place of the son he wanted. The youngest, lovely and sweet. The middle, pretty and subtle, with an air of magic. And the eldest, the Heir. A girl grudgingly honed to leadership, not beauty, to bear the sword and honor of the king.

Ursula’s loyalty is as ingrained as her straight warrior’s spine. She protects the peace of the Twelve Kingdoms with sweat and blood, her sisters from threats far and near. And she protects her father to prove her worth. But she never imagined her loyalty would become an open question on palace grounds. That her father would receive her with a foreign witch at one side and a hireling captain at the other—that soldiers would look on her as a woman, not as a warrior. She also never expected to decide the destiny of her sisters, of her people, of the Twelve Kingdoms and the Thirteenth. Not with her father still on the throne and war in the air. But the choice is before her. And the Heir must lead…

Release Date: May 26, 2015
Publisher: Kensington
Series: The Twelve Kingdoms #3
ISBN: #978-0758294470
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Format(s): Paperback (352 pages), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/Author

Purchase Info:
The Talon of the Hawk (The Twelve Kingdoms #3)

Reviews in the Series:
The Mark of the Tala by Jeffe Kennedy (The Twelve Kingdoms #1)
The Tears of the Rose by Jeffe Kennedy (The Twelve Kingdoms #2)