Reviews tagging 'Death'

Call Down the Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

45 reviews

abitbetterbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.5

I loved this book because it was Maggie Stiefvater, and because I was so thrilled about being back in this world, but I’m not sure if I’m sold on the actual premise & conflict of this series so far plot-wise. There’s just something missing that’s keeping me from falling in 100% but I can’t quite put my finger on it; it may just be that this is the first book of a trilogy and it’s heavy on set-up for the following books.

As always, Will Patton’s narration continues to be the highlight of ~~my life~~ this book and brings the depth of Stiefvater’s lush writing to the foreground. There’s something so unique about the way his voice lends so perfectly to Ronan in particular, but the tonal changes he adopts between different chapters depending on who we’re following is just so immersive and emotional.

I know I’m far from the first person to say this, but I do wish that Adam had been more present in this story. It makes sense that Gansey and Bkue are a bit more distant, but I hated feeling like Adam was there but slightly out of reach. Maybe that’s exactly how Ronan feels and that’s the point, but I selfishly wanted them to be working together against a bigger problem, like the set of Horror Movie Twins they truly are.

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pjv's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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thoseoldcrows23's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny 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

4.0

This first book is far more plot heavy than The Raven Cycle ever was, and the atmosphere is less in your face; both of which are facts I think may lower this book in some readers minds. However, for me the selling point of this world has always been the characters, and on that front Stiefvater has lost none of her charm. I will admit I miss the the old cast terribly, but by the books end I found myself deeply attached to the new characters introduced here, and very invested in the story itself. I'm really looking forward to book 2.

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zannayo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-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

Content Warnings

wolfst4r's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

i would die for ronan lynch

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nevermoregothic's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

4.5

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gear3232's review against another edition

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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 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!

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trintrin's review against another edition

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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!

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booksandstardust's review against another edition

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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 against another edition

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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.

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