jrenee's review
adventurous
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? No
4.5
ianbanks's review
3.0
This is a tighter story than the first novel and Mr Green pretty much drops us in the plot from Page 1. We learn a lot more about Haven and its culture. We also get a few hints about what Hawk and Fisher did before they arrived there. The story is good fun, with some clues to future stories being laced throughout.
The characters are also clearly delineated, despite them being very broadly painted and portrayed. There’s room for depth but Green wants us to be involved in his story so we get little time to decide whether we like them or not, just that they’re protagonists or antagonists. There’s a sense that every character must have a secret or a problem that complicates the story and I find that a rather annoying trait in a writer. It’s great for the story as jeopardy and mistrust are piled deeply onto the cast as they enact their play but it’s a bit much for a novel of this length to deal with without becoming almost parodic in its delivery. Green does a reasonable job of balancing it all but it’s a close-run thing.
Fun and exciting but almost outstays its welcome. I will be reading on, though.
The characters are also clearly delineated, despite them being very broadly painted and portrayed. There’s room for depth but Green wants us to be involved in his story so we get little time to decide whether we like them or not, just that they’re protagonists or antagonists. There’s a sense that every character must have a secret or a problem that complicates the story and I find that a rather annoying trait in a writer. It’s great for the story as jeopardy and mistrust are piled deeply onto the cast as they enact their play but it’s a bit much for a novel of this length to deal with without becoming almost parodic in its delivery. Green does a reasonable job of balancing it all but it’s a close-run thing.
Fun and exciting but almost outstays its welcome. I will be reading on, though.
laura___'s review
4.0
4.5
This second book got me way more excited about this series than the first one!
TRIGGER WARNING for rape and suicide.
Read during #TBRTakedown
This second book got me way more excited about this series than the first one!
TRIGGER WARNING for rape and suicide.
Read during #TBRTakedown
bwwilhelm's review
3.0
All's well that ends well, I guess? The people I actually cares about survived, save two. And they died the death of brave fighting folk, so I can live with it. And some people I hated are dead. And things we're basically cheery by the end. That said, I've discovered I'm not a fan of the author. If I read "blood flow on the air" in one more friggin'fight scene...
CWs for domestic violence, graphic depiction of suicide, and sexual assault.
CWs for domestic violence, graphic depiction of suicide, and sexual assault.
carol26388's review
2.0
I have no excuse.
But I do have lots of explanations:
1. Almost bedtime and I didn't want to start something meaningful/suspenseful.
2. Lingering doubt if my review for H&F #1 was excessively curmudgeonly?
3. The edition I borrowed was actually Books 1-3.
4. I really wanted a palate cleanser before diving into my next reads.
End result? H&F, book 2, is better than its predecessor. However, it still fails to work for me, personally.
This time it is a straight-up guarding situation, where Hawk and Fisher and detailed to guard another Reform candidate--really, it is amazing anyone in the city of Haven bothers to fight the corrupt system. Once again, the first chapter is an action-packed conflict that appears to be largely resolved at the end.
Writing improved significantly except for--and I kid you not--almost identical paragraphs from book one describing Hawk and Fisher with maybe two word changes. Check for yourself, pages 4 and 176. Apparently, one is allowed to plagiarize themselves. But I did notice a definite improvement in creating mood and tension. However, Green thoughtfully tries to ratchet down any suspense by creating large info-dumps about politics in Haven, the conflict between the Conservatives and the Reform, and the ways this plays out on the streets. It is often of the awkward aside category, with Hawk pontificating and responses like "Hawk, I had no idea you were so interested in local politics" said, you know, his wife Fisher. But the local customs were amusing, with the tendency to erupt into knife fights, so there's that.
Villain wasn't concealed, and there are numerous points of view from him early on. I think they were supposed to show how awful and selfish he was, because they really didn't increase suspense. There's a mole who our highly trained Guards are unable to ferret out until they confess. A dead sorcerer is one of the most interesting things about the story, but sadly, the most neglected. And in true Green style, the ultimate confrontation comes when
So far, the series reminds me of Lackey's series [b:The Oathbound|176797|The Oathbound (Valdemar Vows and Honor, #1)|Mercedes Lackey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1304100291s/176797.jpg|2605], which I'd recommend over Hawk & Fisher any day. It's the same general idea of mystery/conflict resolving in fantasy setting with much better pacing. While equally morally simplistic, writing is above average and characterization is better. Plus, sorceress and swordswoman who become besties.
Hawk & Fisher #1 review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/165416077?comment=146217575#comment_146217575
But I do have lots of explanations:
1. Almost bedtime and I didn't want to start something meaningful/suspenseful.
2. Lingering doubt if my review for H&F #1 was excessively curmudgeonly?
3. The edition I borrowed was actually Books 1-3.
4. I really wanted a palate cleanser before diving into my next reads.
End result? H&F, book 2, is better than its predecessor. However, it still fails to work for me, personally.
This time it is a straight-up guarding situation, where Hawk and Fisher and detailed to guard another Reform candidate--really, it is amazing anyone in the city of Haven bothers to fight the corrupt system. Once again, the first chapter is an action-packed conflict that appears to be largely resolved at the end.
Writing improved significantly except for--and I kid you not--almost identical paragraphs from book one describing Hawk and Fisher with maybe two word changes. Check for yourself, pages 4 and 176. Apparently, one is allowed to plagiarize themselves. But I did notice a definite improvement in creating mood and tension. However, Green thoughtfully tries to ratchet down any suspense by creating large info-dumps about politics in Haven, the conflict between the Conservatives and the Reform, and the ways this plays out on the streets. It is often of the awkward aside category, with Hawk pontificating and responses like "Hawk, I had no idea you were so interested in local politics" said, you know, his wife Fisher. But the local customs were amusing, with the tendency to erupt into knife fights, so there's that.
Villain wasn't concealed, and there are numerous points of view from him early on. I think they were supposed to show how awful and selfish he was, because they really didn't increase suspense. There's a mole who our highly trained Guards are unable to ferret out until they confess. A dead sorcerer is one of the most interesting things about the story, but sadly, the most neglected. And in true Green style, the ultimate confrontation comes when
Spoiler
Fisher is captured, leading to a potential rape scene.So far, the series reminds me of Lackey's series [b:The Oathbound|176797|The Oathbound (Valdemar Vows and Honor, #1)|Mercedes Lackey|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1304100291s/176797.jpg|2605], which I'd recommend over Hawk & Fisher any day. It's the same general idea of mystery/conflict resolving in fantasy setting with much better pacing. While equally morally simplistic, writing is above average and characterization is better. Plus, sorceress and swordswoman who become besties.
Hawk & Fisher #1 review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/165416077?comment=146217575#comment_146217575
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