From the Publisher
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“A richly textured story of rage, romance, and rebellion.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Owen’s fledgling chief and her Crow family stay on the move in this action-oriented sequel [and] the tension only escalates as the story advances… swift and unexpected turns propel it forward breathlessly.” ―Booklist
“The Merciful Crow series will appeal to fans of Leigh Bardugo, Kristin Cashore, Sabaa Tahir and Christelle Dabos (the Mirror Visitor Quartet).” ―Publishers Weekly
Praise for The Merciful Crow:
A Tor.com Best of 2019 Pick
A 2020 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick
“One of the most exciting, exceptionally crafted fantasy debuts I’ve ever read. I did not want to leave this world! Absolutely breathtaking.” ―Claire Legrand, New York Times–bestselling author of Furyborn
“Packed to the teeth with fresh worldbuilding and righteous fury . . . It’s a ride that is wildly fun.” ―Emily A. Duncan, New York Times–bestselling author of Wicked Saints
“The Merciful Crow is an intense, romantic adventure with unforgettable magic and a ferocious heroine I’d gladly follow down a long, dark road.” ―Tessa Gratton, author of The Queens of Innis Lear
“A passionate blend of adventure and intrigue wrapped around strong worldbuilding . . . Memorable and filled with diverse characters with fluid sexualities and identities.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Rich, harrowing, and unafraid to tackle discrimination―perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Tomi Adeyemi.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Elevated by a fresh dialect-tinged voice and creative world-building that calls to mind issues of today.” ―Booklist
“An excellent next read for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Kristin Cashore, and Moira Young.” ―School Library Journal
About the Author
Margaret Owen was born and raised at the end of the Oregon Trail and has worked in everything from thrift stores to presidential campaigns. She is the author of the instant Indie Bestseller Little Thieves, which received five starred reviews and was a Kids’ Indie next pick and YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection. Her debut, The Merciful Crow duology, was an NPR Best Book of the Year, a Tor.com Best of the Year, and a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection.
In her free time, she enjoys exploring ill-advised travel destinations, raising money for social justics nonprofits through her illustrated work, and negotiating a hostage situation with her monstrous cats. She lives in Seattle, Washington.
A Court of Coffee and Books –
This book is everything I expected it to be, and more. I was blown away by the compelling plot, phenomenal character development, and exquisite world building. I didn’t think the plot could thicken any more than it did in The Merciful Crow, but I was so wrong. The Faithless Hawk outshines its predecessor, but in the best possible way. Margaret Owen has truly outdone herself.What I loved about The Faithless Hawk is how Margaret Owen seamlessly blends the plot with the world and the magic system. It’s so well put and just wonderfully whole. I loved learning more about Fie and who she was in her past lives. I loved seeing her grow as a character and a Chief. And her relationship with Tavin continuously made me swoon. There was never a time while reading this book that I felt lost or bored – The Faithless Hawk is a book that kept me on my toes and my eyes glued to the page.This duology is one I could read over again and again. It’s so beautifully structured and well written. Margaret Owen truly knows how to weave a great and compelling story. Her writing is lush and flows right off the page. And I thought Owen tied up the ending to this duology wonderfully. She gave readers a series that will be talked about for years to come, and I will be one of those readers constantly recommending it. It’s such a powerful story, one I feel fiercely about.All in all, I loved everything about The Faithless Hawk. It has anger, love, constant twists and turns, and so much more. If you’re looking for a fantastic series with a wonderfully addictive storyline and exquisite characters, I definitely recommend this duology!
Jamie Cecelia Duerr –
Having thoroughly enjoyed Margaret Owen’s The Merciful Crow, The Faithless Hawk carries on in the same vein of ferociousness and fascinating worldbuilding.I absolutely loved how Owen began The Faithless Hawk. In similar fashion to The Merciful Crow, our new chieftain has difficulty cutting a sinner’s throat. Owen’s nod to her first book is one of the many ways she brilliantly crafts her novel.Where The Merciful Crow was a lightening quick, action packed, nail-biting, survival adventure, The Faithless Hawk is its mirrored opposite. A bit of a slower pace, a festering Sinners Plague that is spreading like wildfire, the impending social upheaval ready to implode like overly ripe fruit, splashed with court intrigue, veiled prophecies, all painted in blood and gore.It’s well known Fie is accustomed to death and discrimination. She’s a Crow. Their caste responsible for extracting victims of the Sinner’s Plague. How Fie deals with death and discrimination is what makes her such a refreshing protagonist.She chooses her weapons carefully. With death her chieftain blade grim and quick. And with discrimination Fie’s sharp wit and razor edged words slice through inequalities and prejudices with a surgeon like precision. Her unrelenting determination reinforced by her bone witch magic and her inherent need to burn the world down has trouble (with a capitol T) finding her wherever she goes. How she maneuvers her way out of said trouble is what makes her and this story so unforgettable.The strong worldbuilding is one of the major triumphs of Owen’s novel. In a world where every caste has their own Birthright and gods reincarnating into witches in every caste Phoenix, for royals; Peacocks, Swans, and Doves for the aristocrats; Hawks, Cranes, Owls, and Vultures for the protectors or hunters; Gulls, Pigeons, and Sparrows for the commoners, except the Crows. Or so it seems…It’s clear throughout The Merciful Crow and The Faithless Hawk, Fie is remarkably resourceful. She’s quick to think and even quicker to act (especially when using her witchcraft). And as the chapters unfold in The Faithless Hawk readers begin to see that resourcefulness begin to crack and splinter like a small crack in strong ice. Fie’s internal struggle grows the more responsibility she takes on while constantly aware of her tribe’s safety.Eventually the splinters lead to gaping fissures leaving her on unstable ground where she clashes with the boy she loves and questions her once strong autonomy.Owen’s final installment is one with incredibly sharp teeth. The stakes are higher. Consequences of character’s choices, heart wrenching. And all the possible outcomes, nerve-racking. Murders. Bastards. Traitors. Queens. All this and more make The Faithless Hawk a must read.I’m looking forward to what Owen writes next.
J.R. –
I read and enjoyed the first book, but this second volume I absolutely could not put down. It’s a classic underdog-been-wronged tale in a hopeful and entertaining telling. Great story.
openmypages –
CAN’T… REVIEW… WITHOUT… SPOILERS… but will try anyway.Just so much love for this series. It had all the magic and evil and heart of The Merciful Crow. I want 100 more books in this series. The world of Sabor is so rich and complex. Fie continued to be everything you want in a female heroine… strong, fearless, humble and full of heart. Can’t say much more without spoilers but I just loved where the story went and the arc of each and every character. I wouldn’t change one comma in this duology!
victoria –
I haven’t loved a story as much as I have loved Fie’s in so long. This one will stay with me – I can’t recommend this duology enough. Beautifully written and hits right to the bone.
Deb’s reviews –
First of all I’m kind of tired because I stayed up all night reading. I loved the first book and especially fell in love with Tavin so imagine my horror as I discovered that…*spoiler*Fie believes Tavin betrayed her for most the book to the point of almost killing him. I didn’t believe it for a second and what kept me up all night was wanting to reach the part where the truth was revealed.The huge plot hole in my opinion here was that Fie had the means to find out exactly what Tavin had been doing from the first minute and yet was prepared to kill him without ever checking his motivation. That just doesn’t make sense. If we look at it as character flaw rather than plot hole he believed in her but she never trusted in him.My one other peeve was that by the end of the second book Fie was just too powerful. Nothing could stop her and her level of magic use was off the charts. It made a lot of things too easy and their continued presence at the palace not as tense.I think this author did an amazing job world building and I hope she revisits this world.
Crystal Oliver –
I usually don’t leave written reviews but I just had to with this book. ?I work nights, have 5 mini humans, dealing with homeschooling with said 5 mini humans during this pandemic and darnit I STILL stayed up WAY past my bedtime to finish this book. This was a wild ride, and I could not have been happier with the ending. I literally went from wanting to strangle Tavin to wanting to hug him so often that I’m sure my heart was giving out.Also…. Team Niemi. I know she was a brat, but you just have to admire her spark and spunk.
Joy1991 –
I don’t know if I’ve gotten worse at catching the twists and turns typical of YA novels, but I really did have a few surprises in this book! It’s a fabulous read, and I am again struck by the excellent world building, and the believable relationships! Good work and will look forward to reading more from this author.
Fast reader –
Although this was good, I didn’t like it as much as the first book which I loved to death. I think because it was more complex and therefore, I had some confusion over the plot and the truth of the characters. The first half of the book was as good as the first book and I stayed up all night reading, but the second half got confusing for me. I can’t really explain without spoilers. I guess I would give it a 4.5. If I could.
Aldo Gaspari Jr. –
I have never left a review on a book but I just had to for this one! I could not put the book down! Kept me on my toes the whole time and couldn’t wait to see how the story would wrap up. Thank you ,Margaret Owen ,for writing the books in this series, I absolutely enjoyed them, and really wished there was another one! I was really sad when I read them and thought “oh no,that’s it,there isn’t another one in the series “……You rock ,keep on writing!!!