Review - The Good Hawk

The Good Hawk - Shadow Skye #1

by Joseph Elliott

What they say: In a mythic Scotland, two unlikely heroes must make a dangerous journey to save their people.

Agatha is a Hawk, brave and fierce, who protects her people by patrolling the high walls of their island home. She is proud of her job, though some in her clan whisper that it is meant to keep her out of the way because of the condition she was born with. Jaime, thoughtful and anxious, is an Angler, but he hates the sea. Worse, he’s been chosen for a duty that the clan hasn’t required for generations: to marry. The elders won’t say why they have promised him to a girl in a neighboring clan, but there are rumors of approaching danger.When disaster strikes and the clan is kidnapped, it is up to Agatha and Jaime to travel across the haunted mainland of Scotia to Norveg, with help along the way from a clan of nomadic Highland bull riders and the many animals who are drawn to Agatha’s extraordinary gift of communication. Thrilling and dark yet rich with humor and compassion, this is the first book in the Shadow Skye trilogy, written by a wonderful new voice in fantasy and introducing a welcome new kind of hero.

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I received a copy in the Jan 2020 Book Box Club box (paid for myself)

What I say: I received The Good Hawk as part of the January 2020 Book Box Club Deadly Secrets box. Deadly secrets is a perfect way to describe the book because it's full of both! Think of a fictional version of the Isle of Skye, set in a past where clans are at war and magic is real (or is it?), and you're still not even close to covering everything in the story.

Agatha is tolerated by her clan (just) and has to hide her true self. Her innocence made me smile and I loved seeing her come into her own. The diversity Elliott has included with Agatha is really important and I particularly appreciated how celebrated she is, without being a box ticking opportunity.

Jaime also goes through a lot in the story. He finds his courage and voice in a world where he doesn't have many choices. I did like the idea of a seasick angler!

The myths of Scotland are so interwoven within the story that I could almost believe that they were real. Elliott never shies away from the horrible truths of life: we see death, betrayal and madness, as well as friendship and love.

The book shows many different ways of being heroic and brave. It highlights the importance of being yourself and not changing for anyone. 

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next...

4 Stars in my Sky!

Sky in the Deep - Review

Sky in the Deep

by Adrienne Young

What they say: Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient, god-decreed rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: train to fight and fight to survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago.

Eelyn loses her focus and is captured. Now, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan settling in the valley, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend who tried to kill her the day she was captured. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and find a way to forgive her brother while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.

“This book will draw you in and make you finish it in one sitting. Final Verdict: This book is perfect for fans of mythology, action, and romance. This goes onto the list as one of the best books in 2018.” – Young Adult Books Central

“A brutal new viking inspired fantasy, SKY IN THE DEEP brings us one of the most badass new main characters we’ve ever read…She knows what she believes in—just like how we believe that you need to read this book!” – Epic Reads

Released 24th April by Wednesday Books

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I received a copy (from Wednesday Books) in exchange for an honest review!

What I say: I haven't seen many YA Viking stories, so I jumped at the chance to read Sky in the Deep. It's a pleasant and dramatic take on the legendary warriors.

Eelyn is a young viking warrior (I've seen similar characters called shield-maidens in the past) who believes in honour, defending her family and finding vengeance for her brother. She's headstrong and fierce so is unprepared to find herself held captive by her groups biggest enemy.

The action is violent, they are vikings after all, but never in detail that is too mature for a YA story. Eelyn is prepared to risk everything to save her family and honour her God. She's very determined in her quest but as the story develops she's willing to learn, to see other peoples side of things.

I enjoyed reading about Eelyn and her family, although I did find the names a little confusing at times. I'd like to see another story about some of the other characters in the future please...

3.5 Stars in my Sky!

Author Spotlight:

Adrienne Young is a born and bred Texan turned California girl. She is a foodie with a deep love of history and travel and a shameless addiction to coffee. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her yoga mat, scouring antique fairs for old books, sipping wine over long dinners, or disappearing into her favorite art museums. She lives with her documentary filmmaker husband and their four little wildlings beneath the West Coast sun.

Tour + Review: Norse Jewel by Gina Conkle

What they say (book info):

Historical Romance (Viking Romance)

Date Published:  June 10, 2013 by Entangled Publishing

A stolen woman of rare qualities… 

AD 1022…Helena longs for freedom. The Frankish maid wasn’t born a slave but marauding Danes have taken her. She’s desperate to escape their camp. Her savior comes as a fierce Norse chieftain, Hakan, who  takes her to the far, icy north.

A powerful warrior who’s lived by the sword…

Hakan wants to lay down his sword and live a peaceful farmer’s life. Betrayal has left him cold to other women, yet his heart thaws to clever Helena. Her tender ways lure him, weaving kindness into his hard life. But, happiness is short lived. Old loyalties and deceit vex the warrior, calling upon his sword arm. A clash of cultures amidst a kingdom in transition…

War erupts…a kingdom’s in the balance. Can Hakan defend his homeland and keep the woman he loves.

Norse Jewel Excerpt:

“Why the tether? What harm can one woman do?”

s eyes widened at her show of courage, or so she guessed from the way he tipped his head in acknowledgment.

“Aye, one woman.” His mouth made a grim line and bitterness threaded his voice. “I have seen the destruction one woman can do.” He knotted the leather. “The bindings stay.”

Helena licked her lips, choosing silence. The chieftain’s nostrils flared like some predatory beast scenting prey. Was this anger barely restrained? Or something else?

He touched the wet rope of hair that hung over her shoulder, letting his fingers slip between tangled strands. His thumb and forefinger found a single lock and stroked the hair down to the curling tip. Goose bumps skittered across her flesh from the intimate touch.

“What is your name, thrall?” He asked in the gentlest voice.

“Helena,” she whispered.

“Helena.” He repeated her name softly. The corner of his mouth twitched. He seemed pleased to know her name, but the pleasure was fleeting, replaced by fierceness. “I care not about trust, but I require obedience.”

Helena swallowed the hard lump in her throat.

“Serve me, as well as Agnar—” His teeth gleamed wolf-like in the darkness. “—and you’ll be rewarded.” Rising, he towered over her. “Fail in your purpose, and you will suffer the consequences.”

What I say (my review): Norse Jewel is a fun work of historical fiction, which is both informative and interesting. It is the love story between Helena (a Frankish woman who is abducted by the Danes and forced into slavery) and Hakan  (a Viking Chieftain). If you look at the cover I'm sure you'll understand why I was expecting a somewhat smutty story, but instead Gina Conkle focuses on building tension (both dramatic and sexual) and developing the love story.

Helena realises her only way to escape the cruel Danes is to be sold as a thrall and she convinces Hakan to buy her. Hakan turns out to be a kind master, who after serving as a fierce warrior chief for many years wants to live a simple life on his farm in Svae with his young son. The main problems in their potential love story are Helena's wish to return home and Hakan's resolve to never remarry (his ex-wife is money grabbing and manipulative).

The information Conkle provides about Vikings and life at that time is really interesting and once I got my head round the characters names, I enjoyed the story.

 

I was expecting your typical demanding Alpha-male type Viking, but even though Hakan is a strong warrior, he shows great kindness and never imposes on Helena (even though he would have been well within his rights to do so at that time). Norse Jewel is a sweet romance with a hot cover and a complicated hero!

 Where to buy Norse Jewel: Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes

4 Stars in my Sky!

 

I received a copy of Norse Jewel in exchange for an honest review!

Author Bio: A lover of history, books and romance makes the perfect recipe for historical romance writer.  Gina’s passion for castles and old places (the older and moldier the better!) means interesting family vacations.  Good thing her husband and two sons share similar passions, except for romance…that’s where she gets the eye roll.  When not visiting fascinating places, she can be found in southern California delving into the latest adventures of organic gardening and serving as chief taxi driver.

If you’re meandering the cyber world, Gina welcomes your visits at www.ginaconkle.com, on twitter @ginaconkle, or Facebook 

Gina is hosting a GIVEAWAY to win:

$25 Starbucks gift card and $25 B&N gift card

 

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