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Tales of the Edge #2
The Hawkling
The rebels on the other side of the Shadowpass are massing, and refugees are flooding in to the city. Scared, penniless and not exactly welcome, they are desperate for the protection of the Nest, and the powerful mages who live there. But there is dissension in the Nest's ranks, and there is always someone willing to make money from the fearful.
The mages believe they have a secret weapon - a captured lightborn, kept prisoner by a magical slave collar and forced to do their bidding. But Tatters and Isha, tentative friends despite their suspicion of each other's motives, know something the mages do not.
The rebels are aware of the lightborn. They know how to deal with it. And they are ready for war...
The mages believe they have a secret weapon - a captured lightborn, kept prisoner by a magical slave collar and forced to do their bidding. But Tatters and Isha, tentative friends despite their suspicion of each other's motives, know something the mages do not.
The rebels are aware of the lightborn. They know how to deal with it. And they are ready for war...
- GenresFantasyHigh Fantasy
358 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2023
3 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Zahabi
9 books42 followersRebecca Zahabi is a mixed-heritage writer (a third British, a third French and a third Iranian, if the mix is of interest to you). Her long-term goal is to take over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 10, 2023
I was expecting to be emotionally damaged after reading this book, and I was not left disappointed.
But before we get into that, The Hawkling continues where The Collarbound left off. It's been exactly one year and one day since I read it, but I didn't have any trouble getting back into the story.
The beginning is a bit slower, then the pace picks up the closer it gets to 40% and from that point onward I was unable to stop reading until I finished it.
There are a few key things that happened, but what I enjoyed most was Isha's character development and getting to know the khers even more. I especially love the tattoo lore, it's so easy to understand and very effective.
Speaking of khers, Ka is so cool, I hope Isha ends up with him because they're really cute together. But I won't be upset if we don't get an official confirmation in the third book, because they're already together in my mind.
Now let's circle back to the emotional damage, shall we?
Something happend to Tatters that kept me on edge for a lot of the book. I was so scared for him, would he live or die by the end? If you want to know the answer you'll have to read for yourself.
But then there was something else unexpected at the end, something that had me audibly shouting NO and crying. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I had to put down my phone and stare at the ceiling through tears trying to process what I read.
And you know what? I'm choosing to pretend that didn't happen, that character is completely fine and happy and that's it. You will not convince me otherwise!!!
But yes, I am now forever scarred by this moment, thank you Rebecca Zahabi.
The very ending is a cliffhanger that only made me want to scream (again) because leaving us like that is so cruel. The first book had a slightly less anxiety inducing cliffhanger, but this one...I don't know what I'm supposed to do with myself now. I gotta wait a whole year AGAIN to see what will happen next.
I am so so so excited to see how it'll all end. I have some ideas about which side could win, but I honestly can't predict anything, which is one of the many things I love about this series.
Fingers crossed the third book is even more painful!!
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
But before we get into that, The Hawkling continues where The Collarbound left off. It's been exactly one year and one day since I read it, but I didn't have any trouble getting back into the story.
The beginning is a bit slower, then the pace picks up the closer it gets to 40% and from that point onward I was unable to stop reading until I finished it.
There are a few key things that happened, but what I enjoyed most was Isha's character development and getting to know the khers even more. I especially love the tattoo lore, it's so easy to understand and very effective.
Speaking of khers, Ka is so cool, I hope Isha ends up with him because they're really cute together. But I won't be upset if we don't get an official confirmation in the third book, because they're already together in my mind.
Now let's circle back to the emotional damage, shall we?
Something happend to Tatters that kept me on edge for a lot of the book. I was so scared for him, would he live or die by the end? If you want to know the answer you'll have to read for yourself.
But then there was something else unexpected at the end, something that had me audibly shouting NO and crying. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I had to put down my phone and stare at the ceiling through tears trying to process what I read.
And you know what? I'm choosing to pretend that didn't happen, that character is completely fine and happy and that's it. You will not convince me otherwise!!!
But yes, I am now forever scarred by this moment, thank you Rebecca Zahabi.
The very ending is a cliffhanger that only made me want to scream (again) because leaving us like that is so cruel. The first book had a slightly less anxiety inducing cliffhanger, but this one...I don't know what I'm supposed to do with myself now. I gotta wait a whole year AGAIN to see what will happen next.
I am so so so excited to see how it'll all end. I have some ideas about which side could win, but I honestly can't predict anything, which is one of the many things I love about this series.
Fingers crossed the third book is even more painful!!
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
October 7, 2023
After the collarbound being a five star new favourite of mine. This was really disappointing for me.
I'm book two I just struggled to care as we continued to be more of an exploration of characters and the world then progress the plot forward. Which yes book one was like that as well but going into book two I was expecting more plot. So maybe it was just an expectations thing.
I just felt like all the groundwork had already been done in book one. Why were we repeating so much about the magic and stuff in this one. I always really missed tatters in this one. He was the more interesting pov in book one and I wish we had gotten more of him in book two as well.
I will be finishing this trilogy off. And just hoping that this suffered from middle book syndrome.
More thoughts from me here Spinner Wheel Decides Which Series I Finish For Week Two Of Battleathon | Readathon Reading Vlog
https://youtu.be/qmmtwlwq-Ds
I'm book two I just struggled to care as we continued to be more of an exploration of characters and the world then progress the plot forward. Which yes book one was like that as well but going into book two I was expecting more plot. So maybe it was just an expectations thing.
I just felt like all the groundwork had already been done in book one. Why were we repeating so much about the magic and stuff in this one. I always really missed tatters in this one. He was the more interesting pov in book one and I wish we had gotten more of him in book two as well.
I will be finishing this trilogy off. And just hoping that this suffered from middle book syndrome.
More thoughts from me here Spinner Wheel Decides Which Series I Finish For Week Two Of Battleathon | Readathon Reading Vlog
https://youtu.be/qmmtwlwq-Ds
June 9, 2025
This is the second instalment in the Tales of the Edge series.
Review to follow.
Review to follow.
August 22, 2023
Originally posted on Just Geeking by.
Content warnings:
In the previous book we were introduced to a world of magic, with mages ruling supreme over the ungifted and a non-human horned race called the khers. The khers are treated like animals, relegated to a ghetto and their bodies are harvested when they die as their horns have magical properties. Most humans have little to do with the khers, however, Tatters, one of the main characters it not most humans. He’s a collarbound, a mage enslaved with a magical collar that belonged to a long-dead race, although no one knows who he belongs to. Eventually we learned that’s because he belongs to the leader of The Renegades, Hawk, and escaped her clutches.
He’s been hiding safe in the city ever since. That was until a mage from his past turned up with a young woman sporting a hawk tattoo on her face. Isha was living a quiet life on a farm with her family until they were suddenly attacked one day without warning. Bit by bit she unravels the mystery of the tattoo on her face, and realises that it was put there by her mother so that she would always be able to find her. Her mother being none other than Hawk.
By the end of The Collarbound, Tatters had also worked out Isha’s identity. He has spent time with her, introducing her to the kher community, and helped her settle in when she was a newcomer. In The Hawkling as the situation with The Renegades starts to become more dire, the two of them are unsure whether they can trust each other, yet who else do they have to turn to?
While I enjoyed The Collarbound, I remember finding some of the descriptions and world-building lacking. They just didn’t feel as solid as they could be, and this was something I was mindful of when I started reading The Hawkling by Rebecca Zahabi. From the start I noticed that Zahabi’s writing in The Hawkling felt much more confident. The stage had been set in the first book, the players were known, and now we could move onto the action – and boy, did we get onto the action.
When I say action I’m not talking about massive battles; that’s not this type of series. Zahabi has set up her fantasy world around magical duels that take place in the mind, and in The Hawkling she builds upon the foundations she set up in book one. In The Collarbound we mostly just saw apprentices duelling with Tatters in the inn, and this time we get to see how the Masters do it. The level of detail in those scenes is spectacular and Zahabi skilfully brings these scenes to life as if you’re among the spectators watching the duel as it happens.
Everything is so much more refined in The Hawkling, and in a way, it makes me appreciate the way that The Collarbound was written. If Zahabi had given us more detail in the first book I don’t think the reveals in this one would have had as much impact. Instead, we were left with clues, crumbs of information that simmered away until Zahabi was ready to light the spark in The Hawkling. For all the action, The Hawking is a very slow burn with everything coming to a stunning conclusion right at the end – just in time for a cliffhanger!
If The Collarbound interested you, but you weren’t quite sure about continuing this series, I would definitely suggest picking up The Hawkling as the world and story that Zahabi is shaping is getting better and better. I’m really looking forward to the next book, The Lightborn.
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Content warnings:
In the previous book we were introduced to a world of magic, with mages ruling supreme over the ungifted and a non-human horned race called the khers. The khers are treated like animals, relegated to a ghetto and their bodies are harvested when they die as their horns have magical properties. Most humans have little to do with the khers, however, Tatters, one of the main characters it not most humans. He’s a collarbound, a mage enslaved with a magical collar that belonged to a long-dead race, although no one knows who he belongs to. Eventually we learned that’s because he belongs to the leader of The Renegades, Hawk, and escaped her clutches.
He’s been hiding safe in the city ever since. That was until a mage from his past turned up with a young woman sporting a hawk tattoo on her face. Isha was living a quiet life on a farm with her family until they were suddenly attacked one day without warning. Bit by bit she unravels the mystery of the tattoo on her face, and realises that it was put there by her mother so that she would always be able to find her. Her mother being none other than Hawk.
By the end of The Collarbound, Tatters had also worked out Isha’s identity. He has spent time with her, introducing her to the kher community, and helped her settle in when she was a newcomer. In The Hawkling as the situation with The Renegades starts to become more dire, the two of them are unsure whether they can trust each other, yet who else do they have to turn to?
While I enjoyed The Collarbound, I remember finding some of the descriptions and world-building lacking. They just didn’t feel as solid as they could be, and this was something I was mindful of when I started reading The Hawkling by Rebecca Zahabi. From the start I noticed that Zahabi’s writing in The Hawkling felt much more confident. The stage had been set in the first book, the players were known, and now we could move onto the action – and boy, did we get onto the action.
When I say action I’m not talking about massive battles; that’s not this type of series. Zahabi has set up her fantasy world around magical duels that take place in the mind, and in The Hawkling she builds upon the foundations she set up in book one. In The Collarbound we mostly just saw apprentices duelling with Tatters in the inn, and this time we get to see how the Masters do it. The level of detail in those scenes is spectacular and Zahabi skilfully brings these scenes to life as if you’re among the spectators watching the duel as it happens.
Everything is so much more refined in The Hawkling, and in a way, it makes me appreciate the way that The Collarbound was written. If Zahabi had given us more detail in the first book I don’t think the reveals in this one would have had as much impact. Instead, we were left with clues, crumbs of information that simmered away until Zahabi was ready to light the spark in The Hawkling. For all the action, The Hawking is a very slow burn with everything coming to a stunning conclusion right at the end – just in time for a cliffhanger!
If The Collarbound interested you, but you weren’t quite sure about continuing this series, I would definitely suggest picking up The Hawkling as the world and story that Zahabi is shaping is getting better and better. I’m really looking forward to the next book, The Lightborn.
BLOG | REVIEWS | REVIEW SCHEDULE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST |
May 11, 2023
This ARC was provided by Orion Publishing Group through Netgalley for an honest review. Thank you very much for the opportunity to read this book.
Rebecca Zahabi is a mixed heritage writer based in the UK. She is best known for her debut novel The Collarbound, the first of three books in the Tales from the Edge trilogy - I reviewed this novel here.
I was lucky enough to have the chance to review an advanced reader's copy of the second book in the series - The Hawkling, and so opted to pick up the first book, which to its credit I could not put down.
The sequel picks up immediately after the end of the first book where the rebels on the other side of the pass are massing, refugees are arriving in the city sparking worry in the Nest and the mages are still playing their game of politics. One Highmage who seeks power has a captured Lightborn, she is now a slave to do as ordered, but the rebels are aware of the Lightborns and are ready.
The Hawkling continues the story of Isha & Tatters and slowly builds up to a fantastic climax like the previous installment, meaning that it's not constant action which leaves Zahabi with some interesting ways to keep the reader engaged through intricate character development and some more pieces of the puzzle in the characters' arcs. I don't feel like you notice the slower pace as the characters are as engaging as the plot is compelling. I really enjoyed how Zahabi delved deep into Tatter's past and gives you his motivations as it brings forth his secrets and you begin to understand why he is the way he is. Isha is thoroughly fleshed out and feels very real as well, learning more about her past and how she fits into the world she now finds herself in. She has to build new alliances to save the people she cares about and is learning how to navigate the Nest politics. These characters work really well together and it was good to see Isha and Tatters develop their uneasy alliance. I also found the Kher story intriguing and loved how Arushi tries to live in both the world of her people and work for the mages at the Nest. She and Isha have a strained relationship and I found myself admiring the way that Zahabi managed to bring this to life and explore it fully, it made for very compelling reading.
The Hawkling is typical of what you'd expect from a second instalment in what is building to be a fantastic trilogy and I found I couldn't put it down. My only frustration is that there isn't any more of it and that we have to wait another year for the next instalment. Zahabi's mastery of the written word really shines in her ability to bring her characters alive and to leave me both frustrated and elated at the end of the novel!
My experience reading The Hawkling has been an incredible one, albeit very intense as I managed to polish it off in a single day - the only breaks being taken for a good cup of tea! I eagerly await the next instalment in the series and look forward to a good re-read before the next release.
If you like character-driven fantasy with very interesting magic systems and world, this is the book for you.
If you would like to read more reviews/book news please visit www.hardbackpaperback.co.uk
Rebecca Zahabi is a mixed heritage writer based in the UK. She is best known for her debut novel The Collarbound, the first of three books in the Tales from the Edge trilogy - I reviewed this novel here.
I was lucky enough to have the chance to review an advanced reader's copy of the second book in the series - The Hawkling, and so opted to pick up the first book, which to its credit I could not put down.
The sequel picks up immediately after the end of the first book where the rebels on the other side of the pass are massing, refugees are arriving in the city sparking worry in the Nest and the mages are still playing their game of politics. One Highmage who seeks power has a captured Lightborn, she is now a slave to do as ordered, but the rebels are aware of the Lightborns and are ready.
The Hawkling continues the story of Isha & Tatters and slowly builds up to a fantastic climax like the previous installment, meaning that it's not constant action which leaves Zahabi with some interesting ways to keep the reader engaged through intricate character development and some more pieces of the puzzle in the characters' arcs. I don't feel like you notice the slower pace as the characters are as engaging as the plot is compelling. I really enjoyed how Zahabi delved deep into Tatter's past and gives you his motivations as it brings forth his secrets and you begin to understand why he is the way he is. Isha is thoroughly fleshed out and feels very real as well, learning more about her past and how she fits into the world she now finds herself in. She has to build new alliances to save the people she cares about and is learning how to navigate the Nest politics. These characters work really well together and it was good to see Isha and Tatters develop their uneasy alliance. I also found the Kher story intriguing and loved how Arushi tries to live in both the world of her people and work for the mages at the Nest. She and Isha have a strained relationship and I found myself admiring the way that Zahabi managed to bring this to life and explore it fully, it made for very compelling reading.
The Hawkling is typical of what you'd expect from a second instalment in what is building to be a fantastic trilogy and I found I couldn't put it down. My only frustration is that there isn't any more of it and that we have to wait another year for the next instalment. Zahabi's mastery of the written word really shines in her ability to bring her characters alive and to leave me both frustrated and elated at the end of the novel!
My experience reading The Hawkling has been an incredible one, albeit very intense as I managed to polish it off in a single day - the only breaks being taken for a good cup of tea! I eagerly await the next instalment in the series and look forward to a good re-read before the next release.
If you like character-driven fantasy with very interesting magic systems and world, this is the book for you.
If you would like to read more reviews/book news please visit www.hardbackpaperback.co.uk
May 13, 2023
I loved The Collar Bound and was excited to be able to read this sequel. It is an engrossing continuation of the story and builds up to another dramatic conclusion ready for the final volume.
The story begins at the point that the previous book ended and we see how the Nest deal with the rebellion. There is a lot more about the political infighting between the mages in this novel as well as the refugee crisis caused by the threatened invasion. Rebecca Zahabi’s world building and character development is excellent and although the pace is sometimes slow because of this, I enjoyed learning more about the world and its past.
As the title suggests, this book focuses more on Isha and I really enjoyed her character arc in this novel. She is no longer the scared apprentice but is a lot more confident and able to choose her path. I loved the relationship that she forges with the Kher and especially her deepening understanding of her tattoo. The point where she begins to see it as something to live up rather than be ashamed of is a real turning point for her.
Tatters is still a key character and his journey through this part of the story had some predictable elements and some that were actually shocking. I can’t wait to see how everything turns out for him.
I really enjoyed the parts of the book that focused on the Kher and especially enjoyed the development of Arushi’s character and how she struggles to fit into her life as a Kher as well as an employee of the Nest.
The ending of this book wasn’t quite as sudden as The Collarbound but has still left me really wanting to read the final instalment as soon as possible.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Orion, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story begins at the point that the previous book ended and we see how the Nest deal with the rebellion. There is a lot more about the political infighting between the mages in this novel as well as the refugee crisis caused by the threatened invasion. Rebecca Zahabi’s world building and character development is excellent and although the pace is sometimes slow because of this, I enjoyed learning more about the world and its past.
As the title suggests, this book focuses more on Isha and I really enjoyed her character arc in this novel. She is no longer the scared apprentice but is a lot more confident and able to choose her path. I loved the relationship that she forges with the Kher and especially her deepening understanding of her tattoo. The point where she begins to see it as something to live up rather than be ashamed of is a real turning point for her.
Tatters is still a key character and his journey through this part of the story had some predictable elements and some that were actually shocking. I can’t wait to see how everything turns out for him.
I really enjoyed the parts of the book that focused on the Kher and especially enjoyed the development of Arushi’s character and how she struggles to fit into her life as a Kher as well as an employee of the Nest.
The ending of this book wasn’t quite as sudden as The Collarbound but has still left me really wanting to read the final instalment as soon as possible.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Orion, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 10, 2025
Equally as good as the first! Loved and lit can't wait for more
June 1, 2024
I read the vast majority of this one via audiobook, despite having the GSFF hardback edition, because I was down bad with the flu and couldn't actually see. So audiobook it was! I had a great time listening to this story and reacquainting myself with this world.
I had found the worldbuilding a little lackluster in the first book, we didn't get as much grounding as I had wanted and whilst I love a good character based novel - I do need somewhere for those characters to be based. Thankfully, Zahabi seems to have settled into this world with more comfort and I felt the world being built up around me (as I lay there snotting into a trees worth of tissues, breathing like a pug) and I understood more about the locations we had been getting to know.
We also get a lot more about the magic system in this novel, where people can duel within their minds. We only got the very basic information in The Collarbound, and so the possibilities that were revealed in The Hawkling really surprised me and I enjoyed how complex and convoluted some of these battles became. We also learn more about other types of magic across the different races present in the book, and through this we learn a lot more about Tatters. A central character in both books so far (although we sadly get a lot less from him in book 2).
Isha, arguably our main character, does a lot of developing in this book. From my memory (unreliable at the best of times and I'm still recovering from this flu 👀) she did learn in the first book, but not to a point of actually altering her actions. In this book however, we really see her starting to fight for the causes and intend to make a difference. It feels like a more reasonable pipeline from newbie to activist that some other series do where the main character jumps in straight away, and for that reason I really enjoyed this progression. It also means that as the reader we're slowly learning, as we move through the novel, more reasons to root for one side and more history and lore, and it was an enjoyable method of worldbuilding.
We end this book on a cliff hanger and (especially with me having The Lightborn, book 3, on my shelves) I was so tempted to just continue on and finish the trilogy!! The only reason I didn't is a like a little separation between my series'. But TBR allowing I'll be finishing this series in 2024 and I'm really excited to see where the final book takes us!
I had found the worldbuilding a little lackluster in the first book, we didn't get as much grounding as I had wanted and whilst I love a good character based novel - I do need somewhere for those characters to be based. Thankfully, Zahabi seems to have settled into this world with more comfort and I felt the world being built up around me (as I lay there snotting into a trees worth of tissues, breathing like a pug) and I understood more about the locations we had been getting to know.
We also get a lot more about the magic system in this novel, where people can duel within their minds. We only got the very basic information in The Collarbound, and so the possibilities that were revealed in The Hawkling really surprised me and I enjoyed how complex and convoluted some of these battles became. We also learn more about other types of magic across the different races present in the book, and through this we learn a lot more about Tatters. A central character in both books so far (although we sadly get a lot less from him in book 2).
Isha, arguably our main character, does a lot of developing in this book. From my memory (unreliable at the best of times and I'm still recovering from this flu 👀) she did learn in the first book, but not to a point of actually altering her actions. In this book however, we really see her starting to fight for the causes and intend to make a difference. It feels like a more reasonable pipeline from newbie to activist that some other series do where the main character jumps in straight away, and for that reason I really enjoyed this progression. It also means that as the reader we're slowly learning, as we move through the novel, more reasons to root for one side and more history and lore, and it was an enjoyable method of worldbuilding.
We end this book on a cliff hanger and (especially with me having The Lightborn, book 3, on my shelves) I was so tempted to just continue on and finish the trilogy!! The only reason I didn't is a like a little separation between my series'. But TBR allowing I'll be finishing this series in 2024 and I'm really excited to see where the final book takes us!
June 3, 2024
I found Hawkling to be a little slower in the first half of the book, but that being said I still was enjoying the read. I liked seeing the relationships develop more, and I really liked that we got to see more of the khers especially the bond forming between Isha and Ka I hope to see more of that in book three.
I was afraid for Tatters in most of this book, he is in a very dire situation.
The ending leaves us with another cliff hanger that has me desperate to get a hold of the next book. I can't wait to see how the whole story will conclude.
I was afraid for Tatters in most of this book, he is in a very dire situation.
The ending leaves us with another cliff hanger that has me desperate to get a hold of the next book. I can't wait to see how the whole story will conclude.
July 5, 2025
7.5/ 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
The Renegades are closing on the Nest, amassing just over the Shadowpass. The city and mages both await their coming, but matters aren’t as dire as they once seemed. Since the binding of the lightborn, the Nest believes they have an unbeatable weapon.
But the Renegades haven’t come all this way to be scared off by a little lightborn. As Tatters and Isha well know, they’re more than capable of dealing with this threat. They might even have one of their own.
As the mages sit on their weapon, the rest of the city prepares for war: some make preparations to leave, others stockpile weapons—though on which side they’ll fall is anyone’s guess.
And as the Renegades set to cross the divide, Isha must earn her keep. Find where she belongs. Isha has never fit in—because of her tattoo, because of her parentage—Tatters less so. The collar marks him as an outcast, and he’s fine with that. But with loyalties questioned, traitors are being weeded out of the city seemingly at random. And he and Isha could be next.
—
If you live only for yourself, there is no point in living.
—
What we saw in the first book takes center stage once more, pretty much picking up where it left off. Once, the mages at the Nest were obviously good, the Renegades obviously evil. Now, both sides are very nearly even. And everything is grey. Yes, the rebels treat all races as equals. Yes, they’ve killed everyone they came across that refused to join them. And yes, they’re willing to do whatever it takes to win this war. So are the mages of the Nest. Taking a lightborn slave. Subjecting the city to a witch-hunt to seek out spies—or suspected spies. Slaughtering khers like cattle. As either side tries to outdo the other in terms of sheer brutality, the question becomes clear: which is the lesser of the evils?
My notes on the first book indicated a couple things I hoped the second might fix: the mindbrawling, and the pace. Like the first book, the Hawkling stumbles coming out of the gate. Unlike the Collarbound, it gets going pretty quickly after. As a bonus, there’s actually a plot therein. A story about finding oneself. And earning one’s place. It’s not like, the most gripping story ever, but I got immersed in it all the same. Again, like the first book, the writing stumbles, at times. The author goes off on tangents, at others. But then the story kicks in, and Isha and Tatters drive it.
Tatters only grows stronger as a lead. Isha regresses a bit from her height at the end of the Collarbound, only to find her stride after a short while. The side-characters also grow, and change. Some for the better, others the worse. Killian is a constant headache in his obliviousness (a trait I understand all too well). Caitlin humanizes a bit, then regresses. Passartine is enigmatic, a ball of yarn unraveling by the outset. Some characters are cruel. Others are generous. Still more are petty. Most are rather human. Even the inhuman ones. Arisha is especially interesting.
The mindbrawling continued to fall a bit short. It was better—but lacks the flashiness of fireballs and dragons, of skeletons and sword-fights. It’s not very sexy. But it is a new take on magic, and a unique selling point.
This one takes off far sooner than the last, though the pacing lags a bit in the second half, before picking up once more. I was fully immersed, and flew through this in only a couple days. Better than the first, and easily recommended—well, if you made it through the first, and wanted more.
TL;DR
It’s not the most polished series, nor the most gripping, but the Tales from the Edge trilogy is showing its heart and humanity. And deserves more love and publicity than it has received. There’s a great story within, though both books stumble coming out of the blocks. There are minor issues with the pacing, and the writing, but these are easily offset by the characters and their progression, and a plot present from Chapter 1. When the Collarbound began, it painted on side as good and the other evil. By the middle of the Hawkling, no one’s looking all that good. A refreshing reversal of the common “good vs. evil” battle. It’s basically like every other war: someone’s going to win. And only one side will. But who’s to say that they’ll be any better or worse than their opposition?
Recommended, for fans of the first book, and those that were on the fence. The series—for those that want a new take on magic, or a slower paced take on humanity. As I said, while not perfect, this one really deserves more attention than it’s received thus far.
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The Renegades are closing on the Nest, amassing just over the Shadowpass. The city and mages both await their coming, but matters aren’t as dire as they once seemed. Since the binding of the lightborn, the Nest believes they have an unbeatable weapon.
But the Renegades haven’t come all this way to be scared off by a little lightborn. As Tatters and Isha well know, they’re more than capable of dealing with this threat. They might even have one of their own.
As the mages sit on their weapon, the rest of the city prepares for war: some make preparations to leave, others stockpile weapons—though on which side they’ll fall is anyone’s guess.
And as the Renegades set to cross the divide, Isha must earn her keep. Find where she belongs. Isha has never fit in—because of her tattoo, because of her parentage—Tatters less so. The collar marks him as an outcast, and he’s fine with that. But with loyalties questioned, traitors are being weeded out of the city seemingly at random. And he and Isha could be next.
—
If you live only for yourself, there is no point in living.
—
What we saw in the first book takes center stage once more, pretty much picking up where it left off. Once, the mages at the Nest were obviously good, the Renegades obviously evil. Now, both sides are very nearly even. And everything is grey. Yes, the rebels treat all races as equals. Yes, they’ve killed everyone they came across that refused to join them. And yes, they’re willing to do whatever it takes to win this war. So are the mages of the Nest. Taking a lightborn slave. Subjecting the city to a witch-hunt to seek out spies—or suspected spies. Slaughtering khers like cattle. As either side tries to outdo the other in terms of sheer brutality, the question becomes clear: which is the lesser of the evils?
My notes on the first book indicated a couple things I hoped the second might fix: the mindbrawling, and the pace. Like the first book, the Hawkling stumbles coming out of the gate. Unlike the Collarbound, it gets going pretty quickly after. As a bonus, there’s actually a plot therein. A story about finding oneself. And earning one’s place. It’s not like, the most gripping story ever, but I got immersed in it all the same. Again, like the first book, the writing stumbles, at times. The author goes off on tangents, at others. But then the story kicks in, and Isha and Tatters drive it.
Tatters only grows stronger as a lead. Isha regresses a bit from her height at the end of the Collarbound, only to find her stride after a short while. The side-characters also grow, and change. Some for the better, others the worse. Killian is a constant headache in his obliviousness (a trait I understand all too well). Caitlin humanizes a bit, then regresses. Passartine is enigmatic, a ball of yarn unraveling by the outset. Some characters are cruel. Others are generous. Still more are petty. Most are rather human. Even the inhuman ones. Arisha is especially interesting.
The mindbrawling continued to fall a bit short. It was better—but lacks the flashiness of fireballs and dragons, of skeletons and sword-fights. It’s not very sexy. But it is a new take on magic, and a unique selling point.
This one takes off far sooner than the last, though the pacing lags a bit in the second half, before picking up once more. I was fully immersed, and flew through this in only a couple days. Better than the first, and easily recommended—well, if you made it through the first, and wanted more.
TL;DR
It’s not the most polished series, nor the most gripping, but the Tales from the Edge trilogy is showing its heart and humanity. And deserves more love and publicity than it has received. There’s a great story within, though both books stumble coming out of the blocks. There are minor issues with the pacing, and the writing, but these are easily offset by the characters and their progression, and a plot present from Chapter 1. When the Collarbound began, it painted on side as good and the other evil. By the middle of the Hawkling, no one’s looking all that good. A refreshing reversal of the common “good vs. evil” battle. It’s basically like every other war: someone’s going to win. And only one side will. But who’s to say that they’ll be any better or worse than their opposition?
Recommended, for fans of the first book, and those that were on the fence. The series—for those that want a new take on magic, or a slower paced take on humanity. As I said, while not perfect, this one really deserves more attention than it’s received thus far.
October 7, 2023
It has taken me a while to get around to reading The Hawkling, only due to the increasing tbr pile. However I have found that this series has a unique magic system and a story which is very different to others I have been reading lately.
It begins right where The Collarbound ended with Tatters doing his usual mind brawling in pubs and Isha is discovering who she is in a World where she has already been marked. The Renegades continue to push causing the high mages to prepare for War including using a captured light born for their own gain. With so many being oppressed it won’t be long until someone has to make a change.
I love the idea of the mind brawling and the different ways they can attack and overwhelm each other. The introduction of Sir Leofric is a perfect villain addition. I was really interested in the story and didn’t want to put the book down but in saying that, not a huge amount happened and we did leave on a similar style cliff hanger to book one. What we did get was huge character development, reveals from the past and more of the khers, which is always my favourite parts in the story.
I think the final part of the story is going to bring so many things together and I have a feeling it’s going to be big. I can’t wait.
Thanks you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
It begins right where The Collarbound ended with Tatters doing his usual mind brawling in pubs and Isha is discovering who she is in a World where she has already been marked. The Renegades continue to push causing the high mages to prepare for War including using a captured light born for their own gain. With so many being oppressed it won’t be long until someone has to make a change.
I love the idea of the mind brawling and the different ways they can attack and overwhelm each other. The introduction of Sir Leofric is a perfect villain addition. I was really interested in the story and didn’t want to put the book down but in saying that, not a huge amount happened and we did leave on a similar style cliff hanger to book one. What we did get was huge character development, reveals from the past and more of the khers, which is always my favourite parts in the story.
I think the final part of the story is going to bring so many things together and I have a feeling it’s going to be big. I can’t wait.
Thanks you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2023
I think the characters in this series are written very skilfully, and I particularly liked how the darkness of a certain character (which was hinted at in the previous book) was carefully revealed a bit at a time, so it felt natural and the actions he took towards the end of the book made sense.
The only issue I had with this book was the jerky pacing -- it feels like a lot of things would happen, and then everything jumps straight back to normal, without any real aftermath to wade through. For example,
Or there'd be a lot of build up, like the bit about , which was referenced constantly in the previous book as well, but nothing actually happened.
I read this right after The Collarbound, and felt like there was a bit of a disconnect between the two books -- the first book felt like it was building up a certain high mage as the villain, but then he kinda dropped the ball on the villain thing and didn't do much in The Hawkling.
I still really liked the characters and the world-building, and I'm really excited to see how this ends.
The only issue I had with this book was the jerky pacing -- it feels like a lot of things would happen, and then everything jumps straight back to normal, without any real aftermath to wade through. For example,
Or there'd be a lot of build up, like the bit about , which was referenced constantly in the previous book as well, but nothing actually happened.
I read this right after The Collarbound, and felt like there was a bit of a disconnect between the two books -- the first book felt like it was building up a certain high mage as the villain, but then he kinda dropped the ball on the villain thing and didn't do much in The Hawkling.
I still really liked the characters and the world-building, and I'm really excited to see how this ends.
July 6, 2023
This is the second instalment of The Tales of the Edge and this has cemented that this series should be on your radars somewhere, especially if you are after short fantasy reads
Just like the first book, this is primarily a character driven story. The character development is improved upon and you learn more about certain characters, their backgrounds and the relationships that they have. One main character in particular has a relatively intense plotline, their outcome is very uncertain throughout the book and their fate could always go either way which I really enjoyed
The magic system is just as interesting and unique to read about as it was the first time, the mind really can be the strongest of weapons. Other types of magic are explored further and the history of the magic is also touched upon which added to the story and the world
My gripe with the first book was the lack of plot, this issue is fixed slightly in the second book but the main plot still sometimes feels forgotten about, you are always craving more and wondering where the story is going. Hopefully this will be resolved in the final book in the trilogy and if so, I can't wait to find out what happens
Just like the first book, this is primarily a character driven story. The character development is improved upon and you learn more about certain characters, their backgrounds and the relationships that they have. One main character in particular has a relatively intense plotline, their outcome is very uncertain throughout the book and their fate could always go either way which I really enjoyed
The magic system is just as interesting and unique to read about as it was the first time, the mind really can be the strongest of weapons. Other types of magic are explored further and the history of the magic is also touched upon which added to the story and the world
My gripe with the first book was the lack of plot, this issue is fixed slightly in the second book but the main plot still sometimes feels forgotten about, you are always craving more and wondering where the story is going. Hopefully this will be resolved in the final book in the trilogy and if so, I can't wait to find out what happens
November 26, 2025
The rebels on the other side of the Shadowpass are massing, and refugees are flooding in to the city. Scared, penniless and not exactly welcome, they are desperate for the protection of the Nest, and the powerful mages who live there. But there is dissension in the Nest's ranks, and there is always someone willing to make money from the fearful.
The mages believe they have a secret weapon - a captured lightborn, kept prisoner by a magical slave collar and forced to do their bidding. But Tatters and Isha, tentative friends despite their suspicion of each other's motives, know something the mages do not.
The rebels are aware of the lightborn. They know how to deal with it. And they are ready for war...
The mages believe they have a secret weapon - a captured lightborn, kept prisoner by a magical slave collar and forced to do their bidding. But Tatters and Isha, tentative friends despite their suspicion of each other's motives, know something the mages do not.
The rebels are aware of the lightborn. They know how to deal with it. And they are ready for war...
May 4, 2023
I enjoyed this book, it starts right where first book ended. We learn a lot more about Tatters, Isha and the world. While the plot progresses slowly, it never gets boring.
Like the previous book, it ends in the middle of the plot, which I really dislike. It's rather frustrating to approach sequence resolution, just for it to end right before. One more chapter would have made the ending much more enjoyable. It would be a cliffhanger, but not a frustrating one.
I really look forward to the next book!
Like the previous book, it ends in the middle of the plot, which I really dislike. It's rather frustrating to approach sequence resolution, just for it to end right before. One more chapter would have made the ending much more enjoyable. It would be a cliffhanger, but not a frustrating one.
I really look forward to the next book!
December 18, 2025
This was. Step up from the first book. It does need the context of book 1. For instance if you didn’t know a character had a hawk tattoo on their face,if might take a while to figure it out. I really enjoyed the story. The uncovering of the back story of Tatters has been done well. So finally we understand more about his powers and his collar. I enjoyed it so much I have already ordered the third book. I did find book 1 a little harder to get through so persevere with this series as it has shaped up into a page turner.
April 27, 2023
I enjoyed The Collarbound last year although I found that it ended a little too abruptly and felt more like half a book than a complete novel. The Hawkling does feel like a complete story and the cliff hanger at the end feels more natural than The Collarbound.
I would have loved this book if there had been a little more plot. There is a great dose of character development but not a lot of story. I feel like I know so much more about the characters, especially Tatters, but I still have no idea where the story is going and how it is all going to play out.
There is some really good character writing in The Hawkling and the characters interact very well with each other. I especially loved learning more about Tatters’ backstory because he really is the most interesting character in the book and I like that it is Isha’s actions that drive most of the story. She makes a choice to push to find out more about Tatters in one of their mind battles, which leads to his arrest, which leads to the rest of the story playing out. That part of the story is masterfully woven.
The problem is, not much else really happens. The overarching plot gets forgotten about for most of the book and only comes up again at the end to set up for the final book. While I do enjoy the character development, I wanted a bit more from this novel, particularly because of the abrupt ending of book one, and I just didn’t get it.
The Hawkling is enjoyable and there is so much potential but it never quite reaches it. I enjoyed the characters and there is a lot of set up for the final book but it was really missing something. It needed more story in this book, or at the very least more world building. Hopefully the final book can pull it back and deliver something amazing, because The Hawkling was just decent and not fantastic.
I would have loved this book if there had been a little more plot. There is a great dose of character development but not a lot of story. I feel like I know so much more about the characters, especially Tatters, but I still have no idea where the story is going and how it is all going to play out.
There is some really good character writing in The Hawkling and the characters interact very well with each other. I especially loved learning more about Tatters’ backstory because he really is the most interesting character in the book and I like that it is Isha’s actions that drive most of the story. She makes a choice to push to find out more about Tatters in one of their mind battles, which leads to his arrest, which leads to the rest of the story playing out. That part of the story is masterfully woven.
The problem is, not much else really happens. The overarching plot gets forgotten about for most of the book and only comes up again at the end to set up for the final book. While I do enjoy the character development, I wanted a bit more from this novel, particularly because of the abrupt ending of book one, and I just didn’t get it.
The Hawkling is enjoyable and there is so much potential but it never quite reaches it. I enjoyed the characters and there is a lot of set up for the final book but it was really missing something. It needed more story in this book, or at the very least more world building. Hopefully the final book can pull it back and deliver something amazing, because The Hawkling was just decent and not fantastic.
May 22, 2023
I found the Collabound intriguing but also a bit confusing. This book is really better: there's more details, character development and world building.
It's a fast paced and well plotted story that left me wishing I could read the last part soon as it ended with a cliffhanger.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
It's a fast paced and well plotted story that left me wishing I could read the last part soon as it ended with a cliffhanger.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
February 26, 2025
More like 4.5.
This was sooo good! After finishing the first bookbI wasn't sure if I wanted to continue the series, but I'm glad I did. Where The Collarbound was mostly set up, this book packed all the punshes. We got revelations about the world, amazing (and a bit overdue) character development, and that ending...?
I can hardly wait for The Lightborn to arrive!
This was sooo good! After finishing the first bookbI wasn't sure if I wanted to continue the series, but I'm glad I did. Where The Collarbound was mostly set up, this book packed all the punshes. We got revelations about the world, amazing (and a bit overdue) character development, and that ending...?
I can hardly wait for The Lightborn to arrive!
January 4, 2026
I enjoyed this series but not enough to go purchase special editions. Alas, I purchased them far before continuing in the series. Unlike the first book which was filled with world building and character establishment, these two dove into the plot which, especially in book three, moved quite quickly. I also appreciated, due to my own delay, being able to read the books back to back.
November 10, 2025
I really want to start the next book in the series but must wait a couple of weeks. Often the middle book in a trilogy is disappointing. This is not the case here. Slow to start getting the know the characters again. And ending on a cliffhanger. What a ride.
June 27, 2023
Really enjoying the series cant wait for the next installment
dnf
December 3, 2023DNF @25%
December 10, 2025
Interesting, raced through it in a couple of days.
November 7, 2023
3.5 rounded down
Alright, so the good: the characters were really well expanded on in this book, the lore that we learned as a result of the character exploration was also excellent.
The not so good: the pacing. What is going on with these books. Both this one and book 2 are so short (by fantasy standards) and just feel incomplete. Book 1 had a very watery plot and poor pacing and book 2 has such a limited plot and in both they just feel like setup but lord knows to what. I wish they merged books 1 and 2 together, edited them and released one 500-600+ page book. The story would have felt more complete and the payoff a bit better. I feel like I keep reading half a book here.
I like these I just want MOREEEEEE
Alright, so the good: the characters were really well expanded on in this book, the lore that we learned as a result of the character exploration was also excellent.
The not so good: the pacing. What is going on with these books. Both this one and book 2 are so short (by fantasy standards) and just feel incomplete. Book 1 had a very watery plot and poor pacing and book 2 has such a limited plot and in both they just feel like setup but lord knows to what. I wish they merged books 1 and 2 together, edited them and released one 500-600+ page book. The story would have felt more complete and the payoff a bit better. I feel like I keep reading half a book here.
I like these I just want MOREEEEEE
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