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Flight of the Hawk
Britain in the summer of 551 The North is a tinderbox about to burst into flame, the Saxons are stirring again in the East, and Cynan Garwyn, Prince of Powys, is doing his best to foment war in the South. In the midst of this simmering chaos, two young bards - Gwernin Storyteller and his friend Neirin mab Dwywei, the Poet-Prince that some call "Taliesin's Hawk" - are sent to the North by their master to investigate the rumors and do what they can to prevent a war. At least, that was their mission - but the two young men find plenty of other adventures along the way. Girls and beer, bloodshed and magic - will they survive the summer and make it home alive? This is the second book in the first trilogy of the Storyteller series.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
296 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 20, 2013
These are delightful stories, similar in structure to those in the original Storyteller about Gwernin the Storyteller. In this sequel, a slightly older Gwernin journeys to the north with his friend, the bard Neririn [the historical Aneirin] and each tale is one of their adventures, connected by the refrain: "And that, O my children, is a story for another day". They are journeying to the north to attend a Bardic competition at a Lughnasadh [August 1] Festival. They sing, play their harps and tell stories at many a llys [court] of local chieftains or kings on their way. They also entertain some of the humbler folk. They meet fantastic figures, such as Gwydion mab Dòn [magician in Mabinogeon] and "The King Under the Earth" [whom the author based on Lindow Man] and Saxons. A companion on their way home, Bleiddig, proves to be treacherous; nearly kills Gwernin; and steals from Neirin. Gwernin and Neirin seek and receive royal justice for themselves, reaching home safely. This was a very enjoyable blend of historical fiction and fantasy, set in post Arthurian Britain. I loved the author's vivid descriptions. She clearly loves the Welsh culture of that period. The stories were told by Gwernin, in a Bardic style. Some of the young men's poems and stories were included.
Most highly recommended!
Most highly recommended!
May 27, 2010
If it's possible, I enjoyed this book even more than Storyteller, the first installment in the series. Gwernin is again traveling, this time with Neirin, someone close to his own age who has been sent on a fact-finding mission by his master, the bard Taliesin. We see Gwernin grow more as a bard as he realizes just how much he has to learn and how important a role a bard can play in a king's court and in the politics of the world around him. There is again a little of everything - adventure, fighting, historical information, romance, and at times the suspense of not knowing how a situation would play out made it very hard for me to put the book down. I am very much looking forward to the next book!
March 27, 2020
In this sequel to Storyteller, we read of the continuing journies of Gwernin, who now travels much further to Britain's far north - what would become Scotland, but here is still the land of the picts. the travels also pass naturally through Rheged (modern day Cumbria and southern Scotland).
The author taps a rich well of early Welsh writings to flesh out the world she constructs. She draws on the sources we have from Rheged, as well as from the writings of Aneurin in Y Gododdin. As such, the 6th century British landscape is drawn vividly, with feeling and with attention to detail. She even works hard on her Old English to give the sense of Saxon otherness. You come away from this book with the strong sense you have visited the period in question.
My principle problem with the first book was the the lack of an abiding tension. This book deals with that - maybe not from page one, but read in a little way and the tension mounts to set up a delicious encounter with a nasty antagonist called Bleiddig (a Welsh/Brythonic name roughly translated as "Wolf" or "Wolfy"). The story was much better for this, and the writing remains consistently of a high standard. This book is definitely worth a read - especially for lovers of Welsh stories, stories of ancient Britain, historical fiction or fantasy.
The author taps a rich well of early Welsh writings to flesh out the world she constructs. She draws on the sources we have from Rheged, as well as from the writings of Aneurin in Y Gododdin. As such, the 6th century British landscape is drawn vividly, with feeling and with attention to detail. She even works hard on her Old English to give the sense of Saxon otherness. You come away from this book with the strong sense you have visited the period in question.
My principle problem with the first book was the the lack of an abiding tension. This book deals with that - maybe not from page one, but read in a little way and the tension mounts to set up a delicious encounter with a nasty antagonist called Bleiddig (a Welsh/Brythonic name roughly translated as "Wolf" or "Wolfy"). The story was much better for this, and the writing remains consistently of a high standard. This book is definitely worth a read - especially for lovers of Welsh stories, stories of ancient Britain, historical fiction or fantasy.
January 28, 2011
I was lucky enough to receive the trilogy of books called Storyteller, Flight of the Hawk and Ash Spear. If you enjoy Jack White novels you will enjoy this trilogy. Set back in the mythical times of dragons and warriors and the main character who is a storyteller. We follow him as he learns from his master Talhaearn and competes in front of royalty against others to become a master. He starts out in Storyteller telling the story about King Arthur’s Raid on Hell.
In the second novel, Flight of the Hawk, the young storyteller moves on to more adventures as he does in the Ash Spear. I was going to provide more information but quite frankly I don’t want to give anything away. I really enjoyed all three novels. They flowed from one to the other nicely and the best part, or I should say one of the best because there were many, is that at the end of the novel is a pronunciation guide for all of the rather difficult Welsh words as well as a wonderful postscript by the author that I almost wished was at the beginning of the novels as the pronunciation pages should have been as well. Some people may be put off by all the weird names and such but I promise if you stick with it the trilogy is well worth it.
In the second novel, Flight of the Hawk, the young storyteller moves on to more adventures as he does in the Ash Spear. I was going to provide more information but quite frankly I don’t want to give anything away. I really enjoyed all three novels. They flowed from one to the other nicely and the best part, or I should say one of the best because there were many, is that at the end of the novel is a pronunciation guide for all of the rather difficult Welsh words as well as a wonderful postscript by the author that I almost wished was at the beginning of the novels as the pronunciation pages should have been as well. Some people may be put off by all the weird names and such but I promise if you stick with it the trilogy is well worth it.
November 9, 2010
Flight of the Hawk caught my attention and interest from the very first chapter. I look forward to reading the previous volume in the intended series and any follow up volumes that G. R. Grove will add to the series. I find the time period of the novel very fascinating. It is a period of time that one has to fill in a lot of empty spaces since there is not much of a written history to fall back on.
The approach of using bards to tell the story is a very good way to look at different areas of the islands since they did travel from place to place more then the average person at the time. Grove's description of the land and towns seems to fit what one might imagine the environment would look like during this time of history.
The story that Grove weaves is interesting and captures the reader's interest from the very first. I believe that the book will deep anyone's attention and it does become hard to put down. As I stated previously I look forward to reading more "but that...is a story for another day".
The approach of using bards to tell the story is a very good way to look at different areas of the islands since they did travel from place to place more then the average person at the time. Grove's description of the land and towns seems to fit what one might imagine the environment would look like during this time of history.
The story that Grove weaves is interesting and captures the reader's interest from the very first. I believe that the book will deep anyone's attention and it does become hard to put down. As I stated previously I look forward to reading more "but that...is a story for another day".
December 24, 2010
Flight of the Hawk is the second book in the Storyteller series. I enjoyed reading this book. I enjoy fantasy and historical fiction, especially anything having to do with the British Isles. In this book the central character Gwernin, an apprentice bard, recounts his travels throughout Britain. As an apprentice bard he spends his time learning his craft and trying to master all the skills needed to one day be a full-fledged bard in his own right. He works on diplomatic skills as well as memorizing stories and songs. In this installment Gwernin travels to the far north, modern day Scotland, to fulfill the request of his master Taliesin.
Grove makes good use of historical sources to present the reader with a realistic world, true to the time period it represents. The characters seem relatable and human, they are down to earth and the story is more believable for it. This book was a fun and enjoyable read, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Grove makes good use of historical sources to present the reader with a realistic world, true to the time period it represents. The characters seem relatable and human, they are down to earth and the story is more believable for it. This book was a fun and enjoyable read, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
August 3, 2010
Book two of the Storyteller Series is just as outstanding as Storyteller, book one. Set in 6th century Wales, the story follows young Gwernin on his second season away from his birth home. This time he travels with a companion close in age, Nierin, on a fact-finding mission as border raiding increases and war is imminent. Gwernin has realized just how much more he needs to learn before he can become a bard and how valuable the role of bard can be in finding a place in any lord's court.
The characters are richly described and much detail is given to the settings throughout the book. As in Storyteller, I enjoy how each chapter can stand alone as a tale while fitting into the storyline of the book. It's a fascinating format that allows the reader to leave with a sense of completion and come back later and continue reading with a sense of continuity.
The characters are richly described and much detail is given to the settings throughout the book. As in Storyteller, I enjoy how each chapter can stand alone as a tale while fitting into the storyline of the book. It's a fascinating format that allows the reader to leave with a sense of completion and come back later and continue reading with a sense of continuity.
November 28, 2010
I absolutely loved the book. Very good. It definitely a great continuation of the story teller. I love J.R. grove's writing, and i can't wait to see if there will be a next book in the story teller series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews