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Annals of Altair #1
A Boy Called Hawk
When four gifted children escape from the government-run Prometheus Institute, it's up to their classmate, 10-year-old Oliver Dunn, to bring them back. Unfortunately for him, Hawk, Hummer, Honey, and Happy West did not leave on a whim, and they have no intention of returning quietly. With the help of the powerful Government-Civilian Alliance, Oliver and his handler Emily must track down the truants before they can wreak havoc across the southwestern United States.
Submit now, dear children. The state demands it.
Submit now, dear children. The state demands it.
276 pages, ebook
First published July 14, 2010
113 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 28, 2021
Okay but these kids are terrifying and it's beautiful.
I admit I'm probably very biased when it comes to books that feature under 15 aged children as its protagonists. Especially when they're scary genius kids. And this books just has these kids trapped in a beautifully crafted dystopian world. And what's great about this is that the book isnt dark or gritty and yet still manages to show the dark effects of the government control on otherwise admirable characters like Emily.
Plot wise, it was very tight...and even though I'm sad that there was no true resolution, there are still 2 other books. Interested indeeing what's coming....
Content: nothing bad, honestly.
I admit I'm probably very biased when it comes to books that feature under 15 aged children as its protagonists. Especially when they're scary genius kids. And this books just has these kids trapped in a beautifully crafted dystopian world. And what's great about this is that the book isnt dark or gritty and yet still manages to show the dark effects of the government control on otherwise admirable characters like Emily.
Plot wise, it was very tight...and even though I'm sad that there was no true resolution, there are still 2 other books. Interested indeeing what's coming....
Content: nothing bad, honestly.
December 25, 2022
From the very start, this book drew me in. I loved everything about it. The escapes make sense and aren't stupid. The codes and algorithms... really cool. I love how smart all these kids were. Like, a 10 year old is doing calculus. They're brilliant and its amazing. I love the projectors idea. My favorite character is the sweet talker- Honey. That will probably change through the next two books. Oliver's a jerk but I love him.
Hawk seems quiet. That's different from other books. I was assuming he would be the main character but somehow Stradling made it seem like all of the siblings were. And also- they act like siblings. Hawk, being the oldest, is only listened to part of the time. Sometimes he gets overruled by Hummer and Honey.
Honey is a very vocal second to youngest child. But that makes sense, seeing as she always gets what she wants. She has no morals. But I still love her.
Hummer is a genius. He doesn't have any projecting skills but he makes up for it.
Happy is..... well he gets what he wants whenever he wants it. More so than Honey. I'm worried he's gonna turn into a jerk. But hey, maybe he'll be nice.
Emily is stupid. She is.... to quote Oliver, "an idiot." But books need idiots sometimes. Thanks for taking it for us, Emily.
This book went by really quickly. I'm not saying it was written too fast. It was written perfectly. I'm saying it was just so good it felt fast, but a good fast. It was spectacular, and there's definitely not enough books in this series to sate me.
Hawk seems quiet. That's different from other books. I was assuming he would be the main character but somehow Stradling made it seem like all of the siblings were. And also- they act like siblings. Hawk, being the oldest, is only listened to part of the time. Sometimes he gets overruled by Hummer and Honey.
Honey is a very vocal second to youngest child. But that makes sense, seeing as she always gets what she wants. She has no morals. But I still love her.
Hummer is a genius. He doesn't have any projecting skills but he makes up for it.
Happy is..... well he gets what he wants whenever he wants it. More so than Honey. I'm worried he's gonna turn into a jerk. But hey, maybe he'll be nice.
Emily is stupid. She is.... to quote Oliver, "an idiot." But books need idiots sometimes. Thanks for taking it for us, Emily.
This book went by really quickly. I'm not saying it was written too fast. It was written perfectly. I'm saying it was just so good it felt fast, but a good fast. It was spectacular, and there's definitely not enough books in this series to sate me.
October 23, 2017
I love this book, but hate the title. Okay, hate is perhaps a strong word, but it really doesn't do any justice to this book, which is a action-packed dystopian (possibly) fantasy.
It's a chase-type book, with POVs from both the pursuers and the pursued. The characters totally grew on me (I loved Oliver and his "handler" Emily's grudging relationship) and I raced through the entire book in one sitting.
Note this is the first book of a duology (though I live in hope for a follow-up book) - the story continues in A Rumor of Real Irish Tea (see above re titles), not that you would know it and I picked up ARoRIT purely by chance! I would link the two books in Goodreads, but have no idea what the author would like to call this series...
It's a chase-type book, with POVs from both the pursuers and the pursued. The characters totally grew on me (I loved Oliver and his "handler" Emily's grudging relationship) and I raced through the entire book in one sitting.
Note this is the first book of a duology (though I live in hope for a follow-up book) - the story continues in A Rumor of Real Irish Tea (see above re titles), not that you would know it and I picked up ARoRIT purely by chance! I would link the two books in Goodreads, but have no idea what the author would like to call this series...
April 27, 2019
This book is really only half a story; you need to read the second one to have a real ending.
I liked this book and its successor quite a lot. It's not as funny as Kate Stradling's fantasy novels, but the characters are still charming, still people you would really like to get to know better. The world is much darker; it's basically the United States turned into a dystopia by extrapolating a few current trends. (The politics may be offensive, but she treads very lightly here; she's not interested, as far as I can tell, in making much of a statement about the current situation, she's only using this extrapolation to make a story.)
It's something of a fantasy novel in that some of the characters have mental powers. I usually really dislike that kind of novel, especially when set in a semi-realistic world, but it was well done, and didn't feel unrealistic (ok, ok, people who can command other people with their minds are unrealistic, but it was well done so it didn't break the suspension of disbelief). The situation caused by these unique mental abilities turns out to be quite interesting, and she develops it well.
The story is told from the viewpoint of Emily, a naive over-achiever just out of college, ready to make her mark on the world and change it to a better place. She's assigned to watch over Oliver, an irredeemably cynical youngster who delights in pouring cold water on her idealism. Irresistible force meets immovable object; sparks fly. Turns out Oliver's cynicism is not at all misplaced (this is dysopian fiction, after all), but... there is hope, just not in the direction Emily thought. This hope is symbolized by, of all things, the Irish Tea in the title of the second volume.
Emily and the child Oliver are assigned to chase down the renegade West family, four supremely gifted children who have escaped the oppressive dystopian child-raising compounds to get back to their parents. While it might seem depressing because the protagonist is on the wrong side, the story doesn't feel that way at all; Emily grows out of her naivete, becoming almost an older sister to Oliver, and begins to learn what is actually good.
I liked this book and its successor quite a lot. It's not as funny as Kate Stradling's fantasy novels, but the characters are still charming, still people you would really like to get to know better. The world is much darker; it's basically the United States turned into a dystopia by extrapolating a few current trends. (The politics may be offensive, but she treads very lightly here; she's not interested, as far as I can tell, in making much of a statement about the current situation, she's only using this extrapolation to make a story.)
It's something of a fantasy novel in that some of the characters have mental powers. I usually really dislike that kind of novel, especially when set in a semi-realistic world, but it was well done, and didn't feel unrealistic (ok, ok, people who can command other people with their minds are unrealistic, but it was well done so it didn't break the suspension of disbelief). The situation caused by these unique mental abilities turns out to be quite interesting, and she develops it well.
The story is told from the viewpoint of Emily, a naive over-achiever just out of college, ready to make her mark on the world and change it to a better place. She's assigned to watch over Oliver, an irredeemably cynical youngster who delights in pouring cold water on her idealism. Irresistible force meets immovable object; sparks fly. Turns out Oliver's cynicism is not at all misplaced (this is dysopian fiction, after all), but... there is hope, just not in the direction Emily thought. This hope is symbolized by, of all things, the Irish Tea in the title of the second volume.
Emily and the child Oliver are assigned to chase down the renegade West family, four supremely gifted children who have escaped the oppressive dystopian child-raising compounds to get back to their parents. While it might seem depressing because the protagonist is on the wrong side, the story doesn't feel that way at all; Emily grows out of her naivete, becoming almost an older sister to Oliver, and begins to learn what is actually good.
May 10, 2020
Enjoyed Immensely
I did rather enjoy this novel, especially given the fact the storyline and the characters were very different than 98% of what’s out there in this particular genre right now.
Strong development of all the characters and places is achieved. You feel a sense of bonding to both sides of the story’s characters, well at least the two main on the antagonist side.
The only thing I’m disgruntled about is the fact that once again, like the 98% mentioned above, it’s “To Be Continued...” I almost knocked it down to 3 stars because of this.
I am grateful to the author that she has made the additional books available on Kindle Unlimited. There seems to be a new trend starting where the first is offered on Unlimited, and the rest are for a fee. I already pay a monthly/annual fee-thank you. And at the rate I speed through books I’m ok with that. But not with having to pay an additional fee for the next 1, 2, 3, etc. In the series.
I will say I enjoyed the author’s style, and will definitely be looking into more of her books to see if there’s other series or stand alones available.
I did rather enjoy this novel, especially given the fact the storyline and the characters were very different than 98% of what’s out there in this particular genre right now.
Strong development of all the characters and places is achieved. You feel a sense of bonding to both sides of the story’s characters, well at least the two main on the antagonist side.
The only thing I’m disgruntled about is the fact that once again, like the 98% mentioned above, it’s “To Be Continued...” I almost knocked it down to 3 stars because of this.
I am grateful to the author that she has made the additional books available on Kindle Unlimited. There seems to be a new trend starting where the first is offered on Unlimited, and the rest are for a fee. I already pay a monthly/annual fee-thank you. And at the rate I speed through books I’m ok with that. But not with having to pay an additional fee for the next 1, 2, 3, etc. In the series.
I will say I enjoyed the author’s style, and will definitely be looking into more of her books to see if there’s other series or stand alones available.
May 2, 2019
This was an interesting story. The world has been turned upside down and freedom isn't something people take for granted since most people don't enjoy it anymore.
In this new world some children have special gifts, and when they are discovered they are taken from their families or the parents give them to the Prometheus Institute. There are several schools in the Prometheus system and depending on how strong your gift, you go to either A, B, C or F (only those four are mentioned). Two of the West children are at the F campus and two are at the B campus. Hawk is the oldest and he can project his thoughts to birds; Hummer is a mechanical genius; Honey can project verbally to humans (make them do whatever she wants them to do); and Happy can project his feelings on people (when Happy is sad, everyone around him is sad). The West children were told that their parents gave them up, but they know better and they escape the clutches of Prometheus and are hunted down to bring at least the two younger children back.
I read this one straight through. It is a clean read.
In this new world some children have special gifts, and when they are discovered they are taken from their families or the parents give them to the Prometheus Institute. There are several schools in the Prometheus system and depending on how strong your gift, you go to either A, B, C or F (only those four are mentioned). Two of the West children are at the F campus and two are at the B campus. Hawk is the oldest and he can project his thoughts to birds; Hummer is a mechanical genius; Honey can project verbally to humans (make them do whatever she wants them to do); and Happy can project his feelings on people (when Happy is sad, everyone around him is sad). The West children were told that their parents gave them up, but they know better and they escape the clutches of Prometheus and are hunted down to bring at least the two younger children back.
I read this one straight through. It is a clean read.
October 17, 2018
Dystopian Society and Children with Powers
How cool would it be to be able to communicate with birds? To be able to persuade? To have the ability to project your emotions so everyone feels them? Or be a mechanical genius with a photographic memory?
It would be awesome. Unless you're in a future where you get taken from your parents and forced into a "privileged" school where your life is dictated and you have an adult handler follow you all walking hours.
An interesting premise that kept my attention and made me want to read the sequel to learn more about the West kids story. It'd unlikely I'll reread/revisit these characters (I prefer adventures with a dash of sweet & clean romance) but I did enjoy the journey.
How cool would it be to be able to communicate with birds? To be able to persuade? To have the ability to project your emotions so everyone feels them? Or be a mechanical genius with a photographic memory?
It would be awesome. Unless you're in a future where you get taken from your parents and forced into a "privileged" school where your life is dictated and you have an adult handler follow you all walking hours.
An interesting premise that kept my attention and made me want to read the sequel to learn more about the West kids story. It'd unlikely I'll reread/revisit these characters (I prefer adventures with a dash of sweet & clean romance) but I did enjoy the journey.
March 7, 2020
This is a YA adventure novel set in a dystopian United States. Exceptionally gifted siblings escape a prison like school to try and find their parents and reunite their family. Another exceptionally gifted child is put in charge of tracking them down and bringing them back in. How will their gifts help them to succeed? Which one will succeed? The chapters switch back and forth between the two points of view and result in a well written and suspenseful novel. I enjoyed getting to know the characters so much I didn’t want it to end. And then it didn’t. Not a satisfactory ending whatsoever. Apparently there is a sequel. There had better be a sequel! I look forward to reading it.
Read
July 23, 2017Fun story set in a future USA, with interesting twists on dystopia. The main characters include four "gifted" siblings who escape their special schools, and a gifted boy and his "handler" who are trying to help the government recapture them.
This book is deceptively simple in style, but the character development and interaction is engrossing.
Not my favorite of Stradling's books (not all that fond of dystopians), but I haven't yet read one I wouldn't highly recommend!
And I am definitely reading any and all sequels.
This book is deceptively simple in style, but the character development and interaction is engrossing.
Not my favorite of Stradling's books (not all that fond of dystopians), but I haven't yet read one I wouldn't highly recommend!
And I am definitely reading any and all sequels.
February 8, 2024
Good book. I thought the premise was interesting. I enjoyed the four siblings the most. But the other characters were good too. It wasn't my favorite book, but it held my attention enough in that I wanted to find out what happened.
Clean
Language/profanity: none, but characters "curse" (I really appreciate that there is no actual swearing)
Sex/innuendo: none
Gore/Violence: Some fight/peril scenes, but not graphic in description, very mild
Dark/Creepy: mild, dystopia setting, so some interesting things, but I'm very picky about books being creepy and this was mild.
Clean
Language/profanity: none, but characters "curse" (I really appreciate that there is no actual swearing)
Sex/innuendo: none
Gore/Violence: Some fight/peril scenes, but not graphic in description, very mild
Dark/Creepy: mild, dystopia setting, so some interesting things, but I'm very picky about books being creepy and this was mild.
December 22, 2017
The book stops in the middle of the story
Overall the book was interesting and an enjoyable read. But the story is completely unresolved and ends it what seems the middle of the story. Even if it was the first book of a series I would say it wasn't complete. Did the author just decide to stop? Run into a deadline and just submitted what she had? Very disappointing. Just so much unresolved and the future world created left so unexplored.
Overall the book was interesting and an enjoyable read. But the story is completely unresolved and ends it what seems the middle of the story. Even if it was the first book of a series I would say it wasn't complete. Did the author just decide to stop? Run into a deadline and just submitted what she had? Very disappointing. Just so much unresolved and the future world created left so unexplored.
December 8, 2019
So different!
Initially so different from Kate Stradling’s other books, it took me a while to actually start on this but geez - am I so glad that it’s such a delightful morsel, just like ALL of the other books I’ve read by Kate! I’ve been sucker-punched - I’m 100% into this. It reminds me that it’s not always about the story but how the storyteller weaves the tale. Happily, this both a cleverly-woven and intriguing tale. Thank you, author!
Initially so different from Kate Stradling’s other books, it took me a while to actually start on this but geez - am I so glad that it’s such a delightful morsel, just like ALL of the other books I’ve read by Kate! I’ve been sucker-punched - I’m 100% into this. It reminds me that it’s not always about the story but how the storyteller weaves the tale. Happily, this both a cleverly-woven and intriguing tale. Thank you, author!
December 15, 2020
This is a fascinating dystopian novel about children with extraordinary powers like powers of persuasion, mind and emotion control, who live in a society tightly controlled and manipulated.
Four siblings with these types of gifts run away from a controlling school to try and find their parents.
Be warned--it is a trilogy, and you won't be done after the first one, but I am enjoying all of the books.
Four siblings with these types of gifts run away from a controlling school to try and find their parents.
Be warned--it is a trilogy, and you won't be done after the first one, but I am enjoying all of the books.
February 25, 2022
This was a bit of an experimentation for me, far removed as it is from what I usually read.
It was different, for sure. I wasn’t that into it, but I do believe I like the characters, and I am going to read the next book. It’s strangely fun, how weird it is, and I’m glad I gave it a shot.
In terms of content, it’s absolutely clean. There’s no romance, no swearing, and no gore/blood/violence.
Yeah. That’s it, lol.
It was different, for sure. I wasn’t that into it, but I do believe I like the characters, and I am going to read the next book. It’s strangely fun, how weird it is, and I’m glad I gave it a shot.
In terms of content, it’s absolutely clean. There’s no romance, no swearing, and no gore/blood/violence.
Yeah. That’s it, lol.
March 11, 2025
In light of current developments in the usa, this dystopian is extra oppressive.
It is a good story, but it is also depressing in terms of a manipulative, lying government (!) and the children who are its victims. They try so hard within the terrible constraints imposed on them. In that respect, Oliver is the saddest, having been taught not to love or trust anyone.
That did not make me happy. But that doesn't make the book bad of course. It is well written and the story is gripping.
It ends in a way that makes you want to read the next one immediately, because it does not really end.
It is a good story, but it is also depressing in terms of a manipulative, lying government (!) and the children who are its victims. They try so hard within the terrible constraints imposed on them. In that respect, Oliver is the saddest, having been taught not to love or trust anyone.
That did not make me happy. But that doesn't make the book bad of course. It is well written and the story is gripping.
It ends in a way that makes you want to read the next one immediately, because it does not really end.
February 22, 2018
Fun Story, not what I expected.
This was quite interesting. I like dystopian stories a lot, but have been reading all of the author's books because I also like well written fairy tales and fantasies, and was pleasantly surprised to discover this gem mixed in... Well worth reading and thought provoking too.
This was quite interesting. I like dystopian stories a lot, but have been reading all of the author's books because I also like well written fairy tales and fantasies, and was pleasantly surprised to discover this gem mixed in... Well worth reading and thought provoking too.
October 17, 2019
Get sucked in to your next favorite series
Wow. Stumbled on this series accidentally and just finished book one. The story and writing suck you in immediately and I was honestly shocked to digitally turn the final page. The writing is excellent, the characters are intriguing, and while the first book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger it definitely leaves you wanting more.
Wow. Stumbled on this series accidentally and just finished book one. The story and writing suck you in immediately and I was honestly shocked to digitally turn the final page. The writing is excellent, the characters are intriguing, and while the first book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger it definitely leaves you wanting more.
April 17, 2018
Funny, thought provoking and fast paced.
I really enjoy the voice and humor this author is consistently able to provide as well as the worlds she builds. Just enough framework to let your imagination set the scene and run wild with the action.
Can't wait for when next one!
I really enjoy the voice and humor this author is consistently able to provide as well as the worlds she builds. Just enough framework to let your imagination set the scene and run wild with the action.
Can't wait for when next one!
dnf
August 26, 2020Abandoned (temporarily) at 20%
Not feeling this book right now. It's kind of like a bland version of the Mysterious Benedict Society. I think it will get progressively more interesting so I plan to pick it up sometime in the future.
Not feeling this book right now. It's kind of like a bland version of the Mysterious Benedict Society. I think it will get progressively more interesting so I plan to pick it up sometime in the future.
July 25, 2021
A Boy Called Hawk
Unfortunately, I gave this first book only 4 stars because it left me with a faint feeling of dissatisfaction. After finishing the second book (which I gave 5 stars because 6 isn’t a thing), I tried to go back and change my rating. I can’t WAIT to read book three!
Unfortunately, I gave this first book only 4 stars because it left me with a faint feeling of dissatisfaction. After finishing the second book (which I gave 5 stars because 6 isn’t a thing), I tried to go back and change my rating. I can’t WAIT to read book three!
August 30, 2021
Enjoyed this very much. I'd hesitated to read it as it's about kids but it's fine for adults too. Set in a distopian world not too far in the future with government surveillance and graduates indentured to the government to pay off their debt
Read
September 13, 2021This is a fantastic and exciting series with great characters. Nothing life-changing here, just a great story, but I highly recommend it--the entire series, especially the last book--for anyone that's even vaguely a fan of this type of fiction.
August 28, 2023
Genius children with special abilities
An imaginative story from one of my favorite authors; this is a unique and creative plot and set of characters! Highly recommended and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
An imaginative story from one of my favorite authors; this is a unique and creative plot and set of characters! Highly recommended and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Read
September 14, 2023A re-read because I never finished the series. Excellent middle-grade. Realizing I’ll have to have my son read these! Or maybe our next read-aloud? Upon a re-read I’m not sure the title is the very best fit for the book but I do love these kids.
August 29, 2019
3.5 I almost made it a 4, but without the sequel it doesn't make the cut.
August 21, 2020
Probably rated it a 5 because I wasn't expecting much from it and I really liked it!
Read
October 16, 2020A bit clunky with the exposition at first - maybe a first novel? - but after it settled down it got very page-turny indeed.
December 15, 2020
Intriguing dystopian society and unusual mental powers that the children have. This is the first of three and it stopped in a satisfying yet tantalizing spot. Can’t wait to read the next one!
September 7, 2021
Excellent Read
Kate does not disappoint! Another great adventure that keeps you in the book with intrigue, edge of your seat action and characters that make you ponder!
Kate does not disappoint! Another great adventure that keeps you in the book with intrigue, edge of your seat action and characters that make you ponder!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews