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Echoes of the Fall #3
The Hyena and the Hawk
The Hyena and the Hawk is the third book in Adrian Tchaikovsky's epic fantasy trilogy, Echoes of the Fall, following The Bear and the Serpent.
They face a hunger that could consume the gods themselves
From the depths of myth an ancient enemy has returned: the Plague People, whose very presence obliterates whole villages; whose terror destroys minds. In their wake, nothing is left of the people, not their places, not their ways.
On the plains, the warriors and the wise of all tribes gather to confront the aggressor. Loud Thunder leads his great war-host south, even as Tecumet and Asman head north with the Sun River army. With Maniye Many Tracks, they plan to forge a new unity between the tribes such as the world has never seen. But will it be enough to stave off an oblivion that might devour even their gods?
Their adversary's presence is like a wound in the world, and wakes all the old terrors and evils from the peoples' stories. But before they can deal with the enemies without, they must conquer their demons within.
494 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2018
182 people are currently reading
2104 people want to read
About the author
Adrian Tchaikovsky
191 books17.4k followersADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY was born in Lincolnshire and studied zoology and psychology at Reading, before practising law in Leeds. He is a keen live role-player and occasional amateur actor and is trained in stage-fighting. His literary influences include Gene Wolfe, Mervyn Peake, China Miéville, Mary Gently, Steven Erikson, Naomi Novak, Scott Lynch and Alan Campbell.
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May 18, 2022
Tchaikovsky brings the Echoes of the Fall to a conclusion here and he knows how to end a story. This review is for this and the series as a whole. Tchaikovsky, as usual, plays with classic fantasy tropes here, starting off the first installment with the classic 'estranged princess' fleeing her marriage to someone she detests and fears. Yet, again as usual, he bends them to his own voice. Here, Maniye, the young princess (actually, the daughter of a wolf clan leader) is the child of a tiger mother and wolf father, leaving her with two 'totems', both wolf and clan. This means she can 'Step' into either form, but the clan priest, as well as her father, have tried to beat/cajole whatever the tiger from her. Her father's dastardly plan is to have her reclaim the leadership of Tiger (this flows on matrimonial lines) so he can finally suborn the Tiger beneath the Wolf's leadership, or iron fist as it may be.
She escapes, however, after freeing a 'Snake' priest and taking him with her on her adventures, trying to stay out of her father's (and his tracker's) paws. This is a story where all the people of the world have totems and can Step into their forms on command. We were also introduced to the people of the Sun River, an empire to the south, when one faction thereof sent a small team north to recruit the famous Iron Wolves. With practice, a person can Step into their totem form not only clothed, with with weapons and armor that augment their totem form. Only the Wolf can make iron, giving them the strongest armor and weapons.
After the 'set up' middle volume, we know that a massive showdown will be coming between the 'real people' with souls (e.g., everyone in the world, the totem people) versus the dreaded 'plague people', or 'hollow people' who they broke from long ago. It seems the plague people have no totems and hence cannot shapechange. They arrived in the second volume in a 'steam punk' way, via a massive submarine and a huge blimp. While soulless, they do have magic, some of which allows them to fly and worse, the ability to instill a terror among the people that can be so bad it leaves them 'mindless' in their totem forms forever. The plague people invaders waste no time, setting up their own towns and such (with the help of massive tame spiders), and then begin their inroads into the world.
The second trope Tchaikovsky evokes here is basically a Lord of the Rings showdown between good and evil. Of course, there is not really good and evil involved here, but the totem people versus the plague people. What do the plague people want? It seems they are bent on exterminating the totem people and taking their lands for their own. There are shades here of the European invasion of the New World here for sure, as the totem people are relatively primitive regarding tech, more at one with the natural environment, while the plague people have engines, submarines, modern lights, etc. Oh, and guns! The mobility of the plague people (they can fly for a ways) plus their guns makes the virtually unbeatable on the battle ground, along with the ability to have the blimp drop bombs and such and don't forget the terror they use as their primary weapon!
So, the final volume concerns the invasion and the desperate, frantic struggle of the totem people to thwart the invasion. Tchaikovsky adds some spice into the mix here, with the reemergence of the dreaded 'rat' totem people/god, who is happy to pick over the remains of the dead totem people, and undermines their needed unity. We also have some insights to the plague people and the ancient history that divided humanity; the (now) totem people fled the plague people once, evoking a massive ocean between them and their new-found land. For centuries, the 'bedtime' scare story across the totem people was plague people. Now, their soulless quest to devour life has returned in spades.
Finally, we have another classic trope with the gods of the totem people. Maniye has 'walked the godlands' several times now. What happens to gods when they lose their worshipers? We have tales of extinct totems (like the 'horn people' which must have been rhinos), and each god has their own way of 'testing' their follows. Can Maniye, along with her friend the snake priest, somehow get the gods to come to their aid? What about the gods of the plague people?
Overall, a fun series, but one that did not blow me away by any means. I liked the first installment the best, learning about the various totems and their clans. This was just a build up for the whole 'epic showdown' we finally get to at the end, however. I never got the feeling for the characters as I usually find in his work; Tchaikovsky writes character driven fiction among the best, but that was lacking a bit here. Yes, we have some interesting characters, but they become somewhat cliche after a while. Recommended for fantasy fans, but if you are looking to discover Tchaikovsky for the first time, I suggest you start either with the Shadows of the Apt series (far better in my opinion than this, and it starts with Empire in Black and Gold) or check out his science fiction, such as Children of Time, which really did blow me away! 3 shifty stars!!
Finally, an this is a bit of a spoiler if you read the Shadows of the Apt series, the invading 'plague people' seem to be actually an expeditionary force of Wasp and Spider Kinden from that series, probably at some date after that series ended.
She escapes, however, after freeing a 'Snake' priest and taking him with her on her adventures, trying to stay out of her father's (and his tracker's) paws. This is a story where all the people of the world have totems and can Step into their forms on command. We were also introduced to the people of the Sun River, an empire to the south, when one faction thereof sent a small team north to recruit the famous Iron Wolves. With practice, a person can Step into their totem form not only clothed, with with weapons and armor that augment their totem form. Only the Wolf can make iron, giving them the strongest armor and weapons.
After the 'set up' middle volume, we know that a massive showdown will be coming between the 'real people' with souls (e.g., everyone in the world, the totem people) versus the dreaded 'plague people', or 'hollow people' who they broke from long ago. It seems the plague people have no totems and hence cannot shapechange. They arrived in the second volume in a 'steam punk' way, via a massive submarine and a huge blimp. While soulless, they do have magic, some of which allows them to fly and worse, the ability to instill a terror among the people that can be so bad it leaves them 'mindless' in their totem forms forever. The plague people invaders waste no time, setting up their own towns and such (with the help of massive tame spiders), and then begin their inroads into the world.
The second trope Tchaikovsky evokes here is basically a Lord of the Rings showdown between good and evil. Of course, there is not really good and evil involved here, but the totem people versus the plague people. What do the plague people want? It seems they are bent on exterminating the totem people and taking their lands for their own. There are shades here of the European invasion of the New World here for sure, as the totem people are relatively primitive regarding tech, more at one with the natural environment, while the plague people have engines, submarines, modern lights, etc. Oh, and guns! The mobility of the plague people (they can fly for a ways) plus their guns makes the virtually unbeatable on the battle ground, along with the ability to have the blimp drop bombs and such and don't forget the terror they use as their primary weapon!
So, the final volume concerns the invasion and the desperate, frantic struggle of the totem people to thwart the invasion. Tchaikovsky adds some spice into the mix here, with the reemergence of the dreaded 'rat' totem people/god, who is happy to pick over the remains of the dead totem people, and undermines their needed unity. We also have some insights to the plague people and the ancient history that divided humanity; the (now) totem people fled the plague people once, evoking a massive ocean between them and their new-found land. For centuries, the 'bedtime' scare story across the totem people was plague people. Now, their soulless quest to devour life has returned in spades.
Finally, we have another classic trope with the gods of the totem people. Maniye has 'walked the godlands' several times now. What happens to gods when they lose their worshipers? We have tales of extinct totems (like the 'horn people' which must have been rhinos), and each god has their own way of 'testing' their follows. Can Maniye, along with her friend the snake priest, somehow get the gods to come to their aid? What about the gods of the plague people?
Overall, a fun series, but one that did not blow me away by any means. I liked the first installment the best, learning about the various totems and their clans. This was just a build up for the whole 'epic showdown' we finally get to at the end, however. I never got the feeling for the characters as I usually find in his work; Tchaikovsky writes character driven fiction among the best, but that was lacking a bit here. Yes, we have some interesting characters, but they become somewhat cliche after a while. Recommended for fantasy fans, but if you are looking to discover Tchaikovsky for the first time, I suggest you start either with the Shadows of the Apt series (far better in my opinion than this, and it starts with Empire in Black and Gold) or check out his science fiction, such as Children of Time, which really did blow me away! 3 shifty stars!!
Finally, an this is a bit of a spoiler if you read the Shadows of the Apt series, the invading 'plague people' seem to be actually an expeditionary force of Wasp and Spider Kinden from that series, probably at some date after that series ended.
August 26, 2021
“I am of the true people. You are just our echo.”
Plague People have arrived and threaten to be the death of all stories. The time has come where there are no taboo solutions, no unthinkable allies, no paths that must not be traversed. What an unorthodox finale to an unorthodox tale.
Just like its predecessor, this book is definitely not focused solely on Maniye. Depending on where you stand with her, it’s either a good or bad development. The fact that she is not the angry and bitter girl she was when we met her, helps her a lot. But at the same time, it also takes the ragged edge from her personality. I found the new Maniye somehow blunt. It was definitely not surprising, therefore, that she needed the help of other protagonists to see things through. The unwilling leader Loud Thunder (“Always, I have to go tell people things they don’t want to hear.”and Hesprec are there, but this time - just as the title suggests - we also have the Laughing Girl Shiri and Kailovela of the Eyrie in the thick of things.
Kailovela really shined. Mind you, Tchaikovsky is an author who needs one sentence to execute excellent characterisation (“His mind was like a fly in a jar, all the motion in the world and no direction at all.”). When given more space, he is able to create heterodox personalities that do not conform easily to standard expectations. Kailovela is one of those and here came close to a favourite.
All the individual stories (that I really do not want to summarise here) converge neatly on the Plains where the Plague People sprawl in destruction leaving only feral beasts and crying children in their wake.
“They come to undo you. They come to replace you like you never were.”
I said this already, but just in case you are new to the series: a terrifying enemy is what usually makes fantasy so entertaining. Normally, you’d have an evil wizard or sorcerer or other beings with terrifying powers, perhaps an artefact that must be destroyed (or rescued). In short, something abnormal, powerful and unique.
Not here!
Here you have a force that, in essence, is just a passive field of modernity. There is no escape in the face of its destructive avalanche: the only direction to flee is inward, inside yourself, where no one can find you. No one. Only your shell remains. At the same time, while sinister, this enemy is not malign; no more that you’d call a destructive tsunami malign. It destroys without any awareness of what kind of destruction it brings by the sheer virtue of existing.
Add to this setup machine guns against flint knives. Add scientific curiosity unable to process the most basic principles (very common among modern-day scientists). Add cultural imperviousness, and the final result is chilling. The enemy is hollow human-seeming bodies without souls and they cast a long shadow in which nothing can thrive. How do you fight something like this?!
“The Plague People out there did not want to be human. And so in their minds they were fighting animals.”
The finale focuses on the very predictable confrontation between the real humans with souls, and the invading people who have a human form but no should behind it to give it meaning. If you think you know what is coming, think again because Mr Tchaikovsky has some very clever tricks up his sleeve (the Rat!). Those kept me going even if I did not really bond with some of the protagonists (sorry, Asman) or did not understand them to empathise with their choices. For instance, I really do not understand why Shiri let herself be manoeuvred into the last place in a random Hyena pack, but it was what it was and in the end, she did have the end times to enjoy so it did not matter that much.
I return to Adrian Tchaikovsky always when I am in need of a book that may aggravate me, or astound me, but will never, ever disappoint. This series is no different. I am not entirely happy with how it’s ended and I would definitely be not averse to the possibility of having another glimpse into this world.
Also in the series:
1. The Tiger and the Wolf ★★★★☆
2. The Bear and the Serpent ★★★★☆
Plague People have arrived and threaten to be the death of all stories. The time has come where there are no taboo solutions, no unthinkable allies, no paths that must not be traversed. What an unorthodox finale to an unorthodox tale.
Just like its predecessor, this book is definitely not focused solely on Maniye. Depending on where you stand with her, it’s either a good or bad development. The fact that she is not the angry and bitter girl she was when we met her, helps her a lot. But at the same time, it also takes the ragged edge from her personality. I found the new Maniye somehow blunt. It was definitely not surprising, therefore, that she needed the help of other protagonists to see things through. The unwilling leader Loud Thunder (“Always, I have to go tell people things they don’t want to hear.”and Hesprec are there, but this time - just as the title suggests - we also have the Laughing Girl Shiri and Kailovela of the Eyrie in the thick of things.
Kailovela really shined. Mind you, Tchaikovsky is an author who needs one sentence to execute excellent characterisation (“His mind was like a fly in a jar, all the motion in the world and no direction at all.”). When given more space, he is able to create heterodox personalities that do not conform easily to standard expectations. Kailovela is one of those and here came close to a favourite.
All the individual stories (that I really do not want to summarise here) converge neatly on the Plains where the Plague People sprawl in destruction leaving only feral beasts and crying children in their wake.
“They come to undo you. They come to replace you like you never were.”
I said this already, but just in case you are new to the series: a terrifying enemy is what usually makes fantasy so entertaining. Normally, you’d have an evil wizard or sorcerer or other beings with terrifying powers, perhaps an artefact that must be destroyed (or rescued). In short, something abnormal, powerful and unique.
Not here!
Here you have a force that, in essence, is just a passive field of modernity. There is no escape in the face of its destructive avalanche: the only direction to flee is inward, inside yourself, where no one can find you. No one. Only your shell remains. At the same time, while sinister, this enemy is not malign; no more that you’d call a destructive tsunami malign. It destroys without any awareness of what kind of destruction it brings by the sheer virtue of existing.
Add to this setup machine guns against flint knives. Add scientific curiosity unable to process the most basic principles (very common among modern-day scientists). Add cultural imperviousness, and the final result is chilling. The enemy is hollow human-seeming bodies without souls and they cast a long shadow in which nothing can thrive. How do you fight something like this?!
“The Plague People out there did not want to be human. And so in their minds they were fighting animals.”
The finale focuses on the very predictable confrontation between the real humans with souls, and the invading people who have a human form but no should behind it to give it meaning. If you think you know what is coming, think again because Mr Tchaikovsky has some very clever tricks up his sleeve (the Rat!). Those kept me going even if I did not really bond with some of the protagonists (sorry, Asman) or did not understand them to empathise with their choices. For instance, I really do not understand why Shiri let herself be manoeuvred into the last place in a random Hyena pack, but it was what it was and in the end, she did have the end times to enjoy so it did not matter that much.
I return to Adrian Tchaikovsky always when I am in need of a book that may aggravate me, or astound me, but will never, ever disappoint. This series is no different. I am not entirely happy with how it’s ended and I would definitely be not averse to the possibility of having another glimpse into this world.
Also in the series:
1. The Tiger and the Wolf ★★★★☆
2. The Bear and the Serpent ★★★★☆
April 11, 2019
[9/10]
Hers was the creed that most of the Laughing Men might mouth, but Effey truly believed. Here was the end of the world; it was the time of the Hyena. Hyena did not come to mend wounds, but to watch them fester and gnaw of the dead.
Apocalyptic fantasy where a small band of heroes fights against impossible odds to save the world from complete destruction is the basic plot of almost every other genre novel. But few can combine the detailed military aspects of the campaign with the pathos of individual human destinies like Adrian Tchaikovsky. I have been a huge fan of his ever since the first book of the "Shadows of the Apt". With the conclusion here of the "Echoes of the Fall" series, I can certify that he has done it again: created a huge, continent-wide, canvas for an epic battle, populated it with a multitude of cultures that somehow combine humanity and animal kingdoms into something bigger that its parts, thought of a combat system that allows one-on-one duels, superpowers and army level tactics, and kept it all under control until it could be unleashed into a final, cataclysmic battle.
Who will lead the true people against their ancient enemy? Maniye Many Tracks, daughter of the Wolf and Tiger and Champion of the North, who discovered the Plague camp in the Plains where the Horse once dwelled; Loud Thunder of the Bear, who fought them on the northern coast and drove them into the sea; Asman of the Sun River Nation, consort of the Kasra and Champion of the River, who has only now seen his country unified; Hesprec Essen Skese, priest of the Serpent, who has seen human lifespans come and go, and is forced to seek allies in the worst of places, amongst the Pale Shadow; Venat, raider of the Dragon and Asman's one-time slave; Shyri, daughter of the Hyena, with her own apocalyptic prophecies; Kailovela of the Hawk, who has kept hearth with one of the Plague People. Warriors, champions, priests and tribes from the cold north to the parched south muster against the threat of the Plague People.
To make it easier to understand the concept, think of this series like a sort of Avengers from the Marvel Universe transplanted to a precolumbian America where each native tribe has a totem animal. When coming of age, some members of the tribe become warriors who can shapeshift into their spirit animal form. The best of them can acces a higher plane of existence where they meet their Gods and, if they are worthy, become Champions, who have access to even more ancient and powerful forms of their spirit animal.
When she turned, the Wolf was there as she knew he would be. His hackles were high enough to eclipse the restless stars, his mouth could swallow the sun. He was winter and night, privation and an empty belly, long journeys in harsh weather and the last test that everyone fails. But he was her Wolf, and she was his.
For many generations, the tribes have fought among themselves, Tiger against Wolf and Crocodile against Dragon; Serpents became priests, Horses tradesmen, Hyenas opportunistic raiders, Coyotes spies and Bears lone hunters. But everything is threatened now by the arrival of the Plague People: strangers from across the ocean with advanced technology (airships, machine-guns, flying combat suits) but without souls to shapeshift. The Plague People instead steal the souls of the natives and turn them into dumb beasts. Whenever the two people meet, the ending is the same – utter annihilation of those who fight with tooth and claw, bronze swords or obsidian clubs. It is easy to see the source of inspiration for the epic lies in the conquest of the Aztecs and in the sistematic destruction of so many other native cultures by European conquistadors and settlers.
What is easier to say to their kin? That these are beasts who have no right to life, no wisdom, no humanity; or that these are people, to whom your ancestors have done a great wrong, and you have done more great wrongs ever since you came to these shores? Which is easier? For who wants to think themselves a monster and a descendant of monsters? It is easier to think yourself just a killer of beasts.
What more can I say without giving away any major plot points? It is after all a battle for survival. The first two volumes of the series did a good job establishing the native cultures and fleshing out the Heroes who will lead the fight against the Plague People. That preparation allows now for mostly set-battle episodes and individual deeds of great courage and sacrifice. This is also a provocation to take a closer look at the history lessons from our own history, as many readers have done since Tolkien, even if the author does not expressly mentions this intention. It is also an appeal at diversity, preserving our cultural heritage and staying clear of nationalistic warmongers who promote fear and hatred of foreigners.
Above all, whatever you do must tell the gods, "We are here!" she went on. You must remind the gods of who we are and who they are. You must tell the stories of your heroes and how they bested each other. Tell of our fools and tricksters; tell the story of the three brothers, tell how Coyote stole back the sun, tell of First Eagle, how Serpent sought wisdom beneath the earth. Tell how Havesinder snatched his name from Old Crocodile's jaws, and how Leyri and Usri made the hills when they fought over who should be Chomaro's mate. Tell the deeds of your mothers and their fathers. Bring the gods close to the world until they are just the other side of the air, just beneath the skin of the earth. Because spears alone will not turn back the Plague People, not all the spears in the world.
Needless to say, I look forward to the next project from Adrian Tchaikovsky. I know there will be some insects, preferably spiders, in there somewhere, because he has managed to put some of them in here, too, even if the main setting was mostly mammals and lizards.
Hers was the creed that most of the Laughing Men might mouth, but Effey truly believed. Here was the end of the world; it was the time of the Hyena. Hyena did not come to mend wounds, but to watch them fester and gnaw of the dead.
Apocalyptic fantasy where a small band of heroes fights against impossible odds to save the world from complete destruction is the basic plot of almost every other genre novel. But few can combine the detailed military aspects of the campaign with the pathos of individual human destinies like Adrian Tchaikovsky. I have been a huge fan of his ever since the first book of the "Shadows of the Apt". With the conclusion here of the "Echoes of the Fall" series, I can certify that he has done it again: created a huge, continent-wide, canvas for an epic battle, populated it with a multitude of cultures that somehow combine humanity and animal kingdoms into something bigger that its parts, thought of a combat system that allows one-on-one duels, superpowers and army level tactics, and kept it all under control until it could be unleashed into a final, cataclysmic battle.
Who will lead the true people against their ancient enemy? Maniye Many Tracks, daughter of the Wolf and Tiger and Champion of the North, who discovered the Plague camp in the Plains where the Horse once dwelled; Loud Thunder of the Bear, who fought them on the northern coast and drove them into the sea; Asman of the Sun River Nation, consort of the Kasra and Champion of the River, who has only now seen his country unified; Hesprec Essen Skese, priest of the Serpent, who has seen human lifespans come and go, and is forced to seek allies in the worst of places, amongst the Pale Shadow; Venat, raider of the Dragon and Asman's one-time slave; Shyri, daughter of the Hyena, with her own apocalyptic prophecies; Kailovela of the Hawk, who has kept hearth with one of the Plague People. Warriors, champions, priests and tribes from the cold north to the parched south muster against the threat of the Plague People.
To make it easier to understand the concept, think of this series like a sort of Avengers from the Marvel Universe transplanted to a precolumbian America where each native tribe has a totem animal. When coming of age, some members of the tribe become warriors who can shapeshift into their spirit animal form. The best of them can acces a higher plane of existence where they meet their Gods and, if they are worthy, become Champions, who have access to even more ancient and powerful forms of their spirit animal.
When she turned, the Wolf was there as she knew he would be. His hackles were high enough to eclipse the restless stars, his mouth could swallow the sun. He was winter and night, privation and an empty belly, long journeys in harsh weather and the last test that everyone fails. But he was her Wolf, and she was his.
For many generations, the tribes have fought among themselves, Tiger against Wolf and Crocodile against Dragon; Serpents became priests, Horses tradesmen, Hyenas opportunistic raiders, Coyotes spies and Bears lone hunters. But everything is threatened now by the arrival of the Plague People: strangers from across the ocean with advanced technology (airships, machine-guns, flying combat suits) but without souls to shapeshift. The Plague People instead steal the souls of the natives and turn them into dumb beasts. Whenever the two people meet, the ending is the same – utter annihilation of those who fight with tooth and claw, bronze swords or obsidian clubs. It is easy to see the source of inspiration for the epic lies in the conquest of the Aztecs and in the sistematic destruction of so many other native cultures by European conquistadors and settlers.
What is easier to say to their kin? That these are beasts who have no right to life, no wisdom, no humanity; or that these are people, to whom your ancestors have done a great wrong, and you have done more great wrongs ever since you came to these shores? Which is easier? For who wants to think themselves a monster and a descendant of monsters? It is easier to think yourself just a killer of beasts.
What more can I say without giving away any major plot points? It is after all a battle for survival. The first two volumes of the series did a good job establishing the native cultures and fleshing out the Heroes who will lead the fight against the Plague People. That preparation allows now for mostly set-battle episodes and individual deeds of great courage and sacrifice. This is also a provocation to take a closer look at the history lessons from our own history, as many readers have done since Tolkien, even if the author does not expressly mentions this intention. It is also an appeal at diversity, preserving our cultural heritage and staying clear of nationalistic warmongers who promote fear and hatred of foreigners.
Above all, whatever you do must tell the gods, "We are here!" she went on. You must remind the gods of who we are and who they are. You must tell the stories of your heroes and how they bested each other. Tell of our fools and tricksters; tell the story of the three brothers, tell how Coyote stole back the sun, tell of First Eagle, how Serpent sought wisdom beneath the earth. Tell how Havesinder snatched his name from Old Crocodile's jaws, and how Leyri and Usri made the hills when they fought over who should be Chomaro's mate. Tell the deeds of your mothers and their fathers. Bring the gods close to the world until they are just the other side of the air, just beneath the skin of the earth. Because spears alone will not turn back the Plague People, not all the spears in the world.
Needless to say, I look forward to the next project from Adrian Tchaikovsky. I know there will be some insects, preferably spiders, in there somewhere, because he has managed to put some of them in here, too, even if the main setting was mostly mammals and lizards.
August 10, 2018
The final book in this excellent series. The story, characters and style of writing are more than adequately described above, however I would like to address the philosophical aspects of the work. I found these stories to be amongst the most effective analogical devices I have ever read describing the ontological clash between First Nations and colonialism. In the story the True People embody a monist perspective of the world, where animals, landforms and people are embued with spirit and a deep connection to ancestors and the gods. By contrast the plague people are rationalists, with a utilitarian and destructive attitude to the natural world. The clash of cultures is such that the plague people can literally not conceive of the True People as human at all. And if you are not human, then any offences, up to and including genocide, are permissible. The parralels to colonialism are stark and tragic, because in our world there was no conception of common ground and no magical solutions to save the day, only a cultural holocaust the ramifications of which continue into the modern day. The analogy even extends to the purposefully blind priest, justifying his lies and manipulative continuation of the war, to avoid the societal guilt inevitably coming from an acceptance of past wrongs. The parralels to my country, Australia's, treatment of Indigenous self determination and calls for justice are stark. To achieve this without cultural appropriation is a testament to the author. Thoughtful, insightful, powerful stuff.
June 19, 2025
'What if it's the end of the world?' she asked him.
Loud Thunder shrugged massively. 'I don't know. Are we supposed to do things differently if it is?'
What a fascinating world Tchaikovsky built again! I love the animal tribes so much, and the characters are all so lovable and relatable. I wished there were more interactions between them, like in the previous books. I especially missed Venat, he really grew on me..
This third installment in the series felt more plot than character driven, and definitely a little slower. However, it was a satisfying ending to the series, and now I want to go read "Shadows of the Apt"..
Also, have I mentioned how much I love these covers?
"Easier to kill than change the way they viewed the world."
'Others fought,' he said simply. 'These lived.'
Loud Thunder shrugged massively. 'I don't know. Are we supposed to do things differently if it is?'
What a fascinating world Tchaikovsky built again! I love the animal tribes so much, and the characters are all so lovable and relatable. I wished there were more interactions between them, like in the previous books. I especially missed Venat, he really grew on me..
This third installment in the series felt more plot than character driven, and definitely a little slower. However, it was a satisfying ending to the series, and now I want to go read "Shadows of the Apt"..
Also, have I mentioned how much I love these covers?
"Easier to kill than change the way they viewed the world."
'Others fought,' he said simply. 'These lived.'
August 21, 2025
Really enjoyable trilogy overall. Loved all the connections (subtle and overt) to Shadows of the Apt and how the two series and overall settings contrasted and complemented each other.
July 21, 2020
Still not sure what I think of that ending, but overall a very fine trilogy.
March 24, 2023
A very satisfying ending to a most excellent trilogy, though now I guess I have to go back and read Shadows of the Apt at some point. However, I do strongly contend Mr. Tchaikovsky is a bad, bad man for the way he messes around with his readers' emotions...
July 23, 2021
Not sure about the last quarter and the ending. Ponder time.
May 3, 2018
Anyone who has read my reviews for any length of time will know that I am a fan of Tchaikovsky’s writing, and this one did not disappoint. Once he has written a really good character, he doesn’t let them slip through his fingers. One of my problems with some epic fantasy stories is that a character I have strongly bonded to in the earlier books simply fades away or is dismissed in a couple of hasty paragraphs within the final instalment. Not so with Tchaikovsky. I loved Maniye, Loud Thunder, along with a number of other strong, nuanced characters who had powered the previous two books in this engrossing story, so I was delighted that all these characters took precedence in this desperate struggle against an overwhelming enemy.
While the action rolls forward in multiple viewpoint, Tchaikovsky manages to transition between the characters without any sense of jarring. This is harder than he makes it look. I am regularly slightly aggravated when been forced to pull away from a character, or find myself skimming one protagonist in favour of another. This simply doesn’t happen to me in a Tchaikovsky novel.
As for the story – as this is the third book in a tightly written series. I am not in a position to write much about the action, except to say that throughout this series, I kept waiting for the impetus and narrative to drop away slightly, as so often happens in epic fantasy stories – and it simply didn’t happen. This excellent series deserves to be far more widely read and is highly recommended for fans of gripping epic fantasy tales.
10/10
While the action rolls forward in multiple viewpoint, Tchaikovsky manages to transition between the characters without any sense of jarring. This is harder than he makes it look. I am regularly slightly aggravated when been forced to pull away from a character, or find myself skimming one protagonist in favour of another. This simply doesn’t happen to me in a Tchaikovsky novel.
As for the story – as this is the third book in a tightly written series. I am not in a position to write much about the action, except to say that throughout this series, I kept waiting for the impetus and narrative to drop away slightly, as so often happens in epic fantasy stories – and it simply didn’t happen. This excellent series deserves to be far more widely read and is highly recommended for fans of gripping epic fantasy tales.
10/10
May 16, 2021
Satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. I liked it, but did feel it was a little slow going until we reached the final battle. After reading other reviews, think I would have enjoyed the books more, had I read the "Shadow of the Apt" series before starting this, as I was lost at times, especially about the plague people.
July 13, 2024
Amazing!
I remember how skeptical I was to start this trilogy when my book club friends recommended it to me. I am thankful for all the convincing because this was a 5 star-worthy read! All 3 books were phenomenal! It’s not your usual fantasy-read, but it is so good! A fantasy world depicting the clashes / hierarchy of the animal kingdom was such a fascinating concept. The writing, the storytelling, the characters, just how everything came together so seamlessly was nothing short of amazing. Nothing felt forced. I am so impressed. The ending was satisfying as well. Such an underrated series!!!
Thanks Tchaikovsky. Apparently, Tchaikovsky studied zoology, it makes perfect sense.
Also, shoutout to some of my favourite characters — Maniye, Hesprec, Loud Thunder, Shyri, Kailovela, Asman, & Venat. I’ll fondly remember you.
Quotes
“When she had done, the somewhat bruised Asman had looked down at her and said, ‘On the River we just say we’re glad to see our friends.”
“Shyri,’ Maniye acknowledged.
‘Such a wayward child,’ the Hyena acknowledged. ‘But mine, still, even when she does foolish things like make friends with foreigners and shed her blood for them. For the blood she has shed, for the hurts she has endured, for the joy you have given her, I let you pass, little wolf-cat. I give you safe passage to the end of the world. Much happiness may you have of it.’”
“Maniye Many Tracks,’ Hesprec said. ‘Maniye Many Souls. Who’d have thought the angry girl I met in the pits of the Winter Runners would save the world? I think I did very well, saving you back then.”
‘I remember it was me saving you,’ Maniye told her. ”
“Hyena takes,’ Shyri got out, around a mouthful.
‘But you are welcome, nonetheless. You saved us in many ways the stories won’t bother to recall, but I do. And I have a long memory.’
‘Hyena tells his own stories, too,’ Shyri said. ‘And you can bet I’ll be in those.”
I remember how skeptical I was to start this trilogy when my book club friends recommended it to me. I am thankful for all the convincing because this was a 5 star-worthy read! All 3 books were phenomenal! It’s not your usual fantasy-read, but it is so good! A fantasy world depicting the clashes / hierarchy of the animal kingdom was such a fascinating concept. The writing, the storytelling, the characters, just how everything came together so seamlessly was nothing short of amazing. Nothing felt forced. I am so impressed. The ending was satisfying as well. Such an underrated series!!!
Thanks Tchaikovsky. Apparently, Tchaikovsky studied zoology, it makes perfect sense.
Also, shoutout to some of my favourite characters — Maniye, Hesprec, Loud Thunder, Shyri, Kailovela, Asman, & Venat. I’ll fondly remember you.
Quotes
“When she had done, the somewhat bruised Asman had looked down at her and said, ‘On the River we just say we’re glad to see our friends.”
“Shyri,’ Maniye acknowledged.
‘Such a wayward child,’ the Hyena acknowledged. ‘But mine, still, even when she does foolish things like make friends with foreigners and shed her blood for them. For the blood she has shed, for the hurts she has endured, for the joy you have given her, I let you pass, little wolf-cat. I give you safe passage to the end of the world. Much happiness may you have of it.’”
“Maniye Many Tracks,’ Hesprec said. ‘Maniye Many Souls. Who’d have thought the angry girl I met in the pits of the Winter Runners would save the world? I think I did very well, saving you back then.”
‘I remember it was me saving you,’ Maniye told her. ”
“Hyena takes,’ Shyri got out, around a mouthful.
‘But you are welcome, nonetheless. You saved us in many ways the stories won’t bother to recall, but I do. And I have a long memory.’
‘Hyena tells his own stories, too,’ Shyri said. ‘And you can bet I’ll be in those.”
April 15, 2018
Trilogija Echoes of the Fall okončala se odličnim romanom The Hyena and the Hawk. Čajkovski je vanredno napredovao kao pisac i predstavio čitaocima svakako jedan od najboljih žanrovskih romana ove godine, a u domenu fantazije podičiće se s dva romana u ovogodišnjih top 10. Iako je ovo neposredan nastavak na njegovo desetoknjižje Shadows of Apt, trilogija se čita sasvim nezavisno i čak može da posluži kao uvod u njegov prethodni serijal. Nakon blagog pada u drugom delu, trojka se vrlo efektno poigrava motivima sukoba civilizacija, religija, pa čak i prirodom muškog prijateljstva, seksualnosti i muževnosti. A i još ponečim pride. Preporuke.
August 19, 2021
A marginal improvement on the previous one. The whole sections with Maninye, Hesprec, Galatea and the final few chapters with the Plague People are quite interesting. Really this is where the story should have started not with the totally boring River People, Bear People or Hawks. I couldn't care less about any of them.
And yes, I appreciate the underlying themes behind the clash of cultures, but it doesn't make them any less tedious and unpleasant.
And yes, I appreciate the underlying themes behind the clash of cultures, but it doesn't make them any less tedious and unpleasant.
September 14, 2018
OMG, I love this series. Now I'm wondering if it is somehow part of his larger body of work, Shadows of the Apt. If anyone knows, please let me know.
August 8, 2021
What a end, somehow I expected that end but stil a dramatic and a well told story.
July 16, 2023
Actual Rating: 3.25
August 15, 2018
The Hyena and the Hawk cracks on straight on after the previous book with Maniye and Hesprec and the rest trying to find a way to defeat the Plague people while at the same time the situation with them becomes more and more desperate! :D Meanwhile Loud Thunder and his army of the North combined with the River Lands warriors continues to confront the enemy forces! :D The situation as the book progresses goes increasingly from holding to desperate but this gives the characters the opportunity to do their thing! :D
The POV changes regularly throughout but it does it in a smooth way that works brilliantly really giving the reader the perspective on events and keeping the bigger picture in mind throughout! :D This means that you really get a feel for things both on the battlefield and with Maniye and Hesprec as they attempt a somewhat unconventional approach to solve their issues! :D Asmander and Tecumet get to do their part! :D The wars cost is all up on the page making it very personal for them and the other characters, at the same time Loud Thunder is still the Warleader in spite of not wanting the job and having Kailovela nearby which makes for a great dynamic as he is clearly for a quite life with her if given a choice! :D Kailovela herself is more developed in this books as well and we get to see more from her perspective as well as the conflicts that she feels! :D Her actions compared to Yellow Claws give us a much better insight into her as well and this really fleshes her character out! :D Maniye and Hesprec themselves get the screentime as well and their solution is certainly unique! :D
The world building is also all on show with this book with characters advancing into the plains and meeting new types of people! :D At the same time Maniye adventures in the different realms are also creatively done with her encounter with Hyena being particularly cutting and clever! :D This of course neatly dovetails with what Coyote is clearly up to through certain characters like Two-Heads and Quite When Loud who always seem to be in the thick of trouble along with Loud Thunder! :D
The Hyena and the Hawk is not afraid to inflict George R R Martin syndrome on characters that we have to got to know and does not spare the whip! :D The characters go through all sorts that you would really not anticipate! :D At the centre of all this though they still retain their humanity despite what is done to them by the APT *cough Plague People! :D This humanity is at the core of the book as for the obvious the people of the land regard the invaders and being missing a certain something that makes them human! :D But on the other side the ruthless nature of the Plague People and how they advance mowing down anything in their way contrasts in a spectacular way with the way the locals regard the people around them! :D The book most certainly has colonial overtones Tchaikovsky plays them to the hilt but this really brings the contrasts home and in a way the parallels events we have seen! :D
As to the Plague People themselves they do come across as as being the Apt from other books but this is dropped in subtly for the most part though as you read along the black and gold of the Plague People's Troopers and their ability to fly really come across as Wasp! :D At the same time the invasion force of Plague People are clearly a polyglot of APT races! :D This of course sets thing up neatly for further crossover as we see with an almost incidental exchange of emissaries! :D At the same time it is hard to tell what period these Plague People are from as there tech base would seem to be slightly different from those we have seen before! :D The Hyena and the Hawk does a great job of setting up more mysteries and plot line and does in a way that will have you debating away! :D
The Hyena and the Hawk is full of action and character driven throughout! :D The Hyena and the Hawk does a great job of conducting the war that kicked off in the last one and brings it to a great point but at the same time leaving things certainly open for future books and plotlines! :D These are dropped in a clever way that has you guessing and add elements of mystery to the books as well in addition to the other cryptic clues that are dotted about as well! :D The Hyena and the Hawk succeeds on all levels delivering pulse pounding world build and action with ever page! :D Brilliant and highly recommended! :D Crisp High Five! :D Go and get! :D
The POV changes regularly throughout but it does it in a smooth way that works brilliantly really giving the reader the perspective on events and keeping the bigger picture in mind throughout! :D This means that you really get a feel for things both on the battlefield and with Maniye and Hesprec as they attempt a somewhat unconventional approach to solve their issues! :D Asmander and Tecumet get to do their part! :D The wars cost is all up on the page making it very personal for them and the other characters, at the same time Loud Thunder is still the Warleader in spite of not wanting the job and having Kailovela nearby which makes for a great dynamic as he is clearly for a quite life with her if given a choice! :D Kailovela herself is more developed in this books as well and we get to see more from her perspective as well as the conflicts that she feels! :D Her actions compared to Yellow Claws give us a much better insight into her as well and this really fleshes her character out! :D Maniye and Hesprec themselves get the screentime as well and their solution is certainly unique! :D
The world building is also all on show with this book with characters advancing into the plains and meeting new types of people! :D At the same time Maniye adventures in the different realms are also creatively done with her encounter with Hyena being particularly cutting and clever! :D This of course neatly dovetails with what Coyote is clearly up to through certain characters like Two-Heads and Quite When Loud who always seem to be in the thick of trouble along with Loud Thunder! :D
The Hyena and the Hawk is not afraid to inflict George R R Martin syndrome on characters that we have to got to know and does not spare the whip! :D The characters go through all sorts that you would really not anticipate! :D At the centre of all this though they still retain their humanity despite what is done to them by the APT *cough Plague People! :D This humanity is at the core of the book as for the obvious the people of the land regard the invaders and being missing a certain something that makes them human! :D But on the other side the ruthless nature of the Plague People and how they advance mowing down anything in their way contrasts in a spectacular way with the way the locals regard the people around them! :D The book most certainly has colonial overtones Tchaikovsky plays them to the hilt but this really brings the contrasts home and in a way the parallels events we have seen! :D
As to the Plague People themselves they do come across as as being the Apt from other books but this is dropped in subtly for the most part though as you read along the black and gold of the Plague People's Troopers and their ability to fly really come across as Wasp! :D At the same time the invasion force of Plague People are clearly a polyglot of APT races! :D This of course sets thing up neatly for further crossover as we see with an almost incidental exchange of emissaries! :D At the same time it is hard to tell what period these Plague People are from as there tech base would seem to be slightly different from those we have seen before! :D The Hyena and the Hawk does a great job of setting up more mysteries and plot line and does in a way that will have you debating away! :D
The Hyena and the Hawk is full of action and character driven throughout! :D The Hyena and the Hawk does a great job of conducting the war that kicked off in the last one and brings it to a great point but at the same time leaving things certainly open for future books and plotlines! :D These are dropped in a clever way that has you guessing and add elements of mystery to the books as well in addition to the other cryptic clues that are dotted about as well! :D The Hyena and the Hawk succeeds on all levels delivering pulse pounding world build and action with ever page! :D Brilliant and highly recommended! :D Crisp High Five! :D Go and get! :D
December 20, 2021
What this book and trilogy does well is giving the reader a view to the emotions and dynamics of fractious indigenous tribes uniting against a technologically superior common foe who doesn't know, care or appreciate the intricate societies, beliefs and way of life they are destroying.
While the concept seems like it would be a worthy read, this book fell short of the promise set up in the previous two books. The worst is the lack of depth in characters - none of them grew from who they were in the previous books and the screen time given to their relationships with each other generally felt pointless and more of a box ticking exercise than anything else. In the previous two books it felt less important because there was so much action, but it really is noticeable in this book. When certain characters died, I didn't feel sadness the way I did in The Tiger and the Wolf - probably also because the characters in the book didn't seem to feel sadness at their deaths. There was limited dramatic plot tension and it was unsatisfying to have some ideas set up in the previous novels not followed through. Ultimately, it was also disappointing that Tchaikovsky relied on reusing certain plot devices to solve seemingly insurmountable problems.
I would only recommend this book to those who really want to see how the trilogy ends.
While the concept seems like it would be a worthy read, this book fell short of the promise set up in the previous two books. The worst is the lack of depth in characters - none of them grew from who they were in the previous books and the screen time given to their relationships with each other generally felt pointless and more of a box ticking exercise than anything else. In the previous two books it felt less important because there was so much action, but it really is noticeable in this book. When certain characters died, I didn't feel sadness the way I did in The Tiger and the Wolf - probably also because the characters in the book didn't seem to feel sadness at their deaths. There was limited dramatic plot tension and it was unsatisfying to have some ideas set up in the previous novels not followed through. Ultimately, it was also disappointing that Tchaikovsky relied on reusing certain plot devices to solve seemingly insurmountable problems.
I would only recommend this book to those who really want to see how the trilogy ends.
June 4, 2019
Its been a long time since I devoured a book so fast. The characters were engaging and likeable, the world original, rich and fascinating. I especially appreciated that the main character, Many Tracks, wasn't your typical teen fantasy type with 10 love interests and a chip on her shoulder the size of a continent. I will be reading more of Tchaikovsky's books in hopes that more of his work is like this.
March 10, 2022
For a book named Hyena and Hawk, this one offered me too little Hyena and way too much Hawk... Also, it's the end of this saga, and I still have trouble getting in touch with these plague people, I couldn't really picture them in my mind. Sadly, that took away a lot of the enjoyment for me. The story itself unfolds in a sensible way, the things that happen are solid. I'm just sad about not getting enough Laughing Girl. Also, I feel a bit cheated for her sake... oh well.
December 11, 2025
Goeie conclusie van de trilogie, en meer nog, ik zag het niet van mijlenver aankomen. Of toch alleszins niet echt, niet zo. De namen van de personages ga ik waarschijnlijk snel vergeten, maar hun karakters niet. De wolf/tijger/kampioen die van de veelheid in zichzelf een eenheid maakt, angst voelt maar ze met hulp leert overwinnen. De hyena die zoveel serieuzer en zorgzamer is dan haar spottende lach doet vermoeden. De kraai die fantasie verkiest boven werkelijkheid. De beer die geen strijd wil en daardoor de best mogelijke warbringer is. De coyotes die de spanning breken. De draak die stiekem liefde voelt. De krokodil met eer en loyaliteit en idealen en moed en kracht en zoveel meer. De havik die haar eigen aantrekkingskracht verwenst en wil leren wat vrijheid betekent. De priester van de wolf die -gelukkig- helemaal niet meer dezelfde is als in het eerste deel. Het lege kind met afgevlakte emoties, dat fascinatie voelt in plaats van afschuw. Nog zoveel anderen. En de slang, bij elke kronkeling van het verhaal, altijd weer de slang <3
July 31, 2020
This had all the good aspects of a final book, as it brought together the main characters and upped the scale of the action. Even characters from the first book that I thought wouldn’t appear again (shout-out to Alladai <3 ) turned up, giving it a neatly tied together ends to the relationships between characters. It also benefited from a quite open ending - the future of the plague people and our heroes left to our imagination.
As for the ending, i thought it showed that in order to make peace with each other, they must first see each other as humans, rather than soulless monsters or mindless animals. I thought it was a metaphor for colonialism or religious conflict for a while, and you could draw links to that, but ultimately it’s high fantasy and those ideas fell apart in the last few chapters of the book... what can I say bug people are cool ... 🐛
My favourite part of this book was definitely the unexpected friendship/ tolerance that developed between Kamaleshi and Hesprec tho
As for the ending, i thought it showed that in order to make peace with each other, they must first see each other as humans, rather than soulless monsters or mindless animals. I thought it was a metaphor for colonialism or religious conflict for a while, and you could draw links to that, but ultimately it’s high fantasy and those ideas fell apart in the last few chapters of the book... what can I say bug people are cool ... 🐛
My favourite part of this book was definitely the unexpected friendship/ tolerance that developed between Kamaleshi and Hesprec tho
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2021
This book was s l o w paced, and you could feel the impending doom build and build and build. I didn't overly enjoy the first quarter, but after around the half-way mark, things began to pick up and I really enjoyed the ending, which wrapped everything up nicely.
Certainly, an interesting fantasy series that finished strong. I'm looking forward to checking out Tchaikovsky's other works after this.
Certainly, an interesting fantasy series that finished strong. I'm looking forward to checking out Tchaikovsky's other works after this.
September 27, 2022
Overall kind of disappointed with the series. Found it pretty flat. Enjoyed the characters but no one had the depth or character building that Broken Axe had. After him it was just ppl ok a story. I just didn't really care about any of them individually, and if they had died during the story (which none really did) i wouldn't have cared much as I never felt connected to any (also I'm sure some actually did die in battle and I don't remember since I didn't care).
It was an easy summer read, not much to consider or think about. Would've been nice if the tribes ppl had a semblance of curiosity about the plague ppl
No one took prisoners (besides the one), no one investigating their bang bang sticks, no one looked at their bodies that they killed... Just a faceless "enemy" to rally against.
And the ending was pretty blah also, all the "work" done in a mystical realm where anything goes and anything is justified.
It was an easy summer read, not much to consider or think about. Would've been nice if the tribes ppl had a semblance of curiosity about the plague ppl
No one took prisoners (besides the one), no one investigating their bang bang sticks, no one looked at their bodies that they killed... Just a faceless "enemy" to rally against.
And the ending was pretty blah also, all the "work" done in a mystical realm where anything goes and anything is justified.
March 16, 2023
For a minute, I felt like Tchaikovsky was becoming my favorite author but after a string of good-but-not-great books, I'm not so sure.
This series is definitely good. I really liked most of the characters and the world and story were fun. I do think the first book is probably the best in the series. I liked the small-scale focus it had. As the books broadened and the story began to encompass all of the world, it seemed to lose a bit of its magic.
Maybe I've been expecting to be blown away by his books instead of just enjoying them for what they are but after lackluster experiences reading Children of Memory, City of Last Chances, and now this concluding book, I'm definitely a bit down on Tchaikovsky for the time being.
This series is definitely good. I really liked most of the characters and the world and story were fun. I do think the first book is probably the best in the series. I liked the small-scale focus it had. As the books broadened and the story began to encompass all of the world, it seemed to lose a bit of its magic.
Maybe I've been expecting to be blown away by his books instead of just enjoying them for what they are but after lackluster experiences reading Children of Memory, City of Last Chances, and now this concluding book, I'm definitely a bit down on Tchaikovsky for the time being.
July 31, 2022
4.5. I had to sit on the ending a bit. I loved the way the main plot closed out and am very satisfied with the story (and all the additions to the lore), but I had mixed feelings about where the characters all ended up. Some unfinished business and unsaid things, and many sad endings (that could be a hunter name, Many Sad Endings).
The denouement was short, but I think the better for it. Leaves plenty of room for our imaginations or future stories.
I wish we'd seen Joalpey again. Maybe that's for my imagination
The denouement was short, but I think the better for it. Leaves plenty of room for our imaginations or future stories.
I wish we'd seen Joalpey again. Maybe that's for my imagination
May 25, 2024
Actual rating: 4.5 / 5
A stunning conclusion to the Echoes of the Fall trilogy.
Hyena and the Hawk was filled with heartache and brutal battles, but with it came a slow understanding of people; enemies became allies and friends became family.
I have loved following the characters of this trilogy, absorbing myself in their cultural magic and investing myself in various character developments.
At times I have been overwhelmed with the abundance of characters to follow, but on the whole this was an incredibly satisfying series of books.
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
A stunning conclusion to the Echoes of the Fall trilogy.
Hyena and the Hawk was filled with heartache and brutal battles, but with it came a slow understanding of people; enemies became allies and friends became family.
I have loved following the characters of this trilogy, absorbing myself in their cultural magic and investing myself in various character developments.
At times I have been overwhelmed with the abundance of characters to follow, but on the whole this was an incredibly satisfying series of books.
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
July 20, 2025
Quina fatiga. La trilogia havia començat bé, però arribats a aquest punt ja es queda sense gas: repetim les seqüències de segrest → persecució → lluita fins a dir prou. La trama ha avançat a pas de tortuga i la immensa majoria de combats eren simplement melees que acabaven en massacres. No se li pot demanar gaire, estant ambientada a l’edat de bronze, però tot i així és del més fluix que he llegit de Tchaikovsky. Se salva el final potser (pero no per merit propi, si no per com afecta a l'anterior saga).
September 20, 2023
This was not quite the explosive trilogy finale that the second book promised. It took a long time to reach the conclusion and there was no obvious reason why that couldn’t have happened sooner. I enjoyed the world building even if the politics sometimes grew tiresome, and there was an original reveal towards the end I didn’t see coming. I still prefer the author’s science fiction books.
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