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The Hawk Queen #2
The Hawk Eternal
While the warlike and merciless Aenir wreak havoc upon the territory outside the mountain stronghold of the clans, Sigarni, the Hawk Queen, arrives in a parallel version of her own universe through a gate in space and time. Taliesen, last of the gatekeepers, has no idea why she has come. But he knows that heroes are needed and grants her passage into the ravaged land.
Only Caswallon–loner, warrior, and thief–realizes the true extent of the danger and the mayhem that his people will come to face. As Taliesen tries to discover Sigarni’s purpose, Caswallon must attempt to unite the clans to overcome their greatest peril.
Only Caswallon–loner, warrior, and thief–realizes the true extent of the danger and the mayhem that his people will come to face. As Taliesen tries to discover Sigarni’s purpose, Caswallon must attempt to unite the clans to overcome their greatest peril.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
52 people are currently reading
1071 people want to read
About the author
David Gemmell
200 books3,825 followersDavid Andrew Gemmell was a bestselling British author of heroic fantasy. A former journalist and newspaper editor, Gemmell had his first work of fiction published in 1984. He went on to write over thirty novels. Best known for his debut, Legend, Gemmell's works display violence, yet also explores themes in honour, loyalty and redemption. With over one million copies sold, his work continues to sell worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 10, 2017
*** 3 ***
A buddy read with the Fantasy Buddy Reads Group.
I had a lot of high expectations for this novel and I have to say, I was let down.... No, nothing is really wrong with the righting or the story, but it just felt like the author had enough material and ideas for a novella or a short story and stretched it out forcefully into a full length novel. As a novel on its own it would have made much more sense than as a novel which followed the Hawk Queen. The time-travel and other dimensions elements could have been so much better clarified than they were, and there ware some continuity issues because of that, although I appreciated the idea.
As always, the writing was very solid and the characters had enough personality and charm to make you root for them, but I did not see the need for them to overlap with some of the ones from the previous book and the tenuous connection they created with the books predecessor was not strong enough to justify this as a book Two, rather than a story of its own. I would even go as far as to say that the references to the them was what made the books suffer, because it brought with it certain expectations, which the author did not meet completely.
I did enjoy this book, but I could have loved it, and that just did not happened this time. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to reading other books by this author:):):)
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!!!
A buddy read with the Fantasy Buddy Reads Group.
I had a lot of high expectations for this novel and I have to say, I was let down.... No, nothing is really wrong with the righting or the story, but it just felt like the author had enough material and ideas for a novella or a short story and stretched it out forcefully into a full length novel. As a novel on its own it would have made much more sense than as a novel which followed the Hawk Queen. The time-travel and other dimensions elements could have been so much better clarified than they were, and there ware some continuity issues because of that, although I appreciated the idea.
As always, the writing was very solid and the characters had enough personality and charm to make you root for them, but I did not see the need for them to overlap with some of the ones from the previous book and the tenuous connection they created with the books predecessor was not strong enough to justify this as a book Two, rather than a story of its own. I would even go as far as to say that the references to the them was what made the books suffer, because it brought with it certain expectations, which the author did not meet completely.
I did enjoy this book, but I could have loved it, and that just did not happened this time. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to reading other books by this author:):):)
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!!!
November 11, 2017
So. You kind of enjoyed the Irondhand’s Daughter and now you wonder whether you should continue with the series.
The short answer is: No, don't read it. This should have been a footnote to the Ironhand's Daughter not a novel on its own.
The long answer is: This book is not worthy of your precious time for several reasons:
1. In Silmarillion the whole story of the Rings of Power and the Third Age is compacted into 20 pages. Tolkien’s incomparable genius turned only a portion of these into a trilogy (and many of us wish this was a series at least as long as the Wheel of Time). Mr Gemmell tries to do something very similar: He stretches something that should have been an appendix in the previous book into a separate novel. And fails. It’s like a butter spread so thinly, there is no taste of butter left.
2. There is not enough substance for a sequel/companion novel. Perhaps an addendum, a short novella, but not a separate book. There are unnecessary scenes and sequences that last forever, buildup of redundant detail, backstories of Caswallon, Caswallon’s wife, and father-in-law, and Caswallon crofter and Caswallon’s dog (well, he doesn’t have a dog, so we were spared, but we did get the backstory of Caswallon adopted son’s dog, yes, we did!). On the other hand, the really important issues like time travel and multiple universes, or the Hawk Eternal itself, were just mentioned in passing as if Mr Gemmell couldn’t provide any details because he himself was unsure what are those.
3. This is because the story itself was not good enough. I am writing this in case you decided that you want to read the book just for fun because of the fantastic world building and the character s and the plot. You will not get either of those, except for the highland clan atmosphere. If you were eager to spend more time with the protagonists we were introduced to in Irondhand’s Daughter, forget it. You will get a glimpse of Obrin and learn few things about Taliesen. Sigarni’s story is not propelled forward, it is propelled sideways, so to speak and in the most infuriating manner (we are speaking mainly about two last chapters). This is because as the author plays with the idea of time paradoxes and gateways, the world he built previously alters, and then again, and in the end you are just left there with a crude wrap up and a lousy happy ending.
Don’t repeat my mistake. The Hawk Eternal is a waste of pages not worthy of your time. If you want some quality Gemmell, read Legend instead.
The short answer is: No, don't read it. This should have been a footnote to the Ironhand's Daughter not a novel on its own.
The long answer is: This book is not worthy of your precious time for several reasons:
1. In Silmarillion the whole story of the Rings of Power and the Third Age is compacted into 20 pages. Tolkien’s incomparable genius turned only a portion of these into a trilogy (and many of us wish this was a series at least as long as the Wheel of Time). Mr Gemmell tries to do something very similar: He stretches something that should have been an appendix in the previous book into a separate novel. And fails. It’s like a butter spread so thinly, there is no taste of butter left.
2. There is not enough substance for a sequel/companion novel. Perhaps an addendum, a short novella, but not a separate book. There are unnecessary scenes and sequences that last forever, buildup of redundant detail, backstories of Caswallon, Caswallon’s wife, and father-in-law, and Caswallon crofter and Caswallon’s dog (well, he doesn’t have a dog, so we were spared, but we did get the backstory of Caswallon adopted son’s dog, yes, we did!). On the other hand, the really important issues like time travel and multiple universes, or the Hawk Eternal itself, were just mentioned in passing as if Mr Gemmell couldn’t provide any details because he himself was unsure what are those.
3. This is because the story itself was not good enough. I am writing this in case you decided that you want to read the book just for fun because of the fantastic world building and the character s and the plot. You will not get either of those, except for the highland clan atmosphere. If you were eager to spend more time with the protagonists we were introduced to in Irondhand’s Daughter, forget it. You will get a glimpse of Obrin and learn few things about Taliesen. Sigarni’s story is not propelled forward, it is propelled sideways, so to speak and in the most infuriating manner (we are speaking mainly about two last chapters). This is because as the author plays with the idea of time paradoxes and gateways, the world he built previously alters, and then again, and in the end you are just left there with a crude wrap up and a lousy happy ending.
Don’t repeat my mistake. The Hawk Eternal is a waste of pages not worthy of your time. If you want some quality Gemmell, read Legend instead.
November 13, 2017
This one was a disappointment.
If you're expecting a sequel to Ironhand's Daughter you're not gonna get it here.
This feels like a separate novel (an overstretched novella to be more precise). It could have been finished in just a few chapters and isn't really worth the time. We get too less of Sigarni and nothing of other characters that made the first book a great read.
Not a real waste of time but one you can do without.
If you're expecting a sequel to Ironhand's Daughter you're not gonna get it here.
This feels like a separate novel (an overstretched novella to be more precise). It could have been finished in just a few chapters and isn't really worth the time. We get too less of Sigarni and nothing of other characters that made the first book a great read.
Not a real waste of time but one you can do without.
April 30, 2022
هرچقدر جلد یک نابود و داغون بود این یکی پر از لذت و قشنگی بود
به گمونم باید جلد یکشو دو بدم
به گمونم باید جلد یکشو دو بدم
April 10, 2018
7/10
In the second book of the Hawk Queen series with the heroine Sigarni, Gemmell travels us this time into a parallel world where a great war is about to break out.
Even though this book is a "sequel" to the heroine Sigarni she has, actually, a very small role because the story here focuses mostly on two unexpected heroes, on Caswallon, a former clan thief, and on a young boy Gaelen, where fate has unite them and together they will have to face the barbaric race Aenir as the only thing they want is to conquer their lands.
In the meantime, Taliesen will have to find a way in time and space to try and save Sigarni from her ultimate fate.
The good thing about this book is that Gemmell, actually, handles much better the development of the story and of the characters but with all that I can't say that I liked it as much as the previous one.
And that is because sometimes I kept loosing my interest in the characters and especially in the middle of the book as Gemmell spends too much time with the Games and, perhaps, it could have been better if it was lesser that part.
But in the last 100 pages things start to improve and with the story getting more interesting as Gemmell plays a lot with the parallel worlds and Time itself, and with the future and the past, which by the way I believe that this is the best part of the book (that and the scene with the Beast).
Of course the greatest disadvantage of the book is that the main protagonist is missing too much from the story, in my opinion, and I believe that I would have liked much more if Gemmell had put her a little more, but on the other hand he has, surprisingly, made a good enough finale as he has combined the beginning of the story with the end and with the first book.
Overall though, I can’t say it's a bad book, or that I was completely disappointed, just don’t expect anything spectacular.
Ελληνική κριτική:
In the second book of the Hawk Queen series with the heroine Sigarni, Gemmell travels us this time into a parallel world where a great war is about to break out.
Even though this book is a "sequel" to the heroine Sigarni she has, actually, a very small role because the story here focuses mostly on two unexpected heroes, on Caswallon, a former clan thief, and on a young boy Gaelen, where fate has unite them and together they will have to face the barbaric race Aenir as the only thing they want is to conquer their lands.
In the meantime, Taliesen will have to find a way in time and space to try and save Sigarni from her ultimate fate.
The good thing about this book is that Gemmell, actually, handles much better the development of the story and of the characters but with all that I can't say that I liked it as much as the previous one.
And that is because sometimes I kept loosing my interest in the characters and especially in the middle of the book as Gemmell spends too much time with the Games and, perhaps, it could have been better if it was lesser that part.
But in the last 100 pages things start to improve and with the story getting more interesting as Gemmell plays a lot with the parallel worlds and Time itself, and with the future and the past, which by the way I believe that this is the best part of the book (that and the scene with the Beast).
Of course the greatest disadvantage of the book is that the main protagonist is missing too much from the story, in my opinion, and I believe that I would have liked much more if Gemmell had put her a little more, but on the other hand he has, surprisingly, made a good enough finale as he has combined the beginning of the story with the end and with the first book.
Overall though, I can’t say it's a bad book, or that I was completely disappointed, just don’t expect anything spectacular.
Ελληνική κριτική:
May 20, 2009
Since this was a sequel, foolishly, I expected it to be about the characters in Ironhand's Daughter. Ha! It was about a character mentioned in passing. This could have been interesting.
This is certainly an interesting idea, but I felt like there were two books inbetween that I didn't read.
David has a great story in his head, but it didn't fully realized itself on the written page.
This is certainly an interesting idea, but I felt like there were two books inbetween that I didn't read.
David has a great story in his head, but it didn't fully realized itself on the written page.
April 9, 2011
I have adored David Gemmell from a young teenager when his magical & complex worlds helped me escape from an unhappy childhood. His heroic characters are always so incredibly well written - flawed human & incredibly courageous. I guess in a way they made me feel strong and brave enough to overcome anything too. The Hawk Queen especially, which is why this is a favorite.
September 20, 2007
Sequel to Ironhand's Daughter although stands on its own as a complete novel. So pleased he wrote a sequel as loved the first one. Gemmell is one of the best living heroic fantasy writers out of Britain.
October 27, 2019
More like 2,5.
Some good moments and development, but extremely rushed conclusion, main character and driving force of the first book completely sidetracked (and that's being generous), antagonists that kill, plunder, rape and wage war just because, group of teenagers turning into the strongest/wisest group the clan has/will have in their whole history...
But it did have some good development, specially how Caswallon teaches Gaelen, those little tidbits of information and knowledge, specially about survival and life, and that I didn't know always get points with me. Some curious things with the time travel that you can backtrack on the previous book. The godlike powers of the druids felt amazing.
But while they are not bad characters in any way, there's no way Caswallon and Galen stand up to Sigarni, Obrin, Ballistar, Asmidir and Ironhand, and we never hear (except for tidbits) from them again or what happened.
Some good moments and development, but extremely rushed conclusion, main character and driving force of the first book completely sidetracked (and that's being generous), antagonists that kill, plunder, rape and wage war just because, group of teenagers turning into the strongest/wisest group the clan has/will have in their whole history...
But it did have some good development, specially how Caswallon teaches Gaelen, those little tidbits of information and knowledge, specially about survival and life, and that I didn't know always get points with me. Some curious things with the time travel that you can backtrack on the previous book. The godlike powers of the druids felt amazing.
But while they are not bad characters in any way, there's no way Caswallon and Galen stand up to Sigarni, Obrin, Ballistar, Asmidir and Ironhand, and we never hear (except for tidbits) from them again or what happened.
February 5, 2024
Bello! 4 stelle piene
ANCORA (E SEMPRE) SULLE ASPETTATIVE:
essendo il seguito deLa regina guerriera l'ho odiato per la prima metà.
Poi ho accettato che non è il seguito di un bel nulla e l'ho adorato.
TRAMA E SPOILER
Taliesin se ne va in giro tra livelli temporali da ottocento anni incasinando e/o aggiustando e alla sua morte Redhawk lo sostituisce.
In tutto questo Sigarni appare in piccoli camei, sufficienti a cambiare la vita del figlio adottivo di Caswallon: Gaelen (di tutti in realtà)
ANCORA (E SEMPRE) SULLE ASPETTATIVE:
essendo il seguito deLa regina guerriera l'ho odiato per la prima metà.
Poi ho accettato che non è il seguito di un bel nulla e l'ho adorato.
TRAMA E SPOILER
Taliesin se ne va in giro tra livelli temporali da ottocento anni incasinando e/o aggiustando e alla sua morte Redhawk lo sostituisce.
In tutto questo Sigarni appare in piccoli camei, sufficienti a cambiare la vita del figlio adottivo di Caswallon: Gaelen (di tutti in realtà)
December 23, 2009
Instead of offering a straight sequel to Ironhand’s Daughter, Gemmell delivers a bizarre semi-sequel set mostly in an alternate universe, utilising the same idea of Gateways between realities as in Dark Prince. It pays off, for this time Gemmell gets to introduce some new, enthralling heroes, and Signari’s presence is kept to a minimum. That’s great, because her story was already told in the first book.
For the new heroes, Caswallon is the introspective loner, Gaelen the scarred and powerful young boy with a huge destiny before him. Gemmell paints his characters in broad strokes and there are some brilliant supporting roles in the likes of strongman Lennox, Gaelen’s rival Aswaigne and many others.
This novel is episodic but totally readable, one of those books I couldn’t put down, eventually finishing after about a week. Clan life in the hills is beautifully portrayed and the woodland scenery is particularly well described, Gemmell making the reader feel like he or she is part of the events that transpire. Of course, there are some fantastic action sequences, including the life-or-death struggle of the Games, the many skirmishes, and the climatic battle which is tremendous.
Once again there are some supernatural foes to be faced, including werehounds and demons, and these are skilfully tied in with elements from the first in the series. Gemmell even has Jesus Christ as a supporting character, and it pays off admirably! Only Gemmell could be so bold.
Somehow this book seems even bloodier than usual for the author, whether it be in the blooddrenched fight scenes or in the unpleasant deaths for the enemies of the Aenier – something called the ‘blood eagle’, which is a mixture of crucifixion and having one’s ribcage pulled apart, so that the ribs stick out like broken wings.
Unforgettable imagery, enthralling action and great heroes – Gemmell delivers all three in spades, and the result is a superb read.
For the new heroes, Caswallon is the introspective loner, Gaelen the scarred and powerful young boy with a huge destiny before him. Gemmell paints his characters in broad strokes and there are some brilliant supporting roles in the likes of strongman Lennox, Gaelen’s rival Aswaigne and many others.
This novel is episodic but totally readable, one of those books I couldn’t put down, eventually finishing after about a week. Clan life in the hills is beautifully portrayed and the woodland scenery is particularly well described, Gemmell making the reader feel like he or she is part of the events that transpire. Of course, there are some fantastic action sequences, including the life-or-death struggle of the Games, the many skirmishes, and the climatic battle which is tremendous.
Once again there are some supernatural foes to be faced, including werehounds and demons, and these are skilfully tied in with elements from the first in the series. Gemmell even has Jesus Christ as a supporting character, and it pays off admirably! Only Gemmell could be so bold.
Somehow this book seems even bloodier than usual for the author, whether it be in the blooddrenched fight scenes or in the unpleasant deaths for the enemies of the Aenier – something called the ‘blood eagle’, which is a mixture of crucifixion and having one’s ribcage pulled apart, so that the ribs stick out like broken wings.
Unforgettable imagery, enthralling action and great heroes – Gemmell delivers all three in spades, and the result is a superb read.
April 18, 2023
didn't know what it was about skimmed read but ok
September 23, 2020
So I read the omnibus and counted this as the second book... sue me!
After the disappointment of the re-read of Ironhands Daughter, this was a welcome re-read of the “sequel”.
Reading the book you’d be forgiven that you were expecting it to continue the epic tale of the Hawk Queen, Sigarni.
Nope.
Galen and Cadswallon are your lads here and they rule the roost.
It’s helpful, when wanting to specifically read a book with a female protagonist that this novel isn’t one. Once I’d got over the disappointment that my heathen memory had tricked me, I got back into the story. The Clans are in danger and the promise of a mythic Queen returning to save them from the mists of time in a mirroring of Arthurian legend epic awaits. As well as a coming of age story. As well as a little bit of time travel. And teleporting. And swords.
It still gripped my feels, pressed on all the right reflexes that my brains serotonin craved and gave me a ride I thoroughly enjoyed, but the elusive fifth star was held out of reach by the swift ending. The wrapping up. The pages seemed to end before the story did. Decades in a few pages.
Mr Gemmell sadly left us all behind some 14 years ago now, and if he had a twitter account or an authors page on goodreads I would point out to him he could have really milked this story. And he would have said it ended before he was told it went on too long.
Glad I read it again.
And I would read it again.
I just won’t wait 25 years to.
After the disappointment of the re-read of Ironhands Daughter, this was a welcome re-read of the “sequel”.
Reading the book you’d be forgiven that you were expecting it to continue the epic tale of the Hawk Queen, Sigarni.
Nope.
Galen and Cadswallon are your lads here and they rule the roost.
It’s helpful, when wanting to specifically read a book with a female protagonist that this novel isn’t one. Once I’d got over the disappointment that my heathen memory had tricked me, I got back into the story. The Clans are in danger and the promise of a mythic Queen returning to save them from the mists of time in a mirroring of Arthurian legend epic awaits. As well as a coming of age story. As well as a little bit of time travel. And teleporting. And swords.
It still gripped my feels, pressed on all the right reflexes that my brains serotonin craved and gave me a ride I thoroughly enjoyed, but the elusive fifth star was held out of reach by the swift ending. The wrapping up. The pages seemed to end before the story did. Decades in a few pages.
Mr Gemmell sadly left us all behind some 14 years ago now, and if he had a twitter account or an authors page on goodreads I would point out to him he could have really milked this story. And he would have said it ended before he was told it went on too long.
Glad I read it again.
And I would read it again.
I just won’t wait 25 years to.
April 14, 2013
(Spoilers)
As a book on it's own, an amazing and engaging experience. However, as a second book to Ironhand's Daughter, it feels a bit disjointed. Time travel books tend to be quite iffy and difficult to manage, and I think David Gemmell introduced an interesting theory and system for time travel that leaves the imagination running wild at the possibilities between the different universes. I had fun trying to piece together the chronology of Taliesen's story and how it all wove into the first book.
Some of my grips though: As the only other book in Sigarni's world, however, I do feel like too many pieces are left out. Oddly enough I found this book more rushed than Ironhand's Daughter, although both jumped over huge chunks of 'several years later...' that was done, unfortunately, rather inelegantly in my opinion. Where some may have liked the 'Jesus Christ' reference in the book, though, I felt it a rather slap in the face and marred the ending for me somewhat. Perhaps it was just my personal religious views, but somehow it felt like the entire book was just building up to that moment. Especially how the Hawk Eternal is mentioned by Taliesen almost like a revered being. The part about how his master, can't quite recall it at the moment, decided to shut down the gates also felt a little anti-climatic rather than revelatory.
As a book on it's own, an amazing and engaging experience. However, as a second book to Ironhand's Daughter, it feels a bit disjointed. Time travel books tend to be quite iffy and difficult to manage, and I think David Gemmell introduced an interesting theory and system for time travel that leaves the imagination running wild at the possibilities between the different universes. I had fun trying to piece together the chronology of Taliesen's story and how it all wove into the first book.
Some of my grips though: As the only other book in Sigarni's world, however, I do feel like too many pieces are left out. Oddly enough I found this book more rushed than Ironhand's Daughter, although both jumped over huge chunks of 'several years later...' that was done, unfortunately, rather inelegantly in my opinion. Where some may have liked the 'Jesus Christ' reference in the book, though, I felt it a rather slap in the face and marred the ending for me somewhat. Perhaps it was just my personal religious views, but somehow it felt like the entire book was just building up to that moment. Especially how the Hawk Eternal is mentioned by Taliesen almost like a revered being. The part about how his master, can't quite recall it at the moment, decided to shut down the gates also felt a little anti-climatic rather than revelatory.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2024
Entertaining sequel to Ironhand's Daughter with more timey-wimey shenanigans. Sigarni features as a very minor character in this one as it is set several generations prior to that book, using characters and settings mentioned fleetingly there.
It tells a similar story, too: the Lowlanders are replaced by ersatz Vikings who are building an empire for themselves. They are portrayed in a way that doesn't generate much sympathy for them and their backstory is dealt with far too perfunctorily to make them feel like real characters.
That's really a problem across the whole book, to be honest: the main storyline and characters are portrayed in a way that makes you are about them and become invested in them, but the time travel and alt-universe subplots - which are really important to how the story is constructed - feel rushed and incomplete and I didn't understand why such crucial elements were being dealt with so abruptly.
But the adventure story, the growth of people over the several years of this story, as well as the sense of community you get from the characters, are vintage Gemmell.
September 27, 2016
Always love David Gemmell. Riveting stories, nail-biting perils, and challenges that just don't seem to be conquerable. Sometimes they aren't, and always, his characters who do survive learn important lessons and bear the scars to prove it. This book was not one of his very best, but it was really good.
December 6, 2012
I first read this out of sync, as a stand alone tale. On a re-read I indulged in it after Iron Hands Daughter. To be honest I preferred my first read. As a tale I loved it, as a sequel it lacked cohesion with the first book.
July 16, 2008
This one was even better than Ironhand's Daughter. David Gemmell should have written more books like these, I liked these two even better than his Drenai-novels.
August 29, 2022
Third or fourth reread. Brilliant!! This man’s writing is so lean. 313 pages and says so much.
February 26, 2015
I feel like I need to read Ironhand's Daughter again just so I can make the 'times' fit better. A case where the sequel reads better than the original story.
January 4, 2018
Belonging. Identity. Being part of a group. All of Gemmell's novels revolve around the same ideas, and "The Hawk Eternal" is no exception.
Gaelen is the lone survivor of the attack on his city by the Aenir, vicious killers and butchers that enjoy war for its own sake. Caswallon, a member of the clans, decides to save him for no clear reason but his respect for the youth's desire to keep on living.
Gaelen comes to live with the clans. However, the threat of the Aenir is now on their lands. Gaelen, Caswallon and many others will have to fight to survive.
And all that follows is your typical Gemmell: small armies of rangers... I mean, clansmen, against a huge army of heartless soldiers, small vignettes that give life and sense to the characters of the novel, conversations that help the characters understand each other and themselves, and the search, the quest, to belong to a group. Gaelen is trying to fit in his new society. But Caswallon is too. And Taliesen. And even Drada, one could say. This is the same theme that is an undercurrent of all of Gemmell's books and even if he excels, he also falls on the same little pitfalls as always: the big enemy with a huge army, the half-human/half-beasts, the sometimes danger of falling on exceptionalism, and the love for nature and a romanticism of a life with it. Gemmell does again a masterpiece, but, at the same time, it seems he is still trying to perfect the same story, trying to find himself in those characters, trying to find what makes human tick and join with each other instead of against each other. His own personal quest, one would say.
If you like Gemmell, you will like "The Hawk Eternal". They are not his best characters, or plot, but they are enjoyable and interesting, and his desire to keep pushing for the 'reasons' behind humanity are laudable.
PS: Whoever decided to call this book a 'novel of the Hawk Queen' is a 'liar'. It makes absolutely no sense to have that on the cover.
7.5/10
(Original English Version)
Gaelen is the lone survivor of the attack on his city by the Aenir, vicious killers and butchers that enjoy war for its own sake. Caswallon, a member of the clans, decides to save him for no clear reason but his respect for the youth's desire to keep on living.
Gaelen comes to live with the clans. However, the threat of the Aenir is now on their lands. Gaelen, Caswallon and many others will have to fight to survive.
And all that follows is your typical Gemmell: small armies of rangers... I mean, clansmen, against a huge army of heartless soldiers, small vignettes that give life and sense to the characters of the novel, conversations that help the characters understand each other and themselves, and the search, the quest, to belong to a group. Gaelen is trying to fit in his new society. But Caswallon is too. And Taliesen. And even Drada, one could say. This is the same theme that is an undercurrent of all of Gemmell's books and even if he excels, he also falls on the same little pitfalls as always: the big enemy with a huge army, the half-human/half-beasts, the sometimes danger of falling on exceptionalism, and the love for nature and a romanticism of a life with it. Gemmell does again a masterpiece, but, at the same time, it seems he is still trying to perfect the same story, trying to find himself in those characters, trying to find what makes human tick and join with each other instead of against each other. His own personal quest, one would say.
If you like Gemmell, you will like "The Hawk Eternal". They are not his best characters, or plot, but they are enjoyable and interesting, and his desire to keep pushing for the 'reasons' behind humanity are laudable.
PS: Whoever decided to call this book a 'novel of the Hawk Queen' is a 'liar'. It makes absolutely no sense to have that on the cover.
7.5/10
(Original English Version)
August 24, 2020
It is rare that David Gemmell puts a foot wrong in his chosen genre of Historic/Heroic fiction and this is not the time. "The Hawk Eternal" is an excellent novel, fast paced, exciting and a great read.
This is the sequel to "Ironhands Daughter" and is the better book. The initial book being necessary to set the scene and introduce the characters required for this enjoyable romp where the highlanders vastly outnumbered take on the might of the Aenir (essentially Vikings) in a battle for the survival of their race and way of life.
This stands with many of David Gemmell's great novels as being a classic of heroic fiction.
I do not mean here to to disparage the works of the likes of George RR Martin, Joe Abercrombie or Conn Iggulden, who have all done a marvelous job in the same genre, I have enjoyed the majority of their books but Mr Gemmell's arse still sits firmly on the kings chair.
This is the sequel to "Ironhands Daughter" and is the better book. The initial book being necessary to set the scene and introduce the characters required for this enjoyable romp where the highlanders vastly outnumbered take on the might of the Aenir (essentially Vikings) in a battle for the survival of their race and way of life.
This stands with many of David Gemmell's great novels as being a classic of heroic fiction.
I do not mean here to to disparage the works of the likes of George RR Martin, Joe Abercrombie or Conn Iggulden, who have all done a marvelous job in the same genre, I have enjoyed the majority of their books but Mr Gemmell's arse still sits firmly on the kings chair.
April 4, 2018
Another disappointing instalment.
Similar to the first Hawk Queen.
The characters in this book are slightly better than the first one but the plot is slightly worse so the end result is the same.
We have the standard Gemmell cast but without any edge to them, very much a paint-by-numbers job.
The plot is messy with multiple worlds and time lines making anything possible and nothing intelligent.
The ending is exactly as it had to be from the first book so no surprises.
Similar to the first Hawk Queen.
The characters in this book are slightly better than the first one but the plot is slightly worse so the end result is the same.
We have the standard Gemmell cast but without any edge to them, very much a paint-by-numbers job.
The plot is messy with multiple worlds and time lines making anything possible and nothing intelligent.
The ending is exactly as it had to be from the first book so no surprises.
July 1, 2023
Une suite très sympa à la Reine des batailles. J'ai beaucoup apprécié le traitement des personnages de Caswallon et Gaelen, ainsi que les divers "cross over" avec le 1er tome. J'ai vraiment très apprécié cette lecture mais j'avoue être déçue de la fin. Mis à part le côté happy end, et les ficelles pour que tout passe, je n'ai pas bien compris le choix pour Caswallon. Il n'en reste pas moins bon :)
May 24, 2021
A fun story, but the particular edition that I have is absolutely riddled with all kinds of errors that should have been picked up by the editors; everything from missing words and punctuation, through plot line oxymorons to characters changing their names mid-story. This just took away some of the reading pleasure.
March 23, 2022
Audio booked this one.
Book 2 in the two book series.
Have enjoyed this writer since the first book of his i ever read. Shame he passed away.
This book is a worthy conclusion to book one and i enjoyed it very much.
Still not sure the reader was the right choice but I can live with it.
If you are a Gemmell fan or a fan of swords and sorcery give this mini series a go.
Book 2 in the two book series.
Have enjoyed this writer since the first book of his i ever read. Shame he passed away.
This book is a worthy conclusion to book one and i enjoyed it very much.
Still not sure the reader was the right choice but I can live with it.
If you are a Gemmell fan or a fan of swords and sorcery give this mini series a go.
April 30, 2024
I got lost with the gateways, time travel, and re-traveling. This sequel was only vaguely connected to the original novel with a brand new band of heroes. But it was still non-stop excitement. A page-turner. Very quick read. Easily translated to 5 stars. Gemmell being Gemmell. I really enjoyed his clansmen fantasy world.
April 13, 2025
Typical Gemmel novel. Varied, well-rounded characters, environments described in a way that make you want to be there and lively action scenes.
The time travel portals could have been handled a bit better I thought. There is very little foreshadowing and you have al almost no details on them until everything gets explained at the end.
All in all a very enjoyable read
The time travel portals could have been handled a bit better I thought. There is very little foreshadowing and you have al almost no details on them until everything gets explained at the end.
All in all a very enjoyable read
October 4, 2018
At first i was a bit confused as i thought it half carried on with the battle queens story but it really doesn't...she does get mentions and has a pivitol role but it's an awesome story without her...the same people...same tribes...different time/plane of existence...
June 17, 2019
I enjoyed this sequel. It was well written, particularly the descriptions of combat. I was a little disappointed that most of the book revolved around the Clans and Druid time travel, while neglecting the rest of Sigarni's story (although she still was essential plot character).
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