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S.T.A.G.S #5
H.A.W.K.S.
Greer has one last chance to defeat the shadowy, sinister cult that is the Dark Order of the Grand Stag. To do so, she must once again accept a dangerous invitation, this time to a midsummer hunt...
Nel and Shafeen will be there to protect her, and so will Henry de Warlencourt. But can Greer trust Henry? He is one of the murderous de Warlencourts after all, even though he insists he has changed sides. And Greer is drawn to both Shafeen and Henry. As their fraught love triangle evolves, should she put her life -- and her heart -- in Henry's hands?
Nel and Shafeen will be there to protect her, and so will Henry de Warlencourt. But can Greer trust Henry? He is one of the murderous de Warlencourts after all, even though he insists he has changed sides. And Greer is drawn to both Shafeen and Henry. As their fraught love triangle evolves, should she put her life -- and her heart -- in Henry's hands?
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2022
13 people are currently reading
735 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Bennett
17 books303 followersM. A. Bennett is half Venetian and was born in Manchester, England, and raised in the Yorkshire Dales. She is a history graduate of Oxford University and the University of Venice, where she specialized in the study of Shakespeare’s plays as a historical source. After university she studied art and has since worked as an illustrator, an actress, and a film reviewer. She also designed tour visuals for rock bands, including U2 and the Rolling Stones. She was married on the Grand Canal in Venice and lives in north London with her husband, son, and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 4, 2022
HENRY. I DON'T THINK I NEED TO SAY MORE. 🤣 This is the perfect ending for this series - but I have strong reason to believe there will be another series (let's all hype this up please😂) of the same characters but at uni, especially since even Nathaniel is going to be there. 100% recommend and to my friends who I KNOW have read this PLEASE READ IT I NEED TO TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH I LOVE IT TO SOMEONE 😂
August 12, 2022
Tied up lots of loose ends but didn't answer the biggest question of the series:
Why were Cass' pajamas in Louis' bedroom?
Why were Cass' pajamas in Louis' bedroom?
August 11, 2022
This cannot be the last book in the series. I refuse to accept that. No. No. No. I have loved every single book in this series and it's finally all come to an end in this book. Fast paced. Devoured it. Loved it. Would highly recommend the whole series. A brilliant story to end the series on. An amazing ending! All the characters were familiar and it was like coming back home to be back in their world. A well deserved five stars I'm really going to miss their world and this series. Going into my top reads of 2022.
July 10, 2022
I was really disappointed by this book. It felt like the writing style had completely changed and everything was so straightforward and obvious.
July 25, 2022
Oh mannnnn I loved this series so much and there was so much to adore about this book but there was no way it could meet my expectations 😭😭 the first three books in this series are perfection.
February 15, 2024
i’m always down for more s.t.a.g.s. ALWAYS!! give me all the s.t.a.g.s. i am OBSESSED!!
this was honestly the perfect end to the series, after everything we’ve gone through in the last four books, it was so nice to see everything get exposed!! i feel bad for shafeen, but greer & henry were just so wonderful in this book, even if he tried to kill her in the first one, & i think it was the right choice to make for greer.
yeah, this book was so could i could barely put it down for 5 minutes, cannot recommend this series enough, it’s so amazing <33
this was honestly the perfect end to the series, after everything we’ve gone through in the last four books, it was so nice to see everything get exposed!! i feel bad for shafeen, but greer & henry were just so wonderful in this book, even if he tried to kill her in the first one, & i think it was the right choice to make for greer.
yeah, this book was so could i could barely put it down for 5 minutes, cannot recommend this series enough, it’s so amazing <33
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2022
The ending was disappointing I can’t lie 😀
January 6, 2023
I absolutely adore the relationship between Greer and Shafeen. Every moment between them you can feel the chemistry. So to me, there never was a question of Henry or Shafeen, and that kind of damped the story for me that this book relied on that battle between them so much. In my heart I hope Greer chose Shafeen but honestly, I don’t know if she is deserving of his affection or even Henry’s.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2022
This was definitely better than the previous two in this series. Much easier to follow, lots of action and even a love triangle that added another dimension! With a Cliff hanger an ending I am slightly worried that there will be another one but I really hope not!
July 7, 2022
The perfect end to the Stags series. I've really enjoyed these books and although I'm sad to see the series finish, I'm pleased with how all the loose ends have been wrapped up.
April 2, 2023
HENRY WAS PERFECT IN THIS BOOK AHHHHH
August 27, 2023
2.5 stars; a disappointing finale that highlighted the series' weaknesses rather than its strengths.
I read S.T.A.G.S at the beginning of this year and adored it - it was sharp, clever, and gripping from the first page - but sadly none of the books that followed were able to match it. The narration style, which worked well in the first book, started to grow stale after a while; it always felt like there was a distance between Greer and the reader, and events were described in quite a detached way, so it felt like nothing she had been through really affected her beyond her telling us about it. There was very little character development for Greer over five books, and it started to grate after a while.
I also felt like there were missed opportunities to develop some of the other characters more - the focus was so much on Greer, Shafeen, and Henry that the other characters fell by the wayside; Nel and Ty in particular were both promising characters who were just not given as much focus as they deserved. It felt like the author didn't know what to do with Nel for the second half of the series, and even though there was constant lip service paid to her being Greer's best friend, there were hardly any scenes between the two of them. Ty's storyline, which was promisingly built up in D.O.G.S and F.O.X.E.S, also fizzled out into nothing by the end, and she was essentially relegated to sidekick status in H.A.W.K.S, despite her having a much more personal investment in bringing down the Order than Greer.
Which brings me to my biggest disappointment with this book -
There were other things in this book that didn't sit right with me, like
I also didn't like how much of this book was given over to
Big players from previous books in the series were brought back for the finale, but bringing them back didn't affect the plot at all - the Medievals from S.T.A.G.S appear for a bit, and then we never hear from them again. Gideon, the old Abbott, appears after faking his death in D.O.G.S, but he doesn't really do anything either. It was like the author felt like she needed to bring everyone back for the finale, but it all could have played out with nameless, faceless Order members and nothing would have been different.
I had such high hopes for this book, but ultimately it left me feeling disappointed. There was nothing new here; so much of the book was repetitive, rehashing events from the previous books or stating things that were obvious, as if the author didn't trust the reader enough to make connections on their own. The conclusion was rushed and anticlimactic, and completely undermined the image of the Order that had been presented to us in the earlier books - as a vast, ancient network of wealth and privilege that survived for centuries without facing any consequences because of how rich and connected its members were. In the end it felt like this book cared more about the love triangle than it did about anything else, and as I wasn't a fan of the love triangle to begin with, it didn't work for me.
I've had a lot of fun with this series and I will miss the world and the characters, but this finale did not deliver what I'd hoped it would.
Final series ranking:
S.T.A.G.S - 4.5 stars
D.O.G.S - 4 stars
F.O.X.E.S - 3 stars
T.I.G.E.R.S - 3.5 stars
H.A.W.K.S - 2.5 stars
I read S.T.A.G.S at the beginning of this year and adored it - it was sharp, clever, and gripping from the first page - but sadly none of the books that followed were able to match it. The narration style, which worked well in the first book, started to grow stale after a while; it always felt like there was a distance between Greer and the reader, and events were described in quite a detached way, so it felt like nothing she had been through really affected her beyond her telling us about it. There was very little character development for Greer over five books, and it started to grate after a while.
I also felt like there were missed opportunities to develop some of the other characters more - the focus was so much on Greer, Shafeen, and Henry that the other characters fell by the wayside; Nel and Ty in particular were both promising characters who were just not given as much focus as they deserved. It felt like the author didn't know what to do with Nel for the second half of the series, and even though there was constant lip service paid to her being Greer's best friend, there were hardly any scenes between the two of them. Ty's storyline, which was promisingly built up in D.O.G.S and F.O.X.E.S, also fizzled out into nothing by the end, and she was essentially relegated to sidekick status in H.A.W.K.S, despite her having a much more personal investment in bringing down the Order than Greer.
Which brings me to my biggest disappointment with this book -
There were other things in this book that didn't sit right with me, like
I also didn't like how much of this book was given over to
Big players from previous books in the series were brought back for the finale, but bringing them back didn't affect the plot at all - the Medievals from S.T.A.G.S appear for a bit, and then we never hear from them again. Gideon, the old Abbott, appears after faking his death in D.O.G.S, but he doesn't really do anything either. It was like the author felt like she needed to bring everyone back for the finale, but it all could have played out with nameless, faceless Order members and nothing would have been different.
I had such high hopes for this book, but ultimately it left me feeling disappointed. There was nothing new here; so much of the book was repetitive, rehashing events from the previous books or stating things that were obvious, as if the author didn't trust the reader enough to make connections on their own. The conclusion was rushed and anticlimactic, and completely undermined the image of the Order that had been presented to us in the earlier books - as a vast, ancient network of wealth and privilege that survived for centuries without facing any consequences because of how rich and connected its members were. In the end it felt like this book cared more about the love triangle than it did about anything else, and as I wasn't a fan of the love triangle to begin with, it didn't work for me.
I've had a lot of fun with this series and I will miss the world and the characters, but this finale did not deliver what I'd hoped it would.
Final series ranking:
S.T.A.G.S - 4.5 stars
D.O.G.S - 4 stars
F.O.X.E.S - 3 stars
T.I.G.E.R.S - 3.5 stars
H.A.W.K.S - 2.5 stars
July 20, 2022
This was one of my most highly anticipate reads of the year. I couldn’t wait to see how the series would end.
I don’t know what I expected but it wasn’t this. In some ways the story was fitting. In places it felt like the author had given up a bit, and was tired of the series. The addition of new, convenient characters or plotpoints to tie things up neatly was a bit overdone, and I can’t escape the ick factor of at least one of the relationships (although Greers choice in the end makes me side eye her too).
But it was also inventive and imaginative and at least a little satisfying to know that there was some comeuppance for the bad guys in the end.
I don’t know what I expected but it wasn’t this. In some ways the story was fitting. In places it felt like the author had given up a bit, and was tired of the series. The addition of new, convenient characters or plotpoints to tie things up neatly was a bit overdone, and I can’t escape the ick factor of at least one of the relationships (although Greers choice in the end makes me side eye her too).
But it was also inventive and imaginative and at least a little satisfying to know that there was some comeuppance for the bad guys in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2022
Book 1: 5*
Book 2: 5*
Book 3: 5*
Book 4: 2*
Book 5: 3*
Unfortunately, this should have been a trilogy. The first three books were phenomenal and kept me on my toes. The fourth book didn't fit at all. This finale didn't feel like it gelled with the rest of the series either. I was bored, and it just didn't feel the same. Majorly disappointing when the first three books were SO good, and the series had so much potential. The first three felt really smart and unique. This one was flat and uninspired and I didn't feel that it tied up the various storylines.
Book 2: 5*
Book 3: 5*
Book 4: 2*
Book 5: 3*
Unfortunately, this should have been a trilogy. The first three books were phenomenal and kept me on my toes. The fourth book didn't fit at all. This finale didn't feel like it gelled with the rest of the series either. I was bored, and it just didn't feel the same. Majorly disappointing when the first three books were SO good, and the series had so much potential. The first three felt really smart and unique. This one was flat and uninspired and I didn't feel that it tied up the various storylines.
August 3, 2022
I loved this book! It felt like a nice wrapup to the series! I was sincerely expecting some kind of plot twist at the end which was really fun! The mystery was really well done as always and I loved the little bits of comedy there and then. It's genuinely one of my favourite series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2022
3.5 stars rounded down.
I think this overall was the weakest of the series and though it was the final book it still left unanswered questions and was left on almost a cliffhanger.
The way that Greer treated Shafeen was wholly unfair and I don’t understand her choices whereby she chose Henry over Shafeen. The whole secret half sibling part of the plot is a really overused trope in fiction and I felt let down by it.
Also, is nobody going to talk about how weird the relationship between Nel and Nathaniel is? This guy is her HEADTEACHER and is 29 years old whilst she is 19. The book even makes numerous mentions of how they can’t be together around other people due to the fact he is one of her teachers and the age difference. I found this part of the plot unnecessary and creepy.
Although the book was left on a cliffhanger, both itself and also in the acknowledgments, I have no wish for a further book in the series and believe it’s time that this series was over.
I think this overall was the weakest of the series and though it was the final book it still left unanswered questions and was left on almost a cliffhanger.
The way that Greer treated Shafeen was wholly unfair and I don’t understand her choices whereby she chose Henry over Shafeen. The whole secret half sibling part of the plot is a really overused trope in fiction and I felt let down by it.
Also, is nobody going to talk about how weird the relationship between Nel and Nathaniel is? This guy is her HEADTEACHER and is 29 years old whilst she is 19. The book even makes numerous mentions of how they can’t be together around other people due to the fact he is one of her teachers and the age difference. I found this part of the plot unnecessary and creepy.
Although the book was left on a cliffhanger, both itself and also in the acknowledgments, I have no wish for a further book in the series and believe it’s time that this series was over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2022
I had hopeful going into this one, but I genuinely think it was the worst book in the entire series. Probably going to get a rant review filmed in the morning…
January 4, 2024
Bro the way the series has changed my life….. I see myself in Greer SO much but this book.. she was increasingly difficult to tolerate. I love Greer and I love that she loves films because I love film but it FULLY became her whole personality and then she just was cheating on him and I was like damn and Shafeen getting hotheaded and irritated all the time but bless him his dad was like in hospital and then she was off cheating with flipping murdering racist Henry 😍😍who I literally am in love with and I get it from him with all his like mediaeval attitude but I still kind🥲🥲 of wanna lick him ☺️☺️like When his style is mentioned or that he doesn’t understand any of her references about modern life I get the biggest ick possibly ever.. also it’s not like she’s much more like Shaf it’s just that they’re both outcasts but for completely different reasons. He’s still upper upper class and a cutie savage. I feel more inclined to like Henry because we’ve seen his character development whereas Shaf was always a good character and noble person but his personality has faltered due to his JUSTIFIED distrust with Greer and upsetting things going on in his life. I’m so glad that Cass’ brother died I literally hated him so much I forgotten his name, and I also was excited for Cass to have like lesbian good guy arc and instead she ends up being the worst out of everybody just because her COUSIN didn’t love her back BYE… ANYWAY both those twins have severe mental illness that’s gone undetected for several years. I love Ty ans Ratio so much bro!!! And Nathaniel…. I shouldn’t be accepting of him and nel but that’s
‘Passionate kiss’ bye I’m sold Ezra aria core and I feel iffy about it but I’ll cope with it. The Oxford lady being Reynard was painfully obvious. It’s clear to me that Greer chose Henry in the end with the hawk taking out the drone, but it might be symbolic of where her heart lies and not actually what she opted for, i myself am torn but mostly side with shafeen though Greer does NOT deserve that beautiful boy and his loyalty
Anyway this is in my top five book series of all time and I will be playing Greer in the TV adaptation xxx
I commented this on Mother Bennett’s Instagram and she liked it so you can all catch me in cinemas soon x
I’ve been practising my Manc accent as I’ve been reading her lines throughout the series and let’s just say it’s decent x
what keeps me up at night? CASS.
CASS. CASS. CASS.
INCEST ALL ROUND WITH THAT ONE.
the way she FLIPPED when she saw Genry kiss..? Nahhh. And her touchy touchy all over him… thafuq.
AND HER PYJAMAS IN HER BROTHERS BED….? #iainforget and am in need of a justification ASAP.
ANS WHO THE FLIP IS SHE TRYNA RAISW FROM THE DEAD…. BECAUSE IM HORRIFIED HER BROTHER LITERALLY DIED DEAD DIED it was not fake this time gworl. AND HE WAS SO SCARY THUS BOOK EEP… SUCKED HIS FINGER I WAS LIKE HUH…..
And I always wondered how Henry survived the fall! So now I’m happy knowing how he did it but still I pictured the waterfall to be TALL so still idk glad bae lived x🧘🏽♀️🧘🏽♀️
I MISS NEL FROM BOOK ONE & TWO
But I want to clarify, Greers chemistry with Shaf? Unmatched! This book makes you want to forget all of that for this white blue eyed darling posh Tarzan. Don’t forget it. Shafeen is still STAGSBAE#1
But bro Henry seduced me bye I’d have picked him 90% even though Shaf would be my type if I had one had (which I do and it’s him)
‘Passionate kiss’ bye I’m sold Ezra aria core and I feel iffy about it but I’ll cope with it. The Oxford lady being Reynard was painfully obvious. It’s clear to me that Greer chose Henry in the end with the hawk taking out the drone, but it might be symbolic of where her heart lies and not actually what she opted for, i myself am torn but mostly side with shafeen though Greer does NOT deserve that beautiful boy and his loyalty
Anyway this is in my top five book series of all time and I will be playing Greer in the TV adaptation xxx
I commented this on Mother Bennett’s Instagram and she liked it so you can all catch me in cinemas soon x
I’ve been practising my Manc accent as I’ve been reading her lines throughout the series and let’s just say it’s decent x
what keeps me up at night? CASS.
CASS. CASS. CASS.
INCEST ALL ROUND WITH THAT ONE.
the way she FLIPPED when she saw Genry kiss..? Nahhh. And her touchy touchy all over him… thafuq.
AND HER PYJAMAS IN HER BROTHERS BED….? #iainforget and am in need of a justification ASAP.
ANS WHO THE FLIP IS SHE TRYNA RAISW FROM THE DEAD…. BECAUSE IM HORRIFIED HER BROTHER LITERALLY DIED DEAD DIED it was not fake this time gworl. AND HE WAS SO SCARY THUS BOOK EEP… SUCKED HIS FINGER I WAS LIKE HUH…..
And I always wondered how Henry survived the fall! So now I’m happy knowing how he did it but still I pictured the waterfall to be TALL so still idk glad bae lived x🧘🏽♀️🧘🏽♀️
I MISS NEL FROM BOOK ONE & TWO
But I want to clarify, Greers chemistry with Shaf? Unmatched! This book makes you want to forget all of that for this white blue eyed darling posh Tarzan. Don’t forget it. Shafeen is still STAGSBAE#1
But bro Henry seduced me bye I’d have picked him 90% even though Shaf would be my type if I had one had (which I do and it’s him)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2023
4,5 - And so the series end. Although the book read easily and I really loved the movie references (especially the Friends one), something was missing. The love triangle was a bit cliché in the end. OveraI I really loved this series and I would definitely recommend it!
February 3, 2023
What a great ending to an amazing series.
I loved the addition of Ratio - he brought such a breath of fresh air to the story. The way he came into the story was in a way a character hadn't before so it was fun to see how it unfolded - Ty getting his pop figure delivered to the hallway was a stroke of genius! I have to admit, I did not see Ratio's twist of being Henry's half brother coming. I love the way it all tied in together. Especially the fact that Ratio is short for Horatio - an alias of sorts of Rollo's. Henry and Ratio's relationship at the end of the book (and the promise of their future relationship) was raw and real, and it was wonderful that they both got to read Aadhish's diary and see their father through his eyes. I LOVED the link between Ratio and the Joker and the way it was figured out - film knowledge does help after all!
I loved the throwback to the first book in the speech Greer made about her mother - it was word for word the same as the first time she described the dress her mother made for her. It was great to show how far Greer (and her friends) has come since book 1, and yet she is still at core the same person.
The dual between Henry and Louis had me on edge - even though I thought I knew the outcome, the way Bennett describes the dual is incredible. I could have cried during the goodbye to Regina and letting her free, but when she returned my heart swelled. One of my favourite characters was Regina, genuinely.
The only sour note I have is the relationship between Nel and Abbott Ridley. I know it was slightly addressed by Greer commenting that it was a bit weird that he used to be their teacher, even if he was a double agent, but it doesn't quite sit well with me. Yes, Nel is going off to university and is 18, but the fact that something was started when he was still their teacher is a bit icky to me.
I really loved that Bennett brought back (omg I forgot her name and it was an audio book so I can't get it, I feel like it was Danielle but also I don't think it was oh gosh) Greer's old school friend for Henry to truly apologise to. Part of me does wish that Henry had punishment come from this, rather than Danielle (I know its not Danielle just go with it) forgiving him and not wanting to go further with things. Although, I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers so I'm happy with him and Greer being able to be together.
Overall, I really enjoyed this series and I hope to any and everything that we get more of these characters again soon.
I loved the addition of Ratio - he brought such a breath of fresh air to the story. The way he came into the story was in a way a character hadn't before so it was fun to see how it unfolded - Ty getting his pop figure delivered to the hallway was a stroke of genius! I have to admit, I did not see Ratio's twist of being Henry's half brother coming. I love the way it all tied in together. Especially the fact that Ratio is short for Horatio - an alias of sorts of Rollo's. Henry and Ratio's relationship at the end of the book (and the promise of their future relationship) was raw and real, and it was wonderful that they both got to read Aadhish's diary and see their father through his eyes. I LOVED the link between Ratio and the Joker and the way it was figured out - film knowledge does help after all!
I loved the throwback to the first book in the speech Greer made about her mother - it was word for word the same as the first time she described the dress her mother made for her. It was great to show how far Greer (and her friends) has come since book 1, and yet she is still at core the same person.
The dual between Henry and Louis had me on edge - even though I thought I knew the outcome, the way Bennett describes the dual is incredible. I could have cried during the goodbye to Regina and letting her free, but when she returned my heart swelled. One of my favourite characters was Regina, genuinely.
The only sour note I have is the relationship between Nel and Abbott Ridley. I know it was slightly addressed by Greer commenting that it was a bit weird that he used to be their teacher, even if he was a double agent, but it doesn't quite sit well with me. Yes, Nel is going off to university and is 18, but the fact that something was started when he was still their teacher is a bit icky to me.
I really loved that Bennett brought back (omg I forgot her name and it was an audio book so I can't get it, I feel like it was Danielle but also I don't think it was oh gosh) Greer's old school friend for Henry to truly apologise to. Part of me does wish that Henry had punishment come from this, rather than Danielle (I know its not Danielle just go with it) forgiving him and not wanting to go further with things. Although, I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers so I'm happy with him and Greer being able to be together.
Overall, I really enjoyed this series and I hope to any and everything that we get more of these characters again soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2022
Good end to the series and easy to read. Paid homage to the first book in the series with a similar theme, however that did make me question why the heroine would ever agree to go to a similar event. Nice to see this series wrapped up
July 31, 2022
Good, but not a great end to the series and did not live up to my expectations.
The writing was so simplistic - you could tell the book had been written quickly and there were quite a few parts where things jumped or moved too quickly, so that you couldn’t quite grasp the situation.
The actual plot I enjoyed. I worked out the final twist regarding DOGS from the beginning of the book, but it was still very thrilling and I did enjoy it.
The relationships however - oh my god! One creeped me out, and the love triangle I just couldn’t cope with. It made me dislike Greer properly for the first time. Very, very annoying but I don’t think that was due to the writing, rather a dislike of the plot from me.
I also felt like there were never any consequences for anyone’s actions. No matter the size of what they had done, I felt like the main characters always got away with anything.
Overall, I did enjoy it. It is certainly not the worst book or series ending I’ve ever read. However, for my favourite series of all time, it was a let down and I must say I am disappointed.
The writing was so simplistic - you could tell the book had been written quickly and there were quite a few parts where things jumped or moved too quickly, so that you couldn’t quite grasp the situation.
The actual plot I enjoyed. I worked out the final twist regarding DOGS from the beginning of the book, but it was still very thrilling and I did enjoy it.
The relationships however - oh my god! One creeped me out, and the love triangle I just couldn’t cope with. It made me dislike Greer properly for the first time. Very, very annoying but I don’t think that was due to the writing, rather a dislike of the plot from me.
I also felt like there were never any consequences for anyone’s actions. No matter the size of what they had done, I felt like the main characters always got away with anything.
Overall, I did enjoy it. It is certainly not the worst book or series ending I’ve ever read. However, for my favourite series of all time, it was a let down and I must say I am disappointed.
November 10, 2024
This was a solid conclusion to a series I've really enjoyed reading. Everything wrapped up quite nicely, with only the merest of threads (Cass) left dangling. I do think, with the love triangle though, that Shafeen deserved better than how Greer treated him. And Nel and Nathaniel definitely icks me out - like she's almost 19 and he's her headmaster in his late twenties, that's not an oh that's chill thing like Greer suggested. Even if he's also off to be a student again (because a PhD student and an undergraduate are in wildly different worlds still). Henry had a strong character arc and he grew on me a lot in this one. Also, I understand that the whole Arthur Fleck comparison Greer kept bringing up was based on the Joker film but as a batman comic fan the whole Joker and Batman are half siblings thing drove me up the wall every time it was mentioned. But that's a little besides the point - all in all this was a deserved conclusion to a strong series.
December 30, 2022
I loved how things ended with the STAGS and I love the way they used Scottish history to further intensify the way of the STAG but there was nothing I hated more than the ending of the book. I hated the metaphor at the end more than I can describe. I think I was heavily disappointed that Henry did not get his proper punishment and that Shafeen and Greer won’t be together. I definitely think if there is another series revolving them, I’m going to struggle greatly with Greer and Henry as a thing as it’s the first time I’ve disliked a character so greatly.
It was what I was expecting but I disliked it so much. Other than the relationships, the book was great.
It was what I was expecting but I disliked it so much. Other than the relationships, the book was great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2024
I can’t stand cheaters and it just completely put me off this book I’ve loved this series and this book ruined it for me. I tried to brush it off and keep going but once she slept with Henry I was done. I feel like the love triangle was focused on too much and so the climax was very anticlimactic as it only lasted about 5 minutes
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2023
THIS NEEDS AN EPILOGUE OR ANOTHER BOOK PLEASE
November 4, 2024
Literally a more disappointing ending than Game of Thrones
I am so mad, the whole thing just seems like a waste of time.
I am so mad, the whole thing just seems like a waste of time.
February 4, 2023
STAGS as a series started off on the right foot: the plot, the scenery, the undercover group of enemies within the High society... I was hooked from the beginning.
However, it feels like the author has tried to turn what she imagined as a stand-alone book into a series of 5 books. The whole story in HAWKS felt dull and unsurprising - because I'd already read it in DOGS, then FOXES, then TIGERS. The only novelty is where the action takes place - usually a De Warlencourt estate.
Another thing I can't forgive is that the heroine falls for someone who tried to kill her. This is brushed over too many times across the series.
And it is hard to forget the incoherences across the books: in STAGS it's implied Henry tries to seduce Greet so he can easily kill her/drown her/spook her and he pursues her doggedly to the waterfall determined to finish her off.
In the rest of the series, though, we're supposed to forget his murderous behaviour. We're supposed to believe he never meant to kill her, and always meant to spare her.
But in HAWKS, Henry admits he seduced Gemma Delaney so she would come to Longcross and be his prey. The author explicitly states it is his MO!
In no world should Greer or any of her friends trust someone like Henry.
I have to admit I lost hope in Greer. In many ways, Shafeen (and sometimes Nel) has always been the voice of reason across the books. Meanwhile, Greer (who, let's not forget, was first introduced as an intelligent person in STAGS) is illogical to a fault, never thinks things through and, most unreasonable of all, is attracted to psychopaths.
If the author relied on interesting secondary characters (like Shafeen, Nel, Greer's bond with her absent mother), in HAWKS, they are swiftly erased to leave room to Greer's insipid narrative and a senseless plot: convenient new characters and plotpoints lead to a series of overdone plot twists.
I kept expecting better throughout my reading.
Sadly, the ending sums up the whole STAGS series: everything is tied up, the storyline comes to an end - yet it feels awkward and rushed. The last few pages read like a shopping list.
All in all, it was very satisfying to reach the end of the book - because the ordeal I had put myself through for the last 4 books was over.
However, it feels like the author has tried to turn what she imagined as a stand-alone book into a series of 5 books. The whole story in HAWKS felt dull and unsurprising - because I'd already read it in DOGS, then FOXES, then TIGERS. The only novelty is where the action takes place - usually a De Warlencourt estate.
Another thing I can't forgive is that the heroine falls for someone who tried to kill her. This is brushed over too many times across the series.
And it is hard to forget the incoherences across the books: in STAGS it's implied Henry tries to seduce Greet so he can easily kill her/drown her/spook her and he pursues her doggedly to the waterfall determined to finish her off.
In the rest of the series, though, we're supposed to forget his murderous behaviour. We're supposed to believe he never meant to kill her, and always meant to spare her.
But in HAWKS, Henry admits he seduced Gemma Delaney so she would come to Longcross and be his prey. The author explicitly states it is his MO!
In no world should Greer or any of her friends trust someone like Henry.
I have to admit I lost hope in Greer. In many ways, Shafeen (and sometimes Nel) has always been the voice of reason across the books. Meanwhile, Greer (who, let's not forget, was first introduced as an intelligent person in STAGS) is illogical to a fault, never thinks things through and, most unreasonable of all, is attracted to psychopaths.
If the author relied on interesting secondary characters (like Shafeen, Nel, Greer's bond with her absent mother), in HAWKS, they are swiftly erased to leave room to Greer's insipid narrative and a senseless plot: convenient new characters and plotpoints lead to a series of overdone plot twists.
I kept expecting better throughout my reading.
Sadly, the ending sums up the whole STAGS series: everything is tied up, the storyline comes to an end - yet it feels awkward and rushed. The last few pages read like a shopping list.
All in all, it was very satisfying to reach the end of the book - because the ordeal I had put myself through for the last 4 books was over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2023
H.A.W.K.S., the finale to this series about privilege, sees Greer and co take on the Order of the Stag who have been hunting people for sport.
This book largely takes place in Scotland, drawing on historic traditions around festivals and folklore, wrapping them up in a creepy bow tie. It also allows the book to feature an intact castle as well as a ruined one! (I love visiting ruined castles so they're nice bonuses in books!)
It is, ultimately, a book about hope - hope for the future and hope for change. While the previous books have a sense of dread and battling an entrenched power that might not be shifted, echoing the institutional structures in place in this country, H.A.W.K.S. offers a burst of light that things can be changed - from without and within, and that no one should stop trying to change things for the better because that's the only guaranteed way to ensure the status quo is maintained.
I particularly liked how this was shown through the ending, taking the series back to where it starts, and playing again with the 'Medieval' vs 'Savage' idea that has been throughout. Plus education, transparency, and equal opportunities are so key. Plus the school is a great set piece that it would have been a shame not to use it!
H.A.W.K.S. also really leans into the Henry-Greer-Shafeen thing that has been building over the past few books. The ending of that feels very much like the film ending Greer talks about a lot in S.T.A.G.S., which felt like a nice call back (and the acknowledgements has an even more obvious call back to it!)
This book largely takes place in Scotland, drawing on historic traditions around festivals and folklore, wrapping them up in a creepy bow tie. It also allows the book to feature an intact castle as well as a ruined one! (I love visiting ruined castles so they're nice bonuses in books!)
It is, ultimately, a book about hope - hope for the future and hope for change. While the previous books have a sense of dread and battling an entrenched power that might not be shifted, echoing the institutional structures in place in this country, H.A.W.K.S. offers a burst of light that things can be changed - from without and within, and that no one should stop trying to change things for the better because that's the only guaranteed way to ensure the status quo is maintained.
I particularly liked how this was shown through the ending, taking the series back to where it starts, and playing again with the 'Medieval' vs 'Savage' idea that has been throughout. Plus education, transparency, and equal opportunities are so key. Plus the school is a great set piece that it would have been a shame not to use it!
H.A.W.K.S. also really leans into the Henry-Greer-Shafeen thing that has been building over the past few books. The ending of that feels very much like the film ending Greer talks about a lot in S.T.A.G.S., which felt like a nice call back (and the acknowledgements has an even more obvious call back to it!)
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