The Siege

Guardians of Ga'Hoole #4

by Kathryn Lasky

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. There's a war between good and evil in the owl kingdom. On one side is a group led by Soren's fearsome brother, Kludd, on the other are the owls of the Great Ga'Hoole Tree, who must fight to protect their legendary tree from Kludd's attacks.

Genres: Fantasy, Animals, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Young Adult, Adventure

224 pages, Library Binding

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

Kathryn Lasky, also known as Kathryn Lasky Knight and E. L. Swann, is an award-winning American author of over one hundred books for children and adults. Best known for the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, her work has been translated into 19 languages and includes historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction.

Reviews

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most parts of these stories are so improbable, but some are heartwarming. I must be nuts, but I have enjoyed listening to the audio of these stories. I am constantly amazed at the imagination of the author and the talent of the narrator.

There is evil and wickedness in story but also love and admiration and companionship. The siege of the great tree and the battle for their home is the main theme in this story, but the Owls and their diversity are an overriding. No one is better than any other. They work together and fight together. It is not over yet.

[Amara Tanith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is so strange to me. As I said in my previous reviews, I'm really bothered by all the discrimination on the part of the protagonists and the plot's inherent hypocrisy. On the other hand, there are nuggets of awesome tucked in here and there.

For example, I felt the sudden creation of the Band was something of a cop-out because there wasn't really much building of the comradarie; the four owls were suddenly friends for life, no questions asked. But the Chaw of Chaws? It took the Band's stated relationship and build upon it to get a killer team with a solid friendship as backbone. I felt like I was watching the Harry Potter kids become a family again. I love well-developed teams of characters, and the Chaw of Chaws fit the bill perfectly.

But there's just so much nonsense elsewhere that the awesome bits are lost in the sea of bullshit. It is so disappointing to me that the relationship dynamic between Soren, Gylfie, Twilight, Digger, Otulissa, Ruby, Martin, Eglantine, Primrose, and Ezylryb got bogged down by all the bungled racism, the juvenile handling of mature themes, and the wishy-washy world-building.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourites in the series. Guardians finally take some measures to stop St. Aegolius, though I wonder why it took so long. Spy games between Chaw of Chaws, St. Aegolius and Pure Ones are gripping. Besides, the tension between Guardians and Pure Ones is resolved in an open conflict. The book shows how Metal Beak rose to power, and it introduces his mate Nyra, who, don't matter how much I hate her, is a good villian.

This review wouldn't be complete without mention of Otulissa. In previous books she had overgrown her snobbery, but in 'The Siege' her character development marches on. Otulissa stands for what's right, even if it means to oppose a ryb. She fights to defend what Guardians stand for and loses those she loves. She is a warrior now, but she didn't lose her scientific mind and love of studying. No wonder Otulissa is my second favourite of all characters!

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathryn Lasky has done it again, making this series even better (and I didn't even know that was possible)! Otulissa just gets better and better! She is developing into a much more important and complex character. The Siege immediately got me hooked! Later, I started reading a different book that I really liked! Soon I was reading the other book more often than The Siege. Then my wonderful sister made me read The Siege when she saw me reading the other book. I'm glad she did! Lasky sure knows how to write a book!

[Abby Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t able to have a Warrior Cats™️ phase because I was having an Owl Girlie™️ phase. The Guardians of Ga’hoole books were my everything—the ONLY series that, to baby Abby, equaled Harry Potter.
It is time to return to my Owl Girlie™️ roots. It’s Owl Girl Summer.

[Catarí · Rating 3 out of 5]

La primera parte de la pelea final fue muy decepcionante, no entendí nada xd nada más que decir tbh

[WTF Are You Reading? · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soren and the "Chaw of Chaws" must do all that they can to protect the Ga'Hoole Tree from the onslaught of Kludd and the "Pure Ones". In the mean time however, Soren, Gilfie and Twilight must venture back to the dreaded St. Aegolius for Orphaned Owls to ferret out double agents that may be smuggling out 'flecks' to the "Pure Ones".
I was captivated by the continuation of the this great saga. Though Soren is the main character, there is a shared attention to each of the supporting cast that makes the story hard to put down. I was with the "Chaw of Chaws" when they prepared for the mission to infiltrate St. Aggies. When each of the owls was taught the part of the Ga'Hoole legend that appled to him or her. I was beside myself when they made their escape with the information that they needed. The battle for the tree was so well fought and I loved every minute.
Another good one!

[AziaMinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Rating : B+

"Owls of the Northern Kingdoms are very fierce, but one can be fierce in love and in peace as well as in hatred and in battle."

[Mijo Stumpf · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok Kathryn, you really went too far the other way with this one. There were some characters you forgot you had cuz there was so much going on.

That’s ok though, you’ve got 11 more tries!

[Mr. Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Siege is the fourth book in the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series, and is the story of a war between the Guardians of Ga'Hoole and the Pure Ones. The main character, Soren, shows remarkable leadership during the different phases of the war, and is helped many others along the way.
The title refers to the action taken by the Pure Ones in laying siege to the Island of Hoole where the Guardians reside. It is a story about a battle between good and evil with overtones of the educated vs. the ignorant. The Pure Ones are ignorant and believe that their pure race of Barn Owls is superior to all other life. The Guardians stand for knowledge and learning, through which they know that all owls are created equal.
This knowledge vs. ignorance theme is present throughout the series, and is brought to attention in chapter three of this book. Some of the Guardians declare some knowledge forbidden and seek to take books out of the library. The true leader of the Guardians, Ezylryb is strongly against the notion of forbidden knowledge. It is against everything the Guardians stand for.
As we learn about the Pure Ones, and the owls of St. Aggie's, we see that they only want the knowledge that will benefit them in their quests to dominate other owl kingdoms. Beyond that, learning is forbidden. Otulissa has realized that the St. Aggie's owls will believe whatever she says because they themselves are not learners. She also realizes that “they could do real damage with what they might find out...” In chapter 17 we find out how appalling it is to Ezylryb to see a book destroyed, and the length he goes to repair it. The author is obviously letting us know how important knowledge and learning is.
Also in chapter 17 we learn a little more about Soren's parents. They seem to have the same view of war that Ezylryb has. They hate it. While the author lets us know in this book that there are things worth fighting for, the point is apparent that war is detestable and should be avoided as much as it can be. In chapter 20 Soren comes to this realization. “There was nothing particularly glorious or heroic about war, Soren realized. It was really nothing more than a grubby, vile task to vanquish a foul tyranny...”
Chapter 18 shows the natural views associated with knowledge and learning. Ezylryb speaks for the entire educated world in his speech when he says the following: “It is in the very diversity of our breeds, the rainbow of our colors, the multiplicity of our shapes that we find richness.” He goes on to say that they must win the war, for it is the only way for owlkind to go on with “those impulses for life, for honor, and for freedom.” A worthy cause to be sure.
There is an explanation of Kludd's rise to power that makes it plausible. It's really not Metal Beak that is in power, but his mate, Nyra. He did not rise to power by great leadership or proving himself in battle, but only by defeating Nyra's former mate, during which he got his first set of deformities.
The Siege was easily the best book in the series to this point. The story can stand alone as a war between good and evil. It had a theme threaded all the way through. The war was won by the good guys at the end, and the groundwork is set for book five. We found that Hortense still lives as Mist. There is a great cast of complementary heroes including Mist, the eagles, Slynella, and the Rogue Smith. This book was a good, satisfying read.

[Alias Koko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ADORE this series. The characters are so familiar and interesting at this point that I keep wanting to know more about them. I especially enjoy the consistent strategizing employed throughout a book aptly titled "The Seige".

Ezylryb is among my favorite wise mentors in fiction at this point.

Soren might be your average Frodo-esque main character but that does not make him any less interesting and endearing. The supporting cast is extremely layered, each given due time to shine.

Overall, one of the best long series I've ever picked up.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are 15 books in this series, two supplemental books and now 4 in a spin- off series. And yet with each book that I read, I find that I have a greater appreciation for Kathryn Lasky's writing; her skill as a storyteller is masterful. The stories draw the reader in, and for most they will want to read the next tale as soon as they finish one. The characters are strong and powerful and as you visit the land of Ga'Hoole and beyond you will fall in love with the creatures and their fight for what is right and what is just! The stories move at an amazing pace and with each one you have a deeper appreciation for the relationships at the Great Tree and across the realms.

...
Read the rest of the review and with links to other reviews of books by the authors on my blog Book Reviews and More. And a link to an author interview with Kathryn Lasky.

[Tyler Hedge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soren and his friends are sent on a special mission to a place Soren and Gylfie thought they would never see again, St.Aggies school for orphaned owls. This book was great especially the siege of Hoole when its the guardians versus the pure ones. It was really funny when Otulissa throws a dead ground squirrel in Dewlaps face and says "splink on you" - the worst word an owl could say!!! If you have read the other books you how proper Otulissa is.

[Lars Guthrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lasky keeps things moving along in this great fourth volume in the series, as Soren and his mates go undercover at the evil St. Aggie's School for Orphaned Owls, and then into full battle mode as Soren's evil brother Kludd leads an attack on the Great Ga'Hoole Tree. This one also introduces Kludd's mate, the Lady Macbethish Nyra. Thrills, chills and lots to think about.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent fourth installment of the Ga'Hoolian series. Lots of action and intrigue going on in and out of the tree. Soren and his friends and fellow Guardians are trapped within the tree by Kludd and Pure Ones. They must find a way a way to go on the offensive and they do, but at great cost!
Can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

[Cosette · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too brutal for my kiddies. I'm cringing in my gullet as I read about... What else? War.

[Isla Scout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much! I wish I was an owl in this world. I would live in the tree and be in the Colliering Chaw. I want to do this because it sounds risky and fun!

[jk✩ · Rating 2 out of 5]

⎯ ✩✩ ⎯

DNF • 75%

Okay, I got bored again. The Ga’Hoole vocabulary is just too annoying at this point, it’s not worth continuing on. Now, time to rant a bit about Why-Kludd’s-Rise-To-Villainy-Was-Sucky-At-Best.

At least we’re given Kludd’s perspective this time around, so finally his evil, psychopathic nature is kind of explained. So, he hates his brother because he was favoured more than him, okay good to know that in book four of all books. Also he’s into older women (owls?) so that’s kinda gross. But I still don’t understand how he joined the Pure Ones, rose in ranks, wooed Nyra, built an army, stole Flecks, kidnapped owlets, lost his beak and became the Pure One Leader in a single year? Dude’s practically an overnight celebrity. Even though the movie also wasn’t great, at least they showed his descent into villainy. These first four books just let him do it off-page, with no emotional ties to his journey at all, even though he’s, you know, Soren the Protagonist’s brother.

Again, this book relied too much on telling rather than showing. These are obviously marketed toward the wrong audience cause I don’t think kids aged 9 to 12 will understand the vocabulary or appreciate the violent, graphic detail of these owl fights.

It’s sad, cause the first two books were promising, not great, but I figured it would get better. But I just couldn’t look past the author’s constant need to hide the interesting plot points and reveal them only through word of mouth via unnecessary side characters.

Basically as far as pre-teen books go, I’ve read better.

[Vonne Maddox · Rating 2 out of 5]

Out of the previous book this is lower on my list. While we do get some insight into what the pure ones are planning and a dive and battle to conclude it. This book doesn’t stand out (save for the siege and battle at the end) there is some character development on Autolissas part (I’m listening on audio so I probably spelled it wrong)
The final thing I have for the end of this review is how much I hate Egglintine she’s a whiny brat part of me wishes she wasn’t in the book at all. She has done nothing to help the series and all her contributions are her getting in trouble or doing something stupid or what have you. All in all I’m really enjoying this series.

[Jennys Bücherkiste · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rezension:
Kann Spoiler bezüglich der ersten drei Teile enthalten!

Dieses Buch hat seinen Namen nicht verdient, finde ich. Sowohl der Titel aus auch die Kurzbeschreibung versprechen viel mehr als die Geschichte hält. Die Belagerung des Großen Ga’Hoole Baumes ist nicht das bestimmende Thema, sondern findet überhaupt nur auf den letzten paar Seiten statt. Auch die Ausführlichkeit lässt zu wünschen übrig. Gravierende Auswirkungen einer Belagerung, wie beispielsweise Nahrungsmittelknappheit, sind nicht nur körperlich belastend, sondern können auch die ganze Gruppe demoralisieren. Doch statt genauer darauf einzugehen, welche Auswirkungen es hat, dass die Eulen den Baum nicht verlassen können, erfährt der Leser nur schnell in zwei Sätzen, dass die Eulen alle abnehmen und ständig Hunger haben. Überhaupt wird die Belagerung fast ausschließlich im Zeitraffer und dazu noch ziemlich oberflächlich geschildert. Das hat mich enttäuscht, weil ich so nicht mitfühlen konnte und auch kaum Spannung aufkam.

Erst mit dem finalen Kampf, also im vorletzten Kapitel, wurde die Spannung erhöht. Die Schlacht an sich ist recht kurz und oberflächlich gehalten, schließlich handelt es sich eigentlich immer noch um ein Kinderbuch, aber bei der großen Menge an Gegnern sind Verluste ganz natürlich. Da die Geschichte zu dem Zeitpunkt aus Sorens Sicht geschildert wird und er alle Krallen voll damit zu tun hat, sein eigenes Leben zu retten, werden alle anderen Charaktere stark vernachlässigt, sodass jeder von ihnen, vorerst unbemerkt, sterben könnte. Da war ich wirklich neugierig, wen es wohl erwischt und habe um meine, zugegeben recht wenigen, Lieblingscharaktere gebangt.

Was in der Schlacht noch ein Pluspunkt war, ist danach aber ein weiterer Kritikpunkt. Immer wieder erwähnt die Autorin, dass es zu Verlusten gekommen ist. Doch es werden fast nie Namen genannt, sodass es zwar tragisch ist, mir aber kein bisschen nahe geht. Es kommen nicht nur unwichtige, namenlose Eulen ums Leben, aber bei niemandem hat mich der Tod wirklich berührt. Dadurch wirkt dann auch die Trauer von Soren und seinen Freunden viel zu entfernt. Natürlich ist es eigentlich nur ein Kinderbuch, aber in Anbetracht der extrem blutigen Szenen, die schon mehrfach ausführlich beschrieben wurden, denke ich, dass es dem Buch wirklich besser getan hätte, zumindest einen Charakter ums Leben kommen zu lassen, der die Sympathien der Leser hat.

Hinzu kommt auch noch, dass der groß im Klappentext angekündigte Verräter eigentlich überhaupt keine Rolle spielt. Von Anfang an ist mehr als offensichtlich, um wen es sich handelt. Das empfinden wohl auch die meisten Charaktere so, denn der Spion wird gar nicht erst mit wichtigen Aufgaben oder geheimen Informationen betraut. Ich muss sagen, dass es fast schon der schlechteste Verräter aller Zeiten ist. Falls es den Reinen irgendetwas bringt, jemanden im Ga’Hoole Baum auf ihrer Seite zu haben, außer in einer Schlacht einige namenlose Eulen töten zu können, dann geht das in der Geschichte völlig unter.

Außerdem ist mir der Sinn hinter fast zwei Drittel der Handlung noch nicht wirklich klar. Da das Parlament der Eulenritter glaubt, die Reinen würden die Tupfen aus dem Sankt Ägolius Internat für verwaiste Eulen stehlen wollen, beschließen sie, eine Gruppe Spione einzuschleusen. Dafür werden Soren und seine Freunde ausgewählt, die sich inzwischen die Brigade der Besten nennen. Mit einer wasserdichten Legende und allen möglichen Vorsichtsmaßnahmen schleichen sie sich in das Internat ein. Besonders für Gylfie und Soren ist das belastend, da die ja schon im ersten Teil dort gefangen waren.
Der genaue Auftrag der Brigade der Besten leuchtete mir schon auf ihrem Hinflug nicht ein und das hat sich mit der Ankunft auch nicht geändert. Sie alle werden für verschiedene Arbeiten eingeteilt, verbreiten Lügengeschichten und leben in einem Chaos aus ehrlich mondwirren Schleiereulen, Spionen der Reinen und Doppelspionen der Reinen, die von den Leitern des Sankt Äggie umgedreht wurden. Mitten im Durcheinander diverser Enttarnungen fliehen sie dann wieder. Und ich weiß immer noch nicht, was sie da eigentlich wollen. Es scheint fast als wäre der ganze Handlungsstrang nur darauf ausgelegt, dass die Eulen auf dem Rückweg die Armee der Reinen am Hoolemeer entdecken. Dafür mehr als die Hälfte des Inhalts des Buches zu verbrauchen, ist wirklich unnötig.

Der einzige Teil, der mir wirklich gefallen hat, sind Ezylrybs Ansprachen während der Belagerung. Schon im Vorwort erklärt die Autorin, dass sie sich dabei an den Rundfunkansprachen Winston Churchills während des Zweiten Weltkriegs orientiert hat. Zwar sind die Reden ein bisschen zu kurz, um wirklich vollkommen mitreißend zu sein, aber ein bisschen Kampfgeist habe ich auch gespürt. Der erfahrene Kämpfer weiß wirklich, wie er seine Truppen motivieren kann. Und das, obwohl sie sich bloß verteidigen, da es gegen die Grundsätze der Eulenritter verstößt, andere Eulen anzugreifen!

Fazit:
Der Titel ist so kaum gerechtfertigt und auch der Klappentext verspricht viel zu viel. Die Belagerung nimmt nur einen kleinen Teil der Geschichte ein und ist enttäuschend oberflächlich beschrieben. Den größten Teil der Handlung nimmt die Spionagearbeit der Brigade der Besten in Sankt Äggie ein, die aber weder ein deutliches Ziel noch einen tieferen Sinn hat. An der missglückten Umsetzung dieser Belagerung können auch Ezylrybs feurige Schlachtreden kaum noch etwas retten. Daher bekommt „Die Legende der Wächter: Die Belagerung“ leider nur drei Schreibfedern von mir.

[Anbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was nothing particularly glorious or heroic about war, Soren realized. It was really nothing more than a grubby, vile task to vanquish a foul tyranny led by his own brother.

Another favourite in the series!!! The deus ex machinas do deflate the tension in the fight scenes a bit, but they're still delightful to read!!! It's kinda funny how the heavier themes of the series flew (pun intended) over my head as a kid......this is a children's series that tackles eugenics and fascism while stressing the importance of fighting evil with knowledge, and community. Moreover, violence is traumatic and not easy to experience, and yet....it is necessary for the sake of peace sometimes. Such complex themes keep the books relevant and interesting, even after all these years. Great addition to the series.

[Cassie Freed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spy games, attacks, defensive maneuvers, possible betrayal, a "cougar" villainess (Nyra), inspiring speeches, and Otulissa throwing a dead squirrel in the face of one of he rybs: I'm all here for it!

Can't spoil the ending, but I am excited to see where this leads and how Otulissa will steer them to victory!

[Marjana Bosnjak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Siege is the fourth book in the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series and it follows two brothers, Kludd and Soren as they fight on different sides for different reasons. Kludd wants power and purity among the owls. He wants to rule. Soren wants peace and unity. He wants to live and enjoy life. He wants to learn and be free.

Possible spoilers: In this book, Kludd conspires to lay siege to the great Ga'Hoole tree, trapping the owls and starting a war with the guardians.

I liked that our Chaw of Chaws became united once more and never fails to inspire readers with their friendships, loyalty and thirst for knowledge.

[Kryptomite · Rating 2 out of 5]

This should have been two different books. It had a very strong beginning, but about 2/3 of the way through, it completely fell apart, with a giant rush to sum up a bunch of storylines, none of which it actually did effectively. A tremendous end battle was reduced to nothing but a couple lines of text, and puttered out with no climax whatsoever, while other characters and plot lines were almost ignored completely. This was a big miss for me.

Also, this is the fourth book in the series, and it's still providing overviews of every single character and every single piece of its own history, as if no one was expected to read any of the first three books. It's not a very long book and precious page space is being filled with explanations of who each character is and what they mean to the plot. At some point you have to take pride in your own series and assume no one is going to start reading with book four.

[Rira · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[William Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. I read it in about three days. I want to get a of the series

[Izzy Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

WW2 allegory (sort of) for children

[Logan Conrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and fun fantasy with a medieval order of knight owls.

[Hannah Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much happens in this book that will leave you wanting to know what happens next at the end of each chapter. That's all I can say without spoiling anything.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I've gotten threw 4 books in less than 8 months