Format: Hardcover, 400 pages
Release Date: August 18, 2020
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Dark Fantasy
Dangerous magic, a tormented romance, and lethal betrayals come to a head in the thrilling sequel to Margaret Owen's The Merciful Crow.
As the new chieftain of the Crows, Fie knows better than to expect a royal to keep his word. Still she’s hopeful that Prince Jasimir will fulfill his oath to protect her fellow Crows. But then black smoke fills the sky, signaling the death of King Surimir and the beginning of Queen Rhusana's ruthless bid for the throne.
Queen Rhusana wins popular support by waging a brutal campaign against the Crows, blaming them for the poisonous plague that wracks the nation.
A desperate Fie clings onto a prophecy that a long-forgotten god will return and provide a cure to the plague. Fie must team up with old friends—and an old flame—to track down a dead god and save her people.
The Faithless Hawk is the
second and final installment in author Margaret Owen's The Merciful Crow
duology. Fie has become the new Chieftain of the Crows. A covenant made crows
as a punishment for the Sinner's Plague. It is alleged that in Sabor, dead sinners
are reborn as Crows. They are the only ones who can put the plague victims to
rest. Unfortunately for Fie, she has plenty of enemies. After delivering Prince
Jasimir to safety with his Aunt Master General Daga, and with an army at his
back, Fie's hope for the future, a future where Crows are protected from the
vicious groups that hunt them, seems within grasp.
With her Pa's traveling days quickly coming to an end, and as
the new Chieftain of the Crows, Fie feels a sense of responsibility to her
people more strongly than ever. After all, Crows are quickly becoming a dying
facet of Sabor society. From Oleander Gentry who wants all Crow’s dead. To
Rhusana who is slowly making her move against the King. Fie has plenty of
enemies. With Khoda and other Hawks taking Fie's band to answer plague beacons,
things seem calm. Then the unexpected happens. Rumor spreads that the king has
died of the Sinner's Plague and now Rhusana plans to rule by first crushing
anyone who gets in her way.
What's even more strange is that the Sinner's Plague shows up
in large numbers along with a large number of skin ghasts that answer to
Rhusana. Fie knows her time is running out. With her people in hiding and a
choice of either dying of starvation, being hunted down, or of leaving her
people and going into the heart of her enemy, the castle itself, to do what
needs to be done. Fie chooses to fight back. Fie, Jasimir, Barf (cat) and Khoda
infiltrate the palace to get close to Rhusana. Fie is an expert at using the
respective teeth to shield her identity and wreak havoc where she can. The
three of them are pretty much the only ones dishing out the subterfuge and
rebellion. While there, Fie discovers secrets of the past, the Gods, rebirth,
and how things became the way they are.
Fie is far more than meets the eye and her skill as a tooth
witch only grows. There are a whole lot of interesting twists about Fie in this
story that I won't spoil. Yet, it makes perfect sense once you become aware of
what the author is trying to put forward. Fie's attitude and sass truly steals
the show, but she shines equally in her more quiet, devastated moments. She's
been through a lot in the last few months, and events don't seem to be slowing
down for her to catch up with the changes. But not once does she let her guard
down. Her ruthlessness in wielding both her sword and teeth is everything I want
to see in my heroines. I would love to screech about how her teeth-use changes,
or how she learns a few things about her identity, but again, SPOILER!
I honestly thought that the ending was wrapped up nicely, but
yes, there is room for another book in this series should the author choose to
revisit this land. After all, things are going to change, and change quickly
now, and I wouldn't be shy about reading about Fie's next adventure.
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