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adamrshields's review against another edition
4.0
Short Review: Prior to the Hunger Games this is the only young adult series that I had read that I felt really had an anti-war theme. Reading it again for the first time in 20+ years the theme is not as strongly presented as I remembered. And the books have less detail than I remembered. But it is well worth reading. In the last book, Mickle is reunited with her parents and the tyrant Carabas is exiled. At the beginning of this book Theo is touring the country on the task of understanding the people and making recommendations to the King on what he can do to improve it. In the middle of this Westmark is invaded by Regina (the kingdom to the north).
Theo and Mickle do what they must to take back the kingdom. The theme of the trilogy really does seem to be duty over desire. Which is a unique theme for a young adult trilogy. This is anti war in the way that Starship Troopers is anti-war. By seeing how war destroys actual people. There are a number of characters killed, but the violence is not gratuitous. This is entirely appropriate for 12-15 year olds.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/the-kestrel/
Theo and Mickle do what they must to take back the kingdom. The theme of the trilogy really does seem to be duty over desire. Which is a unique theme for a young adult trilogy. This is anti war in the way that Starship Troopers is anti-war. By seeing how war destroys actual people. There are a number of characters killed, but the violence is not gratuitous. This is entirely appropriate for 12-15 year olds.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/the-kestrel/
modernviking's review against another edition
4.0
Another recuperation book from the past. For many years, I thought this was a stand alone novel somehow and didn't realize it was the middle of a trilogy!
pagesofpins's review against another edition
4.0
Heavy stuff, this. Theo tries to help end a war in which everyone is committing atrocities for noble causes, or at least they think that they are. First one thing doesn't seem wrong, then another, then another, until the war is over and Theo has to fight for who he is rather than to stay alive. There are some semi-realistic allusions here to the horrors of war, PTSD, innocent people caught in the crossfire, and soldiers driven insane by what they see on the battlefield. No wonder so many of the scenes in this book made a strong impression on me as a kid! Alexander gracefully makes some points about the cost of war and the nature of human beings, offset with humor to make them palatable. A loooot of politics and strategy and vocab that will be unfamiliar to modern kids, but I think some 10-13 year olds would still be interested in this read, and it definitely encourages some serious critical thinking.
I found the distance between Theo and Mickle believable, but I'll be disappointed if they don't fight a bit for their relationship in the next book. If they're going to be together, they need a book where they aren't separated for almost the entire time.
Mickle is a badass.
It doesn't quite make sense that Justin is appointed a head of government by Mickle at the end when he is clearly borderline insane, and the "compromise" between democracy and monarchy is a bit too convenient.
(Also, is this whole kingdom like fifty miles wide?)
Again, so much quality and originality here, but lots of little implausibilities that need polishing. Hoping for a more satisfying conclusion to the kingdom's struggles in the next book.
I found the distance between Theo and Mickle believable, but I'll be disappointed if they don't fight a bit for their relationship in the next book. If they're going to be together, they need a book where they aren't separated for almost the entire time.
Mickle is a badass.
It doesn't quite make sense that Justin is appointed a head of government by Mickle at the end when he is clearly borderline insane, and the "compromise" between democracy and monarchy is a bit too convenient.
(Also, is this whole kingdom like fifty miles wide?)
Again, so much quality and originality here, but lots of little implausibilities that need polishing. Hoping for a more satisfying conclusion to the kingdom's struggles in the next book.
ndmetal's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
abcastro's review against another edition
4.0
I liked Westmark, but that was just the start, this takes the world to a whole new level, it has turns I never would have thought it'd take. I'm not a fan of this cover in particular because it's very easy to look past and say it looks like it was on sale in your local supermarket but trust me the content inside is what matters! I thought Theo was borderline to coming off as a wimp in the last book but they throw that out of the window this time around, it definitely improved on things the last one had, however there were times such as Weasel and Sparrow that I wasn't too fond of just because you could have taken it out and it wouldn't have much effect at all,
it might've just been in there to have a bit of scope as to who this war affects.
it might've just been in there to have a bit of scope as to who this war affects.
bazayas's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aomernik's review against another edition
3.0
This book is the one book by Lloyd Alexander that I can honestly say I didn't like.
At first, the plot was pretty interesting, but I felt that the book dragged on and on and ON! It was quite hard to read after a while.
The ending, as well, disappointed me. A lot. And Theo's attitude changed a whole lot during the book. I understand that he's maturing with age and experience, but really? I liked the inquisitive, trouble-making printer's devil that he was in the first book better than the sultry, silent "warrior" he is now. And again with the ending, why can't he follow his love and his dreams? Must he be so much the stiff statesman? If he continues to do that, I shall disown him. Indefinitely. Until he gets his act together.
And I despised Justin--which is not a good thing. Usually, unless they're the antagonist-in-disguise or one of the antagonist's cronies or something, supporting characters are SUPPOSED TO BE LIKABLE. Or likable enough. But I really, really felt an urge to punch Justin, especially at the end. He was on the vergy of hypocrisy: Theo couldn't desert him to find Mickle (who he loved), but he could desert his army (and make rash decisions) because of the death of Rina (who he loved). That is by my book double standards. Which I frown upon.
However, at least Mickle stayed true to herself. Thank heaven for good characters.
At first, the plot was pretty interesting, but I felt that the book dragged on and on and ON! It was quite hard to read after a while.
The ending, as well, disappointed me. A lot. And Theo's attitude changed a whole lot during the book. I understand that he's maturing with age and experience, but really? I liked the inquisitive, trouble-making printer's devil that he was in the first book better than the sultry, silent "warrior" he is now. And again with the ending, why can't he follow his love and his dreams? Must he be so much the stiff statesman? If he continues to do that, I shall disown him. Indefinitely. Until he gets his act together.
And I despised Justin--which is not a good thing. Usually, unless they're the antagonist-in-disguise or one of the antagonist's cronies or something, supporting characters are SUPPOSED TO BE LIKABLE. Or likable enough. But I really, really felt an urge to punch Justin, especially at the end. He was on the vergy of hypocrisy: Theo couldn't desert him to find Mickle (who he loved), but he could desert his army (and make rash decisions) because of the death of Rina (who he loved). That is by my book double standards. Which I frown upon.
However, at least Mickle stayed true to herself. Thank heaven for good characters.
rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Theo discovers that ideals and character can be altered in war. This book is definitely more intense than Westmark. One of the most telling lines came from Queen Mickle at the end. As Torrens and dowager Queen Caroline debate the merits of medals for leaders who served in the war, but are certainly motivated by the desire to see an end to monarchy, Mickle says (in paraphrase), "Certainly, give ribbons and metal to those who turned themselves into animals to save our country. Give them to the dead as well."
I've had reason to contemplate the effects of war on the hearts and minds of friends/family/neighbors who serve in the armed forces. They are asked to set aside the most basic of human values -respect for life, liberty, property, the right to self-will- at the behest of a government (on the large scale) and a fallible human (on the small command scale). They witness and participate in horrors -plunder, rape, murder- are criticized for the manner in which they conduct themselves, and then are expected to return home to family and country and pick up and continue as if there had been no suspension of basic, essential morality. And we give them ribbons and metal, a GI bill, medications where needed, and in some cases suspicion and scorn. It's a lot to ask of my brother, her husband, their mother. Governments -no, politicians- should give much more careful thought to the way they spend the minds, hearts, lives and souls of our service men and women.
I've had reason to contemplate the effects of war on the hearts and minds of friends/family/neighbors who serve in the armed forces. They are asked to set aside the most basic of human values -respect for life, liberty, property, the right to self-will- at the behest of a government (on the large scale) and a fallible human (on the small command scale). They witness and participate in horrors -plunder, rape, murder- are criticized for the manner in which they conduct themselves, and then are expected to return home to family and country and pick up and continue as if there had been no suspension of basic, essential morality. And we give them ribbons and metal, a GI bill, medications where needed, and in some cases suspicion and scorn. It's a lot to ask of my brother, her husband, their mother. Governments -no, politicians- should give much more careful thought to the way they spend the minds, hearts, lives and souls of our service men and women.