The Talon of the Hawk by Jeffe Kennedy
Series: The Twelve Kingdoms #3
Published by Kensington
Published on: May 26, 2015
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Pages: 438
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
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A HEAVY CROWN
Three daughters were born to High King Uorsin, in place of the son he wanted. The youngest, lovely and sweet. The middle, pretty and subtle, with an air of magic. And the eldest, the Heir. A girl grudgingly honed to leadership, not beauty, to bear the sword and honor of the king.
Ursula’s loyalty is as ingrained as her straight warrior’s spine. She protects the peace of the Twelve Kingdoms with sweat and blood, her sisters from threats far and near. And she protects her father to prove her worth. But she never imagined her loyalty would become an open question on palace grounds. That her father would receive her with a foreign witch at one side and a hireling captain at the other—that soldiers would look on her as a woman, not as a warrior. She also never expected to decide the destiny of her sisters, of her people, of the Twelve Kingdoms and the Thirteenth. Not with her father still on the throne and war in the air. But the choice is before her. And the Heir must lead…
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This is the third and finally book in The Twelve Kingdoms Trilogy. This one is told from the eldest sister’s POV. The story starts pretty much where the second book ends. Ursula insists on going back to Castle Ordnung without her youngest sister, or more importantly, her sister’s son. She quickly notices that much has changed since she was last in Ordnung.
Ursula quickly notices that her guards are few and far between and that there are new guards manning that castle. She quickly learns that these are hired mercenaries. Uorisn has become paranoid and feels that loyalty is better bought than earned. He is also not allowing anyone who comes into the castle to leave. This includes Ursula and her Hawks.
King Uorsin is a person who has been a jerk in my eyes since the first book when he threatened to kill Andi’s horse (pets are off limits in my mind). Well, I had no idea of how bad it would get until I entrenched into this book. Uorsin isn’t even keeping up appearances any more when he forcefully backhands Ursula in court in front of everyone. This isn’t the first time he’s hit her, but this is the first time in front of everyone. She has always made excuses for him, saying that he was trying to make a strong heir, etc. Ursula is always loyal to The Twelve Kingdoms, the High Throne and the High King. She will do anything to protect them.
Harlan is the leader of the mercenaries. He is sworn, based on his contract, to protect the royal family. He feels that he needs to protect Ursula from her father and herself. I really like Harlan. Now I don’t agree with him that bought loyalty is better than earned loyalty. But I do like him. He works really hard to protect Ursula and she needs it. She has always been the protector of her sisters, but no one has ever been there to protect her. She doesn’t even attempt to protect herself from the king.
I thought this was a great wrap up to the series. I’ve really enjoyed this world that Kennedy has built with the Twelve Kingdoms and Annwfn. I love the three goddesses and the mythology that surrounds them and how they work together, even as the people worship them separately. The characters are all wonderful. I very sad to to be leaving them now. Even though she wrapped up the story really well, I know I’m going to miss Ami, Andi and Essa and all their consorts. I’m also really going to miss Dafne who has been there for all three of the girls. I love how we got a story from each sister’s point of view and each had their happy ever after. If you’re looking for a high fantasy with a good romance, this is a wonderful story. I highly recommend it.
Either my wry tone penetrated her haze or the grip of the magic eased its hold, because she refocused on my face and gave me a crooked smile. “Well, we foreseers can’t make things too easy on our heroes.”
“Some hero I am.” I laughed and tugged at my hand, but she held it a moment longer.
“You’re my hero, Ursula. Always have been.” Then she let me go, shook back her hair, and rode up to enter the city beside her husband.
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I’m Melanie and I live in Ohio. I have two horses and a dog. I’m an animal lover, avid book reader and audiobook listener. I like to live vicariously through fictional characters. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly fictional books in the paranormal genre, including Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. My favorite paranormal creatures are shifters, doesn’t matter the flavor.
There will be a follow-up series The Uncharted Realms with Dafne’s story coming in May: The Pages of the Mind. I’ve been lucky enough to be a Beta reader: it’s so good!
Oh, that sounds great. I would love to have more of Dafne. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Melanie recently posted…Review: A Tiger’s Bride by Eve Langlais (@mlsimmons, @EveLanglais)
I need to read more high fantasy romance. I always love the ones that I pick-up. I’ll have to check this series out.
Samantha recently posted…Sunday Post: February 7, 2016
I haven’t read a lot of high fantasy, but I really enjoyed it. This is the first high fantasy romance. I love Jeffe Kennedy’s writing style and worldbuilding. I hope you enjoy them.
Melanie recently posted…Review: A Tiger’s Bride by Eve Langlais (@mlsimmons, @EveLanglais)
Not heard of this series but the cover is pretty awesome. 🙂
I liked the covers of this series too. I had not heard of Jeffe Kennedy until I met her at RT15. I’m really glad I try her books.
Melanie recently posted…Review: A Tiger’s Bride by Eve Langlais (@mlsimmons, @EveLanglais)
I always hate to end a series that I love. I recognize the covers, but have never read any of these. So glad the author wrapped it up nicely for you! And btw-pets are off limits in my reads as well!
I’m one of those people who will let you murder every person in town, but don’t touch the dog, or in this case horse.
Melanie recently posted…Review: A Tiger’s Bride by Eve Langlais (@mlsimmons, @EveLanglais)
I still struggle a bit with fantasy sometimes but this really does sound like a fun series! Great review Melanie!
I haven’t read a lot of fantasy either. I really enjoyed this one.
Melanie recently posted…Review: A Tiger’s Bride by Eve Langlais (@mlsimmons, @EveLanglais)
I enjoyed this series as well. I wish there was more high fantasy romance around… I have been looking for series similar to Tairen Soul (C.L. Wilson) and World of Hetar (Bertrice Small) but they just aren’t out there.
I enjoyed this series as well. I wish there was more high fantasy romance out there. If you liked this one, you should try Tairen Soul by C.L. Wilson and World of Hetar by Bertrice Small.
Sorry for the duplicate! Trying to post from my phone is a pain!
I’ve done that before. LOL
Melanie recently posted…Review: The Vampire Voss by Colleen Gleason (@Mollykatie112, @colleengleason)
I’m not familiar with these others. I’ll have to look them up.
Melanie recently posted…Review: A Tiger’s Bride by Eve Langlais (@mlsimmons, @EveLanglais)
The thing with the dad, omg, he is so evil
He was very evil. So much evil.
Melanie recently posted…Review: A Tiger’s Bride by Eve Langlais (@mlsimmons, @EveLanglais)
I read a novella from the series and I enjoyed the world and the author’s writing. I look forward to reading the series.
Oh, that king needs to get smacked right back.
I hope you keep reading the series. Yes, the king is evil is many, many ways.
Melanie recently posted…Review: A Tiger’s Bride by Eve Langlais (@mlsimmons, @EveLanglais)
You put this author on my radar, Melanie. I’m glad you enjoyed this final book…it’s always nice when a series ends well. I really like the sound of the worldbuilding and mythology, so I’ll have to get to this series sooner than later. But Kodiak’s Claim will come first. 😉
I really hope you enjoy Kodiak’s Claim, This one is more way serious and has darker aspects. It is a great story. I hope you get a chance to try it.
Melanie recently posted…#FitReaders: Weekly Check-In Feb 5 2016
Sounds like The Twelve Kingdoms series was wrapped up just nicely. It looks like you really enjoyed it if you are going to miss it now that you are done. I think I’d enjoy this one myself. Fabulous review.
Naomi recently posted…To the Stars by Molly McAdams ~ Review & Teaser Tuesday (@MollySMcAdams, @WmMorrowBks)
Thanks Naomi. It was a great series. I hope you get a chance to try it.
Melanie recently posted…#FitReaders: Weekly Check-In Feb 5 2016
Abuse of any kind in a book really gets under my skin. Don’t know how I would like a book where the heroine gets hit. Sounds like an interesting series though.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Review: Apple Harvest Tealight Candles
I know that Is hard for many people. I did enjoy this series, but I can understand if you don’t want to try it because of the abuse.
Melanie recently posted…#FitReaders: Weekly Check-In Feb 5 2016
I like the sound of this series with the three sisters and how they each get a book and there’s romance and fantasy. Sounds like a ncie way to set-up a series.
And I can understand why you dislike King Uorsin with how the threatened to kill a horse. Killing or torturing pets is one of those things I really can’t handle. I’ve had to skip a scene or two in some books if they went that way. Great review!
Lola recently posted…Review: February by Audrey Carlan
Thanks Lola. I’m one of those people who will let you kill whoever you want in the book, but don’t mess with the pets. Uorsin was true evil, but that is what made him a good villain.
Melanie recently posted…#FitReaders: Weekly Check-In Feb 5 2016