Veena’s review of Talon Of The Hawk: The Twelve Kingdoms by Jeffe Kennedy
Fantasy Romance published by Kensington 26 May 15
This is a series that I accidentally stumbled upon and have enjoyed every moment of. From the very first book, serious Ursula captured my imagination and I have been anxiously waiting for her story, which, I am glad to report, meets all my expectations and more.
Ursula is like a sword who rises up to protect those under her care, which includes her sisters as well as the people she’s destined to rule as her father’s heir. I like how she balances her loyalty to her father with her loyalty to the crown. She’s definitely a worthy heir to the twelve kingdoms, but before she can earn her rightful destiny she has the most difficult course to complete as is her right as the eldest.
The author has painted superb word pictures of the quest that brings all three sisters together as well as a fitting mate for Ursula. Her back story is painful and emotional as the reader finally learns of the childhood events that have shaped Ursula. Even her gifted, magical mother, who sacrificed her eldest to drive the destiny of the thirteen kingdoms, never truly envisioned the painful childhood and adulthood she abandoned her daughter to, and I can assure you that I never envisioned the ending of the story as it evolved to be.
I absolutely love the magic, especially the good kind which Ursula experiences through finally opening her shields and allowing love to enter her world. But even the magical Tala are not immune from hate and evil, and so Ursula finds herself confronting evil on all fronts, even as she basks in the magic of love. The death magic is superbly woven into this story and the roused Ursula, with all the power of her blood, is a definitely a sight for sore eyes.
I am glad to leave the twelve kingdoms in peace and harmony, but I am having a hard time saying goodbye. I wish that given a chance the author will take us back to this world and give us more stories that I feel are bursting at the seams to be told. If you like romantic fantasy, then I definitely recommend that you make your way to your nearest bookstore or internet outlet and get yourself a copy. I promise you won’t be sorry.
Grade: A
Summary:
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…
Other books in this series:
hi! 🙂 there will be at least two more – I’m writing Dafne’s book now.
So pleased you like these books!
I am so happy to hear that you will continue to write more books in this world and look forward to Dafne’s book since she captured my imagination as much as the three sisters did.