Customer Reviews

The Wounded Hawk (The Crucible Series, Book Two)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Set amid the drama and cast of the 100 Years War (though more parallel than true history), this sequel to The Nameless Day continues the story of Thomas Neville, former cleric returned to his noble life, as he tries to complete the quest given him by archangel Michael--to retrieve a mysterious casket that will allow him to send back to hell the demons that now roam the world. As readers of the first book know (and only readers of the first one should read this), Thomas himself has become unsure of just which side is the "good" one in the battle between the demons and angels and his uncertainty continues throughout this book, though not quite as pronounced.

Though plagued by some of the same flaws as The Nameless Day (some character inconsistencies, some surprisingly careless writing), Wounded Hawk manages to easily avoid the "middle book" syndrome. Instead of acting simply as a weaker bridge book to the trilogy's conclusion, Wounded Hawk expands and deepens both the characters and the story, improving on its predecessor in all ways.

Some of the improvement occurs because the character/plot inconsistencies, while not completely evaded, are much reduced. Some of the improvement occurs because the main character of Thomas recaptures some humanity and thus is a much more palatable character with whom to spend hundreds of pages. Improvement also lies in the book's tighter focus, mostly centering around a few personal relationships and the royal politics of England, specifically the battle between Richard II and Hal of Bolingbroke. It's also a better paced book, with scenes moving quickly and (usually) smoothly from one to the other, with no sense of being bogged down. The plot, while still containing some twists and turns, some shifts of allegiance, is crisper and cleaner, less of a muddle than in book one. The characters are all much more interesting and are captured much more fully, even the secondary ones.

The book's flaws are pretty much the same as in Nameless Day, though as mentioned they are greatly reduced. There are still annoying (though not infuriating) inconsistencies in character thoughts/actions and in points of view. Douglass has a tendency to tell us too much rather than allowing us to infer from actions or dialogue. Some actions seem a bit implausible. And some shifts in characters' beliefs seem to move all too quickly. Noticeable as these are, however, the book's strengths outweigh its flaws and I found myself pretty swept along in what was happening even as I found myself occasionally annoyed by how it was being presented. Certainly if you've read book one and enjoyed it, continue the series. If like me you had mixed feelings about book one, I'd strongly recommend giving the sequel a chance as it's so much better. And if you really didn't like book one at all, then you're not reading this anyway so blah blah blah.

Recommended.

Thomas Neville, once a priest in the Dominican order, is married to Margaret; they have a daughter he loves dearly, but he doesn't love his wife because the Angel Michael told him she was demon spawn like all daughters of Eve. Thomas' mission is to find Wynkyn de Worde's casket and use the book inside to send the demons back to hell. He doesn't know who to trust but believes King Richard II is a demon and that Duke Hal Bolingbroke, the next in line for the throne, should rule.

Over time his feelings for his wife turn to love, an emotion that Jesus sanctified in a vision to him. The king and his lover Robbie Devere are bankrupting the country, turning the peasants against him. When the king exiles Bolingbroke without charging him with anything the nobles turn against their monarch as well. Just when it looks like Bolingbroke will achieve his dreams, Thomas learns the secret that he and his wife share that if revealed could cost them both Bolingbroke and Margaret their lives.

Fans of Judith Tarr's historical fantasies will love THE WOUNDED HAWK, a brilliant epic novel that uses authentic historical facts in a supernatural context. This romantic fantasy answers many of the questions in THE NAMELESS DAY but there are still more yet to be answered in the next book THE CRIPPLED ANGEL. Although not a religious book, the author provides a unique take on angels, demons, Christ and God. The tortured hero is torn between his love for his wife and the veneration of an angel; he knows it is his destiny to choose mankind's path, a decision he fears but will make when the time comes. This superb tale will appeal to speculative fiction readers.

Harriet Klausner

The middle book of the Crucible trilogy is better than the first, but not without its flaws.

Thomas Neville, our protagonist, is slightly more bearable this time around, having shaken off some of his old vows and old prejudices. It's a beautiful thing watching him come to love his wife Margaret, and reexamine some of his beliefs.

Meanwhile, Richard II is ruling cruelly and ineptly, Thomas's boyhood friend Bolingbroke is beginning to make his play for the throne, and in France, Joan of Arc urges a reluctant king to act against the English. Douglass has taken some liberties with chronology, but it doesn't matter much, as her timeline works for the story and she explains in a foreword that she *has* used some creative license, so it doesn't jar at all.

What does jar a bit is the head-hopping; we seem to bounce from POV to POV several times per scene. Also, the scheme that Bolingbroke and Margaret execute, with traumatic results for Margaret, just doesn't quite make sense. I feel like I was supposed to either find it reprehensible or decide it was worth the eventual outcome, but instead? It just doesn't make sense. I can't figure out why these characters would have chosen that route.

On the positive side: Douglass builds to a big bang here. The secret that Thomas discovers is as shocking as it needs to be, and raises many questions about what will happen in the third book.

Finally, one more quibble. When Douglass sets her mind to it, she can write gorier scenes than many writers of outright horror. (I'm thinking of the miscarriage from Hades' Daughter.) I got almost to the end of The Wounded Hawk and was pleased to think that she'd kind of toned down the gross-out.

Then I read the epilogue. Let's just say that Douglass reassigns Edward II's gruesome death to another figure--and describes it. In detail. In excruciating detail. Yes, the guy was a vicious character. But I don't want to read about that happening to *anyone*.

The Wounded Hawk by Sara Douglass is a continuation of the Crucible Series, with The Nameless Day being book one. In the last book, Thomas Neville cast aside his friar robes and reclaimed his Lord title and lands. He is still arrogant but he grows more likeable in The Wounded Hawk: he is now married to Margaret, the woman he detests, but as he discovers more about her and her desire for his love, he, oh so gradually, softens! He still seeks the casket that contains the books to cast demons into Hell, but the quest somewhat slows as other dire events call his (and all of England)'s attentions.

All the major characters return, and the focus is on certain people and relationships; the last book was mostly spent on Neville but not this time! The newly crowned Richard II, with his promotions of his lover Robert "Robbie" de Vere, is causing nobles to grumble, especially Hal Bolingbroke (Duke of Hereford) and Neville, who still thinks that Richard is the Demon-King that will threaten mankind. The peasant dissenters that seek freedom from serfdom rise and deal some damage to the English kingdom. Douglass also turns our attentions more to the Maid of France, Joan of Arc. There is an interesting scene where the ladies inspect Joan and find out why, exactly, she really is a virgin. We also examine Hal (who seems too good to be true, until chilling confessions are made), Margaret (is what you see what you get?), Catherine (the ambitious sister of the meek Charles. She loves Hal but who exactly is she?), and so many others.

I cannot lie and say, "There is never a dull moment." Overall the plot is moving but there are sections of the book that failed to make an impression on my memory. There are also actions and dialogues that seem incongrugous in respect to their characters. One minute so-and-so is brash, the next minute he whimpers and sheds tears.

In The Wounded Hawk, the plot, richly woven with history, advances greatly, with so many of its characters coming into bloom (and a few to their demises), but of course Douglass keeps readers wanting more by omitting certain explanations of key people. The question of who is truly good and evil is blurred. People that seemed like, well, angels, may not be the saints we think they are. Even St. Michael and Jesus Themselves are put up to scrutiny, and trust me, it is shocking.

Oh, and the epilogue is perfect: karma comes to haunt a man who had caused hell on earth for a certain woman.

I highly recommend this series: some parts are slow going and there are flaws in the plot and character development, but overall, it will keep you enraptured as I was: going for hours at a time just reading, reading, reading!

This is the second in the crucible series. The first was a step beyond reality although the background seems researched well. Honestly it gave me nightmares and I am not prone to them. When I began both books I began the nightmares. I am on the third now and can more see where it is going and the nightmares stopped. I have read Dan Simmons without problem and Steven King and others that should give you nightmares. This book is an alternate reality that is not so far off of the imaginary as to be unbelievable and that it is scary is not a detriment to the book or writer but an accomplishment in making this alternative reality real. I have always believed in the premise that anything that can be humanly imagined can be real. Hopefully, so far this is not, but it is written so well that you start to wonder...

In this second book in her Crucible series, Sara Douglass continues her tale of a slightly alternate reality in 14th-century Europe in which Thomas Neville has been told that the fate of Christendom rests on his success in disrupting the plans of demons infiltrating the ranks of European courts. As times passes, however, the distinction between good and evil becomes ever hazier. The books are much more focused on history than on religion, and this is a fascinating period in European history. I should also say that all of the books in this series have fantastic cover art.

After a relatively tedious introduction to the Crucible Series in The Nameless Day, Ms Douglass has risen to the fast-paced narration and vivid characterizations which she renders so well in book 2. The portrayals of well known figures on the stage of history are refreshingly new, sometimes strange, but largely believable. The intertwined fantasy theme whereby the Judaeo-Christian angels are seduced by human females to procreate a race of demons which may only be destroyed by a human surrogate is certainly imaginative and novel, but lacks credibility, despite its commonality with the Zoroastrian view of the pagan pantheon. I am looking forward to the final book 3 resolution of this 14th century tale.

I adore Sara Douglass as an Author, but I have to say, that her Crucible Series is not her best work. Her grasp of history is astounding, and she writes stunning characters, but her ending simply doesn't live up to expectation.

The actual reading is a thoroughly enjoyable experience however, and I would recomend this book to all lovers of Historical fantasy.

This book is absolutly amazing, exciting, beautiful, and deep. I laughed, cried, and got worked up over a charactors behavior. All the same charactors are there and some new ones come along. My personal favorite, who isn;t new but becomes a wonderful part if the story is Catherine. She's strong, independent, and has the grestest guy ever at her side. Then Mary, whom most people feel sorry for just gets annoying in a good way. YOu know she has to be there but you wish she would just go away. Then Neville is still there and jerky as ever. But he does have his sweet moments. The ending only makes me mad because like most books in a series it leaves you hanging. Sarah was brilliant to do that. Now her fans will be more excited to get the next one. For anyone who liked the first book this one will blow you away. Definatly her best book ever.