7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
the end of the series?, September 19, 2007
Wyvernhail is the continuation of Kiesha'ra series that began with Hawksong. With each progressing volume in the series, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes introduced and immersed us, to varying degrees, to the world of the avians, serpientes, falcons, wolves, wyverns, and crosses in between. As this is the fifth book in the series, it is assumed that the reader has been following the story from Hawksong (or at least knows the gist of what is going on).
Atwater-Rhodes has a rich imagination and it is most obvious in this book than any of her previous works. Wyvernhail is narrated by Hai, the daughter of the cobra Anjay Cobriana and the falcon Darien. Hai is tormented by visions of the future with different monarchs' reigns and their fates. The story unfolds as the reader experiences with Hai her personal conflicts as she attempts to work toward a peaceful future. Also in this book, the reader is given much more historical background of the falcons and the ancestors of the avians and serpiente.
As in her previous books, Atwater-Rhodes' writing has continued to mature, and her choice of narrating through Hai is a good one; Atwater-Rhodes tends to narrate better through a female character. This book reads like the end after years of conflict, and if it is, it was quite a satisfying close.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wyvernhail: Fifth and Final Book in the Kiesha'ra Series, October 31, 2009
Finally, the conclusion to the Kiesha'ra Series. It's not a bad book in its own right, but still not quite as good as the others.
Warning, there are some SPOILERS in this review; best not to read it if these things bug you.
Firstly, Hai (the daughter of Darien, a falcon, and Anjay Cobriana) narrates this time. She is not at all a likeable narrator. It's difficult to empathize with her; she's just so cold and uncaring. She is torn by magical visions and is not quite here mentally, so that might explain why she seems so distant. Even so, it's really hard to understand her motivation to protect Wyvern's Court or why she even cares. I know the book explains this by way of her love for Nicias (who loves Wyvern's Court) but she seems to much more loyal to the falcons. Unfortunately, despite the love she has for falcon empress and the fact that we find out that the falcons aren't all bad, I still can't find myself being able to like the falcons at all, which means that it's difficult to like Hai.
Another problem with this book is that the plot is a bit muddled. It wasn't really Hai's visions of the future that are difficult to understand, it's just that it feels like the plot just goes this way and that before finally ending. The ending is optimistic and does give you a feeling of closure, but it ends up feeling like the whole book was a little bit unnecessary. I mean, the ending might have happened with or without Hai's involvement...So was this book needed? There is one good thing about it though, Hai is able to look into the future to let us know how things turn out, so we can be certain that the future is good. I suppose that's really why her narration was important, otherwise we may never have known and had that sense of closure.
Other than the things I mentioned, I don't have any other complaints. In fact, despite my earlier complaints, this book also has many strengths. For one thing, the ending is bittersweet and realistic, which I applaud Amelia for. She gives the ending a hopeful air without making it sappy and fairy-tale perfect. In addition, we get to learn what will become of Oliza and Betia, which is also a happy fate. Amelia also does a good job of portraying Hai's magical visons and making you feel exactly why Hai is so crazy. And, even though I still don't care for them, she manages to make you better understand the falcon people and sympathize with them a bit. Overall, it's a decent conclusion to the series, although frankly, I'm glad it's over. Any additional books would feel like overkill, as there is really nothing left to be done with the series. As it stands though, this isn't a bad ending at all, and I'm satisfied with it.
P.S. As a note to anyone who's new to the series, you REALLY shouldn't read the books out of order, and especially don't start with this one, or you will be confused! Anyway, happy reading!
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