Customer Reviews

Wyvernhail: The Kiesha'ra: Volume Five

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

This book is the 5th book of a book series that is for young adults and a great series for kids.

A very nice wrap up ending to the series. It was very good, a quick read for me and I loved it. And it got here pretty quick as all my books do.

Nice finish to the story. Each of the books were fairly short, but had a LOT of content and descriptive information. The societal developement seems very accurate. Painted vivid colors in my head!

I envy the author. How can one person grasp such complex magic and still have ability to put it on paper? She is one of the very few. The Kiesha'ra series has been incredible and Wyvernhail is no exception.

Wyvernhail is very different in the aspect of who it is narrated by; it is narrated by Hai, half falcon half serpent. In the past there have very vivid and different characters, but none so much as Hai. I agree with what others have said about her being hard to relate to. The difference there is that I really like Hai. I think she is an excellent character and her difference is very refreshing.

The book starts just where it left off. Oliza has just stepped down from the throne and left her cousin and aunt in charge. One is pure serpent, one pure hawk. But some are upset with this outcome. Some feel that Hai should take the throne, for her father was a prince before he died. Hai does not want this at all and goes out of her way to let this be known.

But soon, Hai begins to have visions. Hai has always had terrible visions of the future. Not one vision is good. Now they are at their worst. Sometimes she sees herself holding the dying prince. In others she sees the child of Oliza running around and destroying the world. Hai tries to find a future that has a good result, but she sees none.

On the night that the Heir to the serpiente throne becomes king, he is almost assassinated. Hai is the one there when he is dying and she knows they are doomed if her visions come true. With the help of falcon prince Nicias, she is able to stop the king from dying.

When the people of wyvern's court call back Oliza to take the throne, Hai knows she will not let them follow through. And that means she can only do one thing: take the throne herself. It would be cruel in the eyes of me, but what she saw would be crueler.

This is an amazing finish to this series. I enjoyed it, but I was also upset that the series had to end. Do not miss Wyvernhail!

The final book in Atwater-Rhodes' Kiesha'ra series is narated by Hai, the half falcon, half cobra daughter of Anjay Cobriana (Zane's deceased older brother) and Darien, one of Cjarsa's favorites among the Mercy. Hai struggles to remain in realality and out of Ecl as her raging magic affects her sanity. Nicias, her light is the only thing keeping her from the void. She must also find a way to prevent the horrors in her visions of the future from becoming true... Or Wyverns Court will burn.

Overall a very good ending to a great series. I would highly reccomend the Kiesh'ra series.

While it wasn't what I was expecting the storyline was surprisingly different than that of the other volumes, which is hard to come across when reading a series.

This book was amazing, and basically redeems the last volume (which really sucked). This is the book where Hai really shines. Hai steps up and takes the responsibility that Oliza threw away.

Atwater's storytelling makes this book really good. I felt like I really cared about Hai and the world she lived in.

Great series. The story and characters were very vividly written and I found her world fastinating. In this book, Atwater-Rhodes is telling teh story through the character, Hai. Hai is a very troubled girl in that she can see multiple futures. At first she is reluctant to involve herself, until finally she can't stand back anymore. Yet, when she stands up and finds a solution despite loosing the love of her life, even that doesn't solve the problem. Great book. My only complaint was the confusion in getting the falcon community organized in my head and the scenes where Hai sees the futurea and past were so unclear.