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The Twelve Kingdoms: The Talon of the Hawk Paperback – May 26, 2015

by Jeffe Kennedy (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 618 ratings
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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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  1. Book 3 of 3
    The Twelve Kingdoms
  2. Print length
    352 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Kensington
  5. Publication date
    May 26, 2015
  6. Dimensions
    5.48 x 1.18 x 8.24 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0758294476
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0758294470
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Mark of the Tala

"Magnificent…a richly detailed fantasy world."
—RT Books Reviews, 4 ½ stars, Top Pick

"Well written and swooningly romantic."
—Library Journal, starred

About the Author

Jeffe Kennedy is an award-winning author with a writing career that spans decades. She lives in Santa Fe, with two Maine coon cats, a border collie, plentiful free-range lizards and a Doctor of Oriental Medicine. Jeffe can be found online at JeffeKennedy.com, or every Sunday at the popular Word Whores blog.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington (May 26, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0758294476
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0758294470
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.48 x 1.18 x 8.24 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 618 ratings

About the author

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Jeffe Kennedy

Jeffe Kennedy

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Jeffe Kennedy is an award-winning author whose works include novels, non-fiction, poetry, and short fiction. She has been a Ucross Foundation Fellow, received the Wyoming Arts Council Fellowship for Poetry, and was awarded a Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Award.

Her award-winning fantasy romance trilogy The Twelve Kingdoms hit the shelves starting in May 2014. Book 1, The Mark of the Tala, received a starred Library Journal review and was nominated for the RT Book of the Year while the sequel, The Tears of the Rose received a Top Pick Gold and was nominated for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Fantasy Romance of 2014. The third book, The Talon of the Hawk, won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Fantasy Romance of 2015. Two more books followed in this world, beginning the spin-off series The Uncharted Realms. Book one in that series, The Pages of the Mind, has also been nominated for the RT Reviewer’s Choice Best Fantasy Romance of 2016 and won RWA’s 2017 RITA® Award. The second book, The Edge of the Blade, released December 27, 2016, and is a PRISM finalist, along with The Pages of the Mind. The next in the series, The Shift of the Tide, will be out in August, 2017. A high fantasy trilogy taking place in The Twelve Kingdoms world is forthcoming from Rebel Base books in 2018.

She also introduced a new fantasy romance series, Sorcerous Moons, which includes Lonen’s War, Oria’s Gambit, The Tides of Bàra, and The Forests of Dru. She’s begun releasing a new contemporary erotic romance series, Missed Connections, which started with Last Dance and continues in With a Prince.

In 2019, St. Martins Press will release the first book, The Orchid Throne, in a new fantasy romance series, The Forgotten Empires.

Her other works include a number of fiction series: the fantasy romance novels of A Covenant of Thorns; the contemporary BDSM novellas of the Facets of Passion; an erotic contemporary serial novel, Master of the Opera; and the erotic romance trilogy, Falling Under, which includes Going Under, Under His Touch and Under Contract.

She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with two Maine coon cats, plentiful free-range lizards and a very handsome Doctor of Oriental Medicine.

Jeffe can be found online at her website: JeffeKennedy.com, every Sunday at the popular SFF Seven blog, on Facebook, on Goodreads and pretty much constantly on Twitter @jeffekennedy. She is represented by Sarah Younger of Nancy Yost Literary Agency.

http://jeffekennedy.com

https://www.facebook.com/Author.Jeffe.Kennedy

https://twitter.com/jeffekennedy

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1014374.Jeffe_Kennedy

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
618 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the ending wonderful and satisfying. They also appreciate the fantastic, vividly written, and realistic representation of human nature. Readers describe the characters as great, finely drawn, and strong. They mention the pacing is exciting and intense.

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EndingPacingCharacter developmentNarrative qualityStrength
19 customers mention "Ending"18 positive1 negative

Customers find the ending wonderful, satisfyingly developed, and fine. They also appreciate the terrific plot and characters. Readers describe the trilogy as super and well-told.

"...The Talons of the Hawk is a great conclusion to the series, there will be spin-off books with the other minor characters...." Read more

"I loved the people of the books. The love relationships were very strong and nuanced. No cookie cutter heroes or heroines...." Read more

"...has some unexpected twists and turns leading to a satisfyingly developed conclusion...." Read more

"...As always, Ami and Andi were great to see and the finale climax was sufficiently built...." Read more

11 customers mention "Pacing"9 positive2 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book wonderful, intense, and well-written. They also say the book is rich, interesting, and creative. Readers mention the series is a great platform for people who straddle both a love for high fantasy and romance.

"...Jeffe Kennedy has created a rich and interesting world in The Twelve Kingdoms, and the story revolves around three sisters, daughters of the High..." Read more

"...The twelve kingdom series is entertaining, engaging and full of awe moments. It has just as many did that just happen moments...." Read more

"...No cookie cutter heroes or heroines. Damaged people, emotional situations and creative worlds. Excellent sexual tension (and release)...." Read more

"...Fast paced and with a great World building, we follow Danu's sword" Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters great, finely drawn, and strong. They also appreciate the cookie-cutter heroes and heroines.

"...The characters are finely drawn (I did warm to Amelia, eventually) and the plot, which moves along at a good even pace has enough suspense to keep..." Read more

"...The love relationships were very strong and nuanced. No cookie cutter heroes or heroines. Damaged people, emotional situations and creative worlds...." Read more

"This series has exceeded all of my expectations. The character development stands out...." Read more

"...Strong heroines with heroes who back them up 100%." Read more

4 customers mention "Narrative quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the narrative quality fantastic, vivid, and realistic. They also say the characters are strong and nuanced.

"...The love relationships were very strong and nuanced. No cookie cutter heroes or heroines. Damaged people, emotional situations and creative worlds...." Read more

"...The author has managed to provide a fairly realistic representation of human nature and change in the setting of a fantasy/romance...quite the..." Read more

"...usually gush over the relationship aspect of a book, but Harlan is depicted fantastically...." Read more

"...strong females with believable struggles couched in a fantastic world vividly written...." Read more

4 customers mention "Strength"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's protagonist strong. They also say she's abrasive, blunt, and forceful.

"...He will pursue her still. She is abrasive, blunt, and forceful. He will pursue her still. Ursula needs a strong man who is willing to chase...." Read more

"...As a result, Ursula is brutally pragmatic, smart, and strong...." Read more

"...There be magic and evil kings, strong females with believable struggles couched in a fantastic world vividly written...." Read more

"Strong finish..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Jenni
5.0 out of 5 stars Great conclusion to an excellent series.
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2015
Verified Purchase
Actually, I rather hope it is not the conclusion, I feel there is enough scope to expand the series, perhaps to future or distant-past generations. Jeffe Kennedy has created a rich and interesting world in The Twelve Kingdoms, and the story revolves around three sisters, daughters of the High King.
"The Mark of the Tala" is narrated by Princess Andromeda (Andi) the middle sister, neither beautiful like the youngest, Amelia, nor strong and capable like the eldest, Ursula. Andi learns that she is a pawn in the game of politics, promised in marriage to the king of the Tala (her long-dead mother's people) through a treaty signed before her birth. Andi's voyage of self-discovery leads her to understand her mother's legacy, but at what cost?
"The Tears of the Rose" is Princess Amelia's (Ami) story, and as the title suggests, it begins in sadness. To be brutally honest, I didn't think much of this book until about half way through, I just wanted to slap some sense into Ami, the stereotypical pampered protected princess. But she too learns that life is not all it seems, and that she too has worth above and beyond that of her beauty.
The story continues with Princess Ursula narrating "The Talon of the Hawk". Bitterly disappointed at being denied a male heir, High King Uorsin is a demanding and often cruel taskmaster as he trains his eldest daughter Ursula to be his heir from a young age. Ursula is strong, unbendingly loyal to the High King, and widely respected as heir, but begins to question herself and what she has always held to be true as she too learns more of her mother's heritage. And learns how to love.
I recommend reading these books in sequence, books 2 and 3 start where the previous story ends. This is a well-written series, and although there are a few grammatical errors, the books have been well-edited. The characters are finely drawn (I did warm to Amelia, eventually) and the plot, which moves along at a good even pace has enough suspense to keep the pages turning.
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Angela@ReadingCave
4.0 out of 5 stars Great conclusion to the series!
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
You know that song by Chumbawamba titled Tubthumping. Yeah… I doubt you do ( I didn’t) but you know that song that goes like this? “I get knocked down but I get up again, you’re never gonna keep me down.” Guess what it is Tubthumping by Chumbawamaba and it should be Ursula’s theme song.

She is one girl that will take a beating and still get back up, sword in hand, ready for the next round. I want to feel bad for her, I really do but there is something about her that makes you not feel that way. Enraged yes, pity no. Ursula is a resilient heir to the throne of the Twelve Kingdoms. She has to be, with a father like hers. There are things revealed in this one that will make your tummy turn. Yet how she handles the situation is well perfect. Everything she has ever done has been to protect her sisters and her kingdom. Her love for them is clear. Too bad sometimes it looks like theirs’ for her is murky.

Ursula returns to the palace in disgrace- at least that is how her father receives her. The king’s new woman is well a witch, both literally and figuratively. She is evil through and through and I would to see her dance with Ursula’s sword. Apparently, while she was gone her dad hired mercenaries to protect his position. The leader of the mercenaries, Harlan is a capable observant captain. Their contract iron-clad, and he knows how to bend the wording to enact his will. Ursula begs her father to let her handle her sisters. He refuses her and sends the mercenaries instead. It is a good thing that the contract Harlan signed stated that he has to protect the royal family. So he brings Ursula and her Hawks with him for fear of her life if she stayed in the palace.

Ursula as a warrior and heir is strong, lethal and mighty. Ursula as a woman, not so much. Events have occurred that makes her stand-offish and indifferent to the opposite sex. Harlan is immediately attracted to her. She will reject him, even at times is downright cruel to him. He will pursue her still. She is abrasive, blunt, and forceful. He will pursue her still. Ursula needs a strong man who is willing to chase. She doesn’t even realize she is on the run. Harlan is well- the phrase that comes to mind is where can Ig et one.

The Talons of the Hawk is a great conclusion to the series, there will be spin-off books with the other minor characters. The twelve kingdom series is entertaining, engaging and full of awe moments. It has just as many did that just happen moments. A perfect balance of romance and action.

[...]
2 people found this helpful
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kirtastic-one
5.0 out of 5 stars Good series, great Characters, fuzzy ending
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2017
Verified Purchase
I loved the people of the books. The love relationships were very strong and nuanced. No cookie cutter heroes or heroines. Damaged people, emotional situations and creative worlds. Excellent sexual tension (and release). The only quibble I have is how easily the villains are vanquished and the unbelievably complicated secrets kept and poorly conveyed by the countess--I think--Zevondeir (I'm not good remembering names!) Why did the old lady have to be so cryptic?? What the hell was the deal with the dolls? I loved these books, don't get me wrong. Excellent stuff. But the resolution of the bid for power at the end was a bit made-up for my tastes! It seemed to be Ursula was better at fighting than figuring things out well enough to make the leap she did with what little she was given to work with. Also, an epilogue would have been nice. Highly recommend the works despite my grousing. Stayed up late to finish book two and devoured book three. I'm always sad to reach the ending.
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A Frank
5.0 out of 5 stars Fulfilling Conclusion
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2016
Verified Purchase
This series has exceeded all of my expectations. The character development stands out. The author has managed to provide a fairly realistic representation of human nature and change in the setting of a fantasy/romance...quite the accomplishment. These books are actually written well!!! Imagine that. Ursula's journey has some unexpected twists and turns leading to a satisfyingly developed conclusion. Please look beyond the sappy book covers and give these books a try.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Kindle-Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars Würdiger Abschluss
Reviewed in Germany on May 12, 2018
Verified Purchase
Zum Inhalt werde ich nicht viel sagen, dafür sind Inhaltsangaben gedacht. Wie vermutet wird der dritte Teil von Ursulas Perspektive aus erzählt. Wir erfahren warum sie so wurde, wie sie ist und auch, wie sie lernt sich zu öffnen. Es gibt einige Kämpfe und Schlachten zu führen und ist bis zum Schluß sehr spannend geschrieben. Mir hat die Mischung aus Magie, Fantasy, Action und Romantik sehr gefallen.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great series of books
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2015
Verified Purchase
Thoroughly enjoyed reading these books, plenty of sex, a fair bit of fighting but nothing to tax my brain. Nice!
One person found this helpful
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Ms Erin L O'Donnell
5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent
Reviewed in Australia on July 24, 2016
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The trilogy is outstanding and the final book is rich in joy and sadness. As fast paced, and peopled with complex, human characters as the others, Ursula's story is even more satisfying and heartrending. Read all three, right now.
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luka2memphis
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice novel for fans of romantic fantasy
Reviewed in Germany on July 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
A nice story even though nothing too surprising happens; the characters are pleasant but nothing too extravagant or memorable either.
All in all a nice "alongside novel" with a satisfying amount of suspense, action, love and depth of the characters. Especially fans of romantic fantasy will get their money worth.
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Samrosie
4.0 out of 5 stars Strong ending to an entertaining trilogy
Reviewed in Australia on May 30, 2015
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This is now my favourite of the three
Ursula comes into her own
Secrets are revealed as the sisters reunite and join together to create a new future for their world
And the Hawk meets her match...
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