"Cry of the Kestrel" is book two of "The Bardic Isles Series" and follows the continuing adventures of Kaelin. Gifted with the power of the Bards of ancient Eire that not even he yet understands, Kaelin is sent out alone to learn from the other four Masters of the Bardic Isles. He’ll spend three months with each of them: the Instrument Master, the Master Flutist, the Voice Master, and the Master Harpist.
What should have been a unique, wonderful experience becomes a living nightmare, one which follows him throughout his journey and threatens to take away everything … his instruments, his robe, and his Master. Can he escape the judgment of the Council? And regardless, will he be able to withstand the escalating pull of Bardic Mountain?
As in the first volume, Himeda’s love for music shines throughout, and the reverence her characters feel for it is matched by the author’s interest in the art and craft of making it, from tone to tuning to the “shades of expression” coaxable from harp strings and vocal cords. Even as he can’t actually play, Kaelin eats, drinks, and dreams music as he moves from one Master to the next. The stakes are high, involving the future of the Order and more, but also intimate, charting in lively, engaging detail Kaelin’s coming of age as a person, creative artist, and wielder of magic.
The prevailing sense of humanity, of characters who respect even their adversaries, edges the series toward cozy territory, but vivid prose and surprising magic—“low, undulating minor arpeggios” weave around one character, “pulling him gently up and out of his home”—will please lovers of any thoughtful fantasy, The momentum slows for music lessons, but Kaelin is easy to cheer for, a young man of bone-deep goodness, eager to enter harmonious states of learning and creation. This sequel offers enthralling world-building, lush accounts of music and magic-making, and an ending that is truly suspenseful—an especially good trick given that the climax involves men sitting around debating.
Takeaway: Music is magic in this heartening fantasy series of a bard’s road to mastery.
Comparable Titles: Emma Bull’s War for the Oaks, Mary Gentle’s The Black Opera.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
“A powerfully written story of music making, enriched with enthralling characters and a suspense-filled plot.” – The Wishing Shelf
Star Rating: 5
“I remember not so long ago enjoying the first book of this set entitled Master of Music. There, I met young Kaelin for the first time, and I enjoyed following him on his magical music adventure with his new master. It’s a superb book, so I was very keen to crack open book two, Cry of the Kestrel. And, I must say, this is a worthy sequel as we follow the young protagonist as he sets off to work with different masters of music. But what I suspected was going to be a slow-paced drama was anything but, his three new masters pushing him to his very limits as the readers, and Kaelin himself, begin to discover how remarkable his gift truly is.
There were a number of elements to this story I particularly enjoyed. Firstly, the author, Marla HImeda, is a strong writer, capable of not only developing her plot and characters but also successfully putting over the power of Kaelin’s playing. It’s the music which is very much the theme of this set of novels, and it’s this aspect which is (a) most original and (b) will entice the reader into the story. Secondly, Kaelin himself is a wonderful character. Yes, he’s often confused by his powers – but who wouldn’t be!? But I like him very much; he’s caring, brave – the sort of protagonist readers love rooting for. And thirdly, the pacing is excellent. With a character-led drama of this sort, a story can get bogged down in too much character development. But the author is wise to this, ensuring the story is equally well-plotted and, for the second half anyway, suspense-filled.
So, all you music lovers out there, check out Cry of the Kestrel. Although I would recomment reading the first book first; why wouldn’t you? It’s a gem too!” –The Wishing Shelf
