I liked it; it was good
The band is now together! I was excited to start this book and get to the Guardians, though I couldn’t remember much of what’s all included. The title implies the whole book spans their journey to the Tree. I’m hoping to see some action!
Read: Feb. 27, 2025
Genre: Fantasy, Fable
Audience: Children, Middle-grade
Book contains: fire, referenced kidnapping, brainwashing, invented swears, mild gore, death
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Now a band, Soren, Gylfie, Twilight, Digger, and Mrs. P set off north to the Great Ga’Hoole Tree across the Sea of Hoolemere. Are the Guardians real, or just a legend for youngsters?
Despite being about the journey to the Great Ga’Hoole Tree, it’s not one of those books that describes only the travel. Their flight is depicted in snapshots and scenes that teach lessons but also scream of set-up for future plot points—especially the Beaks and the Mirror Lakes. I love how we finally get to know more about the flecks from book 1!
While mainly following Soren as a focal character, this book, told in third person limited, sometimes jumps to other characters when needed. I love how each book includes a map of the owl kingdoms as well as a depiction of an important scene right at the beginning. The inside of the cover also shows four owls (the front always showing Soren and the band, while the back shows four other important characters).
I read this as a way to relax after such a busy last few days. I got a warm mug of tea, set a candle, and enjoyed a few hours of easy reading.
I’m laughing to myself as I realize this, but so many of the characters in this book remind me so much of Harry Potter, it’s crazy. Soren is like Harry, the leader with special qualities but who is also extremely self-conscious with low self-esteem. Digger is like Ron: loyal but also quick to put himself down and think that he can’t do things. Gylfie and Otulissa (a new character) are the extremes of Hermione’s personality. And, of course, Mrs. P is so much like Molly Weasley that you can’t help but love her (everyone needs a Molly Weasley).
The first half of this book has only the five main band together alone, which gives them time to bond further as a group, while the second half follows them as they set off on different paths.
Again, Lasky’s syntax brings you right into a world through the mind of an owl. The flow is spectacular, and her descriptions of the world and characters is vivid enough to picture in your head. One or two typos slipped through—it confused me a bit when “Ruby” became “Rudy” in one scene, haha.
I was expecting a whole book following their journey to the Tree, but was pleasantly surprised when it took only half the book before the travel portion of the story was over. The rest involved classes and growing into one’s own, which is another sort of journey that was really enjoyable.
I highly recommend continuing this series! It’s great for young children but also older readers like me who enjoy the nostalgia.
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 1: The Capture by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 2: The Journey by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 3: The Rescue by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 4: The Siege by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 5: The Shattering by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 6: The Burning by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 7: The Hatchling by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 8: The Outcast by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 9: The First Collier by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 10: The Coming of Hoole by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 11: To Be a King by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 12: The Golden Tree by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 13: The River of Wind by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 14: Exile by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole Book 15: The War of the Ember by Kathryn Lasky
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole: Lost Tales of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky
The Tale of Despereaux, a Junior Novelization by Jamie Michalak
How to Train Your Dragon Book 1: How to train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Dragon Rider Book 1: Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
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