We enter a new era with this book, both in universe and out! I really think that it could be seen as two separate series, like with Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus.

Read: Apr. 3 – Apr. 4, 2025

Genre: Fantasy, Fable
Audience: Children, Middle-grade
Book contains: brainwashing, grooming, invented swears, murder, plotted murder, child abuse

Purchase a copy from Indigo.ca

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Our New Main Character

After the Battle of the Burning and the death of Kludd, Nyra’s newest egg has hatched in the darkness of an eclipse. Her son, Nyroc, is the perfect Pure One in every aspect—except his heart. Will he realize how evil his mother and the Pure Ones are before his Special Ceremony, where he is expected to murder in cold blood like his father?

This book really is a breath of something fresh and new. Soren is only in this book by name, but I actually quite enjoyed the new protagonist and characters. The storyline is taking us deeper into the world and its lore, which is also fun!

The Hatchling follows Nyroc and his thoughts a lot more closely than the other books have been since The Capture which was close to Soren. That said, the narrative does drift to other characters when the need calls for it. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of character portraits on the front and back inner covers, but the frontispiece was still there and very cool-looking.

I started reading this book in bed; it’s an excellent story to wind down to at the end of the day.

As I said, Soren is only brought up by name. None of the Ga’Hoole owls actually make an appearance, really, aside from Otulissa, who shows up near the end. The new star is Nyroc, son of Nyra and Kludd, who is a prodigy in all things, and is just discovering his own great powers and the truth of the world. He is insightful and philosophical, asking questions that none of the Pure Ones can make heads or tails of.

The strongest relationship in this book is the friendship between Nyroc and Phillip (called Dustytuft by the Pure Ones). It is innocent but also with darker intentions than either of them expected. The mother-son relationship between Nyroc and Nyra is a broken thing because I doubt that Nyra is actually capable of real love. It makes me eager to watch as Nyroc’s understanding of what love is evolves.

Lasky’s writing is getting even better as the books go on, especially with this fresh storyline. It’s still simplistic enough for children, but as an adult, I can appreciate the deeper meanings behind each scene. Her made up swears and other humour does well in dispelling tension.

Overall, I’d say it was a rather fast-paced book. Nyroc’s journey is far from over, so I suppose that was disappointing, but progress was made and accomplishments were achieved. Some of the more intense scenes were thrilling to read.

I’d definitely recommend continuing to read this series. Things are getting super interesting!

Related Reviews:

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