A fantastic fantasy adventure using Norse mythology as the foundation for a complex world full of legends and warring factions. Ysolda searches for a mythical girl, who, she hopes, will help save her sister. Joined by an escaped servant and the daughter of the Wolf Queen, they search for the impossible, listening to legends of a strange girl and travelling across dangerous lands. Thrown together, they are not easy companions and this friction enhances the sense of danger as war approaches.

4.5 stars

I've never been quiet about my love for Kiran's books, adult or child. I would read anything she wrote, even her shopping list if she let me. In fact, I either own, or have read, every single one of her published books. A fact I'm quite proud of!

I really enjoyed the first in this series, In the Shadow of a Wolf Queen, and was upset when I finished it because I knew I'd have to wait so long for the sequel, but the day has arrived.

I read the first one in September 2023, and I thought I'd written a review for it then, but after searching through everything, it turns out I didn't. Which was annoying as I was trying to refresh my memory as to how it ended, seeing as it's been almost a year. And so it did take me a little while to get bac into, but that's because of my terrible memory. But it does start well, straight into the action.

If I'd re-read the first one, or at least the ending, I may have got more out of this one, but having said that, I think it's just as enjoyable whether you read it as a series or a standalone.

It's a story led, for the most part, by three children. Okay, not young children, but children all the same. And it's a big book for them to head but it was interesting. And I think younger readers will appreciate that the heroes are relatable in that sense.

I'd say it is definitely a book aimed at older children or young adults, but this 31-year-old is thoroughly enjoying it and am looking forward to reading the third - and I assume last - in the series.

It's not as action filled as I thought it would be. What I can remember from the first one was there was a bit more action, whereas this one felt more conversational and character heavy and plotting, ready for what I assume is going to be a full-on third part.

There are some very difficult topics, including abandonment, death, grief, desperation, loneliness, injury, and war, but it's also about friendship and family and love and trust. It is a fun and thrilling adventure with more than a little danger, peril, and heart.

Kiran is such a master at world building, everything feels so vivid and real, no matter how fantastical it is. She's got an unorthodox group of individuals - human and animal and even legendary - and has created such a powerful story for them to lead.

This novel is a deep and intricate read and Ysolda is a fierce and determined protagonist, unwavering in her mission despite the consequences. There’s a beauty in this novel of the gravitas of the scenes, situations and challenges faced. Whilst suitable for a middle grade audience, there’s content in there, especially in the latter half of the novel, that will have even the elder of us thinking and contemplating how we would react if we were in Ysolha’s place.

Hargrave excels in world-building, crafting an imaginative and immersive narrative. The vivid descriptions of not just Ysolda's environment, but her internal processes, logic and emotions, enhances the excitement of the adventure, making for an impressive and exhilarating sequel. Having been captivated tremendously by the first in the Geomancer series, this book did not fail to enthral me on the second outing.

Another cracking read from the pen of Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Ysolda and her hawk return once more to continue the journey started in the previous book. This had me hooked from the very start as I was desperate to find out what new challenges awaited Ysolda and her travelling companions. Tension, trust, loyalty, family, reunion, separation, battle - this book contains it all.
I can't wait for book 3 - hopefully it won't be too late!

I was so excited to see the next in this trilogy.
I really enjoyed this but I had some difficulty remembering all the details of the first, so wish I had re-read the first one or that there was a reminder to start this one, as it took me a while to remember all the characters and events if the previous novel.
Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to the final installment.

The Storm and the Sea Hawk by Kiran Millwood Hargrave - 5 out of 5 stars!

I absolutely loved the first book in the Geomancer trilogy, and this second installment did not disappoint. While it's technically aimed at younger readers, this is one for fantasy and adventure lovers of any age.

Bits I liked:
- Fierce young FMCs with likeable, developing personalities without being unrealistic (despite the fantasy plot!)
- A plot which is full of magic, myth, fantastic world building, and memorable twists
- The core location and mythology being based on Celtic/Gaelic legends as well as geography which is familiar to me
- An emotional journey that puts the characters through a lot of hardship and excitement, which, despite the younger age range, still allows the characters to explore that trauma
- Diverse characters across both books so far, with I'm sure more to come in book 3

Bits I liked less:
- I did have to really suspend my logic at one point: it didn't really take away from the story too much, it's probably just worth bearing in mind if that kind of thing bothers you
- There could perhaps be a wider range of diversity across the characters, but that could be coming more in book 3
- Honestly there wasn't much I liked less at all!

This series is going to be one I could reread again and again, and it feels wonderful to have something new, magical, and exciting for younger readers, but don't let the age range stop you from picking this up!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Hachette Children's Group for access to this ARC - all opinions are my own, honest, and freely given. I look forward to reading the final installment when it's ready!

Ideally this needs knowledge of the first title, but excellent, imaginative writing and a bold main character all make for a complex, challenging but totally immersive read with a strong sense of place. Wonderful fantasy, Hargrave never fails to deliver

Two massive thumbs up from my 11-year-old niece who loves this series! She read it in 2 days and her review was that it was even better than the first with lots of character development and now she's sad she has to wait for the next one!!!

3,5 stars.

Ysolda and her sea hawk are back. The concept and the action are delightful as in the first book.

My favourite character is the Wolf Queen, because of her complexities and dimensions.

My 9yo child loves Ysolda.

She faced many and different challenges this time, and we delved more into the world of these series.

The best age group for these books is 12 to 15, in my experience. 5 star for them.

The prose 3,5 stars
Plot 3,5 stars
Characterisation and setting 5

I’m not an impulsive person. I like to know just what I’m going to do, how I’m going to do it and when but just occasionally, something will pull me up and make me change my plans. So it was when I spotted this new title, the second in the Geomancer trilogy from author Kiran Millwood Hargrave, on Net Galley and not giving it any real thought requested it, without knowing anything about it.

Figuring I could catch up on the events of the first in the series, which is now very firmly on my list of titles to read, I bumped it straight to the top of my reading pile when I was lucky enough to receive a swift approval and went on to spend several hours lost within its pages. Exquisitely written, and full of mystery, magic and exciting adventure, this is a fabulous read that has left me with a huge book hangover and desperate for more as I journeyed with protagonist Ysolda on the epic quest that she started in In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen.

Following the events of that title, Ysolda finds herself travelling with her pet hawk Nara and the Wolf Queen’s daughter, Eira, through the vast ocean on the back of Eira’s wolf, Ravi. Reaching land, the party – together with servant Sami who has been accompanying them by canoe – look around at their strange surroundings and Ysolda thinks about her painful separation from sister Hari, who is being held by the Wolf Queen.

After spending the night in a makeshift camp, the group set off on their mission to reach High Place at the top of the Drakken Peaks, in pursuit of the mythical Anchorite but face enormous challenges along the way. As she gets closer and closer to her destination, Ysolda discovers that not everyone that she thought was an ally can be trusted and meets friends and enemies, old and new, as she searches for the magic of the Geomancer. With challenges, both human and magical, to overcome that will bring her face-to-face with her own mortality, can Ysolda make it to the High Place and if she can, what does fate have in store for her there?

This is such a rich and complex novel – written by an author who does not talk down to her readers or dilute the events contained within it to make the content less brutal or shocking at times. As the narrative progresses, it is soon clear that Ysolda’s quest is not one that is to be undertaken without the most enormous effort and when she finds herself in danger, it is not easily overcome, setting the book apart from many aimed at the audience this is intended to reach.

Ysolda is a strong and bold heroine, who is determined to complete her mission and utterly focussed on doing so, no matter what the personal cost will be. Intelligent enough to realise that she needs the assistance of others, she is desperate to trust those around her but is aware that not everyone is on her side, leading to personal conflict at times as she debates how much to share of what she knows with those around her and what her next steps should be.

Would I have enjoyed this more if I had read the first book? Possibly, as I’m sure that there is much to be gained from reading it and I most definitely will now that I’ve read this, however everything that is needed to catch up with the events from Book 1 is included and within a few chapters I was as engrossed in this as I might have been if I had come to it after reading that title. I thoroughly enjoyed this – it is a wonderful fantasy and one that will have enormous appeal to fans of the writer’s other books or confident readers of 9+ who are in search of something a little more adult, for want of a better word.

Publishing in hardback on 29th August this is a fabulous title, one for which I would like to thank both publisher Hachette and Net Galley for my advance virtual read.

In this second book of the Geomancer trilogy, there is enough adventure, magic, travel and danger to satisfy the most demanding reader. Despite not having (as yet) read the first tale in the series, I really enjoyed the story.

With a band consisting of a giant seawolf, a princess with a mind of her own, and an injured servant in tow, Ysolda and the others will have their work cut out navigating their way successfully through the wilderness leading to the Drakken Peak. At least she can rely on her faithful hawk, Nara! Yet by the end of the story, this unlikely group of misfits will learn to fit together more effectively than they ever thought possible...

Hargrave is marvellous at worldbuilding, and the creativity demonstrated with respect to the storytelling in this book is very impressive. Ysolda's surroundings are brought vividly to life, and the adventure itself is all the more exciting for it.