He is her enemy.
He is her lover.
He is her only hope.
Someone is stalking agent Justine DeCabrillac through London's gray streets. Und...
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reviews
Oct 28, 2011
Katie(babs)
rated it: 
The Black Hawk is one of my most anticipated reads this year because the hero, Hawker, aka Adrian Hawkhurst, former thief, master pickpocket from the rookies of St. Giles, Head of the British Intelligence Service in 1818 Post-Napoleonic War England, has made a lasting impression based on the past three books from Joanna Bourne. The one before this, The Forbidden Rose, was a prequel set during the French Revolution, which featured Hawker as a thirteen year old grubby street boy, but one who becom
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7 comments
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Jan 22, 2012
Elena
rated it: 
3.5 stars. I have a hard time articulating my thoughts on this one, because it's not really romance novel shaped. Most of the relationship drama occurs in flashback, and the bits in the present of the novel are what would normally be a crisis and denouement. However, there's a mystery in the present that has a whole arc, with roots in some of the flashback bits but mostly taking place in the present. If that makes any sense whatsoever. So this book didn't read like the typical romance novel, whi
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Feb 18, 2012
Wicked Incognito Now
rated it:
Sweet utter perfection.
My crystal ball tells me.....Nothing will live up to this for many many months.
My crystal ball tells me.....Nothing will live up to this for many many months.
4 comments
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Feb 20, 2012
Sarah
rated it:
Joanna Bourne, unfortunately, seems to be one of those well-loved romance novelists who, for whatever reason, leaves me cold. Since "The Black Hawk" won best Romance at AAR, I figured I'd give her another shot (having read the first in this series and not being taken enough to keep up with it). While I enjoyed "The Black Hawk," and would give it a four star rating based on technical writing skill, the romance failed to capture me which meant I could not in good conscience giv
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Dec 07, 2011
Mlle.
rated it: 
Adrian is one of those delicious heroes you can’t get enough of and, as is so rare in romance novels featuring a truly memorable hero, Justine is worthy of him.
They share an epic romance that spans decades, a love forged in war but defeated by peace. Their sentimental moments are believable and heart-wrenching. Their cold, pragmatic separations are also believable and heart-wrenching.
Basically, Joanna Bourne is reliably excellent author. She writes beautifully. She cr More...
They share an epic romance that spans decades, a love forged in war but defeated by peace. Their sentimental moments are believable and heart-wrenching. Their cold, pragmatic separations are also believable and heart-wrenching.
Basically, Joanna Bourne is reliably excellent author. She writes beautifully. She cr More...
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Dec 02, 2011
Randy
rated it:
I have been a big fan of Joanne Bourne since the superb Spymaster's Lady. But I had a bit of a struggle to give the fourth book in this series five stars. In the end, I decided that my low-level disappointment in the book should not detract from the fact that it's a fine piece of work, as always, from Ms. Bourne. The love story is beautifully done, and Justine is a first rate heroine, if not quite up to the incredibly high standard set with Annique and Jess.
Two things caused me to fi More...
Two things caused me to fi More...
Nov 07, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Redonk Nutshell: The story of two rival spies and how they went from enemies, to friends to lovers
The long awaited book in Joanna Bourne's Spymaster series has finally arrived! I rejoiced at getting my hands on Adrian Hawker's story. I've read three of four of Bourne's series, and I've been somewhat enamored of Adrian from the start. I was really, really excited to read this and get more quality time with Adrian.
The book starts out with Justine DeCabrillan, a former French More...
The long awaited book in Joanna Bourne's Spymaster series has finally arrived! I rejoiced at getting my hands on Adrian Hawker's story. I've read three of four of Bourne's series, and I've been somewhat enamored of Adrian from the start. I was really, really excited to read this and get more quality time with Adrian.
The book starts out with Justine DeCabrillan, a former French More...
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Nov 06, 2011
Megan
rated it:
You think I loved "The Forbidden Rose"?! I love this book so much that I want to start a family with this book. I want to get married and live happily ever after with this book. This book and I are meant for each other. I love this book so much it's depressing. HOW am I going to read other books?!
The story, the plot and writing - fantastic. The characterizations: spot on. Like I said in the Forbidden Rose review, these characters are SPIES. Their emotions are HIDDEN. They do More...
The story, the plot and writing - fantastic. The characterizations: spot on. Like I said in the Forbidden Rose review, these characters are SPIES. Their emotions are HIDDEN. They do More...
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Nov 02, 2011
Dls
rated it:
This is a truly wonderful book. As soon as I finished it I went back to the beginning and started it all over again. The characters have taken up residence in my brain and I think will be there for a long time to come.
Readers have been demanding Adrian's book ever since we met him in Bourne's first book, Spymaster's Lady, and this truly is his book. A lot of it is written from his point of view, for one thing. But more importantly, Bourne manages to have us watch Adrian grow up from 12 More...
Readers have been demanding Adrian's book ever since we met him in Bourne's first book, Spymaster's Lady, and this truly is his book. A lot of it is written from his point of view, for one thing. But more importantly, Bourne manages to have us watch Adrian grow up from 12 More...
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Nov 17, 2011
Moss
rated it: 
Charming foreign syntax: you can not haz waffles.
When I read Joanna Bourne's first book (which is set in the same time period and has the same sort of political set-up as this one) I was a little wary of the transliteration of all that French idiomatic speech, you know, the "He was dark, of the night, with the eyes of the blue sky" sort of thing. It turned out not to be an issue then; maybe it was the novelty of it, or maybe Bourne just handled it well in that book. More...
When I read Joanna Bourne's first book (which is set in the same time period and has the same sort of political set-up as this one) I was a little wary of the transliteration of all that French idiomatic speech, you know, the "He was dark, of the night, with the eyes of the blue sky" sort of thing. It turned out not to be an issue then; maybe it was the novelty of it, or maybe Bourne just handled it well in that book. More...
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Feb 08, 2012
Joelle
rated it:
The Black Hawk (Spymaster: Publication Order #4)
by Joanna Bourne
http://angelswithattitudebookreviews-joe...
3 of 5 stars
He is her enemy.
He is her lover.
He is her only hope.
Someone is stalking agent Justine DeCabrillac through London's gray streets. Under cover of the rain, the assassin strikes—and Justine staggers to the door of the one man who can save her. The man she once loved. The man she hated. Adrian Hawkhurst.
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by Joanna Bourne
http://angelswithattitudebookreviews-joe...
3 of 5 stars
He is her enemy.
He is her lover.
He is her only hope.
Someone is stalking agent Justine DeCabrillac through London's gray streets. Under cover of the rain, the assassin strikes—and Justine staggers to the door of the one man who can save her. The man she once loved. The man she hated. Adrian Hawkhurst.
More...
Jan 24, 2012
Alison
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
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Jan 16, 2012
Jerelyn
rated it:
The Black Hawk: by Joanna Bourne
Anyone who knows me knows I love spy novels, and mysteries, Joanna Bourne writes a good spy novel and she really knows her time period. This one in particular was well done.
What happens when two young spies, and when I mean young I mean early teens, on opposite sides of the conflict come together for a time to work together, knowing that they will soon be enemies once again. We have met these two in previous novels and so it was only time unt More...
Anyone who knows me knows I love spy novels, and mysteries, Joanna Bourne writes a good spy novel and she really knows her time period. This one in particular was well done.
What happens when two young spies, and when I mean young I mean early teens, on opposite sides of the conflict come together for a time to work together, knowing that they will soon be enemies once again. We have met these two in previous novels and so it was only time unt More...
Oct 04, 2011
Deniz
rated it:
Adrian's both mysterious and alluring. It's exciting to watch him and Justine at odds, through no fault of their own; they're both sharp and quick-witted, intense and dedicated, yet find themselves on opposite sides of The Game of spying.
Everything I want to say about this book gives away spoilers for what happens between Adrian and Justine. If I say the scene in the storm was sweet and exciting, you won't know what I mean unless I tell you just what they got up to under the rain - a More...
Everything I want to say about this book gives away spoilers for what happens between Adrian and Justine. If I say the scene in the storm was sweet and exciting, you won't know what I mean unless I tell you just what they got up to under the rain - a More...
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Nov 22, 2011
Eggletina
rated it:
If you’ve read the previous three books in Bourne’s Spymaster series, you’ve already met Adrian Hawkhurst (Hawker), spy extraordinaire for the English Intelligence Service. And probably like me, you’ve been intrigued by his past, charmed by his sardonic wit, and anxiously awaiting his own story.
The narrative is written in Bourne’s typical whimsical style. Not everything about Bourne’s style works for me. Though a bit over-the-top, the first book still managed to feel refreshingl More...
The narrative is written in Bourne’s typical whimsical style. Not everything about Bourne’s style works for me. Though a bit over-the-top, the first book still managed to feel refreshingl More...
Nov 29, 2011
Malin Engdahl
rated it:
This book can be read as a stand-alone, but will read much better if you've read some of Joanna Bourne's previous novels in the Spymaster series, especially last year's The Forbidden Rose, where several of the novel's characters are introduced, and you get valuable backstory about this novel's main characters.
Sir Adrian Hawkhurst, head of the British Intelligence Service, opens the door his headquarters to find Justine DeCabrillac, former French spy, (who happens to be one of his chil More...
Sir Adrian Hawkhurst, head of the British Intelligence Service, opens the door his headquarters to find Justine DeCabrillac, former French spy, (who happens to be one of his chil More...
Nov 05, 2011
Mandi
rated it:
Finally we get Hawker’s book and it has been a long time in the making. Adrian Hawker, former thief, now mastermind spy, having trained under William Doyle. At the start of The Black Hawk, we see Adrian in his mid-30’s, and Head of the British Intelligence Service. And as goes his life, he gets drama on his doorstep. His former lover, (always his love) Justine, shows up stabbed and bleeding. Justine is a french spy, and although meeting when they were very young and cementing their union, they h
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(3 people liked it)
Nov 12, 2011
Sandil
rated it:
Ms. Bourne had done it again. Another excellent spy novel in the series. Each as good as the next. This one is of Hawker and Owl. We have met most of the characters in previous novels and this one I was waiting for. It did not disapoint. A French spy and an English spy work with each other and at times against each other. The attraction from childhood however endures. Ms. Bournes stories are so well entwined with each other that each book adds to the understanding of the others. For exam
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Dec 16, 2011
Patricia
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 21, 2011
Elisa
rated it:
Oh, another deliriously good read from Joanna Bourne, and probably her best book yet!
Justine and Hawker are fabulous characters, and I've been waiting for their book eagerly--and it doesn't disappoint. There's a depth of feeling here that very few romances ever manage to create. I CRIED while reading the first love scene.
The writing is, as always, flawlessly beautiful, smart, and brilliantly spare.
It's wonderful also to get to see more of Doyle and of Sever More...
Justine and Hawker are fabulous characters, and I've been waiting for their book eagerly--and it doesn't disappoint. There's a depth of feeling here that very few romances ever manage to create. I CRIED while reading the first love scene.
The writing is, as always, flawlessly beautiful, smart, and brilliantly spare.
It's wonderful also to get to see more of Doyle and of Sever More...
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Nov 14, 2011
Bronwen
rated it:
What can I say? What a perfectly crafted book. The writing was superb, the character's finely crafted. A tremendous book. However, not one I can say I got that uplifting feeling at the end. I admired the writing and the craft, but I don't appear to like my heroine's so abused for some reason as I don't mind it for the hero. It makes me sad and angry that they wasted 16 plus years over war.
I admire the book and would read anything Joanna Bourne ever wrote, but it just didn't do it for me. I More...
I admire the book and would read anything Joanna Bourne ever wrote, but it just didn't do it for me. I More...
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Nov 14, 2011
Laylah
rated it:
Although this book, compared to the Spymaster's Lady (which I believe is the author's best), is not quite as explosive in term of sexual intensity, but it is more mature and much warmer. I do believe a year from now I would still be able to remember this book quite vividly while I couldn't recall much of the Spymaster's Lady now except for the bathtub scene. While giving it 5 stars, I didn't find it no fault. While the budding of romance is excellently and credibly told, the twelve-year period t
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Jan 22, 2012
Tina
rated it:
Big pet peeve = Stories told in flash backs, and this book is one constant flash back and fourth.
I find them irritating because it jars you out of the story. Not only that, when you feel yourself getting drawn in (finally), the book goes completely elsewhere - to the present time, to the past, to wherever. This just annoys me to no end....
I went looking for a romance novel but instead ended up reading a book with cloak and dagger, spy historical with a some love story thr More...
I find them irritating because it jars you out of the story. Not only that, when you feel yourself getting drawn in (finally), the book goes completely elsewhere - to the present time, to the past, to wherever. This just annoys me to no end....
I went looking for a romance novel but instead ended up reading a book with cloak and dagger, spy historical with a some love story thr More...
Jan 11, 2012
Erin
rated it:
A masterful fit of characters AND a deft hand at giving readers insight into their relationship. Everything about Hawker, an English spy, and Justine, a French spy, fits, despite the fact that they are often working at cross-purposes. I love the way Bourne intersperses the current timeline (an adult Justine recovering from a stabwound at Hawker's house, where he is now the Head of the British Service) with their past, showing them as children, teenagers, and adults who finally part ways. Just
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Feb 21, 2012
Jody
rated it:
Excellent romance novel set during the French Revolution and its aftermath, with spies on both sides of the conflict finding love in a shifting tide of alliances. The women are all strong and capable (hurray for confidence!) and the espionage adds great suspense to the thrilling plot. I love the fact that the romance is rooted in respect and friendship, not just hormones, but of course there's lots of tender but not too graphic love scenes. Book 4 in Bourne's wonderful, award-winning Spymaster s
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Jan 19, 2012
Jill
rated it:
Loved it!! I've been a huge fan of Ms. Bourne's since I picked up The Spymaster's Lady five years ago.
Justine, the main character, is so fierce, so strong, and so loyal, I couldn't help but love her. And I've been waiting to read Adrian's story--I was not disappointed!
Usually, I'm not a fan of extensive use of flashbacks, but the story progression kept me turning the page, and I never felt confused. It heightened the suspense for me.
Once again, the historica More...
Justine, the main character, is so fierce, so strong, and so loyal, I couldn't help but love her. And I've been waiting to read Adrian's story--I was not disappointed!
Usually, I'm not a fan of extensive use of flashbacks, but the story progression kept me turning the page, and I never felt confused. It heightened the suspense for me.
Once again, the historica More...
Jan 22, 2012
Nadine
rated it:
I positively loved this book. It's all that is right about romance.
It's been a while since I've read a book in this series, so at first I was frustrated by being unable to remember everyone's back stories. Turned out it didn't really matter.
Here we have the romance between Hawker, aka Sir Adrian Hawkhurst, and Owl, aka Justine de Cabrillac. And it just works. They have a long history between them, and they are perfect together.
One quibble: while each of the c More...
It's been a while since I've read a book in this series, so at first I was frustrated by being unable to remember everyone's back stories. Turned out it didn't really matter.
Here we have the romance between Hawker, aka Sir Adrian Hawkhurst, and Owl, aka Justine de Cabrillac. And it just works. They have a long history between them, and they are perfect together.
One quibble: while each of the c More...
Jan 09, 2012
Donna
rated it:
I often note that it's easy to go on and on about a book you hate, but so hard to explain what you love about a book you love. Forgive me if I can't come up with anything coherent. Joanna Bourne's books are just covered in awesome. I recommend them for anyone who's not sure about dipping their to into the Historical Romance pool. The characters, the settings, the relationships - just, well, sigh of happiness. I admit that I wasn't too crazy about hopping through time but by the time I finished t
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Nov 07, 2011
Betty
rated it:
Jo's books just get better and better! I am continually amazed at how she manages to create a French inflection into her characters' dialogue. It is sentence structure I am sure, but I'm never really aware of it. It is also her ability to know her characters so well, that every movement and thought completes the picture of who they are.
To date, Justine's and Adrian's relationship is the most believable within the Spymaster series. And that couldn't be easy with such complex characters. More...
To date, Justine's and Adrian's relationship is the most believable within the Spymaster series. And that couldn't be easy with such complex characters. More...
Jan 19, 2012
Rachel
rated it:
The Black Hawk is one book in a series that takes place during the French Revolution and Napoleonic War. The series features characters who are spies for both the British and the French. There are a few characters that carry throughout the series, but for the most part, you can read these as stand alones. This book features Adrian, master spy, one-time thief, and now head of the British Service. When he was a boy (though old beyond his years), he meets Justine (code name Owl, also old beyond her
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