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The Wickerlight

(The Wren Hunt #2)

Mary Watson (Goodreads Author)

4.04 · Rating details · 350 ratings · 89 reviews

It's been two months since Laila was found lifeless on Kilshamble village green, not a mark on her. Rumour says she died of an overdose. Or maybe it was suicide? The autopsy found nothing, but somebody must know what happened.

Now Laila's sister Zara is ready to pick up the trail. But retracing her sister's footsteps takes her to David, a Judge at the dangerous heart of an ...more

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Hardcover, 416 pages

Published November 26th 2019 by Bloomsbury YA

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Jul 15, 2019 Jasmine from How Useful It Is rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, from-publisher, young-adult, to-re-read

This book is definitely a magnificent read! I’m so happy that this book has David’s view because I have many questions about him, including the punishment he received from book 1. David surprises me because he’s a different person than I thought he would be and I like getting to know him. Zara’s view is interesting too because she’s an outsider and for her to dig around looking in and learning all that is different is exciting. I like Zara’s strengths and determination. Instead of accepting her This book is definitely a magnificent read! I’m so happy that this book has David’s view because I have many questions about him, including the punishment he received from book 1. David surprises me because he’s a different person than I thought he would be and I like getting to know him. Zara’s view is interesting too because she’s an outsider and for her to dig around looking in and learning all that is different is exciting. I like Zara’s strengths and determination. Instead of accepting her sister’s death, she goes and explores until she finds what causes it. Both main characters are very likable and I enjoy following them. The supporting characters are great as well like Oisin and Sibeal. I like Sibeal’s calm especially under stressful situations. FYI: quotes from beginning of Zara’s chapters are from her sister, LAS is Laila A. Swart.

This book is told in the first person point of view following David, 18, a trained soldier from a family of ruthless Judges. The story started from 10 years ago when David first met Wren who he believes she is a danger to him. The story goes into details about his family, his expectations, and the rituals of the Judges. The second point of view is Zara, 17. Her family moved to Kilshamble from the city after her mom, doctor, caught her dad, university professor, having an affair. Then her older sister Laila, 18, died suddenly and now Zara is working to uncover her sister’s secret life before she died. This book continues with Wren, 18, as the girl of leaf and petal, Keeper of the Forest, who may bring silver magic to the Judges and is living among the Judges. Her character as well as Tarc play a small role in this book. The main point is the sleeping war between the Augurs and the Judges and how Laila’s death affect it all.

The Wickerlight is very well written and an exciting read. I love the dual perspectives and how the author gives both views at each encounter so readers could see what both characters are thinking. I love the mini cliffhangers at the end of each chapter. I love the mystery to Laila’s death and how info slowly reveal as Zara investigates. I find the story in this book much more interesting than the first book. There are more humor, mystery, and adrenaline rush. I also love the bit of romance too and reading the guy’s perspective when comes to romance is cute. From the first book, I thought Wren’s friends – Meave’s family are good people but with this second book, Meave’s family shocked me. I wonder if there will be a third book to this series even though the ending seems definite. I highly recommend everyone to read this series because it’s fantastic!

Pro: fast paced, page turner, magic, Irish rituals, humor, adrenaline rush, light romance, family relationships,

Con: none

I rate it 5 stars!

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Bloomsbury Publishing for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details ...more

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Nov 05, 2018 Ellie (faerieontheshelf) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: uk-lit, fabulism, paranormal, ya-lit, gothic, thrillers-crime-mystery

I enjoyed this one, with its tangible Irish lore. Maybe I preferred THE WREN HUNT a smidgen more, but both books have such a lushly developed sense of magical fabulism.

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Jul 16, 2019 Nora rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

the fact that this was written from the point of view of david makes me so insanely happy. It’s so interesting to see whats going on inside of him and why he makes certain choices.

The end of this book left me in tears, and everything was put together in such a beautiful way. I highly recommend this series to anyone and everyone. It’s amazing.

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May 05, 2019 Ashleigh (a frolic through fiction) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: physically-own, sent-by-publishers

Originally posted on A Frolic Through Fiction

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. This in no way affects my opinion.

Following on from The Wren Hunt, The Wickerlight takes on a slightly different cast of characters, this time following David – one of the antagonists of The Wren Hunt – and Zara, a new character. Zara and her family move to Kilshamble in hopes of a new start, but merely 10 months into the move, Zara’s sister – Laila – is found dead. Weird thing is, there’ ...more

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Nov 30, 2019 The Nerd Daily rated it it was amazing

Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Nathalie DeFelice

In this sequel to The Wren Hunt, Mary Watson continues to create this hauntingly addictive atmosphere that leaves me in awe of the magic that works in the town of Kilshamble. It brings together old characters and new, shows us new antagonists, and just how deep those still waters can run. Both main characters in this story are harbouring dark feelings underneath the surface, and it was fascinating to get to know them. If you lov Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Nathalie DeFelice

In this sequel to The Wren Hunt, Mary Watson continues to create this hauntingly addictive atmosphere that leaves me in awe of the magic that works in the town of Kilshamble. It brings together old characters and new, shows us new antagonists, and just how deep those still waters can run. Both main characters in this story are harbouring dark feelings underneath the surface, and it was fascinating to get to know them. If you loved The Wren Hunt and want to continue your journey, you should definitely pick this up. I’ve read so many books this year, but none quite like this one. There’s something that inexplicably draws you in…nothing big necessarily. Usually it’s a small action. Something you don’t quite think about until pages later it comes up again. Then you’re urged on by this sense of unease you can’t shake, that you need to finish this story in order to find that missing piece. It’s a truly spellbinding story.

In this second story, we follow Zara, who’s recent move to Kilshamble was supposed to be a new beginning. Unfortunately, that new beginning was destroyed when her sister was found dead on the village green. Two months later, Laila’s death is a mystery that no one in town seems to want to solve. Questions like where her injuries were, why she was so obsessed with the local folklore, and how is this all connected to the boy that lives in the big house go unanswered. As Zara begins delving deeper into the secrets that her sister was keeping, she too will become drawn into the same magical feud that drew her sister in. She just needs to make sure she’s not the next victim.

When I first opened this book, I was surprised to see who the narrators were. We have Zara, and then there’s David. Who (SPOILER IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE WREN HUNT) was sort of an antagonist for Wren in the first book. If you’re wondering if we’ll get to see what happens after the first book, you are indeed correct. He suffers the consequences of his actions and we also get to see a deeper dive into his personality. I loved seeing what drove this young man to do the things that he did. Not only did I grow to love him toward the end of the story, I’m pretty sure all readers will too. Zara is also fascinating. Despite still grieving her sister’s death and puzzled at the secrets her sister kept from her, she’s also keeping some of her own, particularly regarding her family life.

Let’s be real, the magic system at work in this story is truly fascinating to see. I love seeing all of the little rules and things that come up as you’re reading, as well as the little tidbits that Zara finds out along the way. Getting that outsider perspective really helps drive the story along, particularly in regard to the feud. Each chapter progresses in a way that leaves readers on edge, unsure of what to expect in the next chapter.

Since this story is told in both David and Zara’s perspective, I liked getting to see how each one was thinking, especially when it came to thinking about each other. I wasn’t expecting their romantic development to be as sweet as I found it to be, especially considering some of the circumstances they’re in. There’s nothing sweeter than relationships founded on mutual respect and understanding.

The grief experience is something that we see tackled repeatedly in The Wickerlight. We see the invasive nature of grief and how it can affect families and daily living, along with how it can drive the actions of people, just like it did for Zara. Ultimately, this story is about finding some sort of closure over the death of a family member, but becomes a transformative journey that affects the heart and soul.

I’m not sure how I got through this story in just an evening, because it certainly felt longer than that. The pacing of the story is just right, with enough momentum to catapult the reader right into the next chapter without looking back. I think part of what kept me going is that building anticipation that makes it near impossible to put down. While the ending of this story felt very definite, I hope that we might get to see another story set in the town of Kilshamble. I would love to see what happens with these characters.

It’s definitely a 10/10 for me. You should pick this up if you’re looking for a fall/winter read with a dark and haunting atmosphere. Come for the Irish magic and stay for the soft and sweet romance between two life hardened characters. ...more

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Nov 05, 2019 Cori Reed rated it really liked it

3.5 Stars!

I liked this one more than the first.

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Jun 03, 2019 Kayleigh rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I found The Wickerlight a lot easier to get into than The Wren Hunt and I really liked it.
It has the same dark, mysterious air to it which is one of the things I liked most about The Wren Hunt.

It was nice to have more of an insight into David and his life this time around. After disliking him quite a bit in The Wren Hunt, The Wickerlight showed a deeper, more sensitive side to him and the love he has for his brother in particular is very heartwarming. It makes him seem less of the monster that h ...more

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Nov 01, 2019 Rachel rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs, fantasy, mythology-folklore

Another atmospheric and enchanting book by Mary Watson! I absolutely love the Irish folktales and culture in this book, and thank goodness for the glossary in the back so I can read the right pronunciations for some of the words. The setting, many of the characters, and the mood throughout the book are the same as The Wren Hunt. I only wish that I had read this right after The Wren Hunt to have some of that more fresh in my mind for The Wickerlight.

There's a lot of conflict and growth in this bo ...more

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May 23, 2019 Jane Kelsey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-stars

Oh my goodness, loved this!!! You guys need to read the companion to The wren hunt. it was so good. [full review to follow]

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Oct 27, 2019 Anna Bright rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, favorites, fantasy

oooooooooooomg.
mary watson has given me a book hangover. be prepared.
THE WICKERLIGHT is written in the same world as THE WREN (mary watson's 2018 title, set amid a war between the magical augurs and judges in kilshamble, ireland), but it levels up her already ambient world with even tighter pacing and structure and increeeeedibly rich characters. WICKERLIGHT is a dense one, full of language and worldbuilding, and i still devoured it in two days. (and now i'm miserable bc it's over. ye be warned. ...more

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Apr 25, 2019 Elinor rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: owned-books

4.75/5 stars
I don't know what it is about these books but the magic feels so real and I feel like I'm really in the story and feeling what the characters are feeling (which led to some intense feelings and my mind being all over the place). It feels creepy and mystical and magical and I love it (though feel a bit misplaced in the real world every time I put down the book).
I enjoyed this one even more than the first book - I loved getting a POV from David, which I wouldn't have expected to enjoy ...more

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Sep 26, 2019 Jodie- Readthewriteact rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This sequel to The Wren Hunt is from a different POV which can either be a hit or a miss for me. For me it was hit. This book gave the reader a greater insight into David which I super excited for because I love myself a bad guy with some family secret that makes him such a jerk, like Draco. Anyway it was good to see David back. Zara is the main character in this one and her discovering what the heck is goibg on was brilliant. This book was filled with all the brilliant urban magi. Of The Wren H ...more

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Dec 29, 2019 han ✨ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Wow, Mary... you have done it again

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Nov 18, 2020 Raven_Blake (dreamy addictions) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, fairy-tales-and-retellings, urban-fantasy, young-adult

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars!
For More Book Reviews Check Out My Blog: Dreamy Addictions

The Wicker Light is the second book in the Wren Hunt Duology. The second book follows David, from the first book and a new character named Zara. I picked this up as soon as I'm finished with the Wren Hunt because It's David's book, and I wanted to know more about this bad boy. I'm glad that I've read it, but I can't say that I enjoyed it as much as the first book. While I enjoyed David's character, I can't say th Actual Rating: 3.5 stars!
For More Book Reviews Check Out My Blog: Dreamy Addictions

The Wicker Light is the second book in the Wren Hunt Duology. The second book follows David, from the first book and a new character named Zara. I picked this up as soon as I'm finished with the Wren Hunt because It's David's book, and I wanted to know more about this bad boy. I'm glad that I've read it, but I can't say that I enjoyed it as much as the first book. While I enjoyed David's character, I can't say the same for Zara. She wasn't as good as Wren. I really missed her in this book.

Zara and her family moved to Kilshamble for a new beginning but everything falls apart, when her sister Laila was found dead in the village green due to drug overdose. Her death was a riddle and no one seems to have answers for it. When Zara discovers her sister's strange fascination with the local folklore, and how it was connected with her death, she sets out to find the answers and her first clue was David, the guy Laila frequently visited. During her investigation, she gets tangled in the war between Augurs and Judges. If she wasn't careful, she'll end up with the same fate as her sister's.

I've mixed feelings about Zara! I found her character little annoying and too naïve. I was frustrated with some of her stupid decisions in the second half. I loved David's character. He's a complex guy who's fighting his own demons. He wants to prove to his jerk of a father who always saw him as a disappointment. We finally get his backstory when he was very young and the reason behind his hatred towards Wren. He was kinda lonely guy but everything changes when he meets Zara. He's intrigued by her, but he can't bring her into his life. He's determined to keep her out of their world, but the stubborn Zara keeps coming back. The romance between Zara and David was sweet, but honestly I didn't feel any sparks in their relationship. I really missed Wren and Tarc in this book! They didn't get much page time especially Wren. She's barely there in the plot. They're more like cameo characters.

The plot was a mix of murder mystery, myth, magic, and forbidden romance. As expected, there's lots of lies, secrets, and betrayals. This book was a bit more darker than the first book. The riddles were interesting, but sadly the story didn't captivate me enough. It's not that bad, I just felt something missing. The writing was pretty good though. I enjoyed David's perspective more than Zara's. As usual, loved the creepy atmosphere and the woodsy kilshamble setting. We get more info on the lore and the magical elements but some parts still left me confused.

Overall, it was an okay-ish read for me! Even though it's not my favorite read, I'm glad the author wrote David's story. I really loved his character development. It's honestly the best part in this book! ...more

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Nov 26, 2019 Yolanda rated it really liked it

**Review will be posted on my blog http://pastmidnight.home.blog on November 19, 2019**

Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this eARC.

FYI: I did not read The Wren Hunt and I should have. Luckily, The Wickerlight is so good as a standalone I didn’t get totally lost. I wasn’t sure what to expect and when I first started the book, I admit I put it down for a few weeks because I had to let it permeate in my head. I picked it up again recently and I finished it in o ...more

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Jan 26, 2020 Veronica rated it it was amazing

4.5⭐

Wow, okay. So The Wickerlight was just as interesting as The Wren Hunt.
Before I continue I just wanna say, if anyone's wondering if they should read The Wren Hunt before reading The Wickerlight - yes, you absolutely should. You won't be able to keep up with the characters and their relationships, and not only that, in almost every chapter MW references to something that happened in the first book, so without reading it you wouldn't even know what they are talking about, you probably won't e ...more

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Sep 09, 2019 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favouritebooks, 2019-reads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 21, 2020 Kat Mullen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Like The Wren Hunt, this took me some time to get into. It’s like the book finishes as soon as it really gets going.

I liked Zara, but still missed Wren. I have a better grasp on how the magic works now, but still am a little confused with all the magic around Wren.

Did enjoy reading about Irish mythology though. Bloomsbury sent me an unsolicited copy.

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Sep 20, 2019 Lucie rated it liked it · review of another edition

3.5 stars

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Sep 26, 2019 Kasia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Outstanding, I loved being back in Kilshamble.

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Nov 04, 2019 Rebecca Would rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I got given this as a birthday present, and didnt realise it was book 2 of a series until about half way through. Regardless it reads well as a stand-alone, and I really enjoyed it. The slight crossover between fantasy and psychological styles endeared the book to me. Following the story from Zara and David, sometimes can seem repetitive, but it's good to hear their internal thoughts. I also loved David's growth even throughout just this book. Will happily recommend to anyone with an interest in ...more

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Jul 16, 2019 Alyssa Grace rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Magical, fast-paced and a little bit horrible. More accessible than The Wren Hunt.

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May 15, 2020 Jenna rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, audiobook, because-we-can-readathon

I enjoyed this one, and did understand the world and the magic system a little better this time around, but there was still just something missing for me. The book wasn’t able to draw me in as much as I would have liked, and I found that although we already knew a lot of these characters going into the book, we didn’t really know much about them coming out on the other side.

All in all an enjoyable, if not a little confusing, Irish fantasy.

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Nov 16, 2019 Hannah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, tcg-reviewed, arcs, 3-and-a-half-stars

3.5/5. I received an ARC from Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review. I liked this one better than the first book, but there were still a few things I wasn’t too keen on. My full review can be read here: http://twincitiesgeek.com/2019/11/the... ...more

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Nov 29, 2019 Laura rated it really liked it

I was fully prepared to dive into the Wickerlight, having just finished The Wren Hunt and I ended up liking this one even more. An unusual thing when it comes to sequels. I found the concept of an outsider perspective in Zara and a voice to Wren’s nemesis, David provided a much better balance and understanding of the story this time around. The Wren Hunt had a lot of internal struggles between the judges and the augurs that was so rooted over generations that it made somewhat difficult to follow ...more

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Dec 02, 2019 Jeanna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, on-my-kindle

Mary Watson hits it out of the park again with this companion to The Wren Hunt. I just hope she'll give us another installment; I want to stay in this world forever!

Zara knows that despite her sister’s death being ruled an overdose, it was just too suspicious to accept it as such. Zara retraces her sister’s steps and finds herself caught between two worlds. David, the next door neighbor, is determined to keep her out of this but he’s also got his own stuff to deal with like his father’s expecta Mary Watson hits it out of the park again with this companion to The Wren Hunt. I just hope she'll give us another installment; I want to stay in this world forever!

Zara knows that despite her sister’s death being ruled an overdose, it was just too suspicious to accept it as such. Zara retraces her sister’s steps and finds herself caught between two worlds. David, the next door neighbor, is determined to keep her out of this but he’s also got his own stuff to deal with like his father’s expectations to uphold, finding a lost ceremonial piece, and helping his brother out. Yet Zara unknowingly unleashes a power that could change everything. The Wickerlight is the companion novel to Mary Watson’s The Wren Hunt; it captured readers with her world building, witty characters, and atmospheric setting.

The Wickerlight follows David and Zara. It alternates their perspectives between chapters which is at first jarring since I wasn’t expecting two narratives. However, their narratives are very different though it took a while for them to overlap.

I recommend reading The Wren Hunt before reading The Wickerlight. Wren makes a few appearances in this one as this companion novel takes place during the events of The Wren Hunt.

Readers met David in The Wren Hunt. I had so many questions about him so I'm glad Mary Watson developed his character more in this one. He wasn’t what I expected. I thought he was rather rude, blunt and sort of a bully in The Wren Hunt but knew that there was more to his story than what we initially received. David cares so much for his brother. Their relationship seems so fragile but there’s a strong bond underneath that will make your heart melt. His ambition and his willingness to do whatever it takes for his family is commendable but does put him in some precarious situations.

Just like The Wren Hunt, Watson brings her incredible writing expertise to the table. She whisks readers away to an atmospheric novel with magic, dark settings and unfolding mysteries. Watson creates such a realistic world with her elaborate descriptions. Her characters felt so real, developed so delicately. Family plays a big part in her characters. Their dynamic, all different yet so relatable, made these people as real as you and me.

Zara, still grieving from her sister’s death, knows that Laila, her sister, did not die from an overdose. She tries to understand her and becomes tangled in an unbelievable world she never knew existed. She’s strong and relentless. It was easy to connect with Zara as she was learning about this magic system while readers are also learning more about it.

As we learned in the previous book, there are two sides that always seem to be at war with one another, the Judges and the Augurs. Zara, a newcomer, stumbles upon this knowledge when discovering more about what happened to her sister. It’s part fantastical and part mystery. Readers are swept up in the clues that Watson reveals, guessing what truly happened. The twists and turns happen at the best places, immersing readers further into the story.

The ending was everything I could hope for and more. The only problem was that it ended. I hope another installment in underway. There are so many questions that could be answered and other paths to follow.

The Wickerlight was a glorious companion to The Wren Hunt. It was atmospheric and magical, a novel that will have you on the edge of your seat. ...more

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Nov 23, 2019 SeaFox.Adventures added it · review of another edition

Let me start this review off by saying that I didn't realize this was a sequel - The Wren Hunt #2. I also read it as an ARC that I received from a fellow book reader.

That being said, that lends my review a unique view, so I'm going to proceed with writing the review.

Quick note: this book contains triggers of torture and what could be perceived as needless violence/blood shed.

Being the second book in the series makes so much sense, because it felt like there was a decent amount of knowledge the r Let me start this review off by saying that I didn't realize this was a sequel - The Wren Hunt #2. I also read it as an ARC that I received from a fellow book reader.

That being said, that lends my review a unique view, so I'm going to proceed with writing the review.

Quick note: this book contains triggers of torture and what could be perceived as needless violence/blood shed.

Being the second book in the series makes so much sense, because it felt like there was a decent amount of knowledge the reader was suppose to have going into this novel that I didn't have. I originally thought that was because Zara has no knowledge. That helps this book feel like it could be a stand-alone. Even though its assumed the reader has more knowledge than I did, I feel like I was able to get a decent grasp of the work and at least some of the magic system present in the book. The Judges have an interesting magic system that I've never seen before, and it intrigued me.

While this story is definitely dark, I don't know that I would say it's inappropriate for teenagers, but that would depend on the teenager.

I like some of the character arcs. While some felt forced or overdone, not all of them did.

**The rest of this review was spoilers, minor and major!**

That being said, this plot and Zara's character arc felt a little . . . predictable. For someone who fought so hard to get a boy's attention, and finally getting it, she lets it go really, really easily. I understand that it probably would have been difficult to maintain, but she didn't even try. She just let her "friend" have him.

The transition of Laila's desires and life goals becoming Zara's felt a little forced and predictable. David's choice of Zara, especially with him having no history of liking girls, felt a little unbelievable. The author explains why girls wouldn't necessarily like /him/, but that doesn't explain why he doesn't like them. It feels a little convenient that it's Zara when no one else did. It would have made more sense for him to have liked girls before Zara, but been rebuffed. Maybe have his feels for Zara be different, because he finally really has hope that she will be interested too.

I like that David recognizes Lucia's "flaws", as others perceive her, as strengths. I think that will speak to readers who are struggling to be seen by others the way they wish they see themselves. ...more

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Nov 22, 2019 Deanna rated it really liked it

Let’s start this review with a little honesty: I only requested this ARC because I loved the cover and just assumed it would be something that I’d love. So image my delight and surprise to see that this was actually the second book in a series! And the first book is one that I had heard about but didn’t really want to read. I’m an adult though, so I bit the bullet, bought the first book and started reading. And guess what? More shock! More delight! Because I loved the first book. I couldn’t put Let’s start this review with a little honesty: I only requested this ARC because I loved the cover and just assumed it would be something that I’d love. So image my delight and surprise to see that this was actually the second book in a series! And the first book is one that I had heard about but didn’t really want to read. I’m an adult though, so I bit the bullet, bought the first book and started reading. And guess what? More shock! More delight! Because I loved the first book. I couldn’t put it down and was so excited to be able to read the sequel right away.

See? Sometimes it’s good to judge a book by its cover.

Even though this is a series, each book focuses on a different pair of characters. I was originally a bit hesitant seeing who this book was about but the first chapters immediately erased any doubts I had because I was just once again drawn into this twisted and tangled story. I think that the thing I love most about these books is that they truly keep you guessing and second guessing everything you read and everyone’s motivations. I don’t think that there’s a character in here that’s fully good or evil, they all fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum and it’s absolutely fascinating to read. I mean yes, some fall farther on either side, but it just adds such a depth to the story and makes everything that much more angst filled.

The story itself is pretty dark, it takes off almost exactly where the first book left off and we’re back in the midst of the tensions that are rising between the judges and the augurs. I’m not sure how to talk about the actual plot without giving too much away from the first book but the general idea is that Zara is trying to find answers about her sisters death and ends up getting in the middle of this ancient battle between the two factions of magic users and the twists start from there.

The book is full of magic, and drama, and there’s just so many questions presented throughout the book. There’s power plays and romance and friendship and betrayals. And a whole lot of violence and dark stuff happening in this small Irish town. If you’re into dark and twisted stories that have all of that then definitely check this series out. It’s a surprise favourite and I’m hoping that there will be more books in the series. ...more

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Oct 28, 2019 Shelby rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: cued-on-kindle

Special thanks to Bloomsbury YA and Netgalley for the opportunity to review a copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

So, I wouldn’t necessarily call this a sequel to The Wren Hunt, but maybe more like a companion novel, if that makes sense.

This book is unique in that it parallels timelines and events from the first book, but this time we get to see everything from David’s point of view, and also we are introduced to a young girl named Zara whose recently deceased sister played an integral p Special thanks to Bloomsbury YA and Netgalley for the opportunity to review a copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

So, I wouldn’t necessarily call this a sequel to The Wren Hunt, but maybe more like a companion novel, if that makes sense.

This book is unique in that it parallels timelines and events from the first book, but this time we get to see everything from David’s point of view, and also we are introduced to a young girl named Zara whose recently deceased sister played an integral part in how everything unfolded. (She was all up in the mix).

If you’re not familiar with the basic plot line of these books, they take place in a little town in Ireland named Kilshamble, where Druid magic is still very much alive (although kept secret), and it’s passed down through two different bloodlines: The Augurs and The Judges.
These two families have been at war forever.

In the first book, we got to see the Augur world through Wren’s perspective; in this one David brings us into the Judges world.

Dare I say that I actually really preferred this one to the first?? Is that terrible?
I found the pacing to be much faster in this one, and I hate to say it, but I definitely prefer Zara to Wren.
I found Wren to be extremely naive and frustrating at times, I couldn’t connect with her.
Zara made some questionable choices in this one as well, but at least we know that she’s driven by the death of her sister; wanting answers to things left up in the air.
David’s character was my favorite thing about reading this. We are only shown the one side of him in the first book, I loved seeing the TRUE David.

As I said before, this feels like a companion novel, so I will say that this could be read as a stand-alone and work just fine, but I don’t think it’d be as enjoyable, as your brain automatically flashes back to timelines in the first book and it’s like puzzle pieces coming together. It’s pretty cool to see all the things that were happening behind the scenes.
I suppose the reading sequence is interchangeable, either way, maybe?

Bottom line: if you read and enjoyed The Wren Hunt, you absolutely will enjoy this one, in my opinion.
If you haven’t? I highly recommend The Wren Hunt, but if not, definitely try this one! 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ...more

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Aug 10, 2019 Traveling Cloak rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Two months after moving to Kilshamble to star over, Zara's sister Laila is found dead. As Zara begins to investigate the circumstances surrounding the unexpected tragedy, she finds herself in the middle of an ancient war between the augurs and the judges. Who are these people and what is that buzz she feels whenever she is around them? Kilshamble and its residents are full of mystery, but that is not going to stop Zara from finding the truth about what happened to her sister, no matter how dange ...more

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