Hawk and Hound

Marie and the Mouse King #2

by Irene Davis

Dietrich Lang promised he’d teach her to fly, and Marie has tried wait patiently for his return. When a stubborn ghost turns up instead, she sets out to find Lang at his winter garrison, sure that she needs his help for this new supernatural problem.

But Lang has troubles of his own, facing suspicions over his true identity as the Grand Army begins its spring campaign, and still seeking revenge for the death of his mother and brothers. With the army on the move, Marie must learn how to fly as a hawk in order to stay hidden among the soldiers, master her ability to slip between the waking world and the dream realm, and find a way to banish the ghost for good.

Join Marie and Lang in a new and magical adventure that continues from the events of Sugar and Snow, this time with a dash of Ladyhawke thrown in.

Genres: Fantasy

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2022

About the author

Irene Davis was raised in the wilds of Alaska, where she spent winter nights huddled in bed reading fairy tales. She has since lived on three different continents and read many, many more fairy tales while also collecting a surprising amount of knowledge about salmon, Soviet animation, and improvised self defense weapons. Currently, she can be found in a Seattle coffee shop, where she works on novels in between research rabbit holes and conversations with strangers about how handsome her dog is.

Join Irene's newsletter for updates on her writing, book recs, and research tidbits. http://www.irenedavisbooks.com/newsle...

Reviews

[Grace R · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

Overall, I still enjoyed this book, but at times the plot lagged a bit. I wouldn't say I got entirely bored, but it was just lagging. After the first half it definitely picked up and that is what saved it.

The whole wind mother plotline just seemed very random and I feel like she just seemed to spend soooooooo long there that I just wanted to move on eventually.

I really love, once again, how the author incorporates the original Nutcracker story by Hoffman, I believe, as well as takes inspiration from actual historical events.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a little slow to start, but once it picked up I could not put it down. I think I like the first book a little more but this one was still really good. And there were plenty of cute moments with Lang and Marie that I kept rereading.😁

[Chey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hawk and Hound continues Marie's story from Sugar and Snow, picking up with Marie waiting for Lang to return. When a ghost visits her, she sets out on a journey to find Lang, in hopes or getting rid of her paranormal visitor.

I really enjoyed this book and feel like it picked up the pace from book one. Marie is growing in her abilities and watching as masters them is entertaining. The plot was fun and exciting, keeping me entertained throughout the entire story, and the character development from book one to two is very noticeable. I'm interested to see where the author goes next!

Overall rating:
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt a lot like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One. Where there was a lot of traveling around and setting up for future plotting but not much action. I’m not familiar with the story of Ladyhawke and so maybe that’s where the disconnect was for me. But the author’s writing and prose is excellent and I will definitely read book 3 for the conclusion to this series.

[Cheyenne Lopez-White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one took a little longer to get into. However, once the storyline was found on how to continue Marie and Lang’s journey it wasted no time. The dynamic of these two is so wholesome to see. His innate desire to protect her while trying to remember she can protect herself is such a breath of fresh air.

[Carole Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

Think Bridgerton romance suffused with myth and magic and fairytale folklore.
Irene Davis writes with a wonderful attention to detail that I was completely invested in this wonderful imagined sequel to Hoffmans Nutcracker and The Mouse King. I could not put this book down and I have just downloaded book 3.
If you like Neil Gaiman you will love these books!

[Book-A-Saurus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 sets up the big finale. Not as entertaining as the first book but again it is setting up book 3. I wish there was more moments between Marie and Dietrich. Their romance needs to be more developed. It feels a bit rushed.

Can't wait for the final book of this series.

Merry Christmas!

-There are kisses as well as a close door scene.

[Chelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little slower, but I think even better written than the first one. This was giving me a lot of the same vibes from the Trickster's series when I was a preteen and I love getting that feeling again from a series I hadn't yet read.

[Alicia P · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Cristina Huelsz · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the Nutcracker as me, you are going to enjoy Irene´s books.
Hawk and Hound is the continuation of Sugar and Snow, part of a trilogy where we know what happens with Marie after that dream with the Nutcracker.
In Sugar and Snow it has been 10 years after Marie had her adventure and has been waiting for the return of the Nutcracker, but that Christmas Eve there's a young hussar who says that the crowns that Marie has are his, that he is the Mouse King, now turn into a human, and a very distinguish one.
Many things happened, but we know for sure that the hero of the story is not the Nutcracker but Dietrich Lang, the former Mouse King.

Now, in Hawk and Hound, as Marie is waiting for Lang's return, as he had promised her to learn how to fly (yes, Lang has magical powers). Marie is worried about him, so she starts a long journey, but not just to find him, but also a journey to discover more about herself and what she is capable of.

I was surprised by the turn of the story. I was not expecting it and I really love it, because there are very few retellings of the Nutcracker, and as far as I've seen, very few say a lot of what happens after.
Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC of these book.