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Black Hind's Wake #2
The Pact
'How, can you let things fade so far? I had a reason. I had cause, I was limited. You - you hide in your lakes playing games. This world crumbles, the last refuge north of the Everstorm is Mynyw and you have let it fall into jeopardy.'
The new King of Terrania may no longer hunt for Old Ones, but the world is far from safe. As the crew of Black Hind continues to search out the Old Ones and return them to their rightful homelands, the reach of a dead consort haunts the new king from beyond the grave.
In distant Mynyw a loyal guardian discovers the unravelling of an ancient pact. As Black Hind sails into his territory, he has a decision to make. Can he overcome his prejudice and ask for help from the strangers before the last refuge falls?
The new King of Terrania may no longer hunt for Old Ones, but the world is far from safe. As the crew of Black Hind continues to search out the Old Ones and return them to their rightful homelands, the reach of a dead consort haunts the new king from beyond the grave.
In distant Mynyw a loyal guardian discovers the unravelling of an ancient pact. As Black Hind sails into his territory, he has a decision to make. Can he overcome his prejudice and ask for help from the strangers before the last refuge falls?
- GenresFantasy
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2022
4 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
J.E. Hannaford
8 books53 followersJ E Hannaford is powered by coffee, dragons and whisky. She teaches Biology in the real world and invents fantasy beasts to populate her own.
She lives in Suffolk, UK, and pines for the coast and mountains of Wales.
A love of nature and the ocean washes through the pages of J E Hannaford's stories and pours out of the characters who live in it.
Her debut adult series is The Black Hind's Wake Duology, a futuristic folklore fantasy.
Her epic fantasy trilogy Aulirean Gates starts in 2023 with Gates of Hope.
She lives in Suffolk, UK, and pines for the coast and mountains of Wales.
A love of nature and the ocean washes through the pages of J E Hannaford's stories and pours out of the characters who live in it.
Her debut adult series is The Black Hind's Wake Duology, a futuristic folklore fantasy.
Her epic fantasy trilogy Aulirean Gates starts in 2023 with Gates of Hope.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 18, 2023
I was lucky enough to get a very early ARC version of The Pact, and I'm so glad I did!
I loved revisiting old friends and explore ever more of the world. There's a whole new layer of mysteries and complications, and our crew has to dash and suffer a lot to deal with all the things life throws at them.
The characters grew and stretched, both individually and into a tighter family than before. There's a whole new set of them as well, along with a new POV, which made me breeze through the story. I just wish more books had such a strong bond of friends and family!
I especially enjoy the melding of our world and different sorts of mythology, and a bleak future that has magic again and a change to recoup.
I wouldn't have thought this would mix of alternative future, a world almost destroyed by humankind, some almost list technology would blend so well with magic and all sorts of creatures, but Hannaford manages to somehow pull this off amazingly well.
The Pact has quite some dark moments, some really gut wrenching, while others had me snort with a dose of nice dark humour. It definitely isn't a fluffy and easy read. There's always hope at the core of the story, but there's dark patches as well as the light.
She trembled like a poked jellyfish, shaking her head in panic.
I loved revisiting old friends and explore ever more of the world. There's a whole new layer of mysteries and complications, and our crew has to dash and suffer a lot to deal with all the things life throws at them.
The characters grew and stretched, both individually and into a tighter family than before. There's a whole new set of them as well, along with a new POV, which made me breeze through the story. I just wish more books had such a strong bond of friends and family!
Yearning filled her voice. 'He is beautiful. Show me a woman who wouldn't be under his spell.
I pointed at myself and sighed. 'Any woman with a brain!
I especially enjoy the melding of our world and different sorts of mythology, and a bleak future that has magic again and a change to recoup.
I wouldn't have thought this would mix of alternative future, a world almost destroyed by humankind, some almost list technology would blend so well with magic and all sorts of creatures, but Hannaford manages to somehow pull this off amazingly well.
The Pact has quite some dark moments, some really gut wrenching, while others had me snort with a dose of nice dark humour. It definitely isn't a fluffy and easy read. There's always hope at the core of the story, but there's dark patches as well as the light.
May 11, 2024
An incredible conclusion to this duology!
Hannaford has become one of my must-buy authors. I absolutely love her writing.
Watch my interview with J.E. on my YouTube Channel @thedrownedkingdomsaga7847 for thoughts on her work!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evK_g...
Hannaford has become one of my must-buy authors. I absolutely love her writing.
Watch my interview with J.E. on my YouTube Channel @thedrownedkingdomsaga7847 for thoughts on her work!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evK_g...
March 30, 2023
In The Pact, which is the sequel to The Skin, we find ourselves back on The Black Hind with Georgie the selkie, Zora the sea witch, Theo and Rialta, who are also not quite exactly as they seem at first glance.
The equilibrium of the world has been held precariously by a pact agreed between humans and different branches of the Old Ones. A group of guardians has been set to watch out for signs that the pact is failing, and the diligent Maddoc has noticed that his particular sign is changing over time. He rushes to inform his mother, the Lady of the Lake and embarks on an adventure which throws him together with Georgie and the other Old Ones as they try to rescue a dragon egg, defeat a misguided queen and basically save the world as they know it.
I loved Maddoc, a calm and easily pleased chap who wanted nothing more than to eat cheese sandwiches and guard his yew tree. He found himself thrown into all kinds of scary situations by his mother, and bravely took them all in his stride, despite devastating injury and likelihood of death. His addition as a POV character added further magical layers to the story and made it all the richer.
Theo was also one of my favourite characters, along with Georgie and Zora. He is harbouring a secret that not even he is aware of and it made for an exciting reveal in the middle of the story.
The world has expanded extensively in The Pact and its world building was sharp and easy to visualize. Even the invisible locations!
I enjoyed the tension of the final battle but felt that it was all over a little too quickly. We had been building up to this face-off for the majority of the novel and then it seemed that the bad guys were too easily defeated by our heroes.
Throughout the story we encounter many creatures from Welsh folklore. I found these highly intriguing and would have loved an appendix giving more information about each of them and a guide for how to pronounce their names. Maybe a field guide to the creatures of The Black Hind’s Wake could be a future publication? I would certainly read one!
I am sad to leave these characters who I have become so fond of - they really are a heartwarming band of unusual found family members and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in their company!
The equilibrium of the world has been held precariously by a pact agreed between humans and different branches of the Old Ones. A group of guardians has been set to watch out for signs that the pact is failing, and the diligent Maddoc has noticed that his particular sign is changing over time. He rushes to inform his mother, the Lady of the Lake and embarks on an adventure which throws him together with Georgie and the other Old Ones as they try to rescue a dragon egg, defeat a misguided queen and basically save the world as they know it.
I loved Maddoc, a calm and easily pleased chap who wanted nothing more than to eat cheese sandwiches and guard his yew tree. He found himself thrown into all kinds of scary situations by his mother, and bravely took them all in his stride, despite devastating injury and likelihood of death. His addition as a POV character added further magical layers to the story and made it all the richer.
Theo was also one of my favourite characters, along with Georgie and Zora. He is harbouring a secret that not even he is aware of and it made for an exciting reveal in the middle of the story.
The world has expanded extensively in The Pact and its world building was sharp and easy to visualize. Even the invisible locations!
I enjoyed the tension of the final battle but felt that it was all over a little too quickly. We had been building up to this face-off for the majority of the novel and then it seemed that the bad guys were too easily defeated by our heroes.
Throughout the story we encounter many creatures from Welsh folklore. I found these highly intriguing and would have loved an appendix giving more information about each of them and a guide for how to pronounce their names. Maybe a field guide to the creatures of The Black Hind’s Wake could be a future publication? I would certainly read one!
I am sad to leave these characters who I have become so fond of - they really are a heartwarming band of unusual found family members and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in their company!
August 22, 2022
The Pact was one of my most anticipated reads for 2022, and wow – just wow. This is how you continue and finish a duology. I had high hopes for this one, as The Skin was one of my favourite reads for last year, and Hannaford blew all of those out of the window. The heart of the story is still the same, the world is the same but larger in breadth and depth, and we are reunited with many beloved characters – but at the same time, it feels like The Pact has spread its wings and taken off (fitting considering the cover) and taken everything beyond those familiar elements into something new.
Something spectacular.
Firstly, as with the first book it must be said that The Pact is a beautiful book. The cover is stunning (and oh so fitting), and I cannot wait to have both books side by side. Again, we have maps, one familiar and a new one, that not only demonstrates visually the expansion of the world of the Black Hind’s Wake but will also resonate with anyone familiar with folklore and old tales. And then there are the wonderful chapter headers, and you’ll realise the meaning in each one as the story goes on. Each detail is a lovely addition to the experience that is reading this book.
‘Unlike the shoreline homes, these were old, had survived the ravages of weather and time, and were beautifully maintained. Vines were painted around the door frames in as much detail as Sirena could have achieved. Would they have been real before the warming?’
As mentioned above, the world of the Black Hind’s Wake expands considerably in The Pact and not just geographically, although we do follow the Black Hind into new waters, and rediscover old lands that were lost, as well as new lands. One of my favourites is near the beginning when we visit Zora’s home, as it showed another way of living, and another way in which the Old Ones and humans were able to and needed to live in harmony. The Selkie lands are another favourite, although that is tangled up with the emotional aspect of those areas. And then there is Mynyw – which is so central to this book, and also why I say the expansion of the world and the worldbuilding in this book is not purely geographical, because in Mynyw in particular we see the boundaries of the real world and the world of the Old Ones blur and outright break in places. We tread the Path that leads to the world of the Tylwyth Teg, we see the library that holds the magical history of Mynyw and more, and we glimpse beyond.
What I particularly loved was that this world was never static. Each part of the world was in it’s own flux, between the changes wrought by the removal or return of the Old Ones, the influence of the sea and the catastrophe that had made the world as it was now, or from the actions of humans and those working with them, and the fragile state of the Pact.
This world lived and breathed, turned and grew. It didn’t matter which side of the magical divide it fell on, the waters and flames of change affected all equally – and it made for such a cohesive world, that you just sink into the pages, and can smell the brine, or imagine the terror and awe of running along the path.
‘Time turns – gods faded, and mankind grew. To open the lock, we need three out of the five; Fire, Ocean, Land, Mankind. You need to return to the island. We need an Oceanic Old One or a human to open this lock. Three out of the remaining four should allow us access.’
‘What’s the fifth hole?’ Rialta asked.
‘That key is lost to us. The old gods and their descendants no longer walk the Earth.’
Another aspect of the worldbuilding that expanded considerably was the folklore. And it is here that you can really see and feel the author’s love for the world and the lore shine through, as well as the care and attention to detail that has gone into this world. I also loved how this aspect was layered in. We had the creatures and people themselves like the Selkies (and this is still my favourite representation of one of my favourite mythological creatures) and the Tylwyth Teg, but we also had the old lore and sayings that were passed amongst the people. Little sayings and tales, much as we come across in everyday life, that often the truth has been forgotten and lost to myth, but which are still passed down, varying between regions and people. From sayings that Tellin remembers, to stories that were told amongst the Sea Folk, to old rules that those like Maddoc must live by.
‘Tellin, they believe in you. They believe in sirens and dragons. As a boy, I remember sitting at the feet of an old man on a rainbow boat, listening to tales of the Old Ones …’
That is the power of this series, and this book in particular. It isn’t just a retelling of folklore. It is living, breathing folklore, with a tangible finger on the pulse and rhythm of the ‘real’ world. It is stories within stories, and worlds within worlds and magic made real. You can lose yourself within the layers of this world, because Hannaford does such a fantastic job of weaving together the threads and arcs, that you are swept along with the tide.
‘The foods looked exciting, but sometimes one just needed comfort food. On the far table, he spotted a selection of cheeses. That was more like it! Maddoc took a warm, spiced roll from a basket and set course for the cheese.’
While everything about The Pact feels bigger, it remains at it’s core a very character-driven story, and here we are not just reunited with familiar faces and favourites, but also introduced us to a whole new cast of characters. And I may have a new favourite…
Firstly, though the original crew are back. And Selkie remains a favourite, and to be honest as much as I loved one of the new characters, I’m not sure she could ever be knocked off her pedestal. Here we see her really growing into herself and moving towards the future. There was a feeling in The Skin that she was finding out who she was without her skin, but here, even though that and reuniting and swimming with her pack remained a core driving force, it felt as though she had come into her own. She had found her place in the world, her family, her purpose – and what’s more you could feel it being continually shaped as the story progressed, each situation, each victory and loss and threat, carving a place in who she was.
And that is one of the most powerful aspects of Hannaford’s characterisation in general – you can see the characters being influenced and influencing the world in turn, and one of my favourite things to see in The Pact was that you could see and feel the impact of the previous book’s events on the characters – from the shifting bonds in the crew, to the way Eden was carried with them in different ways.
I should also say hold onto your hats (and your hearts) when it comes to any favourites. The Pact raises the stakes considerably, and Hannaford was not pulling any punches in this one and my heart was in my mouth on multiple occasions while reading this one. And again, those moments ripple through all the characters not just the ones directly impacted.
Theo and Ria also really came into their own in this book, and oh my heart in so many places during their story threads. Writing this review has made me realise how much this book impacted on me – and I loved it. It’s also made reflect on just how cohesive The Pact is – because each of these characters, as well as the new ones, were directly linked to expanding the world as well. Showing us different aspects of it, and themselves at the same time. Through Theo we get to meet the sea-folk, a whole people that I desperately want to read more about, as well weaving in new threads. While Ria is the star of the show in so many ways. Then we have Sal and Zora and Seren, and little Gar. Honestly, every single character in this book is so wonderfully compelling, that it is impossible not to be invested in every one of them.
Of the new characters, Maddoc stole my heart. I think it was the love of cheese sandwiches… He was our link to a whole new aspect of this world and its folklore, but he was wonderfully compelling as an individual, bound by a duty, longing for peace and home, and with a fascinating relationship with his mother. And while he was new to us in this book, that did not limit his arc and he goes through so much in this book. I also have to give an honourable shout-out to his mother, who I also loved – but probably wouldn’t want to meet in person. Actually, there should be a shout-out to bad-ass mothers in general, because we also get to meet Sal’s and oh my goodness, I loved her and I loved that we could see her hand in who Sal is. Môr was another favourite introduced in this book, and I was over the moon that The Pact gave us so much more Selkie content, and such varied insights into their customs and world, and what situations would drive them to action.
The plot of The Pact is intricate and far-reaching, the stakes are high and potentially devasting, and both pull you in and capture your attention. But, it is these characters, with their own hopes and dreams, and secrets and scars, and the bonds that they share that leave you completely and utterly invested in the outcome of the events that are unfolding. Even the antagonists – and oh there was a twist that shocked me – are compelling (even if it is just to wish that they will be stopped), and that is all down to Hannaford’s characterisation and sheer skill in bringing these characters human or not to life.
‘You have changed the world.’ I told her.
So… How do you end a book and a series that has trod and crossed the boundaries between mythology and the human world, delving into magic and history, and a far-flung future through the eyes and voices of both humans and beings that have stepped straight out of that mythology?
With beautiful simplicity.
The ending of The Pact has that feeling of coming home and settling by the fire with a warm drink after a long journey. It did a fantastic job of bringing the entire series full circle, of breathing deep and accepting everything that had happened, and why it had happened, and it showed both how far Selkie had come from where we met her in book one, but also how far this world still had to go. The final line was sheer perfection, and resonated long after I had closed the book, and it has to be one of the most satisfying endings I’ve had the pleasure of reading.
The Pact took everything that I loved about The Skin – and there was a lot – and just lifted it, like Zora raising a wave. Everything felt more – the world was bigger, and we got to discover more layers of the world and its people, as well as the mythology and lore, the cast of characters grew and those that had been lost were not forgotten. The stakes, and the price of failure and success were higher too. It felt like a world on the edge of a tipping point, and there were moments where the darkness, and the sharp edge of that tipping point sliced deep – and blood was shed (and tears) and no one felt safe. Yet, at the heart of this story there was always a heartbeat of hope. A chance that things could be changed and brought back to how it should be. That even though it wouldn’t be easy, that bleak future could be fought against and even prevented. That bonds of friendship and family, and connections can tip the balance.
I cannot wait to see where we will go next in this world, and who we will be sailing with. Hannaford has created something different with this wonderful blend of folklore and a post-apocalyptic world and has demonstrated just how much magic and power is in the old lore and tales.
Something spectacular.
Firstly, as with the first book it must be said that The Pact is a beautiful book. The cover is stunning (and oh so fitting), and I cannot wait to have both books side by side. Again, we have maps, one familiar and a new one, that not only demonstrates visually the expansion of the world of the Black Hind’s Wake but will also resonate with anyone familiar with folklore and old tales. And then there are the wonderful chapter headers, and you’ll realise the meaning in each one as the story goes on. Each detail is a lovely addition to the experience that is reading this book.
‘Unlike the shoreline homes, these were old, had survived the ravages of weather and time, and were beautifully maintained. Vines were painted around the door frames in as much detail as Sirena could have achieved. Would they have been real before the warming?’
As mentioned above, the world of the Black Hind’s Wake expands considerably in The Pact and not just geographically, although we do follow the Black Hind into new waters, and rediscover old lands that were lost, as well as new lands. One of my favourites is near the beginning when we visit Zora’s home, as it showed another way of living, and another way in which the Old Ones and humans were able to and needed to live in harmony. The Selkie lands are another favourite, although that is tangled up with the emotional aspect of those areas. And then there is Mynyw – which is so central to this book, and also why I say the expansion of the world and the worldbuilding in this book is not purely geographical, because in Mynyw in particular we see the boundaries of the real world and the world of the Old Ones blur and outright break in places. We tread the Path that leads to the world of the Tylwyth Teg, we see the library that holds the magical history of Mynyw and more, and we glimpse beyond.
What I particularly loved was that this world was never static. Each part of the world was in it’s own flux, between the changes wrought by the removal or return of the Old Ones, the influence of the sea and the catastrophe that had made the world as it was now, or from the actions of humans and those working with them, and the fragile state of the Pact.
This world lived and breathed, turned and grew. It didn’t matter which side of the magical divide it fell on, the waters and flames of change affected all equally – and it made for such a cohesive world, that you just sink into the pages, and can smell the brine, or imagine the terror and awe of running along the path.
‘Time turns – gods faded, and mankind grew. To open the lock, we need three out of the five; Fire, Ocean, Land, Mankind. You need to return to the island. We need an Oceanic Old One or a human to open this lock. Three out of the remaining four should allow us access.’
‘What’s the fifth hole?’ Rialta asked.
‘That key is lost to us. The old gods and their descendants no longer walk the Earth.’
Another aspect of the worldbuilding that expanded considerably was the folklore. And it is here that you can really see and feel the author’s love for the world and the lore shine through, as well as the care and attention to detail that has gone into this world. I also loved how this aspect was layered in. We had the creatures and people themselves like the Selkies (and this is still my favourite representation of one of my favourite mythological creatures) and the Tylwyth Teg, but we also had the old lore and sayings that were passed amongst the people. Little sayings and tales, much as we come across in everyday life, that often the truth has been forgotten and lost to myth, but which are still passed down, varying between regions and people. From sayings that Tellin remembers, to stories that were told amongst the Sea Folk, to old rules that those like Maddoc must live by.
‘Tellin, they believe in you. They believe in sirens and dragons. As a boy, I remember sitting at the feet of an old man on a rainbow boat, listening to tales of the Old Ones …’
That is the power of this series, and this book in particular. It isn’t just a retelling of folklore. It is living, breathing folklore, with a tangible finger on the pulse and rhythm of the ‘real’ world. It is stories within stories, and worlds within worlds and magic made real. You can lose yourself within the layers of this world, because Hannaford does such a fantastic job of weaving together the threads and arcs, that you are swept along with the tide.
‘The foods looked exciting, but sometimes one just needed comfort food. On the far table, he spotted a selection of cheeses. That was more like it! Maddoc took a warm, spiced roll from a basket and set course for the cheese.’
While everything about The Pact feels bigger, it remains at it’s core a very character-driven story, and here we are not just reunited with familiar faces and favourites, but also introduced us to a whole new cast of characters. And I may have a new favourite…
Firstly, though the original crew are back. And Selkie remains a favourite, and to be honest as much as I loved one of the new characters, I’m not sure she could ever be knocked off her pedestal. Here we see her really growing into herself and moving towards the future. There was a feeling in The Skin that she was finding out who she was without her skin, but here, even though that and reuniting and swimming with her pack remained a core driving force, it felt as though she had come into her own. She had found her place in the world, her family, her purpose – and what’s more you could feel it being continually shaped as the story progressed, each situation, each victory and loss and threat, carving a place in who she was.
And that is one of the most powerful aspects of Hannaford’s characterisation in general – you can see the characters being influenced and influencing the world in turn, and one of my favourite things to see in The Pact was that you could see and feel the impact of the previous book’s events on the characters – from the shifting bonds in the crew, to the way Eden was carried with them in different ways.
I should also say hold onto your hats (and your hearts) when it comes to any favourites. The Pact raises the stakes considerably, and Hannaford was not pulling any punches in this one and my heart was in my mouth on multiple occasions while reading this one. And again, those moments ripple through all the characters not just the ones directly impacted.
Theo and Ria also really came into their own in this book, and oh my heart in so many places during their story threads. Writing this review has made me realise how much this book impacted on me – and I loved it. It’s also made reflect on just how cohesive The Pact is – because each of these characters, as well as the new ones, were directly linked to expanding the world as well. Showing us different aspects of it, and themselves at the same time. Through Theo we get to meet the sea-folk, a whole people that I desperately want to read more about, as well weaving in new threads. While Ria is the star of the show in so many ways. Then we have Sal and Zora and Seren, and little Gar. Honestly, every single character in this book is so wonderfully compelling, that it is impossible not to be invested in every one of them.
Of the new characters, Maddoc stole my heart. I think it was the love of cheese sandwiches… He was our link to a whole new aspect of this world and its folklore, but he was wonderfully compelling as an individual, bound by a duty, longing for peace and home, and with a fascinating relationship with his mother. And while he was new to us in this book, that did not limit his arc and he goes through so much in this book. I also have to give an honourable shout-out to his mother, who I also loved – but probably wouldn’t want to meet in person. Actually, there should be a shout-out to bad-ass mothers in general, because we also get to meet Sal’s and oh my goodness, I loved her and I loved that we could see her hand in who Sal is. Môr was another favourite introduced in this book, and I was over the moon that The Pact gave us so much more Selkie content, and such varied insights into their customs and world, and what situations would drive them to action.
The plot of The Pact is intricate and far-reaching, the stakes are high and potentially devasting, and both pull you in and capture your attention. But, it is these characters, with their own hopes and dreams, and secrets and scars, and the bonds that they share that leave you completely and utterly invested in the outcome of the events that are unfolding. Even the antagonists – and oh there was a twist that shocked me – are compelling (even if it is just to wish that they will be stopped), and that is all down to Hannaford’s characterisation and sheer skill in bringing these characters human or not to life.
‘You have changed the world.’ I told her.
So… How do you end a book and a series that has trod and crossed the boundaries between mythology and the human world, delving into magic and history, and a far-flung future through the eyes and voices of both humans and beings that have stepped straight out of that mythology?
With beautiful simplicity.
The ending of The Pact has that feeling of coming home and settling by the fire with a warm drink after a long journey. It did a fantastic job of bringing the entire series full circle, of breathing deep and accepting everything that had happened, and why it had happened, and it showed both how far Selkie had come from where we met her in book one, but also how far this world still had to go. The final line was sheer perfection, and resonated long after I had closed the book, and it has to be one of the most satisfying endings I’ve had the pleasure of reading.
The Pact took everything that I loved about The Skin – and there was a lot – and just lifted it, like Zora raising a wave. Everything felt more – the world was bigger, and we got to discover more layers of the world and its people, as well as the mythology and lore, the cast of characters grew and those that had been lost were not forgotten. The stakes, and the price of failure and success were higher too. It felt like a world on the edge of a tipping point, and there were moments where the darkness, and the sharp edge of that tipping point sliced deep – and blood was shed (and tears) and no one felt safe. Yet, at the heart of this story there was always a heartbeat of hope. A chance that things could be changed and brought back to how it should be. That even though it wouldn’t be easy, that bleak future could be fought against and even prevented. That bonds of friendship and family, and connections can tip the balance.
I cannot wait to see where we will go next in this world, and who we will be sailing with. Hannaford has created something different with this wonderful blend of folklore and a post-apocalyptic world and has demonstrated just how much magic and power is in the old lore and tales.
August 10, 2022
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series and also really enjoyed this.
The series are set in the near future and are primarily nautical based. This is a unique concept and makes these books stand out from others.
‘The Pact has indeed been broken…’ I was pulled in from the start with this book.
The book begins with the main POV character from the first book Tellin the selkie and I enjoyed the growth of her character throughout the book.
The author is brilliant at conveying emotion, although sometimes this is tinged with sadness, such as meeting Eden’s mother in one of the scenes.
Zora and Theo’s homes were interesting to visit and they provided additional depth and back story to the series and I could really picture the land and the cliffs that are on the edge of the land.
I loved the introduction of the Tylwyth Teg and a new POV character called Maddoc. The introduction of other additional mythical creatures was interesting. I also loved meeting more Selkies during the story.
Meeting the Lord Flame and his abode was another great scene and I could vividly picture this.
The author also introduced an additional element known as the path. I could really picture this and thought this addition was really engaging.
This is well worth a read for any fantasy lovers, especially as it’s a unique concept. I also found this similar to Among Thieves regarding how engaged I felt with the principle characters and cared what happened to them and this world.
I only hope there will be more books in this world as I would love to read more.
The series are set in the near future and are primarily nautical based. This is a unique concept and makes these books stand out from others.
‘The Pact has indeed been broken…’ I was pulled in from the start with this book.
The book begins with the main POV character from the first book Tellin the selkie and I enjoyed the growth of her character throughout the book.
The author is brilliant at conveying emotion, although sometimes this is tinged with sadness, such as meeting Eden’s mother in one of the scenes.
Zora and Theo’s homes were interesting to visit and they provided additional depth and back story to the series and I could really picture the land and the cliffs that are on the edge of the land.
I loved the introduction of the Tylwyth Teg and a new POV character called Maddoc. The introduction of other additional mythical creatures was interesting. I also loved meeting more Selkies during the story.
Meeting the Lord Flame and his abode was another great scene and I could vividly picture this.
The author also introduced an additional element known as the path. I could really picture this and thought this addition was really engaging.
This is well worth a read for any fantasy lovers, especially as it’s a unique concept. I also found this similar to Among Thieves regarding how engaged I felt with the principle characters and cared what happened to them and this world.
I only hope there will be more books in this world as I would love to read more.
June 8, 2023
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: The Pact
A magical pact ensures peace between humans and old ones in the land of Mynyw. But unrest threatens to nullify the ancient agreement and promises war if it breaks. Maddoc, son of The Lady of the Lake, must find out who seeks to break the pact and stop them from succeeding. Meanwhile, Black Hind sails for Mynyw on a mission for the new king of Terrania. Rumors say a young queen is amassing an army to take back Terraina and start the hunt for Old Ones once more. When Maddoc and the Black Hind crew cross paths, they find that their goals may not be so different.
As promised at the end of book one, The Pact opens the world for readers to explore alongside Black Hind. A host of new lore will greet readers as they navigate the tumultuous fey paths and encounter new mythical communities. Similar to The Skin, the folklore presented in The Pact was entirely new to me. I love when authors focus on lore from various cultures and incorporate elements I’ve never read about. Add to that the ability JE Hannaford has to create heartfelt characters the readers can’t help but feel a connection to.
Still reeling from loss, Selkie and the crew of Black Hind are emotionally spent. Grief is never easy to overcome, especially with the constant reminders aboard Black Hind. Yet they still have old ones to return to their homes. J.E. Hannaford does a brilliant job showing how characters can have conflicts with one another, and though they may not see eye to eye, find ways to work alongside each other because of a common goal. The dynamics between characters are stunning and show how complex relationships can become.
But the crew of Black Hind aren’t the only characters who have complexities in their journey. Maddoc, half human half fey, must tread carefully with any interaction he has with his kin. And as Maddoc’s journey becomes entangled with Black Hind, readers will see how different the fey and old ones can be. Each has their own set of beliefs and values, adding to the richness of the lore. Despite some characters only having a small amount of time on the page, they make a big impact on the reader with their reactions to the pact growing ever closer to breaking.
And as both parties do everything they can to save the pact and accomplish their goals, the reader is ever aware of time ticking down. The foreboding atmosphere hanging above every action and mistake makes the character’s choices all the more important. And just when the reader thinks nothing else could go wrong, another wrench will be thrown into the characters’ plans.
With an exceptional cast of characters and a wonderful theme of found family, The Pact was a rewarding finale to the Black Hind duology. I am sad to see both the characters and the world come to a close. Fantasy readers who enjoy folklore and seafaring adventures need to pick up this duology.
A magical pact ensures peace between humans and old ones in the land of Mynyw. But unrest threatens to nullify the ancient agreement and promises war if it breaks. Maddoc, son of The Lady of the Lake, must find out who seeks to break the pact and stop them from succeeding. Meanwhile, Black Hind sails for Mynyw on a mission for the new king of Terrania. Rumors say a young queen is amassing an army to take back Terraina and start the hunt for Old Ones once more. When Maddoc and the Black Hind crew cross paths, they find that their goals may not be so different.
As promised at the end of book one, The Pact opens the world for readers to explore alongside Black Hind. A host of new lore will greet readers as they navigate the tumultuous fey paths and encounter new mythical communities. Similar to The Skin, the folklore presented in The Pact was entirely new to me. I love when authors focus on lore from various cultures and incorporate elements I’ve never read about. Add to that the ability JE Hannaford has to create heartfelt characters the readers can’t help but feel a connection to.
Still reeling from loss, Selkie and the crew of Black Hind are emotionally spent. Grief is never easy to overcome, especially with the constant reminders aboard Black Hind. Yet they still have old ones to return to their homes. J.E. Hannaford does a brilliant job showing how characters can have conflicts with one another, and though they may not see eye to eye, find ways to work alongside each other because of a common goal. The dynamics between characters are stunning and show how complex relationships can become.
But the crew of Black Hind aren’t the only characters who have complexities in their journey. Maddoc, half human half fey, must tread carefully with any interaction he has with his kin. And as Maddoc’s journey becomes entangled with Black Hind, readers will see how different the fey and old ones can be. Each has their own set of beliefs and values, adding to the richness of the lore. Despite some characters only having a small amount of time on the page, they make a big impact on the reader with their reactions to the pact growing ever closer to breaking.
And as both parties do everything they can to save the pact and accomplish their goals, the reader is ever aware of time ticking down. The foreboding atmosphere hanging above every action and mistake makes the character’s choices all the more important. And just when the reader thinks nothing else could go wrong, another wrench will be thrown into the characters’ plans.
With an exceptional cast of characters and a wonderful theme of found family, The Pact was a rewarding finale to the Black Hind duology. I am sad to see both the characters and the world come to a close. Fantasy readers who enjoy folklore and seafaring adventures need to pick up this duology.
September 18, 2022
Just "Wow"! For this book and the duology as a whole.
I really enjoyed the first book The Skin - it was just so different from most fantasy books I have read so far, a bleak nautical-heavy (is that a word?) alternative future with lots of mythology in the mix. It has a very diverse group of main-characters and was my first book featuring a selkie. The world-building was perfect, the characters strong.
J.E. Hannaford managed to top that seemingly without effort with The Pact. Whereas I was somewhat torn in my rating of the first book between 4 and 5 stars, this was no question a 5 star-read, leaning towards more. The story pretty much picks up where we left at the end of The Skin. At least, one story does. Because we get a new point of view with a new character - one that I also instantly liked and that is a great addition. But the cast in general grows, there are new and interesting additions to the crew but we also learn more about the characters we already know, they become so much deeper and I really care about all of them, Hannaford really let them shine here. And I especially enjoy that 'Selkie'/Tellin is not just written as a human who sometimes looks different, but thinks and acts different than human, too. Really convincing.
There are also more mythical creatures, a lot of which I didn't know anything or very little about. I really enjoy expanding my knowledge about mythology and this book helps a lot - and it's also great to not read about the same creatures all the time.
The world(-building) in general shows more layers and therefore feels even more realistic. The different places we travel to, they are all different, but they all feel...right. And Hannaford's writing really brought me there and made me see them.
The story is again very character-driven, but there is more action here than in the first book. I flew through the book, there was not a boring moment, not a word too much. It's just a perfect fit!
I really really hope that at some point I can meet with at least some of the characters again and explore the world a little more. Oh, and of course I cannot wait to have the matching hardcover at some point here, because the cover-art - again - is exceptionally.
I really enjoyed the first book The Skin - it was just so different from most fantasy books I have read so far, a bleak nautical-heavy (is that a word?) alternative future with lots of mythology in the mix. It has a very diverse group of main-characters and was my first book featuring a selkie. The world-building was perfect, the characters strong.
J.E. Hannaford managed to top that seemingly without effort with The Pact. Whereas I was somewhat torn in my rating of the first book between 4 and 5 stars, this was no question a 5 star-read, leaning towards more. The story pretty much picks up where we left at the end of The Skin. At least, one story does. Because we get a new point of view with a new character - one that I also instantly liked and that is a great addition. But the cast in general grows, there are new and interesting additions to the crew but we also learn more about the characters we already know, they become so much deeper and I really care about all of them, Hannaford really let them shine here. And I especially enjoy that 'Selkie'/Tellin is not just written as a human who sometimes looks different, but thinks and acts different than human, too. Really convincing.
There are also more mythical creatures, a lot of which I didn't know anything or very little about. I really enjoy expanding my knowledge about mythology and this book helps a lot - and it's also great to not read about the same creatures all the time.
The world(-building) in general shows more layers and therefore feels even more realistic. The different places we travel to, they are all different, but they all feel...right. And Hannaford's writing really brought me there and made me see them.
The story is again very character-driven, but there is more action here than in the first book. I flew through the book, there was not a boring moment, not a word too much. It's just a perfect fit!
I really really hope that at some point I can meet with at least some of the characters again and explore the world a little more. Oh, and of course I cannot wait to have the matching hardcover at some point here, because the cover-art - again - is exceptionally.
March 27, 2023
The Pact by J.E. Hannaford's follow up to the highly enjoyable The Skin.
At the end of the first book, J.E. Hannaford promised to open up the story that she had set up in the first book, and with the Pact she surely delivers.
The Pact revolves around the crew of The Black Hind as they attempt to keep the mysterious item that they receive at the end of The Skin safe as it could have ramifications. However, things are not as they seem. King Arnad enlists the crew of Barge to find out about a mysterious queen that seems to be amassing an army and could possibly be a threat to King Arnad's new reign.
In addition to that, a new character Maddox is introduced. Maddoc is a guardian of The Pact, which is an agreement between the different Fae folk and the humans.
We soon learn that there is a problem. The Pact is failing. Something is causing the agreement to fail. This could have a catastrophic effect on the remainder of the world.
The Pact surprised me. I really enjoyed The Skin and it was a good introduction to The Selkie and the world she inhabits. We learn more about the Selkie, including her real name, and whilst she still parades around under her other guises of Georgie and Lady Gina, her actual character develops as we learn more about her. Not only that, there is plenty of character development in the other characters too.
With the introduction of Maddox, we learn more about the magical creatures that inhabit the world.
I really enjoyed the inclusion of both Arthurian myth and Welsh Folklore in this book which massively enriches the story. I loved reading about Coblynaus and the Tylwyth Teg.
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed The Skin and thought it was excellent, The Pact improves on the original story with the inclusion of the various elements of folklore and magical creatures
At the end of the first book, J.E. Hannaford promised to open up the story that she had set up in the first book, and with the Pact she surely delivers.
The Pact revolves around the crew of The Black Hind as they attempt to keep the mysterious item that they receive at the end of The Skin safe as it could have ramifications. However, things are not as they seem. King Arnad enlists the crew of Barge to find out about a mysterious queen that seems to be amassing an army and could possibly be a threat to King Arnad's new reign.
In addition to that, a new character Maddox is introduced. Maddoc is a guardian of The Pact, which is an agreement between the different Fae folk and the humans.
We soon learn that there is a problem. The Pact is failing. Something is causing the agreement to fail. This could have a catastrophic effect on the remainder of the world.
The Pact surprised me. I really enjoyed The Skin and it was a good introduction to The Selkie and the world she inhabits. We learn more about the Selkie, including her real name, and whilst she still parades around under her other guises of Georgie and Lady Gina, her actual character develops as we learn more about her. Not only that, there is plenty of character development in the other characters too.
With the introduction of Maddox, we learn more about the magical creatures that inhabit the world.
I really enjoyed the inclusion of both Arthurian myth and Welsh Folklore in this book which massively enriches the story. I loved reading about Coblynaus and the Tylwyth Teg.
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed The Skin and thought it was excellent, The Pact improves on the original story with the inclusion of the various elements of folklore and magical creatures
September 22, 2022
The Pact was maybe my most hotly anticipated sequel of the summer (well, okay, I had a lot of hotly anticipated sequels, but this was up there!) and it did not disappoint.
Absolutely my favorite aspect of this book was the worldbuilding. The worldbuilding in the first volume was really good, but there is so much more here! We see parts of the world we never traveled to in The Skin, and explore whole new civilizations. I was particularly impressed with the way that so many different world mythologies were seamlessly incorporated into the worldbuilding. I picked out Celtic myths as a particular influence, but I'm sure there were many more, and they wove together to create a world that felt dynamic and realistic at once.
I also really loved the characters. Jena was probably my favorite (and not just because that's also the name of my own book's protaganist), but lots of them are unforgettable--and better yet is the dynamic of the crew together. There's just something about "finding family on a boat" that is unbeatable. This book seamlessly introduces old myths and tropes while making them feel fresh, familiar, and deeply imbued with meaning. Highly recommended--if you haven't snapped up this duology yet, you should!
Absolutely my favorite aspect of this book was the worldbuilding. The worldbuilding in the first volume was really good, but there is so much more here! We see parts of the world we never traveled to in The Skin, and explore whole new civilizations. I was particularly impressed with the way that so many different world mythologies were seamlessly incorporated into the worldbuilding. I picked out Celtic myths as a particular influence, but I'm sure there were many more, and they wove together to create a world that felt dynamic and realistic at once.
I also really loved the characters. Jena was probably my favorite (and not just because that's also the name of my own book's protaganist), but lots of them are unforgettable--and better yet is the dynamic of the crew together. There's just something about "finding family on a boat" that is unbeatable. This book seamlessly introduces old myths and tropes while making them feel fresh, familiar, and deeply imbued with meaning. Highly recommended--if you haven't snapped up this duology yet, you should!
September 3, 2022
“When old clothes fit that well, it is always worth checking that their seams are still holding” I think that might be one of the major themes of this book. Check for the seams that they’re still holding and not… gaping or torn.. and if it’s the latter, perhaps they can be mended.
This book certainly does not gape! Switching perspectives as did the last, there’s magic, mystery, dragons, promises and pacts, and more. It was nice to see characters from the first book – even if only briefly seen there – and new ones. We’re back with the crew of the Black Hind and we get to see Maddoc’s view as well. (He’s a new character with an entirely new thread in this book). I love the glimpses of other cultures and races and really enjoyed how Author Hannaford describes them.
The storyline and pacing are wonderful and the descriptions are lyrical in this world where humans have done their worst and the world, they, and the magicals are trying to recover.
This book certainly does not gape! Switching perspectives as did the last, there’s magic, mystery, dragons, promises and pacts, and more. It was nice to see characters from the first book – even if only briefly seen there – and new ones. We’re back with the crew of the Black Hind and we get to see Maddoc’s view as well. (He’s a new character with an entirely new thread in this book). I love the glimpses of other cultures and races and really enjoyed how Author Hannaford describes them.
The storyline and pacing are wonderful and the descriptions are lyrical in this world where humans have done their worst and the world, they, and the magicals are trying to recover.
September 1, 2022
The Pact is an amazing follow up to the authors debut (The Skin). I absolutely enjoyed the first book, but this one surpassed my expectations.
Once again, we join the crew of the Black Hind as they continue their quest to liberate the Old Ones and restore order to a decaying world. A rising evil threatens newly won stability and forces unlikely allies to band together and stave off utter destruction.
Like the first book, this was well written with some excellent examples of finely crafted world building. The addition of a new POV character, Maddoc, really added to the pacing and hooked me in, but of course, it's the Selkie who ties it all together.
There's equal parts joy and heartbreak in this story. I highly recommend it for anyone interested dark fantasy with some nautical and post-apocalyptic themes.
Once again, we join the crew of the Black Hind as they continue their quest to liberate the Old Ones and restore order to a decaying world. A rising evil threatens newly won stability and forces unlikely allies to band together and stave off utter destruction.
Like the first book, this was well written with some excellent examples of finely crafted world building. The addition of a new POV character, Maddoc, really added to the pacing and hooked me in, but of course, it's the Selkie who ties it all together.
There's equal parts joy and heartbreak in this story. I highly recommend it for anyone interested dark fantasy with some nautical and post-apocalyptic themes.
May 22, 2024
Didn't get sucked into this one as much as the first one and got a little lost with some of the extra characters
July 14, 2023
This book really expands the world of the Black Hind with more creatures, lands, mythologies, and peoples. It’s beautifully written in lovely, lyrical language and every metaphor, every description is pitch perfect and adds to the overall world building. I think I read the entire book in a day - I couldn’t put it down!
There are two point of view characters - Tellin and Maddoc. At first I was more invested in Tellin since she was also the pov from the first book, but Maddoc really grew on me and I enjoyed seeing the growth in both of them as they met new challenges and survived setbacks. The other characters in Tellin's found family are equally wonderful and I loved seeing each of them show their strength.
The stakes in this book are even higher than in the last and the crew races from adventure to adventure to try to repair the pact that keeps the peace between races and to avert a destructive war.
I read this as an ebook, but I also have the audiobook and I know I’ll enjoy rereading it on audio in the future.
There are two point of view characters - Tellin and Maddoc. At first I was more invested in Tellin since she was also the pov from the first book, but Maddoc really grew on me and I enjoyed seeing the growth in both of them as they met new challenges and survived setbacks. The other characters in Tellin's found family are equally wonderful and I loved seeing each of them show their strength.
The stakes in this book are even higher than in the last and the crew races from adventure to adventure to try to repair the pact that keeps the peace between races and to avert a destructive war.
I read this as an ebook, but I also have the audiobook and I know I’ll enjoy rereading it on audio in the future.
December 30, 2022
I've been looking forward to reading this one as I enjoyed Book 1 immensely. This is darker, a little more complex, but no less good for it. A great story!
Merged review:
I've been looking forward to reading this one as I enjoyed Book 1 immensely. This is darker, a little more complex, but no less good for it. A great story!
Merged review:
I've been looking forward to reading this one as I enjoyed Book 1 immensely. This is darker, a little more complex, but no less good for it. A great story!
January 16, 2023
7.5/10* a very good read. I love the world he has created.
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