The Cry of the Marwing

The Kira Chronicles #3

by K.S. Nikakis

With battles raging and Shargh warriors threatening the future of her homeland, gold-eyed Kira is forced to betray her every principle by requesting Tremen Protectors fight and kill to defend Allogrenia.

Genres: Fantasy

401 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2009

About the author

Karen Simpson Nikakis grew up in a small country town in NE Victoria, Australia where she rode horses through beautiful alpine scenery. This continues to influence her fiction, nonfiction and poetry works.

She pursued a career in Education including Secondary Colleges, AMECs, TAFE and Universities (Australian and International) and was Assoc Prof and Foundation Head of Melbourne Polytechnic's innovative Bachelor of Writing and Publishing. She holds a B.Ed, M.Ed(Hons) in fantasy, and a Ph.D in Campbell's hero myth, as well as three Diplomas in the areas of Writing and Communications.

She is the author of over 17 fiction, nonfiction and poetry works. Her fantasy novel I Heard the Wolf Call My Name and short story Glass-Heart were both short-listed in the Aurealis Awards 2019, and her poem Deadway was short-listed in the Australian Shadows Award 2020.

Karen is a Communications Consultant and qualified Life Coach and works as a writer and publisher with SOV Media.

Reviews

[Jaimey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that its a strange feeling coming to the end of a story. There are so many fantasy books that turn into trilogies, quintets and epics that seem to go on for the main character's entire life and beyond. Tolkein's works for example; also, authors like the late Robert Jordan (whos unfinished works have been handed to another author) and one of my favourite authors, Stephen Donaldson, who continues to hold back on his Thomas Covenant Series (the last book was published 3 years ago, which means that when the next one is published, I'll have forgotten all the plot holes I was going to point out). But while all these authors leave you hanging for their works, Nikakis has brought out a third book to read that has a worthy conclusion to this tale.

Kira's personality is a healer, a giver, wilfull and dertermined yet also young, unsure and reckless, and the third book sees her face the decisions she has made that has turned the world upside down, as well as face her biggest fears. While battles rage on and the future of Allogrenia seems safe, Kira's difficult relationship with the Kutan leader Tierken is the focus of the book as it plays out to its fullest. Tierkan's domineering behaviour as Kira recklessly pursues to do what she feels necessary to heal and uphold her Tremen values rips them apart, and the personality differences of the two leaders deepen as the story continues; throughout it all we are reminded that this union will determine the fate of Allogrenia.

Throughout the book, relationships as both nurturing, fulfilling and destructive are emphasised; equally emphasised is the need for family, friends and love as a form of healing to face tragedy of death and heart ache.

[Danielle Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Commendable fantasy by a talented Australian writer. The final book in Nikakis' trilogy, 'The Cry of the Marwing' provides a tidy ending to Kira's adventures. While there were a number of issues in this tale that irked me, there were some touching scenes and beautiful prose as the narrative progressed. I'm curious though as to whether it was Nikakis' intention to make Tierken so damned unlikeable. I wanted to throw punches to his head. Constantly. Right up to the last page. Despite this, I'm glad that I persisted as this story of courage, selflessness and love is a memorable one.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping and fresh. Didn't expect some of these twists!!
I couldnt put it down...

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely captivating!!

I devoured this book in no time. Loved it till the end.

[Sarah Madden · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the writing and the world were fantastic the characters really ruined it for me. There wasn’t a man I could stand other than Miken. Everyone else was so unliveable especially the love interest Teirken. Kiras interest in him made me so frustrated with her and I really wish I could like this book more.

[Arielle Rae Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Type of text: Novel

This fanatsy filled conclusion to the epic trilogy made me cry and laugh and all thise in beetween.. Kira is one of the most coolest and "i wanna be like her" heroines in my very long favorite books list (mostly containing heroines). It has a very dramatic plot and more than a love triangle.

I would recommend this to people who loves a good heroine, loves adventure, fantasy and enough romance.

[Ashleigh Oldfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

I waited a long time for this book to be released, and I was a little disappointed with it. It was as well written as 'Song of the Silvercades', and yet I felt it lacking that certain something. Perhaps I'm just stubborn and upset because it didn't end as I wanted it to?

[Casey Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad to have finished this series. I loved Kira and will miss her. I enjoyed how her's and the Sharg's story intersected. I just couldn't like Tierken, which is a shame but it didn't ruin the book for me I still enjoyed every word.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and gripping read, loved it till the end. Though I think she should have ended up with someone else. :P