It has been just over three years since Xenya became queen of Aemonsha. Things are progressing within the kingdom, but there is still unrest. Xenya is hopeful that a new school curriculum will help the next generations understand and follow the leadership of the First House.Maevan and Raikar are happily married and closer than ever. The only thing more they could wish for is some privacy! Meirei … privacy! Meirei couldn’t be happier ruling the Second House with Coran by her side and her best friend Kolton as head of security. Although, after three years, the two men are still unsure of each other. Korla and Jorgan are on the brink of wedded bliss and join Renna and Kai, who reunite happily after three long years when plans to visit Coran and Rei turn into an unexpected side trip.
While everything appears happy and near to perfect, danger is lurking under the surface. The unrest seems to be growing through seemingly unnatural means. Will the family be able to unearth who is behind the unruly citizens and remain strong when tragedy strikes?
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The Peacock in Summer is the 3rd book in the series. I love how each book is so unpredictable, absolutely anything can happen! This book has lots of danger and excitement and I loved every minute of it. I was on the edge of my seat for almost all of it and almost fell completely off at the end. The story picks up in a really great place and I don’t want to give any spoilers but where this story left off was a complete shock! I know that The Vulture in Fall will be just as amazing.
Here’s my review for the third installment of Bekah Clark’s fantasy series Rise of the Hawk. I enjoyed the first two books, so read on for my thoughts on The Peacock in Summer!
Synopsis (from the author):
It has been just over three years since Xenya became queen of Aemonsha. Things are progressing within the kingdom, but there is still unrest. Xenya is hopeful that a new school curriculum will help the next generations understand and follow the leadership of the First House.
Maevan and Raikar are happily married and closer than ever. The only thing more they could wish for is some privacy! Meirei couldn’t be happier ruling the Second House with Coran by her side and her best friend Kolton as head of security. Although, after three years, the two men are still unsure of each other. Korla and Jorgan are on the brink of wedded bliss and join Renna and Kai, who reunite happily after three long years when plans to visit Coran and Rei turn into an unexpected side trip.
While everything appears happy and near to perfect, danger is lurking under the surface. The unrest seems to be growing through seemingly unnatural means. Will the family be able to unearth who is behind the unruly citizens and remain strong when tragedy strikes?
What I liked about The Peacock in Summer:
As with the first two books, I enjoyed how the characters grew as they aged. Xenya is a good character with a nice devious side. Maevan and Raikar continue to irritate each other (in a good way) and Maevan’s sisters are growing into formidable women. Lots of intrigue and subplots make this an entertaining book, though I’m not sure how I liked the cliffhanger ending!
What I didn’t like about The Peacock in Summer:
While there wasn’t as much blushing in this book, Korla’s constant interference with Renna’s romance got a bit repetitive. Other than that, nothing to complain about.
Overall impression of The Peacock in Summer:
I enjoyed The Peacock in Summer! Familiar characters, romance, intrigue, and a cliffhanger ending (not sure I liked it), made this an excellent read. If you enjoy fantasy, read this series!
My rating:
4.5 stars (rounded to 5 stars)
Wow! I just finished The Peacock in Summer and all I can say is you’re going to want to have The Vulture in Fall ready to go.
This is a must read!! There are several plots going at once, but Bekah does an amazing job at keeping you from feeling like the story is bouncing all over the place. I love the characters and how they have developed and aged. The ending made me literally gasp out loud! I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to read how the series concludes.
Only read on if you have finished The Raven in Spring…
It’s been 3 years since the end of The Raven in Spring and the children have grown. Rei and Coran have been married for 3 years and Rei is ruling the Second House with grace and determination. Mae and Raikar are also married and wishing for some time alone. Korla and Jorgan have grown ever closer and are soon to be wed. Kai and Renna can’t wait to be reunited and see if love is mutual. The story also delves into the friendship of Granada and Sol. Granada is feeling the burden of ruling Cardea while the Queen is in Traven and Sol is attempting to keep her balanced.
Added into all the bliss is the threat of Trelaren, a powerful telepath, and Antara, the former ruler of the Second House, who seek, independently, to usurp Queen Xenya’s throne. And how far will the Queen go to guarantee the kingdom follows the correct path?
Their journey continues. Again, Ms. Clark delivers a gripping story I could not put down. We get more inside into the characters. Their struggles to overcome doubts are sometimes heart-wrenching but the love they show for their spouses is heart-warming. Unfortunately, no one is left in peace. New villains threaten their lives. Or are they old villains? It’s obvious those villains will stop at nothing to gain their objective. The part that truly made me cry were the torture scenes. Even so Ms. Clarke did not go into too much detail, from the way she wrote those scenes I could almost bodily feel the pain. Now a war is brewing and decisions have to be made. Some harder than others. And people that hate violence are forced to kill. But there is also more love and maybe more marriages on the horizon. I would love to see a happy ending for all the characters. Only time and book four will tell. Last I would like to point out that The Peacock In Summer ends on a punch-you-in-the-gut cliffhanger. Not sure I like this particular one. I now have to keep my fingers crossed that all will be well in the end. This is another terrific book by Ms. Clark and I highly recommend the whole series.
Another Great By Bekah Clark!! The Peacock In Summer is the 3rd book in the Rise Of The Hawk series. Bekah has an amazing gift in writing and I am awe of this book. I could not say enough of how truly creative this story is and how each book pulls me in further and further into the story. As this being the 3rd book in this series, I highly recommend you read the first 2 books, The Hawk In Winter and The Raven In Spring or you will be kind of lost. These are not meant to be read as stand alone books. I cannot even wait to read the last book in this series, The Vulture In Fall and find out how all of this will ends. Bekah has created a world that is both period and futuristic. This book is the continuation of good and evil and who will win. As the children of royalty grows older and tension increases, Bekah has added yet another twist to the story, should men rule and not women. This story has deceit, murder, confusion, guilt, kidnappings, torture, pregnancy, engagements, plotting, raising of armies and young love. I very highly recommend you read it. You will not be disappointed. Travel back in time and into the future with Maevan, Raikar, Korla, Jorgan, Renna, Kai, Rei, Coran and Queen Xenya into a world of love and hate.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.