My rating: 5/5 stars
Catherine Cowles, what have you done to me and my heart? This series was so intense that it took me by surprise, and I still cannot fully process what happened. I loved the original Sparrow Hawks series, and while I expected this spin-off to be similar, I had no idea Catherine had such a compelling plot and characters in mind.
From my current readings, this is the best book I’ve read in 2026. 🙂
In the first book, Nova is the missing person, and now we get to experience her story and the PTSD she suffers after everything she endured. A year in captivity, without any light, constantly enduring verbal and physical abuse—it was a nightmare. She is constantly searching for ways to feel alive, to feel like she can put the past behind her, but there is always somebody in the shadows watching her, preventing her to move on. The only link to reality is the person who found her – Kol.
Kol… This man truly surprised me. From the very first book, I knew he was a genuinely good guy who worked tirelessly to find Nova, not as part of his forest investigator job, but because he cared and was emotionally invested into her case. However, the level of his devotion in this book was extraordinary. I can’t find the words to express his dedication, care, and protectiveness.
He became like a natural satellite around Nova. While her strength served as an example, it was his ongoing devotion that kept her grounded and breathing. Skylar, Kol’s daughter, was not only adorable and caring, but she also welcomed Nova into the family right away. I loved the bond they shared and how the little girl embraced Nova, helping her heal and encouraging her to focus on a future together.
There were many dialogues and scenes that deserve mention, but the one that lingers in my mind is the line, “I am alive, I am breathing.” The words are simple yet carry significant weight and importance, reminding us of how fragile life is and how essential it is to have someone to help lift you up and move forward. Kol was her lifeline, but I don’t want to overshadow Nova’s strength; she was incredible and determined to move on, even though her past continued to haunt her. But all this emotions that happened between them was so beautiful, so hard to read, it made me take a deep breath sometimes, because it was too hard to digest and to understand the amount of pain somebody can experience in a life time.
The book is filled with emotion and drama, but it also has its share of love and laughter, thanks to the extraordinary Archer family. I’m eager to learn more about Orion’s story, and I can’t wait for Mav to share what happened with Aster. As for Wylder, he remains the most mysterious character, and I need to know his story as soon as possible!
Ramonisme 