BOOK REVIEW | THE GOOD HAWK | JOSEPH ELLIOTT
ABOUT THE BOOK
If everything was taken from you, what would you do to get it back?
Agatha patrols the sea wall with pride, despite those in her clan who question her right to be there, because of the condition she was born with.
Jaime is a reluctant Angler, full of self-doubt and afraid of the sea.
When disaster strikes, the pair must embark on a terrifying journey to a land where forgotten magic and dark secrets lurk in every shadow...
Thrilling and dark, yet rich with humour and compassion, this novel marks the debut of a wonderful new voice in fantasy and a welcome new kind of protagonist – perfect for fans of The Girl of Ink and Stars, Garth Nix and Michelle Paver.
REVIEW
Set against the backdrop of the rugged Scottish countryside, The Good Hawk is a gripping historical fantasy about courage, friendship and unlikely heroes.
Agatha is a hawk, a warrior in Clann – a - Tuath from the Isle of Skye, whose job is to man the walls and protect her clan. When the alarm bells ring signalling danger, she rushes to defend her home, only to discover that the supposed threat is actually a fishing vessel from her own clan. Alongside her is Jaime, a young fisherman who is due to marry a young girl from another clan in order to cement relations.
When the clan is attacked by Vikings and taken into slavery, Agatha and Jaime set off on a journey to rescue the clan and beat the odds.
The Good Hawk is a delightful, sometimes brutal book that centres on two characters who you cannot help but fall immediately in love with.
For one, Agatha is a young girl with Down Syndrome, but what stands out is Elliot’s portrayal of her. Instead of focusing on what Agatha cannot do and her disability, Elliot portrays her as a person that is the sum of her parts. She will be in equal parts funny, loving, independent and someone who wants to carve out her own niche. Equally, she can be stubborn, angry and quick to temper. This portrayal makes her feel like a person, rather than a person with disabilities.
Similarly, Jaime has his own issues. He has difficulty with his own self confidence and esteem and experiences panic attacks.
What immediately stands out is Elliott’s narrative voice. Agatha’s perspective is written in a distinctive, pared-down style that captures her thoughts with disarming honesty and surprising emotional depth. Rather than feeling like a gimmick, it becomes the beating heart of the novel, grounding the adventure in empathy and determination.
Additionally, the story has old-fashioned storytelling at the heart of it. Whilst it uses familiar tropes, they are infused with character driven emotion that keeps the story fresh.
One thing that readers need to be aware of, particularly younger readers, is that the book does not shy away from the brutalities of the time and some caution may be needed for younger readers.
Ultimately, The Good Hawk is a book that succeeds because of its heart. Agatha is an unforgettable hero who is determined, compassionate and braver than anyone expects.
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