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Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite
Cry of the Kestrel by Marla Himeda, the second book in the Bardic Isles series, is for young adult fans of fantasy, drama, and coming-of-age stories. Kaelin is an apprentice of the Composition Master of Kestrel, Bergid. Kaelin is just thirteen, but he is an incredibly talented musician already. He gets a chance to learn from the Instrument Master, Talan, on the island of Eyrie; the Master Flutist, Marek, who lives on the Isle of Zephyr; the Voice Master, Rial, from the island of Lyra; and the Master Harpist, Grened, the leader of Elegy. During his three-month period with Master Talan, Kaelin faces theft accusations and their humiliating consequences. The boy must wear a special medallion on his chest until the Council decides his fate. Will Kaelin lose the right to play his music? And whose penetrating eyes does he see in the fire?
Marla Himeda's Cry of the Kestrel is a compelling tale of inner growth and spiritual search. The book is deeply philosophical, and its strongest aspect is the character development. Kaelin is a complex, interesting character. He is open to the lessons the masters teach him, even hard ones. Himeda describes teacher-student relationships excellently. My favorite part of the book is about Kaelin's time on Elegy with Master Grened. This master is strict and has a rigid personality. Communicating with him, Kaelin deals with deep fears and the temptation to run away. The outcome of his internal struggle is uplifting. In this story, music becomes a character with a will of its own. The author offers mystifying intrigue and well-thought-out world-building. Also, the novel raises remarkable moral issues and touches on the themes of forgiveness and freedom of choice. I recommend it to fans of character-driven stories.
