Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gripping historical novel combines fantasy, murder mystery.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When HAWK & SPARROW begins, Vesper Evans, a reporter, is covering the release of a mysterious invention, a machine that allows people to create magical incantations without long periods of study to learn the language. Many people have qualms with the technology, and by the end of the evening, the inventor is found dead. Vesper teams up with the prime suspect in the attempt to clear his name and find the real killer.
Is It Any Good?
This satisfying story combines the elements of cozy murder mystery, historical novel, and fantasy. Hawk & Sparrow brings together a plucky young woman from a working-class background and a disaffected upper-class young man who learn about society and each other as they investigate a crime. It explores the topic of wealth inequality without dividing people into villains and heroes and even subtly raises questions about AI, in the form of a machine that enables people to perform magic without study.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how communication helps relationships stay healthy. In Hawk & Sparrow, the agreements between the main characters evolve as they grow closer and external circumstances shift. How do you check in with friends or family members to update your understanding and expectations?
How does empathy help the main characters succeed in their investigations? How might the quality of empathy help you at work, in school, and as a citizen, in addition to supporting personal relationships?
This novel is set in the Gilded Age, the end of the 19th century, when wealth inequality was very high. How does the main character's curiosity help her develop a nuanced understanding of the social issues of her time? Is there any issue in our world today you'd like to understand more about?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , History
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Balzer + Bray
- Publication date : September 1, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 352
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 1, 2026
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