Fantasy Review: The Yesterdays of Tomorrow (The Hawk of Stone Duology, Book 2) by Jessica Hernandez

The Yesterdays of Tomorrow (The Hawk of Stone Duology, Book 2)
by Jessica Hernandez
Released August 19, 2016

Description:
It’s been a year since Kaia’s first encounter with the turned ones. Every day since then has been fraught with uncertainty. Most in the Kingdom of Mar prepare for a life wherein they will be free. Kaia, however, knows that even if the curse should be lifted, the Marian people will not be unburdened in the near future. King Sol promised them a war with Darlbent, and a war they shall have if the fog dissipates. Swords have already been thrust into the hands of every man in the kingdom, filling Kaia and her friends with trepidation. Things have changed in Mar, and Kaia worries that it is only a matter of time before some blades are turned against them.

The moment of truth is approaching. Soon, it will be known whether or not the curse was meant to have an end. If it wasn’t, can Kaia and the others learn to make lives for themselves in a forsaken land like Mar? Will they ever truly know safety there?

To further complicate matters, Kaia has Ruelena to contend with…

My Review:
The Yesterdays of Tomorrow picks up a year after Kaia and her companions’ quest to Mar. They’ve communicated the way to cure the curse, and now they’re sequestered in an out of the way castle until it lifts.

What I liked about this story are the characters and the suspense. Kaia is my favorite. She’s not perfect, but she is resourceful and willing to take on seemingly impossible tasks for the benefit of her friends and family. I also enjoyed the family set to serve and watch over Kaia and company while the curse is being lifted. They seem like side characters, but they turn out to be much more. I like that.
The story flows well and draws you along, but like in the first book, some of the twists and turns fall flat. They make sense in the story and push things forward, but they didn’t inspire an emotional response. I think part of it is that there was a year of story skipped over and now there are characters we’ve only just met being challenged and put into danger. Kaia and her sister were the only ones I really cared about.

One more thing to mention is the language use. This book is told with a proper and formal tone, suited for traditional fantasy. Not only the narration, but also the dialog is something right out of the grammar book. I think the author pulls it off, though. It’s flowery, but consistent and comprehensible. It’s a beautiful telling.

Finally, this is a continuation of the story, not a standalone. I strongly recommend reading book one, Capering on Glass Bridges, first, otherwise you’ll be lost. The author doesn’t really spend much time on backstory at all.

Overall, I really liked this story for its interesting plot and characters, though I didn’t quite feel an emotional investment in the plight of its characters. Fans of fantasy and action will likely enjoy this story and its predecessor.

I received the review copy of this book from the author.


About the Author:

 

Hello, everyone! My name is Jessica. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. :) Allow me to share a bit about myself with you. I was born and raised in the beautiful, sunny state of Florida. I attended the University of Miami, where I spent more time than I care to admit daydreaming of a faraway land called Acu. Upon graduating with a degree in English and Political Science in 2014, I put pen to paper and brought Acu to life—so was born the Hawk of Stone duology.


Author Links:
Goodreads
https://jessthestoryteller.wordpress.com/  
Twitter @jessy_marie77



-----
Interested? Here are the links to both stories in the duology on Amazon. Enjoy!