The last book on the first cycle of the story cycle.

‘So what did it all mean? [He] wasn’t quite sure but he was beginning to question things in a way he had never before questioned and it was almost frightening to him.’

The Krakish made this book a little bit confusing and the ending happened very fast but I still loved it

Once I started, I couldn't stop. I believe my favorite tribute--whether accidental or purposeful--was how the Northern Kingdoms had a bit of Pullman and Golden Compass-esque feeling to them, even down to the polar bears! I could see how this might be considered a finale, or stopping point, but with Nyra alive its also clear how there HAS to be more. The story's not over, and I'll keep reading.

This series keeps getting better apparently! In this volume we accompany Soren and his friends to the fabled and mysterious northern lands - and BOY was I happy to finally read more about it!
The book was fast-paced, subplots ended up being tied together nicely, overall, very enjoyable.
The things I didn't like are the same-old things - Kludd as a villain is not well-written, the book series is really violent, which I'm not opposed to but since it's for children? Eh. And ofc the negative stance on other kinds of birds. Labelling them "stupid", "disgusting" and so on so forth and ending the book with Ezylryb's speech about "Freedom and respect for every living creature!!".
Yeah... uh.... slightly hypocritical. But these are minor flaws and didn't change anything about the fact that this book had more story, lore and background info than those that came before.

This book series just keeps getting better and better as the series progresses. I love the prologue of this book, guardians at last! And Otulissa is getting less snotty, or giving out a bit less information of everything she knows.
The Chaw of Chaws, along with Martin and ruby and I think some other owls must go out to different locations, splitting of at the ice narrows to get information and rally glauxian brothers and sisters.

Does this have anything to do with the owl Hoole? Because they thing the first owl was hoole, and something like the creator was glaux, then theres glaxian brothers and glaxian sisters. Why arn't they joined up with the guardians of Ga'hoole?

But they return with the mission pending-the elders were holding a meeting about it as they left. And with out Gylfie. Kathryn Lasky put a bitter sweet line in there about soren never being appart from her since they were orphans at the evil academy, and how he's so sad.

Here's one major spoiler quote. "twilight!" Soren said softly. "I didn't hear you coming."
" you mean I didn't chant him, taunt him?" twilight said.
"Yeah."
"I killed your brother Soren. I didn't feel he needed to go out with a song."
And despite the seriousness of the situation, I burst out laughing. Arch-nemesis, otherwise known as brother Kludd dead: no song.

But twilight must have had enough sense to know a song wan't appropriate.

Sort of closes out the first arc in the series. It’s a good story and sets up the next arc for sure.

There has been a veritable parliament of owl books in the series now with this being number six, and I can't say that they are really riveting, they areOK, not terrible, but I would not be sad if I didn't read the next one fore a month, mind you since I have the next couple out, they will be read shortly, but the point is, they are not that gripping you want to put all else aside to read them. Decent but not dynamic.

Okay, so... PUFFINS ARE STUPID, AND. SPRINK. ON. THE. PURE. ONES!!!!!!!!!!!!
that's all she wrote for kludd...

been saying this for 2 books now but soren and gylfie give soulmates so bad what do you mean you have prophetic dreams about eachother and communicate like you're mated? oh ok. anyways good riddance to kludd can't wait for him to go to owl hell idgaf and i need nyra to be cooked in the flames as well

4.5 ⭐ My only criticism was the beginning of the book. The guardian ceremony was sort of glossed over, even though the band worked their way to this moment throughout the past books. I expected the ceremony to last longer or to be written with more heroism, to maybe look back at their journey and what they have yet to go through. At least have a little party... I mean, it's called Guardians of Ga'Hoole! Other than that, everything was epic.

I am more impressed with the series with each book. The owls who were so young and helpless when we first met them in Book 1 have become very experienced and good owls, and their adventures only get more complicated and challenging. I loved this one because finally our main characters seem to be grown, finally experiencing higher level issues that make this world wider and deeper. It's a fantastic installment in the series!