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Tirtha was the last of the line of Hawkholme. Men who hated those of the Old Race had destroyed her clan, and she alone lived to carry the burden of her family's destiny.
Driven by powerful magic to return to her ancestral home, she set out into the twisted, ruined mountains of Eastcarp. Her hired guide was a Falconer, a man of an ancient warrior race who was also alone in the world, and falconless.
But a Dark One was determined to foil their mission -- and only together could they hope to stand against its awesome powers.
Driven by powerful magic to return to her ancestral home, she set out into the twisted, ruined mountains of Eastcarp. Her hired guide was a Falconer, a man of an ancient warrior race who was also alone in the world, and falconless.
But a Dark One was determined to foil their mission -- and only together could they hope to stand against its awesome powers.
258 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
53 people are currently reading
573 people want to read
About the author
Andre Norton
686 books1,356 followersAndre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton, was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy, widely regarded as the Grande Dame of those genres. She also wrote historical and contemporary fiction, publishing under the pen names Andre Alice Norton, Andrew North, and Allen Weston. She launched her career in 1934 with The Prince Commands, adopting the name “Andre” to appeal to a male readership. After working for the Cleveland Library System and the Library of Congress, she began publishing science fiction under “Andrew North” and fantasy under her own name. She became a full-time writer in 1958 and was known for her prolific output, including Star Man’s Son, 2250 A.D. and Witch World, the latter spawning a long-running series and shared universe. Norton was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and authored Quag Keep, the first novel based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. She influenced generations of writers, including Lois McMaster Bujold and Mercedes Lackey. Among her many honors were being the first woman named Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master. In her later years, she established the High Hallack Library to support research in genre fiction. Her legacy continues with the Andre Norton Award for young adult science fiction and fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 20, 2008
My first imperfect hero, and he set the tone for all of the other favorite heroes in my reading life.
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July 28, 2015One of the problems with sequencing the Witch World books is that many of them are apparently written independently--and later retrospectively incorporated into other stories.
Tirtha, who is the primary viewpoint character in the story, is severely wounded partway through the story (a broken back, to all appearances). This renders the story more than a little inchoate. It might have improved matters to have more than one viewpoint character.
Given the apparent (and implied actual) age of Alon in this volume, it seems likely that the story begins about seven to ten years after the Turning.
It's worth noting that the original conception of the Falconers was very minimally thought out, and this creates problems in later narratives. The Falconer in this story finds himself the inheritor of a magical weapon. Strict adherence to his cultural teachings would cause him to refuse it--but the Eyrie was destroyed in the Turning, and some catastrophe seems to have severed Nirel from his historic roots.
In terms of resolving mysteries, this volume is something of a bust--it simply pushes the mysteries further back in time.
There also seems to be a lacuna here. Alon later argued that he was tutored by Hilarion after he was separated from Yachne, who arranged hi fosterage. But if there's a story of how Alon came to be adopted and trained by Hilarion, I haven't come across it yet. This volume ends shortly after the party's (?parties'? It's not clear who traveled with whom) arrival in Escore.
Tirtha, who is the primary viewpoint character in the story, is severely wounded partway through the story (a broken back, to all appearances). This renders the story more than a little inchoate. It might have improved matters to have more than one viewpoint character.
Given the apparent (and implied actual) age of Alon in this volume, it seems likely that the story begins about seven to ten years after the Turning.
It's worth noting that the original conception of the Falconers was very minimally thought out, and this creates problems in later narratives. The Falconer in this story finds himself the inheritor of a magical weapon. Strict adherence to his cultural teachings would cause him to refuse it--but the Eyrie was destroyed in the Turning, and some catastrophe seems to have severed Nirel from his historic roots.
In terms of resolving mysteries, this volume is something of a bust--it simply pushes the mysteries further back in time.
There also seems to be a lacuna here. Alon later argued that he was tutored by Hilarion after he was separated from Yachne, who arranged hi fosterage. But if there's a story of how Alon came to be adopted and trained by Hilarion, I haven't come across it yet. This volume ends shortly after the party's (?parties'? It's not clear who traveled with whom) arrival in Escore.
December 10, 2010
This is the book responsible for me getting into science fiction fatasy, if i had never read this book i probably wouldn't be reading today.
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January 25, 2025The story of a ragtag group coming together on a mysterious quest, what more could you want in a fantasy book?
I have noticed that, with this author's work, I sometimes need to reread a sentence or passage over a second time to grasp the writer's meaning. However, this is my second time reading this particular book, and I was surprised how much more I was able to catch that was implied but not explicitly stated by the author. I personally doubt that all of this added insight can be attributed just to my already knowing the ending, as this author seems to include a lot of nuance in the text, thus creating a book that benefits from careful reading.
I did find the fact that the writer needed to devote an entire chapter's worth of beginning exposition to summarizing the history and timeline of the book's fictional world before readers even got to meet the main characters of this story slightly annoying.
Did I like it? Overall, yes.
Would I reread it? Possibly, but unlikely, considering it would be my third reading of the book.
Would I recommend it? In general, though this work seems like it would be appreciated to the full best by readers who make a habit of taking in and pouring over small details.
I have noticed that, with this author's work, I sometimes need to reread a sentence or passage over a second time to grasp the writer's meaning. However, this is my second time reading this particular book, and I was surprised how much more I was able to catch that was implied but not explicitly stated by the author. I personally doubt that all of this added insight can be attributed just to my already knowing the ending, as this author seems to include a lot of nuance in the text, thus creating a book that benefits from careful reading.
I did find the fact that the writer needed to devote an entire chapter's worth of beginning exposition to summarizing the history and timeline of the book's fictional world before readers even got to meet the main characters of this story slightly annoying.
Did I like it? Overall, yes.
Would I reread it? Possibly, but unlikely, considering it would be my third reading of the book.
Would I recommend it? In general, though this work seems like it would be appreciated to the full best by readers who make a habit of taking in and pouring over small details.
June 4, 2022
This is a finely woven tapestry with adventure, magic and the usual quest pattern. I enjoyed it very much and found it a pleasure to immerse myself in the world of Estcarp.
October 20, 2019
This was something of a random pick up in the middle the Estcarp books. It stands well on it own, though there is a lot that follows from the previous few books. However, a three-page summary of the major events of the previous books more than covers what is needed here.
Again, this is an independent novel, and reads well as such; the cast of characters is all new. (The early books all follow Simon Tregarth, but this period is all more independent.) Previous books had fairly earth-shattering consequences, and this is more of an adventure in picking up pieces.
This starts with the main characters, where we start with the main character, Tirtha, and slowly pick up everyone else over the course of the book. It is very much in the 'journey' style of plots, with both physical and mental/social travels being made. This is well done enough that it's hard for the climax to entirely measure up. This is made more difficult by the final parts being a bit hard to follow. The worst problem is that Tirtha gets disabled for a bit during important events, and as the only viewpoint character, the narrative gets a little confused. Compounding this, it is easy is mistake just what has happened to her, and miss the corrected explanation later.
I'm pretty sure I read this back in the '80s. I kept half remembering things as I came across them. But that would have been a borrowed book, and I'm glad to have my own copy now. Certainly recommended, and a good entry-point into the Estcarp series.
Again, this is an independent novel, and reads well as such; the cast of characters is all new. (The early books all follow Simon Tregarth, but this period is all more independent.) Previous books had fairly earth-shattering consequences, and this is more of an adventure in picking up pieces.
This starts with the main characters, where we start with the main character, Tirtha, and slowly pick up everyone else over the course of the book. It is very much in the 'journey' style of plots, with both physical and mental/social travels being made. This is well done enough that it's hard for the climax to entirely measure up. This is made more difficult by the final parts being a bit hard to follow. The worst problem is that Tirtha gets disabled for a bit during important events, and as the only viewpoint character, the narrative gets a little confused. Compounding this, it is easy is mistake just what has happened to her, and miss the corrected explanation later.
I'm pretty sure I read this back in the '80s. I kept half remembering things as I came across them. But that would have been a borrowed book, and I'm glad to have my own copy now. Certainly recommended, and a good entry-point into the Estcarp series.
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September 10, 2010This book was a total waste of time! The only reason I kept reading was because I thought something would happen. Well guess what? Nothing happened!!! I struggled through 250 pages, only to be disappointed. Here is a list of my disappointments:
1. The entire story kept promising a huge battle scene. Well, the battle scene with the big, bad villain lasted a few paragraphs. Agh! What a let-down.
2. The heroine had a secret that the author wouldn't reveal until near the end. Throughout the book, the author would bring it up, only to shut the subject back down. It felt like she didn't even know what the secret was and was making things up to help support a weak story.
3. The two main characters end up together at the end. I love a good love story, but not when there isn't much indication that these two were in love and they end up together. What the heck? The author, throughout the book, mentions how much the main guy HATES women. Then to have him romantically end up with the heroine doesn't make any sense.
4. Lastly, to top it all off, the two main characters walk off into the sunset at the end. Aaaagh! Talk about a horrific cliche.
I should have listened to Mike when he said if I kept falling asleep (I fell asleept at least 6 or 7 times), it must not be that good of a book. I should have put it down. But I didn't. Several hours of my life were wasted.
1. The entire story kept promising a huge battle scene. Well, the battle scene with the big, bad villain lasted a few paragraphs. Agh! What a let-down.
2. The heroine had a secret that the author wouldn't reveal until near the end. Throughout the book, the author would bring it up, only to shut the subject back down. It felt like she didn't even know what the secret was and was making things up to help support a weak story.
3. The two main characters end up together at the end. I love a good love story, but not when there isn't much indication that these two were in love and they end up together. What the heck? The author, throughout the book, mentions how much the main guy HATES women. Then to have him romantically end up with the heroine doesn't make any sense.
4. Lastly, to top it all off, the two main characters walk off into the sunset at the end. Aaaagh! Talk about a horrific cliche.
I should have listened to Mike when he said if I kept falling asleep (I fell asleept at least 6 or 7 times), it must not be that good of a book. I should have put it down. But I didn't. Several hours of my life were wasted.
February 1, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading this book by Andre Norton. It's a classic tale with the characters having to undergo a challenge. Along the way there are obstacles and finds of a beneficial nature.
January 4, 2012
Another fantastic novel in The Witch World series.
February 1, 2023
I loved this book. I have been on a bit of an avid craze for Andre Norton, reading my way through her Witch World series of books. I stumbled across the first one by chance on our family bookshelves, recognising the author as the same person who had written a childhood favourite, Steel Magic.
I have been enjoying the books, but definitely some have felt more cohesive than others. ‘Ware Hawk started for me with a slight pang of disappointment that it was again a new character in a new part of the Witch World, rather than one of the characters from one of the preceding books. But that disappointment disappeared as the story unfolded. I enjoyed the lead characters and their potential for change and development. I did not want to put the book down, and whilst I am looking forward to reading the next one, I have that sense of completion that a well told story can leave you with.
I have been enjoying the books, but definitely some have felt more cohesive than others. ‘Ware Hawk started for me with a slight pang of disappointment that it was again a new character in a new part of the Witch World, rather than one of the characters from one of the preceding books. But that disappointment disappeared as the story unfolded. I enjoyed the lead characters and their potential for change and development. I did not want to put the book down, and whilst I am looking forward to reading the next one, I have that sense of completion that a well told story can leave you with.
November 13, 2017
Andre Norton was one of the fundamental writers of my youth.
Her stories of human relationships with wild animals were powerful, unique, almost visionary. At least to me.
Alice Mary Norton took the Edgar Rice Burroughs Tradition into a wonderful otherworld of her own creation. Part of her magnificent Witch World series, WARE HAWK is perhaps her darkest vision. It's the tale of Tirtha, last of her clan, and the lone Falconer, Nirel. Together they set out to reach the mountained Eyrie known as Hawkholme.
After all these years - despite my love of Burroughs, Tolkien and Leiber - I still take down old copies of Andre's Witch World and wander there. Still believe that Andre Norton created the greatest Fantasy World of them all...
- Brian Alan Burhoe
www.CivilizedBears.com
Her stories of human relationships with wild animals were powerful, unique, almost visionary. At least to me.
Alice Mary Norton took the Edgar Rice Burroughs Tradition into a wonderful otherworld of her own creation. Part of her magnificent Witch World series, WARE HAWK is perhaps her darkest vision. It's the tale of Tirtha, last of her clan, and the lone Falconer, Nirel. Together they set out to reach the mountained Eyrie known as Hawkholme.
After all these years - despite my love of Burroughs, Tolkien and Leiber - I still take down old copies of Andre's Witch World and wander there. Still believe that Andre Norton created the greatest Fantasy World of them all...
- Brian Alan Burhoe
www.CivilizedBears.com
August 9, 2023
I had not read any of the Witch World books by Norton until this one; that may have been a mistake, because it was not at all what I was expecting given the praise I've heard about her strong women characters. While Tirtha starts out strong, but once the book hit the climactic scenes, that character proved incredibly disappointing to me. Given how well the book held my attention and interest until then, it was a downer. I won't say more or that would spoil the plot for anyone who has also not read in the world or this book. I will say that Norton's world building is excellent and her characters were intriguing up into that point in the book.
February 11, 2025
Fun independent story of WWI, but do meet up with people from Escore, which might be the reason for the higher rating on GR. Like the others, will enjoy the re-read of it once I get a chance, but I did like the ending of "Trey of Swords" better. Anyway, looking fwd to "The Gate of the Cat" next which is already on deck. Ja.
July 2, 2025
Ware hawk
Well done! enjoyed ware Hawk very much!
The change in attitude and the bonding between the two main characters was very well written. Plus the story kept my interest all the way through it.
Have liked the stories of Ms. Norton that I have read in Anne McCaffreys ship books and She has not disappointed in her with world books.
Well done! enjoyed ware Hawk very much!
The change in attitude and the bonding between the two main characters was very well written. Plus the story kept my interest all the way through it.
Have liked the stories of Ms. Norton that I have read in Anne McCaffreys ship books and She has not disappointed in her with world books.
February 5, 2021
I've read a lot of Norton's Witch World novels. Some of them are good, some - like this one - are just a tad too repetitive and formulaic to hold my interest. Also this was rather confusing towards the ending, with events unclear - what was in the casket!?
May 23, 2021
This is definitely a readable, well-paced novel. It has more subtle magic than prior novels in this series that I've read so far, but a touch of politics and plenty of adventure with a frisson of battle keeps things moving.
May 25, 2017
Great read!
Andre Norton wrote a compelling story that holds your attention all the way to the end. It is worth reading!
Andre Norton wrote a compelling story that holds your attention all the way to the end. It is worth reading!
July 6, 2018
Love Ms. Norton's work. Tirtha is on a quest and hires Nirel a Falconer without a Falcon to help her get through some mountain trails. Well written adventure.
January 1, 2022
Single story all the way through versus the previous book. Once again the story came off as too passive for a fantasy novel but better.
June 22, 2022
Возможно, я когда-нибудь и вернусь к этой серии... Но это явно будет нескоро.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2025
Typically good story
Andre' Norton manages to maintain the overall tenor of the series whilst bringing to life a wide diversity of characters
Andre' Norton manages to maintain the overall tenor of the series whilst bringing to life a wide diversity of characters
August 1, 2025
Andre Norton
Love the Witch World, have been reading since middle school. All of her stories are wonderful, people fighting against the Dark. Everyone should read these books
Love the Witch World, have been reading since middle school. All of her stories are wonderful, people fighting against the Dark. Everyone should read these books
June 3, 2019
I started this not realizing it was the 7th book in the estcarp cycle, which I have not read. Thus, my review is based on its merit as a standalone novel. The characters struggle to find Tirtha's ancestral home and finish a quest begun ages ago. They are interesting, with potentially competing motivations, and are the most compelling reason to read the book. Unfortunately, the plot is very hard to understand without having read the other books in the series - references are not explained and callbacks to prior events simply leave the reader confused. Not recommended as a stand-alone novel.
June 24, 2024
3.5 stars
Based on my previous experience with this series, I was completely surprised to find that I loved the intensity of the main character and the way the story was written. It’s just too bad that the whole thing fell apart at the climax, which threw it all away with unnecessary mystery and poorly described action. There is hardly any dialog in this book, and that is to its credit and I think to the author’s strength. The interior thoughts, worries, descriptions and awe of the world she was walking into, and her continual reassessment of her guide and his ability, left me wanting more. No matter that there was barely any action or conflict. The girl’s thoughts sustained most of the story. When the action was quick, like when they found the boy, or the forest people, it was well done, continuing the intensity of the main character. But at the end, everything was confusing, to how she got out of the castle, to the help she received and the spirits beyond our comprehension. It’s too bad, too, because that takes up such a small fraction of the entire wonderful story –but it’s the most important part.
Based on my previous experience with this series, I was completely surprised to find that I loved the intensity of the main character and the way the story was written. It’s just too bad that the whole thing fell apart at the climax, which threw it all away with unnecessary mystery and poorly described action. There is hardly any dialog in this book, and that is to its credit and I think to the author’s strength. The interior thoughts, worries, descriptions and awe of the world she was walking into, and her continual reassessment of her guide and his ability, left me wanting more. No matter that there was barely any action or conflict. The girl’s thoughts sustained most of the story. When the action was quick, like when they found the boy, or the forest people, it was well done, continuing the intensity of the main character. But at the end, everything was confusing, to how she got out of the castle, to the help she received and the spirits beyond our comprehension. It’s too bad, too, because that takes up such a small fraction of the entire wonderful story –but it’s the most important part.
April 26, 2023
A geas is placed on the blood descendants of the lords of Hawkholme to retrieve the contents of a jewelled casket buried in the ruins. An untrained witch, finding a small treasure troves, uses it to finance her expedition to the ruins, both in outfitting it, purchasing a pair of sturdy ponies, & hiring a Falconer as contract guard. In the course of their journey together she & the Falconer rescue a small boy, the last survivor of a destroyed hold, & find the body of one of her murdered kin, bearing a scroll with ties to Hawkholme. A Witch World fantasy.
January 7, 2017
A tough broad and a Falconer strike out on a quest, as he is hired to take her through the turned mountains between Estcarp and Karsten. Relatively low-key drama (largely internal) and interactions overall, and an all too happy ending, metal hand and all, but a very descriptive narrative.
Once again, a female narrator, Tirtha, and only hints of what the Falconer may be thinking. The addition of a boy, Alon, Escore, and the Ninutra adept and characters from "Trey of Swords" make an appearance. The ultimate conflict with the Dark is comparatively minor (although the Thas seemed to make an appearance in Karsen) compared to the internal struggle of Tirtha to compete her task and to accept help from her travelling partners. Similar journeys, stretching the parameters of the Falconer's reality and Alon's powers, were intimated (by this reader anyway).
It was hard to figure out the time frame with the way the story was introduced but tying it into Crytha, Uruk and Yonan helped. A better book than theirs. Stupid 1983 cover.
Once again, a female narrator, Tirtha, and only hints of what the Falconer may be thinking. The addition of a boy, Alon, Escore, and the Ninutra adept and characters from "Trey of Swords" make an appearance. The ultimate conflict with the Dark is comparatively minor (although the Thas seemed to make an appearance in Karsen) compared to the internal struggle of Tirtha to compete her task and to accept help from her travelling partners. Similar journeys, stretching the parameters of the Falconer's reality and Alon's powers, were intimated (by this reader anyway).
It was hard to figure out the time frame with the way the story was introduced but tying it into Crytha, Uruk and Yonan helped. A better book than theirs. Stupid 1983 cover.
May 18, 2020
A strong woman and a misogynist Falconer are forced to work together to achieve mutual goals in a world driven mad by magic. With them is a falcon, bound to the Falconer through some magic of their own.
Witches have overturned the mountains, while a mad ruler has turned his entire kingdom against any who came from the land the witches rule. But in order to fulfill a family requirement, young Tirtha has to return to her family lands, through the dangerous lands and treacherous mountains, in a return to Fawkholme.
Witches have overturned the mountains, while a mad ruler has turned his entire kingdom against any who came from the land the witches rule. But in order to fulfill a family requirement, young Tirtha has to return to her family lands, through the dangerous lands and treacherous mountains, in a return to Fawkholme.
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October 15, 2009The title of this book is clearly 'Ware Hawk, with an apostrophe to indicate that it's short for 'Beware'. It should be searchable that way, but it's not.
This book can be considered a kind of prequel to Songsmith, since the character Alon is introduced in it, as a boy smaller than his age would imply.
Also, there are links to Trey of Swords herein.
This book can be considered a kind of prequel to Songsmith, since the character Alon is introduced in it, as a boy smaller than his age would imply.
Also, there are links to Trey of Swords herein.
May 22, 2010
This is one of my favorite Andre Norton's. It's almost a romance. I love stories with a blank shield or a sell sword. Here is one who is also from a woman hating race who has to work for a woman and who eventually gives up his way of life (even if that way of life has been destroyed) to settle down with her. Plenty of action and the normal Norton type of hallucinations and magic use.
November 23, 2014
Tirtha is the last of her line. Her clan has been destroyed by those who had the Old Race. Using her magical powers and guided by a falconer, she tries to reach her ancestral home. But the Dark One stands in her way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews