Guardians of Ga'Hoole by Karen Lasky Books 7 & 8

Series fiction is a weird thing. Readers don't often stop to consider how series writers keep writing in a world and keep it interesting. It's a thing. There are 16 full length Ga'Hoole books. They are all middle readers and it's impossible to keep the protagonists stuck in the pre-teen years forever.

On tactic is to switch protagonists. It's a risky thing, but if done right, it can inject the series with new life. The trick of it is to get the readers to let go of a beloved narrator/character and learn to embrace a new voice. Books 1 through 6 are all, more or less, from the point of view of Soren. However, as Soren aged he became less of a good age appropriate focus for middle readers. Lasky solves this dilemma by switching focus on to Nyroc (soon to become Coryn), Soren's nephew. Now if you've been keeping up with the series, Eglantine is too young for chicks, so Nyroc's parents have to be the dastardly Kludd and Nyra.

It's a bold choice for a shift of viewpoint, and it's a bit jarring. However, it's what needs to happen. Ultimately, Nyroc is an interesting new voice. Soren is a bit...unimpeachable. He's kind of perfect. Soren has very few flaws. Nyroc, on the other hand, has some very interesting damage going which gives him  solid character arch.

Ultimately, I suggest fighting through the first half of The Hatchling because the character, and the series, is worth it. Any weirdness in the shift is worth it to keep the story going.


7. The Hatchling
8. The Outcast