Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In this exciting follow-up to the Guardian Herd series, kicking off the Riders of the Realm trilogy, the pegasi of the Storm Herd encounter numerous dangers when they journey across the sea to seek out a new home. Refugees from a land torn apart by war, Echofrost and her herd of winged horses want to ensure the survival of their species by colonizing a new continent; instead, they discover a Landwalker (human) society that uses tame pegasi in war and defense against marauding giants. When Echofrost and her friend Shysong are captured by humans, they must engineer an escape before they-re enslaved forever. Their only potential ally is 12-year-old Rahkki Stormrunner, who feels an unexpected connection to the wild pegasi and their plight. But unable to understand each other, Echofrost and Rahkki may remain at cross-purposes until it-s too late. Alvarez offers strong worldbuilding and an evocative picture of winged horses in action, though leisurely pacing can cause the narrative to drag. An exploration of the unkind human treatment of the sentient pegasi provides darker dimension in this entertaining adventure story. Ages 8-12. Agent: Jacqueline Flynn, Delbourgo Assoc. (May)

ALA Booklist (Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

Alvarez continues the exciting world of the pegasi introduced in her Guardian Herd series with this new series starter. Rahkki works in the stables, caring for his brother's winged horse, but he must put that all behind him to be an apprentice on his uncle's farm. When wild pegasi are spotted, Rahkki would do anything to stay. Meanwhile, pegasus Echofrost and her herd have journeyed over the dark water to find a new life safe from the danger of captivity. Told from the alternating perspectives of Rahkki and Echofrost, this first in a planned trilogy dives into the nature of humans and horses, exploring their complicated relationships. Echofrost has a strong-willed personality, while Rahkki is much calmer, with an air of innocence and wonder in the way he views everything. He's the spark that Echofrost needs to keep going, and the one that shows her what trusting someone can truly mean. An amazing story of survival flecked with themes of captivity and freedom, and a coming-of-age journey with a strong heart.

School Library Journal (Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

Gr 5-7 In this first installment of a new trilogy by the author of the "Guardian Herd" series, the members of the Sandwen clan live on lands surrounded by many dangers, including dragons and a group of antagonistic giants. Theirs is a matriarchal society with each of the seven clans ruled by a queen. Not only do they use horses as a way to traverse the land, they also have pegasi which they have trained to help them in battle. Rahkki, a stable groom, cares for his brother's stallion. To the north of the Sandwens, there once lived a herd of wild pegasi, but a large group of them left their herd to find freedom. For Echofrost and Shysong, members of the Storm Herd, freedom was fleeting; they were soon caught by "landwalkers" of the fifth clan. Readers will be enthralled with the way the pegasi, both tame and wild, can communicate with each other and will sympathize with Rahkki as he learns to love Echofrost but also yearns for her to have her freedom. The story is action-packed and full of adventure, making it difficult to put down. Many characters in human and nonhuman form are introduced, leaving readers ready for future volumes in the series. VERDICT A great choice for libraries serving middle grade students who crave more fantasy and a perfect readalike for fans of Erin Hunter's "Warrior" series. Elizabeth Kahn, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Avondale, LA

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

In this Guardian Herd spinoff series, pegasus groom Rahkki's human clan captures wild pegasus Echofrost, who does not like the boy who keeps trying to "train" her. But when an outside force threatens, the two must learn to work together. Though this first book starts slowly and contains cardboard villains, horse fans should enjoy this new action-packed fantasy trilogy.

Kirkus Reviews

Following the four-book Guardian Herd series, a new series opener in the same world.Hundreds of pegasi have been kept in captivity by Nightwing the Destroyer. When their escape plot leaks, 140 rebel pegasi called the Storm Herd flee across the Dark Ocean in hopes of settling in a new land, led by brave Echofrost. Instead of arriving in peaceful valleys where the herd can graze and fly freely, the Storm Herd discovers more perils, including barbaric giants and Landwalkers. The two-legged Landwalkers control a herd of pegasi, riding on their backs, something the Storm Herd has never seen. When the Landwalkers (hair and eye coloration described in detail, skin color unmentioned) capture herd member Shysong, Echofrost leaves the Storm Herd to press on without her—only to be captured herself. While Echofrost plots escape, a young orphaned Landwalker cares for her, all the while trying to decide whether to sell her at auction or free her and Shysong. Alvarez opens the story with a cumbersome summation of the epic battle that provides cover for the Storm Herd's flight, leaving readers new to the world confused from the start as to who's who. The story from there is a variant on the common narrative that depicts a group escaping bondage only to find more bondage in the new land. The adventure with the pegasi stalls halfway through as the plot turns to the dull royal politics of their new human masters.Even committed series fans may find the human storyline slow going. (Fantasy. 8-12)