Book Summary and Reviews of Hawk & Sparrow by Ayana Gray

Hawk & Sparrow by Ayana Gray

Hawk & Sparrow

by Ayana Gray

  • Publishes:
  • Sep 1, 2026, 352 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

Sparks fly in this Gilded Age novel of mystery, magic, and romance by the author of the New York Times–bestselling Beasts of Prey.

Vesper Evans has always resented Basalton's high society, and the sorcery that provides them with a luxurious life unimaginable to most. Orphaned as a child and rescued by the editor of The Basalton Globe, Vesper is now an ambitious reporter determined to keep her newspaper afloat.

While covering a lavish society gala, Vesper happens upon a shocking scene: the murdered body of a man she had spoken with just minutes before. Several of the powerful magical elite may want the man dead, but the prime suspect is wealthy industrialist Maximilian Kite.

Max soon makes Vesper a tempting offer: Find the culprit and restore his reputation in exchange for a substantial fee. Despite her distaste for Max's world, Vesper agrees―the money would save the Globe, and the story would be the scoop of a lifetime. There's only one catch: In order for her to infiltrate society, the two must pose as a courting couple.

Their investigation takes them from the highest echelons of privilege to the seediest backstreets of Basalton. As they unearth the city's secrets and scandals, Vesper finds herself in grave danger―while falling for one of the most infuriating, arrogant, handsome men she has ever met ...

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Gray weaves Gilded Age intrigue, Sherlockian mystery, cunning fantasy, and scintillating romance into a dazzling tapestry." ―Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"An absorbing detective tale, with a bit of romance and a good dose of reality alongside the sorcery." ―Kirkus Reviews

"A mystery with a bit of sorcery and a dash of elegance and charm.... Readers of quality prose, mystery, and a bit of romance will love this." ―School Library Journal

This information about Hawk & Sparrow was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

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More Information

Ayana Gray is the New York Times–bestselling author of the critically acclaimed young adult Beasts of Prey trilogy, as well as I, Medusa, her first novel for adults. Originally from Atlanta, she now lives among the rolling hills and tangling rivers of Arkansas.

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