An animal companion book with the magical murder bird that is a roc? Sign me up!

That was me when I first heard of this book, in my gleeful forgetting that animal companion books always wrench the knife into your heart and twist. (Black Beauty taught me this young. I should've known better.)

Knife-twisting aside, this is a magnificent novella. Simultaneously monstrous and courageous, so much of this story circled around obsession and perseverance in a stunning manner.

"I've already given you everything of myself. I've left my home, I've braved death, I've devoted myself to your care and training. I hunt with you and for you, I deliver all the bloodshed you crave, I worship you with my weak human frailty. In return, you must stay."