*The Kestrel* by Lloyd Alexander is the powerful second installment in the Westmark Trilogy, continuing the journey of Theo, now caught in the storm of revolution and war. As the fragile kingdom of Westmark teeters on the edge of chaos, Theo is drawn deeper into political intrigue and forced to take up arms—transforming from idealistic printer’s apprentice to reluctant soldier and tactician known as the Kestrel. Alongside familiar allies like the sharp-witted Mickle and the resourceful Count Las Bombas, Theo must grapple with the cost of violence and the blurred lines between justice and vengeance. With its rich characters and moral complexity, *The Kestrel* is a stirring exploration of leadership, conscience, and the human cost of conflict.
