The Hatchling

The Hatchling is a gripping tale of a young owl named Nyroc, born to the evil queen Nyra and the deceased king Kludd. Nyroc is expected to follow in his father's wicked footsteps, but his spirit rebels against such a dark destiny. He dreams of joining the noble ranks of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole. Beneath a shadowed moon in a cloud-streaked sky, the sacred orb splits and Nyroc is born, destined to fulfill his father's terrible plan, the oppression of all owldom under the vicious talons of the Pure Ones. However, doubt grows in Nyroc's heart, fed by strange forbidden legends of a great tree far away where noble owls live in peace. Nourished by friendship, a light dawns in Nyroc's gizzard. A day is nearing when Nyroc must choose to fulfill his destiny—or defy it. It will be a day of blood and terror.