Chronicles of the Roc Rider by Aaron Volner

Beware the skull-eyed man!

Tanin is a Roc trainer. Zera is roc which is a massive hawk that will one day carry a full-grown man into battle. Both have been hunting a killer who murdered Tanin’s wife. When the killer uses a poisoned arrow to attack Zera, Tanin must team up with a soldier who is also hunting the assassin to find an antidote to save Zera and to stop the killings.

This is a fast-paced story of dark magic, sword fights and a battle for good over evil. Very enjoyable.