Yes, this seventh book represents a new direction for the series. It seems that Soren's story reached its closure at the end of The Burning, so now we step into the shoes (er, talons) of young Nyroc.
Now, don't go running and screaming. This is not that MISTAKE of a book, The Shattering. Fortuneately, Nyroc is far more fleshed out and rounded than Eglantine was. The narration manages to capture all the magic of the previous books, but the new storyline is a great breath of fresh air. This new character provides a whole new set of plot hooks, mysteries, and legends, all of which I found very enjoyable.
I was also pleased to see that, near the end of the book, Otulissa really comes into the spotlight. She had become one of my favorite characters, and she's obviously going to play a big role in the books to come.
In short, this is a new beginning for the Guardians of Ga'hoole, but the epic themes remain strong. This, combined with liberal references to the rest of the series, make The Hatchling an obvious choice for fans.