The Falconer (Falconer Series #1)
4.2
34
5
1
Paperback
USD
8.99
$8.99
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781452128771 |
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| Publisher: | Chronicle Books LLC |
| Publication date: | 12/15/2015 |
| Series: | Elizabeth May's Falconer Series , #1 |
| Pages: | 392 |
| Sales rank: | 80,262 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.75(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.75(d) |
| Age Range: | 14 - 17 Years |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
The Falconer
4.2 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
35 reviews.
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I liked the lore mixed with steampunk. It made for an interesting read. Characters could have been better but hey, I'm still totally going to read the next book in the series.
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I really liked the development between the main characters.
Pretty good read especially for a dollar... I hope there's a sequel
She definitely leaves you hanging
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I've never rated or wrote a review on any books i have read until this one. Wow... just wow... Well written. I bought this book on a whim; I needed something new to read. I thought it would be angsty like a lot of paranormal romance books nowadays, but not so much. The romance is pretty straight to the point as well as the plot. The heroine is straight to the point with her suitor and her love interest. And the plot doesn't drag on. Straight to the point. There's humor and classy smartass-ness. Thumbs up for Ms. May!! I'm definitely looking forward to books 2 & 3!!
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3.5 stars
For the first half of the book, I was pretty sure that I was going to end up loathing this book. Around 60% into the novel, however, the action really picked up, and I found myself enchanted by the dark, compelling world of "faeries." I use quotation marks because Kiaran calls them something else, a term I wish I'd written down because I can't remember how to spell it.
As my feelings progressed from near loathing to genuine interest, it's appropriate to start with what I didn't like. One of my first grievances about the book was the poor world building. I don't know much about Scotland or historical periods, but I didn't really feel immersed in the Scottish culture and the time period. The language had more of a modern feel in spite of the occasional aye's and wee's. Though the story introduces different types of faeries early on, Aileana doesn't give much away about what they are and where they fall in the faerie hierarchy. It's not until later, more powerful faeries enter the storyline that more detailed classifications are offered, and I could piece together a better idea of her world. Even then, so much is left open. We only ever get a small taste of it in this first book.
I get that Aileana is furious at her mother's murderer. So furious and filled with anger that it crosses into obsession as she goes around killing faeries. When she keeps talking about how angry she is, however, it gets old fast. And she did this quite a bit in the beginning. This makes it difficult to see past the anger into the naive, hopeful girl she claims she used to be. It doesn't help that she dallies around in giving a full explanation for why she feels compelled to kill faeries. She also likes how drunk she gets on the rush of faerie power, but she doesn't explain what it is and how exactly it influences her. It wasn't until late into the story that I realized that killing faeries gives her more than an adrenaline rush.
Aileana is hot-headed character, and I can see why she'd be considered likable. However, I find it very difficult to like characters that lash out on the spur of the moment and take pleasure in making their feelings known without considering the consequences. For example, hough Kiaran is responsible for saving her life and training her to fight, Aileana will lash out at him and seems to feel justified in demanding he confide his secrets to her. Secrets that torment him. I understand that she doesn't trust him because of who he is, but her behavior seems to have more emotional than rational drive. Considering how hot he is though, I can't blame her for losing some control around him. I'll leave it to you to read the book to find out what happens along this vein.
Other than Aileana, and Kiaran to some extent, the characters remain static. This doesn't mean that they're any less likable. I love Derrick. He's absolutely adorable! I wish that I had a pixie like him—maybe, probably. While he can get on Aileana's nerves, his usefulness and, more importantly, friendship outweigh the cons. Catherine and Gavin are wonderful, supportive characters. These are the friends I'd trust with my secrets and would want to have my back. Not to say that the story couldn't have used more character development though, especially in the first half as characters were being introduced.
The action scenes are what really bring the story to life. The 'evil' faeries really come to life in horrific detail, and the suspense is built up. I felt myself rushing through the streets with Aileana and cringing as she endured torturous wounds to complete her missions. I felt the rush of power as she conquered yet another enemy and pride in the badges she accumulated on her body. And I found myself liking her a little. It's also pretty cool how there's some steampunk technology mixed in. As the story progressed, the action becomes more intense, climaxing in a nasty cliffhanger that has been melting in a puddle bemoaning the situation.
Why?????
As it is, I must wait until I can get a copy of the next book within my grasp to find out what happens. Other than that, I would definitely like to see more world building and character development. And definitely more epic action scenes. I know I've complained about her thus far, but Aileana is pretty badass when it comes to killing faeries.
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Buy the series now! Great storytelling.
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This was a great read! Aileana was a great female character and she is one of the most badass assassins out there! I suppose I could call her an assassin because she kills faeries that threaten to kill humans. She also has to deal with the challenges of being a lady in Edinburgh and having an arranged marriage. I thought that her discoveries throughout the book and about herself tied together very well, as well as learning about her mother and the past she knew nothing about. The end has a fantastic cliffhanger and I can't wait to read the sequel!
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I've heard wonderful things about The Falconer so I went in with fairly high expectations and that led to a bit of disappointment. Set in an alternate history filled with intriguing inventions and a new spin on the Seelie, Unseelie, and Solitary Fae, I thought that this just had to be the book for me.
Not quite.
Aileana never struck me as anything special. I liked that she invented her own weapons and other useful devices, though it always seems to come in as a side comment, something she just does (I wanted to know more about the inventions!) but otherwise she's a Faery hunter. A chosen one, the last of her "kind." And so she spends the book preparing to face the big bad and save the world. Woo... haven't seen that one before...
Honestly, I wanted Kiaran's story. He was mysterious enough to make me curious with this layer of humanity he tried to hide behind his Fae nature. His history starts revealing itself closer to the end but he (and Derrick, the pixie) held my attention over Aileana.
Then there was this romance-thing. It started out looking like there would be a love triangle between Aileana, Kiaran, and Gavin (her best friend's brother). Thankfully that wasn't the case but the way it's written that isn't really confirmed until later. But the romance that was there kind of caught me off guard in the "oh this is actually going to be a thing now" way. I was shipping them, don't get me wrong, but it was almost a zero to sixty scenario, with the world ending and whatnot, so it didn't feel real, if that makes sense.
Despite following the Chosen One trope and introducing what could have been a love triangle (the fact that it wasn't is a redeeming point but the lead-up to that particular reveal was annoying), I loved the way The Falconer took the Fae and twisted the legends into something new. I love all things faerie, especially the stories of the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, which are mentioned here so hoping to see more of them. Combined with the Scotland setting and the alternate history, I think the backdrop for this story was my favorite part.
As for the story, I liked the beginning because it did catch my attention. Then the story slowed down and nothing really happened. I mean, Faeries attacked but it was kind of the same thing over and over while the doomsday clock kept ticking and Aileana didn't move to stop it until the last minute. Then the end was one big action scene ending in a massive cliffhanger that I would assume was intended to make you NEED the next book, but I didn't feel that.
Honestly, I reached the end at felt a mild interest in the sequel but nothing stronger than that.
The Falconer had the potential but never quite reached it for me. Here's hoping The Vanishing Throne does a better job of holding my attention. This one was just an average fantasy.
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An amalgamation of fae lore and steampunk quirkiness.
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I love this series so much! I thought tge Fae concept was different and interesting and it lived up to my expectations! I had to wait about 6 mo for book 2 and another year for the third book! I love this female character and a great love story! Just buy all three because this author leaves you hanging! I'm in my 40's and still loved it!
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This is a really compelling fantasy. Aileana is a great protagonist; I lover her violence and viciousness and her desire for revenge, but also how how utterly human she is. I did think the ending was a little beyond a cliff hanger and into unfinished, but this one is great.
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It’s been a long time since I’ve encountered a book that pulls me in so deep, that I devour it. I first started this book on an airplane, which was a very bad idea. This meant that I was going to be interrupted as I landed, and wouldn’t really be able to keep reading until much, much later.
This is the type of book that hooks you from the very beginning. No slow burn, but a hot intensity that makes you feel as if you’re right there with Aileana, no holds barred.
Aileana is a very special woman, and not just because of her abilities. She’s special because of her resilience. I really liked that even though she is an amazing fighter, she also has weaknesses. I’ve encountered so many main characters that have no flaws, the only thing holding them back is the enemy. But here, we encounter a main character that is not only strong, but also vulnerable. Sure, that vulnerability isn’t what she needs. But when is it? It allows us, as readers, to connect with her in such a way that makes the book that much better. She has flaws, but she wouldn’t be herself without them. Honestly, it makes the book so much better knowing that despite her flaws (or perhaps because them), she is able to truly do her best.
Kirian… I didn’t really know how to feel about him. It didn’t help that Aileana didn’t either. Their relationship is incredibly complicated, and the fact that he is a sìthíchean, or faery, makes it that much harder. Because there’s one rule that he’s taught her—and that’s to never trust the fae. But when a sìthíchean like him—who teaches her to fight his own kind—seems to care for her, how can she not trust him? I absolutely loved the relationship between these two, because it wasn’t clear-cut. There are doubts and secrets between them, and that makes the relationship that much forbidden. And we don’t even truly know if we can trust him. At all.
Oh! And the sweet Gavin. Such a sweet man. He doesn’t make an appearance until further in the book, but this man is truly “the boy next door,” who seems to be mild and kind, and with whom Aileana could truly have a future with. If only the faeries didn’t exist. But Gavin intrigued me. I didn’t have such a connection to him as I did to Kirian, mostly because I didn’t know enough about him. He and Aileana have a past, but we don’t really know it. We didn’t experience it. And for those worries about a love triangle—don’t worry. It’s not truly a love triangle because for Aileana, Gavin isn’t a romantic option. He’s her friend.
And last, but not least, is Catherine. The best friend. I truly call her the best friend, because she does what only best friends do: trust. She trusts Aileana so much so that she covers for her without even knowing the truth. I can’t really say much about her, because she wasn’t really there a majority of the time, but what I saw, I loved.
This book will burn a hole through your heart, especially at the end where IT LEAVES OFF AT A CLIFFHANGER. It’s been a while since I encountered a cliffhanger so cliffhangery that I can’t even. This book is part of a trilogy, however, and the second book is already out. So you—and I—won’t have to wait very long to find out what happens. And the third one is projected to be published this year. So, honestly, yes it’s a cliffhanger, but at least the books are mostly all out.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves steampunk, magic, drama, suspense, and forbidden romances. Oh, and who doesn’t mind cliffhangers.
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Warning: Before you begin reading this book, make sure to have the sequel readily available because you will want it right away. I didn't have the second book and spent a few minutes staring at a wall after turning the last page. The Falconer originally lured me in with the promise of steampunk, Scotland, and fae. It absolutely delivered on every single one of those promises. This series is incredibly addictive and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
Aileana is such a wonderfully broken character. When we first meet her, her world has been torn apart by her mother's death and the knowledge of what she witnessed that night. Aileana revels in her nightly hunts of the fae, savoring the power and sense of revenge each death brings her. What I particularly liked about this book is that she still conformed to (or at least attempted to) the standard of high society. While she didn't like them, she still accepted the power they had over her life. Many books gloss over the social repercussions of being different in that time period and I loved that this one didn't.
The world building was a little skimpy and left me with many questions (and the need to read the second book to find out more). I hope to see the world fleshed out in the rest of the trilogy. Most of the explanations about the world came up as Aileana learned about them. Since she doesn't know much herself, the reader is left wondering about some things (such as her powers, what's special about her bloodline, etc). However, there was enough world-building to allow me to enjoy the novel without feeling as if I was missing essential pieces of information.
Onto my favorite character. Derrick was funny, warm-hearted, and good (as well as sassy and honey-obsessed). The inclusion of a good fae to contrast with the morally ambiguous and evil ones was a brilliant idea of the authors. I loved his relationships with both Aileana and Kiaran. Now I just need to figure out how to lure him (or a pixie like him) into my closet to take care of my clothes....
The romance was one of the weaker aspects of this book for me. Aileana seemed to flip-flop between her feelings for the two men in her life, occassionally giving me whip-lash. Also, Kiaran's romantic history was too shadowed in mystery to make me truly root for him. I can see the chemistry between them but would have liked a little bit more detail/fleshing out of their relationship.
The Falconer is definitely worth a read if you enjoy this genre. The author made some excellent character choices across the board that allowed it to stand out from some similar novels I've read recently. I was so engrossed in the characters and the excellently paced plot that I didn't realize I had finished the book before turning the last page. I am definitely going to continue with this series (particularly after that absolutely brutal cliffhanger!!)
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
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The Falconer, book one of The Falconer trilogy by Elizabeth May, is interesting from the first page! The main character, Kam, is listening to gossiping ladies talk about how she supposedly killed her mother. This intrigued me plenty, but then Faeries are introduced into the story. Kiaran is an intriguing, enigmatic and mysterious faerie. Gavin is an old friend who plunges headfirst into danger and into the fae world with Kam. I enjoyed the dynamics between Gavin and Kam and Kam and Kiaran, the banter pulled me into the story even more. I'm curious about Kiaran's whole being, past and purpose. The fae vocabulary, the detailed bestiary at the end of the book, the descriptions of the struggles Kam deals with and the beautiful characters make this book hard to put down - 5 stars!
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I've had this book for a while and for some reason, never got around to reading it. Even after hearing amazing things about it.
I loved Aileana. She's strong and smart and seriously a BAMF. Kiaran is interesting and the tension between the two of them is off the charts. I adored Catherine and Gavin and hope we see more of them. Hands down, Derrick stole every single scene he was in.
The plot did get a bit dense here and there. I'm still not 100% on wtf is happening or why, but I'm intrigued and invested enough to keep reading. And after an ending like that, I can't wait to start the next book.
**Huge thanks to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for providing the arc free of charge**
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This book replays the same chapter over and over again; I had to force myself to finish it.
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I couldnt put it down
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This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time i read it. I literaly COULD NOT put this book down! I think this is the only match iv ever seen to the Eeragon series. This book is the perfect mix of fantacy, adventure, and romance.
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Want to know os i can see if it a long book or short one or between os if it lest then the 223 or 100 think about it
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Did not catch my attention.
:/
SORRY!
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Ood story and great imagination
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The book waswell written with just enough of all elements to keep you wanting more!
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