
The Falconer – Book Review
Elizabeth May
YA Fantasy
Book #1 in the falconer
series
Synopsis:
Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844
Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the
Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s
social events – right up until a faery killed her mother.
Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana
slaughter faeries in secret, in between the endless rounds of parties, teas and
balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her
aristocratic façade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down
the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the
city’s many dark alleyways.
But the balance between high society and her
private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s
father returns home, she has a decision to make. How much is she willing to
lose – and just how far will Ailena go for revenge…?
Review:
This book has been on my
TBR list for a long time and I am only sorry that I didn’t pick it up sooner.
Thrilling, action packed and set in 19th century steam punk Edinburgh;
I couldn’t help but enjoy The Falconer immensely.
On the day of her coming
out ball, seventeen year old Aileana is changed forever after she witnesses a mythical
fae woman rip out her mother’s heart. Now one year on, Aileana is hardly
recognisable as the meek, polite society girl she once was. With her reputation
as a Lady hanging together by threads, she fights to endure her days of mindless
balls and inane gossip, yet at night, she prowls the streets of Edinburgh, hunting
down the blood thirsty fae in the hopes of running into her mother’s killer.
Only Derrick, her tame
pixie companion and clothes mender, knows about her nightly excursions. But
when Kiaran, Aileana’s trainer and unlikely accomplice in arms discovers that
Aileana has been killing fae without him, he is furious. Now word is fast spreading
through the fae world, that for the first time in centuries a falconer, a
legendary female warrior born with both the skill and strength to hunt the fae,
is alive and on the hunt. But the hunter is about to become the hunted.
As the seal holding the
most powerful fae captive begins to weaken, Aileana learns she has only mere
days to re-enact the spell keeping the fae from slaughtering the entire city – but
she doesn’t know how. Now with time working against her, she can no longer keep
up appearances as a highborn Lady. Yet as the scandal surrounding her spreads,
she not only has to contend with impending world doom, but an arranged marriage
as well… and even Kiarans forbidden good looks cannot distract her from that.
“Duty comes first” her
father told her, but now Aileana must choose, duty to society, duty to the
world or duty to her heart… either way, no matter what she chooses, people she
loves are going to die…
I really, really loved
this book. It’s the first steam punk style setting I have ever read and now I
am certainly eager to check out more books in the genre. And for those of you
who are unfamiliar with the term, steam punk is set within the historical Victorian
era except the technology is usually both highly advanced and steam powered.
In terms of the story, I
was gripped from the first few pages where we are immediately introduced to
Aileana, a feisty tempered red head who is out for revenge. She is an easily
likeable character yet for all her tough exterior, beneath she is a soft
hearted girl who is a little love staved and naive. Struggling to balance her
two lives of debutante and fae hunter, she is also sinfully attracted to her
tormented fae trainer, who she knows better than to trust, yet alone fall for. My heart couldn’t help
but go out to her.
The secondary characters are also interesting and
often humorous, particularly Derrick the Pixie, with his small yet foul mouth
and never ending love of honey.
Yet I also loved Catherine, Aileana’s best friend.
She knows there is more going on in Aileana’s life than meets the eyes and steadfastly
stands by her. Catharine’s mother is also an intriguing, if disproving piece of
work while Catharine’s brother, Gavin is a true gentleman – and the first human
to really understand Aileana’s true nature.
What really grabs me about these characters though
is how they drive the story forward. With hidden pasts and unclear motives for
helping Aileana , they add an undercurrent of speculation to the story.
Undoubtedly the most unique character however –
aside from Aileana herself – is Kiaran. A full blooded fae, he is a powerful
being with deadly good looks and a blunt, to the point manner. While lacking
the charms of Derrick and Gavin, he has a pained, tortured soul and a thirst
for vengeance that captures the readers attention – and while maybe he isn’t the
best love interest for Aileana (He isn't exactly the kiss and cuddle type) his lessons both better and protect Aileana in some way. I
really hope we learn more about Kiaran in the next book.
My only disappointment with ‘The Falconer’ was its major
cliff hanger of an ending! Right in the middle of the action! It’s fair to say
I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book, I’m dying to know what happens
next as so much of the plot was left unresolved.
All in all though a great, unique read set in a
fantastical yet emotionally realistic world with a story that will keep you
turning the pages. 4 stars!