The Falconer: Book 1
By Karen Wirsing,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dark, enchanting, violent tale of faery-killing teen girl.
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What's the Story?
THE FALCONER is a steampunk faery tale about 16-year old Aileana Kameron, Scottish aristocrat and socialite by day and faery killer by night. Determined to avenge her mother’s murderess (an evil faery), Aileana refuses to stop slaying the fae species until her mission's accomplished. Very few people in the world have the ability to see faeries, resulting in the popular belief that they’re mere legends used by parents to get children to behave properly. However, Aileana was born with the special gift of seeing. The ability to see is a double edged sword, as “seers” are also cursed with bearing witness to the fae attack on humans. After endless hours of combat training with her only fae friend, Kiaran, Aileana learns that she’s the last living falconer, the one person capable of protecting the human race against faery destruction. Balancing her time between tea parties, balls, and protecting innocent lives, Aileana finds it more and more difficult to keep her secret from those she loves most. As society grows increasingly suspicious about the mysterious teen and why she continues to disappear each time a person's found injured or dead, Aileana must distract rumors long enough to prevent the fae from breaking an ancient seal protecting the human race from complete ruin.
Is It Any Good?
Even though this quirky faery tale is filled with bloodcurdling violence, magical and laugh-out-loud hysterical moments ensue. The heroine can’t seem to rid herself of Derrick, the tiny pixie living in her closet who continues to steal her finest garments to stitch tiny clothing for himself. Things get a little out of hand at a ballroom event when Derrick, drunk on honey, attaches himself to Aileana’s collarbone during the waltz and screams at her oblivious partner to twirl them “faster, faster!”
Enchanting and in-depth details of sweet little pixies and frightening evil faeries among a proper mid-19th century Scottish setting, all come together to create a fantastic first installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why fantasy and steampunk novels are so popular. What others have you read? How does The Falconer compare?
What place do folklore and legends have in literature?
The Falconer includes some graphically detailed violent scenes. Does the fantasy setting help make the violence easier to handle?
Book Details
- Author: Elizabeth May
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More, Superheroes, Adventures, Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Chronicle Books
- Publication date: May 6, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 13 - 17
- Number of pages: 378
- Available on: Paperback, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: March 11, 2020
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