A Falcon Flies (Ballantyne Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

Wilbur Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 2006 | Series: Ballantyne Novels

In 1860, a man and woman approach the coast of Africa aboard a swift clipper--in the command of an American who knows no law. Robyn Ballantyne and her brother Morris have waited years for this moment: to return to Africa, to search for their missionary father who had disappeared somewhere in the wilderness.

Traveling north from Cape Town, they follow a map left by a madman--into an uncharted world of waterfalls and jungle, teeming wildlife, murderous disease, and the ghastly ruins of an astounding city. 
 
Uncovering their father's trail, Robyn and her brother are in the midst of a slave trade that pours out of Africa like a bloody wound. Now, to survive what they have found, they must make their separate ways out--through pitched battles on land and on sea…and through the pride, passions and fury of their hearts…

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An epic...Smith joins the ranks of one of the grand masters of twentieth-century novels."
—Tulsa World

 

Praise for Wilbur Smith

“Smith is a master.” —Publishers Weekly

“One of the world’s most popular adventure writers.” —The Washington Post Book World

“A rare author who wields a razor-sharp sword of craftsmanship.” —Tulsa World

“Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared.” —The Times (UK)      
"Best Historical Novelist--I say Wilbur Smith, with his swashbuckling novels of Africa.  The bodices of rip and the blood flows.  You can get lost in Wilbur Smith and misplace all of August."--Stephen King

"Action is Wilur Smith's game, and he is a master."--The Washington Post Book World

“The world’s leading adventure writer.” —Daily Express (UK)

"Wilbur Smith rarely misses a trick."--Sunday Times

“Smith is a captivating storyteller.” —The Orlando Sentinel

“No one does adventure quite like Smith.” —Daily Mirror (UK)

"A thundering good’ read is virtually the only way of describing Wilbur Smith’s books.” —The Irish Times

 

From the Back Cover

In a towering  tale of lovers, family, enemies, and honor, Wilbur Smith chronicles a journey into the heart of a continent--where only the bold would survive…
 
A MAN HAD DISAPPEARED IN AFRICA
In 1860, a man and woman approach the coast of Africa aboard a swift clipper--in the command of an American who knows no law. Robyn Ballantyne and her brother Morris have waited years for this moment: to return to Africa, to search for their missionary father who had disappeared somewhere in the wilderness.
 
A TRIAL LED TO AN ANCIENT CITY, UNTOLD WONDERS, AND HORROR
Traveling north from Cape Town, they follow a map left by a madman--into an uncharted world of waterfalls and jungle, teeming wildlife, murderous disease, and the ghastly ruins of an astounding city.
 
AND THE ONLY WAY OUT WILL BE THROUGH A HEART OF DARKNESS
Uncovering their father's trail, Robyn and her brother are in the midst of a slave trade that pours out of Africa like a bloody wound. Now, to survive what they have found, they must make their separate ways out--through pitched battles on land and on sea…and through the pride, passions and fury of their hearts…
 
"An epic...Smith joins the ranks of one of the grand masters of twentieth-century novels."
--Tulsa World

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (October 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312940718
• ISBN-13: 978-0312940713
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Wilbur Smith was born in Central Africa in 1933. He was educated at Michaelhouse and Rhodes University. After the successful publication of WHEN THE LION FEEDS in 1964 he became a full-time writer, and has since written 30 novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His books have been translated into twenty-six different languages

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good read., November 3, 2006

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Falcon Flies (Ballantyne Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

Robyn Ballantyne and her brother, Morris, have waited years to return to Africa. They are determined to locate their father, a missionary, who had disappeared within the African wilderness.

Following a map left by a madman, the siblings track their father's footsteps. Hope slowly fades from the duo. Even so, they continue onward through dense wilderness and fierce wildlife with little time to take in the area's rough beauty.

When they find themselves amid a horrible slave trade, Robyn and Morris split up. Both are being tracked and time is running out.

*** This is book one of four. I found it to be a bit long-winded at times, but well written and loaded with suspense. Definitely worth you time. ***

Reviewed by Scott for Huntress Reviews.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Novel, October 23, 2011

By 

James Mcentire "Gadget Happy" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Falcon Flies (Ballantyne Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

I never thought about Africa being a fun place to visit until I traveled there on a merchant ship in 2008. We went completely around Africa twice stopping in Egypt, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa and Cameroon. I had so much fun there I went back to Kenya on a holiday when my time on the ship was over. A friend told me about Wilbur Smith and in 2009 I read all 32 books he has written on Africa and surrounding areas. I highly recommend all his books especially the ones on the Courtney family!

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Love wilbur smith....., December 17, 2006

By 

Jeffrey Roberts (Long Island, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Falcon Flies (Ballantyne Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

this was good, but not great....a little slow, but i still bought all the remaining ballantyne novels. I loved his egypian series, loved his courtney series, so i expect the same here.....