Owlflight (Darian's Tale) [Hardcover]

Mercedes Lackey (Author), Larry Dixon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Darian's Tale | Publication Date: October 1, 1997

Though apprenticed to a legendary wizard, the young orphan Darian remains difficult and strong-willed. But a sudden twist of fate changes his life forever. The sacking of his village forces him to flee into the great forest, where the mysterious Hawk People lead him on the path to maturity.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Following the events in Storm Breaking (LJ 10/15/96) but without continuing that novel's characters, the stand-alone Owlflight is the latest in Lackey and Dixon's "Valdemar" series. After mage-storms wreak havoc with the laws of magic, his parents disappear, and barbarians sack and burn his village, young Darian retreats into the forest. There he encounters a magical race and discovers his own special powers with birds. This engrossing tale of discovery is recommended especially for libraries that collect the "Valdemar" fantasy series.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Stand-alone Valdemar yarn from the wife-and-husband team (The Silver Gryphon, 1996, etc.). Chronologically, this follows the events of Storm Breaking (not reviewed), but it's otherwise unconnected. Young orphan Darian lives on the edge of the vast Pelagiris forest. Though apprenticed to the wise old wizard Justyn, he's contemptuous of magic in general and unwilling to make the effort to develop his own talents. When invading barbarians burn the village and kill Justyn, Darian flees into the forest and meets the Hawkbrothers, a magical elflike race who bond with birds and bear such names as Snowfire, Starfall, and Nightwind. What ensues is a standard coming-of-age fantasy involving the usual Lackey and Dixon suspects (yes, of course, gryphons). Should entertain the more junior and unsuspecting sections of the audience. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: DAW Hardcover; 1st edition (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886777542
• ISBN-13: 978-0886777548
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #557,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mercedes Lackey is the acclaimed author of over fifty novels and many works of short fiction. In her "spare" time she is also a professional lyricist and a licensed wild bird rehabilitator. Mercedes lives in Oklahoma with her husband and frequent collaborator, artist Larry Dixon, and their flock of parrots.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story! Excellent Characters, October 28, 2002

By 

Serene (Marina, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Owlflight (Valdemar: Darian's Tale, Book 1) (Paperback)

Owl Flight is the story of Darian, a precocious teenager, unwillingly apprenticed to mage Justyn after his parents (trappers) fail to return from one of their extended hunting trips. Resenting Justyn and believing him to be incompetent senile old man, Darian 'acts out' by running away and slacking off on his daily chores. This causes trouble with the local villagers who believe Darian does not act appropriately 'grateful for the charity they have given him. The hostile environment makes Darian wish he could run away from his problems and do as he pleases.

Punished by his mentor, Justyn, for slacking off, he is sent into the woods one day to gather mushrooms, and his village is attacked by raiding barbarians. Darian is befriended by the Hawkbrothers (a tribalesque group of people), and forms a friendship with Snowfire, a Hawkbrother hunter/scout.

Together with his newfound friends Darian must find a way to free the village of Errold's Grove from the ruthless clutches of the Bear Clan barbarians.

While Darian's whining and self-pitying attitude can get annoying at times, I found Darian and his mentor Snowfire believable. I especially liked Snowfire and the other Hawkbrother characters and would like to learn more about him. I admit, I was pleased to read about a character that was not a herald, and it was nice to learn how some of the more provincial characters view things. I am anxiously looking forward to reading to picking up a copy of the sequel! Great Work MS. Lackey and Mr. Dixon!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very cool. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, September 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Owlflight (Valdemar: Darian's Tale, Book 1) (Paperback)

This is NOT a stand alone book. It is the first book in a new Valdemar trilogy, beginning with Owlsight. An excellent novel, if a little bit juvenille. A bit like Arrows of the Queen in writing style, but lacks in no area. Owlsight (the sequel), is more involved, but this book is a necessary prequel. I am anxiously awaiting Owlknight (the final volume), and having read all the Valdemar novels thus far, this series rates up there with the Mage Storms for entertainment value.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read!, April 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Owlflight (Valdemar: Darian's Tale, Book 1) (Paperback)

I loved this book. I am a major Mercedes Lackey fan and have read most of her books. I first started reading them when I saw one (The Lark and the Wren) on my sister's book shelf and from then on I was hooked. This book was much better than I expected. Her last trilogy The Mage Storms wasn't that great so I wasn't sure about this one untill I started reading and was snagged. I can't wait to read the next books Owlsight and Owlknight. Other books of hers that are cool are The Last Herald-Mage trilogy. I have read those books over and over. Her Bardic Voices and Bardic Choices books were good too, except for the last one Four and Twenty Blackbirds. I hope she keeps on writing her Valdemar books after this trilogy since I love them so much. If you are a Lackey fan you should also check out Tamora Pierce, Terry Goodkind, Robin Mckinley, Sherwood Smith, Andre Norton, Dennis McKiernan, or\and Ursala Le Guin books.