Customer Reviews

The Shining Falcon

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In a magical Russian world full of rusalka, leshyi, boyars and magic, Finist, the magician-prince of Kirtesk has a few problems on his hands--or often, talons. Oh, just the usual: a sorcerous, seductive cousin who's out for his throne, politics, magic and, of course, True Love.

I loved the Russian setting and the use of Russian folk-tales to augment the excellent plot. Both characters and plot are developed thoroughly. If Russian folk-lore appeals to you, also try Mercedes Lackey's Firebird.

This book is like a fairy-tale. When I first got it, I wasn't in the least bit interested in it. But, being bored, I opened it and read the first page. Four and half hours later, I closed the book, finished. I could not put it down for one second.

A lovely fast read based on Russian fairy tales-- I wish there were more of them! I found the characters engaging, especially Maria, although I wish there'd been a bit more on her sister's fate. All in all, definitely worth reading.

I absolutely love this book. It has come to be my favorite book, even though it was published a month before I was born. I picked it up in a thrift store for [price] I put it on the shelf in my room, and forgot about it. A year later I looked through my bookshelf, needing another book to read. I picked it out, and sat down to read it. I couldn't put it down! I read it before school, in school, and after I finished my schoolwork until two in the morning. After I finished it, I put it down, and told myself that if I ever found another book in the world that was better then that, I would scream at the top of my lungs until my death, and I'm not screaming now.

I thought the book was quite interesting. It's basically a novelization of a Russian folktale, and very fascinating. Deals with forest spirits and exiled nobles, some forbidden love and magical princes. Very charming read!

It should be noted that this book won the Compton Crook award for being judged the best first novel in the genera by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. That is a fine recomendation right there.