Through the Eyes of a Raptor [Paperback]

Julie Hahnke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2007

Orphaned upon her mother’s death, thirteen-year-old Kelly MacBride is sent to live with a mysterious grandmother whose Highland estate whispers with intrigue. Aided by Gordie, an obsessive bagpiper with a penchant for Shakespeare and mischief, Kelly deciphers riddles penned in ancient runes. These lead her to hidden tunnels and secret chambers where she chances upon a how-to guide on shape-shifting. But plots lurk just out of view—an attack on the manor’s working dogs, a midnight ambush, and a poisoning threaten the manor’s safety.

Shape-shifting might help Kelly identify the source of the danger, but as a mouse she can’t run without tripping on her tail; in squirrel form she finds herself fifty feet in the air without a branch to cling to; and she learns just how blind bats are when she forgets to engage her echolocation. Can she get it right in time? Set in the Highlands of Scotland, Through the Eyes of a Raptor weaves Celtic myth and Scottish culture around questions of loyalty and betrayal, delivering a captivating tale of magic and suspense.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A graduate of Dartmouth College, Julie Hahnke is a competitive bagpiper and a compulsive orchid hobbyist. Her magical skills, however, are questionable. Despite her attempts, her shape-shifting still needs some work. According to her two cats, her mind-bending is pathetic. She resides in eastern Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 422 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (May 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595426093
• ISBN-13: 978-0595426096
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 4.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,634,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A graduate of Dartmouth College, Julie Hahnke is a children's author and a competitive bagpiper. Having pursued a career in technology and finance, and later consulting in marketing strategies, Julie is having much more fun exploring eclectic hobbies in the guise of researching her writing. Raising luna moths, collecting medieval artifacts, and studying ancient Pictish art--who knows what will be next?

Visit her Web site at: www.juliehahnke.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Backward, Forward, Inside Out , Upside Down Review, May 22, 2007

By 

Marcia A. Christensen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Through the Eyes of a Raptor (Paperback)

I had the opportunity to read Through the Eyes of a Raptor forward, backward, in and out of sequence as it was being written. I must admit that I nagged Julie at the end of each chapter to send me the next one - even if I had already read it in a previous review. Chuckling humor and the three dimensional characters abound. Julie weaves some fascinating scientific facts about birds, orchids, and music into a rapidly moving plot that keeps the reader glued to the page. Her characters and especially their feelings are realistic as they struggle with grief, fear, disappointment, doubt, disillusionment in a world that they discover is neither black nor white. This book is artfully written and well researched with an authentic mythical base. It made me laugh and cry, wonder and believe. Like any good book, when I read the final page, I wanted the book and Kelly to continue. I wasn't ready to let the characters end for a time until the next book.

I was thrilled when Julie asked me to illustrate the book, What fun it was to create the dormouse, the owl, the secret doorway (I especially liked drawing the bat and the squirrel) and make what I saw in my mind come to life.

Marcia Atkinson Christensen

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly and Clever!, June 13, 2007

By 

K. C. Nee (Marblehead, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Through the Eyes of a Raptor (Paperback)

Be transported to foggy Scotland - to a land of Celtic puzzles, a land of mysterious people - a land of bagpipers and shape-shifters. In this fabulous book, surprises abound. The characters and scenery truly make you feel that you are there sharing the adventures. This book often had me laughing out loud at the clever word play. I can't remember when I read a fictional book that was as well-researched as this one is. As a Children's Librarian, I have recommended this book to many customers and will continue to do so.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for kids, June 1, 2007

By 

L. Schwemmer (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Through the Eyes of a Raptor (Paperback)

For ages 9 to 12 the description says. Well, I'm sure they will enjoy it, but the tale's appeal goes well beyond those ages. I have been an adult for some time now, and when I got my copy I could hardly put it down. The action just keeps pulling you on to the next page.

The book is a satisfying blend of interesting characters in an interesting place doing VERY interesting things. Hahnke's story is richly embroidered with a sense of the Scottish countryside and of the ancient roots of the culture which has developed there. Magic is always near the surface and nothing is as it first seems.

Yes, I'm sure that today's sophisticated young people will appreciate this book which never attempts to speak down to them. But adults who relish a good story will enjoy their time in Julie Hahnke's world of Celtic magic, too.