Wings of the Falcon [Paperback]

Barbara Michaels (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Berkley Books (1977)
• ASIN: B0011D5LZY
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even Amelia Peabody would enjoy this one, March 27, 2007

By 

Jeanne Tassotto (Trapped in the Midwest) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wings of the Falcon (Mass Market Paperback)

This historical romance by 'Barbara Michaels' aka Elizabeth Peters, is set during the Italian Risorgimento of the mid nineteenth century. Francesca Fairbourn is the daughter of an impoverished English father and an aristocratic Italian mother. Her parents had eloped to England in a most romantic fashion, causing her to be disowned by her family. In true romance fashion the young woman died in childbirth leaving Francesca to be raised by her most impractical father. Shortly after leaving school at 18 Francesca's father dies leaving her totally alone in the world. At that dire moment a dashing young man comes to rescue her from a 'fate worst than death'. He turns out to be her half-cousin and has come to take her back to the family home in Italy. Once there Francesca finds herself embroiled in the Italian revolution, surrounded by anarchists, mercenary soldiers, spies, traitors and dashing romantic hero.

The novel has all the standard cliches of historical fiction and could have easily been just one of the numerous trashy examples of the genre well deserving the title of 'bodice ripper', but for the skillful hand of Michaels. The characters transcend the usual two dimensional character found in romances, the twists and turns of the plot are clever even though the reader will quite possibly solve at least some of the mysteries before the last few pages. The historical background is well researched and presented in an entertaining manner. It is, however, lacking the wry humor found in other works by this author (the Amelia Peabody and Vicky Bliss series).

For even an occasional reader of this type of fiction this one is a great find.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Loved It, March 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Wings of the Falcon (Paperback)

I've been reading Barbara Micheals novels for years now (I'm pretty sure I've gone through all of them now) and Wings of the Falcon is my favorite. I love the characters, particularly Stefano and Francesca. It is a little predictable, but then again most of her novels are. The story of the revolution and the war is gripping. This book is definitely the "guilty pleasure" on my bookshelf -- I reread it frequently and simply love it. It has romance, mystery and adventure . . . if you like Barbara Micheals you will love this book, which I think is her best.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Fiction -- A great work!, May 9, 2000

By 

Mary Chrapliwy (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wings of the Falcon (Paperback)

This book is a bit of a departure from the mystery/suspense that Barbara Michaels is best known for. It is more of a historical work of fiction. It does contain the suspense that Ms. Michaels' is known for.

The book is well written and held my interest enough that I read it in one day! It was spooky and atmospheric with a haunted cave and a whole lot of suspenseful detail. It is one of my favorite Barbara Michaels books! It now has an honored place on my bookshelf. If you buy this one it'll gain keeper status on your shelf too.