Courage of Falcons (The Secret Texts - Book 3) (Paperback)

by Holly Lisle (Author) "A late-season blast of cold wind set the walls of the tent snapping and blew icy mountain air through tied-down flaps..." (more)
Key Phrases: rightful captain, siege stores, poison powder, Mirror of Souls, Galweigh House, Vodor Imrish (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
The Falcons, a group of renegade practitioners of forbidden magics, possess the knowledge to rid their land of the tyrannical necromancers that have the ability to devour souls. If Ry Sabir and Kait Galweigh can destroy the artifact known as the Mirror of Souls, they can overcome the enemy of their landDbut if they do so, they leave themselves open to attack from a greater evil. Lisle's conclusion to her rousing fantasy epic that began with Diplomacy of Wolves and continued with Vengeance of Dragons brings her heroes face to face with difficult choices that mirror their own souls' deepest qualities. A good choice for most fantasy collections, particularly in libraries where the series has a following.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
A band of wizards known as the Falcons, including shapeshifters Kait Galweight and Ry Sabir, struggle to wield ancient magic in their desperate battle against the soul-devouring necromancers called the Dragons. To defeat them, Kait and Ry must destroy the source of the sorcerers powerthe Mirror of Souls. But if they succeed, they will lose the only weapon that can stop a demonic god who plans to enslave the world forever.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Aspect (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446673978
• ISBN-13: 978-0446673976
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #238,278 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why I'm Tempted To Burn Everything I've Ever Written, October 1, 2000

By	Sheila Viehl (Coral Springs, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

When I got to the last page of "Courage of Falcons", I realized a couple of things: Holly Lisle's Secret Texts novels are individual brilliant, as a trilogy are the epitome of quality, artistry, and power in print, and will remain in my mind as the most fascinating and astonishing fantasy novels I've ever read.

The world of Matrin is in serious trouble, now occupied by the soul-stealing Dragons. The time has come for shape-shifting Falcons Kait Galweigh and Ry Sabir to clean house. They've had to make sacrifices along the way since discovering each other in "Diplomacy of Wolves", but nothing has prepared them for the last of the many tests they face -- and this one may cost them more than their lives.

They're not the only ones struggling to make the right choice. One of the most fascinating characters in this series has been Crispin Sabir, who as revealed in "Vengeance of Dragons" has been hiding an incredible secret. What happens with him and Ulwe, the Scarred-sheltered child who can pick up psychic clues by "reading the roads" will change how you think about villains forever.

Like the Galweigh House, the world of Matrin is a mysterious mansion, one I see filled with tapestries, each telling one particular story, woven so subtly together that the small threads of dynamite (like the soul-devourers that hunt between worlds) become so deftly entwined in the story that you never see the blast coming.

There's a line from the novel -- "Nothing is ever lost. Love survives" -- that describes what Holly Lisle does so well with her work. Even knowing this, I wasn't prepared for the final showdown. I won't give away any spoilers, but the ultimate solution will blow you away.

Holly Lisle can write fantasy like no one else in the business. She's the reason I'm often tempted to burn everything I've ever written. I highly recommend this novel, along with "Diplomacy of Wolves" and "Vengeance of Dragons", to anyone who enjoys a great read.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great read, October 5, 2000

By	Mark Prentice (Moses Lake, WA USA) - See all my reviews

I have enjoyed Holly's work from the first time I picked up the first one years ago. This series (The Secret Texts) is the largest projuect I have seen from her and she pulls it off nicely. In Courage of the Falcons, like the other two books in the series, she once again draws you into the world that is Matrin and the lives of its inhabitants, taking you for a exciting ride filled with danger, love, intrigue and action. If you have enjoyed any of Holly's work in the past you will love this one, if you havent had the pleasure of reading her work I recommend you pick up Diplomacy of Wolves and read this series from the beginning.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Did Burn Everything I've Ever Written, October 5, 2000

By	Doug Dandridge (Alabama) - See all my reviews

Just kidding. But I second Ms. Veihl's sentiments. I read the entire trilogy and really liked the first two of the series. But the third was the best of the bunch. Again a plethora of twists and turns. The last couple of chapters evoked an emotional response such as few books ever had. I cursed Holly Lisle for what she had done to the characters. I cheered Holly Lisle for the ending. Again set in the very original world of Matrin, sort of a combination of Rennesaince Italy and the Godfather, the background is a rich tapestry of loyalty and deceit. Without giving anything away, the book ends on an upbeat note where the courage of the heroes (Falcons, the secret order of wizards who stand against the evil designs of the Dragons) earns victory for the people of Matrin who would hate them if they knew their secret. Kait, Ry, Ian, Hasmal and Dughall and wonderful characters, larger than life yet very real and human. The themes for which Holly Lisle is justly famous run throughout the book; love conquers all, sacrifice is never wasted. The book carries a moral message without beating it to death, and is a fun and enjoyable read as well.