The Falconer by Elizabeth May [Joint Review!

4 out of 5 Robots!

Falconer By Elizabeth May
Series: Falconer #1 
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy 
Release: September 19, 2013
Paperback:  378 Pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books
My Copy: Library
Reviewer: Julia & Shannon

Book Summary:
Edinburgh, 1844. Eighteen-year-old Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, has everything a girl could dream of: brains, charm, wealth, a title—and drop-dead beauty.

But Aileana only looks the part of an aristocratic young lady. she's leading a double life: She has a rare ability to sense the sìthíchean—the faery race obsessed with slaughtering humans—and, with the aid of a mysterious mentor, has spent the year since her mother died learning how to kill them.

Now Aileana is dedicated to slaying the fae before they take innocent lives. Aileana has one goal: Destroy the faery who destroyed her mother. The last in a line of female warriors born with a gift for hunting and killing the fae, Aileana is the sole hope of preventing a powerful faery population from massacring all of humanity. (Courtesy of Goodreads)

Julia & Shannon - Thoughts! 

1. Quick and dirty on FALCONER?

Shannon:  Falconer was so much fun!  It was frothy and exciting and I plowed through it.  It could have been cheesy, but it managed not to be.  

Julia: This is a thrilling, extremely entertaining young adult novel filled with action and vengeance. I couldn't put it down!

2. What was your favorite/least favorite part?

Shannon: My favorite part was probably the relationship between McKay and Kam.  It was tense, but there was also a lot of chemistry.  When they are together, the whole story lights up.  My least favorite part was probably the handling of the Scottish setting.  I did not feel like it was set in Scotland at all.  It could have been anywhere.

Julia: I loved the chemistry and relationship between McKay and Kam. They know each other, but they have so much to learn about one another. I can't help but flip the pages as quick as I can when they're together. I didn't like that the author throws a little bit of a love triangle into it all.

3. What about the fae and world building?

Shannon:  It was ok.  I think if you weren't very familiar with Scottish/Irish/Celtic fairy mythology, you may be a little confused.  But, I don't think it impeded the story at all.

Julia: I don't think there is much attention to detail when it csomes to world building. That aside, I did enjoy seeing the fae as evil creatures with a few good apples in the bunch. It is all quite fun. 

4. Kam has a tragic past - was she an easy heroine to root for?

Shannon:  I liked that she was feisty and bucked tradition.  She is definitely a modern girl living in the past, if you know what I mean.  But yes, I feel she is likable and easy to root for.  Exactly what you would want in a book like this!

Julia: Kam is witty, confident and is quite persistent about avenging her mother. I love that she doesn't give up and she doesn't give in to the times... Love a character like her!

5. What about McKay? Are we rooting for him? Is the chemistry...?

Shannon: McKay is definitely a mysterious and aloof character.  I was on the fence about him through most of the book, but I came around by the end.  I do think there is undeniable chemistry between them.  It crackled sometimes, that's for sure!

Julia: McKay is my favorite type of character! Mysterious, confident and seems to know everything. The air seems to spark when they're together. They fight, physically as well as verbally - and the chemistry is like Shannon said - undeniable.

6. Did you like it! Rate it! Will we read the sequel?

Shannon:  As I mentioned, it was fun and exciting.  I give it 4.5 stars for entertainment value, although as a whole it's probably actually a 4, but I don't care.  I had fun.  I will definitely read the sequel!

Julia: I don't think this book offers anything new to the young adult fantasy genre, but it is pure entertainment anyway. I found it satisfying and electric - 4 stars! I will be reading the sequel. All young adult fantasy fans should pick this one up.