ARC Review: The Falconer by Elizabeth May

The Falconer

by Elizabeth May

Series: The Falconer #1

Genre: YA, fantasy, historical, steampunk

Published May 6th 2014 by Chronicle Books -- That's TODAY!!

Source: Publisher

Purchase: Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Book Depository

Blurb (Goodreads):

Heiress. Debutant. Murderer. A new generation of heroines has arrived.

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844

Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery killed her mother.

Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.

But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose – and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?

My Thoughts:

*This review is based on the advance reading copy (ARC). There might be some changes with the finished copy.

Wow. NO. Those are the two words that first came into my mouth after I finished The Falconer. Too many words, too many emotions all felt and trying to let it all out. I feel like it's been ages ago since I read something like The Falconer. I don't have any expectations from this book. I just remembered I liked the sound of it, but never fantasized of my reading experience and now it left me speechless. At least I have words for this review. Ha XD

Lady Aileana's innocent life has been ruined since her mother was killed--and witnessed it--by a faery. The same day she changed and become the opposite girl--revengeful, liar, and murderer. She trained with a mysterious fae and learned to kill their kind. Aileana is so many things a female protagonist I'm looking for especially on a genre like this--strong-willed, fearless, confident, and well, not annoying. I liked her and the book instantly the moment I started reading.

Although the book started in the middle of the story, as it seems, Elizabeth May didn't spare from enlightening me with the story behind Aileana's revenge and fae killing and other relevant background stories about the characters in the book. I really like the overall and flow of the story. The pace was neither slow nor fast. I also liked the writing--how you can get quotes from it and despite the darkness of their world and story, the characters still appear interesting and likable.

Now the tricky thing...the romance. Well, there isn't exactly a romance until the ending. Does that sound spoiler-ish? No, I don't think so. I just wanted to share this to all of you--So the romance didn't appear until the ending but there's something that's making my stomach churn throughout the book. I take this--less romance--as a good thing because it simply shows that the story didn't need too much romance to be sensational. I would hate it if a certain thing near the ending didn't happen but nevertheless, I loved the book. The plot, the flow, the writing, and the characters already made this book worthy and the romance is just a bonus. A wonderful bonus. There's so much more about the "romance" that I loved but I'd stop here before I really sound spoiler-ish.

The ending is another thing. I was enjoying the action and then suddenly it's gone. Like I was watching the TV in the middle of suspense and the power went out. It's frustrating. It left me hanging just like that---

The Falconer reminds me so much of Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. The story is far different from one another but the thing that reminds me of the series is my love for the genre, to fae stories, and adventure. The Falconer is darker, harsher, but equally beautiful and I love as Iron Fey. This book will introduce you to a different story about faes and humans, a new kick-ass heroine, and an interesting story. The Falconer is a great book to start a new series. I can't wait to find out more about Aileana's adventures.

*Thank you so much Mia and Chronicle Books for the print copy in exchange for an honest review!

WIN a copy of The Falconer here. Open internationally. Ends May 31st.

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