Falconmaster The

By R.L. LaFevers

This fantasy combines wizardry and magic with an absorbing animal-rescue story and should appeal to all fantasy lovers, but especially boys. Wat, a crippled boy, is an outcast in his village and retreats often to the forest, away from the cruel taunts of the villagers. There he witnesses the lord's handlers heartlessly kill a nesting pair of falcons so they can take the baby birds for their master. Wat, outraged, steals the nestlings and escapes into the heart of the forest, where he meets a mysterious old man. He is a mage-a wizard-who teaches him many things, among them how to care for the birds so that they may eventually fly free, and how to find some helpful magic-which is closer to him than he ever believed.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525469931
• ISBN13: 9780525469933
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 167 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 11 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 6

Customer Reviews

Wat, did you say?

La Fevers has created a beautiful story with Wat and his falcons. My children were so enchanted that we read it twice in a week. That is almost unheard of in our home. The descriptions of Wat and his baby falcons were vivid and touching. The themes of rejection and redemption were moving. The idea of a boy coming into his own was touching. Really, I can't say enough good about this book!!

WONDERFUL STORY WITH A POSITIVE MESSAGE!

I am a mom who is taking dictation from my son, Connor. We read this book together and I secretly loved it as much as him! "It was one of my favorite books in the world. Even though Wat had disabilities, he had even more special ABILITIES. His disabilities made him strong, and gave him a heartfelt sense of justice. I don't want to give the story away, but in the end Wat did something I have always wanted to do! You have to read this story to find out what. His love for falcons was amazing".

An enchanting read

This book was GREAT!! The storyline had me trapped from the very beginning. I really enjoyed the way magic worked in La Fevers' world. I love stories that focus on nature, animals, and magic, and with this story's medieval setting, this book was a perfect match. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Poor Wat, the Wizard, and Falcons, Oh My!

This book had a falcon-like hold on me from its galloping start to the deeply satisfying ending. One wonders if author R.L. LaFevers hasn't swallowed whole a young medieval boy who now channels through her. This story works on so many levels-- it has universal appeal in its classic battle of the archetypes, and Wat, with his physical challenges, is an unlikely but noble hero. Wat and the old wizard Griswold call up the imperfect best in all of us. This is an amazing first novel. Call me a fantasy convert.