The Eye of the Falcon (Gods and Warriors Book 3) by Michelle Paver

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The Eye of the Falcon (Gods and Warriors Book 3) by Michelle Paver

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Buy The Eye of the Falcon (Gods and Warriors Book 3) by Michelle Paver at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Category: Confident Readers
Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewer: Jill Murphy
Reviewed by Jill Murphy
Summary: This third instalment of the Gods and Warriors series just might be the best yet. Hylas, Pirra and lion cub Havoc are separated and Telamon is still seeking the knife. Fabulous Bronze Age adventure with a little drop of magic.
Buy? Yes Borrow? Yes
Pages: 320 Date: August 2014
Publisher: Puffin
External links: Author's website
ISBN: 0141339314

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It's been seven long months since Hylas and Pirra were separated in the wake of the devastating eruption of Thalakrea. The eruption was followed by tsunami and the coldest winter anyone can remember. There is no spring. No sun.

When Hylas finally arrives on the island of Keftiu, he finds a wasteland. There's famine and plague and his sailor friends have no intention of sticking around. But Hylas does. Keftiu is where Pirra and Havoc were headed and Hylas will do anything to be reunited with his friends, the high priestess's daughter and the wild mountain lion cub. But Hylas isn't the only one seeking Pirra: Telamon and his Crow brothers are searching for her too, desperate to regain possession of the Knife of Prophecy. Have Pirra and Havoc even survived? And if they have, can Hylas, tormented by visions of ghosts, find them before the Crows do?

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Michelle Paver. She tells a "proper" middle grade story: lots of adventure, lots of heroism shown by her junior protagonists, lots of relatable emotions, and an accessible but stretching vocabulary. But inside this, there's a clear authorial tone: one that loves nature, is curious about both the tangible world and spirituality of all forms and, above all, has huge respect for the animal world. Paver's human protagonists are interesting, engaging people but it's her animals that rise from the pages and lodge in your heart. They're not sappy, anthropomorphic figures; they're wild creatures with propelling instincts. This series already has Havoc, a mountain lion cub, but The Eye of the Falcon introduces Echo, a young falcon, who is proud and arrogant and suspicious but also wild and glorious and loyal and free. The interplay between Havoc and Echo is hilarious, as are Echo's attempts to grow into the hunter she was meant to be. And both animals reflect the struggles of Hylas and Pirra, their human friends and counterparts.

There's a little bit of magic, too. But, in good Paver tradition, it's really up to you whether you believe in it or not. And even if your feet are made of clay, like mine, I'm willing to be you'll at least want to believe while you're reading.

It goes without saying that The Eye of the Falcon is meticulously researched. An author's note and a Q&A at the end will be helpful for any reader who wants to know more or any teacher who wants to initiate a classroom discussion. Like all Paver's books, The Eye of the Falcon gives a genuine and accurate flavour of lives and beliefs in the time about which she's writing. You get a satisfying adventure, characters to root for, animals to fall in love with, and a vivid picture of a world long gone. Honestly: what more could you want? I think this one was my favourite book in the series so far.

You can also visit the Bronze Age in the fabulous Sun Catcher by Sheila Rance. Or how about a journey right back to Neanderthal society in the equally wonderful Song Hunter by Sally Prue?

Michelle Paver's Gods and Warriors Books in Chronological Order

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Buy The Eye of the Falcon (Gods and Warriors Book 3) by Michelle Paver at Amazon You can read more book reviews or buy The Eye of the Falcon (Gods and Warriors Book 3) by Michelle Paver at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
Buy The Eye of the Falcon (Gods and Warriors Book 3) by Michelle Paver at Amazon You can read more book reviews or buy The Eye of the Falcon (Gods and Warriors Book 3) by Michelle Paver at Amazon.com.

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