Book Review: The Flightless Falcon

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Flightless Falcon     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Mickey Zucker Reichert
Class/Genre:   Fantasy
Daw, Jul 2000, $24.95, 336 pp.

When he was fifteen, a mine cave-in trapped Tamison for two days and killed his older brother, father, and uncle. For three years Tamison struggled but failed to overcome his fear of the underground. His remaining family fell on hard times until his mother informs him that his thirteen-year-old sister was to get married. A guilt-laden Tamison eventually marries and has children, but cannot keep them fed because the guilds operate everything. Desperate, he tries to steal food, but is caught and sentenced to two years on a chain gang.

When he is freed, Tamison finds his family missing. He learns from a guard that the leader of a nearby city abducted his family and turned them into slaves. Now he begins to attempt a rescue that will leave him wondering who is telling the truth and what really happened to his family?

Overall, FLIGHTLESS FALCON is an interesting fantasy that starts off extremely slow, but once moving (about half way through the book) rapidly takes off in several fascinating directions. Tamison is an intriguing character struggling with a trauma in an unforgiving world. The support cast, especially Tamison's two traveling companions, help propel the story line forward. However, fans will need patience with the story line's snail pace in Mickey Zucker Reichert's latest tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner