Icefalcon's Quest [Hardcover]

A book for all fans of the White Raider from the darwath trilogy - Icefalcon was a relatively minor character in that first work but he is developed superbly in a way that makes him more likeable without losing any of his ruthlessness - the white raiders, a strange magical device from the far past, another Fortress (long buried) and human cloning all feature in a book so good I read it in a single day. The only thing you wont see much of is Rudy, Gil and Ingold. But the result is worth it...

There was always something intriguing about the Icefalcon, so much so that I lost interest in the other characters such as Gil and Rudy (the latter being displayed as too weak for my liking) and Gil being everything I don't like and far too "perfect" at things. So I was delighted to see a book at last devoted to the Icefalcon since he was the best character in my view. He is mysterious and ruthless. I would've liked to have seen a more compassionate side to his nature and for him to actually meet up with Blue Child and perhaps bury the hatchet with Loses His Way. Rather than being taken back to the Keep and spending time with Gil and the rest of the gang, who I find rather boring, I would've preferred the book to stay on focus and remain with the Icefalcon and his quest to save Tir. His sister Cold Death is an excellent character and I feel she could've had a more important role to play in this story. Cold Death is more than a match for Icefalcon and speaks a lot of sense to him. I was disappointed with the inclusion of clones in this story since that was too scientific I felt to include here. Fans of the original gang at the Keep will be delighted that so much is still devoted to them. This book is not easy reading and it does contain some brutality which is sometimes hard to swallow. Loses His Way, on the whole is an excellent character, is a more sensitive character than Icefalcon, but is still bitter and twisted. He speaks of "murderers" which is hypocritical when one thinks about how "evil" the White Raiders truly are. Indeed Icefalcon refers to someone as "evil" himself. It is odd how they can refer to anyone else as evil when they have done despicable things themselves. They might want revenge on the people who they believe has wronged them, but I don't feel they would speak along these lines. Not really a story for animal lovers or vegetarians here, I certainly didn't like the bit about a woodchuck's heart being eaten! The appearance of "Yellow Eyed Dog" is a bonus. I would've liked the character Ilae to play more of a role as well. She is a minor character in the story, but an interesting one. I didn't have much sympathy for Icefalcon himself but it was good to see a more "human" side to him. A good touch is Icefalcon thinking back to when he left the White Raiders and met with Eldor. Eldor who I feel was a good character and it was too bad he never played a more major role in the Darwath trilogy.

One of my criticisms about Rudy and Gil was that they were too ready to give up the world they knew and leave their family and loved ones behind. Instead they wanted to live in a world which was barbaric and primitive, so I could not sympathise with either of these characters.

One must give credit to the artist who created the image of the Icefalcon. He reminds me of Legolas of the "Lord of the Rings," as portrayed by Orlando Bloom.

Barbara Hambly is undoubtedly an excellent author with a terrific imagination. She has created a character who is everything I despise but at the same time is intriguing.

We need more of Icefalcon, Loses His Way, Cold Death and Ilae and less of Ingold, Gil and Rudy and Alde etc. I hope for a sequel and it would be splendid if it was all about Icefalcon!

I recommend this book even if you haven't read the rest of the Darwath series.