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bahareads 's review for:
The Falcon's Eyes
by Francesca Stanfill
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received an uncorrected proof copy of this novel from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.
I really read an 800-page book for it to end on an opening/cliffhanger?!?! Now that I have got that off my chest let's get to the meat of The Falcon's Eyes
The Falcon's Eyes is about Isabelle and how she forges her own path and life for themselves. The description marks this book as a sweeping and suspenseful tale about many things but I would not go as far as to say that. I think it falls right in line with other historical fiction novels. It sets a person on a path and we, as the reader, see the completion of the path. The novel is advertised as "a novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine" and Eleanor is present in the novel but the wording of that phrase makes me think she's going to be a stronger presence throughout the novel than she actually was.
The book is split into six different sections which signify different changes happening in Isabelle's life. However, the first section of the book is about 1/3 of the book or around 300+ pages. I think too much time was spent building up that section, which consists primarily of Isabelle's marriage. I understand the reasoning behind it but I think about 100 pages could have been cut. Honestly overall I think Isabella's girlhood and most of the marriage could have been cut to make the book shorter. What regular person is going to buy and read an 800+ page book?!?
The theme of freedom that shines so much throughout the early pages I find the idea somewhat modern. Isabella's husband Gerald honestly is not free either. I am simplifying things but he has responsibilities that require things of him, just like she has of her. I honestly did not find anything here new or refreshing for the historical fiction genre. I think The Falcon's Eyes is well written and decently researched but once again, 800 pages..... I don't think I can get over that.
I really read an 800-page book for it to end on an opening/cliffhanger?!?! Now that I have got that off my chest let's get to the meat of The Falcon's Eyes
The Falcon's Eyes is about Isabelle and how she forges her own path and life for themselves. The description marks this book as a sweeping and suspenseful tale about many things but I would not go as far as to say that. I think it falls right in line with other historical fiction novels. It sets a person on a path and we, as the reader, see the completion of the path. The novel is advertised as "a novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine" and Eleanor is present in the novel but the wording of that phrase makes me think she's going to be a stronger presence throughout the novel than she actually was.
The book is split into six different sections which signify different changes happening in Isabelle's life. However, the first section of the book is about 1/3 of the book or around 300+ pages. I think too much time was spent building up that section, which consists primarily of Isabelle's marriage. I understand the reasoning behind it but I think about 100 pages could have been cut. Honestly overall I think Isabella's girlhood and most of the marriage could have been cut to make the book shorter. What regular person is going to buy and read an 800+ page book?!?
The theme of freedom that shines so much throughout the early pages I find the idea somewhat modern. Isabella's husband Gerald honestly is not free either. I am simplifying things but he has responsibilities that require things of him, just like she has of her. I honestly did not find anything here new or refreshing for the historical fiction genre. I think The Falcon's Eyes is well written and decently researched but once again, 800 pages..... I don't think I can get over that.