
THE FALCON'S BLADE by Justine N. Hoffman Category: Fantasy Age Recommendation: Grades 6+ Release Date: 8/4/05 Publisher: AuthorHouse Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen Rating: 4 Stars From the time she was born, Agnes, or Aggie, fate was already written and she could not control it. Right from the start, Aggie was given to Agaricus, a wizard, by the fays who each gave her the gifts of intelligence, courage, and beauty -- all of which she will ultimately need. As an apprentice, Aggie isn’t able to jeopardize her reputation by using her powers the wrong way. Even though she wouldn’t mind using them on Lark, the mean girl at school. Instead, Aggie has to spend her time developing her strengths and building up trust with the people of Cedonia. She must save Cedonia, where she currently lives, and Fairigan, the fairy world where only magical creatures may reside. Both worlds once lived in peace, but Malodar, at one time a royal wizard, began to practice dark magic, tearing them apart, wanting to rule both worlds. With the reflecting glass, Aggie is able to communicate with Fairigan, and with the help of a fairy and Agaricus, Aggie knows that her first step in fulfilling her prophecy is to discover the falcon’s blade, a key to Fairigan and one that Malodar should not possess. Not an easy task, the blade will choose who its next handler will be and Aggie hopes she can get to it first. Malodar returns and Cedonia and Fairgian are in trouble once again. Aggie must be able to complete her first quest before Malodar gets stronger in order to continue a battle that will not be easy to accomplish. Distinguished and imaginative, THE FALCON’S BLADE is an introduction to a world that will enchant readers who enjoy novels such as HARRY POTTER and TITHE by Holly Black. Aggie is the heroine of the novel, and the battles she faces are imaginative to the reader, but with Justine N. Hoffman’s diction, they can even seem realistic. A quick and easy read that will pull the reader away from this world for an enjoyable moment elsewhere. |