It took another time, more waves rolling up, to understand that he had no idea what it would be like to live without fear at his elbow, warning him, keeping him safe, keeping him frightened.
– Cynthia Voigt, The Wings of a Falcon, page 77
Version:
Paperback, 544 pages
Published May 26th 2015 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
He fell into sleep then, as a body weighted with stones and wrapped in winding sheets falls into deep water.
– Cynthia Voigt, The Wings of a Falcon, page 71
Version:
Paperback, 544 pages
Published May 26th 2015 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
If the Damall had caught Griff taking wine and salt, Griff would have begged forgiveness. Griff would have been afraid and sorry and promised never to do it again. When Griff was afraid he would promise. Later, he might take the wine and salt again, and be afraid again, and promise again, and break the promise again, over and over again. Griff had the bending strength of a sapling.
– Cynthia Voigt, The Wings of a Falcon, page 8
Version:
Paperback, 544 pages
Published May 26th 2015 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
The Damall liked to see Nikol being angry and not being able to do anything about it. The Damall liked to see Nikol being afraid and being ashamed.
– Cynthia Voigt, The Wings of a Falcon, page 7
Version:
Paperback, 544 pages
Published May 26th 2015 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
This weekly feature is the place to highlight a great quote, line, or passage discovered during your reading each week; whether it’s something funny, startling, gut-wrenching, or just really beautifully written.
What kind of a world was it where in order to be on top you had to push others under — as if you were pushing heads down underwater — and hold them there until they drowned, and then you could be on top.
Summary:
The prospect of freedom is weighted with danger in this tale of high adventure, the third book in the Tales of the Kingdom series from Newbery Medalist Cynthia Voigt.
Oriel has always stood out as someone who would not bend. No matter how much he has had to endure, the Damall’s cruelty cannot corrupt him. Griff, a boy who has watched and admired Oriel, is the opposite. He has learned to keep out of sight, to bow in the face of force. Yet the two became friends, and together they escaped from the terrors of the island and take with them the Damall’s most prized relic—the beryl, a green gemstone engraved with a falcon, its wings unfolding. But as they seek a new life, it’s not as easy as they’d hoped, for ahead lie raiding Wolfers, rival armies, and unspeakable dangers…
Thank you Bookshelf Fantasies for this fun book meme!
Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at Should be Reading and revived on Taking on a World of Words. Just answer the three W’s!
The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
Currently Reading: The Wings of a Falcon (Tales of the Kingdom, book 3) by Cynthia VoigtI’ve actually lost track of how many times I’ve read the Tales of the Kingdom books, but they are still my favorite.
Anytime I talk about a Voigt novel I talk about loving the way the protag thinks, and it’s never more true than in The Wings of a Falcon.
There is, and always will be, a special place in my heart for Oriel and Griff.
Note: Also published as The Tale of Oriel, which is actually the version I’m reading this time because I don’t have access to my own copy.
Recently Finished: Counterfeit Son by Elaine Marie AlphinI was puttering around Goodreads looking for new books or old books I had forgotten about, and was suddenly reminded how many books I read around middle school/early high school which featured teens who had been abducted as children…
This one in particular stood out in my memory and with it being a fairly easy read, I decided to just reread it that very night. I’ll admit the ending felt a bit rushed, but other than that it held up fairly well.
Reading Next: Elske (Tales of the Kingdom, book 4) by Cynthia VoigtOh man I loooove me some Elske! She’s such a little badass.
It kills me that so few people seem to know about these books now, because they are so good. If you like Fantasy novels, you should really give Voigt’s Tales of the Kingdom series a try!
Note: Also published as The Tale of Elske, which is the version I will be reading since I still don’t have access to my own copy.
I may make myself read something between Oriel and Elske just to drag it out a little longer, especially since my TBR is only growing these days. Not sure yet.
I think we have done this topic before in the distant past, but who doesn’t love a good bromance? Bromance = platonic relationship between two characters who identify as male.
To participate in Top 5 Wednesday, just head over to their Goodreads Group.
What are some of your favorite bromances? Comment or make your own post and leave me a link.
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
(Prophecy of the Sisters, book 1)
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Reading Dates: January 28 – February 5
Read Count: 1
Favorite Thing: The mad reverence for books that the entire family seems to have.
Least Favorite Thing: Info Dump Tea Parties and a main character who didn’t seem interesting enough to be a main character…
I hate to say it, but I can’t really recommend this book to anyone. I’d have given it a lower rating than 2 stars, but I’m basing this on Goodreads ratings, which says 2 stars means “it was ok” and that’s basically what this book was. It was “ok” and nothing more.
My Posts About Prophecy of the Sisters
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Rating: ★★★★☆
Reading Dates: February 6 – 7
Read Count: 3
Favorite Thing: The healing songs and the little illustrations included throughout.
Least Favorite Thing: Okay, I’ve been sitting for an hour now trying to think of a thing I didn’t like (that wasn’t just a character I wasn’t even supposed to like) and I genuinely can’t think of anything! I’ll try again later.
I would recommend this book to fans of fairy tale retellings and middle grade fantasy. I’ve read it three separate times, which should give you an idea of how enjoyable it is. I chose it this time as a palate cleanser after the disappointment of Prophecy of the Sisters.
My Posts About Book of a Thousand Days
The Tale of Oriel by Cynthia Voigt
(Tales of the Kingdom, book 3)
Rating: ★★★★★
Reading Dates: December 7, 2016 – February 10, 2017
Read Count: 2
Favorite Thing: The way Oriel thinks about things. Especially his likening himself to a river.
Least Favorite Thing: Fucking Tintage….
This one took me a little while longer than usual because I hit a slump while I was reading it and even once I pulled myself out of it, I didn’t immediately go back to this one.
My Posts About The Tale of Oriel
The Tale of Elske by Cynthia Voigt
(Tales of the Kingdom, book 4)
Rating: ★★★★★
Reading Dates: February 11 – 19
Read Count: 3
Favorite Thing: The fearless, matter-of-fact way Elske approaches each new experience.
Least Favorite Thing: As Oriel would have said, Beriel used her friend (Elske) ill. (And not even just once, like damn….)
My Posts About The Tale of Elske
Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Reading Dates: February 22 – 23
Read Count: 1
Favorite Thing: The usage of psychology terms and definitions for chapter headings was interesting.
Least Favorite Thing: The characterization was crappy. All of the characters felt forced. Blech!
***ABANDONED***
I abandoned this book after trying for two days to read a novel that would normally take me only half a day and only making it to page 28. I give more details in my review.
Darkestwings Reads