Fear burned through him, like a flame. Fear coursed through him, like icy water. He threw his head back and raised his dagger, to strike — and cried out wordlessly, as if the great cry could gather all his fear together and set its swelling course behind him, to add it to his strength.

– Cynthia Voigt, The Wings of a Falcon, page 220

Version:
Paperback, 544 pages
Published May 26th 2015 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

He would have to be as clever as a river, he thought, to do well. But he could twist and turn like water, and go his own way, however hard the world tried to drive him along another — or, he thought he could do that.

– Cynthia Voigt, The Wings of a Falcon, page 126

Version:
Paperback, 544 pages
Published May 26th 2015 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Griff had the guarded face of a man who had much to lose by the wrong choice, although he had never had anything to lose. Griff’s smile visited his face like a stranger who was only asking directions on his way through to another town.

– Cynthia Voigt, The Wings of a Falcon, page 97

Version:
Paperback, 544 pages
Published May 26th 2015 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

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

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

Thursday Quotables: January 25, 2018

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!

WWW Wednesday: January 24, 2018

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 Voigt

I’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 Alphin

I 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 Voigt

Oh 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.