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Icefalcon's Quest

Book 5 in the series:Darwath

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Icefalcon's Quest is a continuation of the Darwath series, focusing on the character Icefalcon, a White Raider with a mysterious past. The story follows Icefalcon's journey to rescue the young king Tir, who has been kidnapped by an old enemy. Set in a world filled with necromancy, madness, and old enmities, the book delves into themes of heroism, self-discovery, and the challenges faced by the characters. The writing style by Barbara Hambly is described as detailed, with rich character development and a focus on world-building.

Characters:

Characters are well-defined, with Icefalcon representing a blend of personal history and cultural depth amid the backdrop of a larger quest.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines rich detail and horror elements, often leaning towards elaborate descriptions that may feel excessive.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features the kidnapping of a young king and the heroic quest of Icefalcon to rescue him, intertwining personal growth with the main adventure.

Setting:

The setting features a harsh, icy landscape filled with ancient lore, enhancing the themes of adventure and conflict.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick, especially towards the conclusion, leading to feelings of abruptness and gaps in the story.
Had the Icefalcon still been living among the Talking Stars People, the penalty for not recognizing the old man he encountered in the clearing by the four elm trees would have been the removal of his ...

Notes:

The story is set about two years after 'Mother of Winter'.
King Tir, a 7-year-old, is kidnapped by an enemy mage.
Icefalcon, a former White Raider, is the main character and sets off to rescue the king.
His journey takes him back to the North and his roots among the White Raiders.
This book concludes the main Darwath series, but there are three expensive self-published novellas available.
Many felt this book was weaker than the previous ones in the trilogy.
The focus of the book shifts to Icefalcon, who was a mysterious Guards member in earlier books.
The narrative explores Icefalcon's personal quest and reflects on his past.
The story features a military siege on the community protected by the Guards.
The writing style incorporates a mixture of fantasy with elements of horror and Lovecraftian influences.
Hambly includes rich character details but sometimes uses overly elaborate descriptions.
Readers who enjoyed the Darwath trilogy are encouraged to read this book despite mixed reviews.
Many fans of Hambly's work wish for a new full-length novel in the Darwath universe.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Potential content warnings include elements of horror, violence, and themes of kidnapping.

From The Publisher:

While chaos reigned in the Eastern Lands, the Keep of Dare stood as a bastion against war and bandits and the spawn of unnatural sorceries. Then twin blows rocked the citadel: the fearsome Alketch army mounted siege, even as young Prince Tir was snatched from the heart of the Keep. Behind the terror was the depraved, hook-handed general Vair na-Chandros. He had learned that the royal child possessed forbidden wisdom: a secret with which the bloodthirsty Vair intended to conquer the world.

One single man posed a threat to Vair's vaunting ambition: the legendary warrior known as the Icefalcon. Banished by his own people and scorned as a barbarian by others, only he could hope to free the boy from Vair's clutches. With his sister Cold Death-a sorcerer whose magic was as sharp as her tongue-the Icefalcon embarked on a dangerous mission of rescue and redemption.

Braving nightmare demons and the endless hordes of Vair's inhuman soldiers, he shadowed Vair and his small captive beyond the reaches of the known world. And when the boy led Vair to the forgotten Keep of the Shadow at the End of Time, the Icefalcon would face his greatest battle . . . for his prince, for his honor, and for all eternity.

About the Author:

At various times in her life, Barbara Hambly has been a high-school teacher, a model, a waitress, a technical editor, a professional graduate student, an all-night clerk at a liquor store, and a karate instructor (she holds a Black Belt and competed in several national-level tournaments).

Born in San Diego, she grew up in southern California and attended U. C. Riverside, specializing in medieval history, and spending a year at the University of Bordeaux in the South of France; eventually she earned a masters degree in the subject. She now lives in Los Angeles, California.

 
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