The Fallon Pride

Fallon #2

by Reagan O'Neal

Captain Robert Fallon of the Osprey is a merchant and a patriot like his father, Michael. He is also a bastard, born of the wife of another man - Justin Fourrier, a powerful and sadistic slave trader, who has sworn to avenge his honor by destroying the Fallon line.
Sailing for Fallon & Son, Robert has outwitted and outfought pirates and potentates from the shores of Tripoli to the China Seas. Though always on the lookout for Fourrier's paid assassins, he enjoys the long voyages - they keep him away from Charleston and his half-sister, Catherine, who stirs within him emotions he cannot face.
But the rumblIngs of war can be heard echoing across a struggling young nation, and another Fallon is ready to come to the aid of his country. Rumors of a Napoleonic invasion of New Orleans are everywhere, and the British are threatening to try to reclaim the Colonies.
With proof that the French are planning to take control of New Orleans, Robert journeys to Federal City to meet with his father's old friend, Aaron Burr. After conferring with Burr and President Jefferson, Robert sails for France, where he will set up the meeting that leads to the Louisiana Purchase.
Yet his efforts at maintaining peace for his country, as fervent as his father's had been, are doomed to fail as the War of 1812 begins....

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Speculative Fiction, American Revolutionary War, Historical, Science Fiction Fantasy

384 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 1981

About the author

Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. (October 17, 1948 – September 16, 2007) He used this pseudonym for fantasy novels, including the bestselling The Wheel of Time series for which he was best known; he also wrote historical fiction as Reagan O'Neal, a western as Jackson O'Reilly, and dance criticism as Chang Lung, and he had ghostwritten an "international thriller" that is still believed to have been written by someone else

Reviews

[itchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

eponymous sentence:
p338: "...He'll have the marks of the Fallon blood and the Fallon pride on him for all the world to see."

ocr:
p25: "...r became frantic...."

p83: "...This is a agreeable?"

p134: "That still doesn't explain why you were asking ques-. tions about me."

p143: She jerked.as if struck.

p153: At first he's thought it was temper, but when he confronted her, she said, "Do hot be silly," and scurried to the attic with a maid in tow.

p165: And with that he disappeared, leaving Robert and Madison staring at each other,
"You don't happen to know a rhyme for orange?" Madison said suddenly.

p199: It wouldn't do to have the man asking what that business ways.

p204: "...The ruffians he tried to hire had already taken my gold, and they recognized. the name...."

p211: "If you will excuse me, there is something trout bling you...."

p214: Hamilton made another. bouncing step.

p219: Miller handed the crust and. the rind to Robert.

p320: "1 wonder, señor, why you have come at this particular time."

p321: "He is n6w well trussed and lying in the carriage behind the house.

p367: He took another swallow of the chocolate and rum It was beginning to cool already.

p378: Six weeks. of it, while she waited to see if he was indeed to expire under her roof.

p445: She drew a.shuddering breath.

p447: Rousseau sat panting by Jackson's desk, where the map of lower Louisiana was once. more unfolded.

p462: Immediately Robert leaped to sponge the barrel with the wet sheepskin on one. end of his rammer.

grammar:
p255: The rest hesitated, then sank back beside the two cannon.

Another historical tale that would benefit from intimate knowledge of the period in question.

[David Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know Robert Jordan wrote historical fiction so I was happy as the Proverbial Pig to find this book at Goodwill Ind. Now I have to find the rest of the series. I've read all the nautical historical fiction I can put my hands on.

[Sylvia Idom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting use of real historical characters. Well written; very enjoyable

[Tim Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

[Bridger Hibbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Determined to continue what I began as a favor to a relative, I finally decided to pick up the second novel about the Fallons.

For those of you that read my review of the first book, "The Fallon Blood", you will understand that it was one of my first books that ever became so boring that I literally skimmed pages every other second.

Fortunately, I can actually say that I enjoyed this book better than the first; pacing seemed improved, transition was clearer, and it seemed that there was more character involved rather than a consistent cycle of Mary Sue-like situations.

I found the story to be more engaging, revolving around the time after the Revolutionary War. If you have seen the Broadway "Hamilton", you may need to adjust your perceptions, however historically accurate they are or not.
A lot of choices made by real historical figures of American History were for the most part outlandish, or just plain stupid, setting up Robert Fallon for heroism in the spotlight.

Unlike his father from the previous book, Robert doesn't 007 James Bond his way around women every other chapter, and though he has a mistress, he does become loyal to his wife (though I worry for what comes next, explaining how Robert, Moira, and Catherine will interact).

Cordelia Applegate was a mix of annoyance and deviousness, but also had a cunning and devilry that made her character more than just a pretty face (I had no understanding whatsoever though with her seduction of Michael Fallon).

Catherine, on the other hand.....I didn't like her character much to begin with; her incestuous motivations are what her arc centers around, and Moira's deductions about Catherine's "adopted son" lacked an emotional depth. However, their reconciliation after Fourrier's attempted revenge (btw, Catherine was REALLY airheaded during those interactions) was a nice moment; Moira is probably my favorite woman in this book for that moment alone.

I wasn't a fan of the battle in Africa, but it was a relief to witness the end the first Fourrier was killed in this one.

OVERALL, I give this book a GENEROUS 4.5/10; easier to read, sounded more interesting, and I liked it, but I hope it's not my favorite in the Fallon Trilogy.

EDIT: Finished book 3; Book 2 is probably the most liked book of the trilogy, but not my favorite book ever.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in this series had more historical significance while still adding to the drama that has fallen upon the Fallon family. This story is about Robert Fallon, son of Michael, and his adventures with Jefferson’s purchase of the Louisiana Purchase, Aaron Burr’s fleeing from treason charges, and General Jackson’s battles in the War of 1812. Fighting to support his country and family left Robert in my difficult situations. Similar themes from the first novel still exist and at times I felt like I was reading a soap opera, however I did enjoy how the second novel in the series tied nicely with many historical people from the early 1800’s. Looking forward to reading the final book of this series.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

An acceptable read if you are stuck in the airport and can't find quality historical fiction. Cardboard, cliche characters, ridiculous sex scenes told from a male perspective (Jordan obviously did not bother to find out how women experience sex), weak plot that takes forever to get remotely compelling and then ultimately fails. I have the feeling Jordan churned this out over a long weekend and didn't do a lot of re-reads. The only parts I found authentic and interesting were the ship and sea battle scenes.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really surprised to learn that Jordan wrote historical fiction. I was nervous about starting at #2 at first (Dad bought me this without realizing it was the second) but felt better once I learned it was the first that was published. Really reads like a standalone novel. I do wish that the actual people of history included in the book were not made to be of much lower intelligence than the main characters. Really makes the Fallons seem central to the story of America rather than viewers.

[Russtman · Rating 3 out of 5]

He really went overboard putting characters in big historical moments.

[Chip Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading The Fallon Blood (which I found to be excellent) I had high hopes for The Fallon Pride. Unfortunately I was a bit dissapointed. This book just didn't grab my attention in quite the same way the first book. This is strange because I actually found the characters in this book to be even better than in the first book. Particularly Miller, Kemal, and Robert. Also though, Catherine was one of the most enjoyable characters to hate that I've ever encountered. I think a little more should have been included in some secondary characters, such as Tomas Martin, Karl Holtz, and Jasper Trask, but I guess you can't always include EVERYTHING you want in a novel.
One aspect of the book which I found really irritating was the complete idiocy of every other American in the book besides Robert. Especially concerning the American politicians and generals. Whereas the first Fallon book gave me valuable insights into the begginings of our country and inspired my pride of America, this book had the opposite effect. While there was still a good amount of history, I never felt like I really knew what was going on in the country except for the Fallons' personal drama.
Overall, I think that 4 stars is a generous rating for this book, and maintain that the first of the series is much better. While the Fallon Blood was educational and interesting, the Fallon Pride was dramatic and pointless.