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Falcon #1
Desert Falcon
Ornithologist Hunter Devereaux lost everything in the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and was forced to go underground as a matter of survival. He's just getting back to his feet, hiding among the native falconers at the Dubai Falcon Hospital, when a phone call from America threatens to drag his secret past to light and tear down the walls he's built around his broken heart.
A Bittersweet Dreams title: It's an unfortunate truth: love doesn't always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.
A Bittersweet Dreams title: It's an unfortunate truth: love doesn't always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.
40 pages, ebook
First published March 16, 2011
121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 3, 2011
This is a wonderful story. The exotic setting is given just enough description to be fully realized without overwhelming the human story at the heart of the book. Hunter, the main character and first-person narrator, felt real to me from the opening words. His voice was clear, distinctive and rang true throughout. By describing the most traumatic events in recollection rather than the present, there is just enough distance to keep drama from becoming melodrama. As soon as I turned the last page, I went looking for the sequel.
October 19, 2014
3.5 stars
Read this first before starting the novel[book:City Falcon|12157176. Liked the writing and the story.
I do feel that it's background so I might have to revisit.
March 19, 2011
In Desert Falcon, Feliz Faber creates an environment so believable that you can almost picture yourself leaning closer to better hear Hunter's tale around the campfire in the middle of the desert. You come to know him, his love for birds of prey, the people of his adopted land, and his devotion to the man to whom he's given his heart. Hunter Devereaux is no cookie-cutter character, but, while as flawed as anyone, he remains a very unique individual with a keen sense of honor.
The culture, the surroundings, all seemed so vivid and real. The ending isn't necessarily happy, rather it sets Hunter's foot firmly on the road that may lead him there. The last line tied up the story perfectly, opening the door for what I hope will soon be a sequel. Hunter deserves a happy ending.
Bravo on a beautiful, if tragic, story that will no doubt have me thinking on it for days to come.
The culture, the surroundings, all seemed so vivid and real. The ending isn't necessarily happy, rather it sets Hunter's foot firmly on the road that may lead him there. The last line tied up the story perfectly, opening the door for what I hope will soon be a sequel. Hunter deserves a happy ending.
Bravo on a beautiful, if tragic, story that will no doubt have me thinking on it for days to come.
October 25, 2011
Even though this book is a bittersweet story (one I can't really call romance either) I still enjoyed it.
I love stories that go into detail about interesting jobs or interesting hobbies. I love reading about things I won't normally see or even know of. Falconry is something I've never heard of before until I read a post by the author on the publishers blog. To say I was fascinated would be an understatement and considering this is a type of prequel to City Falcon, I decided to take a chance on this little short. And I'm glad I did.
I'm not quite sure if it's necessary to read this one but I do encourage it because I enjoyed it. I loved getting inside Hunter's head and learning somewhat about who he is, what he's done in his past and how he got to be in Dubai. His relationship with another falconer is nothing really important but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting a bittersweet story to be.
Overall, I really did like this story. It fascinated me not just with Hunter's occupation but with Hunter himself and I'm looking forward to seeing him get a true HEA in City Falcon. Recommended.
I love stories that go into detail about interesting jobs or interesting hobbies. I love reading about things I won't normally see or even know of. Falconry is something I've never heard of before until I read a post by the author on the publishers blog. To say I was fascinated would be an understatement and considering this is a type of prequel to City Falcon, I decided to take a chance on this little short. And I'm glad I did.
I'm not quite sure if it's necessary to read this one but I do encourage it because I enjoyed it. I loved getting inside Hunter's head and learning somewhat about who he is, what he's done in his past and how he got to be in Dubai. His relationship with another falconer is nothing really important but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting a bittersweet story to be.
Overall, I really did like this story. It fascinated me not just with Hunter's occupation but with Hunter himself and I'm looking forward to seeing him get a true HEA in City Falcon. Recommended.
August 31, 2011
I read this sometime this month to give me a sort of "background" before the novel, City Falcon, is released (since I was intrigued with the blurb of the novel). I know that it's a Bittersweet Romance title, but since the "event" happened in the past, and Hunter "tells" us, readers, rather than us reading the event as it happens, it lacks the emotion for me, even if I find Hunter intriguing as character.
Because of that, it gives me enough curiosity to read the novel and finds out what will happen to Hunter next.
Because of that, it gives me enough curiosity to read the novel and finds out what will happen to Hunter next.
March 19, 2011
More than words...
May 25, 2011
I have foolishly avoided this story because, at this point of my life, I have very little desire to read the stories that don't have an optimistic ending and Bittersweet Dreams fall in that category. My mistake. A huge, huge mistake.
Whenever I read a story like this, I realize once again how isolated we Westerners are in our own corner of the world and how many fascinating places and cultures are just waiting out there. I fell in love with Hunter, a man who had sacrificed a lot for love and, yet, still found another kind of treasure in his exile. I hope that some publisher will soon give the sequel of this story a home, because I really want a happy ending for Hunter.
Well done, Feliz! And, because you gave us this wonderful gift, I give you one of my favorite poems in return: The Falcon To The Falconer by Jonathan Steffen.
Whenever I read a story like this, I realize once again how isolated we Westerners are in our own corner of the world and how many fascinating places and cultures are just waiting out there. I fell in love with Hunter, a man who had sacrificed a lot for love and, yet, still found another kind of treasure in his exile. I hope that some publisher will soon give the sequel of this story a home, because I really want a happy ending for Hunter.
Well done, Feliz! And, because you gave us this wonderful gift, I give you one of my favorite poems in return: The Falcon To The Falconer by Jonathan Steffen.
July 29, 2011
This lovely story was recommended to me, but being the lover of happy endings I am, I delayed reading it, thinking it would break my fragile little heart. ;-) I'm quite happy to say that while there definitely isn't a happy ending, there is still a hopeful one, and while the author portrays some horrible moments in the story, the way she has chosen to show them makes the story more melancholy heartbreaking than hopelessly heartbreaking, if that makes any sense. Creating a believable and impressive short m/m story is hard - in fact, I've read very few that convinced me, and 90% of them were sweet and fluffy ones - but Feliz's story is one of the few good ones.
And there's a sequel, which IMO the main character Hunter totally deserves! :-D
And there's a sequel, which IMO the main character Hunter totally deserves! :-D
June 22, 2011
For those who require a definitely HEA, this is not the story for you, but for those who can step outside the box for a few pages, it’s an excellent choice. Hunter is stunned when he gets a call from America, which blows his cover in the Middle East. Ever since the invasion of Kuwait (I said this is contemporary but takes place in 1996 – recent historical?), he has been working as a falconer for a bird sanctuary.
Now that he has been contacted, he knows he must leave and return to the US, and takes his last night to tell his best friend, the man who saved his life in the desert, got him his job and is his sometimes casual lover, the real story of who he is, and how he came to be there. He then tells the story of the day his lover, a Kuwaiti prince, was murdered when the Iraqi’s arrived and his quest for revenge on the murderers, followed by his flight into the desert where he nearly died.
I as a rule do prefer a HEA in my stories, however I found that because of the distance, his lover had been dead for several years and even before his death things had not been going well for them. As well, while he cared for his current friend, they were not in love, and that distance made it less emotionally wrenching for me. Yes, it was sad, but not the same as living it with the character at the time.
The atmosphere and descriptions in this story are outstanding. Not just the physical descriptions, of the life he lives now as a Bedouin falconer, but the attack on Kuwait city and the death of his lover. As well, talking about the truth of being a gay man in the Middle East, and the penalties they pay should it be revealed, was very vivid. You feel like you are there, you are in the head of a man trying to hide, not only his nationality, but his sexuality as well
So as I said, this may not be a story for everyone, but if you’d like to get a real sense of life in the Middle East, (as I imagine it) especially after the invasion of Kuwait, and the chaos and terror that struck into the lives of those living there, it’s a wonderful choice.
Now that he has been contacted, he knows he must leave and return to the US, and takes his last night to tell his best friend, the man who saved his life in the desert, got him his job and is his sometimes casual lover, the real story of who he is, and how he came to be there. He then tells the story of the day his lover, a Kuwaiti prince, was murdered when the Iraqi’s arrived and his quest for revenge on the murderers, followed by his flight into the desert where he nearly died.
I as a rule do prefer a HEA in my stories, however I found that because of the distance, his lover had been dead for several years and even before his death things had not been going well for them. As well, while he cared for his current friend, they were not in love, and that distance made it less emotionally wrenching for me. Yes, it was sad, but not the same as living it with the character at the time.
The atmosphere and descriptions in this story are outstanding. Not just the physical descriptions, of the life he lives now as a Bedouin falconer, but the attack on Kuwait city and the death of his lover. As well, talking about the truth of being a gay man in the Middle East, and the penalties they pay should it be revealed, was very vivid. You feel like you are there, you are in the head of a man trying to hide, not only his nationality, but his sexuality as well
So as I said, this may not be a story for everyone, but if you’d like to get a real sense of life in the Middle East, (as I imagine it) especially after the invasion of Kuwait, and the chaos and terror that struck into the lives of those living there, it’s a wonderful choice.
March 27, 2013
This is a very nice, atmospheric short about an American falconer who got caught up in the Iraq/Kuwait conflicts with tragic results. It's more of a preview than an independent story, however, and it really should be read in tandem with its sequel, City Falcon.
If Faber isn't a falconer herself, she does a good job of imitating somebody who is familiar with the sport. And this is certainly not your typical mm setup -- an American falconer living as a Bedouin in the United Arab Emirates? Really??
Also -- please note that this is NOT a romance. The sequel is, but this one is definitely not. It's basically the experiences of a gay guy in the desert, setting up for book #2.
I'm giving this 3.5 stars -- docking it 1/2 a star for being so short, but rounding up to 4.
If Faber isn't a falconer herself, she does a good job of imitating somebody who is familiar with the sport. And this is certainly not your typical mm setup -- an American falconer living as a Bedouin in the United Arab Emirates? Really??
Also -- please note that this is NOT a romance. The sequel is, but this one is definitely not. It's basically the experiences of a gay guy in the desert, setting up for book #2.
I'm giving this 3.5 stars -- docking it 1/2 a star for being so short, but rounding up to 4.
June 24, 2011
Not your classic romance, sad and melancholic, spiced with the atmosphere of the Arabic world.
A precious little gem!
I really, really liked it. Waiting for the next one!
A precious little gem!
I really, really liked it. Waiting for the next one!
August 7, 2011
3.5
Faber does a good job of packing a lot of punch in a small space. This short story if full of information and gives the reader glimpses into a facsinating world, a love lost, and a changed man. This is my first read from Faber and look forward to reading more.
Faber does a good job of packing a lot of punch in a small space. This short story if full of information and gives the reader glimpses into a facsinating world, a love lost, and a changed man. This is my first read from Faber and look forward to reading more.
July 31, 2011
Исключительно хорошо, но мало.
August 25, 2011
4 stars for the writing, but it was just too short!
September 14, 2011
I'm not much for reading short stories but saw that this was kind of a prequel to City Falcon. The story was a bitter sweet tale of an American forced to blend in and become a trusted local after Iraq invaded Kuwait. The story of his love for a gay Arab man made me appreciate our western attitudes toward gay men which are far from good. Ms Faber did an excellent job of painting life in the middle east with its desert beauty and strict taboos. I'm more than ready to delve into City Falcon.
June 15, 2012
This shorty was a good preview into main characters past experience. Which is rather unusual, but this way we could get a feeling for Hunter as a character. This shorty was complex and good. I'm looking forward to read next book: City Falcon
September 15, 2011
This was gooood. Really liked the setting and even with the bittersweet ending I was left with the hope of better things to come. If this is what Ms. Faber can do this with a short story, I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do with a full length novel.
August 30, 2011
Loved it, really impressed with how much story there was in so few pages, how completely it took me to another world. Really looking forward to the next one, and hopefuly finally seeing Hunter get a HEA.
August 15, 2013
I'm not sure I liked the style of writing in this one. The plot was definitely interesting but I'm not sure it worked as a novella. The characters are too complicated to uncover in such a short text so my verdict is this book definitely leaves you unsatisfied.
September 12, 2011
Great little short story. Looking forward to reading City Falconer.
March 21, 2011
This was a sweet little short story.
May 2, 2011
The intense plot with pragmatic characters brings out the sadness of this shortie and coupled with an "easy on words" writing had me hopeful for more ( for the main man ).
August 16, 2011
Well written great setting but it's the ending that brings it down for me. It looks as though there may be a continuation of the story coming out this year.
August 29, 2011
Not a long story, but nuanced imagery and an unusual but believable plot make this a keeper. A new author to me, and a happy find.
March 19, 2017
Hunter watched his friend & former lover die during the Iraqi-Kuwait invasion. Knowing his life was also in danger, he went into hiding. Three years later his American mentor and friend has called him back to the States blowing his cover.
The story is told through a flashback as he tells the events to his current friend and lover the night before he departs Dubai to return to the US.
The story is told through a flashback as he tells the events to his current friend and lover the night before he departs Dubai to return to the US.
October 19, 2020
very well written and interesting. I read this as introduction for City Falcon. I think knowing there is more was a comfort, as this one ended abruptly.
May 25, 2021
Nah. Does nt work
April 5, 2016
So good! So short! But there's a sequel!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews