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The Secret Texts #3
Courage of Falcons
Kait Galweigh, her Sabir lover Ry and his cousin Ian have captured the Mirror of Souls, an artefact that can confer immortality, but only at huge cost to the innocents whose souls are used to feed it. But while Kait and her friends are battling the ages-old evil of the Mirror, her cousin Danya, raped and Scarred, is being groomed for godhead, gathering together a mighty army of the Scarred, ready to invade and conquer the Rich Lands.
COURAGE OF FALCONS, like the first two books in the sequence, is a masterful fantasy with well-realised characters, a cracking plot and a villain who exudes evil from every pore.
COURAGE OF FALCONS, like the first two books in the sequence, is a masterful fantasy with well-realised characters, a cracking plot and a villain who exudes evil from every pore.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
6 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
Holly Lisle
108 books449 followersHolly Lisle has been writing fiction professionally since 1991, when she sold FIRE IN THE MIST, the novel that won her the Compton Crook Award for best first novel. She has to date published more than thirty novels and several comprehensive writing courses. She has just published WARPAINT, the second stand-alone novel in her Cadence Drake series.
Holly had an ideal childhood for a writer…which is to say, it was filled with foreign countries and exotic terrains, alien cultures, new languages, the occasional earthquake, flood, or civil war, and one story about a bear, which follows:
“So. Back when I was ten years old, my father and I had finished hunting ducks for our dinner and were walking across the tundra in Alaska toward the spot on the river where we’d tied our boat. We had a couple miles to go by boat to get back to the Moravian Children’s Home, where we lived.
“My father was carrying the big bag of decoys and the shotgun; I was carrying the small bag of ducks.
“It was getting dark, we could hear the thud, thud, thud of the generator across the tundra, and suddenly he stopped, pointed down to a pie-pan sized indentation in the tundra that was rapidly filling with water, and said, in a calm and steady voice, “That’s a bear footprint. From the size of it, it’s a grizzly. The fact that the track is filling with water right now means the bear’s still around.”
“Which got my attention, but not as much as what he said next.
” ‘I don’t have the gun with me that will kill a bear,’ he told me. ‘I just have the one that will make him angry. So if we see the bear, I’m going to shoot him so he’ll attack me. I want you to run to the river, follow it to the boat, get the boat back home, and tell everyone what happened.’
“The rest of our walk was very quiet. He was, I’m sure, listening for the bear. I was doing my damnedest to make sure that I remembered where the boat was, how to get to it, how to start the pull-cord engine, and how to drive it back home, because I did not want to let him down.
“We were not eaten by a bear that night…but neither is that walk back from our hunt for supper a part of my life I’ll ever forget.
“I keep that story in mind as I write. If what I’m putting on paper isn’t at least as memorable as having a grizzly stalking my father and me across the tundra while I was carrying a bag of delicious-smelling ducks, it doesn’t make my cut.”
You can find Holly on her personal site:
Hollylisle.com
You can find Cadence Drake, Holly's currently in-progress series, on her site:
CadenceDrake.com
You can find Holly's books, courses, writing workshops, and so on here:
The HowToThinkSideways.com Shop, as well as on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and in a number of bookstores in the US and around the world.
Holly had an ideal childhood for a writer…which is to say, it was filled with foreign countries and exotic terrains, alien cultures, new languages, the occasional earthquake, flood, or civil war, and one story about a bear, which follows:
“So. Back when I was ten years old, my father and I had finished hunting ducks for our dinner and were walking across the tundra in Alaska toward the spot on the river where we’d tied our boat. We had a couple miles to go by boat to get back to the Moravian Children’s Home, where we lived.
“My father was carrying the big bag of decoys and the shotgun; I was carrying the small bag of ducks.
“It was getting dark, we could hear the thud, thud, thud of the generator across the tundra, and suddenly he stopped, pointed down to a pie-pan sized indentation in the tundra that was rapidly filling with water, and said, in a calm and steady voice, “That’s a bear footprint. From the size of it, it’s a grizzly. The fact that the track is filling with water right now means the bear’s still around.”
“Which got my attention, but not as much as what he said next.
” ‘I don’t have the gun with me that will kill a bear,’ he told me. ‘I just have the one that will make him angry. So if we see the bear, I’m going to shoot him so he’ll attack me. I want you to run to the river, follow it to the boat, get the boat back home, and tell everyone what happened.’
“The rest of our walk was very quiet. He was, I’m sure, listening for the bear. I was doing my damnedest to make sure that I remembered where the boat was, how to get to it, how to start the pull-cord engine, and how to drive it back home, because I did not want to let him down.
“We were not eaten by a bear that night…but neither is that walk back from our hunt for supper a part of my life I’ll ever forget.
“I keep that story in mind as I write. If what I’m putting on paper isn’t at least as memorable as having a grizzly stalking my father and me across the tundra while I was carrying a bag of delicious-smelling ducks, it doesn’t make my cut.”
You can find Holly on her personal site:
Hollylisle.com
You can find Cadence Drake, Holly's currently in-progress series, on her site:
CadenceDrake.com
You can find Holly's books, courses, writing workshops, and so on here:
The HowToThinkSideways.com Shop, as well as on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and in a number of bookstores in the US and around the world.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 21, 2021
3 stars.
I don't have a lot to say about this one; it was okay, but not really overwhelming. I felt that some parts of it were tied up far too easily and conveniently and others dragged. I was glad to read the entire trilogy, but this book was slightly disappointing, and I won't hurry to read it again.
I don't have a lot to say about this one; it was okay, but not really overwhelming. I felt that some parts of it were tied up far too easily and conveniently and others dragged. I was glad to read the entire trilogy, but this book was slightly disappointing, and I won't hurry to read it again.
September 12, 2008
Holly Lisle has a fantastic web site, with all sorts of resources for writers on any level. I was familiar with her name through that, so I snagged this book when I saw it in the library. Maybe it would have helped if I had started with the first in the series, but probably not. I couldn't make it through the second chapter; just didn't like the writing. Felt really heavy on exposition, scenes were weirdly paced, important details were told rather than shown... and that was all in the first fifteen or so pages.
I learned some years back that I am not obligated to finish every book I start, so I put this one down. The website's great, though.
I learned some years back that I am not obligated to finish every book I start, so I put this one down. The website's great, though.
May 27, 2022
Solid ending to an okay fantasy trilogy. It had some really good chapters and the last third of the whole thing was pretty good, but overall it felt more like a collection of random events. You might even call it "and then" literature: "and then x happened, and then y appeared". The urgency of the first novel especially was nowhere to be found, while it was very much needed as the book neared the climax.
The final battle was pretty fun, but the ending itself was rather abrupt. I would've liked to see some kind of epilogue, instead of sequel-bait.
Overall: worth your while if you are looking for a fantasy trilogy, but goes to the category of "nothing special".
The final battle was pretty fun, but the ending itself was rather abrupt. I would've liked to see some kind of epilogue, instead of sequel-bait.
Overall: worth your while if you are looking for a fantasy trilogy, but goes to the category of "nothing special".
January 11, 2009
Ms. Lisle seems unable to actually end a series in a satisfactory manner. Though, this series suffers all the more for it given that it was already generally inferior to her World Gates Trilogy.
Not especially memorable or sympathetic characters and long, hard journeys without any real pay-off seem to be the main features of this trilogy.
Not especially memorable or sympathetic characters and long, hard journeys without any real pay-off seem to be the main features of this trilogy.
September 11, 2021
Haunting and lovely, transcendently perfect.
March 20, 2018
This series had a lot going for it. Interesting plot elements, diverse characters and a clear separation of good and evil.
Unfortunately, the style the books were written in was stilted, unwieldy and the discourse between the various characters failed at any time to create a sense of engagement or care regarding these characters.
This was well proven when I used my Alexa to read my Kindle and the asexual,emotionless voice it has fitted the book perfectly.
The conclusion of the series created waves of dire situations giving characters have little time to take stock before facing yet another earth destroying situation. This was simplistic, unbelievable and fundamentally irritating.
None of the characters were particularly likeable and whether they lived or died didn't matter to me at all.
I finished the series simply because once I started it, I had hoped it would improve but now wish I'd stopped halfway through book 1.
Unfortunately, the style the books were written in was stilted, unwieldy and the discourse between the various characters failed at any time to create a sense of engagement or care regarding these characters.
This was well proven when I used my Alexa to read my Kindle and the asexual,emotionless voice it has fitted the book perfectly.
The conclusion of the series created waves of dire situations giving characters have little time to take stock before facing yet another earth destroying situation. This was simplistic, unbelievable and fundamentally irritating.
None of the characters were particularly likeable and whether they lived or died didn't matter to me at all.
I finished the series simply because once I started it, I had hoped it would improve but now wish I'd stopped halfway through book 1.
January 9, 2013
Originally published on my blog here in December 2001.
The culmination of Lisle's Secret Texts fantasy trilogy is really rather predictable. The major events of the novel have been extensively prepared in the first two volumes, and she sticks to the conventions of the genre more than before, so that there are no eleventh hour surprises.
Much of the effort Lisle has put into the series has gone into setting up the situation in the first two novels, particularly into the atmospheric Diplomacy of Wolves, so that the unwinding of the plot is not a major disappointment.
The culmination of Lisle's Secret Texts fantasy trilogy is really rather predictable. The major events of the novel have been extensively prepared in the first two volumes, and she sticks to the conventions of the genre more than before, so that there are no eleventh hour surprises.
Much of the effort Lisle has put into the series has gone into setting up the situation in the first two novels, particularly into the atmospheric Diplomacy of Wolves, so that the unwinding of the plot is not a major disappointment.
June 6, 2010
Amazing fantasy series with everything from magic to politics; romance to vendettas; good vs. evil; world-building and gods...with good characterization, writing, timing, and heroes and villains to follow. Definitely give this series a chance if you like good fantasy, but be forewarned: these books are out of print so you either have to buy them in the used marketplaces of the online book world or as e-books.
May 14, 2010
A very satisfying conclusion to an exciting trilogy! This was a great ending for an even greater adventure! I really enjoyed it - and the ending took me by surprise. I liked the sense of justice and the theology of love presented in this series. And though it was not the tale of werewolves as I had expected, it was still a richly detailed and thrilling fantasy that I really adored!
October 21, 2011
The final book of the secret texts. And the war between good and evil has arrived. The Dragons and Falcons must clash. And with a plot so twisting and manipulative nothing is certain. I dare not spoil the ending. But admist the war Kait Galweigh and Ry Sabir must face a terrifiying truth, and with it find within themselve the courage of the Falcons, to make the last and ultimate sacrifice.
March 31, 2019
This was a fine conclusion to a very good series. I enjoyed the characters, both good and evil. If there are more stories to follow the survivors, I will read them. A prequel might be fun as well. There's a great battle 1000 years ago that lead to this series, and it might make a good set by itself.
September 1, 2018
This will stay with you
I read hundreds of fantasy books when i was young. These books have some of the best plots, protagonists and worlds in any genre of fantasy.
You will find yourself poreferring the next page to amazon, netflix and youtube!
Decades on i stoll love it.
I read hundreds of fantasy books when i was young. These books have some of the best plots, protagonists and worlds in any genre of fantasy.
You will find yourself poreferring the next page to amazon, netflix and youtube!
Decades on i stoll love it.
November 6, 2018
Under-rated author at the top of her game
December 19, 2018
Courage of Falcons is the POOR culmination of The Secret Texts series. This book is pedantic, predictable, and poorly written. It only avoids the one star of death because the other books in the series were pretty good and this book does at least end the story.
My suggestion - find a synopsis on Good Reads that contains spoilers and read that if you have read the previous two and want to find out what happened in the last book. I can save you some trouble here:
1. Hasmal dies - boo hoo
2. Dughall dies at the end - boo hoo
3. Leurcas dies near the end - yea
4. Danya dies at the end - spoiled bitch
5. Kait and Ry live happily ever after - yippy skippy
6. Alessandra's fate isn't mentioned even though she gave her youth to try to protect Hasmal. Holly Lisle must have lost track of this fact in her race to get out of this bad book.
7. Most other minor characters who were "good" live (Ian, etc.), while "bad" minor characters die (Crispin, Anwyn, Andrew)
There you have it and you can now go on to good literature.
My suggestion - find a synopsis on Good Reads that contains spoilers and read that if you have read the previous two and want to find out what happened in the last book. I can save you some trouble here:
1. Hasmal dies - boo hoo
2. Dughall dies at the end - boo hoo
3. Leurcas dies near the end - yea
4. Danya dies at the end - spoiled bitch
5. Kait and Ry live happily ever after - yippy skippy
6. Alessandra's fate isn't mentioned even though she gave her youth to try to protect Hasmal. Holly Lisle must have lost track of this fact in her race to get out of this bad book.
7. Most other minor characters who were "good" live (Ian, etc.), while "bad" minor characters die (Crispin, Anwyn, Andrew)
There you have it and you can now go on to good literature.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2023
It’s a series of events in which plot threads are wrapped up. Some of them really quickly, like one character off-handedly mentioning that two antagonists killed each other in the past. It lacks the drive of previous books; the characters are mostly just reacting to enemies and waiting for more enemies to appear.
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November 7, 2019It seems like a good book, but starting with the third book in the series is a mistake. I am unsure what the story is supposed to be or otherwise what else is happening.
June 9, 2016
This was the least bothersome of the three books. I was actually taken in by the action and really wanted to read the book. The other two felt a bit more like a chore. The threat rating of the baddies went up as the novel progressed and we do arrive at a finale that I largely felt good about. The largely is due to how contrived things still felt.
I have been able to pit my finger on the two things that have really bothered me the most though. Firstly, in the previous book the prophecy foretelling the return of the savior was proven incorrect. This felt like a bold break from a traditional fantasy mold. But then Lisle was constantly undercutting that move by having the characters' actions determined by signs or messages from the gods. So if the prophecy from the gods was incorrect, why would you start listening to them now. Made no sense.
The other thing was that I've decided that the story was about the wrong characters. Dougal, Hamsal, even Ry were much more complex and nuanced characters than our heroine Kait. A lot of the time I just couldn't be bothered to care for her with how vanilla she seemed.
I have been able to pit my finger on the two things that have really bothered me the most though. Firstly, in the previous book the prophecy foretelling the return of the savior was proven incorrect. This felt like a bold break from a traditional fantasy mold. But then Lisle was constantly undercutting that move by having the characters' actions determined by signs or messages from the gods. So if the prophecy from the gods was incorrect, why would you start listening to them now. Made no sense.
The other thing was that I've decided that the story was about the wrong characters. Dougal, Hamsal, even Ry were much more complex and nuanced characters than our heroine Kait. A lot of the time I just couldn't be bothered to care for her with how vanilla she seemed.
January 9, 2011
This is book three of the Secret Texts. I am a fan of Ms. Lisle because her fantasy worlds are amazing. This third book was NOT what I expected. The twists at the end just totally threw me. I'm not sure I really enjoyed how it worked, but I understand why Ms. Lisle did it.
July 28, 2011
I enjoyed the series overall but it seems at bit anti-climatic at the end. I felt like too many people made it through, sure soem characters died but it seemed like more should have. I enjoyed the character development and it was an interesting world to see created.
May 12, 2009
The last book in the Secret Text series. Very good, but kinda sad. It doesn't really bash religion, but the view is different
February 2, 2011
Just read this a week or two ago, and I've forgotten it already. Read into that what you will!
January 28, 2011
Review to be added later.
June 1, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book but I found the ending very anti-climatic.
March 29, 2013
An excellent conclusion to the trilogy. Quite enjoyable!
May 18, 2012
Pretty good....pretty anticlimactic though
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews