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Falcon Saga #8
Falcon Rising
THE LIVID LEGACY
Some said the crescent mark on a Falcon woman's inner thigh was a curse - the brand of the Devil himself. Others called that birthmark a blessing - conferring awesome powers on the woman who bore it.
Levanah Falcon was but twelve years old, growing up lonely and afraid in the great, brooding family manor of Kingsmead, when she learned the meaning of the sign emblazoned on her tenderest flesh. That was the beginning of her discoveries of how she could mold men to her will, overwhelm female rivals, revenge herself on those she hated, as she moved toward the fulfillment of her burning ambitions and desires. Here is the passionate, terrifying, enthralling saga of the fiercest and most fiery of the Falcon woman, borne by the dark currents of her blood toward a destiny pregnant with startling revelation.
Some said the crescent mark on a Falcon woman's inner thigh was a curse - the brand of the Devil himself. Others called that birthmark a blessing - conferring awesome powers on the woman who bore it.
Levanah Falcon was but twelve years old, growing up lonely and afraid in the great, brooding family manor of Kingsmead, when she learned the meaning of the sign emblazoned on her tenderest flesh. That was the beginning of her discoveries of how she could mold men to her will, overwhelm female rivals, revenge herself on those she hated, as she moved toward the fulfillment of her burning ambitions and desires. Here is the passionate, terrifying, enthralling saga of the fiercest and most fiery of the Falcon woman, borne by the dark currents of her blood toward a destiny pregnant with startling revelation.
- GenresGothic
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
35 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Darby
59 books13 followersPseudonym for Maureen Peters
Maureen Peters was born in Caernarvon, Wales, on March 3, 1935, and was married and divorced twice; she has two sons and two daughters. In addition to biographical fiction, historical romances, and mystery novels written under her own name, other noms de plume include Veronica Black, Catherine Darby, Levanah Lloyd, Belinda Grey, Elizabeth Law, Judith Rothman, and Sharon Whitby.
As Catherine Darby, Maureen Peters wrote books that were sold as Gothics, such as the 12 books in the Falcon Saga, but were really what Sarah calls "dark family sagas." Or more precisely, she describes their plot lines this way: "Themes of illicit passion, family rivalry, witchcraft, revenge, and even reincarnation permeated the novels…"
Maureen Peters was born in Caernarvon, Wales, on March 3, 1935, and was married and divorced twice; she has two sons and two daughters. In addition to biographical fiction, historical romances, and mystery novels written under her own name, other noms de plume include Veronica Black, Catherine Darby, Levanah Lloyd, Belinda Grey, Elizabeth Law, Judith Rothman, and Sharon Whitby.
As Catherine Darby, Maureen Peters wrote books that were sold as Gothics, such as the 12 books in the Falcon Saga, but were really what Sarah calls "dark family sagas." Or more precisely, she describes their plot lines this way: "Themes of illicit passion, family rivalry, witchcraft, revenge, and even reincarnation permeated the novels…"
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October 8, 2020
This book could easily be subtitled “The Making of a Wicked Witch,” because that’s precisely what the story is. Levannah Falcon was born into a family where once every generation, a girl arrives in the world with a birthmark that confers magical powers on the bearer. The problem: Levannah’s mother committed suicide shortly after giving birth, and thus she has nobody to ask about her gift. Her authoritarian Aunt Leah, who raised her, is no help whatsoever. So it seems inevitable that when her instincts kick in and lead her to carve woodland gods and conduct candlelit rituals with her cousins, the end results will be very, very bad.
Since this novel is part of the “devil craze” in publishing that followed Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist, it’s equally inevitable that the “something bad” involves Levannah being taken in by a Satanic cult, the Brotherhood of the Habitations of Hell. She thinks she’s found her home at last - but when she uncovers the true reason they wanted her as a member, things go from bad to much, much worse.
What ultimately redeems this book from becoming mere Satanic splatter is the character of Levannah herself. We see the darkness in her, we KNOW how she’s going to end up, and yet, there’s enough HUMAN still in there that we know things could have gone differently if she had gotten the right guidance - giving the book an air of tragedy.
If this turns up in a yard sale or library book sale - probably the only way it can be found nowadays - give it a go. It’s devil pulp, but it’s GOOD devil pulp.
Since this novel is part of the “devil craze” in publishing that followed Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist, it’s equally inevitable that the “something bad” involves Levannah being taken in by a Satanic cult, the Brotherhood of the Habitations of Hell. She thinks she’s found her home at last - but when she uncovers the true reason they wanted her as a member, things go from bad to much, much worse.
What ultimately redeems this book from becoming mere Satanic splatter is the character of Levannah herself. We see the darkness in her, we KNOW how she’s going to end up, and yet, there’s enough HUMAN still in there that we know things could have gone differently if she had gotten the right guidance - giving the book an air of tragedy.
If this turns up in a yard sale or library book sale - probably the only way it can be found nowadays - give it a go. It’s devil pulp, but it’s GOOD devil pulp.
Displaying 1 of 1 review