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Heirs of Acadia #5
Falconer's Quest
Davis and Isabella Bunn combine their complementary skills and experiences in crafting the compelling stories of the HEIRS OF ACADIA historical fiction series.
John Falconer, a hero readers can believe in, was introduced in Book 3, The Noble Fugitive. Along with Book 4, The Night Angel, these last three novels of the series can be appreciated on their own.
John Falconer, known to most as simply Falconer, is a large, powerfully built man whose gentle spirit shines through the physical and emotional scars of his previous life as a slave trader. His redemption has brought him full circle to the anti-slavery cause and a personal mission to free every slave he possibly can.
After the events recounted in The Night Angel, Falconer settles in a Moravian community on the Underground Railroad. He cherishes his new wife, Ada, and her son, Matt, whom he loves as his own. Falconer finally has discovered peace, within and without. When the unimaginable happens, he and Matt face a loss so searing they can barely endure another day.
Falconer finds himself back on board ship--this time with a father's responsibilities and an assignment of rescue rather than capture. His course takes him from the eastern seaboard of America to France, from Marseilles to the shores of North Africa. But enormous danger, risk of failure and even death challenge him on the high seas and in the desert's strongholds. He has conquered many of life's storms, but none as vast as this.
All the while, those inner bondages that have gripped as powerfully as iron chains are gradually loosening their hold. And a new hope begins to stir within...
The story of character forged in the fires of grief, loss and faith
John Falconer, a hero readers can believe in, was introduced in Book 3, The Noble Fugitive. Along with Book 4, The Night Angel, these last three novels of the series can be appreciated on their own.
John Falconer, known to most as simply Falconer, is a large, powerfully built man whose gentle spirit shines through the physical and emotional scars of his previous life as a slave trader. His redemption has brought him full circle to the anti-slavery cause and a personal mission to free every slave he possibly can.
After the events recounted in The Night Angel, Falconer settles in a Moravian community on the Underground Railroad. He cherishes his new wife, Ada, and her son, Matt, whom he loves as his own. Falconer finally has discovered peace, within and without. When the unimaginable happens, he and Matt face a loss so searing they can barely endure another day.
Falconer finds himself back on board ship--this time with a father's responsibilities and an assignment of rescue rather than capture. His course takes him from the eastern seaboard of America to France, from Marseilles to the shores of North Africa. But enormous danger, risk of failure and even death challenge him on the high seas and in the desert's strongholds. He has conquered many of life's storms, but none as vast as this.
All the while, those inner bondages that have gripped as powerfully as iron chains are gradually loosening their hold. And a new hope begins to stir within...
The story of character forged in the fires of grief, loss and faith
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2007
37 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
T. Davis Bunn
102 books148 followersAlso writes under the names Thomas Locke and Davis Bunn.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 5, 2013
This story was in my mind a well written story. It starts out with Falconer or Father John as he is known to the people of Saleem. Well Falconer's story begins with him basically at the bed side of his very sick newly wed wife who dies shortly afterwards, leaving Falconer with her son from a previous marriage. Well Falconer and Matt stayed together and lived in the town for several months following the death of the mother. But then a friend from the past comes to Saleem to visit Falconer because he desperately needs his help. The coming of this visitor is spread throughout the town and Falconer learns that his friend needs his help in a serious matter. Reginald who is the friend needs Falconers help in rescuing his nephew from a pirate in the business of slave trading. Falconer being a kind man offers to come to his aid and leaves the town of Saleem with Matt and the two head towards England where they would officially start their journey. In his past life Falconer was a sailor and he would be revisiting his past because they would be traveling by boat to England and later on to Marseilles. Along the way both father and son have to come to terms with each other and with the death of their mother/wife. Neither had done any official mourning over the death and it took some time for the healing process of mourning to take place. Well the story continues with Falconer reaching his destination and finding the young man and woman that they were after but as always its not so easy to get them out to safety. I would go on with telling the story but i think it would be better if you read the story for yourself. It is a wonderful book and i would recommend it to anyone. It was well written and the plot is great. Its one of those adventure and action books with writing that puts you in the very situation. I really like this book and the story of Falconer.
July 1, 2008
All of these books I enjoyed a lot. Very interesting, maybe a bit slow but there great.
February 22, 2021
I’m not sure why, but it took me about three-quarters of the book to actually get into it. The story has everything I would normally like—adventure, found family dynamics, strong, vivid characters (mostly; I’ll get into that later), and a focused, goal-driven plot. I think it was the fact that it was so different in tone from the rest of the series, so it jarred me a bit at first and took me a while to get used to it.
I’ll start with my criticisms.
One, I’ve already mentioned. The tone and focus of the story is completely different. Instead of intrigue and character-focus, this story goes for an outright adventure/quest. Which is fine and normally the sort of story I enjoy, but it’s initially just enough of a surprise that it pulled me out the series. There’s also very little connection to the two main families this series has been following thus far, which makes it feel like a different story entirely.
Two…relationships. Specifically romantic ones. Throughout the series, ever since Falconer first came into the story, it felt like the authors couldn’t decide who they wanted to pair him up with. First (and most compellingly, in my opinion), there was Serafina. Then they blocked that relationship and did a fairly good job of getting us to care about his relationship with Ada. But then…they killed her, and went for a different potential love interest in this one. It all feels a bit like they had a new idea each book instead of a consistent plot thread.
Which brings me to my other main criticism…Amelia Henning didn’t stand out as a character for me. I felt she went too quickly from “driven to madness from grief” to “at peace with God and herself.” Because of that, I never really bought into the developing connection between her and Falconer.
Despite all this, though, there was quite a bit I really enjoyed about this book. For one, I did enjoy the quest nature of the story—it kept the story driving forward and gave it an adventure-like feel. I liked that it moved through a lot of different settings, from ship-board storms to port cities on the other side of the world to deserts and the ruins of ancient cities. (I especially enjoyed the desert setting and the way it was set among the ruins—but then, I’ve always had a thing for old ruins.)
I liked the relationship between Falconer and Matt, too—Matt is an absolute sweetheart and I loved him, and he reads very realistically as a young boy. Bernard, too, is an great character and I really connected with him—and the side characters were likeable as well.
Overall, I enjoyed the adventure and settings of the story, as well as Falconer’s character development throughout, but found it very, very different in tone from the rest of the series.
I’ll start with my criticisms.
One, I’ve already mentioned. The tone and focus of the story is completely different. Instead of intrigue and character-focus, this story goes for an outright adventure/quest. Which is fine and normally the sort of story I enjoy, but it’s initially just enough of a surprise that it pulled me out the series. There’s also very little connection to the two main families this series has been following thus far, which makes it feel like a different story entirely.
Two…relationships. Specifically romantic ones. Throughout the series, ever since Falconer first came into the story, it felt like the authors couldn’t decide who they wanted to pair him up with. First (and most compellingly, in my opinion), there was Serafina. Then they blocked that relationship and did a fairly good job of getting us to care about his relationship with Ada. But then…they killed her, and went for a different potential love interest in this one. It all feels a bit like they had a new idea each book instead of a consistent plot thread.
Which brings me to my other main criticism…Amelia Henning didn’t stand out as a character for me. I felt she went too quickly from “driven to madness from grief” to “at peace with God and herself.” Because of that, I never really bought into the developing connection between her and Falconer.
Despite all this, though, there was quite a bit I really enjoyed about this book. For one, I did enjoy the quest nature of the story—it kept the story driving forward and gave it an adventure-like feel. I liked that it moved through a lot of different settings, from ship-board storms to port cities on the other side of the world to deserts and the ruins of ancient cities. (I especially enjoyed the desert setting and the way it was set among the ruins—but then, I’ve always had a thing for old ruins.)
I liked the relationship between Falconer and Matt, too—Matt is an absolute sweetheart and I loved him, and he reads very realistically as a young boy. Bernard, too, is an great character and I really connected with him—and the side characters were likeable as well.
Overall, I enjoyed the adventure and settings of the story, as well as Falconer’s character development throughout, but found it very, very different in tone from the rest of the series.
August 17, 2020
This final segment of the Heirs of Acadia had lots of action and was lighter on romance and relationship than the previous parts of the series. I liked it but quibbled with the necessity of the far-flung adventure to Tunisia when Ada and the Underground Railroad were close at hand - it almost seemed like the only purpose for Ada's character was to give Falconer a reason for Matt. But we all get to write our own stories.
The least developed character oddly enough was the impetus for the whole book, the prodigal son being rescued along with the little girl. The rescue was likewise fairly far fetched. The villains were little more than caricatures. The romantic interest, Amelia Henning, was not developed to the extent of any of the previous female major characters - Erica, Lillian, Serafina, etc.
The book had good spiritual content, with the gospel presented more than once. Secular readers may find it overmuch, but for Bunn's Christian audience it will be fine.
The action keeps the plot rolling along, and you certainly won't be bored.
The least developed character oddly enough was the impetus for the whole book, the prodigal son being rescued along with the little girl. The rescue was likewise fairly far fetched. The villains were little more than caricatures. The romantic interest, Amelia Henning, was not developed to the extent of any of the previous female major characters - Erica, Lillian, Serafina, etc.
The book had good spiritual content, with the gospel presented more than once. Secular readers may find it overmuch, but for Bunn's Christian audience it will be fine.
The action keeps the plot rolling along, and you certainly won't be bored.
October 29, 2023
Exciting adventure, combined with vivid characters whose faith really guides life choices
This series, Heirs of Acadia, is an exciting continuation of the series Song of Acadia. The accurate history of the period of our nation's struggle to abolish the evil of slavery comes to life in vividly described characters and their experiences. Breathtaking suspense kept my attention focused so that I had a difficult time waiting for each new adventure, and could hardly take a break, even between the individual books. I especially appreciated how the author develops the progression of the growing faith of each character. The descriptions of how characters apply Biblical truth to life situations far surpassed most other Christian fiction that I have read. THANK YOU for a wonderful reading experience!
This series, Heirs of Acadia, is an exciting continuation of the series Song of Acadia. The accurate history of the period of our nation's struggle to abolish the evil of slavery comes to life in vividly described characters and their experiences. Breathtaking suspense kept my attention focused so that I had a difficult time waiting for each new adventure, and could hardly take a break, even between the individual books. I especially appreciated how the author develops the progression of the growing faith of each character. The descriptions of how characters apply Biblical truth to life situations far surpassed most other Christian fiction that I have read. THANK YOU for a wonderful reading experience!
April 18, 2018
Another book that I read to Diana. We can't do much anymore after her stroke, so I read to her to spend time together. Diana has always loved to have someone to read to her - and I like to do just that.
May 12, 2017
Sorry to see the series end
July 17, 2017
great historical novel - want to read more by T. Davis Bunn
March 21, 2022
Context is everything
March 10, 2017
Last book in the Heirs of Acadia series. This was an excellent series. Books three and four being my favorites. This one didn't disappoint, I just liked the previous two better. Great Christian historical fiction. I give it four stars.
August 8, 2015
This last book in the Heirs of Acadia (a sequel set to Song of Acadia by T Davis Bunn and Janette Oke) was quite disappointing to me. The whole two sets of books are framed around two basic families and their histories as time unravels. Yet this very last book breaks away from those people and focuses on an old employee of the families. I didn't get a sense of closure to the original families's heirs and was put off by the story spinning in an entirely different direction basically unrelated to the who rest of the two series's. I honestly had a hard time finishing it. And it really bothered me the way the one character - was in Ann? - who kept calling the main character by both his first and last name. It drove me nuts. All the other books were amazing. I just didn't like this one.
June 21, 2013
Heirs of Acadia is a great series, but this fifth and concluding book was definitely not my favorite. Although very good, there is more of the journey the men embark on,hiding and danger, and the battle they have retrieving some prisoners. Some of the previous books included more of the emotions and inner workings of the characters than this one. The historical details and descriptions of actions are marvelous, and I still love the characters of Falconer and Matt. It is still definitely recommended for fans of Christian historical fiction.
July 18, 2015
I actually skimmed this book. I don't really know why (well, I have an idea but it's hard to explain or to understand) I don't like Falconer. For some reason he just didn't grab me as a character, which I find strange since characters like him who have a sad past and struggle with it usually really appeal to me.
In this book, Mr. and Mrs. Bunn again surprise us with plots out of the ordinary. Honestly, I was expecting something different, but what I read was refreshing because I couldn't exactly say I knew what was going to happen next.
In this book, Mr. and Mrs. Bunn again surprise us with plots out of the ordinary. Honestly, I was expecting something different, but what I read was refreshing because I couldn't exactly say I knew what was going to happen next.
September 1, 2009
If only for the last 60 or so pages, I give this 3 stars. Maybe it's because I read the other books in the series so long ago, but I found this a somewhat difficult read. It didn't hold my interest much. It read more like something you'd expect from a textbook than a novel, and perhaps that's why I found it so hard to get into. I think it's my least liked of the series. The third one is by far the best, in my opinion. :)
March 9, 2012
This book was amazing for me. Even though I read the Night Angel years ago, I kept looking for it. The only thing I was a little disappointed in was that Seraphina and Falconer never got together. But I got over it and quickly accepted Amelia :] awesome book.
November 14, 2016
Didn't enjoy this one as much as the last couple. Falconer was back on the sea. It did get interesting about the last 5 chapters when he was finally rescuing the son and daughter he was after. Not a bad series - just not sure I would pick to read this again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2008
I just had a really hard time getting into this one. 9 Chapters in and I just didn't want to read anymore. The story didn't seem to be going anywhere.
May 21, 2012
I read it on a Kindle. Nice finish to the series.
January 30, 2013
Being book five in the series makes this one a let down.
I loved book 3 and 4 but wasnt drawn it much by book five.
I loved book 3 and 4 but wasnt drawn it much by book five.
September 15, 2017
There are several directions this series could have continued in, I am disappointed it has ended! :)Love Falconer!
April 16, 2015
I picked it up at the library thinking it was a stand -alone book, and not realizing it was actually the 5th book in a series! No doubt would have liked it more if I'd read 1-4 first.
June 8, 2017
#5 in the Heirs of Acadia. the underground railroad is at the forefront of this story.
March 24, 2016
Read 50 pages, did not care for author's style of writing; not enough history
May 5, 2014
Continues Falconer's story until he finds love at last!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews