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The Hound and the Falcon #3
The Hounds of God
Alfred has settled down at last amongst his own people, as Lord Chancellor of Rhiyana. But old enemies will not let Alfred savor his new life, and he must prepare for the ultimate battle of wills against an evil whose power is even greater than his own.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
15 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Judith Tarr
120 books419 followersAKA Caitlin Brennan, Kathleen Bryan.
Judith Tarr (born 1955) is an American author, best known for her fantasy books. She received her B.A. in Latin and English from Mount Holyoke College in 1976, and has an M.A. in Classics from Cambridge University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Medieval Studies from Yale University. She taught Latin and writing at Wesleyan University from 1988-1992, and taught at the Clarion science-fiction-writing workshops in 1996 and 1999.
She raises and trains Lipizzan horses at Dancing Horse Farm, her home in Vail, Arizona. The romantic fantasies that she writes under the name Caitlin Brennan feature dancing horses modeled on those that she raises.
Judith Tarr (born 1955) is an American author, best known for her fantasy books. She received her B.A. in Latin and English from Mount Holyoke College in 1976, and has an M.A. in Classics from Cambridge University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Medieval Studies from Yale University. She taught Latin and writing at Wesleyan University from 1988-1992, and taught at the Clarion science-fiction-writing workshops in 1996 and 1999.
She raises and trains Lipizzan horses at Dancing Horse Farm, her home in Vail, Arizona. The romantic fantasies that she writes under the name Caitlin Brennan feature dancing horses modeled on those that she raises.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 16, 2013
Gorgeously written but sad as all get out. Tarr's writing reminds me of Patricia McKillip's, but I prefer McKillip's magic-making and its joy to the real-world loss and strife of Tarr's semi-historical novels. Still, for folks with a higher angst tolerance, this is a very good book.
December 2, 2025
Another few years after the events of The Golden Horn, so still in the early 1200s. Alfred has returned from Byzantium to the (slightly modified) British Isles, bringing in tow his now-wife Althea, and Anna and Nikki, last surviving members of a Byzantine family Alf had befriended who fared poorly when the Crusaders sacked the city. But rather than returning to his beloved monastery, Alf is now something of a power in his own right, become chancellor and baron of the not-entirely-human kingdom of Rhiyana.
And things seem to be going really well (not least because Thea is in a family way), but the Hounds of God, the monastic order who hate Rhiyana, elves, any manifestations of magic or other powers, and Alfred in very particular, have managed to recruit an elf of their own whose strike on Rhiyana will have terrible consequences and send Alfred and Nikki off to Rome on a mission of rescue and/or vengeance, depending on what they find.
(And battling a fellow magic user ain't nothing compared to navigating Papal politics ...)
Again, the writing is graceful, the history seems correct aside from the obvious bits, the characters are well-drawn and compelling, and these books are really past due for a major revival, especially in this, the Age of Romantasy.
And things seem to be going really well (not least because Thea is in a family way), but the Hounds of God, the monastic order who hate Rhiyana, elves, any manifestations of magic or other powers, and Alfred in very particular, have managed to recruit an elf of their own whose strike on Rhiyana will have terrible consequences and send Alfred and Nikki off to Rome on a mission of rescue and/or vengeance, depending on what they find.
(And battling a fellow magic user ain't nothing compared to navigating Papal politics ...)
Again, the writing is graceful, the history seems correct aside from the obvious bits, the characters are well-drawn and compelling, and these books are really past due for a major revival, especially in this, the Age of Romantasy.
July 26, 2012
Alfred is a monk of St. Ruan’s Abbey- devoted to his Brothers and his God, a scholar of rare talent, and very much more than a man. A foundling, he was taken in and raised by the Abbey as one of their own, and while his colleagues have grown to old men, he remains no more than a youth.
The quiet Abbey life that Alfred clings to is pulled away from him as he is sent out to the world, carrying a message of violence to the Richard Coeur de Leon. Once out of the Abbey’s comforting walls, Alfred cannot help but acknowledge something other than human blood runs through his veins. His eerie beauty and otherworldly skills catch the eye of the Hounds of God, who swear to purge him and all others like him from the Church, as well as the world itself.
From the temperate north to the sweltering heat of the Crusades, the Hound and the Falcon trilogy is a magnificent journey. There is a beauty, an acknowledgement of the sublime, that swells through every page. Pausing and closing the book was like coming up for air, almost disorienting, definitely displeasing as I wanted nothing more than to keep reading. Rarely have I been touched so by a book, but there is something bare, brutal and honest to Alfred and his search for identity and meaning that I could not help but be moved.
All else, all grand crusading and conflict aside, it reaches down to the root of identity and poses questions there that inflict an almost sympathetic bout of introspection upon the reader. And it is perfect.
Ms. Tarr has woven a depth of history and cultural detail in her books that make the world breathe. The characters and settings are whole, believable, and obviously lovingly researched.
Highly recommended.
The quiet Abbey life that Alfred clings to is pulled away from him as he is sent out to the world, carrying a message of violence to the Richard Coeur de Leon. Once out of the Abbey’s comforting walls, Alfred cannot help but acknowledge something other than human blood runs through his veins. His eerie beauty and otherworldly skills catch the eye of the Hounds of God, who swear to purge him and all others like him from the Church, as well as the world itself.
From the temperate north to the sweltering heat of the Crusades, the Hound and the Falcon trilogy is a magnificent journey. There is a beauty, an acknowledgement of the sublime, that swells through every page. Pausing and closing the book was like coming up for air, almost disorienting, definitely displeasing as I wanted nothing more than to keep reading. Rarely have I been touched so by a book, but there is something bare, brutal and honest to Alfred and his search for identity and meaning that I could not help but be moved.
All else, all grand crusading and conflict aside, it reaches down to the root of identity and poses questions there that inflict an almost sympathetic bout of introspection upon the reader. And it is perfect.
Ms. Tarr has woven a depth of history and cultural detail in her books that make the world breathe. The characters and settings are whole, believable, and obviously lovingly researched.
Highly recommended.
February 6, 2021
The final book of the triology wrapping up the story of Alf, Thea, Jehan, the Akestas family and the Kindred.
This novel is set in Rhiyanna, again several years after the events covered in the in The Golden Horn. I really enjoyed the first two novels, and there is much to enjoy about this one but I felt it was the weakest of the trilogy.
Tarr drops many hints thoughout book 1 and 2, some of which are carried through to a satisfying conclusion in book 3, but some are not. The characters are engaging in interesting (and indeed there are many I would like to find out more about). Even the side characters are well drawn and well rounded - and the ecclesiastical politices is as interesting as ever.
However there are a few plot points from the earlier novels that I felt were glossed over or ignored and it felt like there was a bit of a mad gallop to the end with some significant resolution missing (for me) so that the final part felt rushed.
I'm not sure I totally nought into the concept of the big bad in this novel - though again Tarr is very skilled at presenting the complexities of good vs evil and that everything is more shades of grey than black and white.
It just felt somewhat weaker in delivery than the first two novels of the triology.
This novel is set in Rhiyanna, again several years after the events covered in the in The Golden Horn. I really enjoyed the first two novels, and there is much to enjoy about this one but I felt it was the weakest of the trilogy.
Tarr drops many hints thoughout book 1 and 2, some of which are carried through to a satisfying conclusion in book 3, but some are not. The characters are engaging in interesting (and indeed there are many I would like to find out more about). Even the side characters are well drawn and well rounded - and the ecclesiastical politices is as interesting as ever.
However there are a few plot points from the earlier novels that I felt were glossed over or ignored and it felt like there was a bit of a mad gallop to the end with some significant resolution missing (for me) so that the final part felt rushed.
I'm not sure I totally nought into the concept of the big bad in this novel - though again Tarr is very skilled at presenting the complexities of good vs evil and that everything is more shades of grey than black and white.
It just felt somewhat weaker in delivery than the first two novels of the triology.
December 20, 2017
Man, I loved this series. Not every book is equally awesome, but the overall look at Europe in the time of the Crusades, the Church, Rome vs the Byzantine empire, the Church's heavy engagement in politics, the twisted use of doctrine and scripture to persecute those who don't fall in line, etc. is FASCINATING. It's like the Spanish Inquisition, but slightly different century. When Yale PhD's write historically-based fantasy novels....wow. Just wow.
As the final book in the trilogy we know bad things are coming and that sense of looming dread is more than met. It is a tough read, but well worth it.
As the final book in the trilogy we know bad things are coming and that sense of looming dread is more than met. It is a tough read, but well worth it.
September 13, 2017
Meh. The writing is delightful, as always, but I found myself disliking Alf immensely.
I really didn't like how good Alf is - a fact that good people acknowledge. (The antagonists are all biased against Alf for not being human, rather than any personality defect, so there is no hint of Alf's poor character from that direction). Alf inherently behaves like a Christian (although this is not stated) - he turns the other cheek, does his best to hold his temper, forgives his enemies and recognises the good in them - and, well, is basically good. Contrast this with most other novels - I haven't read many fantasy novels about the main character carrying an unlimited capacity for forgiveness that reading about it feels annoying. I want the main character to be more active - lash out, exact retribution, anything other than his quiet passivity.
I actually like the underlying religiosity of the text - it's very subtly interweaved into the text and their actions. Perhaps my dislike of this book arises due to how alien Alf - and his sentiments - appear to me. You could even say that I don't really want to read about good people being the ideal of good.
I really didn't like how good Alf is - a fact that good people acknowledge. (The antagonists are all biased against Alf for not being human, rather than any personality defect, so there is no hint of Alf's poor character from that direction). Alf inherently behaves like a Christian (although this is not stated) - he turns the other cheek, does his best to hold his temper, forgives his enemies and recognises the good in them - and, well, is basically good. Contrast this with most other novels - I haven't read many fantasy novels about the main character carrying an unlimited capacity for forgiveness that reading about it feels annoying. I want the main character to be more active - lash out, exact retribution, anything other than his quiet passivity.
I actually like the underlying religiosity of the text - it's very subtly interweaved into the text and their actions. Perhaps my dislike of this book arises due to how alien Alf - and his sentiments - appear to me. You could even say that I don't really want to read about good people being the ideal of good.
February 5, 2023
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
I, again, enjoyed every moment reading The Hounds of God. Being the finale, it was a very emotional ride. I couldn't help but feel frustrated, angry and sad in 90% of the time as I read the book. That's just how invested I am with the characters. And I'm overjoyed that this series, which I so dearly love and is now one of my favorites, got a happy and satisfying ending. Tarr, you really are a witch; an enchantress whose words could charm anyone who reads them. Of course, not everyone is affected the same way, but her words certainly smote me.
It's painfully obvious how much I adore The Hound and the Falcon and Judith Tarr as an author. I couldn't praise Tarr's magnificent writing any higher. I wish for more people to discover The Hound and the Falcon and feel as I did when I read it for the the first time. So, if you're searching for a new historical fantasy series, or any genre for that matter, to sink your teeth into, give Judith Tarr's The Hound and the Falcon a chance. You won't regret it.
I, again, enjoyed every moment reading The Hounds of God. Being the finale, it was a very emotional ride. I couldn't help but feel frustrated, angry and sad in 90% of the time as I read the book. That's just how invested I am with the characters. And I'm overjoyed that this series, which I so dearly love and is now one of my favorites, got a happy and satisfying ending. Tarr, you really are a witch; an enchantress whose words could charm anyone who reads them. Of course, not everyone is affected the same way, but her words certainly smote me.
It's painfully obvious how much I adore The Hound and the Falcon and Judith Tarr as an author. I couldn't praise Tarr's magnificent writing any higher. I wish for more people to discover The Hound and the Falcon and feel as I did when I read it for the the first time. So, if you're searching for a new historical fantasy series, or any genre for that matter, to sink your teeth into, give Judith Tarr's The Hound and the Falcon a chance. You won't regret it.
August 16, 2019
The second of this trilogy was definitely my favorite. Thea wasn’t featured as prominently in this book, but the story was still engaging. Alf was finally much less self-deprecating and annoying! I wish there were more as I’d love to know how Lianhan and Cynan grow up.
October 27, 2019
A satisfying, emotion filled ending to the trilogy.
January 29, 2021
Loved and Enjoyed this book. Ups and Downs. Twists and turns.Page turner.
February 26, 2022
some parts of the story kinda rambled but Alf and Jehan and the rest so well done, so happy this author has moar but wonder if they can rise to this standard
Read
August 19, 2022um. big sad. no rating.
February 10, 2021
Does it really deserve five stars? Probably not. It dragged and confused me enough in the first half that I might have put it down if I wasn’t committed to seeing the characters story through after the first two books. But then it just got better and better from the midpoint, and I cried at the end — that’s worth five stars to me.
October 29, 2022
I loved this back when it came out, way too many years ago. I stand by my initial love and the 5 stars, but, reading it again today, I would probably only rate it 3 stars at best, Alf is too perfect, yet he’s also taking blame for what is not in his power to prevent, angsty as all hell. I don’t really like him, today. Thea is marginally better, but going in the opposite direction, too accepting of her flaws and in no way ever going to change. The plot however still pulls me in, and it feels well researched when it comes to the time it is set in.
May 28, 2020
This series is the Crusades, only with magic and elves, but it's much better than that sounds, and it's a past that feels very realistic and lived in. But some readers may find the self-tormented Alfred and especially Thea to be too Mary Sue. In my opinion, everyone is so smug at the beginning of this book that I actually liked it when troubles started to plague them and brought them low.
August 6, 2010
These were read at an awesome time in my life - was going for my MLS, working as a receptionist for an unopened facility (meaning I received no one!) so all I did all day was sit and read. Yes, essentially I was getting paid to sit and read. I read over 100 books that year. Why can't I get that gig now???????
September 24, 2016
I know I read this near the time it was originally published, so the details are a little fuzzy in my mind this many years later. I remember that I really liked the series. I don't think I own the series anymore, so I'll look in the library for it. (This was decades before there were e-readers, and I had the books in hardcover.)
March 31, 2011
Despite the evils of the church, the kindred retain their faith. Why?
April 29, 2011
I loved this final book in the series!! So glad I finished the trilogy.
June 8, 2013
Bitter ending to the trilogy.
March 14, 2015
Great ending
With reluctance,I finished this.All the ends tied up,and lives going on.The characters still very much in my mind,thanks for a good read.
With reluctance,I finished this.All the ends tied up,and lives going on.The characters still very much in my mind,thanks for a good read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews