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The Falcon Chronicles #1
Tiger Wars
Saker is a member of the Clan, a clandestine group offering child renegades for hire to the highest bidder. The Clan are like brothers, but once you’re a member you can never leave - ever. Each member of the Clan has their own animal identity and corresponding tattoo, each is an expert in jungle law, survival and the ways of animals in order to make them better spies, thieves or assassins.
Saker’s latest assignment takes him to India to bring down the men who protect tigers. He’s being employed by a Chinese overlord who specialises in poaching for tiger farms and tiger organs for high priced medicines. But something happens to make Saker change sides and now he’s on the run from his predatory brothers. They’re hunting him down and they’re professionals.
He meets fifteen year old Sinter, a spoiled rich girl, who is running away from an arranged marriage, and their uneasy friendship will eventually form an unshakeable bond, as together they face adventure and danger as two young eco-warriors in a truly threatening world.
Saker and Sinter are on a quest to right some of the horrific wrongs perpetrated against wildlife around the planet. As they rescue tigers or mountain gorillas, thwart shark finners and cyanide fishers, rainforest exploiters and canned hunters, they come face to face with the world’s most fascinating, majestic and lethal creatures.
Saker’s latest assignment takes him to India to bring down the men who protect tigers. He’s being employed by a Chinese overlord who specialises in poaching for tiger farms and tiger organs for high priced medicines. But something happens to make Saker change sides and now he’s on the run from his predatory brothers. They’re hunting him down and they’re professionals.
He meets fifteen year old Sinter, a spoiled rich girl, who is running away from an arranged marriage, and their uneasy friendship will eventually form an unshakeable bond, as together they face adventure and danger as two young eco-warriors in a truly threatening world.
Saker and Sinter are on a quest to right some of the horrific wrongs perpetrated against wildlife around the planet. As they rescue tigers or mountain gorillas, thwart shark finners and cyanide fishers, rainforest exploiters and canned hunters, they come face to face with the world’s most fascinating, majestic and lethal creatures.
262 pages, Paperback
First published May 24, 2012
13 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 14, 2016
Author: Steve Backshall
Fiction or Non-Fiction: Fiction
Genre: Adventure and realistic fiction
Why I chose to read this book?
I chose to read this book because I love animals and I also watch the show deadly 60 which is a TV program in Britain about the deadliest animals in the world.Steve Backshall hosts the show and knowing that he wrote the book I really wanted to read it because it seemed like it would be exciting and interesting.
This book is about two teenagers who fall in love whilst trying to protect tigers in the forests by saving them from hunters.The setting of the book is in the Eastern European forests.
The main characters are Saker who is a 16 year old boy who loves his exciting life with a clan he has and he also loves the wilderness and wildlife.Sinter who is a 15 year old spoiled rich girl who is running away from an arranged marriage.
Saker becomes more caring and kind around his surroundings and Sinter becomes kind and less spoiled.
The general plot is in a forest and two teenagers meet and throughout the book fall in love through sharing the passion of loving animals and trying to save them.
This book made me feel sad and happy because it's a shame so many people hint and try to kill nearly extinct animals for money but also happy to know people and organisations are trying to help this situation.In the book the plot was very believable because it made you think and made you realise that people do hunt animals for a living and it almost seemed like a true story.The characters did seem real because there are teenage girls from different religions that say that the parents arrange your marriage and who you get married to.It was a bit scary when in the book some animals would die and the tension towards the charectors and animals that created suspence.I didn't really learn much from the story but i did learn about what hunters do in the wild and what usually happens with the dead animals.
I would recomend this to a friend that likes animals and adventure books.I think this book is sutable for children aged 9 +.Overall I loved the novel Tiger wars writen by Steve Backshall.
Fiction or Non-Fiction: Fiction
Genre: Adventure and realistic fiction
Why I chose to read this book?
I chose to read this book because I love animals and I also watch the show deadly 60 which is a TV program in Britain about the deadliest animals in the world.Steve Backshall hosts the show and knowing that he wrote the book I really wanted to read it because it seemed like it would be exciting and interesting.
This book is about two teenagers who fall in love whilst trying to protect tigers in the forests by saving them from hunters.The setting of the book is in the Eastern European forests.
The main characters are Saker who is a 16 year old boy who loves his exciting life with a clan he has and he also loves the wilderness and wildlife.Sinter who is a 15 year old spoiled rich girl who is running away from an arranged marriage.
Saker becomes more caring and kind around his surroundings and Sinter becomes kind and less spoiled.
The general plot is in a forest and two teenagers meet and throughout the book fall in love through sharing the passion of loving animals and trying to save them.
This book made me feel sad and happy because it's a shame so many people hint and try to kill nearly extinct animals for money but also happy to know people and organisations are trying to help this situation.In the book the plot was very believable because it made you think and made you realise that people do hunt animals for a living and it almost seemed like a true story.The characters did seem real because there are teenage girls from different religions that say that the parents arrange your marriage and who you get married to.It was a bit scary when in the book some animals would die and the tension towards the charectors and animals that created suspence.I didn't really learn much from the story but i did learn about what hunters do in the wild and what usually happens with the dead animals.
I would recomend this to a friend that likes animals and adventure books.I think this book is sutable for children aged 9 +.Overall I loved the novel Tiger wars writen by Steve Backshall.
September 3, 2014
Gripping adventure with bonus learning for 9+
I would have loved this as a child! (I loved it as an adult reader, in fact). Packed with thrilling adventure and danger, cleverly underscored with lots of information on wildlife, geography and culture.
The story here revolves around two young main characters: Saker, a boy on the run from a mysterious group known as The Clan, and Sinter, an Indian girl fleeing from an arranged marriage to an older man. Their paths collide and they find themselves as quite unlikely partners working together to save the tigers that Saker was supposed to capture.
The real skill is this book is in its efficient combination of excitement and information. I learnt loads from reading this book - always a gift - and at no point did I feel that the story had stalled to share information with the reader. I was also impressed at the breadth of that knowledge and information - not just on wildlife and conservation (although there is of course plenty of that), but also the kind of geographical and cultural knowledge that only comes from extensive travel with an open attitude.
It promises to be a very boy-friendly series, but that's absolutely not to say that girls won't love them too. I know plenty of 8-10 yr old girls who are big Deadly 60 fans, and Sinter sharing the lead role with Saker will definitely increase the appeal to girls as well. The plot may be a little far-fetched, but good stories (especially for children, who can have so few adventures these days) often are and its rootedness in reality certainly helps to counteract this, as do its well-drawn and emotionally realistic characters.
Overall, I am definitely recommending this, and watch out for the second title in the series - Ghosts of the Forests (on Orang Utans! Yay!)
I would have loved this as a child! (I loved it as an adult reader, in fact). Packed with thrilling adventure and danger, cleverly underscored with lots of information on wildlife, geography and culture.
The story here revolves around two young main characters: Saker, a boy on the run from a mysterious group known as The Clan, and Sinter, an Indian girl fleeing from an arranged marriage to an older man. Their paths collide and they find themselves as quite unlikely partners working together to save the tigers that Saker was supposed to capture.
The real skill is this book is in its efficient combination of excitement and information. I learnt loads from reading this book - always a gift - and at no point did I feel that the story had stalled to share information with the reader. I was also impressed at the breadth of that knowledge and information - not just on wildlife and conservation (although there is of course plenty of that), but also the kind of geographical and cultural knowledge that only comes from extensive travel with an open attitude.
It promises to be a very boy-friendly series, but that's absolutely not to say that girls won't love them too. I know plenty of 8-10 yr old girls who are big Deadly 60 fans, and Sinter sharing the lead role with Saker will definitely increase the appeal to girls as well. The plot may be a little far-fetched, but good stories (especially for children, who can have so few adventures these days) often are and its rootedness in reality certainly helps to counteract this, as do its well-drawn and emotionally realistic characters.
Overall, I am definitely recommending this, and watch out for the second title in the series - Ghosts of the Forests (on Orang Utans! Yay!)
February 19, 2021
This book doesn't have the best of starts due to a little bit of talk of drugs though try your best to persevere and the book will get a lot better. It's tells you a couple stuff and it's very good factual adventure like I said it is an amazing adventure and a bit tense though it has well spread action it isn't all at the middle like some books. It all unfolds to be an ace adventure.
October 31, 2012
This was a thrilling read from start to finish, I had to stop reading at one point to answer the phone and spent the whole time wondering what was happening whilst I wasn’t reading! Backshall has used knowledge that he’s gained on his travels as a naturalist to create the world of these books making it jump vividly off the page. There’s a clear conservation message running through the book but it never feels preachy or shoehorned it, instead it’s fully part of the plot and will be all the more effective.
I loved the two lead characters, Saker and Sinter, and the way their relationship develops over the course of the book. I really loved that there was no hint of any romantic link between them, this felt very refreshing. As I was reading the book I found myself imagining reading it out loud, I think it would work really well as a class book for most year 5-7 classes – it would certainly keep the children wanting the next chapter, and there’s lots of potential for really good discussions of plot points. I’m really pleased that this is the start of a series, I’ll certainly be picking up the next book.
I loved the two lead characters, Saker and Sinter, and the way their relationship develops over the course of the book. I really loved that there was no hint of any romantic link between them, this felt very refreshing. As I was reading the book I found myself imagining reading it out loud, I think it would work really well as a class book for most year 5-7 classes – it would certainly keep the children wanting the next chapter, and there’s lots of potential for really good discussions of plot points. I’m really pleased that this is the start of a series, I’ll certainly be picking up the next book.
December 17, 2014
A very good book! Sinter discovers Saker in the Indian forest, and they soon become good friends. They embark on a very dangerous mission - to release all the tigers and other endangered animals from a poaching lord's cells. But with loads of guards... err... guarding it, it proves to be a difficult task. But Saker ropes in some of his ex-friends, who will either help them or kill them. But is the risk worth it?
I highly recommend this gripping book!
It has a very clear message too: Poaching and deforestation is a VERY real issue. Without human interference, many wondrous animals, such as tigers, will become extinct in the next 20 years. WE need to do something.
I highly recommend this gripping book!
It has a very clear message too: Poaching and deforestation is a VERY real issue. Without human interference, many wondrous animals, such as tigers, will become extinct in the next 20 years. WE need to do something.
April 25, 2018
Saker is a member of the Clan, a clandestine group offering child renegades for hire to the highest bidder. The Clan are like brothers, but once you’re a member you can never leave - ever. Each member of the Clan has their own animal identity and corresponding tattoo, each is an expert in jungle law, survival and the ways of animals in order to make them better spies, thieves or assassins.
Saker’s latest assignment takes him to India to bring down the men who protect tigers. He’s being employed by a Chinese overlord who specialises in poaching for tiger farms and tiger organs for high priced medicines. But something happens to make Saker change sides and now he’s on the run from his predatory brothers. They’re hunting him down and they’re professionals.
He meets fifteen year old Sinter, a spoiled rich girl, who is running away from an arranged marriage, and their uneasy friendship will eventually form an unshakeable bond, as together they face adventure and danger as two young eco-warriors in a truly threatening world.
Saker and Sinter are on a quest to right some of the horrific wrongs perpetrated against wildlife around the planet. As they rescue tigers or mountain gorillas, thwart shark finners and cyanide fishers, rainforest exploiters and canned hunters, they come face to face with the world’s most fascinating, majestic and lethal creatures.
Saker’s latest assignment takes him to India to bring down the men who protect tigers. He’s being employed by a Chinese overlord who specialises in poaching for tiger farms and tiger organs for high priced medicines. But something happens to make Saker change sides and now he’s on the run from his predatory brothers. They’re hunting him down and they’re professionals.
He meets fifteen year old Sinter, a spoiled rich girl, who is running away from an arranged marriage, and their uneasy friendship will eventually form an unshakeable bond, as together they face adventure and danger as two young eco-warriors in a truly threatening world.
Saker and Sinter are on a quest to right some of the horrific wrongs perpetrated against wildlife around the planet. As they rescue tigers or mountain gorillas, thwart shark finners and cyanide fishers, rainforest exploiters and canned hunters, they come face to face with the world’s most fascinating, majestic and lethal creatures.
October 1, 2019
Brilliant (did not put it down)
What a great story with great characters.
Bringing more knowledge of these beautiful, majestic creators is amazing and I pray that with everyone fighting their side we will stop the poachers and increase the numbers of tigers away from extinction.
What a great story with great characters.
Bringing more knowledge of these beautiful, majestic creators is amazing and I pray that with everyone fighting their side we will stop the poachers and increase the numbers of tigers away from extinction.
March 11, 2021
The book was a really captivating read.
Strong start lead to a very satisfying ending leaving hints of curious knowing that the story continues, nonetheless the peppered hints toward characters not really important in this particular volume makes me want to read the next.
Also the factual information gives a educative bonus and make me want to travel to Asia.
Would recommend for sure!
Strong start lead to a very satisfying ending leaving hints of curious knowing that the story continues, nonetheless the peppered hints toward characters not really important in this particular volume makes me want to read the next.
Also the factual information gives a educative bonus and make me want to travel to Asia.
Would recommend for sure!
June 4, 2025
I loved this book so much it was so like idk so amazing so pumping gets your heart going it’s amazing I’m wondering if somehow Saker and Sinter like eachother I kinda hope they do anyway can’t wait for the next book:)! Five stars from me
April 25, 2019
it was adventurous and got me thinking about tigers.
July 13, 2020
This book really illustrates the plight of tigers and I can't wait to read his next book on the plight of orangutans
January 1, 2025
I used to have a naturalistic side too
September 24, 2025
Finished the series when it came out - profoundly decent stuff
February 25, 2013
Steve Backshall is undoubtedly one of television's best known wildlife presenters. Currently working for the BBC's Natural History Unit, he's fronted numerous television programmes including Deadly 60; a hugely successful children's series that sees the adventurer tracking down and coming face to face with some of the world's most dangerous creatures.
Whilst Tiger Wars isn't Backshall's first book (he's released a string of factual titles and television tie-ins) it does represent his first foray into young adult fiction. The novel, first instalment of the four-part, The Falcon Chronicles, follows Sinter, as she flees from an arranged marriage to a much older man, and Saker, as he is hunted by The Clan - a shadowy sect that provides young renegades for hire, most recently, to a Chinese overlord who specialises in tiger poaching.
Backshall's writing is fast-paced and crisp; there are no overly verbose descriptions of the exotic Indian and Chinese settings - something you could be forgiven for expecting from a naturalist, and, when the time comes for an injection of science or the green message, facts are woven into the narrative with a (mostly) impressive subtlety. The story arc is expertly crafted, too, with Saker's and Sinter's plots intertwining seamlessly before heading off towards the book's satisfying conclusion.
Tiger Wars isn't perfect, however. Whilst structurally effective, Saker's amnesia storyline is clichéd and may prevent readers from losing themselves in the otherwise immersive prose. The villains are also slightly generic and forgettable, but Saker and (particularly) Sinter are brilliant characters; I recently wrote a piece on research suggesting readers may absorb personality traits from their heroes, and parents will have no problem with their children mimicking the central duo's values.
It's important to note that the book doesn't shy away from difficult scenes, treating its target audience with enough respect to expose them to the horrifying realities of illegal tiger slaughter from the off. It's a good move; with popular authors like Patrick Ness voicing concerns over censorship, younger readers have perhaps never been more wary of books that steer them away from sensitive issues.
It's been a big year for young adult fiction and, with several well-known series and their cinematic counterparts grabbing the headlines, fanatic readers may well be looking for more of the same to sink their teeth into. It's perhaps apt, then, that Tiger Wars' fizzling narrative, relatively short chapters and numerous cliff-hangers have clear parallels with recent series like Gone and The Hunger Games.
Whilst Tiger Wars isn't Backshall's first book (he's released a string of factual titles and television tie-ins) it does represent his first foray into young adult fiction. The novel, first instalment of the four-part, The Falcon Chronicles, follows Sinter, as she flees from an arranged marriage to a much older man, and Saker, as he is hunted by The Clan - a shadowy sect that provides young renegades for hire, most recently, to a Chinese overlord who specialises in tiger poaching.
Backshall's writing is fast-paced and crisp; there are no overly verbose descriptions of the exotic Indian and Chinese settings - something you could be forgiven for expecting from a naturalist, and, when the time comes for an injection of science or the green message, facts are woven into the narrative with a (mostly) impressive subtlety. The story arc is expertly crafted, too, with Saker's and Sinter's plots intertwining seamlessly before heading off towards the book's satisfying conclusion.
Tiger Wars isn't perfect, however. Whilst structurally effective, Saker's amnesia storyline is clichéd and may prevent readers from losing themselves in the otherwise immersive prose. The villains are also slightly generic and forgettable, but Saker and (particularly) Sinter are brilliant characters; I recently wrote a piece on research suggesting readers may absorb personality traits from their heroes, and parents will have no problem with their children mimicking the central duo's values.
It's important to note that the book doesn't shy away from difficult scenes, treating its target audience with enough respect to expose them to the horrifying realities of illegal tiger slaughter from the off. It's a good move; with popular authors like Patrick Ness voicing concerns over censorship, younger readers have perhaps never been more wary of books that steer them away from sensitive issues.
It's been a big year for young adult fiction and, with several well-known series and their cinematic counterparts grabbing the headlines, fanatic readers may well be looking for more of the same to sink their teeth into. It's perhaps apt, then, that Tiger Wars' fizzling narrative, relatively short chapters and numerous cliff-hangers have clear parallels with recent series like Gone and The Hunger Games.
September 30, 2012
Tiger Wars starts and ends well but gets a bit lost in the middle. To be honest I felt like there was a very interesting non-fiction book in there somewhere trying to get out. The facts about animals, landscape and habitat and even the survival tips were really engaging. Sadly the plot wasn't engaging (even though it had the potential to be), the characters were two dimensional and the whole effect was of a substandard Willard Price adventure with facts shoe-horned in just when the plot looked like it was actually going to get interesting. I think that this book will be popular with children though because of Backshall himself and his huge following. Perhaps they won't find the lumpiness of the style upset them as much as it upsets me- I will be interested to find out! Backshall's non-fiction books (that accompany his Deadly 60 series on CBBC ) are much more fun. I feel kind of bad slating this book as I really, genuinely wanted to love it and I am a big Willard Price fan so I enjoy the genre. Writing good fiction is a hard craft to learn however (much like Kung Fu, wilderness survival skills and tracking for example) whereas writing poor fiction is startlingly easy. My fingers are crossed for the next book...
July 2, 2020
There were so many grammatical errors in this book. It had great potential yet was executed blandly. It was quite interesting, with all of the stuff about tigers but if you want stuff on animals, read My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrel. I wouldn't have chosen this for pleasure, but I guess I gained the experience. If you really want to read it go ahead, I guess; you do you.
November 22, 2012
I've been a fan of Steve Backshall's for a while! Deadly 60 is essential viewing in our household, so I was intrigued to see how he would fare writing fiction!
I have to say, I was not disappointed! Not only is Tiger Wars a fantastic story, with an excellent backdrop, but in Saker and Sinter, Backshall has created 2 fabulous characters that I loved spending time with! I can't wait for the next 2 installments!!
I have to say, I was not disappointed! Not only is Tiger Wars a fantastic story, with an excellent backdrop, but in Saker and Sinter, Backshall has created 2 fabulous characters that I loved spending time with! I can't wait for the next 2 installments!!
March 7, 2015
Wasn't expecting to be as enthralled by this book as I was! It was a great adventure story right from the start. The writing was exciting, the story gripping and the characters well thought out. And the descriptions of the scenery were amazing.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Now need to persuade my daughter to read it as it is actually her book!
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Now need to persuade my daughter to read it as it is actually her book!
July 28, 2012
This book starts off extremely well and exciting and then fades into a very drawn out story. However, it picks up at the end and the descriptions are absolutely incredible and some of the things about the different animals are very interesting and factual! A wonderful read :)
July 12, 2013
Another excellent book by Steve Backshall. A really exciting story for both adults and children. The way the book is written makes you feel you are right there along with Saker and Sinter on their quest!
August 2, 2016
I thought it was a good book by Steve Backshall in which Saker and Sinter meet whilst Saker tries to run away from the clan which are on a mission to capture the few endangered tigers left in the world for their skin. Will they succeed?
December 3, 2012
A nice little plot but a bit slow moving. Somewhat unbelievable in parts! I read this book so that I could talk about it with my 10 year old.
October 22, 2013
Very good book with interesting point of views.
May 11, 2014
I love this book! I love the story plot and the personalities of characters. Already on the second book: Ghosts of the Forest.
February 12, 2016
Action packed kids novel with Eco theme. Indian and Chinese cultural setting and gang membership themes. Also arranged marriage issues.
Read
November 20, 2013I thought it was ok but thought it could be better
March 28, 2017
A good pacey adventure with Steve Backshall's passion for the natural world shining through. I like him as a presenter on TV but his writing tends to feel a bit teacherly or preachy. Great story though and I certainly didn't want to put it down.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews