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The Hound and the Falcon #1-3
The Hound and the Falcon
Alfred of St. Ruan's Abbey is a monk and a scholar, a religious man whose vocation is beyond question. But Alfred is also, without a doubt, one of the fair folk, for though he is more than seventy years old by the Abbey's records, he seems to be only a youth.
But Alfred is drawn from the haven of his monastery into his dangerous currents of politics when an ambassador from the kingdom of Rhiyana to Richard Coeur de Leon is wounded and Alfred himself is sent to complete the mission. There he encounters the Hounds of God, who believe that the fair folk have no souls, and must be purged from the Church and from the world.
But Alfred is drawn from the haven of his monastery into his dangerous currents of politics when an ambassador from the kingdom of Rhiyana to Richard Coeur de Leon is wounded and Alfred himself is sent to complete the mission. There he encounters the Hounds of God, who believe that the fair folk have no souls, and must be purged from the Church and from the world.
688 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
9 people are currently reading
559 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 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 18, 2021
I spent my formative years binge-reading fantasy. I loved this trilogy and re-read it countless times. I especially loved the parts set in Constantinople. No idea, if I would still like these books today, but back then and for many years this trilogy was on of my favourites.
April 24, 2013
I first read this book about 20 years ago and fell in love with it. Tarr weaves history and fantasy into an elaborate tapestry that is fascinating and heart-wrenching. Three novels in one book and all are equally compelling. Tarr's descriptions of the Fourth Crusade and the fall of Constantinople are particularly vivid.
February 18, 2013
One of my all time favorite books. The characters are engrossing, and I fall in love with all of them every time I read it. There is nothing more satisfying than an awesome trilogy, all contained in one edition. I have read it more times than I can count.
April 3, 2020
10 Stars!
For me, there are only two authors who can write with such poetic quality: C.J. Cherryh and Judith Tarr. And in this three-in-one volume by Tarr, we have her first and best work.
From Anglia to Constantinople of the Fourth Crusade to Rome, Brother Alfred—Alf—of St. Ruan’s is tested by the prejudices and preconceived notions of the world and the Church he had dedicated himself to for over seventy years as a monk and priest.
Alf is one of the Fair Folk, the immortal race of elvenkind. He has spent his life in seclusion. However, a stormy winter’s night changes his life forever when a stranger beckons to him out of the cold and snow, and he finds himself sent on a mission of peace to Richard the Lionheart to save three kingdoms. Almost at once, he is thrust into the world and its inherent evils, most specifically, the fear and mistrust it holds for his kind. And none more ruthless and sinister in its dealings than the Hounds of God who seek to rid the world of the Devil’s brood.
Spanning more than twenty years, Brother Alfred is haunted by a past he cannot forget, just as he fears a future he cannot foresee or control. Through it all, though, Alf discovers love—in the form of his best friend, Jehan, and Althea, the beautiful fairy woman he will come to love—as well as hatred, usually at a cost few could bear as he endures witch hunts, loneliness, self-doubt, and the threat of interdict and Crusade against his kin.
All Alf wants is to find peace and acceptance; all he discovers is war and death.
Murder, betrayal, heresy, and adventure. One of the best medieval historical fantasies ever written...
For me, there are only two authors who can write with such poetic quality: C.J. Cherryh and Judith Tarr. And in this three-in-one volume by Tarr, we have her first and best work.
From Anglia to Constantinople of the Fourth Crusade to Rome, Brother Alfred—Alf—of St. Ruan’s is tested by the prejudices and preconceived notions of the world and the Church he had dedicated himself to for over seventy years as a monk and priest.
Alf is one of the Fair Folk, the immortal race of elvenkind. He has spent his life in seclusion. However, a stormy winter’s night changes his life forever when a stranger beckons to him out of the cold and snow, and he finds himself sent on a mission of peace to Richard the Lionheart to save three kingdoms. Almost at once, he is thrust into the world and its inherent evils, most specifically, the fear and mistrust it holds for his kind. And none more ruthless and sinister in its dealings than the Hounds of God who seek to rid the world of the Devil’s brood.
Spanning more than twenty years, Brother Alfred is haunted by a past he cannot forget, just as he fears a future he cannot foresee or control. Through it all, though, Alf discovers love—in the form of his best friend, Jehan, and Althea, the beautiful fairy woman he will come to love—as well as hatred, usually at a cost few could bear as he endures witch hunts, loneliness, self-doubt, and the threat of interdict and Crusade against his kin.
All Alf wants is to find peace and acceptance; all he discovers is war and death.
Murder, betrayal, heresy, and adventure. One of the best medieval historical fantasies ever written...
January 26, 2011
This novel was actually three novels in one. It is comprised of The Isle of Glass, The Golden Horn, and The Hounds of God. While it was interesting, it wasn't what I've come to expect of fantasies.
The Isle of Glass
In this book we are introduced to the main characters. Thea, an elfen-like creature who has a wicked temper and a free heart. Jehan, a young boy at a monastary whose dull features belie his superior intelligence. And the main character of all, Alf, a monk who has seen many years but not aged and is able to do things that go against God. When compelled by a monk over him to go out in the world to prevent a war, Alf learns just what type of creature he is. It is up to him to decide if that creature is good or bad. With his companions Jehan and Thea, he helps King Richard the lion-heart to bring peace to three warring countries.
The Golden Horn
The next installment in the series it continues Alf's journeys. This time in the Holy Lands and eventually Byzantine, where a Holy Crusade is about to take place. Still struggling with his inner monk and love for Thea, he is taken in when wounded by a kind family who adopts him as a brother. While just trying to remain hidden and help heal those in the hospital he works, Alf finds himself in the middle of the Crusade and trying to save his family with it.
The Hounds of God
The last part of the series, Thea has recently given birth to Alf's twins when they are forcibly captured and taken to Rome. Another crusade is starting, but this time it is against Alf's homeland and the fair folk who live there. He has to try desperately not only to save his people, but his family as well.
While the premise of this story was interesting to me, I thought it could have been written much better. There were parts that I skimmed through because it was dull and also parts filled with so much religious quotes and theology that I felt overwhelmed at times. The characters, while described in great detail, didn't make me feel much for them. While they had hardships at times and experienced a range of emotions, I just wasn't drawn in enough to the book to sympathize.
The writing was well done. Told in the third person it had rich detail and was paced very well. My only complaint about it is the author gave us too much information at once. Each of the individual books started with more information than it should have and the reader has to spend several pages trying to figure out whose who as the author just jumps right in assuming we already know the characters. I would have preferred a better lead-in that didn't leave me so confused at first.
For fantasy this ranks average for me. There are much better books, but there are certainly much worse. If you are already a fan of this author's style, you probably can't go wrong reading this book.
The Hound and the Falcon
Copyright 1985
728 Pages
The Isle of Glass
In this book we are introduced to the main characters. Thea, an elfen-like creature who has a wicked temper and a free heart. Jehan, a young boy at a monastary whose dull features belie his superior intelligence. And the main character of all, Alf, a monk who has seen many years but not aged and is able to do things that go against God. When compelled by a monk over him to go out in the world to prevent a war, Alf learns just what type of creature he is. It is up to him to decide if that creature is good or bad. With his companions Jehan and Thea, he helps King Richard the lion-heart to bring peace to three warring countries.
The Golden Horn
The next installment in the series it continues Alf's journeys. This time in the Holy Lands and eventually Byzantine, where a Holy Crusade is about to take place. Still struggling with his inner monk and love for Thea, he is taken in when wounded by a kind family who adopts him as a brother. While just trying to remain hidden and help heal those in the hospital he works, Alf finds himself in the middle of the Crusade and trying to save his family with it.
The Hounds of God
The last part of the series, Thea has recently given birth to Alf's twins when they are forcibly captured and taken to Rome. Another crusade is starting, but this time it is against Alf's homeland and the fair folk who live there. He has to try desperately not only to save his people, but his family as well.
While the premise of this story was interesting to me, I thought it could have been written much better. There were parts that I skimmed through because it was dull and also parts filled with so much religious quotes and theology that I felt overwhelmed at times. The characters, while described in great detail, didn't make me feel much for them. While they had hardships at times and experienced a range of emotions, I just wasn't drawn in enough to the book to sympathize.
The writing was well done. Told in the third person it had rich detail and was paced very well. My only complaint about it is the author gave us too much information at once. Each of the individual books started with more information than it should have and the reader has to spend several pages trying to figure out whose who as the author just jumps right in assuming we already know the characters. I would have preferred a better lead-in that didn't leave me so confused at first.
For fantasy this ranks average for me. There are much better books, but there are certainly much worse. If you are already a fan of this author's style, you probably can't go wrong reading this book.
The Hound and the Falcon
Copyright 1985
728 Pages
July 17, 2015
The more I read, the more I'm convinced that I most enjoy alt history books with the "quarter-turn" to the fantastic, as they say of Guy Gavriel Kay. Judith Tarr compares favorably with Kay, and may be one of my favorite authors who've worked in this subgenre.
In fact, I was delighted to find this was an omnibus of a trilogy, comprising The Isle of Glass, The Golden Horn, and The Hounds of God. More Tarr to enjoy!
I enjoyed the novels roughly in the order they were presented. I was most interested in Alfred's journey from monk to Richard the Lionhearted's advisor. Once Alfred divested his upbringing, he lost a little of the uniqueness that shone through the first book. Unlike with Kay, I have to admit that while I truly enjoyed my time with the characters, none of them truly leapt off the page for me. However, it did make me want to go read historical accounts of the events she based the story on.
I feel like I'm damning with faint praise. The comparison between Kay and Tarr was inevitable for me, but it shouldn't overshadow the skill and fantastic writing on display from Tarr. I enjoyed this one quite a bit.
In fact, I was delighted to find this was an omnibus of a trilogy, comprising The Isle of Glass, The Golden Horn, and The Hounds of God. More Tarr to enjoy!
I enjoyed the novels roughly in the order they were presented. I was most interested in Alfred's journey from monk to Richard the Lionhearted's advisor. Once Alfred divested his upbringing, he lost a little of the uniqueness that shone through the first book. Unlike with Kay, I have to admit that while I truly enjoyed my time with the characters, none of them truly leapt off the page for me. However, it did make me want to go read historical accounts of the events she based the story on.
I feel like I'm damning with faint praise. The comparison between Kay and Tarr was inevitable for me, but it shouldn't overshadow the skill and fantastic writing on display from Tarr. I enjoyed this one quite a bit.
January 15, 2013
A long time since I pulled this book off my shelf. In actuality, it's an omnibus edition of a trilogy. Part old-fashioned fantasy, part historical fiction based around the 4th Crusade, this is the story of a man who is torn between how he was raised and what he could become.
The second book focuses on the fall of Constantinople, and is fascinating and horrible every time I read it. How easily religious crusades can be twisted....
I enjoy the author's writing, which often reminds me of Janny Wurts', based largely on how she manages to make her characters suffer inner torment after inner torment because of their consciences and yet seem real and sympathetic figures none-the-less.
The second book focuses on the fall of Constantinople, and is fascinating and horrible every time I read it. How easily religious crusades can be twisted....
I enjoy the author's writing, which often reminds me of Janny Wurts', based largely on how she manages to make her characters suffer inner torment after inner torment because of their consciences and yet seem real and sympathetic figures none-the-less.
April 13, 2013
I bought this used at the library back when I was in Junior High and it's been one of my favorite books ever since. Alfred the main character is conflicted and otherworldly yet easy to relate to and the setting is easy to immerse yourself in because of it's historical accuracy. If you like historical fiction you'll love this series and dropping elves and magic into the mix means fantasy lovers will enjoy it as well. An easy book to recommend. I've read it many times over the years and I have yet to tire of it.
P.S. Althea Rocks!
P.S. Althea Rocks!
June 13, 2017
It's been too long since I read this for me to actually leave a detailed review, but I can remember my overall impression well enough. I don't mean to give it two stars to insinuate that it was a bad book; I did read the whole thing, which means I liked it to a point, but it's not something I would ever pick up to read again.
My father actually lent me this book to read, and like most of the other older fantasy novels and sagas he shoved my way, the language was more old-fashioned than I generally prefer. I wasn't that interested in what was going on in the world, nor in most of the characters. The writing style itself was really the only problem for me; I prefer a more modern narrative type, that's all. I'm keeping it on my shelf, though, because it wasn't a bad book. Quite lovely, in fact. Just somewhat dull for me.
My father actually lent me this book to read, and like most of the other older fantasy novels and sagas he shoved my way, the language was more old-fashioned than I generally prefer. I wasn't that interested in what was going on in the world, nor in most of the characters. The writing style itself was really the only problem for me; I prefer a more modern narrative type, that's all. I'm keeping it on my shelf, though, because it wasn't a bad book. Quite lovely, in fact. Just somewhat dull for me.
August 15, 2025
I read this book in my teens along with its sequels and enjoyed them all enough to read the spin-off Alamut. I remember liking this series a little better, probably because I found Alf's struggle between his faith and his species quite compelling, and his love interest was fun (Tarr writes pretty badass, 'don't-give-a-fuck-about-gender-roles-or-society's-expectations female characters).
The use of religion and faith in these books felt more relatable to me than in many other fantasy books of that time, and written with more nuance than I often encounter today, where leftist authors seem to find it necessary to insert their own 'the Christian Church is bad and evil' rather than trying to write from the viewpoint of the characters and their time.
I don't know if the books would hold up to scrutiny if I re-read them today though, since my teen self was much less critical.
The use of religion and faith in these books felt more relatable to me than in many other fantasy books of that time, and written with more nuance than I often encounter today, where leftist authors seem to find it necessary to insert their own 'the Christian Church is bad and evil' rather than trying to write from the viewpoint of the characters and their time.
I don't know if the books would hold up to scrutiny if I re-read them today though, since my teen self was much less critical.
October 10, 2024
Only made it about halfway through the first book, wasn't my cup of tea but I know people who would have really enjoyed it. If you're out there, Paula, check this out, it's right up your alley.
I think it's a hallmark of a particular era of high fantasy that the author seems obsessed with the sexuality of their characters but isn't allowed to come right out and say it, so there's a lot of melodramatic dancing around the subject. It's probably a reasonable stylistic choice but I find it annoying.
I think it's a hallmark of a particular era of high fantasy that the author seems obsessed with the sexuality of their characters but isn't allowed to come right out and say it, so there's a lot of melodramatic dancing around the subject. It's probably a reasonable stylistic choice but I find it annoying.
December 10, 2017
2nd reading of this book and I'm not as enthralled with it as my younger self. I care a lot less about the main character finding himself and got bored with his inner struggle. I was more interested in the historical aspects this time but frustrated at the historical inconsistencies. I wanted more backstory on the King's Kindred and Rhiyana. Overall still a good fantasy but only good.
May 24, 2017
A series I have read and re-read many times. The writing is beautiful, the characters and the story are engaging and exciting, and (best of all, to my mind) Tarr engages seriously and meaningfully with the philosophical and theological implications of her alternative universe.
September 8, 2019
A classic historical fantasy trilogy set in the age of Richard the Lionhearted and the fourth Crusade. Tarr injects great imagery, characterization, and texture to these religious epics. I wish they were longer; I enjoyed them immensely.
April 6, 2020
I've loved these books since I was a kid. A really enjoyable mix of realistic medieval historical fiction and fantasy.
February 18, 2021
Absolutely spectacular
December 29, 2015
I have finished the first book of the trilogy - The Isle of Glass. As other reviews have mentioned, there are strong similarities between this and Katherine Kurtz's Deryni series, largely because both have a fantasy world with a primarily Christian mythology. In this way it is also similar to Poul Anderson's Three Hearts and Three Lions, a particular favourite of mine. There were quite a few fantasy books written in the 70s and 80s that would fall into this category.
Now finished the second book of the trilogy, The Golden Horn. This continues to be a strong historical fantasy. The time has moved forward a few years to the time of the Fourth Crusade, and the action centres around the sack of Byzantium. Judith Tarr has stuck reasonably closely to the actual historical events, and this continues to be a very enjoyable read.
Finished the final book in the trilogy, The Hounds of God. This brings to an end the story of Alfred of Ruan which has been developed over the three books. There continues to be a similar feel to the Deryni series, but there is also a more noticeable Tolkien influence in this book. There is genuine character development over the course of the trilogy and this final chapter is the darkest of the three books, and possibly contains the most action. Overall, an excellent series, and highly recommended.
Now finished the second book of the trilogy, The Golden Horn. This continues to be a strong historical fantasy. The time has moved forward a few years to the time of the Fourth Crusade, and the action centres around the sack of Byzantium. Judith Tarr has stuck reasonably closely to the actual historical events, and this continues to be a very enjoyable read.
Finished the final book in the trilogy, The Hounds of God. This brings to an end the story of Alfred of Ruan which has been developed over the three books. There continues to be a similar feel to the Deryni series, but there is also a more noticeable Tolkien influence in this book. There is genuine character development over the course of the trilogy and this final chapter is the darkest of the three books, and possibly contains the most action. Overall, an excellent series, and highly recommended.
February 10, 2022
A classic fantasy. It was good. The only thing missing was a girl I guess.
Alfred of St. Ruan's Abbey is a monk and a scholar, a religious man whose vocation is beyond question. But Alfred is also, without a doubt, one of the fair folk, for though he is more than seventy years old by the Abbey's records, he seems to be only a youth.
But Alfred is drawn from the haven of his monastery into his dangerous currents of politics when an ambassador from the kingdom of Rhiyana to Richard Coeur de Leon is wounded and Alfred himself is sent to complete the mission. There he encounters the Hounds of God, who believe that the fair folk have no souls, and must be purged from the Church and from the world.
Alfred of St. Ruan's Abbey is a monk and a scholar, a religious man whose vocation is beyond question. But Alfred is also, without a doubt, one of the fair folk, for though he is more than seventy years old by the Abbey's records, he seems to be only a youth.
But Alfred is drawn from the haven of his monastery into his dangerous currents of politics when an ambassador from the kingdom of Rhiyana to Richard Coeur de Leon is wounded and Alfred himself is sent to complete the mission. There he encounters the Hounds of God, who believe that the fair folk have no souls, and must be purged from the Church and from the world.
August 13, 2012
It’s rare that you read a series where the main character is a saint. Filled to the brim with doubting. With faith. With dialectic thought.
Yeah, yeah, adventure, battles, witch hunts and loss.
What I love about the series is the characterization. Alf, the main character, is a foundling, an Elvin magical thing that doubts the existence of his own soul. Struggles with his faith, and thus his faith is a thing worth having.
Really, the best of all Tarr’s books. The series wanders from Richard the Lion hearts Anglia, to Byzantium’s fourth crusade washed shores to ruined Rome.
A great read for a sink into never was.
Yeah, yeah, adventure, battles, witch hunts and loss.
What I love about the series is the characterization. Alf, the main character, is a foundling, an Elvin magical thing that doubts the existence of his own soul. Struggles with his faith, and thus his faith is a thing worth having.
Really, the best of all Tarr’s books. The series wanders from Richard the Lion hearts Anglia, to Byzantium’s fourth crusade washed shores to ruined Rome.
A great read for a sink into never was.
August 25, 2016
The Hound and the Falcon takes place in an alternate reality in which the kingdom of Rhiyana, somewhere in Europe alongside traditional countries, is inhabited by the faerie folk. The first part of this tome, The Isle of Glass, I had read as a separate work previously. The latter two books bring Alf, our protagonist, first to Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, and then back to Rhiyana and Italy as his heritage is threatened.
This book was my nemesis for some time as it took me ages to finish. I was interested in the world Ms. Tarr created, but the story was quite dry and could not hold my attention for long.
This book was my nemesis for some time as it took me ages to finish. I was interested in the world Ms. Tarr created, but the story was quite dry and could not hold my attention for long.
June 18, 2011
Three great books in one large edition. Follows Alfred, a monk of St. Ruan's that is pulled out into the world against his will.
A foundling, he has lived at St. Ruan's all his life. And as all his friends and peers age and become men, he stays a youth. As such, he is kept a secret of the abbey, protected from the Church and the rest of the world.
A beautifully written set of historical novels featuring kings and intrigues and knights and ladies and monks. It just happens to surround an idea of elves and magic.
A foundling, he has lived at St. Ruan's all his life. And as all his friends and peers age and become men, he stays a youth. As such, he is kept a secret of the abbey, protected from the Church and the rest of the world.
A beautifully written set of historical novels featuring kings and intrigues and knights and ladies and monks. It just happens to surround an idea of elves and magic.
May 12, 2011
I read this book a few years ago and i loved it alot! It is filled with magic I think the main charter Alf is the best,he goes through believing he is some evil creature with out a soul shelterd in an abby to meeting a girl who shows him who he really is and to live life without beating himself up for what he is.
Want to read
February 5, 2008Even though my sister tells me she read this because she saw it in a stack of books in my car, I haven't read it and don't remember ever holding it in my hand. I'm going to have to remedy that, out of curiosity at least.
Read
August 15, 2009Started out good but tapered off towards the end, characters seemed to change and grow with little reason, or rhyme. Characters you fell in love with weren't the same by the end of the book, and it didn't make much sense. Strong plot lines however.
July 12, 2010
Found a few Tarr's while boating around the san guans, but this particular book I got from Dad's library he left at 406. I don't think he ever read it-but it is a fantastic adventure, turned me on to Tarr who is now a favorite
June 5, 2012
Finished reading the first book in this series: The Isle of Glass. I loved the surprising mix of knights and crusades with the magic of the elves. Loved the characters. This series was recommended by @ElioandLinda of westeros.org Outstanding!
February 5, 2008
Very interesting trilogy -- history combined with fantasy.
October 30, 2009
One of my all time favorite books...actually 3 novels in one book (follows a time line).
March 4, 2010
Pretty deep read. Good character dynamics.
April 18, 2017
Have read this a couple times. It fascinates me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews