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kathydavie's review
4.0
First in The Owl Mage Trilogy, a.k.a. Darian's Tale, a fantasy subseries set in Lackey's Valdemar Universe of 1404 AF. The focus is on the orphaned Darian Firkin. If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Valdemar books on my website.
My Take
It's an interesting village in which barter rules. It's also a terrified village that is freaked out by anything or anyone different from them, especially now that the Heralds so rarely come. And their fear of the Firkins is out of this world. A fear they take out on young Darian, through whose perspective we see most of the story through Lackey's use of third person global subjective point-of-view.
It's a brutal treatment of the boy, and I can't blame him for how he reacts. These people are also the greediest bunch. At the end, Lilly has her own righteous cause and those villagers do NOT like it. Go, Lilly!! Nor do they treat Justyn very well, which negates any good impressions Darian may retain about magic. How the Hawkbrothers treat Darian makes a tremendous contrast with those villagers and would be a great tip for parents.
We get Justyn's back history and it goes right back to events that began in Lackey's Mage Winds subseries. We also learn more about the Kaled'a'in whom we first met in Mage Wars and how they split into the Shin'a'in and Hawkbrothers. It's definitely a question I've had for most of the series, and Lackey has been dribbling out bits of their background for ever!
I am confused about the militia that goes out. It sounds as if it's from an estate upriver, but later it sounds as if it's the village militia. Which is the first I've heard of the village having an armed guard.
Lilly certainly has the right idea about surviving the coming battle. I do have to wonder about the Hawkbrothers though. They know about this invasion and they don't do much of anything about it. Sure it makes sense that they're not going to attack, but surely they could warn Lord Breon as soon as they knew anything???
I sure would like to have my own hertasi. Just two. I would only need one, but it would be nice for them to have each other. And, of course, I'd love to learn languages from the dyheli . . . I'm also envious of the tree road, but I don't really feel the need to follow it.
There's a cute bit about Snowfire's envy of those who bond with crows and ravens — for the entertainment value.
It's a cozy tale packed with action with characters that are more about character and people in general, not specifics. And I definitely felt good when I finished it.
The Story
Apprenticed to a venerable wizard when his hunter and trapper parents disappear into the forest never to be seen again, Darian is difficult and strong willed — much to the dismay of his kindly master. But a sudden twist of fate will change his life forever, when the ransacking of his village forces him to flee into the great mystical forest.
It is here in the dark forest that he meets his destiny, as the terrifying and mysterious Hawkpeople lead him on the path to maturity. Now they must lead the assault on his besieged home in a desperate attempt to save his people from certain death.
The Characters
Darian Firkin is an orphan who's good with a bow and one whose hunter-trapper parents brought amazing hides into the terrified village.
Errold's Grove is . . .
. . . on a small part of land on the very far western edge of Valdemar on the edge of the Pelagiris Forest on the River Londell and near Lake Evendim. Wizard Justyn, a hedge-wizard with a touch of mind-magic, suffered through the wars and has been assigned to Errold's Grove as their herbalist, surgeon, and bonesetter. He does a good job of Weather Watching and Finding as well. A beat-up, scruffy black tomcat appears to be Justyn's familiar. Kyle Osterham is the village woodcutter, doing nothing but cutting wood with the villagers supplying him with what he needs. Harris and Vere Neshem, brothers and cousins to Kyle, are a pair of local farmers. Old Man Makus had been the official cobbler. The tanner works hides in the fall. Jakem, the blacksmith, does all the metal work and really hates Darian. Leander is the miller and also the baker. Backet is another farmer. Widow Clay has a bad leg. Old Man Gulian is the rudest man in the village, while Erna Dele appears to be the rudest woman. Every three or four months they all chip in to make dishes. Lilly is the barmaid at the inn, which is owned by Hanbil Brason. Nandy and Derrel Lutter are merchants. Saffy is Ida's daughter. Ananda Pellard has an evil rooster. Stella Harthon is someone's pretty little daughter.
Tom Kalley works at Riverford Farm, an estate upwater. Ado Larsh is the youngest member of the militia. Lord Breon is based at the fortified Kelmskeep.
The Hawkbrothers, a.k.a. . .
. . . the Tayledras, split off from the Shin'a'in centuries ago after the first Mage Wars. Snowfire k'Vala, of the k'Vala clan, is a scout and hunter and a Master of magic. Hweel, an eagle owl, is his bondbird. Huur is Hweel's mate. Kuari is Hweel and Huur's youngster. Nightwind, a Kaled'a'in that's one of the k'Leshya, a.k.a. the "Lost Clan", is Snowfire's lady love, an Empath, and Kelvren's trondi'irn, a gryphon tender. Kelvren Skothkae is a young gryphon-scout and an unranked member of the Silvers. Wintersky is the youngest scout and bunks in with Snowfire. Tiec is Wintersky's bondbird. Starfall is an Adept and in charge of the magical contingent. Skyr, a great suntail hawk-eagle, had been Starfall's father's bondbird. Skyshadow's bondbird is Eere, a suntail. Sunleaf is bonded to a forestgyre. Rainwind and Daystorm are more scouts. Sunstone will trigger the avalanche.
The Hawkbrothers are allied with the expedient dyheli that includes Sifyra, Pyreen, and Tyrsell, the king stag; the meddling and efficient hertasi that includes Ayshen (Drusi is his mate); the bloody-minded gryphons; the tervardi; and, the kyree.
The northern barbarians
Shkar was in command. Cor is one of the soldiers. There's a Yip Dog and an Attack Dog that scent magic.
Selenay is the queen of Valdemar. Kyllian is a great wizard and a Fireflower mage. Grimkin is/was his feline familiar. Herald-Mage Elspeth, Darkwind Hawkbrother Quenten of White Winds, and Adept Firesong serve Valdemar as magic revives in the land. Herald-Captain Kerowyn had led the Wolfstone's Pack. Ancar had been a miserable king of Hardorn. The truth behind the Forest of Sorrows was discovered in Winds of Fury, 3.
Urtho had been a good Adept (the Dhorisha Plains are where his tower had been located) at war with Ma'ar, a bad Adept (whose tower had been where Lake Evendim is). Their final clash resulted in the Cataclysm that created the first mage-storms, created the Pelagir Hills and the Pelagiris Forest, both uncanny places and worse since the the start of the mage storms. And a Cataclysm that split the k'Leshya clan from all Kaled'a'in. The Star-Eyed is the goddess revered by the Hawkbrothers. We first met the Haighlei in the Mage Wars subseries. Tadrith Wyrsabane, Skandranon's son, became his own legend.
The Cover and Title
The cover is bright and busy with primarily purples and golds. The background is the purple of the Pelagiris Forest with the golds of Hweel, an owl bondbird representing the Hawkbrothers, behind the young Darian, his red-brown hair fluttering in the wind and wearing a highly decorated vest, shirt, and pants in blues, yellows, and greens. He has an intent look on his face as he prepares to shoot the arrow with his bow. At the very top is an epigraph in white with the authors' names below it, also in white. The title is immediately below that in orange.
The title is Darian's introduction to bondbirds and Owlflight.
My Take
It's an interesting village in which barter rules. It's also a terrified village that is freaked out by anything or anyone different from them, especially now that the Heralds so rarely come. And their fear of the Firkins is out of this world. A fear they take out on young Darian, through whose perspective we see most of the story through Lackey's use of third person global subjective point-of-view.
It's a brutal treatment of the boy, and I can't blame him for how he reacts. These people are also the greediest bunch. At the end, Lilly has her own righteous cause and those villagers do NOT like it. Go, Lilly!! Nor do they treat Justyn very well, which negates any good impressions Darian may retain about magic. How the Hawkbrothers treat Darian makes a tremendous contrast with those villagers and would be a great tip for parents.
We get Justyn's back history and it goes right back to events that began in Lackey's Mage Winds subseries. We also learn more about the Kaled'a'in whom we first met in Mage Wars and how they split into the Shin'a'in and Hawkbrothers. It's definitely a question I've had for most of the series, and Lackey has been dribbling out bits of their background for ever!
I am confused about the militia that goes out. It sounds as if it's from an estate upriver, but later it sounds as if it's the village militia. Which is the first I've heard of the village having an armed guard.
Lilly certainly has the right idea about surviving the coming battle. I do have to wonder about the Hawkbrothers though. They know about this invasion and they don't do much of anything about it. Sure it makes sense that they're not going to attack, but surely they could warn Lord Breon as soon as they knew anything???
I sure would like to have my own hertasi. Just two. I would only need one, but it would be nice for them to have each other. And, of course, I'd love to learn languages from the dyheli . . . I'm also envious of the tree road, but I don't really feel the need to follow it.
There's a cute bit about Snowfire's envy of those who bond with crows and ravens — for the entertainment value.
It's a cozy tale packed with action with characters that are more about character and people in general, not specifics. And I definitely felt good when I finished it.
The Story
Apprenticed to a venerable wizard when his hunter and trapper parents disappear into the forest never to be seen again, Darian is difficult and strong willed — much to the dismay of his kindly master. But a sudden twist of fate will change his life forever, when the ransacking of his village forces him to flee into the great mystical forest.
It is here in the dark forest that he meets his destiny, as the terrifying and mysterious Hawkpeople lead him on the path to maturity. Now they must lead the assault on his besieged home in a desperate attempt to save his people from certain death.
The Characters
Darian Firkin is an orphan who's good with a bow and one whose hunter-trapper parents brought amazing hides into the terrified village.
Errold's Grove is . . .
. . . on a small part of land on the very far western edge of Valdemar on the edge of the Pelagiris Forest on the River Londell and near Lake Evendim. Wizard Justyn, a hedge-wizard with a touch of mind-magic, suffered through the wars and has been assigned to Errold's Grove as their herbalist, surgeon, and bonesetter. He does a good job of Weather Watching and Finding as well. A beat-up, scruffy black tomcat appears to be Justyn's familiar. Kyle Osterham is the village woodcutter, doing nothing but cutting wood with the villagers supplying him with what he needs. Harris and Vere Neshem, brothers and cousins to Kyle, are a pair of local farmers. Old Man Makus had been the official cobbler. The tanner works hides in the fall. Jakem, the blacksmith, does all the metal work and really hates Darian. Leander is the miller and also the baker. Backet is another farmer. Widow Clay has a bad leg. Old Man Gulian is the rudest man in the village, while Erna Dele appears to be the rudest woman. Every three or four months they all chip in to make dishes. Lilly is the barmaid at the inn, which is owned by Hanbil Brason. Nandy and Derrel Lutter are merchants. Saffy is Ida's daughter. Ananda Pellard has an evil rooster. Stella Harthon is someone's pretty little daughter.
Tom Kalley works at Riverford Farm, an estate upwater. Ado Larsh is the youngest member of the militia. Lord Breon is based at the fortified Kelmskeep.
The Hawkbrothers, a.k.a. . .
. . . the Tayledras, split off from the Shin'a'in centuries ago after the first Mage Wars. Snowfire k'Vala, of the k'Vala clan, is a scout and hunter and a Master of magic. Hweel, an eagle owl, is his bondbird. Huur is Hweel's mate. Kuari is Hweel and Huur's youngster. Nightwind, a Kaled'a'in that's one of the k'Leshya, a.k.a. the "Lost Clan", is Snowfire's lady love, an Empath, and Kelvren's trondi'irn, a gryphon tender. Kelvren Skothkae is a young gryphon-scout and an unranked member of the Silvers. Wintersky is the youngest scout and bunks in with Snowfire. Tiec is Wintersky's bondbird. Starfall is an Adept and in charge of the magical contingent. Skyr, a great suntail hawk-eagle, had been Starfall's father's bondbird. Skyshadow's bondbird is Eere, a suntail. Sunleaf is bonded to a forestgyre. Rainwind and Daystorm are more scouts. Sunstone will trigger the avalanche.
The Hawkbrothers are allied with the expedient dyheli that includes Sifyra, Pyreen, and Tyrsell, the king stag; the meddling and efficient hertasi that includes Ayshen (Drusi is his mate); the bloody-minded gryphons; the tervardi; and, the kyree.
The northern barbarians
Shkar was in command. Cor is one of the soldiers. There's a Yip Dog and an Attack Dog that scent magic.
Selenay is the queen of Valdemar. Kyllian is a great wizard and a Fireflower mage. Grimkin is/was his feline familiar. Herald-Mage Elspeth, Darkwind Hawkbrother Quenten of White Winds, and Adept Firesong serve Valdemar as magic revives in the land. Herald-Captain Kerowyn had led the Wolfstone's Pack. Ancar had been a miserable king of Hardorn. The truth behind the Forest of Sorrows was discovered in Winds of Fury, 3.
Urtho had been a good Adept (the Dhorisha Plains are where his tower had been located) at war with Ma'ar, a bad Adept (whose tower had been where Lake Evendim is). Their final clash resulted in the Cataclysm that created the first mage-storms, created the Pelagir Hills and the Pelagiris Forest, both uncanny places and worse since the the start of the mage storms. And a Cataclysm that split the k'Leshya clan from all Kaled'a'in. The Star-Eyed is the goddess revered by the Hawkbrothers. We first met the Haighlei in the Mage Wars subseries. Tadrith Wyrsabane, Skandranon's son, became his own legend.
The Cover and Title
The cover is bright and busy with primarily purples and golds. The background is the purple of the Pelagiris Forest with the golds of Hweel, an owl bondbird representing the Hawkbrothers, behind the young Darian, his red-brown hair fluttering in the wind and wearing a highly decorated vest, shirt, and pants in blues, yellows, and greens. He has an intent look on his face as he prepares to shoot the arrow with his bow. At the very top is an epigraph in white with the authors' names below it, also in white. The title is immediately below that in orange.
The title is Darian's introduction to bondbirds and Owlflight.
raiju01's review
4.0
Enjoyed this book very much, and not due to my bias towards owls.
The way it explored a child's mind and trauma gave me a lasting impression, really loved Dar'ian's origins, and very excited to continue the series.
Kelvren best character
The way it explored a child's mind and trauma gave me a lasting impression, really loved Dar'ian's origins, and very excited to continue the series.
Kelvren best character
daeros's review
4.0
it's been many years since I first read this book but it was my introduction to lackey and I Realize I was disobedient in terms of what series I picked up by the writer first.
my 13 year old nerdy self found the main character relatable enough to be of interest I was always a strong willed child and drawn to people of a similiar nature.
The one thing I did want to say about her as a Writer though the most is that Lackey doesn't really cram in the long run of the Valdemar series a lot of politics down the throats of her readers but what little we can glimpse of her political outlook from reading her novels is very much so the senitments I share.
As I comb through this time in order I note for instance the writer stresses quiet often that there is no "one true way" and the "Beneovolents" are the Progressive thinkers who essentially buck patriarchical systems as well as as rigid hierarchies and I have to agree with the writer.
I'm sorry for this review not really being specific to owlflight because it's not the most recent read I've done and I need to go back at some point.
But I did want to stress that Her politics and mine are very similiar so she's an enjoyable read.
it's not like she's Larry Niven writing great Sci fi but forcing his libertarianism down our throats.
my 13 year old nerdy self found the main character relatable enough to be of interest I was always a strong willed child and drawn to people of a similiar nature.
The one thing I did want to say about her as a Writer though the most is that Lackey doesn't really cram in the long run of the Valdemar series a lot of politics down the throats of her readers but what little we can glimpse of her political outlook from reading her novels is very much so the senitments I share.
As I comb through this time in order I note for instance the writer stresses quiet often that there is no "one true way" and the "Beneovolents" are the Progressive thinkers who essentially buck patriarchical systems as well as as rigid hierarchies and I have to agree with the writer.
I'm sorry for this review not really being specific to owlflight because it's not the most recent read I've done and I need to go back at some point.
But I did want to stress that Her politics and mine are very similiar so she's an enjoyable read.
it's not like she's Larry Niven writing great Sci fi but forcing his libertarianism down our throats.
witkopa's review
4.0
This is great! I love the world building and the character growth of the protagonist. Reading about a child that finds a new home, but still wants to do right by his own people is really heartwarming. Even the characters that didn't speak much (birds) seemed to have real personalities instead of just being extra NPC type characters thrown in the background. Looking forward to reading the others!
grace_b_3's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Physical abuse and Animal death
tani's review
3.0
This book is pretty typical Lackey: angsty and mistreated kid has some adventures, proves himself, and grows up a little in the process. If that's the kind of thing that you're looking for, then the book is enjoyable. Maybe it was just me, but I did think that this particular book was a little slow, which prevented me from liking it as much as I might have. Still, I'll probably read the other two books in the trilogy eventually.
scoutthepages's review
DNF in the first chapter.
To be fair to the book, I didn't think I was going to like it. I just want it off my bookshelf
To be fair to the book, I didn't think I was going to like it. I just want it off my bookshelf
saphirablue's review
3.0
I like to see a new part of Valdemar and get to know new people/cultures in this world.
I like Darian even though he's been very whiney and repetitive about a few things.
I like Snowfire and Nightwind and hope we get to know more about Wintersky.
I really like Kel and am looking forward to read more about the fledgling. ;)
The story is the typical "bad guys raid village of young hero" story but it was still nice to read about.
bibliophilicwitch's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Read: ~2005
Reread: 12/31/23
My first reread of this trilogy since high school!
Having just read the Mage Storms trilogy before diving into the Owl Mage trilogy I have realized that Lackey's writing style is very slice of life and telling. We follow our characters as they do simply every day tasks while they think through every single detail of the past and their feelings and what they should do about those details so we are told how they feel and we should feel. I don't hate this, but its good to know for those that haven't read much Lackey and are interested in checking it out.
Darrion is a typical orphaned and mistreated fantasy main character who ends up in extraordinary circumstances. I love reading Valdemar for that trope, so it isn't a negative for me. Darrion is pretty whiney for the first half of this book, but we get a lot of context to help us remember he is a child dealing with trauma and are able to accept him with the context.
Reread: 12/31/23
My first reread of this trilogy since high school!
Having just read the Mage Storms trilogy before diving into the Owl Mage trilogy I have realized that Lackey's writing style is very slice of life and telling. We follow our characters as they do simply every day tasks while they think through every single detail of the past and their feelings and what they should do about those details so we are told how they feel and we should feel. I don't hate this, but its good to know for those that haven't read much Lackey and are interested in checking it out.
Darrion is a typical orphaned and mistreated fantasy main character who ends up in extraordinary circumstances. I love reading Valdemar for that trope, so it isn't a negative for me. Darrion is pretty whiney for the first half of this book, but we get a lot of context to help us remember he is a child dealing with trauma and are able to accept him with the context.