
The Falcon's Eyes
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Karen Cass
About this listen
“Stanfill has persuasively re-imagined the Middle Ages, surrounding the legendary Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine with indelible characters in an immersive tale of intrigue, bravery, ruthlessness, and compassion. . . . The Falcon’s Eyes is a dazzling adventure, with riveting twists and turns and a surprising yet deeply satisfying conclusion."—Sally Bedell Smith, author of Elizabeth the Queen
Set in France and England at the end of the twelfth century, the moving story of a spirited, questing young woman, Isabelle, who defies convention to forge a remarkable life, one profoundly influenced by the fabled queen she idolizes and comes to know – Eleanor of Aquitaine
Willful and outspoken, sixteen-year-old Isabelle yearns to escape her stifling life in provincial twelfth century France. The bane of her mother’s existence, she admires the notorious queen most in her circle abhor: Eleanor of Aquitaine. Isabelle’s arranged marriage to Gerard --- a rich, charismatic lord obsessed with falcons --- seems, at first, to fulfill her longing for adventure. But as Gerard’s controlling nature, and his consuming desire for a male heir, become more apparent, Isabelle, in the spirit of her royal heroine, makes bold, often perilous, decisions which will forever affect her fate.
A suspenseful, sweeping tale about marriage, freedom, identity, and motherhood, The Falcon's Eyes brings alive not only a brilliant century and the legendary queen who dominated it, but also the vivid band of complex characters whom the heroine encounters on her journey to selfhood: noblewomen, nuns, servants, falconers, and courtiers. The various settings — Château Ravinour, Fontevraud Abbey, and Queen Eleanor’s exiled court in England — are depicted as memorably as those who inhabit them. The story pulses forward as Isabelle confronts one challenge, one danger, after another, until it hurtles to its final, enthralling, page.
With the historical understanding of Hillary Mantel and the storytelling gifts of Ken Follett, Francesca Stanfill has created an unforgettable character who, while firmly rooted in her era, is also a woman for all times.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2022 Francesca Stanfill (P)2022 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
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Why the Negativity?
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In this first book of an all-new Deryni trilogy, New York Times best-selling author Katherine Kurtz takes listeners back in time - before King Kelson's bride...before King Kelson's birth... when the magical Deryni blood was sought by the most powerful men and women in the kingdom of Gwynedd. Back when a man named Donal ruled over all.
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Needs a female reader
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If that was the author’s goal, well done?
Trigger warning
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Warning...A Cliffhanger!
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I liked it!
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Perfect for a lover of English history…
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And for Isabel to come to her realizations at the feet of an older and wiser Eleanor of Aquitaine (The Lady Gaga of her age)
I sooooooooo hope we get a prequel about EOA!!
W/not really a huge description of surroundings, I think the strength of the characters, and their dialogue makes up for it.
This is definitely the BEST editing job I’ve heard in a really long time.
Also a super duper narration of a talented Voice Actor!
I’d love for to this author to tell the tale of EOA.
I’m running low on EOA historical fiction!
I’ll put final words after I finish!
Almost to Part V!
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S L O W
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spoiled and pining for the old days when she was 8 years old. Not very interesting. book isn’t about Eleanor. Choice of narrator’s voice for Isabelle, is not my favorite, male character voices were good.
cannot finish
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A novel look inside 12th Century life, religion and the royal family especially iconic Queen Eleanor and Richard the Lionheart
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Interesting but slow
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