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A review by dontwritedown
The Falcon's Eyes by Francesca Stanfill
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I.....I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in a book before. And I make sure to read some of the most over-hyped books on TikTok, so I know disappointment.
The Falcon's Eyes was a birthday gift to myself back in 2022. I, like the nerd I am, have a favorite medieval queen, and it is Eleanor of Aquitane. But sadly there are very few fiction books about her due to her living in the dark ages and being a woman. We don't even know for 100% what year she was born in or what she looks like, as the only verifiable artifact that belonged to her at the time that has survived to 21st century is a crystal vase. So naturally when I saw this book, undertitled as "an Eleanor of Aquitane novel" I was so excited. And then I started reading this book as part of my challenges for 2023. I opened this book in February, and I finished it in December. I can normally devour an 800 page book in a week.
That being said, a majority of my disappointment hinges on the fact that I feel like I was lied to. I probably would have still read this book, if it had been marketed as a romance gone bad historical fiction book backdropped during Eleanor's exile. This book feels like it should have been two seperate books: one focusing on a fictionalized versions of Eleanor's last few years and Isabelle and Gerard's feud. It feels like the feud was not resolved either so it's like....what was the point of this book?
Sidenote: the author claims this was a labor of love and she spent many months researching this. If that were true, why are their potatoes on Eleanor's plate? Potatoes are not indigenous to England or France (or surrounding areas despite their prevalence in popular modern dishes from the area). Potatoes were not introduced to Europe until the 1500's, that's nearly 400 years after Eleanor's birth, let alone her death. Why the hell were they in almost every dinner scene?
Do not recommend, do not pay full retail price. Only good if you want to waste your time. And look sophisticated on your "I've read this" trophy lists.
The Falcon's Eyes was a birthday gift to myself back in 2022. I, like the nerd I am, have a favorite medieval queen, and it is Eleanor of Aquitane. But sadly there are very few fiction books about her due to her living in the dark ages and being a woman. We don't even know for 100% what year she was born in or what she looks like, as the only verifiable artifact that belonged to her at the time that has survived to 21st century is a crystal vase. So naturally when I saw this book, undertitled as "an Eleanor of Aquitane novel" I was so excited. And then I started reading this book as part of my challenges for 2023. I opened this book in February, and I finished it in December. I can normally devour an 800 page book in a week.
That being said, a majority of my disappointment hinges on the fact that I feel like I was lied to. I probably would have still read this book, if it had been marketed as a romance gone bad historical fiction book backdropped during Eleanor's exile. This book feels like it should have been two seperate books: one focusing on a fictionalized versions of Eleanor's last few years and Isabelle and Gerard's feud. It feels like the feud was not resolved either so it's like....what was the point of this book?
Sidenote: the author claims this was a labor of love and she spent many months researching this. If that were true, why are their potatoes on Eleanor's plate? Potatoes are not indigenous to England or France (or surrounding areas despite their prevalence in popular modern dishes from the area). Potatoes were not introduced to Europe until the 1500's, that's nearly 400 years after Eleanor's birth, let alone her death. Why the hell were they in almost every dinner scene?
Do not recommend, do not pay full retail price. Only good if you want to waste your time. And look sophisticated on your "I've read this" trophy lists.