The Falconer’s Apprentice by Malve von Hassell

The Falconer’s Apprentice by Malve von Hassell

Genre: Historical fiction, young adult historical fiction

Publisher: Namelos

Publication Date: May 30, 2015

Summary

”That bird should be destroyed!”

Andreas stared at Ethelbert in shock. Blood from an angry-looking gash on the young lord’s cheek dripped onto his embroidered tunic. Andreas clutched the handles of the basket containing the young peregrine. Perhaps this was a dream—

Andreas, an apprentice falconer at Castle Kragenberg, cannot bear the thought of killing the young female falcon and smuggles her out of the castle. Soon he realizes that his own time there has come to an end, and he stows away, with the bird, in the cart of an itinerant trader, Richard of Brugge. So begins a series of adventures that lead him from an obscure castle in northern Germany to the farthest reaches of Frederick von Hohenstaufen’s Holy Roman Empire, following a path dictated by the wily trader’s mysterious mission.

Andreas continues to improve his falconry skills, but he also learns to pay attention to what is happening around him as he travels through areas fraught with political unrest. Eventually, Richard confides in Andreas, and they conspire to free Enzio, the eldest of the emperor’s illegitimate sons, from imprisonment in Bologna.

The Falconer’s Apprentice is a story of adventure and intrigue set in the intense social and political unrest of the Holy Roman Empire in the thirteenth century. (from Amazon)

My thoughts

This well-researched novel brings the 13th century world of the Holy Roman Empire to life. The hazards of travel. The limitations and possibilities of medicine. The political unrest, social order, and hardships of day-to-day living. And especially, falconry.

The novel centers on Andreas, but it also centers on his relationship with Adela, the falcon he rescues. Or rather, he steals. Laws about who could own hunting birds were complex, but everyone knew this: if the owner condemns the bird to death, then the bird must die. No exceptions. Likewise, everyone knew that the penalty for being caught with a hunting bird above their station was severe. Adela is a peregrine, the type of falcon that can only belong to those of a high social class; obviously, Andreas acts illegally when he rescues her.

The characters

Andreas is a social misfit at the castle: he’s an orphan with no social status. His father is unknown; his mother is dead. He learns to avoid the spotlight. But his intelligence, good work ethic, and way with the falcons often bring him unwanted attention.

Early in the book, Andreas sees several boys pelting a bird with stones. Though these boys often bully him, his outrage at their cruelty fills him with courage. When he stands up to them, the boys run and he saves the bird. Immediately I liked him. I enjoyed how his imaginative, sensitive mind works. It’s easy to root for him (and Adela, the falcon ordered to be killed) as they escape. He hopes that Adela can find sanctuary at the castle of Frederick II, the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and lover of falcons.

The other characters are well-portrayed. Though Andreas does not know who his biological father is, other men fill the gap and influence him as he comes of age. There’s Brother Stefan, the tutor of the castle boys; gruff Oswald, the head falconer at Castle Kragenberg; itinerant trader and spy Richard of Brugge; Nicholas, who introduces him to the wonders of medicine; and even Enzio, the imprisoned illegitimate emperor’s son. Von Hassell does an excellent job bringing the characters to life.

The story unfolds at a much slower pace than many modern novels do.

As I read, I was reminded of the old classic children’s novels such as The Trumpeter of Krakow and The Door in the Wall. The lush historical details, the medieval time period, the characters who are good, brave young people trying to do the right thing during difficult times: these are books to be savored, not devoured. The Falconer’s Apprentice fits right in with these Newbery Award winners. It’s a fantastic book, one that parents can read to their entire family or that one person can enjoy at her leisure.

Thanks to Henry Roi of Odyssey Books for a copy of The Falconer’s Apprentice in exchange for an honest review.