Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
DAW (New York, 1982). 1st edition, 1st printing. 336 pages. $2.95.
Description
Romilly uses her power to communicate with and control animals to aid the battle to depose the usurper of the throne of Darkover.
Media reviews
C'est dans ce troisième volume du cycle qu'apparaissent les thématiques féministes de Marion Zimmer Bradley. Les femmes ténébranes n'ont qu'une place minime et secondaire : elles sont tout juste bonnes à faire des femmes au foyer. Il est hors de question qu'elles puissent occuper d'autres
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places et développer leurs talents. En révolte contre cette société misogyne, Romilly MacAran rejoint la Sororité de l'épée, une association de guerrières qui regroupe des femmes en rupture de tradition, bien décidées à vivre pleinement leur vie et à s'épanouir à l'abri des hommes. Ce féminisme militant ne tombe cependant ni dans l'excès ni dans le manichéisme. Les personnages sont particulièrement nuancés et complexes, faisant bien ressortir toutes les ambiguïtés et parfois les impasses d'un féminisme trop militant.
L'homosexualité, qu'elle soit féminine ou masculine, est présente en toile de fond. Plusieurs personnages affichent plus ou moins leurs préférences, là encore sans tomber dans la caricature. Cette thématique se retrouve dans plusieurs autres volumes du cycle, de manière naturelle et plus ou moins diffuse. Ainsi la coutume des « bredins », les frères jurés, recèle beaucoup d'ambiguïtés qui ne sont pas toujours levées.
La Belle Fauconnière est un roman équilibré qui se lit avec beaucoup de plaisir. L'intrigue se déroule sans incohérences et les personnages sont riches et nuancés. La place et l'ampleur des pouvoirs psi sont beaucoup mieux définis que dans le volume précédent : nous ne sommes déjà plus dans l'ambiance « fantasy » de Reine des orages. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member orangejulia
This is a stand-alone book in MZB's Darkover universe. You don't need to have read the rest of the books to read this one (I still haven't read most of the Darkover books).
The universe "Hawkmistress" is set in is rich and detailed, without being overwhelming. The book focuses on Romilly, the
The universe "Hawkmistress" is set in is rich and detailed, without being overwhelming. The book focuses on Romilly, the
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daughter of a local lord, who has laran (a telepathic gift that allows her to communicate primitively with animals). The book deals with Romilly's struggles to be considered a person, rather than as a piece of chattle, a useful tool, a freak, etc. MZB has her characters react realistically, which is to say some people disappoint you, and others surprise you. Show Less
LibraryThing member Black_samvara
Girl with abilities and destiny runs away from home to pursue both. A classic.
LibraryThing member medievalmama
This is one of my favorite fantasies from the mistress of fantasy. Gender equality comes close to rule. This is one of the books that I reread frequently, not only because it is good fantasy, but also because it is good social commentary. We have come so far in the real world today, or have we?
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
I'm a fan of Marion Zimmer Bradley, but my affection for her rests not on the Avalon books, which I didn't care for, but her Darkover series. Darkover is a "lost colony" of Earth that falls back into a medieval society. Ruled by a psychically gifted aristocracy, after centuries it's rediscovered by
Although some of the Darkover books are loosely connected, having characters in common, this one can be read completely independently. The series was written out of sequence, and that can make it hard to know where to start. That's particularly so given MZB didn't come into her own as a writer until the mid-seventies, and books published earlier, even though they may fall later chronologically, are much weaker books. Hawkmistress!, however, was published in 1982, when MZB's powers were at their height. However, even though Hawkmistress! is a very entertaining book, with a winning heroine, I wouldn't count it among the best of the Darkover books. (Although it's very, very far from one of the weakest--it's one of the better ones.) However, I'd suggest the (1979 version) of The Bloody Sun or The Spell Sword and its sequel The Forbidden Tower or The Shattered Chain (my own introduction) or Heritage of Hastur as better starting places.
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a star-spanning high-tech human federation, giving the series a feel of both science fiction and fantasy. Most books focus on the clash between the two cultures. This is one of the exceptions, set before the time of rediscovery during the era of the "Hundred Kingdoms." Romilly, a member of a minor branch of the Comyn aristocracy, is gifted with the ability to communicate with animals. (Thus the title, "Hawkmistress.")Although some of the Darkover books are loosely connected, having characters in common, this one can be read completely independently. The series was written out of sequence, and that can make it hard to know where to start. That's particularly so given MZB didn't come into her own as a writer until the mid-seventies, and books published earlier, even though they may fall later chronologically, are much weaker books. Hawkmistress!, however, was published in 1982, when MZB's powers were at their height. However, even though Hawkmistress! is a very entertaining book, with a winning heroine, I wouldn't count it among the best of the Darkover books. (Although it's very, very far from one of the weakest--it's one of the better ones.) However, I'd suggest the (1979 version) of The Bloody Sun or The Spell Sword and its sequel The Forbidden Tower or The Shattered Chain (my own introduction) or Heritage of Hastur as better starting places.
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LibraryThing member stuart10er
A young girl leaves her home because her father wants to marry her off. These books always start off slow and then pick up at the end. Better that way than the other.
LibraryThing member KirkLowery
I would class this novel is a Young Adult -- Coming of Age type. Not all of the Darkover novels are of this type.
Awards
Locus Award (Nominee — Science Fiction Novel — 1983)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1982)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1982-09
Physical description
336 p.; 7 inches
ISBN
0879977620 / 9780879977627