Silver Wolf, Black Falcon

For a while Mr. Mckiernan's characters discussing right and wrong, and the philosophizing behind it grated on my nerves. But his characters remained consistent throughout the series, from the humble and virtually carbon-copied-from-Tolkien origins in the Iron Tower Trilogy, to complex and reader-testing writing style that Mr. Mckiernan first introduced in full with Dragonsdoom, and carried on through the rest of the novels of Mithgar. His stories were consistent, and they were not overly predictable, and he always had a story to tell. Silver Wolf, Black Falcon continued that tradition, and did it triumphantly. I was impressed by how consistently Mr. Mckiernan kept to form, and with how consistently he kept to details to which he kept refering. The only real weakness is that I had to refer to the map more often than I would like, but I have that problem with many authors, and this is a small point. Also, his maps, while never quite complete to my satisfaction, are consistent with each other. I have found many inconsistencies in the works of other authors, and I believe that they detract from the story;there's always that slight voice in the back of the mind saying "that's not right." The only real problem I have with this storyline is that there is an author-generated element that this is a proto-history of our world. That is Conanesque, and usually cheapens the quality of the fiction. It does not in this case. I will miss this universe, but if Mr. Mckiernan decides not to write any more Mithgar novels, he certainly is ending on a high note. The progression of the writing from first story to last(in order of publication)is a model for all authors-to-be.

Dennis has truly out done himself with the Silver Wolf, Black Falcon book. It was a none stop roller coaster ride. From sun up to sun up, I could not put this novel down. From the beginning all the way to the end you are hook on it. From the birth of Bair to the his first shapshifting form. To what the redes of Arin Flameseer, faeil, and Rael it is all connected in a way thats beyond anything that we could possible imagine. This is one of the greatest fantasy novels of all time all that has a ending u would have never expected.

Mr. McKiernan has once again enthralled me in the world of Mithgar. I remember the first books of his I read, The Iron Tower Trilogy, books I could not put down. Since then I have not found books in the genre that can compare. Mr. McKiernan has capped off his Mithgarian saga beautifully with this novel and I for one am saddened that this may be his last. Mr. McKiernan's tale in this book delighted me, especially with the mentionings of my personal favorite: Tuckerby Underbank. Out of all of his wonderful characters, Tuck stays with me most. Anyone who enjoys quality High Fantasy would be missing out to not read this last(?) novel. Mr. McKiernan, if you should read this humble review, I deeply thank you for these books and while I understand the need to put the pen down at some point, I hope you've at least another tale or two in you. Thank you again Mr. McKiernan and Godspeed.

Dennis McKiernan's done it again! After picking this book up at a book store I found myself saddened that this may be the last of the Mithgar series, but excited that the story of the Impossible Child had come. After arriving at home, I could not stop reading until it was all done. It was non stop action as he developed both Bair and Kutsen Yong. I found myself going to my bookshelves and pulling out the older books as he alluded to so much throughout the novel. It was a very well written story and I highly recommend it to everyone.

_Silver Wolf, Black Falcon_ by Dennis L. McKiernan. Roc, 2000, hardback, 474 pp.The meaning of a prophecy is in the scrye of the beholder. The actual meaning of a prophesy might be quite different from the first perception. _Silver Wolf, Black Falcon_ is the fourteenth Mithgar book. It draws upon four visions of the future gathered from the previous books. These prophecies may or may not be true, and may or may not be related. The fact that the final prophesy did not end as I had expected was a delightful surprise. This book starts where the _Eye of the Hunter_ ends. There is about a three chapter overlap to set the stage for this epic and bring new readers up to speed. The Elves of Arden decide all these visions might refer to the newborn Bair, a shapeshifter with a wolf alter-ego. They raise Bair for his role, to open the pathways between dimensions and lead the fight in a world-spanning war. Aravan, Bair's mentor and a principle character from _Voyage of the Fox Rider_, is back, seeking revenge for the murder of Galarun and trying to master a crystal containing a black falcon figure. Bair and Aravan do an admirable job of living their destiny-ridden lives, without being paralyzed by indecision or being grief-stricken over the outcome of their deeds. The best aspect of _Silver Wolf, Black Falcon_ is the smooth manner in which it gathers, interweaves and resolves many of the loose ends from the previous books: what happened to the Mages of Rwn, who killed Galarun, how did the Dragonstone escape the destruction of Rwn, and where do little Rucks come from? If you are a new traveler to Mithgar, do not be overwhelmed by the vast amount of history creeping through the first few chapters. As young Bair grows up, his kinfolk and teachers explain the history and customs of the Elves, Dwarves, Dragons and Humans that populate Mithgar. As Bair gains awareness of his world, you too will come to know Mithgar. As a veteran traveler to Mithgar, I am greatly amused by the references to the past books. As Bair speculates on the history of an old ruined mill (pp. 97-98), I remembered that mill was in the first few chapters and on the cover of _Into the Forge_. I could see what was coming and I was tempted to use a score card to tally the number of references.It was delightful to visit with all my old friends from the previous books. Lord Gildor Goldbranch, from "The Dark Tower Trilogy", makes a cameo appearance (p. 357). Lady Arin Flameseer, the principle character from _The Dragonstone_, arranges for a hunting party to be in the right place, at exactly the right time, to provide food and horses to the wolf and the falcon (p. 360). You might say her planning showed a great "foresight". I assume the "Red Slipper" Inn (p. 451) is an inside joke, based on the author's forward from _The Dragonstone_. Many red slippers clutter the landscape of Mithgar, each with a tale to tell. When you pick up one of