The Hound and the Falcon

I love this trilogy. I read it close to 10 years ago. I have just finished it the second time. I am just as enthralled as ever with this historical fantasy filled with enchantments and interlaced with tender romantic moments. I will always love Alfred, the innocent and beautiful elf monk, turned powerful elf lord after much struggles with his real true self. I will always appreciate Thea who loves him from the very beginning. Finally who could ever forget Alfred's encounter with Richard, the Lion Heart, Alfred's sorrows during the disastrous invasion of Constantinople and finally Alfred's torment in the last of the trilogy when he thought he has lost all those he loves. My only complaint is the seemingly rush writing towards the end. On the other end, it maybe I did not wish the tale of Alfred, Thea, their children and their elf kin to end. The Hound and the Falcon is definitely one of my favorites to be treasured always.

I first read this collection of three of Judith Tarr's best books back in the late 1980's. They are a little melodramatic at times, but I really enjoyed them. The main characters are all incredibly well drawn, especially Alfred, the pious monk turned into a reluctant elven warrior & mage. He wrestles with his own self doubt and the state of his soul throughout the books, even as he changes lives for the better all around him. Sometimes, like his female foil, Thea, you just want to shake him and wake him up to the fact that someone soulless would never do so much good in the world--no matter what the church believes! Alfred is a foundling who is raised by monks, and becomes a very learned and pious monk himself. His writings are praised by the Pope himself. Alfred eventually realizes that he is not aging and is, in fact, an immortal elf. If he believes his church teachings, then he is a soulless being. He grapples with this throughout the book. He has an encounter with others of his kind, nursing a prince of his kind back to health and meeting a fiery tempered elf woman, Thea. He is mortified that he is attracted to her--he had thought the vow of chastity to be the easiest of his vows, because he was never drawn to mortal women. He turns down the position as abbot, believing himself to be unworthy. (Those who raised him and grew up with him accept and love him as he is without a qualm--they know in their hearts that he is a power for good.) He then sets off to figure his life out. He is swept into the train of Richard the Lion-hearted later into the Crusades and to Rome. He is nearly burned by the church, becomes a great warrior, discovers his magical abilities, and finally learns to accept himself and the love of the elf woman who has been following him since their first encounter back at the abbey. Don't miss this chance to read this book in this bargain omnibus form. You won't regret it!

This book of three is magical, suspenseful, and great with details. Alfred the monk is well-characterized, his battles between piety and magic are heartfelt and deep. Althea's realism and acceptance of her magic is a wonderful contrast. Their adventures together are enchanting.I have read and reread these stories, and have tried to find as much enthusiasm over Tarr's newer works. However, her stories about ancient egypt are dry and boring in comparison. If you like the Hound and the Falcon, also look for Alamut and the Dagger and the Cross, written in a similar vein, with lots of magic, romance, and action. Sadly, at the end of Dagger, Tarr eliminates the possibility of further books in this series... unless perhaps prequels? There's always hope.

This would be a good series even if it were set in some kind of "fantasy-land". The fact that Judith Tarr places her saga in a detailed historical setting makes this a great series. Tarr has a strong grasp of the middle ages church, and manipulates a few details to place an elf in a monastic setting. The characters are fully realized to the extent that you empathize with their pain and get caught up in their stuggles.A worthy read.