The Falconer's Apprentice

DESCRIPTION:

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.
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.

EDITORIAL REVIEWS:

“I enjoyed this book from the first page. It takes place in Germany and Italy in the 13th century during the reign of Frederich II who was the Holy Roman Emperor at that time. I was glad to find this book as this is my favorite time period to read about.

Andreas is a sympathetic character who only wants to make his way in the world. Malve von Hassell's clear and descriptive writing brings his world and journey to life, and I must say that this is the best book I have read this year. The ending (I won't give any spoilers) is touching, as Andreas finally knows what he must do with his beloved peregrine, Adela.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in reading good literature. If you like Avi's Crispen series, or the works of the 19th century novelist, Ouida (Maria Louise Rame) you will enjoy this book.” ~Medievil Guy

“The Falconer's Apprentice is a fast, easy and engaging read! The setting of Medieval Europe in the 13th century was wonderful! It was interesting reading and learning about the culture, tradition and laws. The characters were fun and easy to like! I really enjoyed the friendship between Andreas and Richard. At first I wasn't sure how to feel about Richard but I ended up really liking him! Overall it's a fun adventure story full of interesting and entertaining facts!” ~The Page Ladies

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Malve von Hassell is a freelance writer, researcher, and translator. She holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from the New School for Social Research. Working as an independent scholar, she published The Struggle for Eden: Community Gardens in New York City (Bergin & Garvey 2002) and Homesteading in New York City 1978-1993: The Divided Heart of Loisaida (Bergin & Garvey 1996). She has also edited her grandfather Ulrich von Hassell's memoirs written in prison in 1944, Der Kreis schließt sich - Aufzeichnungen aus der Haft 1944 (Propylaen Verlag 1994). She has taught at Queens College, Baruch College, Pace University, and Suffolk County Community College, while continuing her work as a translator and writer. She has published two children’s picture books, Tooth Fairy (Amazon KDP 2012/2020), and Turtle Crossing (Amazon KDP 2023), and her translation and annotation of a German children’s classic by Tamara Ramsay, Rennefarre: Dott’s Wonderful Travels and Adventures (Two Harbors Press, 2012). The Falconer’s Apprentice (namelos, 2015) was her first historical fiction novel for young adults, republished in 2024. She has published Alina: A Song for the Telling (BHC Press, 2020), set in Jerusalem in the time of the crusades, and The Amber Crane (Odyssey Books, 2021), set in Germany in 1645 and 1945, as well as a biographical work about a woman coming of age in Nazi Germany, Tapestry of My Mother’s Life: Stories, Fragments, and Silences (Next Chapter Publishing, 2021), and is working on a historical fiction trilogy featuring Adela of Normandy.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

Publisher: Malve Von Hassell

Language: English

Paperback: 226 pages

Dimensions: 5.5 X 8.5

Publication Date: February 15, 2015