Why Does The Falconer Have Mixed Reviews?

The mixed reception for The Falconer by Elizabeth May puzzles me—some reviewers praise the fae fantasy elements, while others critique the YA romance pacing and tone.
2026-03-10 17:08:14
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HomeBird
HomeBird
Reviewer Doctor
That happens with a lot of books that take risks with tone or genre blending. Some readers might love a dark, gritty historical fantasy, while others could find the pacing or the protagonist's choices divisive. I've seen similar debates around stories with morally grey leads in intense settings. For instance, 'The Bad Gentleman' gets a more consistent positive reception for its sharp execution of a specific premise—it follows a ruthless protagonist who systematically dismantles high society from within, and the clarity of its revenge plot seems to align reader expectations perfectly with the delivery.
2026-07-20 10:53:50
16
Oliver
Oliver
Detail Spotter Electrician
I devoured 'The Falconer' in a weekend, but I get why it’s contentious. Aileana’s a refreshingly violent heroine in a corset—no demure wallflower here—but her single-minded focus on revenge makes her hard to root for at times. The book’s strength lies in its visceral fight scenes and eerie fae designs, yet the romance subplot feels tacked on, like an afterthought. The steampunk gadgets are cool but underutilized; they could’ve added more uniqueness to the battles. It’s a solid debut with enough grit to stand out, though not without rough edges that explain the split reactions.
2026-03-13 17:55:55
1
Ruby
Ruby
Responder Journalist
What fascinates me about 'The Falconer' is how it polarizes readers—it’s either adored or shrugged at. I fell somewhere in between. The premise is killer: a Victorian-era lady hunting fae? Sign me up! But the execution feels like two books crammed into one. The first half leans heavily into societal drama and grief, while the second pivots to full-on monster-slaying. It’s jarring if you’re not prepared for the tonal shift.

The fae mythology is underdeveloped compared to, say, 'The Cruel Prince', leaving some plot twists feeling unearned. Aileana’s revenge quest is compelling, but her supporting cast lacks backstory. Catherine’s writing shines in action scenes, though; you can almost hear the clang of blades. Maybe the sequel fixes these issues, but as a standalone experience, it’s a fun yet flawed romp that doesn’t fully commit to either character depth or breakneck pacing.
2026-03-13 20:18:42
5
Victoria
Victoria
Sharp Observer Consultant
I picked up 'The Falconer' expecting a thrilling fantasy adventure, and while it had some standout moments, I can see why opinions are divided. The world-building is lush and imaginative, with steampunk elements blended into a historical Scottish setting—definitely fresh! But the pacing felt uneven; some chapters dragged with excessive detail while others rushed through key character developments. The protagonist, Aileana, is fierce but her emotional arcs sometimes flip-flop without clear motivation. Fans of action might love the gruesome fae battles, but those craving deeper lore or romance might find it shallow. Still, the book’s unique voice kept me hooked enough to finish.

One thing that stood out was the side characters—they often stole the show. Derrick, the pixie, added much-needed humor, and the tension between Aileana and Kiaran had potential. But their relationships weren’t explored as deeply as I’d hoped. The mixed reviews probably stem from this imbalance: it’s a book with brilliant ideas that don’t always coalesce. If you enjoy atmospheric settings and don’t mind a bumpy narrative ride, it’s worth a try—just temper expectations.
2026-03-14 14:16:46
3
KadenCole
KadenCole
Book Scout Office Worker
Sometimes a book's reception is shaped by what's around it. When 'The Falconer' released, it was compared to everything from 'The Iron Fey' to 'The Parasol Protectorate' to 'A Great and Terrible Beauty.' Those comparisons set certain expectations. For readers wanting dense historical accuracy like some of those comps, the more fantastical, history-as-backdrop approach was a letdown. For readers wanting a seamless blend of steampunk and fantasy, the light sprinkling of gadgets felt like a tease. I also think Aileana's characterization is a tightrope walk. She's not designed to be universally likable. She's selfish in her grief, reckless, and often rude to people trying to help her. That's a realistic portrait of trauma, but it doesn't make for a conventionally charismatic heroine you root for effortlessly. Her relationship with Kiaran is fraught with power imbalances and secrecy, which modern readers are quicker to critique as problematic rather than romantic. The plot's slow burn means the payoffs are big but spaced out. If you need constant reinforcement, you'll lose interest. Yet, the uniqueness of the setting and the raw, unapologetic focus on a woman's rage is still relatively rare and powerfully done. The mixed reviews show it's a book that challenges easy categorization and passive consumption.
2026-08-02 20:00:05
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