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Summary: Magic and Religion in the middle ages
Review: A powerful, ageless, beautiful elf educated as a christian monk - the resulting conflict and inner turmoil is the interesting theme of the trilogy. Tarr gives a lot of thought to historical detail and atmosphere - this fantasy novel plays in a real historical setting (especially part 2 about the 4th crusade.)
Alf, the monk-elf, is very well drawn as a character, some of the minor characters seem to resemble each other strongly, and I thought I recognized the lady elf from others of Tarrs books - only there she bore different names. The story is rather slow in flow, but then there's enough along the way worth walking slowly...
Rating: 
Summary: Wow!!
Review: I first read these books in separate volumes in the late eighties and then forgot the titles completely. I found it again about a year ago and ordered it from amazon straight away. It is by far one of the most complete historical fantasies I have ever read. It is so easy to read, and contains so many details that manage to become so much a part of the story that they don't even slow it down, that it is a joy to read. I have read it again and again and still enjoy it each time. Read this book, it will open your eyes to what a great fantasy series can be.
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Summary: Moving story of self acceptance & a grand adventure in one!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Moving story of self acceptance & a grand adventure in one!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: An Exquisite Fantasy!
Review: 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.
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Summary: A Gorgeous Book!!!
Review: I read this years ago, and loved it so much I had to have a copy. I can't say how many times I've reread it, but it's like an old friend now. The writing style is beautiful, almost lyrical, and the history is wonderful. Alfred makes a fascinating character, although book three is disappointing in that Tarr prevents any further books by writing her characters into a complete finale. Unless she wants to tell us what happened before this...to Gwydion, perhaps. Now there's a book I'd have to have!
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Summary: You will not regret reading this story
Review: If you do not read this book you have missed a wonderful story that will be with you for life. This is a true fantasy story, but based in real life history. You get to meet Richard Lionheart, you get be there on the conquest of Constantinople. But more importantly, you get to travel inside the mind of Alfred, the tortured elven-monk, immortal, magical, powerful. But he has been raised to beleive that the Fair Folk are creatures of the devil, and have no soul.
You get to laugh and cry with Thea, his oposite, sure in her power, loving her abilities. Loving him.
You get to travel alongside Jehan, young novice, clumsy scholar, powerful warrior-priest.
You get to follow the hard path of the elven King of Rhianna, who knows that only he can protect his country, but also that he is the cause of its peril.
You get to love Nikki, the boy whose path crosses Alfeds by coinsidence, and whose whole world changes.
This story will remain with you forever. Its magical world is our own, and that is part of the magic. The Fair Folk are essentialy us, they are humans, and that is what makes this a story that will break your heart.
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Summary: Magic and History
Review: The monk Alfred has lived his entire life hidden away in the st.Ruans abbey. But even though the years go by brother Alf still looks no older than a boy. Wise though he may be, Alf is unable to face the truth about himself. He is one of the fair folk, an elf, kin to the elven-king. But when trouble comes to st. Ruans, elf-blood can be hidden no more. . . The great thing about these books is the easy flow of the story. You open them, and before you know it youre battling alongside King Arthur, running through the burning streets of Constantinople or fleeing the Hounds of God. And all the time there are the marvelous details, the dialog, the people. These characters are so easy to fall in love with. Alfred is so scared, so confused you just wish you could reach out a hand and tell him everything will be alright. Beacuse you feel so close to these people, al the way through the books. These are definately worth the read.
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Summary: tarr's best series are her magical series
Review: 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.
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Summary: Original and wonderfull
Review: This volume contains 3 wonderfull novels, "The Isle of Glass", "The Golden Horn", "The Hounds of God" set in an slightly alternative Middle Ages world. It takes you from Richard the Lionheart's England to the fall of Constantinople, to papal Rome. It is truly original, and wonderfully written. And the story is great too
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