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Summary: Entertaining and important novel for young readers
Review: A fine installment in the acclaimed Westmark series, "The Kestrel" showcases Alexander's formidable talent for high-adventure narrative while exploring the dehumanizing effects of violence and the darkest consequences of political expediency. Nevertheless, the novel never sacrifices its entertainment value to the common pitfalls of self-indulgence or preachiness. Pedagogically, Alexander's novel also represents a useful stepping stone for young readers who have yet to encounter "All Quiet on the Western Front" or Machiavelli's "Prince" in the high school curriculum. One of Alexander's most finely crafted novels for young adults, The Kestrel has remained absent from bookstore shelves for far, far too long.
Rating:
Summary: only the best young adult fiction ever...
Review: A wonderful book for upper elementary/middle school readers. Action. Fantasy. Strong young men and women characters (the girl definately does not wait to be rescued - a fact which my own daughters appreciated).
Rating:
Summary: The Kestrel
Review: A wonderful book for upper elementary/middle school readers. Action. Fantasy. Strong young men and women characters (the girl definately does not wait to be rescued - a fact which my own daughters appreciated).
Rating:
Summary: yay!
Review: i am sooooo happy that this book is being published again. i love this book. its the best of the three in the westmark series, and i've been looking for it since i checked it out from the library 3 years ago. i would reccommend this book to anyone- you have to read the whole series- its great- but this one's my favorite.
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Summary: Wonderful, A Masterpiece of Literature
Review: I first read the title in elementary school, and since then I have fallen in love with it. I read it quite frequently throughout my Middle School years, unfortunately, though, my torn, battered copy finally dissolved into crumbs. I searched for it for many years, yet always it cannot be found. My respect and admiration goes out to Lloyd Alexander, a master at his craft.
Rating:
Summary: only the best young adult fiction ever...
Review: i lovelovelovelovelovelove this book... ive checked it out at the library numerous times, and i wanted to buy it... UNfortunately, i cant, since it is out of print... it doesnt make much since, does it? its the middle book of the westmark series, and in my opnion, the best of the three, and its not in print while the others are. but anyways... its a great book, and if you can read it, i recommend to
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Summary: Good Continuation of Westmark
Review: I really liked this book. I read it in only a couple hours because I could not put it down. It has a lot of battle and war, which inevitably makes it sad, but there's still some humorous parts, many times involving the "water rats"; Sparrow and Weasel. It shows the effect war can have on different people, and also really makes you think about war, peace, revolution, and even the nature of man. This is a really good book, and even though I liked Westmark a bit better, this continues the story well. I have not yet read The Beggar Queen, but will definatly be looking for it. Also, isn't it strange that while they are a trilogy, The Kestrel is out of print, though Westmark and Beggar Queen are still in print??
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Summary: The Best in Young Adult Fiction
Review: In the first book of the Westmark Trilogy, Theo asks, "Even if the cause (of war) is good, what does it do to the people who stand against it? And the people who follow it?" The answer to those questions is The Kestrel. Using a panorama of characters, Alexander shows war from all perspectives: from the leaders,' from the bystanders,' and from the soldiers.' Alexander draws on his own experiences of World War II to give the reader (of any age) insight into the moral complexities of war. The main character is once again Theo. When Westmark is attacked by neighboring Regia, Theo is forced with a dilemma. Should he serve his love (Mickle) or should he serve his country? Eventually, Theo is compelled to join fighting along with Florian's forces because of a memory of his cowardice at the battle of Nierkeeping in "Westmark." Fighting a guerrilla-style war under the command of Justin, Theo begins to be baptised by fire. He sees comrade after comrade killed. He becomes filled with hatred for the enemy army. Eventually, he is given command and becomes Colonel Kestrel, a semblance of Theo who commits unspeakable acts in the name of war. Alexander studies the morals of war through his characters. The reader is forced to examine psychological aspects of war in Theo. War is also shown through a leader's eyes with the examinations of Mickle, Theo, Justin, and Florian. The devastating effect of war on the countryside is shown from following Sparrow and Weasel. The Kestrel is a brilliant continuation of the series. The plot is magnificent, and it has so much depth. The characterizations are excellent, and the issues studied are compelling. The Westmark Trilogy is a great piece of young adult literature. I've read some of the great war novels like All Quiet on the Western Front and The Red Badge of Courage, but the trilogy is better written and with more depth. Everyone really should read these excellent novels.
Rating:
Summary: The Kestrel
Review: OK by far this is the best series of books i have read... i read them at school and fell in love with the books, everyting about the story is perfect it is a must read book... i read the series at least 3 times.
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Summary: A shrieking Kestrel
Review: Regia is invading Westmark. King Constantine IX of Regia and his uncle, Duke Conrad, have already paid off the corrupt General Erzcour, who is the commander of all of Westmark’s forces. Erzcour has ordered all of his men on the Regian border to surrender to Regia. However, many of his soldiers and officers disobey his orders, to stand and fight for their country in the mountains that separate Regia from Westmark. Unfortunately, the valiant fighters are leaderless and low on ammunition. They beat a hasty retreat. Queen Augusta of Westmark, who was formerly a street urchin because the corrupt chief minister, Cabbarus (now affiliated with Regia), threw her out on the streets before she knew she was a princess, orders a carriage to carry her to the border. She then rallies the remains of the army to the nearest city and resupplies there. She is eventually forced to fall further and further back. Meanwhile, revolutionaries who wish to overthrow the monarchy must for the time being support it because if Westmark is defeated, then they will be also. One group is lead by Florian, a very well respected anti-monarchist. He begins to organize militias and to support the Queen’s army as well as he can. Justin, a far more radical revolutionary who will stop at nothing to establish a republic, leads the second group. Theo, Queen Augusta’s boyfriend, becomes second in command of Justin’s group, and assumes the name “Colonel Kestrel”.
I would recommend The Kestrel to anyone who has already read the book that comes first in the trilogy, Westmark, because The Kestrel is the second book. Westmark helps give you more background information on most of the characters, particularly Queen Augusta and Theo (Colonel Kestrel), and the setting. This book is excellent. It combines war, romance, and comedy (in subplots) into one very pleasurable story.
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