Rise of Falcons

Small Sacrifices

Young Adult - Adventure
188 Pages
Reviewed on 04/20/2024
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Having been an automotive mechanic for 25+ years, R.A. Lingenfelter never dreamed she would be an International Gold Medal award winning author, or an IMDb certified award-winning director and producer for multiple international film festivals.

Having an incredible networking and support system, R.A. acknowledges that it takes many hands and talents to support and grow her writing and film careers. Her writing has won accolades and has been compared to Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games, and Veronica Roth's Divergent, but she definitely wants her writing voice to be as unique as her personality.

R.A.'s gratitude for her father grows each year, even after his death, as he was the one who read her notes on ways to kill off her boss via vehicular homicide after he fired her for taking maternity leave. Instead of spending time behind bars, R.A. happily spends her time behind the laptop plotting new worlds and new ways of vengeance.

Her book series, End of Crows, was scheduled to premiere at the 2020 Denver Comicon but unfortunately, Covid changed that. The series has won the highly coveted Gold Medal Readers' Favorite Award for YA Adventure in 2022, 2023 Cadmus, 2023 Readers' Favorite Silver Medal in YA Action, 2024 American Legacy Book Award for Epic Adventure and finalist in their Fantasy and Adventure categories. She's had four of her novels hit #1 on Amazon and hopes to earn more credentials with her writing.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers' Favorite

Rise of Falcons by R. A. Lingenfelter is book 3 of the Small Sacrifices series. Willow Danner is a gyrfalcon raised as a crow who believes in freedom and family and is willing to fight for them. Her experiences behind the Dominion walls had exposed her to the experiments and horrors committed against humanity, and she was willing to do anything to liberate the people. The crows are also committed to fighting for long-lost freedoms under the leadership of Jenner. Willow has to deal with a lot of things, including feeling used, her tumultuous relationship with Finn, and her new-found powers. How will she cope and ensure her abilities are of benefit to the crows and the upcoming uprising?

Despite Rise of Falcons by R. A. Lingenfelter being the third book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. This gripping page-turner had me hooked from the first page to the last, and I couldn't put it down once I started reading. Lingenfelter used suspense to great effect, which made me look forward to subsequent chapters. The steady pacing and expertise in the narration also kept me intrigued and entertained. I found the book thought-provoking on the issue of freedom and the dynamics of power, especially with what is happening in the world. People are becoming more intolerant and more willing to give up cherished freedoms in exchange for small comforts. This could result in events similar to those in this wonderful book. Lingenfelter was very effective in conveying the intended message, and I look forward to reading the next book.

Pikasho Deka

The third installment of the Small Sacrifices series by R.A. Lingenfelter, Rise of Falcons picks up the story after the events at the end of Flight of Sparrows. Haunted by new visions about Dominion attacks on Crow settlements, eighteen-year-old Willow Danner uses her abilities to spy on her half-sister Aurysia and Dominion leader Bernadette Winters. While the Crows prepare for the Uprising, Willow learns about a spy in their midst, and her boyfriend, Finn, is getting too close to her at the Colorado camp. She warns Jenna about the spy while trying to free Jack and Sally from the Dominion's clutches. However, things don't go according to plan, and they must now mislead the Dominion as they prepare to take the Crows unawares by launching a surprise attack. Can the Crows free the citizens from Dominion's control?

R.A. Lingenfelter puts a lot into this page-turner of a novel. Action-packed and filled with romance, drama, shocking reveals, and betrayals, Rise of Falcons is a stellar addition to the Small Sacrifices saga. Lingenfelter takes little time to put things in motion, and from the very first page onward, you find yourself immersed in this gripping tale of rebellion against tyranny that keeps you enthralled until the end. Willow continues to grow and evolve as a character and shows a mastery of her new powers that is bound to please superhero fans. One of the secondary characters has a fascinating redemption arc that I particularly enjoyed. In conclusion, this is a series tailor-made for young adult readers who love dystopian or superhero stories.

K.C. Finn

Rise of Falcons is a work of fiction in the fantasy, action, and adventure subgenres, and is the third book in the Small Sacrifices series. Penned by author R.A. Lingenfelter, the series is intended for young adult readers. As Willow navigates the aftermath of her successful rescue mission, she finds herself scarred by her time behind the Dominion walls and surrounded by enemies who are aware of her powers. Meanwhile, her own family conspires against her, adding to the mounting challenges she faces. Despite the risks, Willow is determined to lead an uprising to end the suffering of those trapped behind the walls. However, the stakes are higher than ever, and she must confront the possibility of either achieving success for the Crows or facing annihilation in the process.

Author R.A. Lingenfelter has crafted a highly engaging YA fantasy novel packed to the brim with action, suspense, and political intrigue to create a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Willow's journey is both harrowing and inspiring, and her resilience in the face of adversity is truly remarkable. I found the close narrative style very engaging, allowing us to get a deeper insight into Willow’s journey through some emotive speech and thought presentation. The author's vivid prose and well-developed ensemble of characters draw readers into a dystopian world filled with danger and uncertainty, all seen through Willow’s eyes. The culmination of this part of Willow’s journey tied up a lot of threads in a very satisfying way, whilst opening the door to yet more incredible adventures in this fully immersive fantasy world. Overall, Rise of Falcons is a must-read for fans of dystopian fantasy, offering a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of courage and resilience in the face of tyranny.

Bryone Peters

Groups of citizens are discontented with the current leadership. An uprising is coming. Rise of Falcons: Small Sacrifices by R.A. Lingenfelter is about Willow, the protagonist, with many extraordinary talents. Her abilities give her the power to fly into the sky and go places using her mind in the absence of her physical body. Another talent is to see the future. She can see devastating events before they happen. Willow observes horrific scenes and sees people treated with severe cruelty. Willow is a powerful Gyrfalcon who lives with the Crows. With Willow’s help, they intend to fight the current government and restore their freedom. Events test her emotions and resolve. Will she be able to overcome the turmoil inside herself first? However, she is a true warrior.

Rise of Falcons by R.A. Lingenfelter is a well-written book. The author described the scenes in fantastic detail. The scenes of Willow experiencing her out-of-body events were fun but nerve-wracking because Willow was aware that even when the main antagonist could see her, it did not stop her from using her new talent. She never gave a second thought about the potential consequences. In this way, Lingenfelter provides a perspective of the determined tenacity of the protagonist. The dialogue was captivating and intriguing. The plot was arresting and believable. I enjoyed reading about the romantic exploits of the main antagonist. It showed her foolishness, idiocy, and lack of integrity. Some memorable twists added to the appeal of the plot.

Essien Asian

Willow escapes the clutches of the Dominion’s mad scientists with the aid of a faction of the Crows. She is hellbent on returning to the city and freeing the other prisoners, but before she can do that, she must learn to control the new powers she has developed. In the meantime, she discovers another traitor among the Crows whose presence may prove detrimental to any plans they make to topple Dominion. Does Willow have what it takes to lead the Crows to victory, or will the emotional strain of battling Bernadette’s formidable force lead to her downfall? Only time will tell in R.A. Lingenfelter’s Rise Of Falcons.

Based on the actions in the early chapters, both sides in this conflict appear to be preparing for a decisive attack to claim supremacy. Willow's impressive handling of the awkward romantic triangle involving herself, Finn, and Bradley indicates her growing confidence. The reader will find the aggressive encounters the young men regularly have to win her affection entertaining. Willow’s suspicion that the Crow hierarchy is more concerned with her usefulness than her well-being is believable when you follow their conversations with her. The reader is effectively drawn into this adventure by the detailed descriptions of the battles between the Dominion forces and the Crows. As the plot thickens, it becomes evident how little Willow and her allies know about Dominion's true intentions, thanks to Bernadette's cunning planning, which ultimately sets up an exciting showdown. R.A. Lingenfelter's distinct storytelling style guarantees that action and adventure readers will enjoy Rise Of Falcons.