Falcon Wild

Falcon Wild by Terry Lynn Johnson    176 pages

This is novel is the fourth work of author Terry Lynn Johnson’s that I have read. Two were fiction and one was nonfiction.  I have enjoyed all four. Johnson employ’s that old writer’s adage well: Write what you know.

Johnson lives in Ontario, Canada, with her family and her eighteen sled dogs.  As she was researching the novel, she learned that falconers and mushers both share the same passion for their sport. 

I’ve always thought that falconry was fascinating, so I was eager to embark on this adventure.

Karma and her brother Gavin are homeschooled. They live in the Montana backcountry and help their parents operate a raptor education center. Karma’s current goal is to obtain a falconer apprentice license so she can work with her Aunt Amy.

Karma has been working with a rescued falcon, Stark, that was left to die, but now the owner wants her back. Karma, her dad, and Gavin are on their way to return the bird to its rightful owner when they have to stop for gas. They encounter a juvenile-delinquent appearing young man, Cooper, whom will have a strong role later in the story.

Back on the road, they take a short cut, but several miles down the road, the van has an accident and flips over. Karma’s dad’s legs are trapped. She and Gavin are shook up, but otherwise unhurt. Stark has gotten loose. With no cell phone service, Karma must try to get help. According to the GPS when they turned off the main highway, the highway should be a few miles ahead.

Karma walks and walks, but finds no highway. Eventually she runs into a complete dead end and Cooper turns up again.

Cooper’s appearance on the scene seems too in coincidental to be believable. Other than that, the story is good as Karma and Coopers are “tested by mountain terrain, wild animals, severe weather, injury, and their own waning hope.”

Falcon Wild receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.