The Falcons of Fire and Ice follows Isabella, Cruz and Eydis, with each of them telling their own part of this supernatural story.
Isabella’s family are Marranos - Christianised Jews who fled to Portugal from Spain. Marranos are tortured and burned at the stake for no particular reason, and when Isabella's father is arrested for the supposed murder of the king’s white falcons, Isabella is tasked with heading to Iceland to replace them before her father is killed by the inquisition. Meanwhile Cruz, a Portuguese conman, finds himself dragged into Isabella’s journey after he is bribed by Jesuits to follow her and make sure she has an 'accident' on her quest to find the falcons.
The novel has great pace in the introduction of the characters and the build-up to their journey. Maitland uses Cruz as an anchor for humour, which lends light to the darker subjects that follow later. Sadly, as the darker elements are introduced, the plot becomes rather outlandish and almost pantomime in style. Once Eydis is introduced - a supernatural entity that lives within a volcano whilst simultaneously attempting to destroy a Dragur (Nightwalker) by leading Isabella to her - the thrilling opening fizzles a little.
There are sparks of brilliance, with each chapter opening with a story about hunting birds throughout history which reflects what is to come. The Falcons of Fire And Ice is an entertaining novel, but becomes clichéd and features some preposterous scenes.
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