The Falconer was picked as this month's book club choice & overall I can honestly say I really liked it, and was left wanting more . 
 I loved the steampunk aspects of the world May built, and I can honestly say that it was the most convincing steampunk that I've read in a while. Usually I find steampunk novels to be lacking in the actual amount of technology, or the novel is so oversaturated with references that the story takes a hit. 
 I gave this book 3 stars instead of 4, because I struggled with the pacing near the middle of the book. I became more than a little annoyed with Aileana & how self-centered she is. 
 The Falconer was redeemed (for me) thanks to the love I have for Kiaran & Derrick. I especially loved their interactions. Derrick adds humor and "humanity" to Aileana's world, and without him I feel that the story would have been flat. I also enjoyed the minor characters. 
 I was also VERY pleased that there was not a love triangle. I appreciated the role Gavin played in Aileana's life, and the opportunities a relationship with him could afford her. I was just so thankful that she didn't spend the whole book mooning over Gavin and Kiaran & trying to make a choice between the two. 
 That ending though. That conclusion was intense and kept me on my toes.(view spoiler)[ And I really enjoyed that there wasn't a happy ending where Aileana somehow manages to do the impossible. She's not fully trained, and failure was more likely than success. It adds a depth and believability to the characters and their situation that a win could never do. (hide spoiler)]