I got this good-condition hardcover from the dollar-a-book rack at the Used Book Superstore. The Celtic-knotwork cover-art with the bird of prey drew my attention, and when I opened the book I found it lavishly illustrated, from the maps on the endpapers to loads of black-and-white sketches throughout. It's the first in a series and is set in 16th-century Scotland, where a young boy finds himself alone and in peril, with only forest animals for company... The plot moves quickly, opening with frightening scenes of an attack on young Angus' village, and continues in that vein as he tries to evade the enemy. The goshawk and the pine marten who come to his aid have ways to communicate with him, and sometimes we see events through their eyes, a nice touch.

There's a glossary at the end to help with some of the terminology, and a set of illustrations of the different weapons which appear - often to bloody purpose - in the story. Very handsome book!

I left this book, bagged against the elements, on the stone wall at the entrance of the tiny Merrill Cemetery (near the entrance to the Mall of NH) at around 3; hope the finder enjoys it! (The cemetery is the last resting place of Commodore Nutt, who was renowned as one of P. T. Barnum's performers.)

*** Released for the 2014 You're Such an Animal release challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2014 September Sapphire release challenge for the blue cover. ***

Found this book at the entrance of Merrill Cemetery! Haven't read it yet, but I'm so excited to read it and release it back into the wild!