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Book Review of Chasing The Falconers (On The Run, Bk 1)

Chasing The Falconers (On The Run, Bk 1)
GeniusJen avatar reviewed on + 5322 more book reviews


Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

Gordon Korman's ON THE RUN series starts off with a bang with CHASING THE FALCONERS, an action-adventure thriller with serious overtones. The opening of the story finds Aidan Falconer, 15, and his younger sister, Meg, 11, ensconced at Sunnydale Farm, a so-called minimum-security rehabilitation alternative for delinquent youths. Although Aidan and Meg haven't committed any crimes, their parents, Drs. John and Louise Falconer, both Professors and criminologists, had been found guilty of treason months before--and are now serving life sentences in separate prisons.

Both Drs. had been working for the CIA, under the tutelage of operative "Uncle" Frank Lindenauer, to create profiles to help the US government identify and locate terrorists. Unfortunately, though, the profiles fell into the hands of the very terrorists the Falconer's were profiling, and the world branded them traitors to the United States. When their lawyers failed to produce any trace of Frank Lindenauer (the CIA, in fact, testified that there was no such agent in their offices), the doctors were tried, found guilty, and sent to prison. Now their children, although innocent, are paying for it, as well.

When an accidental fire at Sunnydale Farm presents a means for escape, Aidan and Meg grab it. There mission? To find Frank Lindenauer and prove that their parents are innocent. Their only rules are to stay together, and not get caught.

As the Falconer's race towards Vermont and the summer house they once vacationed at with Lindenauer and his girlfriend, the two meet up with another fellow juvenile from the farm, Miguel Reyes. As the three attempt to avoid the police, and FBI agent Emmanuel Harris, who was responisble for bringing the case against the elder Falconers, Aidan and Meg learn what it means to be fugitives.

CHASING THE FALCONERS is a quick, adrenaline-packed read that will leave you wanting to read the next book in the series, ON THE RUN, as soon as you're done. Definitely a highly-recommended read for all lovers of action-adventure and mysteries!