Apprenticed to a venerable wizard when his hunter and trapper parents disappear into the forest never to be seen again, Darian is difficult and strong willed--much to the dismay of his kindly master. But a sudden twist of fate will change his life forever, when the ransacking of his village forces him to flee into the great mystical forest. It is here in the dark forest that he meets his destiny, as the terrifying and mysterious Hawkpeople lead him on the path to maturity. Now they must lead the assault on his besieged home in a desperate attempt to save his people from certain death!

From Library Journal

Following the events in Storm Breaking (LJ 10/15/96) but without continuing that novel's characters, the stand-alone Owlflight is the latest in Lackey and Dixon's "Valdemar" series. After mage-storms wreak havoc with the laws of magic, his parents disappear, and barbarians sack and burn his village, young Darian retreats into the forest. There he encounters a magical race and discovers his own special powers with birds. This engrossing tale of discovery is recommended especially for libraries that collect the "Valdemar" fantasy series.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Stand-alone Valdemar yarn from the wife-and-husband team (The Silver Gryphon, 1996, etc.). Chronologically, this follows the events of Storm Breaking (not reviewed), but it's otherwise unconnected. Young orphan Darian lives on the edge of the vast Pelagiris forest. Though apprenticed to the wise old wizard Justyn, he's contemptuous of magic in general and unwilling to make the effort to develop his own talents. When invading barbarians burn the village and kill Justyn, Darian flees into the forest and meets the Hawkbrothers, a magical elflike race who bond with birds and bear such names as Snowfire, Starfall, and Nightwind. What ensues is a standard coming-of-age fantasy involving the usual Lackey and Dixon suspects (yes, of course, gryphons). Should entertain the more junior and unsuspecting sections of the audience. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.