Book Review: Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut

Review: Griffin’s Rising
Series: Griffin
Author: Darby Karchut
No of Pages: 176
Release Date: Published June 15th 2011 by Paladin Timeless Books

Synopsis:

“Sometime, lad, it’s hell being an angel.”

Armed with the power to control the ancient elements of Earth and Fire, sixteen-year-old Griffin is determined to complete his apprenticeship and rise to the rank of Terrae Angeli.

But first, he must overcome a brutal past if he is to survive in this world. Will the perseverance of his mentor and the love of a mortal girl give Griffin the courage he needs to face the monster still haunting him?

My thoughts:

There is something interesting in the way Darby writes this. I really think it’s the journal-ling that the three main characters do. I know that doesn’t sound like off the charts fun but it gives you an insight to their real thoughts without worrying about the narration. It gives you some depth to each of these characters and you can really see the growth of Griffin who at the beginning of this story is under a mentor named Nicopolis.

Nicopolis is an interesting character. And not in a good way. He is powerful and uses his power to show his strength in every way possible, even if it is torturing a teenage boy. We get real glimpses of what he was doing to Griffin. There’s one point at the beginning of the book right after Griffin goes to be with Basil, some granola bars fall out of Griffin’s pocket and Basil picks up right away that Griffin was probably being starved. It’s the little things like that which show the depravity of Nicopolis and how far Griffin has to go to be himself.

It’s a really good story that is very different from anything I’ve read. And you would think that there are major parts of religion in this but it didn’t overwhelm me at all. Actually in Darby’s Author’s Note in the back (at least for the Kindle version) she explained that this story derives from quite a few religions. But never is it overwhelming. The Terrae Angeli are unique and wondrous and it just makes me wonder if they are truly among us.

Fortunately I get to read book two and review that next Monday, October 15th! Which means I don’t have to hang for long wondering what’s going to happen! 😀

About the author:

Darby Karchut grew up in a family that venerated books and she spent her childhood devouring one fantasy novel after another. Today, she lives in Colorado with her husband, where she still teaches at a local junior high school. She enjoys running, biking, and skiing the Rocky Mountains in all types of weather. Griffin Rising is her first novel.