Book Review: Griffin’s Fire by Darby Karchut

Review: Griffin’s Fire
Series: Griffin #2
Author: Darby Karchut
No of Pages: 200
Release Date: Published April 15th 2012 by Twilight Times Books

Synopsis:

For centuries, there have been rumors about a lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire, Wind and Water, these warriors and their apprentices clandestinely serve as guardians for humans in danger.

Forced to become mortal, ex-teen angel Griffin has been banished from the Terrae Angeli. Struggling to adjust, he enrolls in the heaven-and-hell known as high school. In spite of his friends’ support, Centennial High proves to be a battleground, complete with a malicious math teacher.
And to make matters worse, his Mentor, Basil, has been ordered to take on a new apprentice, the gifted and egotistical seventeen-year-old Sergei, whose covert attacks make Griffin’s home life as bleak as a Siberian winter.

Caught between school, Sergei, and a desperate secret, Griffin is certain of one thing: the only way to fight a Cold War is with Fire.

My thoughts:

At the end of Griffin’s Rising you’re left wondering what in the world is Griffin going to do? So much happened in book one and you know he’s feeling completely defeated. Not surprisingly Griffin is nearly defeated but not by his enemies, by himself. But something starts growing inside of him that makes him realize that yes he is upset but it’s time to stop giving himself a pity party and to start living life!

I like this book even more than book one. It dives right in and since you already know what’s happening it feels like instead of moving to a second book that you are literally just turning from the last page to the first page. The characters were still there and even more fun, now we have a new Tiro. Sergei is not my favorite character. He makes things a living hell for Griffin when life is not really going anywhere for the poor boy. But Griffin has a strength of character and he really starts to live instead of just existing.

Although if Griffin said FIRE one more time in place of an expletive I may have started throwing expletives! I know it’s a way to give him something to say, especially as a young adult, without cursing but can’t we just say dang or crap instead? Well, then it wouldn’t be Griffin speaking now would it? Just a silly thing that kept getting to me, definitely didn’t take away too much from the story.

The end comes together fabulously and there are even a few twists that keep you wanting to know more. You never really know why the MAIN thing happens but it’s fabulous enough that I was totally ok with not having a scientific reason. Boy, sometimes talking without giving away anything is so tough! All I can say is that this is better than the first. Really good read, totally fun with a positive twist that anyone can live by. Excellent!

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.