When I was in high school, I was big on reading high fantasy. Though since I married somebody who loves gryphons, now I wonder things such as:
Why do dragons get all the action?
Why don’t gryphons get as many books?
Is it because fire-breathing and scales are considered more bad-ass than talons and floof?
E.S. Lark adds to the much-too-small library of gryphon stories out there with Trueblood’s Plight, the story of these loyal creatures and their human friends.
Right away, you know there is something amiss in the world. An enemy known as the Endarkened attacked many decades ago, and the world has been at war ever since.
The main character is Ava, a special giphen (basically a miniature gryphon) gifted with powers beyond normal gryphons, and therefore a very important ally in the fight against the Endarkened.
Told mostly from her point of view, this high fantasy will appeal to fans of the Mercedes Lackey gryphon series. I love how E. S. really gets into the world of the gryphons and giphens, giving us not just the story of a world at war, but a sense of the tension between the two races of magical creatures. She has done an amazing job giving Ava a voice, from the giphen’s thoughts to her movements and gestures. You’re not just reading about a giphen. You’re looking through her eyes, which is the goal of any story – for us to identify with the main character.
I’ve read some wonderful animal-centered books in my time (my favorite is The Heavenly Horse from the Outermost West), and I think it must be especially tricky to write from the point of view of a non-humanoid creature, but E.S. does it very effectively.
Little Ava shares a special bond with the human, Kivra. I was particularly moved by the scene in which Ava drapes her wing over the distraught human in an effort to comfort her after hearing the news of an ambush that leaves the lives of several of their warriors in doubt. Both Ava and Kivra feel guilty and responsible for the tragic event. They are able to confide in each other and move on past what has happened.
Furthermore, the Endarkened is well-aware of the threat that Ava's very special nature poses to them. Ava finds herself involved, not just in a larger fight for the safety of their world, but also in danger on a very personal level.
Furthermore, the Endarkened is well-aware of the threat that Ava's very special nature poses to them. Ava finds herself involved, not just in a larger fight for the safety of their world, but also in danger on a very personal level.
From that moment on, Ava’s journey takes many twists and turns as she learns more about herself. True to epic fantasy style, this is not just a story about a war and people on the brink of losing hope. It is a journey of self-discovery for the main character.
This is a worthy addition to the personal libraries of gryphon and fantasy-lovers alike. I know that I found myself cheering for Ava, hoping that she would find the happy ending she deserved. ^.^
Copyright (c) 2011 Wendy L. Callahan
Wendy, thank you so much for taking the time to post this wonderful review. I'm glad you enjoyed it and it can now sit among your other books on the shelf. I hope your husband is enjoying his read as well ;)
ReplyDeleteI honestly wanted to go on and on about your characterization of Ava. I simply love how you get into her personality and behaviors! It's hard enough to step into a character's shoes sometimes, and probably even *more* challenging with a non-humanoid. But you do it so well!
ReplyDeleteAck, the husband - I keep reminding him to read it. Heh. He's *got* to, because I know he's going to love it.