Official Review: The Gryphon by Paula Grover

Cristina Chifane · Post by **Cristina Chifane** » 10 Nov 2019, 09:37

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Gryphon" by Paula Grover.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Paula Grover’s debut novel is a must-read for all fans of fantasy fiction. The Gryphon is not only incredibly well-written, it is also exceptionally edited. Giving free rein to her imagination, the author weaves a highly original story taking place in a world populated with spectacular fantastic creatures that are strangely familiar and relatable. A perfect combination of fantasy and realism, the novel relies on an allegory of human society. It has something for everybody’s taste, from strong family relationships to forbidden love, power struggles, and political alliances.

Sunsky of the Mountains is a magnificent gryphon who is next in line to the Stone Throne of Gryphonia. Her grandmother, Queen Heartsong, has great expectations of her, but Sunsky’s youth and adventurous spirit lead to a terrible mistake. Badly injured during a storm, Sunsky is rescued by Nightsky, a blank winged horse who becomes her lover. The problem is gryphons view horses as enemies and bad omens.

When she gets pregnant with Nightsky’s hippogryph daughter, Sunsky is accused of heresy and brought in front of the Gryphonic Council. She needs to make the hardest decision in her life. Will she abandon Moon Wing to the Valley of Outcasts or will she give up on the premiere queenship and suffer banishment from gryphonic society? She does not know it yet, but her choice will change Gryphonia forever.

The novel reads easily as it is very carefully planned and organized. In the prologue, the author skillfully uses the narrative technique of the journal pretext. Apparently, Tale Weaver, the wingless kryphon scribe, receives a vision from her sister, the gryphonic oracle Truth Speaker. Sunsky’s story springs from this vision and is important because its outcome will shake Gryphonia’s traditions to the core. Henceforward, the third-person narrative perspective focuses on Sunsky and her tumultuous life journey. The novel has three main parts, each of them symmetrically built on ten chapters. The Gryphon becomes an excellent coming-of-age novel. If Part One, “Sunsky of the Mountains,” follows Sunsky’s childhood and adolescence years, Part Two, “Sunground of the Valley,” describes a wiser and more mature heroine. Part Three, “The Ground-Sky Alliance,” seals her transformation and lays the foundation of a new Gryphonia.

What is great about this novel is that it appeals to readers of all ages. Younger readers will probably find themselves in Sunsky’s rebellious spirit. Adult readers will enjoy the elaborate world-building and the hidden meanings of the characters’ actions. As far as I am concerned, I absolutely loved the wide range of characters and the antiracist message of the novel. Like human society, Gryphonia is suffocated by fear and prejudice against creatures whose only sins are being different. As a consequence, keythongs (gryphonic wingless males) and kryphons (gryphonic wingless females) are sterilized at birth and treated as servants. On the same wavelength, winged horses carry a negative symbolism, whereas hophas (“the two-legged creatures known in some spheres as humans”) are believed to be mythological creatures of gryphonic legends. In the end, Sunsky’s story teaches a great lesson of tolerance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

I am giving Paula Grover’s novel 4 out of 4 stars. The Gryphon deserves the highest rating both for the plot and character development. The beautiful descriptions of either the fantastic creatures or the scenery are accompanied by lively dialogues. Apart from their metaphorical names, the characters have solid background stories. In spite of their diversity, they are constantly traceable due to their distinct features. Chapter by chapter, the story increases in suspense and intensity up to the fulfilling denouement. Although the novel reads as a standalone book and has no cliffhangers, there is room for a sequel. I hope the author considers the idea of another novel set in the new Gryphonia. I know I will add it to my reading list without hesitation.

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The Gryphon
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Post by **kandscreeley** » 12 Nov 2019, 20:02

I do enjoy a good series, especially if they are basically stand-alone novels. I'm unsure of the characters' names - Sunsky and Nightsky. Still, it's intriguing enough to look into further. Thanks.

Kaitlyn Canedy · Post by **Kaitlyn Canedy** » 13 Nov 2019, 01:18

This novel seems to stand out on its own, which is something that is not common among novels. The idea and characters are cleverly thought out as well. When I read this review, it makes me wonder if the story of Romeo and Juliet would have had a similar storyline.

Falconcrest · Post by **Falconcrest** » 13 Nov 2019, 04:01

Wow, incorporating racial elements into a mythical creature's storyline. The world of the writer, the reader is truly a marvelous place. We can truly shape and mold the world with just words. "The pen is truly mightier than the sword". Thanks for the fantastic review.

Meg98 · Post by **Meg98** » 14 Nov 2019, 20:49

I don't particularly enjoy this genre so I'm going to pass for now, but thank you for the excellent review!

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 16 Nov 2019, 09:26

I love the themes in the book, dealing with intolerances of others and racial discrimination. This sounds like a fascinating story. Thanks for the great review!

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 19 Nov 2019, 19:43

The author has created a heart-wrenching dilemma for Sunsky. I love the way the author has been able to write a story that appeals to such a wide range of readers. This looks really good. Thanks for the recommendation!

LauraLeeWasHere · Post by **LauraLeeWasHere** » 30 Nov 2019, 23:29

Wow! Your review of the Gryphon got me all excited. I could sense your enthusiasm coming through. Often an author's first novel can be so good because they've been waiting for this opportunity for a while and have had lots of time to really think things through.

It does sound like she has let her imagination run wild and creative. And it's obvious you spent a lot of time and effort on this book and review.

What can I say except you did such an excellent job I'm going directly from here to Amazon.

Sincerely, LLR

Jorge Leon Salazar · Post by **Jorge Leon Salazar** » 12 Feb 2020, 06:37

A fantasy fiction novel that takes place in a world populated with spectacular fantastic creatures, the novel is based on an allegory of human society. It has something for everyone, from strong family relationships to forbidden love, power struggles, and political alliances. A good option

Amy+++ · Post by **Amy+++** » 12 Feb 2020, 06:41

I love this genre. I lived reading the sample and I can't wait to read more.

Bles · Post by **Bles** » 12 Feb 2020, 06:58

Just like Sunsky, most youth end up making mistakes because of the spirit of adventure. I can't help but feel for her. The Gryphon by Paula Grover sounds really good and as a lover of fantasy books I will consider reading this. Congratulations on the BOTD. Great review.

Amy747 · Post by **Amy747** » 12 Feb 2020, 07:05

I love the way the author has created such detailed descriptions of these creatures and created a unique society, which at the same time mirrors elements found in our own societies.

LV2R · Post by **LV2R** » 12 Feb 2020, 07:11

Your review shows that you understood the story in-depth as you related it to an "allegory of human society" with themes of "strong family relationships, forbidden love, power struggles, and political alliances." Sunsky, a gryphon, sounds like she may be the key to changing Gryphonia's viewpoints on non-gryphons.

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 12 Feb 2020, 07:17

This is an amazing young adult fantasy fiction novel with mythological creatures, romance, politics, commitment, and revolution. The book has a free sample on Amazon Kindle and an inciteful OnlineBookClub review. I rated it 4 out of 4 stars. Congrats @XyledEarth on the BOTD.

Temestra · Post by **Temestra** » 12 Feb 2020, 07:26

The use of more complex words, not commonly used in every day fictional writings, made it difficult to fluidly read without having to stop every few seconds to consult with a dictionary. It was definitely not my cup of tea so to speak.