Review by Azura_Cat -- The Gryphon by Paula Grover
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Azura_Cat
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Review by Azura_Cat -- The Gryphon by Paula Grover
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Gryphon" by Paula Grover.]
Young Sunsky is the future queen of the skies in Paula Grover’s novel, The Gryphon. Free to take off whenever she pleases due to her powerful wings, Sunsky finds herself injured and stranded after flying into a storm. She recovers thanks to an enemy of her society of gryphons, a winged horse named Nightsky. After she makes her way back home, she and her people discover that she is pregnant with Nightsky’s child. Hippogryphs are not allowed in gryphonic society, leading Sunsky to make the difficult decision to leave her throne to her younger sister, Talona. With this responsibility gone, Sunsky can raise her new children. Banished and an outsider amongst the hippogryphs, Sunsky raises her children while being unaware of the changes occurring under Talona’s reign. However, those changes are coming after her, leaving Sunsky with no choice but to push forward and reclaim her throne.
I enjoyed reading this book, so I happily give it 4 out of 4 stars. The worldbuilding was consistent regarding the gryphonic culture that was introduced. The characters were not perfect, but they all were trying their best to adapt to every curveball thrown their way. The novel was broken up into three sections to represent different times in Sunsky’s life. This breakage allows readers to see her growth in an obvious yet organized manner. This book has a strong political undertone, but it can be enjoyed for its fantastical elements despite any personal disagreements a reader may have with the ideas put forward.
When it comes to the book's political undertone, I did not mind it. However, it was very idealistic. It is impractical that someone would be able to reach the result the book proposed. As such, the aspect of this book that I disliked the most is that almost everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow at the end. Change is not easy to achieve, much less ideal outcomes. While the violence that had been inflicted upon many gryphonic beings in the novel was enough to result in rebellion, peaceful changes in government seldom happen. Nevertheless, this is a fantasy novel set on another world. There was enough logic present to satisfy my need for it, so the lack of realism can be ignored.
The fantastical aspects of this novel would appeal to many readers. If I were to choose an audience, I would most likely choose readers between the ages of 12 and 25. This is a young adult novel, but its concepts and themes can be enjoyed by older readers as well.
The Gryphon is a well-written book with few grammatical errors. Readers can interact with many different characters as they follow Sunsky on her journey. They can find someone to identify with and a plot that makes them think even as they sit, relax, and enjoy reading this book.
******
The Gryphon
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Young Sunsky is the future queen of the skies in Paula Grover’s novel, The Gryphon. Free to take off whenever she pleases due to her powerful wings, Sunsky finds herself injured and stranded after flying into a storm. She recovers thanks to an enemy of her society of gryphons, a winged horse named Nightsky. After she makes her way back home, she and her people discover that she is pregnant with Nightsky’s child. Hippogryphs are not allowed in gryphonic society, leading Sunsky to make the difficult decision to leave her throne to her younger sister, Talona. With this responsibility gone, Sunsky can raise her new children. Banished and an outsider amongst the hippogryphs, Sunsky raises her children while being unaware of the changes occurring under Talona’s reign. However, those changes are coming after her, leaving Sunsky with no choice but to push forward and reclaim her throne.
I enjoyed reading this book, so I happily give it 4 out of 4 stars. The worldbuilding was consistent regarding the gryphonic culture that was introduced. The characters were not perfect, but they all were trying their best to adapt to every curveball thrown their way. The novel was broken up into three sections to represent different times in Sunsky’s life. This breakage allows readers to see her growth in an obvious yet organized manner. This book has a strong political undertone, but it can be enjoyed for its fantastical elements despite any personal disagreements a reader may have with the ideas put forward.
When it comes to the book's political undertone, I did not mind it. However, it was very idealistic. It is impractical that someone would be able to reach the result the book proposed. As such, the aspect of this book that I disliked the most is that almost everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow at the end. Change is not easy to achieve, much less ideal outcomes. While the violence that had been inflicted upon many gryphonic beings in the novel was enough to result in rebellion, peaceful changes in government seldom happen. Nevertheless, this is a fantasy novel set on another world. There was enough logic present to satisfy my need for it, so the lack of realism can be ignored.
The fantastical aspects of this novel would appeal to many readers. If I were to choose an audience, I would most likely choose readers between the ages of 12 and 25. This is a young adult novel, but its concepts and themes can be enjoyed by older readers as well.
The Gryphon is a well-written book with few grammatical errors. Readers can interact with many different characters as they follow Sunsky on her journey. They can find someone to identify with and a plot that makes them think even as they sit, relax, and enjoy reading this book.
******
The Gryphon
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: New Yorkers by Clifford Browder
