Thanks to AToMR Tours for allowing me to participate in the Griffin Rising and Griffin's Fire Tours. Below you will find a link to the tour list and other sites should definitely visit!
Griffin's Fire by Darby Karchut
Book 2
Twilight Times Books - April 14, 2012
200 pages - Young Adult, Fantasy/Myth, Fiction
Facebook: Yes
Source: The author via AToMR Tours
I received a digital galley, free, in exchange for my honest review.
Summary from Goodreads: 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
I really liked Griffin Rising, the ending was not expected. I may not have enjoyed that ending as much if I had not known that that the story continued, if I didn't know that something was up. But I did, so it didn't sting as much. With this installment, I kind of knew what to expect, but not in the way that it all came together. I loved Griffin's Fire! Loved it! I liked it so much more than the first book! I wish that I could say exactly what it is that I loved about this book, but there really isn't one thing.
The story is an interesting take on angels. It's not the usual winged beings either fallen or earth-homed (yep made that word up). And it's not even that I don't like the winged angels, I do. But this is more boy-next-door type of story. Griffin is a teenager, and he is going through the normal teenage stuff with a whole lot more. He was created to be an earth-angel. also known as guardian angel. That is what he has been aiming to become since his arrival. When that gift and ability was taken from him, he was forced to become mortal. Not so easy when you are so very different and you know you were created for one purpose, so much so that it's etched into your bones. But Griffin, finally accepts his mortality and goes about making those adjustments.
Once he kind of gets into the swing of things, he starts to regain his lost abilities. Griffin makes some stomach-clenching awful mistakes. A lot of bad things/bad luck continues to happen to him. Now, he has the confidence to deal with it. Yes, he thinks he has to do it alone. Yes, he is often a bratty teenage boy. Yes, he makes some stupid - really stupid- mistakes. He still has the ability to lose more than what he knows he can. But in the end, you still root for him. You want things to work out because he genuinely cares and he truly wants to do the right thing. I so enjoyed reading Griffin's Fire. I think it is worth checking out, and this is one that I will be recommending to everyone I can!
What's Next? Book 3: Griffin's Storm
5 Stars *****
Another favorite!
Special Deal: Griffin Rising and Griffin's Fire will be discounted to $2.99 during this week's tour and next week's. Grab it while you can!!
Always Shine,
Starr K
