Review: Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut

GRIFFIN RISING by Darby Karchut

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 174

Publication: June 28, 2011
(Twilight Times Books)

Source: Author


Goodreads Summary: For centuries, rumors have abound of a lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli or Earth Angels. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire, Wind and Water, these warriors clandestinely serve as guardians for mortals in danger.

Yet for one young angel-in-training, Griffin, life is hell as a cruel master makes his apprenticeship a nightmare. On the verge of failing, a new mentor, Basil, enters his life and changes it forever.

Masquerading as the average teen next door, Griffin struggles to learn his trade under the tutelage of his strict, but kindly Mentor, navigate the ups and downs of modern life among humans (including falling in love with the girl next door), and prepare for the ancient trial-by-combat every apprentice must pass at sixteen or become mortal.

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A lot of angel books have flooded the market recently, and hence there is a risk of stories becoming repetitive. However, in Griffin Rising, Darby Karchut found a way to make the story of a young guardian angel both original and enjoyable.

Griffin has been training for years to pass his Proelium and become a guardian angel. His early years were anything but easy; he was forced to endure harsh conditions set by a cruel Mentor. But all of that changes when a new Mentor, Basil, takes over Griffin's training. Slowly Griffin comes out of his shell, learning to master his Elements and even assisting on missions. But when a new family moves across the street, Griffin suddenly has another interest other than angelic matters - the new girl, Katie. As if rescue missions and worrying about his Proelium weren't enough, now Griffin has to contend with his first feelings of love. But what happens if Katie finds out what he is? And worse...what happens if Griffin doesn't pass his Proelium and he becomes mortal?

I enjoyed following the different developments during this story, not only Griffin's progress as an angel but also his budding relationship with Katie. I really liked how this story unfolded - it began with the present day, then showed Griffin's time with his first mentor, and then came back to the present. I also loved Griffin's interactions with Basil, which were by turns touching and amusing. Basil and some of his sayings were highly amusing and really helped to bring the story to life. Furthermore, I appreciated the way the relationship between Griffin and Katie was constructed; being fifteen, they actually had parental rules in place and there was not the "insta-love" or "insta-lust" that sometimes creeps in. And the first kiss between the two might be one of the sweetest first-kiss scenes I have read in a while.

One of the only issues I had with this book was that it was short - the story was so engaging that I wasn't ready for it to be over when it was. Also, the ending was definitely not what I was expecting. I'll be curious to see how things are resolved in the next book.

Darby Karchut has taken angel lore and made it her own, weaving a story that I didn't put down from start to finish. I'm looking forward to Griffin's Fire!

Rating: 4 stars