Book Review: Griffin Rising (+ ARC giveaway)

Griffin Rising
Book One
Author: Darby Karchut
Pages: 174 Paperback
Reading Level: YA
Published: June 28th 2011
Review Source: Author
Available: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Twilight Times Books

Summary: (from goodreads) 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.

This a heart wrenching as well as heartwarming story about the coming of age of a terrae angelus, a cast of earth angels. The way this book is told makes it even more interesting, you get the point of views from three different angles in a journal form as if written by the three main characters and meshed together by the current actions and events. 

Griffin is an apprentice tiro (earth angel) handed down to a second Mentor, named Basil whose job is to help him succeed in passing the brutal final test called the Proelium, when he turns 16. Basil discovers that his new tiro has been abused, maltreated and malnourished for quite sometime by Nicopolis, the previous mentor, who is someone that he had a bad history with. The author takes you in his private plight to surpass all the damage left by this previous mentor that almost took him down to the point of no return. Basil’s incredible feelings creates a new relationship based on respect, trust and love that brings Griffin around, raising his confidence and improving his abilities to become the best he can be. During all this Griffin meets a girl and falls in love, helping him balance his human side with the angel side as well. You are made part of his struggles and triumphs and can’t help cheering him on all through the story. The ending comes as a surprise and raises your curiosity for what the next book, Griffins Fire is going to uncover. 

If you like to read about angels folklore, this book is a must for your to read pile, great for young adults but just as entertaining for adults.

Hi there its Yara now writing to you all. Since Trudy LOVED this book we decided we wanted to share the love for Griffin Rising to a lucky winner. On this blog when we feel strongly about a book that impacted us, we just have to share it with everyone. So check out below how you can win our signed ARC copy of Griffin Rising. Now if you like to read it now, just click on a link above and buy this awesome book. 

To Enter:

• Fill out the FORM
• Giveaway ends 8/22 at midnight
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• US Only (if your international and will cover shipping then you can enter)