The Gryphon


Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
256 Pages
Reviewed on 06/20/2023
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Author Biography

I have written fantasy stories since I was a child, and I have continued to create new worlds and quirky characters into adulthood. In 2013, a poem called "The Gryphon" arrived at the doorstep of my mind, asking to be written as a story and shared with fantasy lovers both young and old. I developed the story for five years, before publishing it in 2019. I am presently working on a sequel, "The Hermit Gryphon: The Redemption of Talona."

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite

Sunsky has long been perceived as the highest of all the gryphon citizens and was predicted to be the next ruler of Gryphonia. Worrisome dreams added to her anxiety about her approaching courtship and reign. She remained indecisive about crowning Dreamspinner, the mighty opinicus, as her king. During this period of uncertainty, she met with an accident and this led to a fated meeting with a black-winged horse. A forbidden dalliance with this one-time enemy set her on a path of no return. Breaking a taboo and bearing a hippogryph baby cannot be ignored and Sunsky was given the difficult choice of either renouncing her birthright as premiere queen or giving up her baby to the Valley of Outcasts. Her decision caused a domino effect which resulted in someone unworthy sitting on the throne. After Sunsky chose family above duty, would everything play out for the best? Read The Gryphon by Paula Grover to find out.

With compelling characters and an intriguing storyline, this novel was an engrossing adventure to read. Sunsky was brave and destined for great things but she also had a rebellious streak in her. She knew what path she had to take as the future ruler of Gryphonia, but in the end, she let her heart choose for her. I admired her bravery and persistence to choose this difficult course. Despite the fear of an unknown future, she did what she thought was best, and even when the people who shunned her needed her, she stepped up to do what she could. Characters that face adversity grow stronger and become the best versions of themselves. Sunsky was privileged from birth and rather immature at the start but, faced with downfall and her family in danger, she grew into a compassionate and strong queen. Sunsky’s family disapproved of her choices but they let their love for her rule their hearts and they defended her even in the face of criticism. This showed me the strength of her familial bonds. The story’s unique setting of gryphons, opinicus, winged horses, and keythongs added to the fantastical charm that had me hooked right from the start. The Gryphon is an unforgettable and outstanding work from Paula Grover.