Second Chance

Gryphon Rider Academy #1

by Elise Hennessy

There’s never been a female gryphon rider. Until me.

I just wanted to ease the suffering of Arimus, a gryphon blinded in combat. He’d lost his first rider, and his will to live. But when he forges a new psychic link with me to be his replacement rider, it brands me as “an affront to the gods” for daring to ride an avatar of the God of Man.

We’re also at war and need every able-bodied fighter we can find, so I’m sent to the highly competitive Gryphon Rider Academy to train with the nation’s finest young men. Some love seeing a girl in uniform, but most hate me for standing out. Few of the boys here want to see me succeed.

The king makes it very clear. If I fail this year at the Academy, he will mercilessly order Arimus’s execution rather than suffer a female gryphon rider any longer.

I have to be the best to even have a chance here. They want courage, loyalty, discipline, and integrity? I’ll give them all that and more, for Arimus’s sake.

Dragon Riders of Pern meets Song of the Lioness in this YA fantasy series in which a pair of underdogs rewrite what’s possible in a formerly all-boys military academy. If you like determined heroines, iron-clad friendships, and majestic creatures, then you’ll love Gryphon Rider Academy!

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Young Adult Fantasy, Audiobook, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2024

About the author

Elise Hennessy is an author of young adult fantasy full of adventure and found family. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and enjoys crafting unique stories. When Elise is not busy writing, she’s trying to reduce her prodigious TBR list. She lives in Texas with her family and is owned by two cats.

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Reviews

[Jana Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I expected from a YA Academy book, and I'm just fine with that. Today was a rough day and I needed a book that didn't stress my reading brain, but was still interesting and this book hit both of those points. Eventually I'll read the next one in the series.

[Alex(Books-In-A-Storm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one. It was fun and I'm looking foward to the next book.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d just come out of reading a few rather heavy books, so needed something a little more upbeat and figured a fun, YA fantasy with a girl MC who rides a gryphon sounded perfect… And it was! This story has enough meat in it to keep it above any fluff, yet isn’t so heavy one must take a breath just to get through it. Lovely balance with a story that is pure addictive enjoyment!

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book and I enjoyed it, but I wouldn’t say it was my favorite. I plan on reading the rest of the series still because I want to know what happens. Something just felt off to me? I don’t know how to explain it. My brain had a hard time keeping characters straight occasionally because sometimes first names would be used and then the MC would go back to referring to someone as their last name because that’s how they’re referred to at the academy. It was confusing for me, and I often had to go back and reread things to keep it straight. My mind also couldn’t comprehend how the Gryphons followed the cadets EVERYWHERE! I mean, they aren’t small animals by any means, especially when it is expected that humans are supposed to ride them into battle with gear and weapons. While I understand that a number of the gryphons were young, it was just confusing to me to picture students with all their gryphons wandering through the academy to classes and lunch. The building had to be freaking HUGE to accommodate such masses. So I was often picturing the gryphons so tiny inside and huge outside. Just… weird to me when trying to process the story in my mind. Overall I did enjoy the plot behind it. But I felt that some things could have been better thought out.

I would recommend this book to others who are looking for a good YA fantasy book. It’s first person from the female main character. It’s character development driven. No romance aside from a side character crush. I’m low key hoping romance appears further in the series but who knows!

Overall this was a good book and I would recommend it, it just wasn’t a “Wow! I LOVE this book.” I look forward to reading the rest of the series still, just will probably take my time getting to it.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you enjoy magical schools? Do you like characters who are catalysts for change? Then this is a series for you.

There are two rules. Rule number one, a gryphon is never wrong. Rule number two, women are not allowed to link with gryphons and become riders. So what happens when Ari, who was blinded during battle when his last rider was killed, links with a woman to thwart an attack? Silvana and Ari are sent to Gryphon Riders Acadmedy, with the knowledge that if Silvana fails, the king will execute Ari (as had been intended to put the gryphon out misery before he linked with Silvana).
Will the two manage to survive the year and graduate? Can a blind gryphon who has already broken rule number two, really thrive and help his rider make it to the second year, or will they both fail dooming themselves?

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an awesome read. From the start I was intrigued, not just because it was about a female rider but instead of dragons it’s about Gryphons and I haven’t read many stories about them. Our Gryphon Ari has lost his partner to whom he is linked to in battle and is not only heartbroken by that but is also blind and will be executed if he cannot relink with a new partner. Enter Sivana who looks after the Gryphons and who Ari links to much to the disgust of the population who see it as an affront, an insult as Sivana is a girl and the only ever female Gryphon rider. This journey they take is exciting as Sivana enters the academy, it’s entertaining and enthralling and I think just from this awesome start that it’s going to be one hell of an adventure.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel that teens and young adults will like this story about a girl trying to save and make it in a boy's world. This book will want to keep you reading to see what will happen and how the situation will come out. Ari's rider has died in battle and Ari a gryphon who was blinded in battle is lost. Silvana takes care of the gryphons. Then one day Ari links to her, but what will happen? It's not natural that a girl rides a gryphon and a blind one at that. Follow this story on a ride you will love to follow.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this tale of fighting against almost insurmountable odds. Great main and side characters.

I’m not usually a fan of YA novels I find them to be overly and unnecessarily emotional. This book, however, was good.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good.

[Andrea Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gryphon Rider Academy: Year 1
4.5 Stars 


The stunning cover caught my attention, and the first chapter hooked me into this adventure. 

Sivana Walker is a gryphon caretaker who knew Ari for most of her life. Ari was blinded in battle, and he lost his soul-bonded rider. Through the grief, Walker doesn’t want to see him die. Both characters have to dig deep, step up, and overcome obstacles: physical or mental. Sivana Walker is the first female, gryphon rider. Let the games begin. I really enjoyed this one and couldn't help but cheer for the underdogs. 

This book stands out to me, due to the well-thought out characters, mature relationship dynamics, and interesting world building. The author does a great job with all the "feels." I love the grit and courage of this duo! Overall, a fantastic read!

[Amanda Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the story line. It had me hooked from the very beginning. I absolutely love the characters. It is such an interesting story that has you just wanting more.
Love Ari. I want my very own gryphon. Thanks for a fantastic read can’t wait to see what happens next

[Georgia Altic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story!

This book will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions! It is beautifully written and the author is an incredible storyteller. Absolutely one of the best books I've read in quite a while!!

[Arwen Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

I read a sample on Facebook today. I immediately turned in a book that hadn’t grabbed me.

I read this in one sitting. It had everything I love. Action, a tiny bit or romantic tension (just a dollop) and gryphons.

I’m off to read the next one.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of the Gryphon Rider Academy and the main character is sixteen year old Sivana Walker, an apprentice gryphon caretaker of the First Gryphon Flight’s beasts and daughter of the Knight-Commander of the King’s flight. The First Flight was there on the whims of the king and the royal family, to escort them safely wherever they wanted to go. It was the night before Ari (Arimus), was to be put to death, having been blinded in the same action which led to him losing his rider and psychic link. Ari has given up on living, but Sivana has been trying to get his spirits up and to get him to realise that his rider, Alamid, would have wanted him to live on, not give up. When the Kaiamear city bells go, warning of an attack, Ari tells her to jump on his back. It is an acid breathing, to headed rozash that is attacking the city and the other riders will take too long to get to it. They are the only chance of protecting the city and hopefully leading it out of the city, delaying it until the flight can make it and take it down. Her being on the back of a gryphon is frowned upon, as gryphons are the avatar of the God of Man, Orion, favoured by the current reverent king.
When the flight come up to them and her own father sees who is on Ari’s back, he is surprised and knows he needs to have his whole flight make a report about what happened and who did it. Ari reminds her that it was his idea for her to get on his back and that gryphons don’t make mistakes! They have to report to High Command, but the king himself appears and the king makes it clear that he wants to go ahead with Ari’s execution and isn’t happy with her role in the event, going against the very teachings of Orion. He sees her as a heretic, as do some of the Flight, no matter what she did. It is only the interruption of Prince Isaac who puts forward a different idea and tells his father that their people will wonder why the hero of that night was executed. He puts forward the idea of her being sent with Ari to the Gryphon Rider Academy to see if they can be trained as a proper rider and gryphon pair. If they fail their first year of studies, then the king will insist on Ari being executed!
Sivana has a lot on her shoulders now and has lots of enemies as soon as she arrives at the academy. She is placed in the Kite Flight, the smallest group of first year students, already placed at a disadvantage and now with a girl added to their team. The Kite Flight are not exactly a team as much as individuals, from one who likes to fail and gain demerits every day, to one of royal blood that likes to be part of another flight all the time. She finds a room with another female student, a mage in training, treated worse by the female servants, than Sivana would have expected. Sivana will soon find out that the training is going to be much harder than even her father tried to prepare her for. She has fellow students and instructors who believe she shouldn’t be there and make it very plain at every chance! She even has her boyfriend Callan, who now can’t even look at her without a sneer on his face and won’t even talk to her, saying he was only with her because of her father’s position. Even her younger sister called it right on this one! She is being marked down as failing all of her classes, even those on caretaking of gryphons which she has been doing for years. Someone is making it plain they won’t allow her to pass this first year, no matter how hard she and Ari try to succeed. Lucky for them, it seems there are some who want to see her succeed, to see change come to their world, unlike the king who follows the old traditional ways. It will be hard work and close calls for both of them, to make it through the first year at the academy! Lots of ups and downs as well as an exciting time with a magical and intelligent creature, who needs a second chance to live and a new purpose. A great read and I can’t wait to see what comes next. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Mary J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember the last time I read a YA novel, probably over ten years ago with my daughter, but I really enjoyed Gryphon Rider Academy: Year 1. When I came upon this author in a FB group, the premise of the story intrigued me. I don't get into 'Academy' stories. Usually, as soon as I see the word 'Academy' in the title or story description, I'm looking away. But the involvement of the gryphon, and that this just wasn't a 'chosen one' trope, caught my interest. This isn't just a girl taking on what is typically a man's calling, but a girl going against the main god's decree (at least, according to what the people have been taught). This adds on to the struggle of not only challenge of training with a mount blinded in battle, boys and men who despise her for taking on a role not meant for the fairer sex, and the physical trials that will wear her down before she builds the endurance to overcome, but the struggle of defying a part of her people's faith.

The story is fast paced. Something happens each chapter, and there's no real building up with most of the friendships between the Sivana and the male characters in her roost, they just seem to happen for the most part (there are a couple exceptions). Which I find a shame, especially with a YA audience. But if the reader is looking for story that moves, this does it.

I did like Sivana. I liked that she's imperfect, as she should be. She's young and makes mistakes and bad judgement. But she makes good choices, too. She's determined to save her gryphon's life. And this goes for her friends as well. I also disliked the characters meant to be disliked. So their parts were well written.

The writing is really good. Elise Hennessy is fantastic with visual descriptions, the prose lovely. And what I was thankful for was that it wasn't painfully overdone that I felt the need to skim flower sentences.

This is a book I would recommend to friends with YA readers, and I would continue the series myself. I am curios to see what happens to Sivana and Ari.

[M Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story so much! It's reminiscent of Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing (though with less death and no spice) and Tamora Pierce's Protector Of The Small series.

A gryphon caretaker, Sivana, is suddenly and unexpectedly chosen as rider by a blind gryphon, Ari, on the eve of his execution when their city is attacked. This is part of an ongoing war but girls are forbidden from bonding with gryphons by a god's command so this pairing is the cause of much dissension. The King postpones the execution and sends Sivana and Ari to the gryphon rider Academy to prove themselves. As expected, there are new friendships, enemies sabotaging their progress and challenges, with both success and failure.

I have a long list of things I enjoyed about this book, and consider it and the author fortuitous discoveries - from a facebook ad! I really like the trope of an underdog attempting to succeed against almost overwhelming odds and so this story was incredibly appealing. Watching as a fearsome and intelligent animal choose one person over all others added extra tension and reader investment - and I was fully invested! I was carried along by the wonderfully paced narrative, immersed in the vibrant and stirring writing. I loved Sivana's absolute focus on protecting Ari and his reciprocation of that care. The author extended this bond to their class group as they grew closer, giving a found family vibe. There was character growth and the start of a long game twist - like I said, a lot to love!

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Sivana Walker and her gryphon Arimus, were never meant to be. Ari, blinded in battle, and having lost his soul-bonded rider, is failing to thrive. Sivana is a gryphon caretaker, one who has know Ari for most of her life, and she doesn’t want to see him die.
In the blink of an eye, circumstances change, Sivana and Ari are bonded when only men are supposed to be gryphon riders.
Sent to the gryphon academy, Sivana must learn to be a gryphon rider, learning to fight, learning to ride. Together she and Ari must overcome not only their own doubts, but those who oppose them and would like to see them both dead.

This is a story of courage under fire, strength in the face of adversity, and overcoming the odds. Sivana and Ari have everything against them, including corrupt leadership and their own disabilities and disadvantages, and yet, they press on. Ari, is dealing with his blindness, as well as his depression. Sivana is fighting the system, as well as the hatred of her peers. There are tear-jerking moments, and moments of joyous triumph… making for a thoroughly enjoyable, very entertaining fantasy read.
It’s pegged as young adult, but I think fantasy fans of any age will enjoy this tale of determination and bravery.

[Jennifer Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won physical copies of this trilogy for completing a mini reading challenge in one of the Facebook book groups I’m in. I was so happy to have actually won something, but I was also very nervous that I wouldn’t enjoy them, because of some previous disappointment with indie/small press authors. The market seems to be flooded with this type of author, and a lot of them end up being both very poorly written & poorly edited.

BUT every once in a while, you stumble across a real gem….and I’m truly pleased (and relieved) to report that this author seems to be just that. Her writing style is mature, yet uncomplicated. Her world building is smoothly done, without an excess of information. Her characters are well fleshed-out, and believable. The storyline pacing flows so well, that it’s easy to lose track of how long you’ve been reading for. I actually would have devoured this first book in one sitting if it weren’t for a previously planned “family movie night”. All in all this was a quick, enjoyable read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to readers of any age group.

[Moni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Das Buch Gryphon Rider Academy Zweite Chance ist der erste Band der Reihe von der Autorin Elise Hennessy, übersetzt von den Literary Queens.
Mir hat das Buch, der Schreibstil der Autorin sehr gut gefallen. Wem Eragon gefällt, der ist gut beraten zu dieser Geschichte zu greifen. Ich freu mich schon auf den nächsten Band!
Arimus, ein Kampfgreif, sieht seinem letzten Sonnenuntergang entgegen. Sein Reiter Alamid Maros verstarb im Kampf und meist überstehen die Greifen diesen Verlust nicht und sterben daran. Sivana , die Tochter des Kommandeurs, pflegt die Greife und auch zu Arimus hat sie eine besondere Verbindung. Als sie an seinem letzten Abend vor seiner Hinrichtung mit ihm hinaus geht und ihn den Sonnenuntergang und den Nachthimmel beschreibt, weil er erblindet ist, passiert etwas zuSchreckliches: die Stadt wird von Rozash angegriffen. Ari lässt Sivana auf ihm reiten, gemeinsam schaffen sie es die Feinde abzulenken und aufzuhalten bis die anderen Kampfgreife mit ihren Reitern kommen. Doch als Frau dürfte Sivana niemals einen Greifen reiten.....

[Jennifer K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move over Alanna, there's a new YA heroine in town.

Elise Hennessy has created a phenomenal book that takes me back to the days of reading Tamora Pierce for her strong female characters that, while they may struggle against men who are physically larger and stronger, refuse to back down. Sivana Walker and her Gryphon Ari make a stunning pair who face down adversity so much bigger than they are.

Heartbroken, blind, and on the brink of execution, Ari bonds with Sivana despite the fact that she's a girl. She'd been caring for him since his Link partner died in battle and had been resigned to the fact that he would be executed if he would not re-Link.

I love the friendships Sivana formed in her first year at the Academy and I cannot wait until book 2 comes out. I have a feeling Sivana and Ari are just starting in their journey to prove everyone wrong and big things wait for them.

[Cmoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right off the bat, I fell in love with Ari the gryphon, and his "caretaker" which I expect will be a Rider and the actual protagonist of this well written story. We soon learn her name is Sivana.
We find out that Sivana is the daughter of a rider, and that she has always hung out and took care of the gryphons in the Aerie making it no surprise that Ari bonded with her as his new rider, after his 1st rider died in battle. This is the crucks of the issue. This makes Sivanas the first female rider to ever be accepted in the gryphon riders ranks and the male riders don't like it! Not one bit!
So go grab the book and join me. We'll be to read bk2 together.

Since Gryphons share both thoughts and emotions I found these humbling quotes that I wanted to share with you...

"It didn’t help the churning nerves in my gut to feel his grief so intimately. However, the sharpest edges were smoothed now that we shared our moods."

"My eyes welled, unbidden."

[WhyChoose Book Boyfriend Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is a "New" to me author and I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I thought it sounded interesting from the description and thought I'd take a chance on it.

So I really don't want to give anything way cause the description gives a lot of it away.

Anyways what I will say is the storyline is really good and interesting. And there's some really interesting characters. Ones I'm still trying to figure out if their good or bad.

I really liked Sivana and Arimus' connection. I thought the author did a really nice job of trying to get us to understand what Arimus was going through being a blind gryphon.

I really liked this story and thought it was enjoyable.

I'm giving this book 4 Stars out of 5 and can't wait for the next one!!!

**I received a ARC of this book from the author for my honest opinion**

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gryphon Rider Academy: Year 1 by Elise Hennessy. I received this book through Bookfunnel and am now giving an honest review. Loved it. In this book a gryphon blinded in combat and lost his first rider and his will to live so is scheduled for death. Before this happens he forges a forbidden psychic link with the female who has been taken care of the Gryphons to prevent an attack from happening until more help can come. The bond is considered an affront to the gods for a female daring to ride a Gryphon. Only because of some intervention she is sent to Gryphon Academy but it is made clear by the king that if she fails first year at the academy the stay of execution for Arimus(the Gryphon) will be revoked. I really enjoyed reading and hope to read more by this writer. This book is available on Amazon

[Rukshy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silvana Walker has grown up around gryphons and is a caretaker for the magnificent animals, with her father a key commander. She cares for Ari, a blind gryphon who has recently lost his rider. In the midst of battle, she is chosen by Ari and becomes the first female to ever link with a gryphon and to become a rider. She is sent to the rider academy which is an all male school where she experiences significant discrimination from her peers and even from the king himself. What ensures is a tale of sexism, political intrigue and a band of misfits who are drawn together. The bond between Silvana and Ari is really beautiful and I look forward to more in this exciting new series. 4.5/5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Above Them All . . .

Arimus and Sivana form a special bond which makes Sivana Walker the first female gryphon rider. Sivana’s job is to take care of the gryphons. Among them is Arimus, a blind gryphon who is pining away in grief over the death of his first rider. Bonding with Sivana gives him the opportunity to return to combat and, because fighters are needed for the war, she is sent to the Gryphon Rider Academy.

Being the first female to attend, Sivana is not accepted by everyone. But when the king decrees that her failure would result in Arimus being executed (to avoid ever getting another female rider), Sivana is motivated to be the best she can be, not for herself, but for Arimus. Will they become the awesome team they need to be in order to prove themselves?

[LaShunda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coming of age story about the first female gryphon rider trying to save the life of her blind gryphon? Yes I was reading this! I pretty much squealed upon receiving this as an advanced reader copy, and was totally engrossed.

I expected it to be good, I hoped it would be good, but it was better and kept getting better. I love the characters. Sivana and Ari come a long way, and I am super excited to find out what comes next.

I suppose that is the downfall of having gotten this early... my wait for the next part feels super long. Still this is a fantastic read!

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story about Ari and Sivana. Ari is a blind gryphon given a second chance when he bonds to Sivana. So off these to go to the Gryphon Rider academy and makes friends and enemies as only someone who is different can. Entertaining and fun to read, I enjoyed the story and watching both Ari and Sivana get stronger and learn what they must in between dealing with their fellow students. Had to see what they faced and who would end up on their side. Lots of fun to read and enjoyed the characters and plot.

[Sarah Chipman · Rating 4 out of 5]

academy novel

This fit right in with bonded Knights academy novels from the past 40 years, whether Heralds of Valdemar or dragon riders or -- in this case -- gryphon riders. We have prejudice and bullying and politics, underdog misfits coming together to win, attempted murder of our hero, sensationalized journalism, destroyed belongings, and the requisite lonely and misunderstood younger noble/royal as a rival or potential love interest. Not a bad rendition, but predictable and a little juvenile.

[Raelene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It, like the Harry Potter series is marked as YA-however as an adult-a Sr Citizen adult lol-I absolutely love this writing style-pure great writing -a page turner storyline -without the need to add in titillating sec scenes as they do in the books targeting adults! A good book is a good book and is such based upon the authors ability to tell a captivating story! I am onto the second book in the series-I hope this author is picked up for a Netflix series-it’s that good!!!!

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining YA fantasy. Around is a Gryphon wounded in battle. Diana Walker is his groom and desperate to save him from the executioner, a women do not link with Grphons or become Gryphon riders. When they foil an attack political intrigues and ambitions get them sent to the rider academy. Prejudice, sabotage and conspiracy await her. This is a great story with strong characters and an entertaining premise. I look forward to listening to more of these books. Rebekah Nemethy is an excellent narrator.