An ancient book. A secret prophecy... and a stable boy.
Fourteen-year-old Paxton has learned to stay invisible. As a royal stable boy—and son of a traitor—someone is always watching.
But when Paxton discovers he has the sight, everything changes. Conscripted into royal service, he is tasked with decoding an ancient book in search of clues to the disappearance of the griffyns—and how to bring them back.
Paxton’s revelations soon point to a mysterious relic—the Griffyn Stone. But the king is not the only one who wants it. Drawn into a conspiracy that marks him as a target, Paxton is forced to flee. With the help of his friends, he races across the kingdom to find his father, protect the griffyns, and stop an insurrection.
As enemies close in and loyalties are tested, Paxton must choose whether to be defined by the lies of the past—or to accept the truth of who he is.
Griffyn Stone is a sweeping YA fantasy about friendship, destiny, and choosing who you become when your story has already been written.
M. Kennicott (you can call him Mark) is a teacher, storyteller, and lifelong lover of literature. As an author of fantasy novels and non-fiction books, he writes to inspire faith, courage, mystery, and hope.
When he's not writing, Mark serves as a teacher and adjunct professor, sharing his passion for reading and storytelling with the next generation. His books reflect his conviction that even in dark and difficult times, light, truth, and courage win out.
He lives in Florida with his family and is always working on his next adventure. Visit kennicottbooks.com to subscribe to his newsletter and stay up-to-date on current and upcoming releases.
The Griffyn Stone is a fun, imaginative fantasy adventure that works well for readers of all ages.
At the center of the story is Paxton, a fourteen-year-old stable boy who discovers that he has the Sight, an ability that allows him to see things others cannot. What begins as a mysterious discovery quickly grows into a much larger journey involving ancient relics, hidden truths, political intrigue, missing griffyns, and a kingdom facing serious threats.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the sense of adventure. There is a larger quest driving the story, but along the way Paxton and his friends encounter plenty of smaller challenges, twists, surprises, and unexpected turns. The story keeps moving, and there is always another piece of the mystery waiting to be uncovered.
The friendships are also an important part of the book. Ellie, Dean, and Ash each bring something different to the group, and I especially enjoyed Ellie. I would have happily taken a few more moments where she got to show just how capable and formidable she can be.
I also liked the way the author incorporated small bits of poetry into the story. It plays a relatively minor role overall, but it becomes surprisingly important as Paxton begins piecing together clues and solving the larger puzzle surrounding the griffyns.
Paxton’s growth is ultimately what holds everything together. He begins the story as someone accustomed to staying unnoticed and ends it with a much greater understanding of who he is, where he comes from, and the responsibility he is willing to accept.
There is plenty here for fantasy readers to enjoy: adventure, friendship, family secrets, magic, humor, danger, and a few very satisfying twists. I expected to spend much longer with this book, but I found myself moving through it much faster than planned.
This book delivers a kingdom wide chase full of prophecy, danger and secrets… lots of secrets! 🤫 It was captivating from beginning to end and had some great lines… “‘Lord Barrett here was hurkle-durkling in the stables,’ Ellie said, jabbing Paxton with a bony elbow.” (I just really liked that line) lol It reminded me of a mix of Jonathan Rogers and Rick Riordan style type. I love this genre and it definitely hit the mark in every way! M. Kennicott, Author offers humor and suspense but doesn’t leave out the heart and moral background of the story either. This is a fun read for any age!! Highly recommend!! Also if you only do Audible, this is one that you should look forward to as the author is working on it!
I received Griffyn Stone as an advanced copy from the author.
Griffyn Stone is truly a great middle school/YA fiction fantasy novel. The character and story development are outstanding. Mark Kennicott created a world where you follow Paxton and his friends on a quest to uncover the mysteries of the Guardians and Griffyns. The descriptions are fabulous and I was able to visualize the scenes perfectly. The relationships and dynamics between the friends is also written very well. I would definitely recommend this story and I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
This was quite the journey. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I will be recommending it as I do all of my 5-star reviews on my social platforms and blog. The characters were good, as were the plot and all-around creativity. A solid read from front to back.
Loved it! This book delivers a kingdom wide chase full of prophecy, danger and secrets… lots of secrets! 🤫
It was captivating from beginning to end and had some great lines… “‘Lord Barrett here was hurkle-durkling in the stables,’ Ellie said, jabbing Paxton with a bony elbow.”
(I just really liked that line) lol
It reminded me of a mix of Jonathan Rogers and Rick Riordan style type.
I love this genre and it definitely hit the mark in every way!
M. Kennicott, Author offers humor and suspense but doesn’t leave out the heart and moral background of the story either.
This is a fun read for any age!! Highly recommend!!
Also if you only do Audible, this is one that you should look forward to as the author is working on it!
I really enjoyed this book—and the more I read it, the more I enjoyed it.
Paxton (the leading main character) is a teenaged boy who occasionally causes mischief with his friends, Ellie and Dean. One day, that mischief leads to a discovery that changes everything, and sets Paxton and his friends on a journey across the kingdom.
The story that unfolds is one of adventure, friendship, second chances, and magic. The characters were diverse and well written, the setting was deeply immersive, and the magic system was unique enough to feel fresh. Regarding the latter, I particularly enjoyed how the magic was entirely focused on the griffyns and the lore surrounding them.
But beyond everything else, this is a story about friendship, and how who we surround ourselves with is just as important as what we do in life. That’s a great message, especially for teenagers and young adults.
Overall, a great high fantasy story for all ages!
I received an advance copy of this book by the author/publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC copy of The Griffyn Stone, and from the beginning I was drawn into the world M. Kennicott created.
This is the kind of fantasy story that reminds me why I love the genre — adventure, mystery, danger, and characters you find yourself rooting for. The world feels rich and imaginative, but what stayed with me most was the heart of the story. Beneath the magic and excitement is a journey about courage, friendship, and discovering your own strength.
I especially enjoyed watching the characters grow (especially Pax) as they faced challenges and uncovered secrets along the way. The story has that wonderful blend of wonder and emotion that makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens next. I think my favorite part is the festival with the peace pig fiasco, but I don't want to give it away.
A fantastic adventure for readers who love fantasy filled with mystery, heart, and a little bit of magic. I can’t wait to see what M. Kennicott writes next!