The mute elven archer known only as Killer. Azyrin, a half Winter-orc shaman and his human swordswoman bride, Makha. Drake, the charming, swashbuckling rogue. The fireball-slinging pixie-goblin, Rahiel, and her mini-unicorn, Bill. These are the Gryphonpike Companions.
Taking on their most dangerous quest yet, Killer fears she won't survive to break her curse. Tasked with finding the source behind a magical winter without end far to the north on the isolated island of Imaldor, Killer and her companions sail north. There they must face off against the elements and an unknown foe to end the deadly winter before it ends them and all hope Killer has of ever going home.
This is the final adventure fantasy novella in the Gryphonpike Chronicles series.
Annie Bellet is a full-time speculative fiction writer. She holds a BA in English and a BA in Medieval Studies and thus can speak a smattering of useful languages such as Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Welsh.
Her books include Avarice (Pyrrh Considerable Crimes Division: Book 1), The Gryphonpike Chronicles series, and the Twenty-Sided Sorceress series.
Her interests besides writing include rock climbing, reading, horse-back riding, video games, comic books, table-top RPGs, and many other nerdy pursuits.
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Love this concept but this is like a book outline, not a novella.
I don't mind novellas or short stories, and Anne Bellet is a favorite of mine.
I read the first Gyphonpike Companion books as an omnibus. The four made for a decent size book. The characters are fascinating and they deserve more backstory and build. A lot more. What are the elemental immortal elves and exactly what is their magic system that allowed Killer to do something unforgivable and exciled with no voice or ability to communicate? Why does the Pixie owe her family money and why does she ride a mini rainbow colored unicorn named Bill? Who is Bill and what is he doing in the guild?
And the guild itself is a character. The working rules, the guildhalls in town, how the members choose jobs and cut the money earned. These are questions that should be fleshed out. They deserve to be. This ended the series. So no more information officially. There is a note that the elf would return in later books, but the story could have been written if these "novellas" had been given more substance. As they are, I won't read any more like it. As much as I love the characters and world, I had to make their back stories and world up in my mind because Anne didn't write much at all. It was a wasted opportunity in my opinion.
I think the 20 sided dice books were super fun to read and eagerly awaited each new one. They were books. With fully realized worlds, magic systems and characters.
These should have been as well. They had that spark. I really hope one day Anne will flesh them out and return us to this world.
3 stars for the first 4 as one omni. 2 for novella 5, as it took about 15 minutes to read for .99 3 for novella 6, because Killer's conclusion did happen. But no one else had their plots resolved.
*sad face*
I was disappointed overall. Would recommend the 20 sided sorceress books but not these unless you can borrow them and have an hour or so to kill. All 6 can be finished in an hour.
The conclusion to the Gryphonpike Chronicles series sends Killer and her companions to the frozen north to discover the truth behind a seemingly endless winter. Truth be told, though this story keeps up the quick pace and easy writing style of the previous ones, I was a little disappointed in that it all seemed to be wrapped up a little too quickly. I was on the 99% point on my Kindle thinking that surely there was plenty more to be dealt with and then it was all over. I have a lot of questions that were never answered. I feel it was hinted that we would receive conclusions to these half-formed plotlines but we never did. I even looked online to see if the series continued for a more thorough conclusion but that seems to be it. The writing was strong as usual and I really love these characters but I was just left feeling like something was missing. I would recommend this series if you enjoy high fantasy and are looking for a quick and dynamic read but I feel it didn't quite reach its full potential in the end.
3 1/2 stars I think this was a good book, for a novella. If you like fantasy, lots of action, and something short, the Gryphonpike Chronicles is it. "Killer" and her friends are off on another adventure to the frozen north to right a wrong in the hope that she will regain her voice and her powers. As with the other five novellas in this series, there isn't much to say as far as character development, but the action makes up for it. I feel you do know a little bit about each of the characters, but I still have questions about who they are and their backgrounds. The author did a good job of sidelining some of the questions I think most readers might have. This would be a great series if she went back and redid them as full length novels with all the details. But, as it is, I still really enjoyed the action and short read the story provides. I found a few grammatical errors in this particular novella, but not enough to distract from the story whatsoever.
They say that if you begin a book disliking it and finish enjoying it you will always remember enjoying the book despite the beginning. This series was like that for me. I was not sure when I finished the first book that I liked it very much, but having finished the entire series and found myself disappointed to finish it and wanting to read it again I am pleased to say that it is true. I especially liked the ending and feel that it was well done. Recommend to all fantasy lovers!
Review written on my phone, so please pardon any weird mistakes.
This story was ok, but I did space out a little during the battle - I feel like I do that a lot lately. I liked that Killer was on her own for a while, and that we got more backstory for her, as well as the story moving forward. Now, the author just need to finish the series!!!!
I'm kind of odd about this but if I like a book or series I will re-read it. Sometimes many times. This series fits the criteria. Now that Killer is returning to normal I would hope for a couple more installments. mrg
This series is great, although the stories are short, they are well written and entertaining. Looking forward to more adventure s with Killer, Fade and the team.
THAT ENDING. Is that the end of the series ? It could be the end. But I would so read more. Like this is season 1 and then we will have a season 2 and season 3 and... Please makes it happen, Annie Bellet.