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The Summer King Chronicles #1
Song of the Summer King
Second Edition of the beloved Song of the Summer King, with brand new cover art by illustrator Jennifer Miller!ONE WILL RISE HIGHER . . .Shard is a gryfon in danger. He and other young males of the Silver Isles are old enough to fly, hunt, and fight--old enough to be threats to their ruler, the red gryfon king. In the midst of the dangerous initiation hunt, Shard takes the unexpected advice of a strange she-wolf who seeks him out, and hints that Shard's past isn't all that it seems. To learn his past, Shard must abandon the future he wants and make allies of those the gryfons call enemies.When the gryfon king declares open war on the wolves, it throws Shard's past and uncertain future into the turmoil between. Now with battle lines drawn, Shard must decide whether to fight beside his king . . .or against him.
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
224 people are currently reading
2231 people want to read
About the author
Jess E. Owen
14 books204 followersJess is a professional author and artist. For years she was an Equity Stage Manager in the theatre, but left that life to focus on writing. She is a member and past president of the Authors of the Flathead, an organization of “writers helping writers,” and is a proud member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
Jess has been creating works of fantasy art and fiction for over a decade. She lives with her husband in the mountains of northwest Montana, which offer daily inspiration for creating worlds of wise, wild creatures, magic, and adventure. Jess can be contacted directly at, www.jessowen.com
Jess has been creating works of fantasy art and fiction for over a decade. She lives with her husband in the mountains of northwest Montana, which offer daily inspiration for creating worlds of wise, wild creatures, magic, and adventure. Jess can be contacted directly at, www.jessowen.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
December 13, 2016
A wonderful coming-of-age story that focuses on truth, choices, family, honor—and the challenges inherent in each. There are no truly evil characters, just "people" with their own beliefs, educations, and hopes. I can't remember the last time I read a story told from the point of view of animals that I found both likable and believable. Owen's descriptions brought both the setting and the characters to life in a delightful tale of fantasy and adventure. This one will find a comfortable home on my list of Flinch-Free Fantasy.
July 20, 2012
Firstly, I want to say this was recommended to me by the cover artist (indirectly, through her involvement with the author, but recommended nonetheless). I'd been following her progress on the image for some time, and when she said that it was out, I jumped at the chance to read it. Judging by the time it took me to finish, let's say the author was quite successful. ^^
Fantasy has, and always will be, my first love. In this day and age of urban fantasy, paranormal romance and distopian novels, it's refreshing to sit back and devour a good old pure fantasy novel. Especially one that has gryphons (or, per the author's parlance, gryfons).
Jess E. Owen snagged me from the beginning with her richly-depicted world: if you closed your eyes, you could smell the moss growing in the forests, scent the salt air, and feel the craggy mountains beneath your fingers (or, talons). It didn't hurt that she threw in a good dose of Norse mythology, either! It took me a minute to figure out why the two tribes of gryfons were called the "Vanir" and "Aesir" ... the smaller Vanir, like their Norse counterparts, were from the sea; while the Aesir thought themselves the conquerors and betters.
There is a slight twist towards the end that I wasn't prepared for. I had thought I had a certain situation figured out, but things didn't turn out that way! (Don't worry, it's not bad!) The main character, Shard, is believable. He has his failings, true, but he also has his strengths. The supporting characters have their own distinct personalities, and aren't cookie-cutter background fodder.
So. Do I recommend this book? Yes! For several reasons: One, if you love gryphons (gryfons), this is the book for you. Any novel that has quality talking animals and an engaging plot is first-rate in my eye. Two, the author is self-published. As someone who hopes to do the same, I throw my support behind anyone willing to take such a risk. Three, it's damned good! I don't finish novels within a few days because I don't like it. Would I read it again? Most asuredly.
When's the sequel coming out? I want to know where the Aesir came from, and why they fled!
Fantasy has, and always will be, my first love. In this day and age of urban fantasy, paranormal romance and distopian novels, it's refreshing to sit back and devour a good old pure fantasy novel. Especially one that has gryphons (or, per the author's parlance, gryfons).
Jess E. Owen snagged me from the beginning with her richly-depicted world: if you closed your eyes, you could smell the moss growing in the forests, scent the salt air, and feel the craggy mountains beneath your fingers (or, talons). It didn't hurt that she threw in a good dose of Norse mythology, either! It took me a minute to figure out why the two tribes of gryfons were called the "Vanir" and "Aesir" ... the smaller Vanir, like their Norse counterparts, were from the sea; while the Aesir thought themselves the conquerors and betters.
There is a slight twist towards the end that I wasn't prepared for. I had thought I had a certain situation figured out, but things didn't turn out that way! (Don't worry, it's not bad!) The main character, Shard, is believable. He has his failings, true, but he also has his strengths. The supporting characters have their own distinct personalities, and aren't cookie-cutter background fodder.
So. Do I recommend this book? Yes! For several reasons: One, if you love gryphons (gryfons), this is the book for you. Any novel that has quality talking animals and an engaging plot is first-rate in my eye. Two, the author is self-published. As someone who hopes to do the same, I throw my support behind anyone willing to take such a risk. Three, it's damned good! I don't finish novels within a few days because I don't like it. Would I read it again? Most asuredly.
When's the sequel coming out? I want to know where the Aesir came from, and why they fled!
February 27, 2013
I read this whole book in one weekend because it kept me that interested. And since then, I've read it several more times. It's fantastic.
Some general things I liked:
- The gryphons feel like REAL animals. They don't have magical powers. They aren't impossibly built and they are limited by the strength of their bodies and minds.
- I love the overall theme of the problems of lying. The author spends considerable amount of time over the lies of her main character and emphasizes again and again how detrimental lies are to every aspect of this character's life. Fantastic.
- The descriptions feel so comfortable and real. You get a fantastic view of the world these guys live in, and the animals feel very real as well. I love how well she uses the color tags for the various characters. Einarr is always copper, Catori is red, Kjorn is golden, and so on. It helps paint a picture in the reader's mind, and gives a quick reminder of who each character is.
- No one is labeled as a perfect villain or a perfect hero. They are all a mix of both. Just some are more villain and some more hero.
Some things I didn't like:
- There are a few cliches with this piece. However, the author does a great job of making those cliche's feel different. She molds them into something new.
- Certain sentence structures (things similar to "Shard flew down the river, laughing the whole way") bother me a little, but that's being nitpicky.
Overall though, great story. I will happily continue to read it!
Here's a more detailed review, should you want to know more!
Some general things I liked:
- The gryphons feel like REAL animals. They don't have magical powers. They aren't impossibly built and they are limited by the strength of their bodies and minds.
- I love the overall theme of the problems of lying. The author spends considerable amount of time over the lies of her main character and emphasizes again and again how detrimental lies are to every aspect of this character's life. Fantastic.
- The descriptions feel so comfortable and real. You get a fantastic view of the world these guys live in, and the animals feel very real as well. I love how well she uses the color tags for the various characters. Einarr is always copper, Catori is red, Kjorn is golden, and so on. It helps paint a picture in the reader's mind, and gives a quick reminder of who each character is.
- No one is labeled as a perfect villain or a perfect hero. They are all a mix of both. Just some are more villain and some more hero.
Some things I didn't like:
- There are a few cliches with this piece. However, the author does a great job of making those cliche's feel different. She molds them into something new.
- Certain sentence structures (things similar to "Shard flew down the river, laughing the whole way") bother me a little, but that's being nitpicky.
Overall though, great story. I will happily continue to read it!
Here's a more detailed review, should you want to know more!
December 20, 2022
If this first book is anything to judge by, I expect the series to be quite an epic.
There is a comprehensive lore and world building that doesn't strike at first but rather unveils seamlessly, logically so as to reflect the characters' knowledge.
The struggles of loyalty of the main character and the resulting wandering (and messups) are rendered in very believable way and contribute to his character development. This part, as I see it, is also a key success of this book because it is easy to render this kind of difficulty in an unbalanced way that would in turn make the whole story capsize.
The conclusion is good too, not an outright cliffhanger but a major turning point with promising prospects that makes me very curious for the continuation.
There is a comprehensive lore and world building that doesn't strike at first but rather unveils seamlessly, logically so as to reflect the characters' knowledge.
The struggles of loyalty of the main character and the resulting wandering (and messups) are rendered in very believable way and contribute to his character development. This part, as I see it, is also a key success of this book because it is easy to render this kind of difficulty in an unbalanced way that would in turn make the whole story capsize.
The conclusion is good too, not an outright cliffhanger but a major turning point with promising prospects that makes me very curious for the continuation.
April 16, 2015
How would The Lion King look like with gryfons, more grey areas than a movie from the twenties and a strong undertone of political revisionism?
It's an interesting question, and what pushes the story through. Brought us by the pen of Jess E. Owen, this book, the first instalment in a planned series, is an unusual take on the theme of classical heroic fantasy. And as usual I'm late to the party, but I'm glad I picked it up - there's a lot of similar stories out there, but this book really shines in its execution.
First, the basis. It's an animal fantasy story, with no traces of magic - its main source of inspiration as far as iconography goes seems to be the already referenced Lion King - set in a small archipelago of islands (the Silver Isles) where a pride of gryfons, as the author calls them, is caught in a descending spiral of violence against a tribe of wolves.
The author puts a lot of emphasis on the ritualistic aspects of gryfon's society, which seems to be dictated by the King for no immediately apparent reason. Flying at night and fishing are forbidden, and there's a rigid selection of the members of the pride that depends on his judgment - but why? The question is never asked directly, but its shadow appears in every page and is what ultimately pushes Shard, our hero, to oppose the status quo.
Hats off to the author for not choosing the easy way out - there's no (apparent) trace of magic, and the question itself is never answered by a character: this is a book that trusts his readers to be smart, to actually think about what the implication behind certain decisions mean. The theme of cultural demolition (and in the latter half, of creating an enemy for the people) is present throughout the story, with characters from the previous, defeated pride trying their best to never forget their old ways, that the current leaders seem to be trying to erase from everyone's memory.
Let me stop this review to point out one thing: the book is very character-driven, and while there do is a bit of action which increases gradually until the end, some of you folks might find themselves bored by the deliberately slow pace and extremely prolonged first act. This is evidently the point of the story though - the protagonist is torn between trying to fit in the pride (with a really smart move from the King in that sense at a certain point) and facing the fact that the pride itself was born out of a hostile takeover that decimated his original tribe and killed his family, and all that is carefully shown in his character development.
The prose is solid, with an 'old storyteller' feel to it that meshes nicely with the theme of songs and clashing of clans. There is some strong worldbuilding at work, with the adoption of a particular gryfon lingo to avoid breaking the suspension of disbelief: hours are sunmarks, and the cardinal points have been renamed to fit with the point of view of someone whose main references are waves, winds and stars. There's also a map of the Isles included, which is a nice touch.
Definitely recommended. Though its slow pace and sometimes too ancient-sounding prose can deter some people looking for more battle-oriented stuff, there's some talent at work here and a huge dose of trust in its readers. If you enjoy intelligently written fantasy works that can be read on more than one level, this is the book for you. And hey, if you just want to see gryfons and wolves beating each other to a pulp, this book also delivers. Just be warned that it might take a while.
It's an interesting question, and what pushes the story through. Brought us by the pen of Jess E. Owen, this book, the first instalment in a planned series, is an unusual take on the theme of classical heroic fantasy. And as usual I'm late to the party, but I'm glad I picked it up - there's a lot of similar stories out there, but this book really shines in its execution.
First, the basis. It's an animal fantasy story, with no traces of magic - its main source of inspiration as far as iconography goes seems to be the already referenced Lion King - set in a small archipelago of islands (the Silver Isles) where a pride of gryfons, as the author calls them, is caught in a descending spiral of violence against a tribe of wolves.
The author puts a lot of emphasis on the ritualistic aspects of gryfon's society, which seems to be dictated by the King for no immediately apparent reason. Flying at night and fishing are forbidden, and there's a rigid selection of the members of the pride that depends on his judgment - but why? The question is never asked directly, but its shadow appears in every page and is what ultimately pushes Shard, our hero, to oppose the status quo.
Hats off to the author for not choosing the easy way out - there's no (apparent) trace of magic, and the question itself is never answered by a character: this is a book that trusts his readers to be smart, to actually think about what the implication behind certain decisions mean. The theme of cultural demolition (and in the latter half, of creating an enemy for the people) is present throughout the story, with characters from the previous, defeated pride trying their best to never forget their old ways, that the current leaders seem to be trying to erase from everyone's memory.
Let me stop this review to point out one thing: the book is very character-driven, and while there do is a bit of action which increases gradually until the end, some of you folks might find themselves bored by the deliberately slow pace and extremely prolonged first act. This is evidently the point of the story though - the protagonist is torn between trying to fit in the pride (with a really smart move from the King in that sense at a certain point) and facing the fact that the pride itself was born out of a hostile takeover that decimated his original tribe and killed his family, and all that is carefully shown in his character development.
The prose is solid, with an 'old storyteller' feel to it that meshes nicely with the theme of songs and clashing of clans. There is some strong worldbuilding at work, with the adoption of a particular gryfon lingo to avoid breaking the suspension of disbelief: hours are sunmarks, and the cardinal points have been renamed to fit with the point of view of someone whose main references are waves, winds and stars. There's also a map of the Isles included, which is a nice touch.
Definitely recommended. Though its slow pace and sometimes too ancient-sounding prose can deter some people looking for more battle-oriented stuff, there's some talent at work here and a huge dose of trust in its readers. If you enjoy intelligently written fantasy works that can be read on more than one level, this is the book for you. And hey, if you just want to see gryfons and wolves beating each other to a pulp, this book also delivers. Just be warned that it might take a while.
December 27, 2014
If you want a wonderful, fantastical tale of fantasy and adventure, look no farther!
This was a very good book, from the intriguing plot to the vibrant descriptions. The use of vocabulary was broad, but simple, making it an easy read. The islands and all that inhabited them were described wonderfully, from the slope of the king's rocks of the Sun Isle to the red marble arche of the Star Isle. The creatures, gryfons and wolves and birds and boar, we're all described with accurate (for those that aren't fantasy!) details; how the real creatures would behave. Even the gryfons acted very much like how I would imagine them so in real life.
The characters and their relationships were very well rounded. While many authors struggle to grasp relationships, Owen has created a very realistic view of friendship, parent-and-son, enemies, and "wingbrothers." The characters also have their own very distinct personalities and views of the world; I easily understood why the enemies and friends did what they did and why, even though the plot had the chance to be tangled. Inside of being twisted fibers, Owen has weaved the plot line into a promising quilt.
The plot- oh, the plot! Even with a prophecy, something cliché of the fantasy world, Owen managed to make it fresh and exciting. She managed to never reveal as much to let me catch on what was going to happen. This may be the first book I have read where I didn't expect the ending! The twists and turns kept me on my toes. I was amazed at the steps taken to throw the main character, conflicted Shard, off his allotted course. She managed to twist the situation where it looked like there was no way out, when another, stunning twist would enter the scene.
I only rated it 4/5 because there were minor misspellings or punctuations errors throughout the story. Very few- I don't believe I spotted any more than ten.
I would reccommend this to any fantasy, action, or adventure fan!
This was a very good book, from the intriguing plot to the vibrant descriptions. The use of vocabulary was broad, but simple, making it an easy read. The islands and all that inhabited them were described wonderfully, from the slope of the king's rocks of the Sun Isle to the red marble arche of the Star Isle. The creatures, gryfons and wolves and birds and boar, we're all described with accurate (for those that aren't fantasy!) details; how the real creatures would behave. Even the gryfons acted very much like how I would imagine them so in real life.
The characters and their relationships were very well rounded. While many authors struggle to grasp relationships, Owen has created a very realistic view of friendship, parent-and-son, enemies, and "wingbrothers." The characters also have their own very distinct personalities and views of the world; I easily understood why the enemies and friends did what they did and why, even though the plot had the chance to be tangled. Inside of being twisted fibers, Owen has weaved the plot line into a promising quilt.
The plot- oh, the plot! Even with a prophecy, something cliché of the fantasy world, Owen managed to make it fresh and exciting. She managed to never reveal as much to let me catch on what was going to happen. This may be the first book I have read where I didn't expect the ending! The twists and turns kept me on my toes. I was amazed at the steps taken to throw the main character, conflicted Shard, off his allotted course. She managed to twist the situation where it looked like there was no way out, when another, stunning twist would enter the scene.
I only rated it 4/5 because there were minor misspellings or punctuations errors throughout the story. Very few- I don't believe I spotted any more than ten.
I would reccommend this to any fantasy, action, or adventure fan!
August 19, 2014
Gryphons, wolves, the islands, honor and glory - honestly, what's not to like? I've had this book sitting on my kindle for some time now and just got around to reading it, and I cannot fathom why I waited so long!
Jess does a tremendous job penning a non-human main character in Shard. With his desire to be honorable and do the right thing battling against his longing to serve his king and earn glory as a warrior of the pride, Shard was a fascinating character.
The gryphons and wolves that populate the story came across as true beasts. There was never a moment where I felt like I was reading about human characters who were called gryphons or wolves - a common issue with books of this genre. Not only that, but Jess has created a legend and lore as rich as any devised by the Norse that lends stability and depth to her world without consuming the story.
All in all, it was a great read, and I'm highly looking forward to the next book in the series. You should definitely pick it up.
Because ... gryphons.
Enough said.
Jess does a tremendous job penning a non-human main character in Shard. With his desire to be honorable and do the right thing battling against his longing to serve his king and earn glory as a warrior of the pride, Shard was a fascinating character.
The gryphons and wolves that populate the story came across as true beasts. There was never a moment where I felt like I was reading about human characters who were called gryphons or wolves - a common issue with books of this genre. Not only that, but Jess has created a legend and lore as rich as any devised by the Norse that lends stability and depth to her world without consuming the story.
All in all, it was a great read, and I'm highly looking forward to the next book in the series. You should definitely pick it up.
Because ... gryphons.
Enough said.
Read
October 20, 2014Song of the summer king
I would give this book a 3.8 rating. I would like to ride the next book in the collection.
I would like my friends and family to read and see what they think.
I would give this book a 3.8 rating. I would like to ride the next book in the collection.
I would like my friends and family to read and see what they think.
October 9, 2022
I have a weakness for xenofiction -- books and stories that focus on animals or mythical creatures as characters instead of humans. And gryphons are a creature that seem rather underutilized in fiction. So I was excited to read "Song of the Summer King"... and wasn't disappointed. It's an exciting adventure story, and the beginning of a promising series.
Shard is a young gryphon of the Vanir pride... one of the few who survived when their homeland was invaded by the Aesir pride. He has always vowed to serve the Aesir king, and to fight the wolves that threaten their pride. But when a wolf actually speaks to him, he learns some terrible truths about the Aesir... and some shocking secrets about his own destiny.
The writing in this book gets a little overly flowery at times, especially in the first couple of chapters. But once it hits its stride it does a nice job of worldbuilding, and of balancing out more introspective moments with moments of action. The culture of the gryphons feels believable and fleshed out, and there are hints of a grander backstory that I'm sure we'll see fleshed out in future volumes.
Character development is decent, if a bit archetypical. This isn't necessarily a bad thing -- we continue to use tropes because they work -- but sometimes the same story of "young outcast finds mentor and discovers truth about
Shard is a young gryphon of the Vanir pride... one of the few who survived when their homeland was invaded by the Aesir pride. He has always vowed to serve the Aesir king, and to fight the wolves that threaten their pride. But when a wolf actually speaks to him, he learns some terrible truths about the Aesir... and some shocking secrets about his own destiny.
The writing in this book gets a little overly flowery at times, especially in the first couple of chapters. But once it hits its stride it does a nice job of worldbuilding, and of balancing out more introspective moments with moments of action. The culture of the gryphons feels believable and fleshed out, and there are hints of a grander backstory that I'm sure we'll see fleshed out in future volumes.
Character development is decent, if a bit archetypical. This isn't necessarily a bad thing -- we continue to use tropes because they work -- but sometimes the same story of "young outcast finds mentor and discovers truth about
January 23, 2022
I didn't expect to enjoy this book much but IT WAS SO GOOD!!
I've never actually read a Gryphon book before so maybe that was part of it?
What I loved:
- The characters, especially the main character. He was a good, solid protagonist but still had his flaws and it was interesting to read about his internal conflict and watch him grow past his pride. Kjorn was also an interesting character and I have no idea where the author is going to take him- he could turn out to be good or completely evil. I did forget the difference between a couple a few times (Hallr and Halvden) but otherwise, amazing characters!
- The plot was intriguing and kept me hooked! I finished this within 2/3 days!
- I really liked the writing style! The combat scenes were intense and gripping and the emotions of the characters kind of bled out from the page.
- I liked the descriptions of the culture of the wolves and Gryphons.
The worldbuilding felt slightly lacking but I think that's only because this is the first book in a quartet, so I'm sure I'll get more.
Overall, this was a great read!
I've never actually read a Gryphon book before so maybe that was part of it?
What I loved:
- The characters, especially the main character. He was a good, solid protagonist but still had his flaws and it was interesting to read about his internal conflict and watch him grow past his pride. Kjorn was also an interesting character and I have no idea where the author is going to take him- he could turn out to be good or completely evil. I did forget the difference between a couple a few times (Hallr and Halvden) but otherwise, amazing characters!
- The plot was intriguing and kept me hooked! I finished this within 2/3 days!
- I really liked the writing style! The combat scenes were intense and gripping and the emotions of the characters kind of bled out from the page.
- I liked the descriptions of the culture of the wolves and Gryphons.
The worldbuilding felt slightly lacking but I think that's only because this is the first book in a quartet, so I'm sure I'll get more.
Overall, this was a great read!
April 8, 2021
This book is a slow burn read, which means that it is not action oriented, however, if you want battles, your patience will be rewarded. The main focus are the characters and they are wonderful. The message for peace and mutual understanding is very important and I think now even more relevant than when the book was written. I know that the book is self-published, but I want to stress that it is VERY well written, so this fact is more connected with the topic of the novel than the quality of writing, which is incredible. I believe that maybe this one was better than the similar Birth of the Firebringer, sadly with both series the quality decreases in the sequels, as the authors make similar mistakes.
Review in Bulgarian here:
https://citadelata.com/song-of-the-su...
Review in Bulgarian here:
https://citadelata.com/song-of-the-su...
July 16, 2016
Originally Reviewed at Witchmag's Boekenplank
!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, a couple of days after reading Song of the Summer King, I’m still at a loss for words. Totally speechless. Shard, Kjorn and all the other characters are still haunting me. I’ve never read a book that had such a great impact, that kept me thinking about all the characters, the story, the world, till days and days after. Strangely enough it also makes it difficult to write a review about a book this phenomenal. I don’t know where to begin. Should I start with the world-building or the plot? Or is it better to start with saying something about the characters? There’s just so much I want to tell, that I want to praise to the sky, that I want to share with you. And I can assure you, reading this book will rock your world and sacrificing some sleep to finish it won’t be a hardship at all
Hmm… Okay, let’s begin with the plot first. That was what drew me initially to this book (and the absolutely fabulous cover of course ). Gryfons and wolves, oh my! That’s going to be a very unique story! And unique it was, but it was also so much more. It touched something in my very core. It’s so detailed and rich. With splendid characters and a story that will keep you enraptured till the end. A story… and I can go on and on like that. In short: this story was amazing and a must read. I won’t tell more, you’ll just have to read it yourself And you won’t be disappointed, trust me!
The world that Jess E. Owen creates is at least as fascinating as the story, if not more so. Add to that touches of Norse Mythology, mythical creatures and talking animals and I was hooked. The time I spent in this world was awesome and I loved every minute of it. It was fantastic to fly with the Gryfons and run with the wolves. It’s written so well that everything felt almost real. Like I could feel the wind, hear the wolves howl and a Gryfon roar…. It was totally and utterly perfect!
The characters too were great to be around. In this story it’s all about Shard, the little grey Gryfon, who discovers that he is destined to do a bit more than he originally thought he would. And this books tell his journey, his road to discovery, to find his true inner self. His path is not an easy one and he could be a bit too gullible, but he’s also adorable and fun and I just loved him to death. The other characters, too, were given a very sound “voice”. They were multi-dimensional, easy to distinguish and totally intriguing to read about. They were the topping of this delicious treat I was given. And now I’m hunkering for more! Where’s the next book?
Conclusion
5 HEARTS. It may seem like I did not go into details with this review, but this is only because it’s such an amazing, griping,terrific book that you should read for yourself. And I also don’t want to spoil everything, which might happen if I really start talking. AKA: thanks for reading my review and go read this book. Or at least add it to your TBR-pile . I can recommend it wholeheartedly, for young and old. It’s an ageless story that will stick with you,that will rock your world.
!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, a couple of days after reading Song of the Summer King, I’m still at a loss for words. Totally speechless. Shard, Kjorn and all the other characters are still haunting me. I’ve never read a book that had such a great impact, that kept me thinking about all the characters, the story, the world, till days and days after. Strangely enough it also makes it difficult to write a review about a book this phenomenal. I don’t know where to begin. Should I start with the world-building or the plot? Or is it better to start with saying something about the characters? There’s just so much I want to tell, that I want to praise to the sky, that I want to share with you. And I can assure you, reading this book will rock your world and sacrificing some sleep to finish it won’t be a hardship at all
Hmm… Okay, let’s begin with the plot first. That was what drew me initially to this book (and the absolutely fabulous cover of course ). Gryfons and wolves, oh my! That’s going to be a very unique story! And unique it was, but it was also so much more. It touched something in my very core. It’s so detailed and rich. With splendid characters and a story that will keep you enraptured till the end. A story… and I can go on and on like that. In short: this story was amazing and a must read. I won’t tell more, you’ll just have to read it yourself And you won’t be disappointed, trust me!
The world that Jess E. Owen creates is at least as fascinating as the story, if not more so. Add to that touches of Norse Mythology, mythical creatures and talking animals and I was hooked. The time I spent in this world was awesome and I loved every minute of it. It was fantastic to fly with the Gryfons and run with the wolves. It’s written so well that everything felt almost real. Like I could feel the wind, hear the wolves howl and a Gryfon roar…. It was totally and utterly perfect!
The characters too were great to be around. In this story it’s all about Shard, the little grey Gryfon, who discovers that he is destined to do a bit more than he originally thought he would. And this books tell his journey, his road to discovery, to find his true inner self. His path is not an easy one and he could be a bit too gullible, but he’s also adorable and fun and I just loved him to death. The other characters, too, were given a very sound “voice”. They were multi-dimensional, easy to distinguish and totally intriguing to read about. They were the topping of this delicious treat I was given. And now I’m hunkering for more! Where’s the next book?
Conclusion
5 HEARTS. It may seem like I did not go into details with this review, but this is only because it’s such an amazing, griping,terrific book that you should read for yourself. And I also don’t want to spoil everything, which might happen if I really start talking. AKA: thanks for reading my review and go read this book. Or at least add it to your TBR-pile . I can recommend it wholeheartedly, for young and old. It’s an ageless story that will stick with you,that will rock your world.
January 16, 2016
This was very compelling and enjoyable story; something I hadn’t come across in a while from previous reads.
I found this book through Deviantart.com, while browsing through some images and happened to follow a link that showed a sample of the book. I was hooked! The sample screamed of adventure and wonder.
The story had a lot of elements that reminded me of the “Warrior Cats” series plus a mix of some high fantasy but what it truly reminded me of was “Avatar: The Last Airbender”, but from the character, Prince Zuko’s perspective. Avatar fans may know what I’m talking about.
Shard (Zuko), is a young gryphon who has had a hard time being respected in his pride and especially by his king, Sverin (the Fire Lord). Sverin distrusts Shard for is he from a race of gryphons that the king’s father had conquered and banished but the only reason Sverin kept Shard around is because of Shard’s friendship with Sverin’s son, Kjorn.
Shard has recently been initiated into a warrior and has been given a mission to lead a colony to a neighbouring island to help spread out the pride. Shard seizes the opportunity with both claws hoping to prove his skills to the pride and win the king’s trust.
Only through secret training with his newly discovered and exiled uncle, Stigr (Uncle Iroh) that Shard discovers his history and his capabilities. He becomes an asset to the pride and gains their admiration. But Shard becomes torn between serving his pride and following his true calling as he learns more about his ancestry. This character experiences doubts about himself but also self discovery as he finds out who he is and where his destiny lies.
At times Shard kind of annoyed me when he made decisions to better his pride instead of doing the right thing but family was all he knew and lived for. It’s difficult to defy your family even though you know it may be for the better. I still really liked him.
I also enjoyed the relationship between him and Kjorn, his wingbrother (best friend) and Shard and his uncle. It was interesting to see that though Stigr was knowledgeable and wise, he struggled to let go of his anger and regrets from the past. It showed that no creature was perfect and that we all were learning to deal with our faults. And the plot twists in this book had me so surprised that I was like “Whaaaaaaaa!?” when some secrets were revealed. Epic!
This book has a nice map of the gryphons’ territory. The gryphons and the other animals of the story had their own beliefs, language, stories and traditions which added culture and diversity. The writing may not have been the greatest because sometimes when there was a flight training a scene, I was a bit confused on how the manoeuvres were achieved, and there were a few grammatical errors but the story was told well. Action, excellent dialogue, well constructed characters, mysteries and plot twists that sometimes I didn’t even see coming; this book had it all. I am definitely looking forward to the sequel and hope that the author continues to improve.
I found this book through Deviantart.com, while browsing through some images and happened to follow a link that showed a sample of the book. I was hooked! The sample screamed of adventure and wonder.
The story had a lot of elements that reminded me of the “Warrior Cats” series plus a mix of some high fantasy but what it truly reminded me of was “Avatar: The Last Airbender”, but from the character, Prince Zuko’s perspective. Avatar fans may know what I’m talking about.
Shard (Zuko), is a young gryphon who has had a hard time being respected in his pride and especially by his king, Sverin (the Fire Lord). Sverin distrusts Shard for is he from a race of gryphons that the king’s father had conquered and banished but the only reason Sverin kept Shard around is because of Shard’s friendship with Sverin’s son, Kjorn.
Shard has recently been initiated into a warrior and has been given a mission to lead a colony to a neighbouring island to help spread out the pride. Shard seizes the opportunity with both claws hoping to prove his skills to the pride and win the king’s trust.
Only through secret training with his newly discovered and exiled uncle, Stigr (Uncle Iroh) that Shard discovers his history and his capabilities. He becomes an asset to the pride and gains their admiration. But Shard becomes torn between serving his pride and following his true calling as he learns more about his ancestry. This character experiences doubts about himself but also self discovery as he finds out who he is and where his destiny lies.
At times Shard kind of annoyed me when he made decisions to better his pride instead of doing the right thing but family was all he knew and lived for. It’s difficult to defy your family even though you know it may be for the better. I still really liked him.
I also enjoyed the relationship between him and Kjorn, his wingbrother (best friend) and Shard and his uncle. It was interesting to see that though Stigr was knowledgeable and wise, he struggled to let go of his anger and regrets from the past. It showed that no creature was perfect and that we all were learning to deal with our faults. And the plot twists in this book had me so surprised that I was like “Whaaaaaaaa!?” when some secrets were revealed. Epic!
This book has a nice map of the gryphons’ territory. The gryphons and the other animals of the story had their own beliefs, language, stories and traditions which added culture and diversity. The writing may not have been the greatest because sometimes when there was a flight training a scene, I was a bit confused on how the manoeuvres were achieved, and there were a few grammatical errors but the story was told well. Action, excellent dialogue, well constructed characters, mysteries and plot twists that sometimes I didn’t even see coming; this book had it all. I am definitely looking forward to the sequel and hope that the author continues to improve.
August 10, 2012
(Reviewed for FantasyGazette.net)
Song of the Summer King is Jess E. Owen's debut novel, and I ripped through it in less than a week. I loved her style, the setting, and enjoyed the characters and plot.
Owen brings Shard’s story to life with a style that’s rich with strong verbs and vivid descriptions. Throughout the novel I could visualize the scenes and characters—I could see the fur of the she-wolf, the ocean lit by moonlight, and the Gryfon King adorned with dragon gold. For example, here are two sentences I just found scanning over the first part of the novel:
“Birch trees gave way to a ring of skeletal rowan, gnarled and dark. In autumn, their berries blazed like forest fires all over the islands, but now they only added to Shard’s tension, for they offered shelter to enemies.”
With her style, Owen transported me into another setting, another world. Not only could I feel and smell the Silver Isles, but I wanted to go there. Although the Song of the Summer King doesn’t have magic in it, it felt magical.
The characters and plot have an archetypal feel. They are familiar, but not redundant. Owen individualizes them, making them into her own creations. For example, the gryfon Stigr serves as the mentor in the story, but he doesn’t meet the same fate I’ve seen dozens of other mentors meet, which was a nice switch-up. Owen also plays with a few romantic subplots and takes some relationships in unexpected directions. While I encountered areas that were black-and-white when it came to good and bad, Owen lingered in areas where good and bad grayed, giving us situations and characters that felt real. The story also contains several twists and turns, and although none of them shocked me, they were enough to keep the plot fresh (and to keep me reading).
Overall, I loved Song of the Summer King because it balances familiarity with distinction, and because Owen writes with a stunning style. For me, the story was epic like The Lion King, and the creatures were reminiscent of those in Princess Mononoke—two films I watched religiously growing up. I loved the wolves and gryfons, especially Catori, and plan on buying the second book when it’s released.
I recommend Song of the Summer King to middle graders and up and to anyone who is looking for an enthralling animal story that will transport them into another world.
Song of the Summer King is Jess E. Owen's debut novel, and I ripped through it in less than a week. I loved her style, the setting, and enjoyed the characters and plot.
Owen brings Shard’s story to life with a style that’s rich with strong verbs and vivid descriptions. Throughout the novel I could visualize the scenes and characters—I could see the fur of the she-wolf, the ocean lit by moonlight, and the Gryfon King adorned with dragon gold. For example, here are two sentences I just found scanning over the first part of the novel:
“Birch trees gave way to a ring of skeletal rowan, gnarled and dark. In autumn, their berries blazed like forest fires all over the islands, but now they only added to Shard’s tension, for they offered shelter to enemies.”
With her style, Owen transported me into another setting, another world. Not only could I feel and smell the Silver Isles, but I wanted to go there. Although the Song of the Summer King doesn’t have magic in it, it felt magical.
The characters and plot have an archetypal feel. They are familiar, but not redundant. Owen individualizes them, making them into her own creations. For example, the gryfon Stigr serves as the mentor in the story, but he doesn’t meet the same fate I’ve seen dozens of other mentors meet, which was a nice switch-up. Owen also plays with a few romantic subplots and takes some relationships in unexpected directions. While I encountered areas that were black-and-white when it came to good and bad, Owen lingered in areas where good and bad grayed, giving us situations and characters that felt real. The story also contains several twists and turns, and although none of them shocked me, they were enough to keep the plot fresh (and to keep me reading).
Overall, I loved Song of the Summer King because it balances familiarity with distinction, and because Owen writes with a stunning style. For me, the story was epic like The Lion King, and the creatures were reminiscent of those in Princess Mononoke—two films I watched religiously growing up. I loved the wolves and gryfons, especially Catori, and plan on buying the second book when it’s released.
I recommend Song of the Summer King to middle graders and up and to anyone who is looking for an enthralling animal story that will transport them into another world.
September 15, 2013
I really enjoyed this book more than I expected to. I originally picked it up mostly because I'm a fan of Nambroth's art and so through watching her work I heard a lot of buzz about this series, and the positivity of the Amazon reviews drew me in.
Owen writes in a way that is visually clean but impactful, lacing on details that impress feeling rather than just feeding you purple prose. The story flows on strongly from the start without any stretches that lag on or boring periods between action or development. You learn things in a gradual enough manner to keep it interesting all the way through, and although predictable at times, there were also moments I was not expecting. Additionally, the way Owen writes non-human characters is something I quite enjoyed, as they feel different than human characters would in a degree that I think is just right. The body language of the animals feels spot-on, but comes across in away that is easily understood and translated into emotional resonance.
The only critique I have of the book is that the characters have a tendency to repeat themselves a bit from time to time, saying the same thing in multiple ways, which I suppose is natural in speech but feels redundant in text. Additionally, the frequency with which lines of important dialog or lyric is recalled by Shard in the text at (admittedly the most relevant) moments seems a bit much, and it could be toned down, as I feel that in most cases the reader will be able to recount those prophetic lines themselves. They lines have strength in their simplicity which makes them easy to remember, and the book is short and consumable enough that I doubt someone would be setting it down for weeks between readings, so they would not forget.
Those critiques are minor, though, and on the whole I very much enjoyed this book. I'm really looking forward to the second one coming out, now, and it's just too bad that I only missed contributing to the Kickstarter for that one by a week or two!
Owen writes in a way that is visually clean but impactful, lacing on details that impress feeling rather than just feeding you purple prose. The story flows on strongly from the start without any stretches that lag on or boring periods between action or development. You learn things in a gradual enough manner to keep it interesting all the way through, and although predictable at times, there were also moments I was not expecting. Additionally, the way Owen writes non-human characters is something I quite enjoyed, as they feel different than human characters would in a degree that I think is just right. The body language of the animals feels spot-on, but comes across in away that is easily understood and translated into emotional resonance.
The only critique I have of the book is that the characters have a tendency to repeat themselves a bit from time to time, saying the same thing in multiple ways, which I suppose is natural in speech but feels redundant in text. Additionally, the frequency with which lines of important dialog or lyric is recalled by Shard in the text at (admittedly the most relevant) moments seems a bit much, and it could be toned down, as I feel that in most cases the reader will be able to recount those prophetic lines themselves. They lines have strength in their simplicity which makes them easy to remember, and the book is short and consumable enough that I doubt someone would be setting it down for weeks between readings, so they would not forget.
Those critiques are minor, though, and on the whole I very much enjoyed this book. I'm really looking forward to the second one coming out, now, and it's just too bad that I only missed contributing to the Kickstarter for that one by a week or two!
July 15, 2012
Song of the Summer King – Jess Owen. (copy given in return for review)
Shard is a gryfon in danger. He and other young males of the Silver Isles are old enough to fly, hunt, and fight — old enough to be threats to their ruler, the red gryfon king.
In the midst of the dangerous initiation hunt, Shard takes the unexpected advice of a strange she-wolf who seeks him out, and hints that Shard’s past isn’t all that it seems. To learn his past, Shard must abandon the future he wants and make allies of those the gryfons call enemies.
When the gryfon king declares open war on the wolves, it throws Shard’s past and uncertain future into the turmoil between.
Now with battle lines drawn, Shard must decide whether to fight beside his king — or against him.
I started out reading this with high, high hopes…and often, when that happens, you are expecting your hopes to be crushed.
I’m really, really pleased to say that Song of the Summer King actually exceeded my hopes for this wonderful book! It was an amazing tale, full of twists and turns I just wasn’t expecting. Far from being just for kids and young adult, many adults will enjoy this tale of life in a world where there aren’t any humans – and where the wolves can grow as big as the gryfons that also live on the isles.
Shard, the main character, is well developed and you get engrossed in his indecisions and panic, in his confusion as he struggles to work out where his loyalties lie – to his blood, or the pride of gryfons who allowed him to live. Jess Owen has created a fantastical world where you can almost picture the lay of the land, the places where Shard and Catori lead you.
I liken this book to Watership Down, a book of my childhood which I’ve always loved. The cover art is even amazing, with a hook instantly there. All I can say is five stars, Jess Owen! Well down and I can’t wait to read the second one!
Shard is a gryfon in danger. He and other young males of the Silver Isles are old enough to fly, hunt, and fight — old enough to be threats to their ruler, the red gryfon king.
In the midst of the dangerous initiation hunt, Shard takes the unexpected advice of a strange she-wolf who seeks him out, and hints that Shard’s past isn’t all that it seems. To learn his past, Shard must abandon the future he wants and make allies of those the gryfons call enemies.
When the gryfon king declares open war on the wolves, it throws Shard’s past and uncertain future into the turmoil between.
Now with battle lines drawn, Shard must decide whether to fight beside his king — or against him.
I started out reading this with high, high hopes…and often, when that happens, you are expecting your hopes to be crushed.
I’m really, really pleased to say that Song of the Summer King actually exceeded my hopes for this wonderful book! It was an amazing tale, full of twists and turns I just wasn’t expecting. Far from being just for kids and young adult, many adults will enjoy this tale of life in a world where there aren’t any humans – and where the wolves can grow as big as the gryfons that also live on the isles.
Shard, the main character, is well developed and you get engrossed in his indecisions and panic, in his confusion as he struggles to work out where his loyalties lie – to his blood, or the pride of gryfons who allowed him to live. Jess Owen has created a fantastical world where you can almost picture the lay of the land, the places where Shard and Catori lead you.
I liken this book to Watership Down, a book of my childhood which I’ve always loved. The cover art is even amazing, with a hook instantly there. All I can say is five stars, Jess Owen! Well down and I can’t wait to read the second one!
August 14, 2012
I’d heard about this book when an artist I follow on deviantArt did the cover art for it. (Note the gorgeous cover art, by the way.) I heard about it again when the author held a kickstarter campaign to raise money for the publication costs. So when the ebook was offered for free on Amazon, I grabbed it out of sheer curiosity.
I wasn’t expecting it to be as well written, or as good of a story as it turned out to be. Within the first chapter I was immersed in the gryfon world. Shard is a likeable protagonist, a little falcon griffin among the big, conquering eagle griffins. Actually, I kept thinking of the Lion King. Except if Simba was forced to serve Scar without knowing his true parentage.
Also, the wolves are great. They have a distinct Native American feel, and the main wolf wears feathers twisted in her fur. The wolves and gryfons are enemies, of course, except they weren’t always. That’s part of the Coming of Age story Shard works through.
Another thing I enjoyed were the gryfon’s words for things. East and west are dawnward and nightward. Lightning is skyfire.
Also, the author’s love for these characters, the setting, and the story really shines through. I don’t read a lot of books that the author is passionate about. Harry Potter, maybe, where the characters and setting leap off the page, because the author loved it so much. The only place I see writing with that kind of passion behind it is fanfiction. So to see it in a published book was a real joy.
Really, my only complaint with the book was it’s the first of a series, and the ending didn’t wrap up all the loose ends. And that’s hardly a complaint, because I’d happily get the rest of the books. I mean, it’s been alluded that the eagle griffins robbed dragons and got chased away for it. I wanna see dragons!
So if you’re in the market for some good animal fiction a la Watership Down, pick up The Song of the Summer King and give it a shot. It’s refreshingly original.
I wasn’t expecting it to be as well written, or as good of a story as it turned out to be. Within the first chapter I was immersed in the gryfon world. Shard is a likeable protagonist, a little falcon griffin among the big, conquering eagle griffins. Actually, I kept thinking of the Lion King. Except if Simba was forced to serve Scar without knowing his true parentage.
Also, the wolves are great. They have a distinct Native American feel, and the main wolf wears feathers twisted in her fur. The wolves and gryfons are enemies, of course, except they weren’t always. That’s part of the Coming of Age story Shard works through.
Another thing I enjoyed were the gryfon’s words for things. East and west are dawnward and nightward. Lightning is skyfire.
Also, the author’s love for these characters, the setting, and the story really shines through. I don’t read a lot of books that the author is passionate about. Harry Potter, maybe, where the characters and setting leap off the page, because the author loved it so much. The only place I see writing with that kind of passion behind it is fanfiction. So to see it in a published book was a real joy.
Really, my only complaint with the book was it’s the first of a series, and the ending didn’t wrap up all the loose ends. And that’s hardly a complaint, because I’d happily get the rest of the books. I mean, it’s been alluded that the eagle griffins robbed dragons and got chased away for it. I wanna see dragons!
So if you’re in the market for some good animal fiction a la Watership Down, pick up The Song of the Summer King and give it a shot. It’s refreshingly original.
June 19, 2014
I feel guilty for giving out a low rating; this book really wasn't bad.
It just wan't so great, either.
Characters. Shard took forever to get anywhere, and he spent most of the book in confused indecision. I like that he was conflicted, but it felt like all his decisions were against, never for, and he basically betrayed every side there was. He was willfully ignorant and frequently ignored sound advice. Some of the gryfons were just dumb, conceited, greedy, and violent to a fault (Hallr and Halvden). Their actions were never sane (not quite the word I'm looking for).
Plot. Slow. Golly, things happened, but I never felt like there was progress. Maybe it was because the characters never traveled anywhere, or because Shard never did anything about the stuff he learned, but I felt that the book wasn't going anywhere fast. I wanted the characters to have a purpose, and the only one I felt from Shard was "Don't get banished," which is vague.
Setting. I liked the world and magic and abilities of the gryfons/wolves. In an unusual twist, the magical creatures live shorter lives than ordinary humans (a welcome relief from the cliche, fantasy idea of nearly immortal beings). Shard is 10, and he said a 6-year-old could mate.
Thankfully no romance. Oh, a few typos, missing words, nothing unforgivable.
Part of my dislike might be that I just prefer reading about humanoids. Redwall never interested me for the same reason.
It just wan't so great, either.
Characters. Shard took forever to get anywhere, and he spent most of the book in confused indecision. I like that he was conflicted, but it felt like all his decisions were against, never for, and he basically betrayed every side there was. He was willfully ignorant and frequently ignored sound advice. Some of the gryfons were just dumb, conceited, greedy, and violent to a fault (Hallr and Halvden). Their actions were never sane (not quite the word I'm looking for).
Plot. Slow. Golly, things happened, but I never felt like there was progress. Maybe it was because the characters never traveled anywhere, or because Shard never did anything about the stuff he learned, but I felt that the book wasn't going anywhere fast. I wanted the characters to have a purpose, and the only one I felt from Shard was "Don't get banished," which is vague.
Setting. I liked the world and magic and abilities of the gryfons/wolves. In an unusual twist, the magical creatures live shorter lives than ordinary humans (a welcome relief from the cliche, fantasy idea of nearly immortal beings). Shard is 10, and he said a 6-year-old could mate.
Thankfully no romance. Oh, a few typos, missing words, nothing unforgivable.
Part of my dislike might be that I just prefer reading about humanoids. Redwall never interested me for the same reason.
July 15, 2012
Right from the beginning of this you are hooked. If you want to spend a few hours immersed in a completely different, completely creative and entertaining world, well, that's what you should expect.
Once I picked it up I really could not stop reading, you go through twists and turns following Shard and his journey which is really about discovering who he is. Every step of the way you meet others who you are uncertain of and questioning if they will help or hinder Shard and it brings the world of the Silver Isles to life. You can either read this to younger age groups or as an older adult, it really has something there for everyone I think.
The best thing about a new book (to me) is to be able to leave behind the world of reality and immerse yourself completely in the book. Jess Owen lets you do that. It really is a wonderful book with epic moments and characters that you create a bond with and want to follow throughout the journey. I can't wait for the next book to come out because of the great work that she did with a cliffhanger that makes you think "It's over? No, I need to know what happens next!! ". Be prepared to get sucked into this world and have slight anxiety coming back out.
A re-read, worth your buck, all the way.
Once I picked it up I really could not stop reading, you go through twists and turns following Shard and his journey which is really about discovering who he is. Every step of the way you meet others who you are uncertain of and questioning if they will help or hinder Shard and it brings the world of the Silver Isles to life. You can either read this to younger age groups or as an older adult, it really has something there for everyone I think.
The best thing about a new book (to me) is to be able to leave behind the world of reality and immerse yourself completely in the book. Jess Owen lets you do that. It really is a wonderful book with epic moments and characters that you create a bond with and want to follow throughout the journey. I can't wait for the next book to come out because of the great work that she did with a cliffhanger that makes you think "It's over? No, I need to know what happens next!! ". Be prepared to get sucked into this world and have slight anxiety coming back out.
A re-read, worth your buck, all the way.
December 11, 2013
It took me a couple of chapters to really get into this book and get used to it, but once I did I was hooked.
While the plot itself is pretty archetypal for fantasy, I thought the way it was carried out was well done.
First, I have no idea how Owen came up with the idea of Griffins versus wolves, but it worked and I liked it. It was very unique.
Second, you have that whole world/culture building thing that I'm so fond of. You have two different griffin "cultures" if you will and it's interesting to see the different characteristics.
Thirdly, the main character, Shard was extremely interesting. I could really relate to him because when faced with who he is and who he is becoming he does what a lot of people would do (Including myself which is why I related to him) he gets really confused and wavers back and forth between the life he's known and the life he's discovering. He questions his loyalty and doesn't easily trust. In some cases, his decisions actually make things worse.
I am super excited to see what happens in the next book!
I don't often come across a book that I feel like I should tell everyone about, but this is definitely one. Go out, buy it, borrow it, get your hands on it and read it!
While the plot itself is pretty archetypal for fantasy, I thought the way it was carried out was well done.
First, I have no idea how Owen came up with the idea of Griffins versus wolves, but it worked and I liked it. It was very unique.
Second, you have that whole world/culture building thing that I'm so fond of. You have two different griffin "cultures" if you will and it's interesting to see the different characteristics.
Thirdly, the main character, Shard was extremely interesting. I could really relate to him because when faced with who he is and who he is becoming he does what a lot of people would do (Including myself which is why I related to him) he gets really confused and wavers back and forth between the life he's known and the life he's discovering. He questions his loyalty and doesn't easily trust. In some cases, his decisions actually make things worse.
I am super excited to see what happens in the next book!
I don't often come across a book that I feel like I should tell everyone about, but this is definitely one. Go out, buy it, borrow it, get your hands on it and read it!
January 6, 2016
Excellent self published work! Very well done and a great story. While the plot kept my attention and had me begging to see what happened next. It wasn't the best I've ever read and some points were predictable but the way it was written and executed had me dying to know how things would turn out.
I like that Shard did not automatically believe what he was being told by Stigr. There were no sudden changes of alliance or switching loyalties. That made this book more believable for me especially as Shard didn't know the entire truth for quite a while and still doesn't know everything even at the end of the book.
He was hesitant and unsure. While the other gryfons may be called enemies by some they were still Shard's family and friends and he wasn't just going to ignore that.
I did like Shard as a character and Stigr as well. I thought the relationship between the two was very well done. Stigr knows the truth and is frustrated at Shard's hesitancy while Shard refuses to make a great leap into the unknown and abandon his pride and the King without knowing more first.
Overall this was an excellent book and I can't wait to read the next one.
I like that Shard did not automatically believe what he was being told by Stigr. There were no sudden changes of alliance or switching loyalties. That made this book more believable for me especially as Shard didn't know the entire truth for quite a while and still doesn't know everything even at the end of the book.
He was hesitant and unsure. While the other gryfons may be called enemies by some they were still Shard's family and friends and he wasn't just going to ignore that.
I did like Shard as a character and Stigr as well. I thought the relationship between the two was very well done. Stigr knows the truth and is frustrated at Shard's hesitancy while Shard refuses to make a great leap into the unknown and abandon his pride and the King without knowing more first.
Overall this was an excellent book and I can't wait to read the next one.
June 11, 2017
Fans of Nancy Farmer's "Sea of Trolls" and Meredith Pierce's Firebringer Trilogy will love this book. The world building is solid, the descriptions are crisp, and the storytelling is vibrant. I found myself wondering (a few times, to be honest) if the story was going to fall into old tropes and was pleasantly surprised. I absolutely loved the Old Norse references as well. As the first of a series, there were a number of questions left unanswered, and I look forward to unearthing them in later books!
My only gripe (and it is a really, really minor one) is the "eagle scream." Eagles sound like angry seagulls on helium. Hawks are the ones with the truly awesome (and iconic) screams. It made some of the fight scenes more amusing than dramatic for me, but that's me. "Hawk scream" just doesn't have the same connotation as "eagle scream," and unless you've worked around raptors, the difference in eagle/hawk sounds aren't common knowledge.
All in all, well worth the read. ^_^
My only gripe (and it is a really, really minor one) is the "eagle scream." Eagles sound like angry seagulls on helium. Hawks are the ones with the truly awesome (and iconic) screams. It made some of the fight scenes more amusing than dramatic for me, but that's me. "Hawk scream" just doesn't have the same connotation as "eagle scream," and unless you've worked around raptors, the difference in eagle/hawk sounds aren't common knowledge.
All in all, well worth the read. ^_^
March 7, 2015
I got this as a free Kindle book on the recommendation of the cover artist a while ago, and I finally got around to reading it. It was interesting to see how the author handled the characterization of the different species (the characters are mostly gryfons and wolves). She creates a beautiful little fantasy world, with neat and colorful, though not necessarily deep, cultures and politics. It’s very much a coming of age story, full of secrets and self-discovery. The characters are for the most part straightforward. Only a few key characters really show any complexity. Still, I found myself rooting for our underdog hero, hoping he would make the hard choices. I sympathized with his struggles between what was familiar and dear, and what he grew to feel was right. While not ravenously hungry for the sequel, I’m curious to see what happens next.
August 24, 2014
I discovered this book on Amazon under the “Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought...” I thought the book sounded interesting and different from anything I’ve read in a while. This book was a real winner for me. The characters were well-developed and the plot, propelling.
The world of gryphons created by this author was believable. Very believable. In fact, the author describes the gryphons’ mating rituals, habitats, and livelihoods with depth and detail. It almost felt as if the author had spent the last year studying these mythical creatures and then wrote the book using her actual observations. I had to remind myself that gryphons aren’t real!
Overall, I came to love Shard and genuinely cared about what happened to him. I look forward to reading book two and anything that follows from this author.
The world of gryphons created by this author was believable. Very believable. In fact, the author describes the gryphons’ mating rituals, habitats, and livelihoods with depth and detail. It almost felt as if the author had spent the last year studying these mythical creatures and then wrote the book using her actual observations. I had to remind myself that gryphons aren’t real!
Overall, I came to love Shard and genuinely cared about what happened to him. I look forward to reading book two and anything that follows from this author.
March 31, 2014
This book was absolutely amazing. The characters had depth and were well driven, the plot was engaging and intriguing. I loved the dynamics of the Pride and the wolf Pack. I enjoyed the Exile Stigr and can't wait to see more of him in the next book.
One thing I will say was that I was easily able to call a few key plot twists early on in the book, even though I was able to do this, it did not ruin my experience with this book. Shard is a wonderful character and you can see him grow throughout this book. He wasn't a perfect character - he had indecision and problems with figuring out where his loyalties lay; he even made some poor choices later in the book that cause major strife.
I am eagerly awaiting the next book.
One thing I will say was that I was easily able to call a few key plot twists early on in the book, even though I was able to do this, it did not ruin my experience with this book. Shard is a wonderful character and you can see him grow throughout this book. He wasn't a perfect character - he had indecision and problems with figuring out where his loyalties lay; he even made some poor choices later in the book that cause major strife.
I am eagerly awaiting the next book.
February 26, 2013
I have absolutely no idea how Ms. Owen was able to create an entire world filled with: lore, mythology, kings and queens, secrets, deception, betrayal and the like in such a short book. But she did.
I would never be able to truly summarize this book in the best way I could so I will instead give a very brief summary in my terms.
Rashard (Shard) is our protagonist, he's a young gryphon. Full blooded Vanir,a race of gryphon. His life is filled with lies and secrets that are being kept from him. when he's thrust into the world in a glorified exile role by Sverin, the Red Kings, he is forced to come to terms and learn about who he is.
It's a coming of age story with a fantasy twist, I liked it. Though my head is still reeling from all the facts.
I would never be able to truly summarize this book in the best way I could so I will instead give a very brief summary in my terms.
Rashard (Shard) is our protagonist, he's a young gryphon. Full blooded Vanir,a race of gryphon. His life is filled with lies and secrets that are being kept from him. when he's thrust into the world in a glorified exile role by Sverin, the Red Kings, he is forced to come to terms and learn about who he is.
It's a coming of age story with a fantasy twist, I liked it. Though my head is still reeling from all the facts.
March 26, 2014
When the young gryfon Shard finds out the truth about his heritage, he's faced with a choice: stay loyal to the friends and family he's known all his life, or trust the wolves and exile gryfons who urge him to overthrow the conquering Aenir clan?
This is a good, solid story with classic themes of friendship, betrayal and a Chosen One, but what stands out is the gryfons themselves. The appearance, behaviour and customs of these mythical beasts are described so convincingly, it's easy to picture exactly what each gryfon is like, and to empathise with them. If, somewhere out there, preteens are not creating gryfon Mary-Sues with rainbow feathers, there's something wrong with the world.
I read a review copy kindly given to me by the author.
This is a good, solid story with classic themes of friendship, betrayal and a Chosen One, but what stands out is the gryfons themselves. The appearance, behaviour and customs of these mythical beasts are described so convincingly, it's easy to picture exactly what each gryfon is like, and to empathise with them. If, somewhere out there, preteens are not creating gryfon Mary-Sues with rainbow feathers, there's something wrong with the world.
I read a review copy kindly given to me by the author.
May 5, 2014
A pretty interesting book, although it ultimately failed to get me excited enough to read the next one in the series.
Taking place in a world of gryfons and wolves, where some creatures have to ability to speak, if only Rashard, or Shard as he is known, is willing to listen, the book follows a young gryfon's path of self-awareness and destiny.
There are some things I really enjoyed. The characters are well-drawn, and the main character experienced some good internal conflict that the author handled very well.
That said, the ending left me unsatisfied. While the author explains the choices his characters make, I found them ultimately unconvincing. However, that was a matter of personal taste. I would still recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of non-human high fantasy.
Taking place in a world of gryfons and wolves, where some creatures have to ability to speak, if only Rashard, or Shard as he is known, is willing to listen, the book follows a young gryfon's path of self-awareness and destiny.
There are some things I really enjoyed. The characters are well-drawn, and the main character experienced some good internal conflict that the author handled very well.
That said, the ending left me unsatisfied. While the author explains the choices his characters make, I found them ultimately unconvincing. However, that was a matter of personal taste. I would still recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of non-human high fantasy.
October 3, 2012
I loved this book. The descriptions were incredible and I lost myself in the story.
This is a coming of age story that anyone can read. Shard is this young gryfon who doesn't really fit into the pride or into his family. When he is tested to become an adult male of the pride he discovers that not everything is as it seems and he will have to choose between what he has always known and what could be.
Some parts of the book I got so frustrated with Shard because he focused so much on some things that he missed others, but I do the same thing so I could relate really well with him.
The book ends after a very pivotal battle and I can't wait for the next book.
This is a coming of age story that anyone can read. Shard is this young gryfon who doesn't really fit into the pride or into his family. When he is tested to become an adult male of the pride he discovers that not everything is as it seems and he will have to choose between what he has always known and what could be.
Some parts of the book I got so frustrated with Shard because he focused so much on some things that he missed others, but I do the same thing so I could relate really well with him.
The book ends after a very pivotal battle and I can't wait for the next book.
August 6, 2012
I enjoyed this much more than I expected to, and am looking forward to finding out what happens next: if the sequel had been available I would have bought it immediately on finishing this one.
I'd describe it as a coming of age story, that features griffins (that feel like dragons to me, but apparently there are also dragons in this world and griffins are not them) with political intrigue, secret rebellions, competing worldviews and religions, cross-species communications, divided loyalties, and heartfelt friendships.
I'd describe it as a coming of age story, that features griffins (that feel like dragons to me, but apparently there are also dragons in this world and griffins are not them) with political intrigue, secret rebellions, competing worldviews and religions, cross-species communications, divided loyalties, and heartfelt friendships.
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