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The Gryphon Generation #2
A New Era
After The Gatherings cult leader, Matthew, fails to rally the public against the gryphons, he attracts unwanted attention. Desparate to avoid public scrutiny, he searches for ways to make Thyra’s and Johnathen’s life miserable. While Thyra excels in her new Gryphball team, Matthew puts plans into action to resurrect a ghost from her past to haunt her, but his rashness may spell his downfall. He's determined to rid the city of these "Gryphon abominations" and burn all in his path to accomplish his objective.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2019
9 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Bizzell
6 books15 followersBorn and raised in Chattanooga.
Working as an industrial technician.
General Falconer.
Complete bird nerd.
Car Enthusiast.
Enjoys traveling.
Loves a good beer.
Working as an industrial technician.
General Falconer.
Complete bird nerd.
Car Enthusiast.
Enjoys traveling.
Loves a good beer.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 7, 2021
I had high expectations for this book, and lots of questions I hoped to see answered from the first book, and A New Era delivered! The plot thickened, the characters deepened, and the world of humans and gryphons became much more real to me.
This novel followed several points of view throughout, but I found everything to flow well, and not once did I get confused by who was talking or what was going on. The introduction of a new antagonist, Anfang, was also a really strong aspect of the book, and by the end I found myself wanting to like his character more.
Thyra remained a favorite character for me, as her emotional depth and backstory, which had interested me in the first book, got even better. However, Aadhya might be a close second, her character is so kind and lovable.
The ending was the perfect cliffhanger that had me up late reading to see what would happen, and all I know now is that I’m ready for book 3!
This novel followed several points of view throughout, but I found everything to flow well, and not once did I get confused by who was talking or what was going on. The introduction of a new antagonist, Anfang, was also a really strong aspect of the book, and by the end I found myself wanting to like his character more.
Thyra remained a favorite character for me, as her emotional depth and backstory, which had interested me in the first book, got even better. However, Aadhya might be a close second, her character is so kind and lovable.
The ending was the perfect cliffhanger that had me up late reading to see what would happen, and all I know now is that I’m ready for book 3!
February 9, 2023
Certainly a fairly unique series that mostly does well to balance two very different storylines. Sometimes there is a bit of dissonance between the sports storyline and the rising fascist/racist revolt, but generally it meshes well.
The characters are interesting, and generally more believable than the occasional caricatures in the first book. Sometimes a lack of response to pretty gruesome and violent deaths, which was odd at times. Lots of plot hooks for the remainder of the series.
If you like gryphons and want something a bit different, this may well be the series for you!
The characters are interesting, and generally more believable than the occasional caricatures in the first book. Sometimes a lack of response to pretty gruesome and violent deaths, which was odd at times. Lots of plot hooks for the remainder of the series.
If you like gryphons and want something a bit different, this may well be the series for you!
September 4, 2025
Ultimately, it seems that the first book was just a teaser of things to come. I think that that book still excels the best at all three of these at being a soft, fluffy slice of life story about a man and his wife trying to live their best lives, but where A New Era is comparatively lacking in Johnathen/Thyra interactions it more than makes up for in the numerous other characters that now inhabit this world, and the story that it's setting up. In other words, it's strengths are somewhat different from the original, but it's overall a better and more complete experience.
The new characters only introduced at the end of The Gryphon Generation really come into their own here. Aadhya has become one of my favorite gryphon characters period, and Rachel is absolutely adorable. Antonio is a great and suave wingman, but I feel he doesn't really get his time in the spotlight until book 3. Still, though, he's a welcome presence. Isabell is still one of my favorite characters, and we get some unexpected bonding time between her and Johnathen while she's in the hospital and Thyra is away. And of course, Thyra herself is an absolutely wonderful protagonist, who is relatable, complex and compelling in the choices she has to make and the mix of plot-centric conflicts and more every day worries that she has to deal with. Just because she's a gryphon doesn't mean she isn't the most interesting and well-rounded person in the series. She may just be my favorite gryphon character of all time at this point (though my gryphon book experience is sorely lacking).
The villain side of things is a little bit more underwhelming. Alexander Bizzell clearly grows as a writer here but there are still some growing pains. I think what Bishop Matthew represents is a compelling conflict, but he himself is just a bit too much of a mustache-twirling villain for me to get super into. That being said, he truly goes unhinged in this one, makes way for an endgame villain that is, without too many spoilers, significantly better and ties directly into Thyra's past and her main struggles. So it's not all bad here.
The thing I like most about this one is the Gryphball! I'm not much of a sports person but it's entirely different in fiction and especially with gryphons. Alex really knows how to amp up the personal drama and stakes in the game and create a thrilling and fun experience, and each gryphball scene was a new highlight of the story.
Overall this was a really strong step forward for the series that really fleshed out the world and characters and told a much more complete story than the original. I still like the original for it's really romantic slice of life elements, but this is definitely the better of the two overall.
The new characters only introduced at the end of The Gryphon Generation really come into their own here. Aadhya has become one of my favorite gryphon characters period, and Rachel is absolutely adorable. Antonio is a great and suave wingman, but I feel he doesn't really get his time in the spotlight until book 3. Still, though, he's a welcome presence. Isabell is still one of my favorite characters, and we get some unexpected bonding time between her and Johnathen while she's in the hospital and Thyra is away. And of course, Thyra herself is an absolutely wonderful protagonist, who is relatable, complex and compelling in the choices she has to make and the mix of plot-centric conflicts and more every day worries that she has to deal with. Just because she's a gryphon doesn't mean she isn't the most interesting and well-rounded person in the series. She may just be my favorite gryphon character of all time at this point (though my gryphon book experience is sorely lacking).
The villain side of things is a little bit more underwhelming. Alexander Bizzell clearly grows as a writer here but there are still some growing pains. I think what Bishop Matthew represents is a compelling conflict, but he himself is just a bit too much of a mustache-twirling villain for me to get super into. That being said, he truly goes unhinged in this one, makes way for an endgame villain that is, without too many spoilers, significantly better and ties directly into Thyra's past and her main struggles. So it's not all bad here.
The thing I like most about this one is the Gryphball! I'm not much of a sports person but it's entirely different in fiction and especially with gryphons. Alex really knows how to amp up the personal drama and stakes in the game and create a thrilling and fun experience, and each gryphball scene was a new highlight of the story.
Overall this was a really strong step forward for the series that really fleshed out the world and characters and told a much more complete story than the original. I still like the original for it's really romantic slice of life elements, but this is definitely the better of the two overall.
May 31, 2023
A nice continuation for the story as we continue the story of Thyra becoming a pro player for the Gryphon ball game as we see her struggling to fit in but eventually becoming a good player for the team. Jonathan continues to be targeted by the main Villain Matthew and just like last time he is not a very good villain. He is so one dimensional that is is laughable that he could get anyone on his side. But they push that he is a big shot with so many ties that he could murder someone publicly and get away with it which comes of as laughable. But I do like that we are finally delving into how the Gryphons came to be as we do focus a bit more on where Thyra came from and learn more about her past. Their is even a new character that also explores this and hints at where the story will continue off into.
June 10, 2025
I was first introduced to the book at a convention in Canada this year, 2025. I saw the cover of the book and was interested after reading a few skims through the pages of book one. I happened to have talked with the author that same day as I was buying the books from them.
At first, I purchased book one and this one paper copy because I wasn't sure if I was going to be captured in the storyline. I am now starting on book three after I went ahead and purchased the next two books hard cover.
The story has good growth and really grabs the reader to want to know what's happening next. This book really set a good tone for what's to come next as while I was reading it. I was emotionally drawn into it.
I greatly recommend this book series.
At first, I purchased book one and this one paper copy because I wasn't sure if I was going to be captured in the storyline. I am now starting on book three after I went ahead and purchased the next two books hard cover.
The story has good growth and really grabs the reader to want to know what's happening next. This book really set a good tone for what's to come next as while I was reading it. I was emotionally drawn into it.
I greatly recommend this book series.
June 21, 2022
A Worthy Sequel
Whereas the first novel mostly served to set up the world — almost at the point of eschewing an intricate plot — A New Era ratchets up the tension as Thera juggles competing aspects of her life. Thyra wrestles with training with her gryphball team, all the while dealing with memories of her past and the ever-presence of The Gathering, all leading to a heated climax.
Unfortunately there are a fair few typos and grammatical errors. However, they do not detract much from the experience on the whole. Overall, I would say A New Era is engaging and a fun read. I am definitely going to continue reading the series.
Whereas the first novel mostly served to set up the world — almost at the point of eschewing an intricate plot — A New Era ratchets up the tension as Thera juggles competing aspects of her life. Thyra wrestles with training with her gryphball team, all the while dealing with memories of her past and the ever-presence of The Gathering, all leading to a heated climax.
Unfortunately there are a fair few typos and grammatical errors. However, they do not detract much from the experience on the whole. Overall, I would say A New Era is engaging and a fun read. I am definitely going to continue reading the series.
July 26, 2021
The story continues and escalates.
The second book doesnt just progress the story, but forms the world some more and introduces new characters too - as likeable (or rather, believable - cant like EVERYONE :P)
The overall story and characters are painted as beautifully into a modern world with sentinent gryphons as in the first book (The gryphon generation).
The second book doesnt just progress the story, but forms the world some more and introduces new characters too - as likeable (or rather, believable - cant like EVERYONE :P)
The overall story and characters are painted as beautifully into a modern world with sentinent gryphons as in the first book (The gryphon generation).
February 26, 2024
Incredible. This second instalment soars past the first! It’s safe to say that the Gryphon Generation is my favourite series now (sorry, Vale Nagle).
The plot deepens with some wonderful additions to the cast!
The gryphball team was great to read about, but my favourite plots were involving the Gathering and Anfang. Anfang may have not been the best in this, seeming more like a beast than anything else, but he has a fantastic arc in the next book, so I’ll let it slide. Although Matthew continues to irritate me with his cartoonish villain feel, the new characters such as Daniel corrected that, and the gryphball plot with Thyra and her friends seemed dull in comparison.
Overall, a fantastic book! Colony is even better, and anyone who enjoyed this will love the next two!
The plot deepens with some wonderful additions to the cast!
The gryphball team was great to read about, but my favourite plots were involving the Gathering and Anfang. Anfang may have not been the best in this, seeming more like a beast than anything else, but he has a fantastic arc in the next book, so I’ll let it slide. Although Matthew continues to irritate me with his cartoonish villain feel, the new characters such as Daniel corrected that, and the gryphball plot with Thyra and her friends seemed dull in comparison.
Overall, a fantastic book! Colony is even better, and anyone who enjoyed this will love the next two!
February 22, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved getting to know the characters better, especially the teammates we were introduced to in the first book. Without giving spoilers, I will say there was one part of the story that didn't seem to have much purpose, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book at all. The only downside to getting into this series so early in its creation is how long I will have to wait to read the next book. If it were out now I would already have it on my shelf, waiting to be read next. I can't wait to read the next book when it comes out.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews