ARC Review: Griffin’s Fire by Darby Karchut

Title: Griffin’s Fire Series: Book Two: Fire Author: Darby Karchut Publisher: Twilight Times Books Format: eBook, 200 pages Published: April 15, 2012 ISBN #: 9781606192122 / 1606192124 Genre: Young Adult My Copy: received for review Rating: Buy: For centuries, there have been rumors about a lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire, Wind and Water, these warriors and their apprentices clandestinely serve as guardians for humans in danger. Forced to become mortal, ex-teen angel Griffin has been banished from the Terrae Angeli. Struggling to adjust, he enrolls in the heaven-and-hell known as high school. In spite of his friends’ support, Centennial High proves to be a battleground, complete with a malicious math teacher. And to make matters worse, his Mentor, Basil, has been ordered to take on a new apprentice, the gifted and egotistical seventeen-year-old Sergei, whose covert attacks make Griffin’s home life as bleak as a Siberian winter. Caught between school, Sergei, and a desperate secret, Griffin is certain of one thing: the only way to fight a Cold War is with Fire.

Darby Karchut continues Griffin’s amazing story in this second installment while still building on the key elements that made the first book such a pleasure to read. This series is all about great parental figures, healthy relationships and doing the right thing. Honestly, if more young adult authors followed Darby’s lead I’d be more inclined to read books in this genre. Griffin’s Fire further proves that it’s possible to write a riveting story with lovable characters without having to throw the parents under the bus.

I thought Griffin had problems in the first novel but those now pale in comparison to what he faces in book two! Finn finds himself attending school for the first time ever at the age of sixteen which in itself is a massive undertaking but when you throw in cohabitating with a new apprentice and a massive secret you get utter chaos. In true teenage fashion he takes it out on everyone around him. I love the characters in this series and watching how they deal with their problems. Their issues are as realistic as their coping mechanisms. It’s also refreshing to see that even though they do argue; their love for one another is never put into question. At the end of the day, Griffin knows that no matter how bad he screws up Basil supports him implicitly. The same can be said of Katie and her family.

One of the things that I enjoyed the most about Griffin Rising was reading the journal entries of the various characters. I was happy to see that Karchut continued with these in this installment. These parts help add an additional layer of depth to the story and to Griffin, Basil and Katie’s personalities. It’s an interesting way of incorporating thoughts and feelings into the plot without the need for internal monologues. It was fun watching the characters say one thing and then write something completely different in their journals. I eagerly anticipated getting their true thoughts on paper after every noteworthy occurrence.

Griffin’s true nature really shines through in this book. Even after having been stripped of his angel status, Finn still feels the need to help people. It shows how much being a Terrae Angeli really means to him. He’s mortal but that doesn’t stop him from sacrificing himself to help others. In my opinion, that alone makes him deserving of his angel status. Tiros can pass their Proelium with flying colors but that doesn’t necessarily make them fit to be a guardian in my eyes. That level of goodness can not be measured by mere test scores because it’s in the soul and Griffin has what it takes. Sergei I’m not so sure.

An uplifting story full of adventure, strength and triumph; Griffin’s Fire breathes new life into the young adult genre. Nicopolis might be down but he’s not out. Yet. Time to enjoy the calm before Griffin’s Storm!

Side note: A big thank you to Darby for the ARC, for quoting my review of Griffin Rising in the opening pages of Griffin’s Fire and for the shout out in the acknowledgements. Be sure to check it out!

Books in this series:
My Review

Recommendation:	Great for readers who enjoy heart felt stories, young love and cute plot lines.
Like this, like that:	This is the only Young Adult / Angels series I’ve read so… I got nothing!

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