Griffin's Fire by Darby Karchut

Griffin's Fire by Darby Karchut

April 2012 by Twilight Times Books

Source: from author for review

Format: ebook ARC

From DarbyKarchut's Website:

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 on Griffin makes home life as bleak as a Siberian winter.

Trapped between school, Sergei, and a desperate secret, Griffin is certain of one thing: the only way to fight a Cold War is with Fire.

My mini review:

Once again author, Darby Karchut has created a great middle grade read! Griffin is adorable as ever and Basil is still such a great father figure and brilliant man. Griffin’s Fire was somewhat tamer than book one. This second installment dealt more with the ‘human’ aspects of the story. Griffin has to deal with the fact that he is no longer a Terrae Angeli and must learn to deal with the day to day life of a normal teenager. On top of all of the new experiences in his life, he also has to deal with a new intrusion at home. We are introduced to a new character, Sergei, Basil’s newly appointed Tiro. Sergei added a great new element to the story. Sergei was a great force, but not overly evil. Not only was he a pain in Griffin’s butt, but poor, poor Basil. Having two teenage Tiro’s, one Wind and Water and the other Earth and Fire? Ya gotta feel for the man.

We also have seen the relationship between Griffin and Katie grow to an even deeper level. It has been kept on a PG13 level, but we can definitely feel their connection growing to a greater degree. Griffin has to deal with not being an angel, living a ‘normal’ life and having these feelings for a mortal girl and then we see Katie’s point of view. She has to deal with her growing feelings for Griffin as a ‘normal’ boy, yet knowing he is having a hard time being ‘normal’. Knowing that your boyfriend wishes he was someone else, someone that you most likely could not have a future with, because you would grow old and die and he would live on forever. That’s a lot for a girl to deal with.

While I loved the whole development of the characters and story, I really enjoyed the ending. The action of the first book resurfaced towards the end and a few twists and turns has made me even more excited for book 3…Griffin’s Storm. We are treated to a sneak-peak into book 3 and I must admit? I was bouncing once again. I look forward to seeing where book 3 takes Griffin and Basil. Darby Karchut cannot write fast enough for me!

I highly recommend this series to all the middle graders in your life. It is such a nice escape from the norm of YA out there right now. It’s nice to see a book from a male point of view and one with such an original storyline too. Well done, Darby!

Rating: 4.5 stars!

I will be back with a more detailed review closer to the release date in April. Stay tuned...