What happens when a moody teenage angel is forced to attend high-school?

The answer is Griffin’s Fire.

Griffin’s Fire is the second installment in Darby Karchut’s Terrae Angeli young adult fantasy series, published by Twilight Times Books.

I didn’t read the first book in the series and have to say that I was a bit lost at the beginning of the story. Fortunately, not for long.

Karchut provides only the essential bits of backstory and I was soon engulfed in Griffin’s world. As far as the first book, Griffin Rising goes, suffice to say that Griffin is a supernatural being known as a Terrae Angeli, a being who has the ability to control Fire, Water, Wind and Earth and who, like a guardian warrior, helps humans who are in danger. Book I is all about his apprenticeship, relationship to his mentor, love for a mortal girl and ‘fall’ into the world of mortals when he’s banished from the Terrae Angeli.

In this book II, Griffin is forced to live like a normal mortal teenager and enroll in Centennial High, a form of hell on earth. Not only must he adjust to his new nature, but he must also deal with nasty math teachers and especially with his mentor Basil’s new Terrae Angeli apprentice, who comes to live with them and who does everything in his power to drive Griffin crazy and turn Basil against him.

Griffin is pretty miserable, even more so when he’s compelled to breakup with his beloved Kate and hide the powers that refuse to die within his own being. Is his Terrae Angeli nature gone for good–or are his powers back? If so, why? What does it mean? And how must he keep this knowledge a secret without betraying Basil and others who trust him?

I had a lot of fun reading this novel. The story moves quickly, the characters are all distinct with their own quirks and personalities and Griffin is truly sympathetic–moody, hot-tempered and impulsive yet with a kind and courageous heart. Karchut does a good job with her teen-friendly prose and her voice is fresh and engaging. After I finished reading the novel I felt an urge to get myself a copy of the first book to see how it all started. So the main characters are definitely ones to root for. Griffin’s Fire will appeal to both boy and girl teens and to angel-fiction fans in general. Recommended.

Reviewed by Mayra Calvani (www.MayraCalvani.com)
May 2012