Review: Emotion-charging and intellectually stimulating, beginning to end.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 14, 2013
For all who, like me, enjoy electrifying, mind-gripping stories, THE GRIFFIN’S BOY reverberates with excitement from beginning to end. This other-worldly fantasy about a fierce yet lovable griffin and his spirited young rider offers a heart-pounding adventure amidst feudalistic squabbles and evil doings by a sorcerer and demons. A sense of young, budding romance adds a sweet tone to the story.THE GRIFFIN’S BOY is chockablock full of emotion-charging and intellectually stimulating scenes. There is a tumultuous river rescue segment involving Neb and Balkind the griffin that is spectacular – breath-stopping and heart-pumping! I became caught between two sensations: one of terror – impending doom – and the other, powerful surges of exhilaration.The script is full of fascinating characters: the subterfuges and manipulations of some are subtle yet the author cleverly juxtaposed these segments with scenes depicting other characters’ undaunted courage and unselfish valor. Every chapter flows effortlessly and sequentially into the next, which maintained my sense of intrigue and excitement. Ms. Hughes’ has an uncanny ability to paint vivid scenes with her words; I remained captivated by this ability throughout my read.The author’s writing is enigmatically refreshing – she is clever in the way she subtly weaves in the personality nuances of her characters. The dialogues and descriptive mannerisms of each character are superbly scripted, making it seem as if I was with them, in the story itself. I’m still a bit awestruck by how tastefully Ms. Hughes scripted a macabre scene involving a demon and Neb, the griffin’s boy. This segment is bold – dramatically electrifying in its portrayal of evil sorcery as it battles the forces of good.Look for several segments that invite a reader to pause and consider the mystical aspects inherent within ourselves, within all that dwells in a world. There is more to this griffin’s boy than meets the eye; I am so looking forward to Book Three.