The White Gryphon

This is the second novel in Lackey's Gryphon series, so if you haven't you should read The Black Gryphon first--if you enjoyed that story I think you'll like this one: I like this second novel more than the first in fact.

I thought this novel was better paced and more suspenseful, and I liked the setting, reminiscent of an ancient African civilization such as Mali, but with elements that make the culture pretty unique, and thus different than the usual pseudo-Medieval European setting you usually see in fantasy.

I don't however like this book or the trilogy its part of as much as most of Lackey's other books set in this world. If you haven't already read them, I'd read Arrows of the Queen or Magic's Pawn first, set in the same "world" show more but set well over a thousand years after the events of this trilogy. show less

One of the strengths of this book is the fact Lackey knows how to write a villain. She can get into their minds and show us the twisted thoughts these guys have. I love that we have two cultures trying to figure each other out trying to hold true to that which is them and have room to grow as they work together. It's nice to see fantasy that while it has very serious dire moments leaves room for our characters to have light humorous moments where they pick on each other. Out of all the books in this trilogy this is the one I always struggle with, the political heavy beginning makes me feel like I'm slugging my way through, until the action picks up to the later end of the book. I appreciate Lackey gives us characters who are middle aged show more or possibly brushing it, proving the young bucks arn't the only ones who can save the day. show less

The only problem with rereading this book is that the climax is so vivid I can't forget even the details of what happens. So the mystery isn't a mystery. It's still a great story - as usual with a Lackey, the characters are worth reading even if I had it all memorized - but it does detract a trifle from the suspense. So I'm trying even harder than usual not to say what happens, only what I think about it... Skan has to figure out what his role ought to be, because he's been (trying to) being the kind of leader White Gryphon needs now, and he's really not suited for it. The shock to the system of the Haighlei discovering them, and the way White Gryphon had to stretch to deal with diplomatic maneuvers rather than just hunting, growing, show more and building, are excellent story fodder. The coincidences are a little much, but swallowable. And the new society and its peculiarities are fascinating. I particularly like Makke - Shalaman is a little annoying until near the end. And Palisar and Leuket too - though mostly because of reader's perspective. Why don't these silly people realize that the White Gryphon people are the heroes, and support them? It's nice on the rare occasions we get inside their heads - interesting perspectives. show less

The White Gryphon picks up several years after the end of The Black Gryphon. The war is over and the everyone has fled to different parts of the world. Skan, Drake, Winterhart, and Zaneel have escaped together, along with many others of Urtho's former realm. They have made their way south through treachorous land and through tremondous magical storms. Magic is still unpredictable at best, but they have found a home and resettled, using magic to build whenever they can. Skan has become a hero and the new city is named after him, White Gryphon, cut into the cliffs over looking the ocean far below.

They have all made a good life for themselves, albeit a hard-fought life. Skan and Zaneel are mates now, as are Drake and Winterhart. Skan and show more Drake have found themselves the dubious "leaders" of the city and it bores Skan to tears. He is almost grateful when their newfound society seems to be under attack from the Haleigh Kingdom, upon whose land they have unwittingly settled.

Magic is unpredictable and what there is of it has changed. This not only affects how the characters weild it, but it also affects many of the characters themselves. Many of those who had once been powerful mages now found themselves with the magic of the lowest level, if that. Conversely, many of those who once had little magic find themselves able to perform magic that would have been beyond their reach before the change. That is a big part of this novel, the changes in power and dynamics and how many of the characters react to that change.

It also changes the underlying feel of the plot. Yes, there is still magic and fantasy, but the focus was more on the mystery and intrigue that came with the Haileigh people. While Skan and Drake attempt to negotiate with the Haileigh in order to keep their city, it seems that there are those out there that would sooner see them fail. One after another, Skan and Drake seem to be guilty of crimes they both insist they did not commit and the intrigue begins.

While I enjoyed this book, there were a couple things that were a bit offputting for me. For one thing, the female characters really took a back seat to the main cast. They didn't really have their own stories in this book, almost just acting as props for the male characters. I also felt a little uncomfortable with the way the mystery and intrigue with the Haleigh worked itself out. The faith of the dark-skinned Haileigh prevented change without ceremony and ritual, limiting their willingness to search for the truth when Skan and Drake are accused. They were portrayed to be somewhat backward in their culture, portrayed as almost primitive in their thought processes. It took the paler Gryphon citizens to swoop in and create change. That just felt awkward to me.

My Recommendation: Despite my misgivings, I love the continued story presented in The White Gryphon. Great high fantasy! I gave it 4.8 mugs! show less

This is the second in the 'Black Gryphon' series and is set ten years after the conclusion of the book of that nam. The survivors of Urtho's armies had been scattered to the four quarters of the world in their attempts to escape the effects of the Mage Wars.

The Mage Winds had died down and Skandranon and his party had built themselves a new city built into the cliffs overlooking the oceans thinking that they were miles away from any other peoples. But even in the heart of this peacful society are those who would hurt others and it becomes the duty of Skan and Amberdrake to excise the evildoer. But it's the three sailing ships making for their harbour that bring the greatest change to the fledgling city of White Gryphon.

This is probably show more the best book in the trilogy. Certainly as far as I am concerned as Lackey and Dixon develop the societies of White Gryphon and the Haighlei and through in a murder mystery story into the mix. show less

I like the books Mercedes Lackey writes, she is good at creating a believable world and people to populate it. While her writing is not the strongest I do find it engaging ang and enjoyable. I like a series I can live inside of and her books are ones that have characters I feel invested in and a world I believe could exist.

I actually like this ok - I don't like it nearly as much as most of the rest of the Valdemar books, but it's not nearly as bad as the other two in the sequence.

It's more or less a murder mystery, with the characters from The Black Gryphon but the focus on exploring a new culture with some interesting customs. Skandranon is mostly sidelined and thus spends much less time annoying me, and while the villain is cacklingly one-dimensional, he's likewise not really the focus.

Much stronger than The Black Gryphon; that's not saying much.