For centuries, rumors have abounded of a lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire...
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reviews
Feb 20, 2012
Inspired Kathy
rated it: 
4.5 Stars - Great book
I was sent an ARC of Griffin Rising a year ago, right at the time my life was thrown a curve ball and I went from reading 5 or 6 books a week to just one. Unfortunately that meant Griffin Rising did not get reviewed as I had planned. I finally picked this book up yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It's a quick read so I easily made it through it in one afternoon.
Terrae Angeli or guardian angels are the main characters in More...
I was sent an ARC of Griffin Rising a year ago, right at the time my life was thrown a curve ball and I went from reading 5 or 6 books a week to just one. Unfortunately that meant Griffin Rising did not get reviewed as I had planned. I finally picked this book up yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It's a quick read so I easily made it through it in one afternoon.
Terrae Angeli or guardian angels are the main characters in More...
Mar 14, 2011
Heather
rated it: 
wristband giveaway and full review at http://fireandicephoto.blogspot.com/2011...
Griffin Rising was a surprisingly enjoyable debut about the use of free agency and overcoming an abusive past. It's a mixture of action, myth and young romance perfect for middle grade to young adult readers. Angel in training Griffin is 13 years old and stuck with an evil mentor, Nicoplolis who has less than orthodox training methods. Like all Tarrae Angeli, Nicopolis is bound to earth, and has the right More...
Griffin Rising was a surprisingly enjoyable debut about the use of free agency and overcoming an abusive past. It's a mixture of action, myth and young romance perfect for middle grade to young adult readers. Angel in training Griffin is 13 years old and stuck with an evil mentor, Nicoplolis who has less than orthodox training methods. Like all Tarrae Angeli, Nicopolis is bound to earth, and has the right More...
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May 27, 2011
Savannah (Books With Bite)
rated it:
I loved this book! I love the whole angels concept in books and this book blew me away with it. It had everything that a paranormal book needs. Great plot, and amazing characters that triumph till the very end.
The plot of this book is amazing. I really enjoyed it and got into quickly. The main characters Basil and Griffin really where a set of characters that I fell in love with. First off, Basil is a great mentor. He knew what was going on with Griffin and he saved him from it. I like More...
The plot of this book is amazing. I really enjoyed it and got into quickly. The main characters Basil and Griffin really where a set of characters that I fell in love with. First off, Basil is a great mentor. He knew what was going on with Griffin and he saved him from it. I like More...
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Jun 02, 2011
Avery
rated it:
I have said it time and time again, I love books about angels, and this book is no exception. I really loved the "I Am Number Four"/ "The Demon Trapper's Daughter" mentor/ apprentice mentality going on this book with the main characters Basil and Griffin, I always think that it is really interesting to see how the master and apprentice start out on shaky grounds but over time evolve into an unstoppable team.
Typically I don't like when a book is written in the for More...
Typically I don't like when a book is written in the for More...
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Apr 10, 2011
Jamie
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I was approached a few months back by the author to read and review Griffin Rising on my blog. Up until that point I had not even heard of this book. I'm really glad that the author approached me, if she hadn't I might have missed out on a PHENOMENAL debut YA novel. Griffin Rising is what my co-workers and I refer to as Awesome Sauce. Let's put it this way, the "Awesome Sauce" list is REALLY short....The Hunger Games trilogy, No Mercy, Mercy Kill and Griffin Rising are it.
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May 22, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
This was a really heartwarming book! Darby Karchut's debut novel is not only about Guardian Angels, but on a deeper level it seems to be about the journey of self discovery. Griffin's story had me wiping my eyes at times and laughing out loud at others. The story chronicles Griffin's journey from the tragic start of his apprenticeship as a Terrae Angeli or Guardian Angel to his final test, the Prolieum. I am a huge fan of Angel-themed books and this one is fantastic! It was a fresh take on
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Feb 12, 2011
Susan
rated it:
Griffith Rising is a sweet story that will charm its way into your heart.
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Sep 26, 2011
Kaci
rated it:
I loved this book! We just completed it as our first student book club book of the year. Griffin is so easy to like, you are rooting for him the entire time! Basil is a kind and determined role model. The relationship between Griffin and Katie is sweet and sincere. This author really knows how to set the stage for a great series of middle grade books! This is the first in a series of 4 and this cliff-hanger ending leaves us ready for the next installment - Griffin's Fire, due out in the Sp
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Feb 18, 2012
Sher A.
rated it: 
I expected to like this book from the description and I did in spite of a rocky start due to some poor editing. I'm glad I kept going because I felt sorry for the abused angel apprentice, Griffin. His story pulled me in within a few pages and the editing did get better.
The last time I read a story that had angels in it, the author was trying to deny the existence of God. This book had no such logic flaws. It held to its own mythology, a well presented and intriguing idea that a lower More...
The last time I read a story that had angels in it, the author was trying to deny the existence of God. This book had no such logic flaws. It held to its own mythology, a well presented and intriguing idea that a lower More...
Oct 31, 2011
Brooke
rated it:
Griffin Rising is a sort of fantastical coming-of-age tale. The mythology behind the story is the fictitious order of Terrae Angeli, a race of earthbound angels indistinguishable from humans. The main character Griffin is a Terrae Angeli in training, and in addition to saving lives and honing his powers, he has to deal with the struggles of everyday teenage life.
I had a few problems with the book. The early atmosphere of the book is overly formal. It was a bit jarring to be placed in c More...
I had a few problems with the book. The early atmosphere of the book is overly formal. It was a bit jarring to be placed in c More...
Sep 22, 2011
Anita
rated it:
I give this book three stars...I want to give it another half, but don't know how. Anyone???
Here's part of the Colorado Springs GAZETTE column I wrote about the book. It includes an author interview.
“Griffin Rising” is a Young Adult fantasy whose title character is an angel is training. Griffin’s initial angel tutor, Nicopolis, abuses the young angel-to-be. A second tutor, Basil, takes over Griffin’s training, and after a period of familiarization, Griffin and Basil becom More...
Here's part of the Colorado Springs GAZETTE column I wrote about the book. It includes an author interview.
“Griffin Rising” is a Young Adult fantasy whose title character is an angel is training. Griffin’s initial angel tutor, Nicopolis, abuses the young angel-to-be. A second tutor, Basil, takes over Griffin’s training, and after a period of familiarization, Griffin and Basil becom More...
May 22, 2011
Maxine
rated it:
Terrae Angeli, the angels of earth, act as the guardians of mortal humans. They control the four elements of earth, air, fire and water- using them to save the mortals. Unlike the angels of heaven, they have free will. They can make choices just like humans which can be for good or bad. Griffin is one of them.
Thirteen year old, Griffin, is stuck with a cruel and an unforgiving mentor, Nicopolis. Just when he was on the verge of giving up, Griffin is taken away from Nicopolis as an appr More...
Thirteen year old, Griffin, is stuck with a cruel and an unforgiving mentor, Nicopolis. Just when he was on the verge of giving up, Griffin is taken away from Nicopolis as an appr More...
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May 14, 2011
A Canadian Girl
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Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut has its own unique take on the mythology surrounding angels, and introduces readers to the Terrae Angeli, a race of angels with free will that live on earth, control the elements and guard humans. Despite the fact that the story involves angels, the ability of the Terrae Angeli to have agency allows their actions to be similar to those of humans and thus, the novel becomes one of a boy learning to gain self-confidence, healing from an abusive past and falling in l
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Apr 19, 2011
Christine
rated it:
Have you ever wondered if there are angels among us? Guardian angels, who help us during all those times we get into trouble? If it seems like a miracle that you survived a bad car accident, maybe it was.
And what if one of those angels looked like a sixteen-year-old boy and lived across the street?
Griffin is an apprentice angel, still hoping to earn his wings (figuratively speaking – this type of angel does not have actual wings). His gifts are fire and earth, and his cur More...
And what if one of those angels looked like a sixteen-year-old boy and lived across the street?
Griffin is an apprentice angel, still hoping to earn his wings (figuratively speaking – this type of angel does not have actual wings). His gifts are fire and earth, and his cur More...
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Apr 11, 2011
Annie
rated it:
My Thoughts:
This novel really grew on me. I've read a lot of angel books this year, but GRIFFIN RISING was unlike any of the other angel YA novels I've read lately. The main character suffered throughout a lot of abuse from his first mentor Nicopolis in the beginning of the novel. Basil couldn't have come into the picture soon enough and saved Griffin from his current situation. It kind of reminded me of the 3rd Karate Kid movie for some reason, where the mentor was out to purposely More...
This novel really grew on me. I've read a lot of angel books this year, but GRIFFIN RISING was unlike any of the other angel YA novels I've read lately. The main character suffered throughout a lot of abuse from his first mentor Nicopolis in the beginning of the novel. Basil couldn't have come into the picture soon enough and saved Griffin from his current situation. It kind of reminded me of the 3rd Karate Kid movie for some reason, where the mentor was out to purposely More...
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Mar 30, 2011
Kelly
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Griffin is an angel. More specifically, he's probably best described as an apprentice guardian angel. He's 16, and soon he'll have to pass a test to become a full-fledged angel, or Terrae Angeli. His mentor, Basil, is a father figure to him, and they're very close. Unfortunately, to pass the test, he'll have to defeat his first mentor, Nicopolis, who is a complete jerk (which is phrasing it nicely). If he can't pass the test, he has to become mortal.
But there's more to the story More...
But there's more to the story More...
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Mar 24, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
Review originally posted at: http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com/20...
Actual Rating: 3.5/5
MY THOUGHTS
Griffin Rising introduces us to a race of Earth Angels, or Terrae Angeli, separated from the Celestial Angels in both the powers they possess and in their ability to have free will, thereby rendering them characters capable of making mistakes, their every flaw endearing them to us as we recognize our humanity reflected back at us regardless of their supernatural pow More...
Actual Rating: 3.5/5
MY THOUGHTS
Griffin Rising introduces us to a race of Earth Angels, or Terrae Angeli, separated from the Celestial Angels in both the powers they possess and in their ability to have free will, thereby rendering them characters capable of making mistakes, their every flaw endearing them to us as we recognize our humanity reflected back at us regardless of their supernatural pow More...
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Feb 26, 2011
Katieb (MundieMoms)
rated it:
"I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed Darby's debut book, Griffin Rising. I liked that Darby owns her mythology, as she takes a popular topic and recreated it by giving it a unique spin. Her angel mythology, lore and history especially with the Terra Angeli, really make her story appealing.
Darby's writing style fit the story and I felt it flowed well, as the story starts out in the present and then goes back three years and is mixed with journal entries from Griffin More...
Darby's writing style fit the story and I felt it flowed well, as the story starts out in the present and then goes back three years and is mixed with journal entries from Griffin More...
May 13, 2011
Fallon
rated it:
This was a Goodreads, first reads book that I received recently and “Griffin Rising” is short and easy to read. I must say that I like reading about angels & enjoy fantasy books in general. Howerver, as I started the book it felt a bit choppy and I didn’t have a lot of attachment until about 1/3 of the way through, then I started to really enjoy it. The journal entries were what made the choppy feelings at first, but once you get used to them they are a really nice addition. I really liked the L
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Feb 14, 2011
Kate
rated it:
This book surprised me. It sounded like an interesting concept- a young angel training to become a full blown guardian angel, while also trying to navigate life as a regular 16 year old. The book started out slow for me- it jumped from the present to 3 years in the past and back a few times. Those leaps lost me a bit at first, I found myself flipping back and forth to make sure I knew where I was and who I was reading about. Especially given that Griffin refers to both Nicopolis and Basil as men
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Jul 28, 2011
Aimeekay
rated it:
Let me just start off by saying that this was a very good read. It was fresh and unique. I love supernatural stories, and this one wasn't your typical Vampire or Werewolf novel which seems to be all the rage these days. Now don't get me wrong I love me a good Vampire or Shifter novel, but Karchut's take on Angels that walk amongst us is something I haven't seen in a while and not only was it well written, but it also made me want to delve deeper into Angelic lore on my own. That alone is a plea
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Feb 21, 2011
Reaganstar
rated it:
I have to say after reading what this book was about, I was only mildly interested but i love angel stories so I had to give it a try. Much to my suprise and happiness the blurb about this book does nothing for it. A fantastic storyline and amazing characters that you empathize with immediately.
You meet Griffin at the early age of 13, under the eye of his "mentor" which immediately tears at your heartstrings seeing what poor Griffin has to deal with. He then gets switche More...
You meet Griffin at the early age of 13, under the eye of his "mentor" which immediately tears at your heartstrings seeing what poor Griffin has to deal with. He then gets switche More...
Apr 17, 2011
Carrie
rated it:
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when opening the book for the first time. Sure I read the blurb on the back and it sounded interesting but still... As I began reading Darby's debut novel I became pleasantly surprised with the characters, the story and the overall concept of the book.
Griffin Rising introduces us to two main characters, Griffin and Basil, who are guardian angels (Terrae Angeli). Both can control the different elements, Basil can control air and water and Grif More...
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Feb 25, 2011
Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids
rated it:
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed Darby's debut book, Griffin Rising. I liked that Darby owns her mythology, as she takes a popular topic and recreated it by giving it a unique spin. Her angel mythology, lore and history especially with the Terra Angeli, really make her story appealing.
Darby's writing style fit the story and I felt it flowed well, as the story starts out in the present and then goes back three years and is mixed with journal entries from Griffin and More...
Darby's writing style fit the story and I felt it flowed well, as the story starts out in the present and then goes back three years and is mixed with journal entries from Griffin and More...
Apr 19, 2011
Naj (Unputdownable Books)
rated it:
Posted in: http://unputdownablebookies.blogspot.com...
Before I begin with what I thought of Griffin Rising. I'd like to thank Darby Karchut, the Author, for allowing me to read an ARC of this amazing book as well as giving me a chance to read, and review my first ARC. Thank you so much Darby!
Immediately after I started reading I was enthralled at how realistic the characters were. I really became attached to Griffin our Tiro and Basil our Mentor. I like how I shared More...
Before I begin with what I thought of Griffin Rising. I'd like to thank Darby Karchut, the Author, for allowing me to read an ARC of this amazing book as well as giving me a chance to read, and review my first ARC. Thank you so much Darby!
Immediately after I started reading I was enthralled at how realistic the characters were. I really became attached to Griffin our Tiro and Basil our Mentor. I like how I shared More...
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Feb 19, 2011
Beverly
rated it:
Would you like to have a guardian angel watching over you? If so, then curl up in your favorite reading spot and enter the world of Griffin, a Tiro or Terrae Angelus in training, and his Mentor Basil, Terrae Angelus. “Terrae Angeli exist only to serve as guardians to man.” They are earthbound. They have free will, like man. Their powers align to the Four Elements: Wind and Water, Earth and Fire. Like man, they also can be destroyed.
Griffin begins his training to become a Terrae Angel More...
Griffin begins his training to become a Terrae Angel More...
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Oct 23, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
I had never heard of Griffin Rising until I got it in the mail as part of a prize I had won. I was very intrigued by it, and once I picked it up and started reading it, I really couldn't stop. I haven't read too many angel stories, but Griffin Rising was definitely a unique spin on the angel mythology.
It's a very quick read, only 174 pages, and story-wise it's pretty light. Griffin Rising isn't so much about Griffin the angel-in-training, but more about Griffin the teenaged boy that's More...
It's a very quick read, only 174 pages, and story-wise it's pretty light. Griffin Rising isn't so much about Griffin the angel-in-training, but more about Griffin the teenaged boy that's More...
Jul 07, 2011
Between the Covers
rated it:
Reviewed by Christin for Between the Covers
A lot of angel books have flooded the market recently, and hence there is a risk of stories becoming repetitive. However, in Griffin Rising, Darby Karchut found a way to make the story of a young guardian angel both original and enjoyable.
Griffin has been training for years to pass his Proelium and become a guardian angel. His early years were anything but easy; he was forced to endure harsh conditions set by a cruel Mentor. But More...
A lot of angel books have flooded the market recently, and hence there is a risk of stories becoming repetitive. However, in Griffin Rising, Darby Karchut found a way to make the story of a young guardian angel both original and enjoyable.
Griffin has been training for years to pass his Proelium and become a guardian angel. His early years were anything but easy; he was forced to endure harsh conditions set by a cruel Mentor. But More...
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May 18, 2011
Realteenreviews
rated it: 
The Gist
Guardian angels do exist. Also known as Terrae Angelus, they live on Earth, can control the elements, and have free will to choose between good and evil. And they save humans in danger. Tiro Griffin is one of those angels. After spending three horrible years being abused by Mentor angel Nicopolis, Griffin is reassigned to Mentor Basil, to be taught the ways of the Terrae Angelus. He has three years of knowledge, training, mission, and affection to make up for before his Proel More...
Guardian angels do exist. Also known as Terrae Angelus, they live on Earth, can control the elements, and have free will to choose between good and evil. And they save humans in danger. Tiro Griffin is one of those angels. After spending three horrible years being abused by Mentor angel Nicopolis, Griffin is reassigned to Mentor Basil, to be taught the ways of the Terrae Angelus. He has three years of knowledge, training, mission, and affection to make up for before his Proel More...
