SOLVED. Fantasy Book with characters Oriole and Griffin. Oriole is a slave that becomes a king and Griffin is his manservant. Read around late 1970's/early 1980's. [s]

[Eric]

My sister is trying to find a book she read when she was younger, probably late 70's or early 80's. All she can remember is it was a fantasy book and the main character was named Oriole and was a slave that became a king. Oriole had a manservant that was named Griffin or something similar. She thought it was an excellent book and has been trying to find it for years.

[Tab]

Was this a book for children, teens, or adults?
Part of a series?
Time period/location story takes place?

[SBC]

This one comes up quite often! It's The Wings of a Falcon by Cynthia Voigt.

[Eric]

I will confirm that is the book with my sister but it sure sounds like it. Thank you!

[Kris]

Kirkus Review of The Wings of a Falcon by Cynthia Voigt - SBC's suggestion:

"In the mythical land of Jackaroo (1985), another long tale crowded with action and driven by its themes, with well- individualized characters carefully devised to enact them. Slaves Oriel and his loyal friend Griff are reared by the brutal Damall in his island stronghold. Courageous and quick-witted, Oriel survives this vicious society's intricacies of betrayal and trust to be chosen the Damall's heir, a role he evades by fleeing. He and Griff settle near the mainland town of Selby—an oasis in an endless, bloody war of succession—where they persuade the people to give up their divisive allegiances and choose leaders to rule in concert. Then, still in their teens, the two are captured by Wolfers—lawless predators whose cruel abuse they escape to enter the Kingdom to the north, where an earldom is to be won in mortal combat. Oriel's rare gifts bear fruit when he persuades several fine contenders to support one of their number, preventing a wasteful carnage—but the outcome is not so simple. A betrayal transforms the political landscape; and power falls, surprisingly, to a wise and compassionate man who has never imagined himself a leader. (...)"

Note: There are different cover images.

[Eric]

This was the book - you can move this to the "Found" column. Thank you for all your help. Great series by the way. Technically this is a YA book but I would just put it into the Fantasy category, it's very well written.