This review was written by Grade 7 student Matthew Green.
Written by Kelley Armstrong
Puffin Canada
978-0-735265387
352 pp.
Ages 10-14
June 2020
The Gryphon's Lair is the second book in the A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying series by Kelley Armstrong. The Gryphon's Lair is every bit as good as A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying, which I loved, and maybe even a bit better!
The story is about the adventures of 12-year-old Princess Rowan, the Royal Monster Hunter elect, and her companions who are on a mission to reunite a lone baby gryphon with her kind after the mother (who Rowan captured in the first book) dies. But their mission is complicated by many monstrous encounters! They run into monsters of all shapes and sizes, from dropbears to wyverns and everything in between. During her adventures, Rowan learns lots of life lessons (and teaches a couple too!). For instance, she learns about the value of teamwork and she teaches that it’s better to choose peace over violence.
The story is told from Rowan’s point of view, so I enjoyed reading her inner thoughts as she slowly but surely forms plans to overcome obstacles under extreme pressure.
The book has a really great cast of characters too, both human and monster! My favourite character is Jacko the baby jackalope because he’s funny and cute and very protective of Rowan even though he's so small. I also like Wilmot the trainer because he’s tough but fair. I think that the catalogue of monster illustrations at the end of the book is pretty cool as well because it gives you a visual reference for all the monsters.
Though I have read the first book, The Gryphon's Lair explained everything before the real adventure started and that makes me very sure that you would understand this book even if you didn’t read the first one. Also, the writing itself is clear and thoughtful which makes it an easy and pleasurable read.
Overall I had a lot of fun reading this book! Personally I enjoyed the book largely because of the fantasy aspect, which is great for fantasy lovers, but I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good adventure story! I’m looking forward to more action-packed adventures with Rowan and her friends and can’t wait for the third book! I would give The Gryphon's Lair a 9/10.
The story is about the adventures of 12-year-old Princess Rowan, the Royal Monster Hunter elect, and her companions who are on a mission to reunite a lone baby gryphon with her kind after the mother (who Rowan captured in the first book) dies. But their mission is complicated by many monstrous encounters! They run into monsters of all shapes and sizes, from dropbears to wyverns and everything in between. During her adventures, Rowan learns lots of life lessons (and teaches a couple too!). For instance, she learns about the value of teamwork and she teaches that it’s better to choose peace over violence.
The story is told from Rowan’s point of view, so I enjoyed reading her inner thoughts as she slowly but surely forms plans to overcome obstacles under extreme pressure.
The book has a really great cast of characters too, both human and monster! My favourite character is Jacko the baby jackalope because he’s funny and cute and very protective of Rowan even though he's so small. I also like Wilmot the trainer because he’s tough but fair. I think that the catalogue of monster illustrations at the end of the book is pretty cool as well because it gives you a visual reference for all the monsters.
Though I have read the first book, The Gryphon's Lair explained everything before the real adventure started and that makes me very sure that you would understand this book even if you didn’t read the first one. Also, the writing itself is clear and thoughtful which makes it an easy and pleasurable read.
Overall I had a lot of fun reading this book! Personally I enjoyed the book largely because of the fantasy aspect, which is great for fantasy lovers, but I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good adventure story! I’m looking forward to more action-packed adventures with Rowan and her friends and can’t wait for the third book! I would give The Gryphon's Lair a 9/10.
~ Written by Matthew Green, Age 11 ¾
No comments:
Post a Comment