Reviewed by Jess

TITLE: On the Subject of Griffons

AUTHOR: Lindsey Byrd

PUBLISHER: Riptide Publishing

LENGTH: 316 pages

RELEASE DATE:  May 27, 2019

BLURB:

They’ll do anything to save their children’s lives, even if it means working together.

Kera Montgomery is still mourning the sudden death of her husband, Morpheus, when her youngest son falls victim to a mysterious plague. With no medicinal cure, Kera must travel to the Long Lakes, where magical griffons capable of healing any ailment reside.

As an heiress unused to grueling travel, Kera struggles with the immense emotional and physical strain of her journey—one made more complex when she crosses paths with her husband’s former mistress, Aurora. Aurora’s daughter is afflicted with the same plague as Kera’s son, so despite their incendiary history, the two women agree to set aside their differences and travel together.

The road is fraught with dangers, both living and dead. Each night, old battlegrounds reanimate with ghosts who don’t know they’ve died, and murderous wraiths hunt for stray travelers caught out after dark. If Kera, Aurora, and their children are going to survive, they’ll need to confront the past that’s been haunting them since their journey began. And perhaps in the process, discover that old friends may not be as trustworthy as they once thought—and old enemies may become so much more.

REVIEW:

A good fantasy book begins with a journey and ends with the character getting what they’ve needed all along, even if that isn’t what they are originally searching for. In this story, the stakes are even higher. Two loving mothers who should be sworn enemies must reach their goal to save their sick children, and though the prize at the end may stay the same, both Kera and Aurora also find each other.

Kera Montgomery, the widow of a disgraced man and mother of seven children, must travel hundreds of miles to the Long Lakes, where powerful griffons and their healing qualities live. Her son, Aiden, is gripped by an incurable plague, and she soon finds out that Aurora, the lower-class woman her husband cheated on her with, is dealing with the same sickness with her daughter, Faith. They need each other to make the perilous trek, but their long-held animosity makes things tense. Kera had a complicated relationship with her husband, Morpheus, and she still grieves him, not knowing how to go on in the world without his presence. But Aurora has been without him for years, so they both have to deal with his invisible influence in different ways.

The danger and pure exhaustion of their journey is apparent on every page. I can’t imagine travelling for weeks with two sick children and two tired horses, all while ghosts and wraiths linger in the distance, ready to prey on the weak. In a truly terrifying scene, Kera is brutally attacked by a wraith, and as Aurora washes her wounds on the creek, Kera finally breaks down and lets out all the emotions she has suppressed over the years. Though she’s in pain and fighting for their lives, Kera continues onward, knowing this is a battle she has to fight herself.

I haven’t read a hero’s journey that has affected me as much as Kera’s did in a long, long time. Kera goes from a well-mannered, meek, often sad widow to a knife-wielding warrior who rides on the backs of griffons and protects her children and her new love from danger. She also finds her voice, removes herself from her dead husband’s shadow, and finally takes what she wants and deserves. Her story arc is truly amazing, and I enjoyed every step of the way at her side. Aurora, on the other hand, is all about staying true to yourself—she never pretends to be anyone other than herself, and that confidence draws her and Kera together like magnets. The harsh distance they keep from each other dissolves slowly into warmth, protectiveness, and sweetness, showing how they can be together without the lingering specter of Morpheus.

If you’ve been in the Hamilton fandom in any capacity, you may recognize some character tropes and dynamics. I’d be very surprised if this wasn’t published as Eliza/Maria fan-fiction at first, but I’m firmly on the side that supports reworking fan-fic into original works, and Byrd has put enough heart and originality into the story to make it something wholly unique. And if you’re a part of that fandom, I’d say you’re in for a fun re-imagining!

This is an awesome, fast-paced fantasy book that takes it time to get to know the characters and let them grow. Kera and Aurora fall into each other so naturally that it always seemed inevitable, even when they were enemies. Byrd’s grasp on storytelling and characterization make me want to read more and more of her books!

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Riptide Publishing

Amazon