Genre: Fantasy Age Range: MG
Time for the next and final two books in The Griffin Gate series! This is a MG series published by Barrington Stoke, a publisher dedicated to books aimed at dyslexic and reluctant readers. The series is also illustrated by Natalie Smillie with large, highly detailed images that can take up half to a full page.
This post contains spoilers for the first two books, THE GRIFFIN GATE and THE PUFFIN PORTAL.
THE RAVEN RIDDLE
Star Rating: 4 stars Series: book 3
THE RAVEN RIDDLE (Goodreads here) sees Tom join Grace on his first mission – except it doesn’t appear to be as exciting as they’d hoped. Ravens are attacking villagers, but when they investigate rumours surface of a witch up in the mountains with a moving house…
THE RAVEN RIDDLE is the most action-packed entry in the series to date. The mystery that called the pair out to the picturesque but remote (and suspicious!) community is solved around the halfway point. From there on, the focus shifts to Grace and Tom trying to solve the issues that mean the ravens are attacking them. But then calamity strikes in the form of a natural disaster!
The disaster sequence (yes, I’m being cagey about what – I don’t want to spoil it!) is the tensest part of the book. Grace and Tom – with some help – have to put everything on hold to save lives, but doing so nearly costs them theirs.
I really liked the book’s take on the myth/folktale of Baba Yaga and her House with Chicken Legs. It fits in so well with the world design. It also fits with the apparent shift in the series to focus more and more on the inventive/steam-punk aspects of the world, which is a trademark of Vashti Hardy’s books.
THE WEATHER WELL
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
Star Rating: 4 stars Series: book 4
THE WEATHER WELL (Goodreads here) completes The Griffin Gate series with a wintry tale of teamwork and invention.
As with many of Vashti’s books, this is a tale about how inventiveness should always be prized, even if things go awry. After all, inventions can be fixed and tweaked until they work, The important thing is to be willing to try again and not give up at creating things to help others.
I really love how teamwork played into that in this book. Grace has started off the series being a bit of a lone wolf, desperate to prove herself on her own. But that’s not always a good idea and she’s learnt that lesson so well that she can pass it onto others in this instalment.
It’s an icy tale, but also a hot one too with a heatwave. Such a contrast of settings – and the town of Oakwell was also a very fun setting. I love the zoom post! Vashti is great at very quickly setting up new and exciting settings.
While this does end the series, there is potential for spin offs as Grace sets up a new initiative to help their land. I very much hope this does spawn more books as I’ve loved this series.
Read my reviews of other books by Vashti Hardy:
Brightstorm Chronicles:
- BRIGHTSTORM (#1)
- DARKWHISPERS (#2)
- FIRESONG (#3)
- SERPENT OF THE SANDS (#4)
Standalones:
Sifa Elizabeth Reads 