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The Black Gryphon

Mage Wars Series, Book 1

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The Black Gryphon

Written by: Mercedes Lackey, Larry Dixon
Narrated by: Gary Furlong
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About this listen

It is an age when Valdemar is yet unfounded, its organization of Heralds yet unformed, and magic is still a wild and uncontrolled force.

Skandranon Rashkae is perhaps the finest specimen of his race, with gleaming ebony feathers, a majestic wingspan, keen magesight, and sharp intelligence. Courageous, bold, and crafty, Skan is everything a gryphon should be. He is the fulfillment of everything that the Mage of Silence, the human sorcerer called Urtho, intended to achieve when he created these magical beings to be his champions, the defenders of his realm - a verdant plain long coveted by the evil mage Maar.

Now Maar is once again advancing on Urtho's Keep, this time with a huge force spearheaded by magical constructs of his own - cruel birds of prey ready to perform any evil their creator may demand of them. And when one of Urtho's Seers wakes from a horrifying vision in which she sees a devastating magical weapon being placed in the hands of Maar's common soldiers, Skandrannon is sent to spy across enemy lines, cloaked in the protective of Urtho's powerful Spell of Silence.

©1994 Mercedes R. Lackey and Larry Dixon (P)2018 Tantor Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Magic Science Fiction Paranormal Magic Users Wizardry
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Pacing won't be for everyone (some would say 'slow' because there isn't a ton of action), but it's purposefully so and well made. Still a page turner for me because of the characters, and the kind of story being told (character relationship focus along with other things threaded through) was interesting, lovely, and felt refreshing and original to me.

And the narrator's voice and personality fit really well with a lot of the characters. He gets into it in a way that felt immersive, which made for a fun listen.

Review

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I enjoyed the "history" of the mage wars detailed in previous books. The narrator really sold it, though. So much packed into the book...wonder what is coming next.

Backstory - and Griffons!

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Love the story. Though I found some of the pronunciation jarring. Still, well worth a listen for any fan.

Love it!

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I listen to this series multiple times a year and live it every time. The reader has a well choose voice for this book and does the characters well

Favorite series

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