Rise of the Gryphon

The Belador Code, Book 4

By: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dianna Love

Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne

In the fourth novel of the best-selling Belador paranormal series, Evalle Kincaid must turn her back on the Beladors to protect those she loves, and the world, from annihilation.

To prevent a genocide, Evalle is forced to embrace her destiny...but at what cost?

As an Alterant who fights everything from trolls to demons, Evalle has lived as an outcast among the Beladors, but can now change all that...and find answers to her origins as well. Those answers and a traitor hide within the Medb coven, an enemy poised to destroy the mortal world and all that Evalle holds dear. While her best friends Tzader and Quinn want to help, they have their own conflicts and face unthinkable choices as relationships with the women they love twist in unexpected directions. With time ticking down on a decision that will compel allies to become deadly enemies, Evalle turns to Storm and takes a major step that only complicates matters more when the witchdoctor he's been hunting now stalks Evalle.

©2013 Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love (P)2013 AudioGo

LOVE THE SERIES

the story line is great, while Stephen R Thorne is a great narrator it took me a while to adjust to the change of narrators. Holter Gram is amazing. I wish that the author would keep the same narrator through the series.

Amazing story!!

Loved it. The story is good enough to do with out the sex scenes. Awesome!!

Another exciting installment.

Would you consider the audio edition of Rise of the Gryphon to be better than the print version?

Usually I love audiobooks. I am able to do chores, drive, whatever and still be entertained by a great story. However, I found Stephen R. Thorne's performance lacking in this case. He took me out of the moment a little too often so in this rare case, I would say the print version was better.

What other book might you compare Rise of the Gryphon to and why?

It is so hard to compare Rise of the Gryphon to anything else I've ever read. The closest I could come to is a television series, Lost Girl, rather than another book. I say this not because the plots are the same, but because the feel sort of it.

Each book of the Baledor series is like watching a season of your favorite television show. You're not just following the main character but the side characters as well. They're just as interesting and strong and just as tied up in the mess but in different ways.

Lost Girl gives you that as well.

What three words best describe Stephen R. Thorne’s voice?

Rather monotone.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Oh yes, toward the end. Someone, though I will not say who so I don't give spoilers, dies. Its so unexpected and unfair but such is life. I cried but hope was still given.

Any additional comments?

The cover mentioned is speaking of the print cover, not the audiobook cover.

First, let's take a moment to admire this cover. How bad ass does Evalle look in this? They say "Don't judge a book by its cover" but this one, I feel, really sets the mood for the book.

You got the mystic purple background which tells you there's some major magical stuff happening within these pages. The great bat winged horse sword that I just salivate over, and then I love the play on the eyes. You have the super hot Evalle and her glowing green eyes and in the sword's blade, you have reflected some creepy beast with the same eyes.

Given all of this, I still had no idea what was going to be coming at me when I opened this book. I am a huge fan of the Baledor series. Each book is like watching an entire season of your favorite television show. I say this because you don't just follow Evalle but Sherrilyn and Dianna introduce you to some absolutely wonderful characters who have their own thoughts and actions. They're not just there to support Evalle, they have their own lives and you want to know what is going down with them.

This series is known for its cliffhanger endings but Book 3 was the first time I didn't put down the book and curse two of my favorite Author Goddesses and demand blood for the next book.

Its hard to talk about this series without giving things away. There are so many twist and turns. But I will say that the story did not go where I thought it was. Dianna and Sherrilyn are masters of upping the ante and making you wonder how Evalle is going to get out of this.

We open the book up on a Beast Championship where magical creatures battle off against each other for sport. Kind of like a dog fight but with supernaturals and lots of magic.

Aside for the sheer entertainment of it, our heroine, Evalle, and her hunky Skinwalker panther, Storm, find out that the Medb - our villains - are offering some very powerful magic to those who can win a place in the ABC (Achilles Beast Championship) and win. What's more, the Medb want five Alterants (such as Evalle) for some unknown reason.

On top of needing for get to the bottom of the ABC and why by Medb are gathering Alterants, Evalle's goddess, Macha, demands that at least five Alterants of her own (after all if the Medb want five, so does she) or she will revoke her offer to claim Alterants as part of her pantheon and, thus, will not protect them.

Think that's bad? Its just the beginning.

Loved this book but now I need the next. This book leaves you both satisfied and wanting at the end. I just need to know what happens next!

Best one in the series so far

I am very sad to have lost Quinn’s love and I hope someway she truly isn’t gone-but I am thoroughly enjoying being immersed in this world!!!

For some reason we are back with the original narrator -whom I like - so accept if this is who they stay with…

IT HAS EVERYTHING YOU EXPECT & MUCH MUCH MORE

This series should be started from the beginning 'cause only then will you understand and appreciate all that Evalle and the Team has had to fight and conquer, the despair and pain she's had to endure until what we see her finally evolve into in this listen. If you are a paranormal romance lover then I will warn you that this series is 'way out there' on the paranormal scale with more arghhhhh's than ahhhhh's.

It's an emotional roller-coaster ride and all you can do is buy a ticket and hold on to a fantastical ride that has so many twists, turns, sub plots and excitement that it'll leave you spinning. Then along the way you'll witness unique creatures with amazing abilities and awesome characters who get involved in a non stop action packed plot that includes danger, betrayal, thrills, bloody fights, sad events, romantic tension and shocking discoveries. As the danger builds so too does the romance between Evalle and Storm until, at last, we have that "yes, finally" moment.

The writing is so imaginative and creative that the unpredictable and unexpected is always waiting around the corner for you and all you can do is say "Wow", "Oh no, no, no", "Awesome", "What", "Yippeee finally" and "We'll I didn't see that coming" - (well you get the picture).

Worth a credit? For any Belador fan then this is probably the best so far - so that's a Yes.

Love this series

I can’t get enough of this series it’s soooo good. Maybe I’m a bit bias I seem to love all Sherrilyn Kenyon ‘s book.

please get Holter Graham to narrate

Would you consider the audio edition of Rise of the Gryphon to be better than the print version?

No I loved all the previous audio books and did not even check the narrator as I just assumed Holter Graham would be doing it as he has done all the others. I just could not get into the audio without Holter

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love all the characters and storyline

Would you be willing to try another one of Stephen R. Thorne’s performances?

possible he was OK but I was so used to the previous narrator that it didn't have the same impact

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Loved it & already downloaded the book 5

Stephen is not at bad performer. He would do great in a contemporary novel like an Iris Johansen book. It's just that Holter Graham established a relationship with the listener in the last two books. I did not care for his performance either in the beginning because I liked Traister who performed the first book. But Holter grew on me with his wonderful accents, which Thorne did not even add until the end. The audio book cover was not at all representative of how they Described Evall in the book. Thanks to the other reviewer that pointed out the kindle cover looked more as expected. The story is wonderful as usual. I can't wait to see how Dianna Love does on her own with the next two.

My new series!

I've been a fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon's books for a long time. I love how she creates a world that is so big with so many different characters. I stumbled upon this series with Dianna Love and it hasn't disappointed. Even though this is the last book in the series that Sherrilyn Kenyon has co-written, I have already bought the rest of the series. I have no doubt the next books will be just as entertaining and encompassing as this one. 💯❤️

Also, Stephen Thorne did a fantastic job narrating the story. Holter Graham narrated book 3 and it wasn't that great. I'm glad Stephen continued to narrate the rest of the books. His voice comes across clear during his narration and I don't have to turn the volume up to understand what he's saying. 💯❤️

great book!

I can't wait to listen to the next one! I have already ordered the next audio book and am going to start it now.