The Fallen Moon

Book 1: The Dark Griffin

Harper Voyager (2009)
ISBN: 9780732288525
$22.99
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Reviewed by Mitenae, Oct 2009


Arren Cardockson, a loathsome Blackrobe and a Northerner is despised at Eagleholm and considered little more than a slave, despite being a griffiner. He receives an opportunity to change all this with the potential of having a place on the council, but it means capturing a wild griffin that’s been hunting humans.

K.J. Taylor is a young author with a bright future ahead of her, but The Dark Griffin lacks an adult voice and a sense of confidence. It feels as if the author has hidden herself in this story rather than allowing herself to voice her own opinion and view of the world.

I wanted to hear more of Taylor's voice, her opinion, coming through, but what is there is very little and it was only upon reading a fragment aloud that I discovered an undertone at discord with the intended market. When read aloud, the language and tone feels as if it is speaking to a young child, rather than an adult.

The story we are told sits part way between being a fantastic children’s novel and a mediocre adult novel. There are some aspects of the story that are inappropriate for kids, but if toned down, this would have made a fantastic kids' book. As an adult novel I wanted more of an adult voice and view of a harsh world instead of one laced with touches of the romantic.

I wanted this book to have more layers to the story, more depth. I found only a surface story, one with very little opinion, subtext or themes. I wanted more drama, more tension, more suspense and I found myself becoming frustrated because this story is worth telling. I love the world and the characters but I would have liked it to be pushed further into the dark side.

The Dark Griffin is worth reading, and the maps are fantastic, mainly because each one is on a single page. I don’t particularly like the artwork and for me it doesn’t reflect the feel of the story.

K.J. Taylor will be a fantastic talent in years to come, but only once she allows herself to voice her opinion and point of view confidently.