Griffin Speaker is a fantasy novel that follows Rain, an orphan living at the lowest level of a rigid social hierarchy in Griffin Land. She is expected to spend her life doing hard labor in the mines. Her life changes when she bonds with the last wild griffin, an event that activates an old law allowing her entry into the elite Griffin Riders Academy, even though she comes from the lowest rank in society. This bond immediately creates conflict, since Rain’s rise threatens the entire structure of Griffin Land. The ruling class tries to ensure she fails, especially because the system depends on keeping people in their assigned place. Rain is then forced into a dangerous challenge to prove herself, which involves traveling with her best friend and an unlikely ally to scale the highest peak and defeat a monster at its summit. This was my favorite part of the book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book because it kept a strong sense of tension throughout and made Rain’s journey feel both inspiring and impactful from beginning to end. I'm glad I got to read this book before it got released, it was an amazing book! I definitely recommend it for 10 years old and above.
Griffin Speaker
By Jan M. Flynn
Impossible Creatures meets The Giver in this unforgettable fantasy series starter perfect for kids 8-12! When twelve-year-old Rain bonds with the last wild griffin, she has the chance to change her fortune—and possibly her world. “Powerful, inspiring, and absolutely wonderful.” —Shannon Messenger, New York Times best-selling author of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series As an orphan on the lowest rung of society, twelve-year-old Rain is destined for a future of hard labor—until she meets a wild griffin and bonds with him. An old law says that bond entitles Rain to an education at the elite Griffin Riders Academy instead of a life in the mines. But Rain’s Rise threatens to topple Griffin Land’s fragile hierarchy, and those at the top are determined to see her fail. So they task Rain with proving herself: Armed with just her wit and accompanied by her best friend and an unlikely ally, Rain must scale the highest peak in Griffin Land and defeat the monster at its summit. Rain’s success could change the world. But with an impossible quest ahead, will she and her griffin even survive? Filled with awe-inspiring black-and-white illustrations, Griffin Speaker is both a delightful friendship-adventure story and a hopeful tale of resistance in an unequal world.
Book Reviews (5)
Griffin Speaker is a captivating, heartfelt, action-packed book! It covers the story of Rain, who is an orphan at the bottom of the totem pole and struggles with her purpose. This all changes when she meets a griffin, with whom she immediately forms a close bond. Their heartwarming relationship is especially highlighted when Rain is trapped in the lair and Griff is mentally right there with her, guiding her and giving her advice and strength. This book includes references to societal classes, how everyone has their own path, injustice, the difference between protection and restriction, and how much support matters. There are many different lessons you can learn while reading! This book is incredibly engaging and is perfect for middle school ages! You just can't help following Rain’s journey from a grub to being in the academy alongside Griff!
Griffin Speaker by Jan M. Flynn is a captivating and emotional fantasy that I really enjoyed. The story follows Rain, an orphan stuck at the bottom of society, and her struggles with feeling like an outsider and worrying about her future. What stood out most to me was her connection with the griffin. From the moment she touches him, even when others warn her, it’s clear their bond is real and meaningful, especially since the griffin sees her for who she truly is. I also liked the conflict with Aunt Willow, who is harsh but ultimately trying to protect Rain from a dangerous life in the mines. The world-building is strong, especially with the unfair social hierarchy and the harsh conditions in the “Tubes,” which made me root for Rain even more. Overall, this book is inspiring and engaging, showing themes of courage, identity, and standing up for yourself. This book is perfect for fantasy readers and ages +10. Definitely recommend!
Griffin Speaker was a wonderful book. The Story starts with a girl named Rain who lives in Bottomseep. She's been told she's destined to chop root for the rest of her life, but what if things can change? All the characters in this story are lovable and have believable character development. This is the perfect middle grade book, definitely check this book out if you like adventures and fantasy ages 10+. It will be released May 5th 2026!
Rain is an orphan grub. Sitting at the very bottom of the hierarchy, she works at her Aunt Willow’s farm helping with the animals. When she turns 13, she will be sent to spend the rest of her life working in the Tubes to collect Root for those higher up on the hierarchy. Problem being, she has Tube Terror. The dark narrow spaces of the Tubes cause her to panic, though she must hide her fear to avoid being dosed with Med, which turns grubbers into mindless, automated workers. During all this, she hears strange, piercing cries coming from her Aunt’s barn, which she has been ordered, under no circumstances, should she ever enter. You know what they say, “Curiosity kills the cat.” Rain’s curiosity gets the best of her, and upon entering, she finds… a wild griffin? That can’t be right, wild griffins haven’t existed for years. Turns out the wild griffin is being trained to help get Lady Orla, a girl at the very top of the social rung, into the Academy, where students learn to be Griffin Riders who enforce the law. Lady Orla plans to enter the Academy under the “Law Of The Chosen”, which dictates that if a griffin naturally bonds with you, you must be let into the Academy, no matter your rank. However, the griffin has now bonded with Rain, and won’t attach to Lady Orla. This, naturally, causes problems. The Griffin Land authorities hunted and disposed of all wild griffins long ago, and if this griffin won’t bond with Lady Orla, his life is at stake. A whirlwind of decisions leads to Rain deciding to take Griff (as he’s been so named) to get herself into the Academy. However, being a grub, the government isn’t so thrilled with the idea of the Griffin Land Order hierarchy being thrown into chaos. It’s a battle to survive and fight her way though challenges to prove that she, too, should have a choice in how her life should be lived. Overall, one of my favorite books I’ve read in a long time. Once started, it’s very hard to put down. Looking forward to future books in the series. 10/10, recommend for ages 10-15.