Less posturing and juvenile teasing lead to welcome serious discussions about the loss experienced during war and how folks deal with it, and the potential for loss, but also how creatures and people of all builds and genders can support Urtho in this mage war.Īlthough Lackey has had issues in previous trilogies with keeping her characters unique - every male and each female begin to sound the same - the quartet of lead characters, and the important secondary folks, too - take on distinguishing characteristics. Then, when what looks like a mutated gryphon named Zhaneel enters the story, along with a rigid gryphon caretaker named Winterhart, the novel takes on a more feminine feel. The dialogue is more finely tuned that in past books, especially when grumpy gryphons deliver zingers that had me truly smiling. Several main characters are developed in The Black Grpyhon, including the titular creature named Skandranon, whose best friend is a physical Healer and healer of heart and spirit - basically, a combo of therapist, masseur, and lover (as needed). The characters of Lackey’s Valdemar series frequently travel and make new homes, so as long as there is land to which they can travel, Urtho’s people supposedly will be fine. It doesn’t go much deeper than keeping Ma’ar and his forces back, and if they come too close, it’s time to leave. The interesting thing about The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon is that it’s unclear what each side wants, other than for Ma’ar to have everything and for Urtho’s people to be left alone.