The White Gryphon (Mage Wars) [Hardcover]

Mercedes Lackey (Author), Larry Dixon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mage Wars | Publication Date: April 1, 1995

Rebuilding their city in the ten years after a magical Cataclysm kills their leader and forces them to the white cliffs by the Western Ocean, the people of Urthos must fight the Court of the Black Kings to keep their hard-won home.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

There is pleasure to be taken from novels of intrigue in which readers don't have to think at all, where their hands are held throughout the action and nothing is anything but what it seems. In Lackey and Dixon's second novel of the Gryphon trilogy (after The Black Gryphon), holdover heroes Skandranon, Amberdrake and Winterhart attempt to establish a political liaison with the Haighlei and their king, Shalaman, in order to to preserve the autonomy of the city of White Gryphon. But a series of grisly murders is perpetrated in ways such that Skan, a gryphon, becomes the chief suspect, thus jeopardizing their negotiations. Several twists and turns follow, but the characters are so pure of heart that they overlook the obvious, and too many improbabilities pile up. The authors maintain a frenetic narrative pace, despite the frequent bromidic asides ("often, one can be in love with who they think someone is"). But even as a page-turner, this novel is likely to leave readers suspecting that Lackey and Dixon are just biding their time, that maybe the third book of the trilogy will be something special. What they present here is a harmless confection, less fattening than an eclair and about as nutritious.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Ten years have passed since the death of Urtho, the Mage of Silence. The survivors of the catastrophic battle have built the city of White Gryphon, hoping to found a permanent settlement in a new land. When a delegation from the Court of the Black Kings disputes their existence on the fringes of its territory, the mage-gryphon Skandranon and his friend Amberdrake find their diplomatic skills tested to the fullest as they become embroiled in a conspiracy of assassination that threatens a possible alliance. Set in the world of the popular Valdemar series, this latest novel by coauthors Lackey and Dixon (Chrome Circle, LJ 8/94) tells a tale of intrigue and mystery enhanced by vivid descriptions of an exotic, ritualistic culture. A good purchase for the legions fo Valdemar aficionados.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: DAW Hardcover (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886776317
• ISBN-13: 978-0886776312
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #731,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mercedes Lackey is the acclaimed author of over fifty novels and many works of short fiction. In her "spare" time she is also a professional lyricist and a licensed wild bird rehabilitator. Mercedes lives in Oklahoma with her husband and frequent collaborator, artist Larry Dixon, and their flock of parrots.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than its predecessor!, February 5, 2003

By 

Leanna "moondance34" (South Deerfield, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The White Gryphon (Mage Wars) (Paperback)

It has been ten years since the magical Cataclysm that destroyed Urtho's Tower and the evil Adept Ma'ar. The Kaled'a'in Clan k'Leshya spent nearly a year traversing magic-warped lands to finally reach the shores of the sea where they would make their home. For nine years, under the leadership and guidance of the kestra'chern Amberdrake and the white gryphon Skandranon, they built a new and shining city: White Gryphon, in honor of Skandranon.

Just as life seems to be finally settling down for the Kaled'a'in, a ship appears, sailing up the coast straight towards White Gryphon. Aboard it are envoys of the rigid Haighlei Empire, sent to inform the Kaled'a'in that their precious city is situated on Haighlei territory. To avoid a confrontation, Amberdrake, Winterhart, Skandranon, and Zhaneel are sent to the Haighlei capital of Khimbata as ambassadors. Trouble quickly ensues as Haighlei courtiers opposed to the Kaled'a'in are found murdered. Will Amberdrake and Skandranon be able to clear their names and save their home from war?

"The White Gryphon" is the second book in Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon's Mage Wars Trilogy. I absolutely loved it! As in "The Black Gryphon," Dixon's voice and presence will be apparent to devoted Valdemar fans. It was a page-turner through and through, and the alternating perspectives only increased my desire to read on. It was one of those stories where you know the other half of the mystery, but the main characters don't and you feel like shouting out the missing pieces to them. Very intense and involving.

As always, the characters and descriptions were fantastic. I swear Amberdrake is the sweetest guy ever, and I love Skandranon's self-assurance. The fully fleshed out Haighlei culture was particularly interesting. It makes one wonder if Lackey and Dixon based it on a culture in our world.

I honestly have no serious complaints about this book. The pacing was infinitely better than "The Black Gryphon." The climax was more drawn out and much slower, with sufficient lower points, so that it didn't feel rushed. The only thing I'm still curious about are Hadanelith's motivations, but that is a very small flaw in an otherwise thrilling book.

Bottom Line: A taut, thrilling continuation to the Mage Wars Trilogy that Valdemar fans will devour. Enjoy! :)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not bad at all, November 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The White Gryphon (Mage Wars) (Paperback)

Well, I don't like it as much as The Black Gryphon. Since The Black Gryphon is my favourite book in the world, that isn't saying much.
Here is my (brief) summary of the book.
The former Black Gryphon, Skandranon Rashkae, is now a leader in the Kaled'a'in tribe of K'leshya's new home. Taking place ten years after The Black Gryphon, the war refugees have built a beautiful city that they named in Skandranon's honor.
Just as the city is taking its final form, a mysterious boat sails into the harbour. There are a group of people known as Haighlei who are the actual owners of the land White Gryphon (the city) is built on. They offer to make an alliance with the city.
Skandranon and his fellow leader and friend Amberdrake take their families to the city of Khimbata to meet the Emperor Shalaman. They are surprised by the intricate and unusual customs of the Haighlei people.
Shortly after they arrive at Khimbata, the White Gryphon delegation is accused of commiting a murder... You'll have to read it to find out what happens, but the plot involves multiple murders, romance, and action.
Happy gryphoning.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Murder Mystery + Fantasy, January 20, 2009

By 

Yolanda S. Bean (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The White Gryphon (Mage Wars) (Paperback)

I don't know why I remembered this one being my least favorite of this trilogy... it was more exciting than I originally expected. I liked Kechara's role - the murder and intrigue was fun too! All in all, this is a fun series. I remember quite a bit about the next one, _The Silver Gryphon_. That's the one that revolves around Skan and Drake's children. I think I still like the first one the best, but this one is certainly just as good!