Kelly McFarland
Cornelia Funke needs no introduction. her bestselling fantasy series Inkheart and Dragon Rider as staples on any book lovers list.
Funke’s most recent effort, The Griffin’s Feather, a new tale in the Dragon Rider universe, and is everything fans new and old will love. What makes this newest adventure different is that Cornelia’s own audiobook production company, Atmende Bücher has recorded the audiobook of The Griffin’s Feather and released it as the company’s first ever English-language release.
Two years after Ben and his silver dragon Firedrake’s latest adventure, they’ve returned. Now, the last winged horses are on the brink of extinction. At a sanctuary for threatened creatures, three foals lie curled up in their eggs. The foals are in great danger and the only cure seems to be the sun-feather of a griffin. But griffins, creatures with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion, are a dragon’s fiercest enemy, and they live far across the world in the sweltering jungle. A dangerous and exciting adventure begins.
Marc Thompson lends his voice to Ben, Barnabas and Firedrake in the sequel of Dragon Rider, while Cornelia herself voices the speaking roles of Guinever and Vita Greenbloom, Ben’s sister and mother. The two narrators take listeners on a magical trip that begins in Norway and leads all the way to the Indonesian rainforest.
The audiobook is very atmospheric with accompanying the music, it really sweeps you into the magical Dragon Rider world. What I loved about this story as even though it is the 2nd book in the series, you don’t need to read the first to be drawn in and fall in love with the characters and the story.
Cornelia Funke is a very special writer. She has the ability to weave life lessons into her stories. The Griffin’s Feather includes many such lessons, that money is not a substitute for love, if judge someone by their species (or skin) it can prevent extraordinary friendships from happening, and that hard work and perseverance will always be the way forward. Cornelia’s books appeal to all ages as they are simply a magical escape which are like a big warm loving hug from an old friend.
You can buy The Griffin’s Feather here.
Do you love Cornelia Funke’s books as much as us? Let us know in the comments below or over on @Fuzzable!
