Review - Farfall by J.C. Owens

Farfall

by J.C. Owens

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Tags: Fantasy

Posted in Book Reviews on 6 September, 2026

Andon is unique among the corps of elite griffin riders. He wasn’t born to a noble house. Andon grew up on the streets and then spent most of his youth in the mountains, where he met and bonded with a wild griffin. Griffins and their riders mate for life, so when the pair are discovered, they’re both sent to the training academy and then posted to the frontier fort of Farfall. Neither are really accepted by the troops, who see Andon as beneath them and are suspicious of a wild-born griffin. Andon’s only friend is killed when he and his entire wing are attached by the viscous wiverns. Daren and his four wing members are sent from a neighboring fort to reinforce Farfall. Daren quickly becomes fascinated by Andon, and when he witnesses the bad treatment the weapons officer is subject to, he becomes protective. There could be more, but Andon’s defenses are almost impregnable.

“Farfall” is set in a fantasy world where griffins are real, and they, with their riders, are a kingdom’s main defense against other creatures that attack human settlements. The world-building is done quite well, painting a convincing picture of flying lions and the men who ride them. However, as is often the case with this author, there are a few scenes, or at least allusions, to non-consensual sex.

Andon is a complicated character. He has no family, no money, and largely grew up on his own in the mountains, which is how he met his griffin. He is the complete opposite of all the other riders who come from elite families and feel they are entitled to be where they are, while Andon is not. It’s no wonder they victimize the slightly built yet powerful man. Yet, Andon refuses to play the victim. He avoids his attackers and doesn’t inform the commander of what’s happening.

Daren cuts quite an heroic figure but he is far from perfect. His family and upbringing may have made him open-minded enough to see the value of Andon, but it leaves him unprepared for how his desire to charge in and “fix” things will be received by someone like Andon.

“Farfall” is available from Smashwords or from independent booksellers through Bookshop.org.