I was introduced to Candace Sams’ Tales of the Order series quite by accident. A friend and I were talking about how at the time I had recently moved from Illinois to South Carolina and I had to get rid of three quarters of my collection of books, some of which had to be left on the street for the trash collection. Let me tell you, I was in tears, so when said that she had some that I could borrow I jumped at the chance. In this box of books was this book by Candace Sams called Gryphon’s Quest which I read and fell in love with but of course I couldn‘t find when I went to buy a copy for myself. When I found Titan Press was re-releasing Ms. Sams books I knew this was my chance to get my own copies.

Gryphon’s O’Connor is a loner. He is a man who walks alone among his own people through no fault of his own. Powerful magic used without understanding the consequences by the very people he loves, his own parents made him what he is an outsider. For he is what his name implies, a gryphon the only one of his kind among all the magical races. Forced by circumstances to become Shayla, Sorceress of the Ancients enforcer, Gryphon is feared for not only what he is but also what he has become. For those who break the laws of The Order there is swift retribution, The Order tolerates no risk of exposure to the outside world. Gryphon is a man who wants to be like everyone else, he wants a wife, children of his own and if he can’t have that he wants his freedom.

When someone desecrates some ancient Celtic burial tombs, Shayla has no choice but to agree that she will give Gryphon whatever he wants to complete this mission. Not only have tombs been desecrated but whoever did it found something that has been lost for thousands of years. Something so powerful that they should have stayed lost, the Rune Stones of the Tuatha De Daanan. Only those who are pure of heart can truly handle the spell that these stones can invoke. Gryphon and his parents, James and Gwyneth are sent to America on the trail of the thief and the stolen rune stones. If they fail to find the stones it is not only the end of their world but of all mankind.

Heather Green is an acquisitions assistant at the Manhattan Museum of Antiquities, whose specialty is Celtic history. She is truly thrilled to be given the job of unpacking and cataloging the new shipment that Dr. MacPherson, her mentor and his assistant, Niall Alexander has brought back from Ireland. As she begins the cataloging this shipment begins to trouble her. Some of the pieces don’t match the manifest or seem to be much older than they should be. She continues to try to match the pieces and the puzzle seems to be growing, she decides to confront Dr. MacPherson the next day. Then there’s a brutal murder at the museum. Is it a random act like the police seem to think or is it more?

The shock over the death of her friend, Ned Williamson, who was also an employee of the museum and Niall’s callous attitude, just devastates Heather. That night disturbed from her restless slumber, she is confronted by a man who looks like he has stepped out the past. The tall, dark tattooed man is every inch what the ancient Celtic warriors were having been said to have looked like. He accuses her of being part of the plot to steal antiquities from unauthorized dig sites.

Heather while still not sure Gryphon’s not crazy agrees to help him look for the stones. A second brutal death occurs and the stakes are raised even higher. Gryphon knows that he’s endangering Heather but he needs her help to get into the museum. Can he fight his growing attraction for her? If the Order finds out it is a death sentence for both of them. Heather must never find out what he truly is. Thoughts of Heather have managed to fill his head with impossible dreams of a future that he could never have. For Heather Gryphon fulfills all of her dreams of a true hero. She doesn’t understand why but she knows that Gryphon feels they never can be together. Can they find the rune stones before they hidden away again? Will they be able to prevent more deaths? Will they find the love they both crave or will they find their own doom?

As I said earlier I was introduced to this series by a lucky chance, lucky for me that is. These characters strike a chord in your heart, Gryphon with his longing for a family, a lonely, embittered man who will still do anything to save his people and Heather who has lost a loving family and yet still reaches out to find love. Though the story may be simple boy goes out to save the world, meets girl, loses girl etc. etc. Candace Sams gives a fresh face to that story, one that touches you. I know I will be buying the rest of this series.
 
Reviewed By Theresa Rhodes
© March 2006