Books by J. Victoria Michael
Irenya finds the seer, Fis, who confuses her with grave warnings. A series of events, including being lost in the desert, lead Irenya to the information she needs. Now she can go home to her infant son Mikey. But the Melbourne she left is not the city that awaits her. Stunned, she takes the only course of action that can offer her and Mikey hope for the future.
GRIFFINSINGER
GriffinSong Volume 2
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Irenya O’Neil reaches out to the starlight and calls on all her hard-won power to find and rescue the realm’s new MageGate – the people’s hope for the future and Irenya’s own flesh and blood.
The words of the dying seer Fis, burn in her mouth as she risks her life, the welcome of her adopted world, and her dearest love, to speak as MageVoice to the imperilled realm.
FLEETWALKER
GriffinSong Volume 3
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GriffinSong Prologue
The brass section of the orchestra crackled, and the resonance of a pipe organ reverberated through the packed concert hall. Violins quivered. The voices of three hundred students rose in unison and the music gathered pace towards its finale. For thirteen-year-old Irenya O’Neil, who had sung the anthem often enough in rehearsal, the sustained passion of the performance caught up her voice and fused it to the music, swept her to a place entirely new. She closed her eyes and soared higher and higher, though the girl knew she was still standing, real and solid, in the hall. The sound faded, though she felt no incongruity in that change, no fear of heights or of forests far below. Her wings were huge golden pinions, feathers tipped black and gleaming in the starlight. She heard her voice singing from the stars, no longer the promising girlish descant but a strong pure voice chanting a song of power. Each note streamed off her wings…
Irenya sensed something amiss as the final triumphant note thundered through the hall. She opened her eyes on a bewildering scene. In a circle around her, students were crying out, flinging up their arms for protection.
Next morning they were reprimanded for almost ruining the final moments of the concert. The girls said they
suddenly felt as if they were flying among the stars on a huge bird. Some claimed they heard the creature calling to them. The Principal eyed each student, weighing adolescent hysteria against calculated prank. Her gaze rested on Irenya, the only student who stared at the floor and said nothing.
The Principal concluded that whatever the cause, their lack of discipline had been unacceptable. She punished them with a brief suspension from the choir, except for Irenya, whom she branded with a speculative stare.
Rumours began to circulate and some students avoided her. She left the choir, said singing was boring, but told her grandmother the one truth she understood.
‘I don’t want to sing anymore. My throat goes so tight it hurts.’
Reader Reviews
Clara Redman:
5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent modern fantasy
Reviewed 4 July 2020
In pre-Christmas rush Melbourne, in the midst of a panic attack, Irenya falls through a glass panel into another realm. Treated with suspicion by the inhabitants of Dar Orien, Irenya's only wish is to find her way back to her toddler son and her partner.
In Songbird, the alternative universe is delightfully complex, characters have multiple motivations, and Irenya has to deal with her apparent Gift and the distrust of those around her.
Songbird is intelligent fantasy for grown ups - don't look here for sad and tired shortcuts like gratuitous violence, sex or foul language. This book captures and engages you with strong characters and a fascinating plot. I'm waiting eagerly for the next instalment.
A promising series for readers of quality fantasy and paranormal adventures.
It does not always happen that a second book strikes me as much as the first one but... I enjoyed everything about this book, from the pacing to the change of scenery.
Grifinsinger keeps the enjoyable pacing, the spice and humanity from it's predecessor, and will let you get immersed in the smells and sensations the characters are experiencing, along (with) their hardships, problems and relieves. I love that. The further development of (Irenya's growth and) her interpersonal relationships is so enjoyable because there are so many, all coming from such different backgrounds! The differences in the setting from Ilkyrie to Midrash and the Sildahni deserts felt so personal, like it was me who suffered the heat and dehydration. My head exploded at some points even, I was preparing myself for a cliffhanger but not for that last twist! I'll suffer waiting for the sequel, it can't come out soon enough! Meia's Greetings!
Annie:
5 out of 5 stars Goodreads:
Reviewed October 25, 2021
Clare Rhoden (Author of Chronicles of The Pale)
5 out of 5 stars Goodreads
Reviewed September 1, 2023
The long-anticipated third volume in the GriffinSong trilogy is just maybe the best of them all. Fantasy lovers, if you haven't started on this series, now is definitely the time, because you'll be able to binge all three. Heaven.
Cue adventure, danger, quest, and wagering everything ... No spoilers!
Happy sigh. This is fantasy in the best tradition, but also with an intelligent, wise eye that queries tradition and asks it to do more, go further, look more compassionately.
I'm planning to re-read the entire series as soon as I can clear my decks, but I'd also love author J Victoria Michael to consider a companion volume to the GriffinSong series. I would love to hear more about fleetwalking, its origins, uses, history etc; more about the griffins (please!), more about the worship of Meia, more about how Irenya and lovely archprince Elaaron transform the land of Dar Orien with their new knowledge. A pitch-perfect end to an enjoyable series.