* I got this book for review from the publisher*
I thought this was a really fun actiom and adventure middle grade story that was super fast pace amd fun read. I also loved that this story was set in italy. I also loved this book had elements that focused on aimals and also jobs favored by the gods. I also thought the magical creature element was a highlight. I loved that this book had a plus sized main character and i really hope that we get more books set in this world and i also loved that the siblings realtionships where at the heart of this read!! ( )

* I got this book for review from the publisher*
I thought this was a really fun actiom and adventure middle grade story that was super fast pace amd fun read. I also loved that this story was set in italy. I also loved this book had elements that focused on aimals and also jobs favored by the gods. I also thought the magical creature element was a highlight. I loved that this book had a plus sized main character and i really hope that we get more books set in this world and i also loved that the siblings realtionships where at the heart of this read!! ( )

There is no way spider silk can be used on a gryphon leg. First off spider silk is extremely thin, it is very small. This Gryphon is bigger than a lion and able to be mounted and rode upon. There's no way spider silk is holding a whole tice against its legs so they can heal. This is a ridiculous idea and it is a fixated upon idea. It heals the Griffin's lake using spider silk which is apparently the strongest thing in the magic world. This is some Warrior Cats logic, cobwebs and spider silk is much too small to be used even if they are strong for their size. I don't care how much skill at wound treating Giada has. The Griffin has a huge gash on its thigh, the outside of its leg, and she just wraps it with spider silk and it completely works. There's no way.

A lot of spiders just died for that gryphon to be healed. A lot of spider silk had to be used. This is a very heavy magic world, and with the lightness of the magic and the fantasy it really struck out with that scene being a fixated point.

They describe that the gryphon's leg is using white, yellow, green pus and cannot possibly heal on its own. And yet it is healed with spider silk and leaves applied and somehow held by that silk.

Nah. I don't buy that.

I love the baby gryphon and Giada.

I enjoy her finding her familiar and realizing that her bad luck might just be good luck or maybe it's just her magic that she gets. A type of magic that is bad luck. That could be interesting. This part with the bad luck is slightly vague but when the Black cat approaches it kind of seems like it was all fated.

But the summary really doesn't match the book. Hit implies Rocco is a very beloved brother. But halfway into the book There is almost no love, only the dedication to bring him back because he is family. He is disliked in text by the main character and very standoffish, their relationship is strained at best and a mess at worse. I wouldn't really say this is her beloved brother Rocco, I would say this is her family member and she feels obligation to get him because blood matters.

She later uses spider silk on a MERMAID TAIL.

And I can't- I decided not to finish for now. It was too much and the rules are not consistent at all for the magic.
I'm 88% done and I don't care about anyone but Giada and her familiar.

3 stars. ( )

A sweet, feel-good middle grade read full of magic, adventure, and fun.

It’s a coming of age story with body-positive attitudes and lots of friendship, family, and found family feels. It has great characters and a solid plot with a happy ending. Giada’s a strong, empathetic, and clever female protagonist and true animal lover. They’re are tons of other lovable characters, including Giada’s awesome best friend, a talking black cat, and a spider friend that provides Giada with silk. (My favorite characters are the animals.)

The world has its own unique magic system and is layered with elements from Roman mythology, Italian lore, and Italian culture. It’s set in Italy and you might find yourself looking up the occasional Italian phrase or two. (But, it’s not totally necessary. The occasional Italian phrases can be inferred from context and the story can be easily understood without an Italian-to-English dictionary..)

SYNOPSIS:

Gaida comes from a long line of magical healers, gifted with (limited) abilities to heal humans by the god Apollo. But she’s never had a knack for healing humans, she doesn’t love the work, and she’s never felt a connection to Apollo. Healing animals is what comes naturally to her. Frankly, she prefers animals to most people. Diana is the goddess she feels connected to.

Her highly superstitious family loves her, but they aren’t exactly supportive. They’re afraid that she’ll be plagued with misfortune if she doesn’t go into the family business as a healer of humans. They don’t understand why she doesn’t want to devote her life to healing humans. Wishing that her family would accept her as she is, accept her as different instead of expecting her to make herself be like them, Giada heals animals, both non-magical and magical, in secret and tries to work up the courage to tell her family she won’t be going into the career they expect. She’s gotten quite good at the former and has made a lot of animal friends.

What starts with healing a baby gryphon and a little spilled salt & olive oil soon spirals into a mission to rescue her brother, heal another gryphon, and help some somewhat misunderstood underdogs. (Turns out not all of her family’s superstitions are ridiculous.) Along the way, Giada finds a familiar, embraces her unique magic, gains some confidence, and learns to stand up to her family and make them hear her (and see how impressive she is).

OTHER THINGS I LIKED:

Extra kudos for appreciation of underappreciated animals, creatures, and critters. (Like spiders, black cats, etc.)

I love the healthy attitudes about weight and body image in this book. The protagonist is not thin, but is healthy and happy with herself as is. Her family and friends share her healthy attitudes on this matter. I love how Giada handled the occasional judgey fat-phobic stranger with skill, humor, and unapologetic awesomeness.

The villains aren’t pure evil or misunderstood saints, they’re real people that are scary, but that Giada can also empathize with at times. Many of the main characters are flawed, but well-meaning. Most importantly, they learn from their mistakes. Giada and many of the other main characters grow and learn in this story.

THE VERDICT:

A fun story with a female main character kids can look up to, lots of positive themes and messages, and a story good enough to entertain readers of all ages. A sweet, empowering, and heartwarming read that’s great for when you’re in the mood for a family-friendly, romance-free read with a happy ending.

Warnings: Mention of covid-19 pandemic (briefly, in past tense, nothing graphic)

I received a free hardback copy in a BookishFirst raffle. I am writing this review completely honestly and voluntarily. ( )

A few pages into HOW TO HEAL A GRYPHON, I adore the protagonist very much, the kind and brave Giada who perseveres in pursuing her dream! Later, I also fell in love with the cute black talking cat Sinistro, who is Giada’s familiar.

Giada is born into a fun, loving family who uses their magic to heal other humans, and she is destined to be a guaritrice, a healer. However, her heart desires to heal injured animals instead because she has a strong faithful bond with a family of gryphon!

When her older brother is kidnapped by a group of witches, Giada, with her strong will and gifted magic potential, will take the readers on a magical, fantasy yet sentimental adventure!

The talented Meg Cannistra has creatively crafted this light-hearted and entertaining HOW TO HEAL A GRYPHON, which is a delightful novel perfect for middle-grade as well as adults! ( )