Rise of the Dragon Star: Book I of the Dragon Star Saga

Ren is a young gryfess on the verge of initiation into the Dawn Spire pride. She comes from a distinguished line of huntresses, and is expected to follow in their path. Unfortunately, the only thing Ren is interested in hunting is knowledge. When her curiosity over a mysterious discovery costs her the initiation hunt, her mother banishes her from the family den. Devastated, Ren is determined to redeem herself. Her chance comes when she takes part in an exchange of young gryfons and journeys to the Silver Isles. Instead of adventure and fellowship, Ren and the others find a pride suffering strange calamities, and a deadly, sweeping illness that has driven them from their home island. Gryfons are dying, and Ren sets out to find answers. She thinks the disasters and the illness might be connected to her discovery at home, and if she's right, she could save the pride. But if she's wrong, they will all pay the price.