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

Ren is a young gryfess on the verge of initiation. She comes from a distinguished line of huntresses, and is expected to follow in their path--but 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, and travels with others to the Silver Isles. There she finds a pride suffering strange illness and calamity, and her unusual skills in asking and answering strange questions might be the only thing that can save the pride.