The Griffin of Darkwood

Will Poppy has always been fascinated with the magic of writing. But when his mother passes away, Will finds himself stuck living with an aunt he hates, unable to write and forced to move to a small town called Sparrowhawk.

Will feels a sense of dread about Sparrowhawk from the beginning. That is, until he discovers the magic to be found. What is the curse the villagers claim is on the castle, and what does it have to do with a disappearance forty years ago? More important, what's the Griffin of Darkwood, and what does it have to do with Will's family?