Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they’re positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.
Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.
Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon’s newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember’s bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.
Julie Kagawa, you have yet again slayed the fantasy category. Talon is not just any dragon story, but one filled with so many intense moments and feelings. This book rocked my world to fire-breathing little pieces.
Right away we enter the world of Talon and their hunters St. George and you right away get a glimpse into the intense lives of Ember and Garret. With Ember, I loved her fiery (pun totally intended) attitude and her will to be free and a dare-devil. She’s one bad-ass hatchling and she knows it. I also have to mention her twin brother, Dante. First, I’m obsessed with twins! Two, I really really really like Dante and his easy charisma and protective brother side. Regardless of what we have seen in Talon, I want to see tons more of Dante and hopefully (really hoping) good things!
With Garret, putting his soldier aside, I just adored his innocence. His light hair, soldier body, and blue eyes…total UNF factor! I hated watching his constant internal struggle, I wanted to just hug him so many times. Let me just say I really liked watching him start off so intense, come crashing down with all his realizations, and then turn into the perfect hero. Garret is just the total package for me.
On the other fella side, is Riley. Riley is the bad boy rogue dragon we all love to swoon over. Tall, dark, handsome, rides a motorcycle, doesn’t follow rules…catching my drift yet? Riley right away catches your attention and his protectiveness for Ember is something I really liked about their dynamic. I admit, where Garret had more of the sweet and charming down, I felt as if Riley was all sex appeal. Don’t get me wrong, the whole primal thing was hot and I did really, really like Riley but as of right now, I lean towards team Garret.
Gosh darn on toast, let me just say how much I adore dragons. Did I tell you how much I love dragons? OH, you do see that I am obsessed with dragons! Ha, I don’t mean to be obnoxious, but ever since I was little I have always had a fascination with dragons. They’re just so fierce, intense, strong, they fly and are just so beautiful, too. They’re these big animals that dreams are made of and for an author to build such an amazing story around them, just made me so gosh dang happy.
With the world building, I really liked how Julie Kagawa didn’t just make one enemy but multiple and different types of betrayal. It made the story have so many dimensions and twists and turns that kept you guessing during every chapter.
The ending slightly killed me! Especially Dante’s epilogue, because regardless of what he’s done…I still heart him so much and really want a happily ever after for him. Then with Garret…ugh I love him and watching him sacrificing so much and being so brave, I just wanted to squeeze him and run away with him forever. Overall, I absolutely adore everything about Talon. Julie Kagawa just killed this. It’s easy to say I will be begging for two book!
Jotted by Jena 