[Review] Talon by Julie Kagawa

Title: Talon
Series: Talon #1

Author: Julie Kagawa [ Facebook | Twitter | Website ]

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Fantasy

Release Date: October 28, 2014

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

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. - via Goodreads

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I was so nervous!

I really, really enjoyed Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series so much that when I started seeing "meh" reviews about Talon I got nervous. However, I went ahead and dove in with a speckle of doubt in the back of my mind. I kept reading and reading and waiting for the "meh" to set in. It never did! I finished the last page and I had fallen so hard for Talon!!! 

So is contemporary fantasy a thing?

Unlike Kagawa's series this is in a modern, contemporary world where humans and dragons live side by side. Which means, unlike in traditional fantasy, the world building is not as extravagant but the characters and writing make up for it. 

Told in first person from three different point of views you get a taste of Ember, Garret and Riley. My favorite character and the one I felt experience genuine growth is Garret. Garret is a St. George war hero at 18 and so detached from human social cues you'd think he was the dragon! Ember is way more in tune with human emotion (this is not a plus) leading to some immature decision making at the behest of her brother, trainer and pretty much every other dragon. Riley is interesting and I'm curious how much more we'll learn about his story as the series progresses.  

My dragon...

Since Ember is to remain in her human form for the summer she refers to her natural form as "her dragon". I can't lie... the first time I read this I laughed because it sounds like a phrase out of an erotica novel. :p I'm so silly! 

Since we miss out on Dante's POV, Ember sheds light on what it's like to balance hiding 500 lbs. in a 100 lb. human frame and not breath fire when encountering jerk faces. We also start to understand her desire to be a normal human and also the primal instincts that lurk inside her scales. I expect more on this as we lead into book two and the triangle starts to take it's shape. 

Garret vs. Riley the Rogue

Yes, there are two boys and they both want Ember... but not how you think or maybe so. I find Garret soooooo interesting! A human war hero who has zero context of social interaction leads to some meet-cute awkward moments. It's refreshing to hear a male POV where he's more nervous about the girl and the girl is about him. 

Riley, on the other hand, is the awakening of my dragon. Not burdened with things like emotions, Riley is smooth and motivated to attract Ember for his cause. 

You'll have to read to see how it all unfolds but I really love how Ember interacts with both of them.

That ending and what I'm looking for in book two.

I need more! I want more! The epilogue even teases an additional POV. There's a lot of action in the second part of the book and it ends on a high note. 

In book two I'm hoping for a history lesson on both Talon and St. George since it seems that both are not what they've told their young recruits. Hopefully this will also lead to some more rounded out world building. I'm also looking for more distinction in Embers desire to be normal vs her dragon and more maturity leading to her becoming more of a leader. 

Dante, dear Dante, I want some questions answered and I hope you get a chance to shine. 

Genre comments

If you're expecting a traditional dragon, fantasy novel. Don't. My recommendation is to approach this in more of a paranormal romance way. If you enjoyed Iron Fey then some things should feel familiar. 

4.5 Stars – The awakening of my dragon... hahahaha.