Thursday, September 18, 2014

Talon (Talon #1)

Author: Julie Kagawa
Goodreads rating: 3.95
Pages: 400
Format: Final Copy BEA14
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.

 Definitely one of the only books I give 5/5 stars too. I am in complete love with this book!!

First off, dragons :) I love them. Tend to love books about them, so I am kind of biased. But this book just goes above and beyond in my opinion.

The book is set up where the different chapters have the different characters' perspectives. I've only really ever seen this in the Song of Fire and Ice books (i.e. Game of Thrones) but I love it. It really makes you feel like you are getting the whole story.

The characters are amazing as well. Ember is a typical teen (though she's not technically human) with her whole rebellious attitude going on, but I love it :) Good old red-head fiery attitude! Garret is the typical no nonsense soldier who calmly does as he's told. The second I read the summary I sensed a good "opposites attract" story and I was right :)

However, my predictions didn't see a kind of love triangle emerge. Enter Riley, aka Cobalt, a mysterious rogue dragon who has some secrets about Talon that just drives Ember's curiosity mad. Plus the whole freedom thing that he offers is a nice cherry on top. It got to a point in the book where I didn't know who I would rather Ember be with: Cobalt or Garret.If I was honest with myself, I'm rooting for Garret :)

Along the whole "love story" line, this was another reason I liked the book. The love story wasn't completely overbearing and didn't draw your attention away from the main plot (the idea that Talon is really more devious than they appear and the mysteries that surround the secret society of dragons). I am a huge fan of keeping the love story a side-plot, if you will. It should be something that adds flavor but doesn't distract you from the main course. And this book did it fabulously.

This book has a little bit of everything; romance, action, DRAGONS!!! (have I mentioned I love dragons?) with a dash of suspense on the side as you wait in anticipation for what will be discovered next. Julie Kagawa is an amazing author and I so happy with this first book in what I hope to be (and continue to be) a 5 star series that grabs it's readers attention and never lets go even after it's closed.

Happy reading!

Court's Decision:
 

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