From the limitless imagination of Julie Kagawa comes the next thrilling novel in The Talon Saga. The legions will be unleashed, and no human, rogue dragon or former dragonslayer can stand against the coming horde. Dragon hatchling Ember Hill was never prepared to find love at all–dragons do not suffer human emotions–let alone with a human, and a former dragonslayer at that. With ex-soldier of … ex-soldier of St. George Garret dying at her feet after sacrificing his freedom and his life to expose the deepest of betrayals, Ember knows only that nothing she was taught by dragon organization Talon is true. About humans, about rogue dragons, about herself and what she’s capable of doing and feeling. In the face of great loss, Ember vows to stand with rogue dragon Riley against St. George and her own twin brother, Dante–the heir apparent to all of Talon, and the boy who will soon unleash the greatest threat and terror dragonkind has ever known. Talon is poised to conquer the world, and the abominations they have created will soon take to the skies, darkening the world with the promise of blood and death to those who will not yield.
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I’m still hooked on this series! All the drama with Talon and St George! I have to know what happens. Where will we be at the end? What will happen to Ember, Garret, and Riley? I have to know! I just love them! I need to read the last one.
The deeper I get into this series the more I am on the fence. I mean, I really enjoyed the adventure, drama and the romance, as well as the whole secret societies and dragon lore. But at the same time the way it was written was difficult swallow, or rather some of it was just hard to believe.
The books in this series tend to take a more slow moving start I have noticed and this was no exception. It was nice, albeit very predictable, seeing Garret make a full recovery and intriguing what the dragon blood would do to him. Sadly however the story didn’t expand more on that, just left it as it was with him being a normal soldier for the rest of the books with just a hint of something going on at one or two scenes. The story was much too focused on the whole Talon-St George-rouge conflict and the Vessels. I’ve got to say tough that the conflict has not been as suspenseful or dramatic in any book before as in this one. The reunion of Ember and Dante was exciting yet tense and heartbreaking, the revelation of who Ember was and the plan Talon was hatching kept me plenty invested. Then add in the romance of supposedly sworn enemies and I was ready to rate it five stars … if only I hadn’t had such a problem with the inconsistencies and writing.
The writing isn’t bad or anything. It is actually quite good. However I did find it rather repetitive with character saying and thinking the same thing or along the same lines repetitively or the constant nicknames (Fireband, Dragon girl and Soldier boy) that felt forced and a little ridiculous. This issue however wasn’t super “in your face” so, while a little annoying, it was easy to look past to the better things the book offered. Sadly though, the inconsistencies I found harder to ignore. Like fore example the evil villain monologue about what was to become of Ember which was pretty pointless considering there was no reason to tell her other than for the author to inform us readers. That however just makes the “villain” way too stereotypical and cartoonish for my taste. There are more natural and clever ways to make us readers know than have said villain explain it to us.
Another issue following from previous books was how sheer dumb luck kept playing a major part in them surviving or escaping impossible situations over and over. Then add the way the characters way too easily got passed grudges to work together with their life long enemies or threw themselves without doubt to a fight they knew they were unlikely to survive. Then also staying in that war zone Talon knew of after the fight was won instead going into hiding. It was just a hard pill to swallow and felt forced just to move the story to a desired ending.
The issues I had with the story was apparent enough that I have difficulty rating this book. I think three stars is the fairest rating I can give it. Hopefully the next and final book will give more insight on Garret’s new blood and of course work towards an amazing conclusion for the intense conflict and the romance.
Each installment of this series definitely keeps you wanting to know just what exactly is going to happen next!
BTW, Ember is still annoying me with her impulsive stupidity. She does things just for the sake of rebelling, not for actual valid reasons. At least some of the time. Drives me batty.
Awesome addition to the Talon series. Just like the first three, I was engaged from start to finish. This is a great read that I highly recommend!
I was able to listen to this audiobook for free so I jumped at the chance. I really enjoyed the series that I had read so far and wanted to continue.
Ember is still badass and one of my favorite characters that Julie Kagawa has come up with. She is smart and strong, and a dragon!!! Too bad she is literally born for someone else’s gain.
I was surprised by my interest in other characters that I may not have appreciated as much in the previous books. They were supposed to be the bad guys, but you learn not all is what it seems.
I’m so glad the book took the turn it did. I faded in and out while listening, but I captured enough to want to read Inferno next!
Fans of this series will really love the action in this book!
Oh man, I held my breath through this entire series! Kagawa writes amazing characters and fast-paced, action-packed stories. Garrett is one of my book-boyfriends for life. Recommended!
Oh my gosh, I loved this series! Julie Kagawa, you are a fabulous author! I cannot wait to get the final book. Thank you!
I LOVE THE AUTHOR. ALWAYS WRITES SUCH INTRIGUING STORIES