A beautiful to look at the cover, that´s for sure - the German edition. The mix of warm and cold colors is beautiful and for every Kagawa fan, you might consider this a must-read. Well … As you will see at the end of my review, I wasn´t really thrilled about this third book of the author´s Talon Saga. I don´t know whether it´s just me or if the author changed something, but this book was for me only an a-bit-above-average read. Though I LOVE the cover. But a cover isn´t everything, is it?
Soldier*
by Julie KagawaTalon Saga #3
Publisher Harlequin Teen on May 1, 2016
Genre Young People 13+
Pages 380
Format Hardcover
Source Publisher
Goodreads
✶✶✶½
When forced to choose between safety with the dragon organization Talon and being hunted forever as an outcast, Ember Hill chose to stand with Riley and his band of rogue dragons rather than become an assassin for Talon. She´s lost any contact with her twin brother, Dante, a Talon devotee, as well as Garret, the former enemy soldier who challenged her beliefs about her human side. As Ember and Riley hide and regroup to fight another day, Garret journeys alone to the United Kingdom, birthplace of the ancient and secret Order of St. George, to spy on his former brothers and uncover deadly and shocking secrets that will shake the foundation of dragons and dragon-slayers alike and place them all in imminent danger as Talon´s new order rises.
Story
Ember has joined Riley and fights with him against the apparently overpowering organization Talon. But she has to do exactly what she does not want: killing. A fact that more and more upsets her and inevitably changes her. And when Ember learns from the Chinese Dragon Jade what Riley really is for her, the rollercoaster of emotions really starts.
Style
No doubt, the author has a great fantasy. She knows how to create a setting, figures who catch your attention, and what makes the reader stick to a book. The writing style is soft, quiet, and in a very sensitive way shown to the reader. And still, I was missing the pleasure, the excitement, the thrill the other books had when I was reading them. Good, the story has to continue somehow and without surprises and some unexpected twists, there wouldn´t be the next book.
Characters
Ember is in some kind of turmoil. Her feelings for Garrett aren´t very helpful at the moment. And with Jade, she sees a side of the Dragon´s she´d never imagined. I liked watching her, she brought some drive into the story, humor, and a hilarious freshness that made me laugh out loud. Yes, no doubt, the author is giving Ember a hard time. To change sides, to fight for what you think is right and to stand up against your own people and brother is never easy. But what Ember has to experience in this novel is far beyond that.
Conclusion
This story is a nice read, yes, but I missed the special something that was shown in the first two books. No doubt, if you are a Kagawa-fan or a Talon-fan, in particular, this book will still bring you some reading pleasure. I am curious how the next book in this Saga will be.
Happy reading
*Was published as German edition Talon- Drachennacht by Heyne fliegt on October 31, 2016
Julie Kagawa
Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, CA. She moved to Hawaii at the age of nine. There she learned many things; how to bodyboard, that teachers scream when you put centipedes in their desks, and that writing stories in math class is a great way to kill time. Her teachers were glad to see her graduate. Julie now lives in Louisville, KY, with her husband and furkids. She is the international and NY bestselling author of The Iron Fey series.
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This is one series I've always had reservations about starting. Glad to see you enjoyed it enough for 3.5 stars :)
ReplyDeleteThis series isn´t bad at all. I had a really good time reading the other books. This one wasn´t what I´ve expected it to be. Thank you for stopping by.
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