Talon by Julie Kagawa
Narrator: Caitlin Davies, Chris Patton, MacLeod Andrews
Series: Talon #1
Published by Blackstone Audio
Published on: October 28, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Length: 12 hrs & 32 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Amazon | Book Depo | Kobo | B&N | GoodReads
In Julie Kagawa's groundbreaking modern fantasy series, dragons walk among us in human form.
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.
 |
 |
 |
Going in, I knew that this audiobook was probably going to be a letdown given how the reviews were stacking up, but I got it as a daily deal, so no big. The blurb is misleading with its “groundbreaking modern fantasy series” because Sophie Jordan wrote a very similar story back in 2010 with FIRELIGHT. Those points aside, Julie Kagawa has been on my radar for a while, and I love dragons. Overall, I did enjoy TALON from a Contemporary Young Adult Romance standpoint even though it was super predictable, and not overly avant-garde.
The love triangle was a given; book 1 focused on the ‘forbidden boy’, and if the author stays true to the YA course, 2 will be about Ember’s dragon’s mate, and the conclusion will be her making the inevitable choice. Oh wait, there are five volumes planned, so expect a few filler installments in-between. Still, I liked Garret. My #1 gripe with this novel was the absence of dragons. TALON (the organization) is all about assimilation, and the author fixated on that; there were a total of four shapeshifts, and two of them happened in tandem at the end.
I enjoyed the alternating POVs because they allowed listeners to come to their own conclusions about each of the characters, and went a long way towards establishing their back stories. Ember’s on her way to being a hellraiser with her defiant nature, and relentless quest for the truth. The plot did have some noticeable holes in it though like for instance TALON’s pathetic attempts at hiding their sleepers. Dead parents, recent transplants, and draconic names were major red flags, and made it almost too easy for St. George to track them down.
The narration was this audio’s strongest suit with three seasoned performers; all were new to me, but that didn’t stop me from being dazzled by their deliveries. As the lead, Caitlin Davies captured the heroine’s teenaged voice to perfection; my only criticism of her was her pronunciation of ‘room.’ It was quite noticeable because the word appears repeatedly, and she didn’t enunciate the second O. MacLeod Andrews was a pivotal factor in me being pro-Garret early on, and Chris Patton’s role was minor, so I won’t weigh-in on his narration just yet.
TALON didn’t soar, but it didn’t crash & burn either—typical YA.
  |
  |
Was this review helpful? If so, please vote for it on Amazon or like it on GoodReads!
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I kind of want to read or listen to this one but seen a lot of similar reviews like yours. When they say dragons I want dragons not just a race of dragons in human form..bummer..it’s still going on my maybe list as I am not sure..lol.
Stormi recently posted…Audiobook review of Broken
Talon was an interesting read for me, but I was a bit disappointed, just like you by the lack of dragons in it! I was expecting more fantasy and less paranormal but ended up with the opposite… oh well!
I’m also very partial to Garrett as a love interest!
Pili recently posted…BEA 2015 Recap – Day 3 Friday!!
I have stayed away because of the Love Triangle. I had a problem with her other series because of the Triangle (She picked the wrong guy)so I am skipping this one. 🙂 Do love her writing!
Felicia The Geeky Blogger recently posted…Blogger Confession: Where I listen to Audiobooks
The second book really picks up and is quite different from all of your expectations, Carmel! There are dragon sightings, too! And a lot more going on about the internal politics both of Talon and the St. George thing 🙂
I enjoyed Talon, but I think I gave it three stars, too…
Have a fantastic week and happy reading!
Lexxie recently posted…Review: Bad Ex Karma – Donna Cummings
Talon seems like typical YA fare, if maybe a little uneven. And no real appearances of dragons?!? What? Talon is on my tbr – actually on my physical bookshelf and I will read it…eventually.
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…What Do You #CRAVE? Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Crave ~ Jennifer Dawson
I’ve seriously been up in the air about starting this series but I think, maybe I will. I did love her YA series a lot and still want to read her vamp one too. I’m sure eventually I will get around to read them all.
Great review!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour Book Review and Excerpt: Jesse’s Girl by Miranda Kinnealy
Maybe I can just read firelight instead then
blodeuedd recently posted…Too Charming – Kathryn Freeman
I honestly think I enjoyed Talon more because I did it on audio. I don’t usually expect a lot with Kagawa’s first in a series books since they seem to get better as it goes. I do think she needs to let go of the triangles though. :-/
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…World After by Susan Ee
This release frustrated me so much, because I’m a fan of Julie Kagawa’s writing and this one just used every single YA trope out there along with the absence of dragons. It is the typical paranormal that I choose to stay away from – cliche, predictable and filled with cheesy romance. Great review Carmel, glad you were able to enjoy this.
Jeann recently posted…Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier Review: I Like Fun Sci-Fi and I Cannot Lie
I haven’t read anything by this author, but I definitely know not to start here. I haven’t heard great things about Talon and what? hardly any dragons? not cool.
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…One Good Egg by Suzy Becker
it totally does sound like Sophie Jordan’s Forelight! And based on my reaction to that book, I think it’ll suffer the same fate, ugh. Love triangles.
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…Bad Day
I loved her Iron fey series, but I don’t think this one is for me… I hate love triangles.
BookaholicCat recently posted…Audiobook Review: Blown by Chuck Barrett
Yeah I read this book and my initial thoughts went to firelight and I could totally see the triangle. I only read this book and I admit that I still need to read the 2nd book too.
julie recently posted…So Long Farewell to Blogging
I absolutely loved loved loved Julie Kagawa’s Blood of Eden series! But, this just sounds bleh. Thanks for the review Carmel…I’ll be skipping this book. 🙂
I haven’t read anything by Kagawa yet and I’ve wanted to but meh – this doesn’t sound like the place to start for me.