Book Review: Talon (Talon, #1) by Julie Kagawa

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Paperback

Publishers: MIRA Ink

Published: 15th January 2015

Pages: 445

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy 

Main Characters: Ember, Garret
Date Read: 1st May - 1st June 2016

Rating Given:

Synopsis:‘There are a dozen soldiers hiding in that maze. All hunting you. All looking to kill you.’
To the outside world Ember Hill is an ordinary girl, but Ember has a deadly secret. A dragon hiding in human form, she is destined to fight the shadowy Order of St. George, a powerful society of dragonslayers.
St. George soldier Garret is determined to kill Ember and her kind. Until her bravery makes him question all he’s been taught about dragons.
Now a war is coming and Garret and Ember must choose their sides – fight to save their bond or fulfil their fate and destroy one another.
‘The first in a new series, Talon leaves readers perfectly balanced between satisfaction and anticipation’ – BookPage
‘Kagawa knows just how to end a first volume for maximum cliff-hanger drama’ – Booklist
‘A strong, promising start to the Talon Saga’ – Publishers Weekly

I received a copy from MIRA Ink in exchange for an honest review.

This cover is stunning it is so eye catching I just fell in love with it the moment I got my hands on my copy. The image of the cover is beautiful but let me tell you it still doesn't give the cover the justice that it deserves. The physical cover is matte and glossy in parts and then add to that the texture it gives off the look and feel of the dragons scales. There is nothing that I don't love about this cover.

I was a bit wary about reading this book as I haven't read one Julie Kagawa's books that I have loved yet but I was hopeful that this one would change that as it sounded so good however, it was another book of hers that I didn't love. Another thing that was putting me off reading this book was the length it was so long that it intimidated me. I was right to be intimidated as it was too long as a lot of the story dragged and not needed. The romance side of the story was a bit of a slow burner and I never quite got the connection between the characters but there was times when I thought they where cute together. I loved the dragon side of the story as I haven't read many books that have used them but this is different to the ones that I have read before and in some ways it was a good thing but other parts where too unbelievable. The ending was left on a huge cliff hanger that has left me wanting more.

I wasn't quite sure about most of the characters as a lot of them came across as untrustworthy. Ember was a sweet character for the most part but there was a couple of moments that she stood up for herself. Garret I wasn't too sure about for a lot of the book but because this book had alternating POV's it was a little easier to warm to him. Ember's brother Dante I liked for a part of the book but for the most part he wasn't as nice as what he came across. Riley, Embers other love interest I didn't really like but he did have his moments.

Overall, I was left disappointed as it just didn't live up to my expectations or the cover but because of the ending being left so open it has made me want to continue on with this series.

Book of the Month - May

I've read quite a few books in May but I haven't fallen head over heels for any of them plus I had a couple of DNF books which hardly ever happens to me.

Here's what I read in May:

• Blurred Lines (Love Unexpectedly, #1) by Lauren Layne - 3.5/5
• Wild Crush (Wild Cards, #2) by Simone Elkeles - 2.5/5
• Sleepless in Manhattan (From Manhattan With Love, #1) by Sarah Morgan - 4/5
• Across the Line (In the Zone, #2) by Kate Willoughby - 3.5/5
• Chasing Crazy by Kelly Siskind - 3.5/5
• Mortal Obligation (Dark Betrayal, #1) by Nichole Chase - 3.5/5
• The Natural History of Us (The Fine Art of Pretending, #2) by Rachel Harris - 3/5
• Talon (Talon, #1) by Julie Kagawa - 3/5

Also I DNFed Third Base by Heidi McLaughlin as well as Stacked Up by Sidney Halston.

The book of the month goes to...

Sleepless in Manhattan (From Manhattan with Love, #1) 

by Sarah Morgan

So no five star books this month so I had to go to my only four star book which was a good book and I am looking forward to continuing with the series.

What's your book of the month?

Book Tag: The Book Courtship Tag

The Reading Pile has taken inspiration from the vloging Book Tag community over to the blogging world. Like her I'm not actually going to tag anyone but you're more than welcome to give it a try like I have just head over to her page and leave a link in her comments or in mine as I'm nosey and love to know what everyone else has done.

Over at The Reading Pile she has done the posts every Thursday and has already done a few so I thought I would go through the ones she has already done and do the ones I like the look of.

My Book Tag post this week is: The Book Courtship

Phase One - Initial Attraction: A book that you bought because of the cover

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - From the very first moment I saw this book I fell in love with it and jut had to have it. I'm just glad the story was as stunning as the cover.

Phase Two - First Impression: A book that you got because of the summary

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I hated the cover for this book but because of the summery I decided to buy it as it sounded so good. Below is the summery to see for yourselves.

Winning means fame and fortune.
Losing means certain death.
The Hunger Games have begun....

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, the shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-- and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. 

Phase Three - Sweet Talk: A book with great writing

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - I don't usually take notice of the different writing styles only what I like or dislike in the actual story, that was until I read Shatter Me. Shatter Me has a very unique writing style that jumps off the pages. It's easy to love this book just because of the great writing.

Phase Four - First Date: A first book of a series which made you want to pursue the rest of the series

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles - I've read so many first in the series books that have made me want to read the rest of the series, so it was hard to choose one. In the end I went for Perfect Chemistry as I haven't used this book in previous book tag posts. I absolutely adored this book that I just had to get the rest and I'm so glad about a fourth book on the horizon.

Phase Five - Late Night Phone Calls: A book that kept you up all night long

Beastly by Alex Flinn - I don't really read books if I'm tired so no book can keep me up all night even if I wanted to, however, Beastly was such a quick and easy book to read that I read it in a day.

Phase Six - Always on my mind: A book that you could not stop thinking about

Come Back To Me by Mila Gray - I absolutely adored this book and it was a book that brought all the feels. For some books I forget what happened and just remember if I loved or hated it but with this book I remember everything about it. Even a year after reading this book I still find myself thinking about it.

Phase Seven - Getting Physical: A book in which you love the way it feels

Talon by Julie Kagawa - I usually love the feel of velvety book covers but there is a lot of those on my shelf so in the end I went for Talon. The reason why I went for this one was because all those scales on the cover is raised so when you run your hand over it feels as though there are scales. I haven't read this book yet but I know that when I do I will be stroking it whilst reading it.

Phase Eight - Meeting the Parents: A book in which you would recommend to your friends and family

 
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - CoB will always be one I would recommend to everyone I even got my family reading it.

Phase Nine - Thinking About the Future: A book or series that you know you'll reread many times in the future

Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase - This has to be with out a doubt one of my all time favourite book. I loved every minute of this book and I have already reread it and I know I will be reading this one over and over again. I love this book that much that I could have said this book for every phase in this book tag.

Showcase Sunday #117

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

Here's what I received in the month of August!

Paperback Books Recieved

I received this for review from the publishers so thanks to them especially with me forgetting I was getting it, made for a nice surprise.

Kindle Books Bought

I adored The Substitute so naturally I had to get book 2 which I am very excited to read, I just hope it lives up to book 1.

Free Kindle Books

  

 

Review Kindle Books

  

  

  

 

I went a little crazy on netgalley in August but in my defence there is some amazing books coming out soon and these books I am super excited to be reading.

What did you receive?

Showcase Sunday #113

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

I will only be doing a Showcase Sunday once a month.

Physical Books

My Mum brought me The Closer You Come for Easter which I am so excited to read. I won a signed copy of Night School in a giveaway over at Book Passion For Life.

Kindle Books Bought

I can't wait to read this book as I have loved the first two in this series.

Free Kindle Books

  

  

 

Kindle Review Books

  

  

  

What did you receive this week?