Soldier Series: Talon #3 on 26 April 2016
Pages: 380
The price of freedom is everything.
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 foundations of dragons and dragonslayers alike and place them all in imminent danger as Talon’s new order rises.
Betrayal, pain, action, fights, loyalty, love, hope, strength… Soldier encompassed all of that, and more!
With a skillfull pen, Kagawa gave me an amazing story with Soldier. My main feels were of excitement and suspense, with a dash of romance, and possibly regret as well. Ember was torn between her human and dragon side more than ever, and this involved her in a strangely addictive and comprehensible love triangle.
The action was fast-paced, the past tense and third- or first-person narration from various characters’ perspective made sure that all sides of the war were intimately covered. There were more than one twist I never saw coming, and I was completely out of breath by the time Soldier was over.
We drove on for several more minutes, taking multiple twists and turns, before the car finally shuddered to a halt. Still blindfolded, I was dragged out of the vehicle, led across a cement floor and down a flight of steps.
Except dragons weren’t supposed to feel human emotion.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: kimbacaffeinate
I have enjoyed this author’s previous series and really should begin this series. Wonderful review Lexxie. Of course, you had me at Dragons.
It’s so good, Kim, and, of course, Dragons!
Twitter: talksupeblog
I haven’t read ANY of her books. I know I’m missing out but when her YA bestsellers came out was around the same time I lost interest in the genre. I do have her vampire dystopia (?), is that too YA?
Her vampire dystopia is kind of YA, but quite mature YA. And that one is amazeballs, Braine! You’re going to love it!
I tried reading the first book but wasn’t feeling it for some reason. I LOVE the covers for this series though. I’ll have to go back and give these another try because it sounds like they’re packed with dragony action.
Oh no! The action is not all that different from in the first book, Kristin, but there’s less world building. And I think these books just keep getting better.
Great review, Lexxie! I have the first book of this series but I still haven’t read it… Did you like that one as well?
Yes, I did like the first one as well, Stephanie. I gave four stars to #1 and #2, five stars to #3 and #4…
eeep I’m so excited for this one!! Although I’ve forgotten too much about the first two books so I’m going to wait until the whole series is out and then do a massive binge-read. ? BUT I LOVE DRAGONS SO MUCH!!
It is fantastic, Cait. And so much happened here! You should hurry up, because Legion is out very soon 😉
I have the first 2 books now and just need this one and I”ll start reading the series. Been seeing some mixed feelings about this one. So glad you loved it.
Oh you should read it, Laura. I know why there’s mixed feelings… that ending killed me. But even if it killed me, I thought things happened the way they were supposed to in a way.
I really need to read this series. It sounds great. I am really glad you enjoyed it so much.
I love Kagawa, Carole. Her way with words, and her incredible world building, as well as characters that have flaws but work to better themselves make her stories really good.
I’ve really liked other books by Julie Kagawa (her Iron Fae series comes to mind) but for some reason I never picked this one up. From your review it sounds like I’ve got to fix that soon! 🙂
I love the Iron Fae series, too. I think if you enjoy Kagawa’s writing, you’ll enjoy this as well. And there are Dragons!
I like her writing style and even though she is a little YA angsty for me. I think she is perfect for the genre. I am so glad that you loved it 🙂
She is pretty much perfect for the genre, Felicia 🙂
Twitter: Mlsimmons
I’ve seen this series around, but I’ve yet to try it. I’m not a huge fan of love triangles, but they aren’t a deal breaker, if there are other really great aspects to the story. Glad you’re loving this series.
Was this the last installment? I’m thrilled Soldier was such a fantastic read, Lexxie. Kagawa is *still* on my TBR and of course this series is appealing because DRAGONS. 🙂 Nice review, wifey!
Love you & miss you! {{{BIG HUGS}}}
Nope, not the last one… there are two more after this, Legion and one that doesn’t have a title yet (*spoiler* my review for Legion will be posted this week!) And yeah, DRAGONS! You are so going to love this series!