A game-changing sequel that focused A LOT on the romance | Soldier

Soldier (Talon #3) by Julie Kagawa

Published: April 26th 2016 by Harlequin TEEN

Genre: young adult, fantasy

Goodreads summary: 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.

REVIEW

I discovered Julie Kagawa last year and devoured seven of her books. By far, her Talon series is my favourite, and this third instalment definitely confirmed it. It is a long series, because there are still two books to be published, but in my opinion, it won’t be too much. If you love dragons, you should definitely read it!

Soldier picked up right after the ending of Rogue and the plot was totally addictive, I devoured the book in a few sittings when I got time. While Soldier was the middle book of the series, I didn’t feel like it was a filler at all. At the beginning of the novel, Garret uncovers game-changing secrets and the rest of the book deals with the consequences of that. I liked to see everyone team up against their enemies and I cannot wait to see how they’ll work together next. Soldier totally made the main plot progress and opened up new subplots.

However, I wanted more character development. Ember mentioned several times that she had changed with all she’s been through, but I would have liked to see it more, she was still a whiny teenager (even though I like her). Riley was still the same character that in the first book, and I never really liked him, so we have a complicated relationship. Can another dragon burn him or something? I was satisfied with Garret’s development though, because he just wanted justice and to show the truth, which is laudable.

This book still had four points of view, five if you count Garret’s flashbacks and Kagawa managed to balance them perfectly. I’ll admit that Dante’s point of view wasn’t the best, because it was far away from the action, but I found it to be totally useful, since he was our only way to know what was going on in Talon. What was happening there was totally dreadful, which was to be expected after the epilogue of Rogue. Moreover, it amuses me that we don’t have much of his point of view, and then it ends on his with a big revelation.

What truly surprised me was that Kagawa managed to expand the world she created. Indeed, because Garret was uncovering truths about the Order, we saw more of the organization, but also flashbacks of how he came to be a soldier. Moreover, we learnt more about the dragons, with some unexpected aspects. Also, some of the revelations made my heart stop for a second.

I won’t lie, this book totally contained a love triangle and it focused a lot on that aspect. In Kagawa’s defence, it seemed realistic, because Ember was conflicted between her human side and her dragon side. However, I really don’t like when authors pull the “we’re meant to be together” trope, because I believe we choose who we love. Not the contrary. So yeah, I admit I was a little pissed at some point, but it’ll wear off. I’m totally team Garret, since I love their chemistry so much more, and because sometimes, I feel life Riley wants to own Ember, which isn’t a healthy relationship at all. But maybe it’s just that I don’t get their chemistry, who knows?

Soldier ended on a cliffhanger, which disappointed me a little, since it was already the case last time. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the last chapters, they were action-packed, filled with tension and I couldn’t stop reading. I think the book could have done with one more chapter, because the resolution to this cliff-hanger is a little obvious since it’s YA fiction.

Overall, it was a solid instalment in the Talon series and you should definitely read this series if you haven’t given it a shot yet, because DRAGONS. I’m so happy that Kagawa didn’t made a filler of this book, since it had an actual goal and helped move the stories. I would have liked more character development though, and to get read of this “we’re meant to be” trope. But other than that, it was pretty good and I can’t wait for Legion!

Other:

• Review of Talon (book #1)
• Review of Rogue (book #2)

Have you read any of Julie Kagawa's novels? Which one is your favourite? Have you started the Talon series yet? Do you love books about dragons?

An impressive start to a new fantasy series | Flamecaster

Flamecaster (Shattered Realms #1) by Cinda Williams Chima

Published: April 5th 2016 by HarperCollins

Genre: young adult, fantasy

Goodreads summary: The first in a thrilling new four-book fantasy series from New York Times bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima, set in the same world as her beloved Seven Realms series, a generation later.

Adrian sul’Han, known as Ash, is a trained healer with a powerful gift of magic—and a thirst for revenge. Ash is forced into hiding after a series of murders throws the queendom into chaos. Now Ash is closer than he’s ever been to killing the man responsible, the cruel king of Arden. As a healer, can Ash use his powers not to save a life but to take it? 

Abandoned at birth, Jenna Bandelow was told that the mysterious magemark on the back of her neck would make her a target. But when the King’s Guard launches a relentless search for a girl with a mark like hers, Jenna assumes that it has more to do with her role as a saboteur than any birth-based curse. Though Jenna doesn’t know why she’s being hunted, she knows that she can’t get caught.

Eventually, Ash’s and Jenna’s paths will collide in Arden. Thrown together by chance and joined by their hatred of the king, they will come to rescue each other in ways they cannot yet imagine.

Set in the world of the acclaimed Seven Realms series a generation later, this is a thrilling story of dark magic, chilling threats, and two unforgettable characters walking a knife-sharp line between life and death.

REVIEW

I read the Seven Realms series a year and a half ago and I found it amazing, so I was really excited for this one – I added it on Goodreads November 1st 2014 – which says a lot. When I got it in the mail, I hurried to finish the book I was currently reading, then jumped on it quickly. Long story short: if you’re a fantasy fan, read this one!

I loved getting back into the world, because it felt familiar (the first chapters were set in the Fells) and yet like a new world, because the characters visited new places and it was set more or less twenty years later. The world felt realistic, because when we left the characters in The Crimson Crown, the situation wasn’t entirely stable, and it still wasn’t the case two decades later. It was still a world at war, more than ever, hence the title of the series, Shattered Realms. Cinda Williams Chima didn’t stay long in the places the reader already knew, like the Fells or Oden’s Ford, which was fine by me, because I discovered the kingdom of Arden and heard of the Northern Islands (which was so mysterious and exciting).

In the world-building, some little details bothered me, like the facts the months were the same as ours, when it’s a high fantasy one, and the use of French by the author, with a typo (La Ancienne instead of L’Ancienne) when I don’t even understand how the characters could know French… I guess it was used for a different society, but still.

Plot-wise, the author chose to do temporal ellipses, which I wasn’t a huge fan of. If I found it more realistic, it confused me a lot, because the author just mentioned time had passed in a sentence. Still, it allowed her to write backstory to the characters, which was quite relevant to the rest of the story, but heart-breaking in both cases. This book contained multiple points of view but mostly Adrian’s. While I liked his arc a lot and I know that we will get more of Jenna’s in the next book, I’m wondering why the author chose to call this book ‘Flamecaster’, because it’s relevant to Jenna, not Adrian, but oh well.

The story moved fast enough for my taste, but yes, it was a big book. I was pleasantly surprised when the author included healers, but also pirates and (highlight for the spoiler) dragons. Some of the twists were quite unexpected, which made me love the book even more. I guessed one of the big ones early on though, but I think it’s only the second time I read this twist (and it was in French YA fiction, so…). The ending of the book made me so eager for the next one, even though it didn’t end on a cliff-hanger. I’m looking forward to see what’s going on in the Fells, but also in the Northern Islands (who is this Empress Celestine?).

I found the characters to be one of the best parts of the story, I loved them so much. Like I mentioned, the author started the story when they were twelve or thirteen, to tell traumatizing events that shaped them. Because of that, I felt a deep connection to them very quickly.

Adrian felt like a perfect mix of his parents, I loved it. If he was a mage, he was also a healer, an aspect of his arc I really enjoyed. I was a little confused by how he changed just by meeting Jenna though. I hope I’ll get to see him with his family soon, because I’m excited to see their dynamics. Jenna was such an interesting character, we didn't get a lot of her point of view, but her arc is totally set up for the next book. I had guessed what was going on with her but I don't care, it was still pretty awesome! Jenna was a resourceful girl, but we didn’t get to see it much in the second part of the book because of the situation she was in, but I’m sure we will see that aspect of her more in the sequel.

When I read a character was named Lila I immediately thought of the awesomeness that was Lila Bard in A Darker Shade of Magic and this one was also amazing. And a smuggler. And a person of colour so finally some fantasy authors are trying to include diverse characters in this genre. Finally, Destin and Evan were mysterious and ambivalent, I really want to have more backstory about them (especially after the epilogue).

As you can say, I’m pretty enthusiastic about these characters because I found them fleshed out and relatable. But, I had a problem with… The romance. I’m sorry, but it was just a big case instalove. The main characters met and by the end of the chapter (or the next one), they just wanted to be together and do everything for the other. I’m sorry, but no. I’m so sad about this instalove, you guys, because in Seven Realms, the relationship between the main characters wasn’t instalove-y at all.

Overall, it was a fantastic first book in Cinda Williams Chima’s new series, with amazing characters and an expanded world. Since it’s a spin-off series, I think you can start with this one, but you’ll be spoiled for the ending of Seven Realms and I’m not sure you’ll have enough world-building to start one. The only thing that bothered me was the instalove, but the rest of the books was so great that it makes it a 4.5 stars book.

Did you read the Seven Realms series? Were you a fan of it? Have you read Flamecaster yet? Do you want to?

Life isn't a fairy tale | The Shadow Queen & The Great Hunt

The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire #1) by C.J. Redwine

Published: February 16th 2016 by Balzer + Bray

Genre: young adult, fantasy, retelling

Goodreads summary: Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose.

REVIEW

I was excited for this one and I was so right! It hooked me from the first page – with a prologue that led Lorelai and her brother to flee the castle – and it was a hard one to put down. I think that it was Russian-inspired, which I loved. It was set in an interesting world with dragons (so basically, yes! It’s so rare to have dragons), witches, faeries and so on. While I really liked learning about this world, I would have liked to know why there were dragons only in this kingdom or faeries only in that one. But that’s a minor issue that I had, since the rest was amazing. It was also a dark world, because Irina was sucking everything up.

I loved the characters. Lorelai wasn’t a damsel in distress, which you would expect from Snow White, she was powerful and tough. I had a hard time liking Kol in the beginning, but he went through a lot of character development and evil influence *cough*, I loved him at the end of the novel. He was the huntsman and the prince at the same time, so of course it was a nice twist. I can’t tell you if it had anything similar with the movie with Chris Hemsworth and Kristen Stewart, because I haven’t watched it. I shipped Lorelai and Kol so much and the ending! Oh, my heart <3. They went through so much together, poor babies. I liked that C.J. Redwine gave a realistic backstory to the Evil Queen, because I could understand why she was doing this. It didn’t mean I liked her but I noticed the effort. The secondary characters were all really enjoyable; they made me laugh a lot.

The plot was captivating and action-packed; I didn’t have a page to be bored. Also, Irina had a pet snake so I was very, very scared, and the story was also brutal, with no one was safe. But well, this world is in darkness and the peasants have nothing so yeah, it made sense. It was such a gripping story that when I got into it… I couldn’t stop until I finished. It was a good retelling where everyone was so much badass than in the original tale. But what would you expect with dragons? *grins like an idiot*

Overall, this one is now a favourite and I’m really excited for the second book. But I’m crying because there is nothing on Goodreads yet and I don’t want to wait another year for that awesomeness. Also, I think it could be a companion series, so the other kingdoms? Please? I just need it.

The Great Hunt (Eurona Duology #1) by Wendy Higgins

Published: March 8th 2016 by

Genre: young adult, fantasy, retelling

Goodreads summary: “Aerity…” Her father paused as if the words he was forming pained him. “I must ask you to sacrifice the promise of love for the sake of our kingdom.”

She could only stare back, frozen.

When a strange beast terrorizes the kingdom of Lochlanach, fear stirs revolt. In an act of desperation, a proclamation is sent to all of Eurona—kill the creature and win the ultimate prize: the daughter of King Lochson’s hand in marriage.

Princess Aerity knows her duty to the kingdom but cannot bear the idea of marrying a stranger…until a brooding local hunter, Paxton Seabolt, catches her attention. There’s no denying the unspoken lure between them…or his mysterious resentment.

Paxton is not the marrying type. Nor does he care much for spoiled royals and their arcane laws. He’s determined to keep his focus on the task at hand—ridding the kingdom of the beast—but the princess continues to surprise him, and the perilous secrets he’s buried begin to surface.

Inspired by the Grimm Brothers’ tale “The Singing Bone,” New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins delivers a dark fantasy filled with rugged hunters, romantic tension, and a princess willing to risk all to save her kingdom.

REVIEW

I think this is another case where I didn’t like the author’s debut but enjoyed her new series: it has been the case with Melissa Landers and Rae Carson already, so that’s basically proving that second chances can be necessary. The Great Hunt isn’t the best book out there, I actually found it pretty average, but I still liked it.

My main issue with this book was that it was so slow. In the beginning, I wasn’t really into it for that reason; I liked it better after but… It was repetitive, there were only small parts about the hunt and other than that… It was really about the romance *sigh*. I’m not surprised, because Sweet Evil focused a lot on the romance, but still, I wished for something else. Moreover, I wished we knew more about the world-building: how did the world come to be? Why are some people Lashed and some others Unlashed? In the end, I would have liked to have answers to these questions, but I think we’ll learn more about the Lashed in the next book.

The plot was alright, but it wasn’t original at all. It’s also a plot you would expect from a fairy tale and the author still managed to make it unique but the fact that it dragged made me lack of interest at some point. I found the characters to be pretty average, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t relate to them. I liked the main characters though, but I just don't think the secondary characters were memorable. I found the romance to have a little instalove: basically, Aerity was drawn to Paxton because he was the only one who wouldn’t talk to her… *coughs* It was so cliché, but the author wrote the romance well, so it was quite bearable.

I didn’t know the tale, The Singing Bone, when I went into this one and I really enjoyed that, it made the book more unique because let’s face it… How many retelling of Snow White (see above) or Beauty and the Beast do we have? TONS. It was quite refreshing to discover a new tale. You can read the tale beforehand, since the story is more inspired by it. It doesn't spoil anything big in the story. I found an aspect of the ending to be unexpected, which made it worth it to endure all the slowness of the book before. Moreover, I was afraid that we wouldn’t see a lot of women in this book, because men are supposed to hunt, not women, but the more time passed, the more joined the hunt. They could have been seen as worthless in the beginning, but they proved that they could be just as good as any men. You rock, Aerity!

Overall, it was better than Sweet Evil, but it was really slow, which killed the story a little. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the writing and reading about this story. I liked the ending and I’m actually eager to read the next book in this duology, because it could be really good! It didn’t really end on a cliff-hanger, because it’s obvious where it’s going, but I’m excited for it.

Nota Bene: I love the cover! Also, the main character isn't ginger but strawberry blonde, the cover designers kinda messed it up and the author didn't have a say in it. :(

Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? If not, do you plan on picking them up? Did you liked these authors' previous series?

Review : Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Title: Seraphina (Seraphina #1)

Author: Rachel Hartman

Publisher: Random House for Young Readers

Release date: July 10th 2012

Goodreads summary: In her New York Times bestselling and Morris Award-winning debut, Rachel Hartman introduces mathematical dragons in an alternative-medieval world to fantasy and science-fiction readers of all ages. Eragon-author Christopher Paolini calls them, "Some of the most interesting dragons I've read in fantasy."

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

REVIEW

In this debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich fantasy world set in an alternate Middle Ages period, and I really liked that aspect of the book. The atmosphere was realistic, with the music part that was so important for the treaty anniversary, or the way characters lived. The dragons here were genuine, such logical minds that for example, they can play music perfectly (technically speaking), but it won't move anyone's emotions, so human music is still better. For me, this world was near perfect and would be hard to improve. Nothing is sugar-coated here, which was a good thing.

Moving on to the plot, I had a hard time keeping on. In the beginning, we attend Prince Rufus' funeral, and dragons are suspected for this death. Our main character, Seraphina, has to help Prince Lucian Kiggs' investigation, while organized festivities and teaching the harpsichord to his fiancée, Princess Glisselda. But Seraphina seems to know a little too much about dragons, because she has secrets of her own. In theory, this plot is intriguing, and I was eager to read it. However, this book is set during only a few weeks, but the book was pretty thick. I think somewhere in the middle, I got lost. Then, I continued my reading, but I couldn't keep up. In fact, unravelling the mystery around Prince Rufus' death didn't appeal to me anymore, sadly. For this reason, I don't know if I'll read the second book, because it's apparently bigger, and I don't want to be bored.

The characters were fine, but none really stood out to me, even though Seraphina was really interesting. I liked how her garden of grotesques - who seemed really weird in the beginning - was really important and still will be in the next book. I didn't get attached to any of these characters , unfortunately. What I really liked is that the romance wasn't a big part of the plot. Of course, you guess who Seraphina will develop feelings for, but it's not her priority. The peace is.

"She needs us both," he said, "and she needs us not to be so distracted by each other that we are unable to do our parts in this war."

I nodded. "Crisis first, love later. The day will come. I believe that."

Overall, I got bored pretty fast by this book and probably won't read the next one, because it was too big for what it was. I wanted to read about dragons because it's not a supernatural specie I got to read about a lot. Still, I started the Talon series last month, it was set in our contemporary world, and I loved it so much, I think it would be better to read it than Seraphina, if you want to read about dragons.

Rating: 3/5

Review : Rogue by Julie Kagawa

Title: Rogue

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: April 28th 2015

Goodreads Summary: Ember Hill left the dragon organization Talon to take her chances with rebel dragon Cobalt and his crew of rogues. But Ember can't forget the sacrifice made for her by the human boy who could have killed her—Garret Xavier Sebastian, a soldier of the dragonslaying Order of St. George, the boy who saved her from a Talon assassin, knowing that by doing so, he'd signed his own death warrant. 

Determined to save Garret from execution, Ember must convince Cobalt to help her break into the Order's headquarters. With assassins after them and Ember's own brother helping Talon with the hunt, the rogues find an unexpected ally in Garret and a new perspective on the underground battle between Talon and St. George. 

A reckoning is brewing and the secrets hidden by both sides are shocking and deadly. Soon Ember must decide: Should she retreat to fight another day…or start an all-out war?

REVIEW

This month has been my Julie Kagawa's month, I read the Blood of Eden trilogy (about vampires, really good) and the two first books of the Talon quintet. The third book, Soldier, is scheduled to be out during Fall 2016. Personnally, I can't wait to read this book because I loved the first two ! I also need to read the Iron Fey series, but that's another story. 

I loved this book, it was a great second installment in this Talon quintet. At the end of the first book, Ember went with Riley/Cobalt for a rogue life, Garret was taken by the Order to be judged and Dante remained with Talon. At the beginning of the book, Ember discovers what the life of a rogue really is and convinces Cobalt to come with her to rescue Garret (who is to be executed), I'm glad it didn't take too long for the rescue part. For Dante, he has to convince Talon he is trustworthy and organizes a mission to take Ember back. If I had to summarize the plot, I would say it is an on-the-run kind of book, with a fast pace, so I was never bored. I loved the betrayals (even if I had guessed). <spoiler>I think my favorite part of the book was when Faith made Ember shoot Garret, she aimed at his head, dropped the weapon and Shifted. It was such an intense moment, I loved it.</spoiler>

The characters are all supposed to be kick-assed and have a lot of development, for example Cobalt's flashbacks of twelve years ago. Ember, who chose a rogue life, admits she isn't sure about what she's doing and I liked that : she shows her weaknesses. 

<blockquote>"I don't know what I'm doing," I admitted. "I thought I did, but I was wrong. I have no idea what to do now. I…" <i>I don't want to lose anyone else. Especially him.</i></blockquote>

The end is the promise of a fantastic third book : Garret arc in London, Dante and Talon (OMG the epilogue, I want the next one like now) and Ember and Riley going after traitors/rogue hatchlings. I'm really excited, even if the next book will be out in such a long time ! If I had to pick a team, it would be Garret, because seriously, star-crossed lovers.

Rating : 5/5