Thank you to Netgalley for the book in exchange for a free review.

Lets me start by saying this is book 5. I had to read the first books before I started this one. I will not start a series in the middle.

Now about this book! WOW!!!

This book was very good. I did not want to put it down. It was full of action all the way through. I was always ready for the next page. I have really enjoyed the characters through out this series., The author did a great job on world building. Julie was able to take this story and pull you in.

There may have been some minor flaws but nothing to keep you from enjoying this book or the plot.

This was a great ending for the series with the potential to spin off or even return to characters. While the level of peril and adventure delivers I did hope for another trip to the beach to tie up the series. Sigh. Maybe in a novella.

I loved the ending to this book!!! But if ember and the solider do not end up together, then that's not right!!

It’s over. The final battle has been waged. And not everyone comes out unscathed. There were many losses, some expected and some not. I’m glad it ended the way it did. I know I was bitter about the love triangle but there’s a reason for everything. The right choices were made and while it won’t be all happily ever after, they will be happier ever after.

This has just been added to my teen list. I can now see why my son enjoyed this series. Very action packed and sprinkled with enough emotion to make things interesting but to overwhelm with tears.

I am looking forward to the next series Julie brings to the table. I can’t wait to start that.

How I loved the Talon series!! I will miss Ember and company but they will forever live in my memory as some of my favorite characters. One of my all time favorite series. Thank you, Julie Kagawa!

#NetGalley #Inferno #JulieKagawa #FinalBook
The Talon series is one of the finest written young adult books that I have had the pleasure to read. Julie Kagawa has such a wonderful and amazing writing style. Inferno does not disappoint as a final book. Kagawa pulls out no stops with her final book in the series. It is a raw, adventurous, heartfelt ride of war and hard decisions. Ember must face some of her most difficult decisions ever with how this all unfolds.

Review based on a digital ARC provided via Netgalley.

In the conclusion to the Talon Saga, Julie Kagawa sets up a final epic confrontation between Talon and the rogue dragons that does not disappoint. Knowing that in order to defeat Talon, they must align themselves with the Order of St. George, Ember and Riley decide to continue the fragile alliance begun in book four. Joined by Garret (a former soldier of St. George) and Mist (a former Talon agent), the band of determined dragons and humans vows to find a way towards peace. Led by the Elder Wyrm and Dante, Ember’s twin brother, Talon is a huge organization of dragons bent on controlling humanity and stamping out any dragon that does not comply with their wishes.

This is a story about family and loyalty, about crossing lines and forging alliances. It is about making the choice to trust in someone different from oneself and being willing to see other points of view. Without that willingness, the rogues and St. George have no chance of defeating Talon, but working together, they might just be able to succeed.

The story echoes with meaning for our world today and parallels can be drawn to situations that exist within the human world. An author’s note points out some of these notions, but readers will find themselves pondering these themes even without the note. There are those in the book that are willing to help the rogues, but only to a certain extent. There are those who turn a blind eye to what happens. There are those who are willing to help by staying on the inside and funneling information. But what is crystal clear is that it is necessary to take steps towards cooperation and understanding rather than standing back and letting those in power reign over others, stamping out choice and freedom. While the reader’s sympathies lie with Ember, Riley, Garret and the rogues, even those in charge of Talon have a point of view and those ideas have to be examined, as well.

Told from four perspectives: Ember, Riley, Garret and Dante, the story is never confusing. Strong characters, each with their own motivations and feelings, are well drawn, making it easy to move between the perspectives. While I did guess some of the plot points, that did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. I love these characters, and have since the beginning of the series. I will miss them now that the series is finished.

Book Info
Hardcover, 397 pages
Published April 24th 2018 by Harlequin Teen
Original Title Inferno
ISBN 1335017267 (ISBN13: 9781335017260)
Edition Language English
Series Talon #5
Other Editions (12)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


TODAY, WE STRIKE BACK.

WE SHOW TALON THAT WE WILL NEVER ACCEPT THEIR NEW WORLD.

Ember Hill has learned a shocking truth about herself: she is the blood of the Elder Wyrm, the ancient dragon who leads Talon and who is on the verge of world domination. With the Order of St. George destroyed, Ember, Riley and Garret journey to the Amazon jungle in search of one who might hold the key to take down the Elder Wyrm and Talon—if they can survive the encounter.

Meanwhile, Ember’s brother, Dante, will travel to China with a message for the last Eastern dragons: join Talon or die. With the stakes rising and the Elder Wyrm declaring war, time is running out for the rogues and any dragon not allied with Talon.

The final battle approaches. And if Talon is victorious, the world will burn.

My Thoughts


Had this book on my desk in a brand new hardback edition within a week after release before my forgotten request for an arc galley copy from Netgalley was granted. Since that was only Thursday the 10th started the book the next day and finished last evening because could not wait anymore to read this final adventure in the series.

What I found to my delight when started reading was a book that started off full blast and for me never slowed down. The answers to many questions from first 4 previous books were provided and new questions answered prior to the ending as well.

I cannot believe it is the end. No more adventures, no more worrying about who lives or dies. The epilogue left some things open ended in a way that makes me hope for either a spin-off someday or maybe even a short story set in this world so we can catch up with everyone's current lives.

This last book was exactly what we have all been waiting for, the final battle to end all battles that sets the course for Dragons and Humans futures. It also of course ushers in a new era for Talon and The Order of St. George.

(view spoiler)

Julie Kagawa Rocks!

I know there are those who find her writing formula to lead to predictability in each story, for me it is no big deal as the stories center on different worlds and different characters so that is satisfying reading for my enjoyment.


[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Inferno, by author Julie Kagawa, is the fifth and final installment in the authors Talon series. Picking up right where Legion left off, Ember, Garret, Riley, Wes, Mist, and Jade are picking up the pieces from Talon's all out war against the Order of St. George across the globe which has left the organization in shambles. The situation is so dangerous that a single spark will make the world go up in flames. But, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Talon is on the move. Anyone who doesn't conform to Talon's demands, ends up being killed.

Any group that thinks they can stand alone and isolated, finds that Talon is willing to go to extreme lengths in order to prove they can run, but they can not hide. Ember and Riley's dragons want nothing major. Just to live by their own choices. To not be forced into killing anyone who stands against Talon, plus freedom and happiness to be with who they wish to be with. There's no getting around the fact that Ember is something special, especially since every single synopsis you find indicates that Ember is the blood of the Elder Wyrm.

But, Ember is so much more than that. While people may come to think Riley as the leader since he's been fighting against Talon for so long, it is actually Ember who people look to. Ember has challenged everything, including how the Order feels about the "lizards." We wouldn't be in this particular situation had Ember just given up and returned to Talon where her brother Dante has found himself in a position of power. Had Ember given up, there would be no alliance between the Order and Riley's rogues.

There would be no adventure deep into the heart of the Amazon to find something that isn't supposed to exist, and quite possibly, an ally who has important information that will most likely help Ember, Riley & Garret win the war against the Elder Wyrm. There wouldn't be a rescue attempt using the combined forces of the Order and the Dragons to find a group Riley has been searching for for years. And, in the end, the Elder Wyrm's march to world domination and human slavery, would have gone unannounced in a world that doesn't know that Dragons really do exist.

I normally break down each character and summarize the important aspects of what they dealt with. That ends with this review. The author once again revolves her narrative between Ember, Garret, Riley, and Dante. Ember, Garret, and Riley are together for most of the story. The love triangle has been finally resolved. There are places where they are among others, but mostly they are a united team that stands or falls together.

Dante's story is one that really needs to be addressed with kid gloves for fear of spoiling his choices & what happens in the final battle between the forces aligned against Talon, and the Elder Wyrm's diabolical plans for ramping up a dragon apocalypse against humans. In the end, were you to have read previous Kagawa novels, you would probably guess what was about to happen. However, the ending kind of blew my mind. Didn't actually see that happening, even though I probably should have.

The Elder Wyrm had a plan to live forever and Ember Hill was the key. Caught up in the shocking truth, Ember is facing unsurmountable odd and her and pretty much all of humanity’s only chance is if she can unite enemies against a common foe. But can trust the people at your back when hatred has been grown for centuries.

Talon is preparing to release a weapon that could devastate the entire world and secure their power forever.

It is always sad when a series comes to an end, characters that we’ve spent hours delving into their lives. Kagawa has taken us on one heck of a ride.

Intense, bold characters that have evolved for this climatic ending of Talon.

You can't help but find yourself caught up in this original shifting dragon tale.

I received this copy of Inferno from Harlequin Teen. This is my honest and voluntary review.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Julie Kagawa
Series: The Talon Saga
Sequence in Series: Book 5
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: HQ Young Adult; edition edition
Publication Date: April 24, 2018
ISBN-10: 1848456867
ISBN-13: 978-1848456860
Genre: YA | Fantasy

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Inferno is the epic finale to Julie Kagawa’s sensational series, Talon! A world filled with dragons in the modern age fighting a long battle with the Order of St. George, the humans sworn to protect humanity from the dragon. But times have been changing greatly over the course of this series. Dragons and a few of the members of St. George have been working together to fight a common enemy, the Elder Wyrm.

What I love about this series is how easy it is to dive back in after a year or sometimes longer since last reading from it. Things just continue on in a nice steady stream. When we start Inferno, we see Riley, Ember, and Garret on a mission to talk with another dragon Wyrm who is one of three of the oldest dragons in existence. He has had a grudge against Talon for ages, so if helping this trio of teenagers helps take them down, he’s all in. He sets them on a course that will help them build an army to wage against Talon and this particular help is something that Riley has been searching for for ages.

This series has held me riveted since the very beginning. I’ve loved watching Ember interact with Garret and Riley, too. She was such a fun loving character. She wasn’t at all what you’d expect from dragons, which naturally, was the appeal for Garret and probably Riley too. Though as we all know, Ember has made her choice when it came to romance and that choice was Garret. That honestly made me the most happy because I liked Garret. Even when he was the enemy, you could slowly see him start to change, little by little. He eventually became one of my favorite characters in this series. Though, what with needing to save the entire world, there’s very little time for romance for the two of them…or the other characters.

Inferno truly just continues to build up the pace, tension, and action in the story! One mission leads to another and another and then soon the planning for the takedown begins. Working with other members of St. George will be trying, as not all of them have made the transformation into believing that not all dragons are bloodthirsty monsters.

What I’ve also enjoyed about this series was the multiple points of view. We get to know everything this way, and worry not friends, it’s never confusing as to what’s going on. For the most part, Ember, Riley, and Garret are always together so we just get different perspectives on their current situation. Adding in Dante again, let’s us in on what’s happen on the enemy’s side. It’s a real eye-opener for the characters and the reader.

It’s so hard to write a review for a series finale. There’s so many things I want to say and talk about, but when I start getting chatty I might let something slip! Lol. Don’t want to do that obviously, so I am always restraining myself from writing too much. There was a heavy mix of emotions going on throughout the story and while one event had me bursting with emotions, I honestly felt like I knew it was coming. Needless to say that Inferno held up to all my expectations! Just as I started to doubt a theory I had brewing after Legion, the issue is address just moments before The End came around. Which naturally made me all happy and bubbly inside! Lol!

While Julie may tear our hearts to pieces throughout the series, (and I really do think she enjoys that! Lol.) I always have faith in her that she will not leave me heartbroken by the final end. And with three series completed, I can say that holds true for this latest one as well. I feel like it’s always important to end a series in a way that final and yet hopeful for the characters future. That weird way of where everything is all said and done, but we can rest easy knowing that our favorite characters will continue on living, even if no one is there to write their stories. As I said, it’s weird, but I like knowing that my favorite characters from this series will still be living on in some fashion!

If you haven’t read Julie’s Talon series yet, I highly urge you to do so! Never has there been a dragon series that held me so riveted and enchanted! It’s pure magic in modern times! It’s a series not to be missed!


Overall Rating 5/5 stars

Amazing final book in a wonderfully captivating series. While predictable, this book wraps up the Talon universe dealing with several loose story lines (Mom, Dante, soulmates, etc). Kagawa doesn't disappoint.

This is the last book of the Talon series, which is very sad as this has been such a awesome series, but also very exciting as there is a new and exciting series coming out in October that sounds awesome so check back as I have been granted the privilege of reviewing that book as well.

Inferno might be last book of the series but by far might be the most exciting, action packed and suspenseful of all the books in the series. People die, dragons die, on both sides and in the end the ones left will have to pick up the pieces and rebuild, if they can get past their difference, and that is a big if. This is a book that will have you up past your bedtime because you just need to read what happens next, one more page, again, again and again. These dragons and characters have become friends it is hard to say goodbye

This blogpost will go live 02May2018

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Teen for the opportunity to read and review Inferno by Julie Kagawa! The fifth and final book of the Talon Saga opens with our heroes in the jungle, searching for a hope to help them fight against Talon’s clone forces. They discover Ouroboros, a centuries old dragon that believes Talon should fall. Once again, the story alternates through the points of view of Ember, Garret, Riley and Dante. This quote from Inferno is something all of us need to take to heart, “Words couldn’t hurt you; as long as you didn’t believe them, they meant nothing.” Put in present tense: words can’t hurt you; as long as you don’t believe them, they mean nothing; this quote becomes a mantra for helping us deal with the bombardment of negativity surrounding us daily. For some reason, negative comments seem to stick with us so much more strongly than positive comments. As I read Inferno, I stopped and realized how this book pulled me in just as the first four books of this series had, with suspense, intrigue, bravery, interesting characters and complete world building. I’m invested in the characters, to the very last page! Resolution, grief, determination, loyalty, friendship and love round out the Talon saga and build it into a fantasy that I plan on revisiting in its entirety, 5 stars!

Noteworthy experiences while reading this book: This has reignited the inferno to get one of her dragons. I had recently given up ever trying again. Although after reading this one I might have to try at least one more time.

Check out author's other books? YES (if you havent you need to!)
Recommend this book? YES

Notes and Opinions: Why do stories have to end? After reading this book this is my outcome. That this story needed to go on forever. Although I know that can not be. This was a fabulous ending to this series and I cannot wait to see what her next book brings us. Its called Shadow of the Fox and is out this Oct. So you dont even have to wait for long. I so cant wait to read it. As for this one it was well paced and is really a great story. You can tell how much Kagawa has become a seasoned author and I just cant put her books down for a second. This one was dragon yummies all the way and was a perfect ending to this series. The characters come alive on the page and you feel everything they do. I cant say to much becuase so much in this book is a spoiler. But man if you loved this series you will DIE HARD LOVE this conclusion.

Go Into This One Knowing: MUST READ!!