This fantasy is epic and the Korean mythology that it's built on is mesmerizing. The spark of a romance in the midst of machinations with gods and monsters, is delightful. The Reaper is quite the reputation for a teenager to have at such a young age but people do what they must to survive. Especially when they have someone they love and care for. Can't wait to read book 2.

Last of the Talons was a great read! It was well-written with well-developed characters. I was hooked on the story the entire time. It is quite an enjoyable book that I do recommend giving a read!

I legit had to read this as satire so that I wouldn't be hating on this book as it uses every cliche YA troupe there is in existence, which is understandable to a degree since this is a debut. There was a trend in booktok during 2023 if I remember correctly, where a lot of creators were meme-ing the YA troupes (like being forced to wear a dress and dance in a ball when they "don't want to" and many more) and honestly it is the reason why I was laughing my ass off (unnecessarily as it is not the author's intention I believe) because the book was ticking each of that troupe in the meme.

The book has it funny moments as our FMC can be sassy and moments were the story was good enough but there were a lot of rough/awkward parts especially the fighting scene in the ending as it wasn't written that well and came off as cringey.

Chapter 18 was the funniest to me as our emaciated FMC was seducing the emperor after wearing a dress she didn't want and it was working 😭 I still remember that and think about it from time to time as if it is my Roman empire.

Excerpts to show some of my points:

"“Lina.” I bite back a shiver as his gaze runs over my body, lingering momentarily on the slope of my neck, the bareness of my legs. “You look ravishing.”"

(Remember, our FMC is emaciated, not naturally skinny or fit.)

"“When is your birthday?”
“The winter solstice.” The emperor’s smile is a curved blade. “Would you care to bring me a gift?”
“It’s only spring.” My responding look is falsely saccharine. “You’ll be long dead by then. But perhaps I’ll give a eulogy in your honor. The starting words, I think, would be ‘this bastard.’ The ending words would be ‘got exactly what he deserved.’ ” I violently stab my chopsticks into the mandu to punctuate my point."

Overall, the book wasn't so bad but it definitely didn't have anything unique about it to warrant for me to continue the series.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy for an honest review.

3.5⭐

First of all, let me get something off my chest real quick. I hugely appreciate Sophie Kim's drive to introduce a little bit of Korean culture, mythology, and folklore to people unfamiliar with it. However, I must say asking Hollywood (and the US entertainment industry in general) for Korean representation when South Korea has such a rich and prolific history of books, shows, and movies is daft in my opinion. Particularly when Hollywood is infamous for ruining anything outside the realm of 'MERICA! Not to mention, who better to tell their stories than the people who've been telling them for hundreds of years?

Anywho.

The Last of the Talons was a fun, fast-paced fantasy with a vicious heroine, a morally grey love interest, and some truly brutal action scenes. The world-building was solid, and the Korean mythology woven into the story gave it a fresh angle compared to the the run of the mill fantasy fare. I enjoyed the tension between the main characters, Lina and Rui, and the plot kept me intrigued, especially when the metal bits with sharp tips came out (which was often).

Lina, Reaper of Sunpo and professional assassin, was a great mix of ruthless and vulnerable—watching her navigate a world that kept trying to break her was one of the book’s strongest points. Her boundless love for her little sister; her loyalty to her found family, the Talons; the suffocating grief and guilt that shadowed her every step and haunted her as if they were a conscious, corporeal being. She was flawed, troubled, and fierce in her love and hatred.

And then there was Emperor Haneul Rui, the infamous Pied Piper and leader of the Dokkeabi. The enigmatic, powerful, deceptive love interest who oozed charm and menace in equal measure. He strongly reminded me of the lead male character in one of my favorite fantasy k-dramas: Doom at Your Service. Apathetic, lonely, and angry at first; always taunting the FML. Until he helplessly falls in love with her.

Winning recipe in my book, that one.

Their chemistry was electric, full of cutting (pun intended) banter and simmering tension, though I wish the romance had been given more depth (and more fuel to bring up the heat, given how dark the rest of the story was).

The writing was vivid and descriptive, and the Korean folklore and little details—food, traditional clothing, curses, and other words included—will surely bring little thrills to readers familiar with the Korean language and appeal to fans of K-content everywhere. But I'm still wondering why Lina was referred to as "Lili" by her dongsaeng (younger sibling), when everyone else was Appa, Eomma, and Haraboji. As far as I understand, it is considered quite disrespectful and rude for a younger sibling to call their older sibling by name alone. She should have been "eonni" in keeping with traditional Korean culture.

And that wasn't the only quirk that left a weird taste in my mouth. I'll admit this is a big "me" issue, but I don't really vibe with present-tense narration. I don't like it, and I find that more times than not, authors always struggle to keep their tenses consistent when they're writing in the present tense. However, Sophie Kim took it one step further in The Last of the Talons and decided to skip back and forth between tenses for her past/present chosen style of storytelling. And that was a horrible choice, in my opinion.

By the time I'd gotten used to the chosen tense, we jumped into a flashback, and the process started all over again. Having to get acclimatized to different tenses back and forth a bunch of times was unpleasant and pulled me out of the immersion more than once. There's, very obviously, a clear reason most authors choose to use either italics or small headers to indicate changes in the timeline. Verb conjugation is a terrible way to signal jumps in the chronology.

The bigger issue, though, was the strange tonal disconnect. This book didn’t shy away from graphic violence—like, detailed killings, torture, and some seriously dark moments—but then it would suddenly get weirdly prudish about language and romance. Lina didn't ever stop to bat an eye over stabbing, slitting, or shooting someone to death, but heaven forbid she dropped an actual curse word or had a properly steamy scene. It felt like the book was torn between wanting to be an adult dark fantasy and a YA novel, and the rift was so very conspicuous. If it had fully committed to an older audience, it could’ve been so much more searing in its intensity.

All the primness around the swearing and physical intimacy made the book feel restrained and like it was holding back. Like it had been pushed and shoved and forced into an uncomfortable PG-13 rating, when it would have flourished and expanded to its full potential if it had embraced the darkness that permeated every other corner of the story, and let itself be as rough, wild, and steamy as it longed to be.

Still, despite these gripes, I had a good time reading The Last of the Talons. The action was slick, the banter was titillating, Rui won my heart, and the story kept me turning pages. It just could’ve been more. SO MUCH MORE! And I can't help but be deeply disappointed by that.

Based in Korean mythology with the story line focusing on a girl named Lena. It was a medium paced book for me that kept me engaged and interested the whole time. The plot was super interesting with themes of thievery, revenge, plotting murder, and saving her sister with a bit of romance to boot. It is the first book in what I understand is going to be a trilogy and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

I really enjoyed this book, especially the writing style. I felt like I was right there with the main character through every action and emotion. It was an exciting and enjoyable read. I would absolutely read more from this author after this.

Was not what I thought it would be. I was hoping for something different and almost immediately I knew this wouldn’t be a read I would enjoy and didn’t want to force myself through it.

I thought I already gave my feedback for this book, but I’ll resubmit in case I didn’t.

Thankful to Entangled Publishing to read an eARC (despite the book being released in 2022) of this title for a read-a-long. I love the story of Shin Lina, the Reaper of Sunpo. Desperate to save her sister’s life, she enters in a bargain with the Pied Piper. Kill or be killed. The gripping story features numerous characters, battles, and a search for love. At the end, she’s left with some new attributes and a new outlook on life. Can’t wait to dive into book 2 ASAP.

Absolutely loved this book! I wasn't sure that I would but I dove in feet first and glad I did. I immediately got book 2 and read it and the next ones!

Unfortunately, this one was a DNF for me.

The premise had promise, and I was really interested in the cultural inspiration behind the story, especially coming from an own voices perspective. But the execution just didn’t hold up. The editing felt loose—there were pacing issues, awkward transitions, and overall it lacked the polish that could’ve made the story stronger.

On top of that, the characters didn’t feel fully developed. They came across as flat, and I never really connected with any of them. Without engaging characters or a compelling narrative drive, it was hard to stay invested.

A great concept, but it just didn’t deliver in the ways I hoped.

I really enjoyed this book! The world-building and adventure were fantastic. It had suspense, excellent character development, and an engaging writing style. This is a slow-burn fantasy romance rooted in Korean mythology. This a must-read!

This was a fun romp that, sadly, just wasn't enough to keep me reading. I am not sure if it is because I just couldn't connect or because of reading this while moving. Still, the writing was fun and I could see myself trying to read this again which is why I am giving three stars.

This mesmerizing fantasy is rooted in Korean mythology, blending dark romance and high-stakes action. Shin Lina, a fierce assassin, is forced into servitude after her gang’s destruction. When ordered to steal a sacred tapestry, she angers the immortal Dokkaebi Emperor, Haneul Rui, and is thrust into a deadly game, kill him in 14 days or lose everything. The world-building is vivid, and the writing beautifully balances lyricism with intensity. Lina’s strength and vulnerability make her a compelling heroine, while Rui’s enigmatic presence sharpens the tension. Though the pacing starts slow, the suspense and emotional depth kept me hooked. A thrilling, addictive read.

Last of the Talons by Sophie Kim is a thrilling and action-packed fantasy that blends heart-pounding adventure with rich world-building and a powerful heroine. The story follows Ember, the last surviving member of an ancient clan of assassins, as she seeks revenge against those who destroyed her family. Kim’s writing is vivid and immersive, with intricate magic systems, intense combat scenes, and complex character relationships. Ember’s journey of self-discovery and her struggle with loyalty and vengeance make this a compelling read. Last of the Talons is a must-read for fans of fast-paced fantasy with strong female leads and high emotional stakes.

Forced to do the bidding of a notorious crime lord, Shin Lina’s latest mission sends her into the grasp of the immortal emperor. With her sister’s fate hanging in the balance, she finds herself navigating dangerous bargains, courtly intrigue, and her conflicting feelings for the enemy she’s been tasked to take out.

Tropes:
⚔️Assassin FMC
⚠️Enemies to lovers
🫂Forced proximity
🩶Morally grey characters
☠️Deadly bargains
🏰Intrigue
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Found family
🫑: spice free romance

Shin Lina’s story is one of loss, betrayal, and resilience. The author delicately explores each layer of Shin Lina and Rui and their growing and deepening connection.

Shin Lina is a FMC you can’t help but cheer for and I’m so excited to see where her story heads in the next book!

Intriguing and original, Last of the Talons is a fast-paced fantasy filled with rich Korean mythology, mysterious characters, and a suspenseful plot.

So grateful to the author, Entangled Publishing, Entangled Teen, and NetGalley for the review copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This was a little slow at the beginning. The world building was a bit hard to follow especially at the beginning. As the story progressed, the plot got a bit better and it was more fast paced. For a debut novel, it was good.

I didn't know what to expect when I started this book. The author's introduction to Korean history and mythology had me intrigued as I had never looked into it before, and it gave me a good base going into this read. I really enjoyed this book, the twists and turns on Lina's life, her love/hate for Rui, her desire for blood and to hurt anyone and everyone that has done her or other's wrong. Characters were well developed, there was a good level of attention to details without taking away from the fast pace flow of the story. I truly enjoyed the chemistry and interactions between Lina, Rui and his court and can imagine there is a lot more to follow to this, secrets to be revealed and hopefully love in the end.

I'm not sure there was much spice to this, I'd say it's completely safe for younger readers. And I definitely recommend book 2 which I completely jumped into once I was done. Hence the delay in providing brief feedback.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the e-Arc, it was quite a nice read and wonderful to discover yet another a new author (to me)!

I had some trouble with this one. I am not sure if I was just not in the right headspace for this type of story or if I read too many similar books in a row but it didn't come across as particularly different. It was a good story, and the character's independent spirit was relatable but maybe the way the creatures and everything connected just wasn't for me.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Kae is a skilled warrior from the once-powerful Talon clan, whose members were feared for their strength in magic and combat. After her clan is destroyed by a rival enemy, Kae becomes one of the last of her kind. As she seeks vengeance for her fallen family, she uncovers dark secrets about the true nature of the enemy that destroyed them. The world on the brink of war and Kae must navigate dangerous alliances, question her loyalties, and form bonds with people she thought were her enemies. She is forced to confront not only her enemies but also the truth of her own powers, which may hold the key to saving or destroying everything she’s fought for.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was exciting and fast paced. I like that Kae is a strong FMC and she has the power to forge her own path.

*Last of the Talons* is an electrifying blend of dark romance, Korean mythology, and high-stakes adventure! Lina is a fierce, determined heroine, and her dynamic with the enigmatic Rui crackles with tension. The enemies-to-lovers romance is deliciously intense, and the dreamlike world of the Dokkaebi is captivating. With thrilling action, heart-wrenching emotions, and a game of life and death, this book keeps you hooked until the last page. Sophie Kim’s storytelling is lush and immersive, making this a must-read for fans of fantasy and slow-burn romance. A beautifully crafted tale that will steal your heart! 💜✨