4.5 ⭐️

This Korean mythology was so beautifully done! It’s the first one I’ve read but it won’t be the last.

Shin Lina is the last surviving member of her gang, The Talons, when he’s taken by an immortal god for a game of cat-and-mouse in order to save her younger sister. The feared and revered Pied Piper (Rui) is fighting a rebellion aiming to dethrone him. When the rebellion recruits Lina, she has to decide where her loyalties lie.

Lina was whip-smart and a good fighter, while Rui was charming and deadly. Although they were playing games, they also had a deep connection and respect for each other. Rui in particular was so smitten with Lina, and his protectiveness and caring had me swooning many times. I can’t wait to continue this trilogy to see where their relationship goes, and whether Lina puts love above revenge in the future.

Jaine Ye was incredible on the audiobook. I would have been mumbling 90% of the names in my head if I didn’t have her pronunciation there for me. Her pacing was perfect and her emotions were spot on throughout the story. I was glad to have the ebook at the same time though, because many names were similar in pronunciation so I was going back and forth to be sure I was understanding who was on the page at the time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! I participated in a publisher readalong for this book and it gave me a deeper appreciation for the lore and the story.

“They’re dead, they're gone, but I’m still here. Still here with my utterly worthless life, my hands coated in their blood.”

I read Last of the Talons during a bookclub organized by the publisher. It was such a ride that I struggle to imagine it was only the first book in a trilogy. I loved to discover Lina’s story, be fascinated by Rui and have my mind… full of questions. The story is a retelling of a Korean Myth and it was my first dip into this mythology. While the book is fast paced, with many twists and turns –thanks to the mortal deal between both MC and the political intrigue–, while a lot of action happens, it also explores deeply the characters’ minds and emotions. The main theme remains (IMO) grief –and I loved how it is told in many different ways– and (the survivor’s) guilt, but it is also a great coming of age story. That part, however, is very different from what I’m used to reading in books picturing “young” characters. I don’t want to spoil, but this book is for Lina like a new-birth, as if a new life was opening to her. I loved how it was done, and I can’t wait to read what happens in book 2 and 3.
Rui is another interesting character, and I had so many theories about him during my reading. What we discover in the end seemed almost too simple, but I’m sure he has many secrets to uncover in the next two books. In this one, he was mysterious, funny, and angsty, making him such a paradoxical character.
Both felt in “auto-destructive” mode, they ended up being very much alike that I anticipated, and their interactions were interesting to read in that way.
The world building here is spotless. Politics, whimsical moments, magnificent places and creatures, everything is here, and once again, I can’t wait to know what S. Kim plans for us in the next 2 books.

This book ended up being a solid read, despite being a little difficult to get into it initially. I’m happy I stuck it out. Lina is an assassin who is forced into a game with the emperor Rui in a realm she doesn’t live in so she can save her sister. The story is based on Korean lore and has a number of words I had to made up my own pronunciation for and try to keep straight. This was a little distracting at times and I also had a little trouble keeping them in order. Maybe just a me problem, maybe not.

Very enjoyable! It was a little slow to start, but once I got into it I couldn’t put it down. I love the interaction between Lina and Rui. Those were my favorite parts. I look forward to checking out the next book!

I was very excited to read this book - I loved the cover art and the description. It did take me a few chapters to really get into the story though, but I am glad I stuck it through! The author's style of writing is detailed without being too cumbersome (again, give it a little time!). I enjoyed the mythology included in the book.

My only complaint is that the FMC, Lina, acts in opposition of the facts given about her. How can she be this master assassin but fail to do basic things like recognize when she is being followed? Still this book is a great read and I'm interested in seeing more from this author.

As a YA mythological/fantasy novel, I felt that The Last of the Talons truly hit the mark. The narrator’s point of view was genuine throughout the novel, keeping you rooting for her successes.

Last of the Talons follows Shin Lina—Reaper of Sunpo—after a tragedy that leaves her broken and forced to work for the kingdom’s most feared crime lord. The only thing stopping her from turning on her ruthless master is the ever-looming threat on her little sister’s life. When she steals a tapestry from a Dokkaebi temple, she incites the fury of an immortal. As she finds herself in the Dokkaebi realm, she is forced to enter a bargain with the cruelly captivating emperor: she can win her life if she kills him first. But with greater forces at play, Lina has to use every weapon in her arsenal to stay ahead of Rui and ensure her sister stays alive.

I LOVE Korean mythology books. I wish there were more out there because I find their mythology and folklore so interesting and captivating. I loved the take on the Dokkaebi and other mythical creatures, and the pied piper retelling in this book. The story is so engaging and fast-paced and keeps you on your toes. While I did guess most of the plot twists, I still found the story very enjoyable.

Lina goes through so much growth in this book—it was so lovely. She has such a tragic backstory and is struggling with her actions for a good chunk of the novel, and getting to see how she overcomes it and grows from her past was so well done and believable. The pacing was really great with this. I loved Rui!! He was so captivating instantly and I was dying for them to get together. The progression of him opening up to Lina was so perfectly timed and they just had the sweetest moments together. I feel like they’re like a perfect fit for one another—very ruthless, vengeful, and morally gray. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

If you love Korean mythology and a good enemies to lovers, this is definitely a book I’d recommend checking out!

I received a copy for the Entangled Insiders Readalong, but this is no way impacted my review. Thank to Entangled and Netgalley!

Shin Lina has learned to survive the best she can after a tragedy befalls her parents, becoming an assassin for the Talons, and sending her younger sister away to a mountain school to protect her from the harsh realities of life. When more tragedy befalls Lina and the Talons, and a rival gang threatens to take her sister from Lina, she is forced to steal a tapestry from a temple, which in turn lands her into a game of death with the magical Pied Piper.

I really enjoyed the blossoming relationship between Rui and Lina. There was great character development between both of them with their healing from trauma and learning to feel something other than anger or hurt. I really enjoyed how the author incorporated the back story throughout this book and feel like it really kept the plot interesting. There were some twists to the plot and betrayals as well. The ending left the story open for book two to continue, and I'm looking forward to reading it.

The Last of the Talons was completely captivating. This was my first introduction to Korean mythology so I was excited and unsure what to expect. The book introduces us to Shina Lina – the Reaper of Sunpo who despite facing tragic loss and adversity in her life, has a fighting spirit. After stealing a tapestry belonging to a Dokkaebi, she soon finds herself in the Dokkaebi realm and meets Emperor Rui. Striking a deal with him to be able to leave his realm, it becomes a matter of life and death for them both. This story was action packed, emotional, and well-paced. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to learn what happens next. Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the e-copy.

This book was okay. It would’ve been better with footnotes or a vocabulary list as in the beginning I was constantly having to Google certain Korean terms to understand what the author was describing - ie clothing and food. When the author would switch back and forth between present day and the past - at times it was confusing and not very cohesive. Overall, it was alright, I found the conclusion of the book to be very rushed and anticlimactic.

When her entire talon gang was eliminated, shin as the sole survivor lived her days with lots of guilt. With that, she began her new life as the reaper of Sunpo. however, who she's working for is less than desirable. In order to protect her younger sister from Kalmin, a crime lord, Shin is forced to do everything he says, kill everyone he desires, steal whatever he wants. when Shin stole a priceless tapestry from a Dokkaebi temple, she's brought into the immortal realm to face Rui, the emperor who wants to be killed.

Since this is based around Korean culture and mythology, the take on Dokkaebi was fun yet had a mysteriousness to it. I loved the exploration of the Dokkaebi realm as well.

For the characters, I think Rui might just be the character I'm most interested in knowing. he made killing him successfully a game. I kept reading because I wanted to know why and when his background story got more developed, I couldn't stop.

I thoroughly enjoyed last of the talons. I want more of this enemies to lover's situation!! also, I can't wait to see what's next because that ending alluded that things will go crazy in the next book.

I attended a panel with Sophie in Salem, MA last year and the girl next to me was gushing about how much she loved Sophie's writing. Between the fellow bibliophile and Sophie's answers on the panel I knew I had to add her books to my TBR. Thank you Entangled for granting me a copy of Last of the Talons for the read-a-long. I have to be honest...I might have not put the book down when I started and finished it in a day and a half....eeeek! I'm already jumping into Wrath. I absolutely love the Korean folklore and started looking into it on my own as well! Lina is so heartbreakingly damaged and I love how her relationship with Rui develops throughout the story. I hope that there's more development with her relationships with his friends in Wrath and Reign (especially Kang). The way it ended though......with the Imugi and her scales! I can't wait for more!

A very great start to a series. You have mythology magic and romance. Plenty of suspense and twist you don’t see coming. Very hopeful for this new series

After the destruction of her entire Talon gang, eighteen-year-old Shin Lina—the Reaper of Sunpo—is forced to become a living, breathing weapon for the kingdom’s most-feared crime lord. All that keeps her from turning on her ruthless master is the life of her beloved little sister hanging in the balance. But the order to steal a priceless tapestry from a Dokkaebi temple incites not only the wrath of a legendary immortal, but the beginning of an unwinnable game…

Suddenly Lina finds herself in the dreamlike realm of the Dokkaebi, her fate in the hands of its cruel and captivating emperor. But she can win her life—if she kills him first.

Now a terrible game of life and death has begun, and even Lina's swift, precise blade is no match for the magnetic Haneul Rui. Lina will have to use every weapon in her arsenal if she wants to outplay this cunning king and save her sister...all before the final grain of sand leaks out of the hourglass.

Because one way or another, she'll take Rui's heart. Even if it means giving up her own.

A great read with epic world building and excellent character development.

I really enjoyed the Korean mythology in this book. The world building was done well and the characters were entertaining.

I haven't picked up a fantasy book in forever, but I'm glad I read this one! Sophie Kim made sure that you were completely hooked and rooting for the characters. I loved the conversations that happened between Rui and Lina, their chemistry was sizzling from the moment they met. I can't wait to pick up the second book, oh gosh.

Incredible YA fantasy, full of dark romance and Korean mythology. This one was enemies to lovers gold! Kim did a fantastic job with the vivid imagery. I loved being able to see the scenes play out before my eyes.

I enjoyed that Lina's backstory was told in detail through flashbacks; it functioned to develop Lina's character without bogging down the present storyline. As someone who is unfamiliar with Asian mythology and terminology, I had to Google several different things whilst reading that didn't have a good enough description for me to fill in the gaps and figure out what exactly was being referenced. This definitely reads YA, which justifies the youthfulness of some of the characters conversations. The storyline and worldbuilding was intriguing and left me wanting just a bit more depth.

I loved the premise of this book. The Korean-based mythology and world-building are what kept my attention. I've heard of the American version of the "Pied Piper," but never an Asian one. I like that Kim expanded on this creature and gave us a world underneath the nursery rhymes and children's follies.

I had a love/tolerable relationship with some characters and their developments. Rui, Yes! Shin Lina... I'm side-eyeing you.

Two aspects of the book—the aging and the romance—made me question my feelings about the book's overall story. Though this is a young adult fantasy, and the main character is 18, most of the time, it felt like I was reading about a 15-year-old acting too grown for her age. As for the romance addition, it didn't feel natural. Again, I'm side-eyeing Shin Lina on this one.

3.5 and checking out the sequel

More like a 2.5. Made it about 80% before I just started skimming for the highlights. The characters just felt very surface level to me— I did not feel any connection to them whatsoever.