In Talon, the author did a lot of world building and setting the story. She put a lot of detail into introducing the characters and the world they live in. Fortunately, that’s something I enjoy I’m a fantasy novel. I love being fully immersed in the story so I feel like I’m seeing and hearing, and experiencing everything the characters are. I had so much fun reading this highly imaginative story. The characters were strongly laid out and it was fun getting to know them.

I received this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

Ive read this book a few times now and I still like it, I'm looking forward to reading more from this author

A bold story with action and and interesting premise. The writing flows and takes the reader into the heart of the main character’s journey through his eyes well.

Stayed for the magic, left because of the religion aspects of the novel. Talon was both exactly and nothing like I was expecting.

I really enjoyed this fantasy adventure with animal shifters and a battle of good and evil. My rating 4.5.

Talon is on the cusp of manhood when he finally meets his "Rada-kin”, the animal companion which allows his telepathy and shifter skills to emerge. Talon’s special animal is a powerful icetiger which brings him quick respect from most of his clan. Talon’s people are Kriites who believe in a loving God (Krii) who takes the shape of a wolf and who helps the people through ‘magic’ of nature and spirit. Although the Kriites want to live in peace, they are being enslaved and killed by the cruel Zeikas who consider those who believe in any God but theirs (Zei) as inferior infidels.

The Zeikas have powerful magic which includes demon summoning but they do not have the strength of the telepathy that the Kriites have. A ruthless Zeika leader, Bar Harrar, believes he can take over Talon’s magical skills – or he will eliminate him if his plan to control him doesn’t work.

Talon’s town is attacked as the Zeikas seek to capture him. The town elders send Talon on a quest to discover the full extent of his powers hoping he can return as a strong leader to help them. They agree that a visiting ambassador, Sarlice, who has more experience, can serve as Talon’s guide to first travel together to seek the King’s assistance and protection against the Zeikas for their respective clans. The two young adults set off with their animal companions to make the dangerous journey with enemy Zeikas abounding and hope of allies unsure.

The characters are nicely developed with relatable emotions. I enjoyed the fun interaction between Talon and his icetiger as they get to know each other and their world perspectives. The world building is creative and workable and there is plenty of fighting action to keep things interesting. It was clear early in the story that this has allegorical elements of Christian faith, love and peace having to face a world full of wicked, evil, power seeking enemies. I like the good versus evil battle aspects as well as the telepathic and animal shifter magic so it is an engaging package for me.

The book is a good start to a series and ends with the companions being chased into the next mysterious land for Talon’s quest. I will be looking to pick up the next book. This is appropriate for YA reading but I recommend this to all readers who enjoy fantasy with sword play and shape shifting.

Source: NetGalley 2017.

Unfortunately, with all respect to the authors hard work, I am just not the right audience.
The animal bonding, the Rada-kin is clever.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. Initially, I was really interested beacuase of the premise of the book. However, the wordbuiliding and too fast paced plot wasn't for me. But it definitely is in intriguing coming of age story set in a fantasy tale.

In all honesty... I didn't even get half way through this novel. The premise of it sounds essentially right up my alley but the writing style was just to hard to follow. The pace really put me off... too much happened to fast, we didn't really get much background on the world, characters or story line. As it was we were thrown in at the deep end, whilst this works sometimes... in this novel it just didn't. The characters were pretty bland and the connection between Talon and his 'rada-kin' was just... plain... and it felt to fake and forced. It's a shame but as it is... I just didn't get on with this particular novel. Shame. The story line had such potential.