The Talon Saga:Soldier

by Julie Kagawa

Reviewed by Allison Hsieh

REVIEW: The Talon Saga:Soldier by Julie Kagawa

THE STORY:

This series continues with former soldier Garret and rogue dragons Ember and Riley fighting in the triangle war between them, Talon and St. George. Back in London, Garret discovers that Talon and St. George have formed an alliance to get rid of the rogues when he overhears a conversation between the Patriarch, St. George’s leader, and a secret agent from Talon.
Garret realizes that Ember and Riley are in big danger, and he comes at the right time to save them from a trap set by their enemies. He then reveals to Ember and Riley that the two enemy forces are joining together as they are on the run. As she fights, Ember realizes that her dragon inside loves Riley, but her human side still yearns for Garret. When Riley finds out about her feelings, he is infuriated about her love with Garret and his trust in Garret wavers. However, a little part of Riley knows that Garret is just doing the rogues some good deeds. While dealing with an awkward love triangle, the three come up with a plan to break the union of St. George and Talon. Garret contacts his former partner, Tristan, to bring him to the front of the Patriarch as a prisoner. Garret then would reveal the Patriarch’s actions. When the plan is carried out, everything goes as expected until the Patriarch challenges Garret to Trial by Combat, where two people use swords and fight to the the death to decide who is innocent. Garret knows that if he rejects, he will be labeled as guilty and will end up in prison, so he accepts the challenge. At dawn, they fight to determine the fate of the Talon and St. George partnership once and for all. (291)

MY OPINION:

This novel captivates the attention of the reader throughout the whole book with many battles and human feelings. I like that the author mixes elements of defense and love together. Every time a character dies, I would feel sympathy for the surviving characters. It is difficult to pick out a weakness from this book, but I wouldn’t recommend this book if the reader doesn’t like bloody plots. There are some words that I had to search up to understand the meaning, but overall the book was straightforward and easy to understand. The library recommended the first book for ninth graders and above, but if the reader likes lots of action that makes you want to turn the page, it would be fine if a middle schooler reads this. If I went back in time, I would definitely choose this book. I planned to read this sequel after I read the first two books. This book was already in my possession when Mr. Oncay assigned the book report, so I did not have to look for a book. I would rate this book ten out of ten because the first book captured my attention and kept it there throughout the sequel and this third book. (204)

STUDY QUESTIONS AND VOCABULARY:

FIRST SECTION

1. What is Ember’s excuse for not being the usual carefree person she is?

1a. She’s being prepared for battle. She doesn’t want to goof off at this serious time.(pg 23)

2. Where does Garret’s last name, Sebastian, come from?

2a. In the Order of St. George, it is really good to be named after a saint. Saint Sebastian helped many people, hinting that Garret would do the same.(pg 47)

3. After Griffin’s death, what is Ember’s actual reason for not being herself?

3a. She is overwhelmed by the excessive amount of killing. She is also thinking of the people that had their lives messed up because of this never-ending battle.(pg 71~72)

4. Why is St. George and Talon, the two enemies, forming an alliance?

4a. They are trying to get rid of rogue dragons that don’t surrender to Talon.(pg 94)

5. Why does Dante terminate the dragon that attacked a worker?

5a. He doesn’t want a single glitch in the process of capturing the rogues. He wants everything to be in control.(pg 122)

balked (pg 12)

liaison (pg 29)

forgo (pg 61)

reclusive(pg 87)

docile (pg 120)

MIDDLE SECTION

6. Why does Garret think it is a bad idea to leave Ember?

6a. Garret realizes that he doesn’t have any contact with Ember, therefore he doesn’t know about her safety. If he stays with her, then he can protect her.(pg 147)

7. What does Garret mean that the rogue dragons need “every single ally” together to know what to do next?

7a. He knows that the leader of  St. George is working with Talon. It is nearly impossible to beat two powerful forces at once. Therefore he must need every single ally.(pg 161)

8. What is a Sallith’tahn?

8a. It is a partner that you are destined to be with, and it is like your soul mate. Ember thinks Riley is probably her Sallith’tahn.(pg 202)

9. Why is Garret fighting on the rogues’ side?

9a. It is because St. George believes that dragons don’t have emotions, but he realizes that Ember proves them wrong.(pg 219 and 225)

10. What is a Wyrm?

10a. Wyrms are the oldest dragons. Only three are alive.(pg 254)

sniper (pg 149)

impeccable (pg 171)

salve (pg 190)

dubious(pg 228)

affirmation(pg 236)

                               

LAST SECTION

11. How did Garret get the idea to go into a basement?

11a. When Talbot mentioned that they could not have flied off,Garret thought that the dragons might have went down instead of up.(pg 272)

12. Why doesn’t St. George suspect anything about the Patriarch’s actions?

12a. St. George’s job is to kill dragons, so even if Talon wanted them to kill dragons, they wouldn’t suspect anything. (pg 298)

13. Why is Garret willing to risk his life for spoiling evidence?

13a. He is doing it for all the innocent dragons he killed, and he is doing it for no war in future Ember’s life. (pg 334)

14. What is Trial by Combat?

14a. Trial by Combat is where two people fight to see who is guilty. St. George believes the guilty person will die from God’s Choice.(pg 347)

15. How does the trial end?

15a. The Patriarch concedes, then he is shot to death by Tristan. Garret wins the battle but dies of blood loss.(pg 372 and 373)

devoid (pg 271)

pragmatic (pg 297)

blatant (pg 312)

vindictively (pg 335)

blasphemer (pg 359)