Series: Talon Saga #3
The price of freedom is everything.
When forced to choose between safety with the dragon organization Talon and being hunted forever as an outcast, Ember Hill chose to stand with Riley and his band of rogue dragons rather than become an assassin for Talon. She’s lost any contact with her twin brother, Dante, a Talon devotee, as well as Garret, the former-enemy soldier who challenged her beliefs about her human side.
As Ember and Riley hide and regroup to fight another day, Garret journeys alone to the United Kingdom, birthplace of the ancient and secret Order of St. George, to spy on his former brothers and uncover deadly and shocking secrets that will shake the foundations of dragons and dragonslayers alike and place them all in imminent danger as Talon’s new order rises.
4 Drink Me Potions
Soldier is everything its namesake calls for: action-packed, thrilling, sometimes ridiculously dangerous for our favourite band of rogues, but most importantly, features the past of one dear Garret Xavier Sebastian.
While the previous books focused heavily on dragons and rogue history, this one gave insight into how the Order of St. George – aka the dragonslayers – was run and more into Garret’s history with them. I normally think middle books are rather boring but Julie Kagawa has never really failed me yet when it comes to writing any exciting novel.
Betrayals, spontaneous escape plans and crazy quests for information to save the world continued to litter the pages of this book. And it wasn’t just in one location this time. While Riley and Ember were moving across the US, Garret’s off digging for information in the UK, headquarters of the Order. Globetrotting aside, let me just add that there were some Eastern influences here that made this story more diverse, although I kind of wish more could be expanded in that direction. I’m sorry for being vague but I don’t wanna be giving away too many tidbits!
But the true highlight of the plot was uncovering the juiciest bit of news: Talon may have some connections with St. George in the most unexpected place. To bring it to light and try to save the rogues (and the Order, of course)? Someone – ahem, namely a certain soldier ’cause who else is gonna do it – is going to have to risk everything to bring that info to the right people.
On the other end of the spectrum, romantic tensions are still ongoing. Ember and Riley’s dragon connection is finally given a name and definition. Does that bother me? Not at all. It’s becoming clearer to me that Garret is endgame, but I love Riley dearly and hope however it falls, he’s still got two good friends. Sorry Team Riley, but I think this may be less of a love triangle than you hope.
And as always, Kagawa ends off with an explosive finale that, compared to the other 2 books, spiraled into something that needs to be answered now! I certainly look forward to whatever may come next and hope my racing heart will be prepared for it.
Overall Recommendation:
As heart racing and spellbinding as the previous books in the series, Soldier definitely does not suffer from middle book syndrome. Diving into the heart of the Order of St. George, secrets come to light and lives are at risk as the band of rogues continue to fight for their freedom. With romance aplenty between Ember and the soldier or the rogue, this book ends on a bang that will leave you wanting to find out what happens next! I totally recommend you continue the series as it just never seems to disappoint!
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