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german_sheppard's review
2.0
Rating: 2/5
I really wanted to like this book. The premise reminded me of “The Tiger Saga” by Colleen Houck, a series that I gobbled up in middle school. “Talon” by Amanda Greenslade moves too slowly and is not engaging. I DNFed at 19%, something I normally don’t do.
Meet Talon, a young boy who bonds magically to an ice tiger. He lives in a world where this is fairly common, and embarks on some adventures with his new friend. I think the ideas presented are fairly unoriginal and occur in a boring world that lacks any careful world-building. Talon is a pretty boring guy. I would overall just call this book average. It could easily be written with more suspense and character development, but it’s just kind of lacking.
I recommend this book for really young readers that need some easy fantasy to get into. It’s fairly straightforward, and is overall just an average book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like this book. The premise reminded me of “The Tiger Saga” by Colleen Houck, a series that I gobbled up in middle school. “Talon” by Amanda Greenslade moves too slowly and is not engaging. I DNFed at 19%, something I normally don’t do.
Meet Talon, a young boy who bonds magically to an ice tiger. He lives in a world where this is fairly common, and embarks on some adventures with his new friend. I think the ideas presented are fairly unoriginal and occur in a boring world that lacks any careful world-building. Talon is a pretty boring guy. I would overall just call this book average. It could easily be written with more suspense and character development, but it’s just kind of lacking.
I recommend this book for really young readers that need some easy fantasy to get into. It’s fairly straightforward, and is overall just an average book.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
thelauramay's review
I received a copy of this book from the author, after she found me...somewhere...and emailed me. As usual, this has in no way affected my review.
Normally, I try to at least finish books sent to me for review. However, this was a strong DNF at the ten percent mark. In that ten percent, we had:
a) The protagonist receiving everything they'd ever wanted, without working for it;
b) Glorious amounts of info-dumping. That's right, glorious;
c) A bunch of characters and little to no conflict;
d) Nothing driving us to read onwards. (Evidently.)
One thing that irked me, other than the above, was that I couldn't figure out the target age for the book. It's written in a style that I could possibly see being pitched for 10-11 year olds, embarking on longer texts for the first time, but then suddenly there's a mention of sex (though dropped in gingerly, queasily, as though it's a 14-year-old broaching 'adult topics' in their writing for the first time). I'm not saying that texts for younger age groups shouldn't handle issues of gender or sexuality, but it felt off somehow.
Furthermore, there were some very, very strong religious undertones. Overtones. Tones of all kinds! The humans (?) in the book were made in the image of their creator god, and 'as it was written', therefore have dominion over all animals. Even their animal partners, with whom they share their lives and consciousness. That particular power relation made me a little ill, left-wing free-hugs sort of hippy that I am, and the Christian background was over-done and unnecessary. I definitely felt isolated from the text, and I could imagine other non-Christians or non-religious folks would feel similarly.
I'm giving this a 1-star. Had I been a child when I read that 10 percent, I might have given it 2.5-3.
Normally, I try to at least finish books sent to me for review. However, this was a strong DNF at the ten percent mark. In that ten percent, we had:
a) The protagonist receiving everything they'd ever wanted, without working for it;
b) Glorious amounts of info-dumping. That's right, glorious;
c) A bunch of characters and little to no conflict;
d) Nothing driving us to read onwards. (Evidently.)
One thing that irked me, other than the above, was that I couldn't figure out the target age for the book. It's written in a style that I could possibly see being pitched for 10-11 year olds, embarking on longer texts for the first time, but then suddenly there's a mention of sex (though dropped in gingerly, queasily, as though it's a 14-year-old broaching 'adult topics' in their writing for the first time). I'm not saying that texts for younger age groups shouldn't handle issues of gender or sexuality, but it felt off somehow.
Furthermore, there were some very, very strong religious undertones. Overtones. Tones of all kinds! The humans (?) in the book were made in the image of their creator god, and 'as it was written', therefore have dominion over all animals. Even their animal partners, with whom they share their lives and consciousness. That particular power relation made me a little ill, left-wing free-hugs sort of hippy that I am, and the Christian background was over-done and unnecessary. I definitely felt isolated from the text, and I could imagine other non-Christians or non-religious folks would feel similarly.
I'm giving this a 1-star. Had I been a child when I read that 10 percent, I might have given it 2.5-3.
crtsjffrsn's review
4.0
Talon is a young man just coming into his abilities. He happens upon an icetiger and confirms he is a Rada--one who shares a telepathic bond with an animal companion. And that means he also has a shapeshifting ability. But he also soon learns he may have more abilities than he imagined. When his homeland comes under attack by the Zeikas, a militant people who worship the fire-god, Zeidarb, Talon must rise against them. His abilities make him the best defense his people have. But the leader of the Zeikas is aware of Talon and his abilities, and he seems set on capturing Talon for his own devices.
It's a lot of pressure to put on a young man like Talon. And he's no family left to rely on. So he needs to figure out who he can trust and who he can't. And he soon learns there are plenty of people on both sides of that line.
I always enjoy writers who can create a world with a high level of complexity and present it in an easy-to-follow manner. And that's exactly what Amanda Greenslade has accomplished here. There are places and people and abilities and tribes and gods...so many names and words to keep track of. Yet I never felt like I had any real trouble doing so. And there's a good mix of action and history, allowing readers to understand the context without needing to read a whole chapter of the history of the world to understand it.
I'm intrigued by this book, to be honest. I sort of stumbled upon it without really hearing much about it. But I'm glad I did. It's an interesting start to what I'm hoping will be a great fantasy series.
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
It's a lot of pressure to put on a young man like Talon. And he's no family left to rely on. So he needs to figure out who he can trust and who he can't. And he soon learns there are plenty of people on both sides of that line.
I always enjoy writers who can create a world with a high level of complexity and present it in an easy-to-follow manner. And that's exactly what Amanda Greenslade has accomplished here. There are places and people and abilities and tribes and gods...so many names and words to keep track of. Yet I never felt like I had any real trouble doing so. And there's a good mix of action and history, allowing readers to understand the context without needing to read a whole chapter of the history of the world to understand it.
I'm intrigued by this book, to be honest. I sort of stumbled upon it without really hearing much about it. But I'm glad I did. It's an interesting start to what I'm hoping will be a great fantasy series.
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
kvcatnip's review
3.0
First let me say that this was a DNF.
The hardest thing about being a book reviewer is getting a book, wanting to LOVE it, and just not being able to click with it.
Such is this book.
I LOVED the premise of this book, and honestly it was very well written. However, this book and I didn't super click. I didn't ever want to pick it up. I wanted to WANT to pick it up, if you know what I mean.
Overall, this book has a great plot and characters and such an interesting storyline. But it wasn't for me. BUT it could be for you! Give it a shot!
The hardest thing about being a book reviewer is getting a book, wanting to LOVE it, and just not being able to click with it.
Such is this book.
I LOVED the premise of this book, and honestly it was very well written. However, this book and I didn't super click. I didn't ever want to pick it up. I wanted to WANT to pick it up, if you know what I mean.
Overall, this book has a great plot and characters and such an interesting storyline. But it wasn't for me. BUT it could be for you! Give it a shot!
longtimereader's review
5.0
Talon is a young man, about 20. For his people, he is behind. He lacks his Rada-Kin. That changes, quite suddenly, and it is awesome! Talon finds his Rada-Kin, an blue icetiger. They are very rare, almost extinct. She is a magnificent creature, and being bonded to a Rada, changes everything for both of them.
I *LOVE* that right off the bat it's make clear that the humans were made in their creator's image and given dominion over the Earth and the creatures in it. Because of that Talon is even kinder and more connected to his icetiger. Both Talon and his new Rada-Kin serve The Lightmaker, Yes! This quickening of being Rada-Kin gifts the special animal the person is bonded to an extra level that other animals don't have. They become as sentient, self aware, as humans. Using the waves around them, they are able to communicate telepathically to the person they are bonded to, and they can sense each other's senses. That is fun, and while I have seen it in other books, I really liked it here.
This is the tip of the "iceberg". Talon may, or may not have a second gift, and he is also tasked with saving his people. Rekala, meaning Fury, the icetiger is kidnapped, and from here things just keep moving.
This is a well written, multi=layered super fantasy read. I really want to read the sequels. My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
I *LOVE* that right off the bat it's make clear that the humans were made in their creator's image and given dominion over the Earth and the creatures in it. Because of that Talon is even kinder and more connected to his icetiger. Both Talon and his new Rada-Kin serve The Lightmaker, Yes! This quickening of being Rada-Kin gifts the special animal the person is bonded to an extra level that other animals don't have. They become as sentient, self aware, as humans. Using the waves around them, they are able to communicate telepathically to the person they are bonded to, and they can sense each other's senses. That is fun, and while I have seen it in other books, I really liked it here.
This is the tip of the "iceberg". Talon may, or may not have a second gift, and he is also tasked with saving his people. Rekala, meaning Fury, the icetiger is kidnapped, and from here things just keep moving.
This is a well written, multi=layered super fantasy read. I really want to read the sequels. My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
writeramyshannon's review
4.0
A definite wow!
I hope this is just the beginning for this series, as this is book 1 of the Astor Chronicles. It's not just a YA book, but one that even adults will enjoy, if they like swords and sorcery. It's fun and exciting, and magical. It's a good read and very entertaining. I enjoyed how this book captivated this reader and I was quick and yet slow to turn the page, enjoying every word. Will read more of the series.
I hope this is just the beginning for this series, as this is book 1 of the Astor Chronicles. It's not just a YA book, but one that even adults will enjoy, if they like swords and sorcery. It's fun and exciting, and magical. It's a good read and very entertaining. I enjoyed how this book captivated this reader and I was quick and yet slow to turn the page, enjoying every word. Will read more of the series.
lindzy's review
4.0
Original Review Here
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A fantasy novel with soul-bonds and various types of magic meant Talon sounded right up my street. I was looking forward to reading it even if just because it’s rare animal-bonds are made with creatures such as tigers. While I enjoyed Talon, I felt it got stronger as it went along.
When I focus on what the plot is truly about, it’s the standard boy-becomes-man story as Talon must learn what he is capable of and accept responsibility with his new powers. This world was refreshing original though and although I have read soul-bond stories before, this had a few new twists. Mainly the fact that once bonded, both Rada and Rada-kin (man and beast) could then shape-shift into any form they desired.
The characters were standard for this type of novel. Talon was likeable but made rash decisions, giving him the chance to grow. Sarlice was a capable warrior, but felt downplayed a lot and Lira was the typical temptress who gave me a bad feeling from the beginning.
The second half of Talon was stronger than the first. There were times during the beginning when I felt overwhelmed by the way the magic was being described and what the bonds meant. It felt as if there should have been a subtler way of explaining what was happening but the pace of the plot meant there wasn’t time.
Some of the description also was misleading. Lira was described as being a “pale frightened girl” when we are first introduced to her character. Talon himself is only around nineteen years old, so is hardly a man. When Lira then announces she is seventeen, it was jolting to find there was very little difference in their ages, yet Talon is becoming a man and Lira still a frightened girl. The actions between the two of them also made little sense until the ages had been clarified.
Overall, I enjoyed this book though. It was full of adventure and magic and soul-searching (both literally and metaphorically). While there was a little confusion at times, it didn’t put me off the story and I will be happy to read the following book to see how things play out.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A fantasy novel with soul-bonds and various types of magic meant Talon sounded right up my street. I was looking forward to reading it even if just because it’s rare animal-bonds are made with creatures such as tigers. While I enjoyed Talon, I felt it got stronger as it went along.
When I focus on what the plot is truly about, it’s the standard boy-becomes-man story as Talon must learn what he is capable of and accept responsibility with his new powers. This world was refreshing original though and although I have read soul-bond stories before, this had a few new twists. Mainly the fact that once bonded, both Rada and Rada-kin (man and beast) could then shape-shift into any form they desired.
The characters were standard for this type of novel. Talon was likeable but made rash decisions, giving him the chance to grow. Sarlice was a capable warrior, but felt downplayed a lot and Lira was the typical temptress who gave me a bad feeling from the beginning.
The second half of Talon was stronger than the first. There were times during the beginning when I felt overwhelmed by the way the magic was being described and what the bonds meant. It felt as if there should have been a subtler way of explaining what was happening but the pace of the plot meant there wasn’t time.
Some of the description also was misleading. Lira was described as being a “pale frightened girl” when we are first introduced to her character. Talon himself is only around nineteen years old, so is hardly a man. When Lira then announces she is seventeen, it was jolting to find there was very little difference in their ages, yet Talon is becoming a man and Lira still a frightened girl. The actions between the two of them also made little sense until the ages had been clarified.
Overall, I enjoyed this book though. It was full of adventure and magic and soul-searching (both literally and metaphorically). While there was a little confusion at times, it didn’t put me off the story and I will be happy to read the following book to see how things play out.
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