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ettuladyblue's review against another edition
1.0
There's a song by The Smiths called Hand in Glove with the lyrics "No, it's not like any other love/
This one is different, because it's us..." and never has a song been so apt. Our snowflake protagonist (nicknamed "Firebrand" by the rogue dragon because of course) is so different because she's a conflicted teenage girl with boy problems AND scales. Beautiful. Were I younger, I would have devoured this. This was my former jam and I'm unabashed by my shameful, YA Paranormal past.
Read to enjoy teenage angst and drama. Did not disappoint--very over the top and extreme emotions with a bit of "BUT I'M A DRAGON" thrown in there. I'd be remiss to not mention that our teenage dragon ninja protagonist is named EMBER with her dragon brother DANTE, who have red hair and green eyes in their human forms. OH WOW GUYS WHO COULD THE DRAGONS BE?!?!
How Talon has apparently been hidden for all these years is a gloriously hand-waved mystery, but it's different because it's dragons. I spent a lot of time laughing to myself--between the really paper thin teenage characters (special shout out to Garrett, the conflicted enemy soldier who is the greatest 17 year old soldier ever and has "gunmetal" eyes), the obvious bad guys (Scary Talon lady...you have to be tough but fair to seduce people to the dark si-I mean Talon how are you considered good at your job) and just...paranormal frippery. Take away the dragons and you have a very typical paranormal YA romance, complete with love triangle and unneeded switching perspectives.
I will compliment my avatar in this, Wes. Drink your redbull and be slightly British (and maybe in your thirties) forever my friend. I'd read a whole series on you.
This one is different, because it's us..." and never has a song been so apt. Our snowflake protagonist (nicknamed "Firebrand" by the rogue dragon because of course) is so different because she's a conflicted teenage girl with boy problems AND scales. Beautiful. Were I younger, I would have devoured this. This was my former jam and I'm unabashed by my shameful, YA Paranormal past.
Read to enjoy teenage angst and drama. Did not disappoint--very over the top and extreme emotions with a bit of "BUT I'M A DRAGON" thrown in there. I'd be remiss to not mention that our teenage dragon ninja protagonist is named EMBER with her dragon brother DANTE, who have red hair and green eyes in their human forms. OH WOW GUYS WHO COULD THE DRAGONS BE?!?!
How Talon has apparently been hidden for all these years is a gloriously hand-waved mystery, but it's different because it's dragons. I spent a lot of time laughing to myself--between the really paper thin teenage characters (special shout out to Garrett, the conflicted enemy soldier who is the greatest 17 year old soldier ever and has "gunmetal" eyes), the obvious bad guys (Scary Talon lady...you have to be tough but fair to seduce people to the dark si-I mean Talon how are you considered good at your job) and just...paranormal frippery. Take away the dragons and you have a very typical paranormal YA romance, complete with love triangle and unneeded switching perspectives.
I will compliment my avatar in this, Wes. Drink your redbull and be slightly British (and maybe in your thirties) forever my friend. I'd read a whole series on you.
vb_94's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lajuana_83's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to love it, I really did. I did enjoy the concept of dragons mingling with humans and taking human form. If it wasn't for the execution of the story, I would have given it five stars. I just feel like it got off to a slow start and it kind of remained simple. There were really no great surprises that made me want know what would happen next, it was kind of obvious. But all in all the concept was great and I am looking forward to Rouge, I just hope there is more suspense.
zoeltjuh99's review against another edition
Not in the mood for it might try again later
ckillion's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
amandaelle's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
13ashleynicole's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
kariszanetta's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
samrushingbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know why it took me so long to: a) buy a copy of this book and b) finish reading it...but I guess sometimes that happens in life. I have thoroughly enjoyed every single book by Julie Kagawa that I have picked up. She creates amazing characters and situations in which to place them. I loved getting into the minds of Ember, Garret, and Riley, and even Dante in the epilogue. They all have such different voices that it is easy to tell them apart. I like all the passion in Ember's voice, but the clinical military view of Garret, and the knowing rogue view by Riley are both very intriguing. Since there was only a few pages actually in Dante's POV I can't say that I've really settled into his character, because we almost exclusively saw him through the others' eyes, but I imagine that there will be more Dante POV in book two, Rogue, which I also happen to own and will be jumping into fairly soon...after I finish with the rest of my large unfinished currently reading stack. This was such an awesome addition to stories with dragons. I can't gush about it enough. So good.
ominouslilraven's review against another edition
3.0
Not terrible but definitely plays heavy on typical YA tropes. I had to consciously remind myself this was published in 2014 and so love triangles were the thing.
Ember Hill is a hatchling dragon getting her first free summer before her new phase of training which will dictate the rest of her life.
Riley/Cobalt is a rogue dragon on the run from Talon.
Garrett is a St. George warrior. His sole purpose in life is to hunt and kill dragons.
Bam! Love triangle. Her dragon wants one while her human side wants the other.
The writing is good. But the pacing was a bit slow. Made sense since there was a build up, I just think it took to long to get to the point and it had excessive fluff. As for Ember, I appreciate that she was very strong willed, but her extreme naivety was annoying. I’ll get to book two eventually. Hopefully it’s better.
Ember Hill is a hatchling dragon getting her first free summer before her new phase of training which will dictate the rest of her life.
Riley/Cobalt is a rogue dragon on the run from Talon.
Garrett is a St. George warrior. His sole purpose in life is to hunt and kill dragons.
Bam! Love triangle. Her dragon wants one while her human side wants the other.
The writing is good. But the pacing was a bit slow. Made sense since there was a build up, I just think it took to long to get to the point and it had excessive fluff. As for Ember, I appreciate that she was very strong willed, but her extreme naivety was annoying. I’ll get to book two eventually. Hopefully it’s better.