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ctara2123's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I support women’s wrongs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Addiction, Drug use, and Physical abuse
Minor: Death of parent
xlaurareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
a badass strong assasin fmc with a tragic past, fighting for her and her sister's life while being enslaved by an enemy gang leader has to fight to stay alive in the mythological world of the dokkaebi because of a crime she didn't want to commit of her own free will. a fun, mysterious, entrancing dokkaebi king who's soft only for her and wants her to play his game of life and death. an incredibly well-crafted, complex and intense world full of magic. sophie kim did an amazing job in her debut novel about lina's story of survial. she crafted an amazing fmc whose drive is her love for her little sister and a wonderful mmc i fell for instantly. i wholly enjoyed lina's story - everything that happened in the now and everything she let us see from her past, and her whole story with rui. i loved rui and lina's dynamics and their complex relationship throughout the book which, who would've thought, ended with them falling for each other. i really enjoyed the whole development of the storyline and the influence of korean mythology which filtered in absolutely natural without having to be explained thoroughly in the beginning of the book (i like it way better as it is because it didn't make the book to boring or complex). the ending was great and i am looking forward to what will happen to lina (and rui) in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Blood, Gun violence, Slavery, and Kidnapping
beautifulminutiae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Murder, Blood, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug use, and Confinement
Minor: Sexual content
leedolee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. Fast paced and brilliant world building! I enjoyed reading about Korean mythology and the Pied Piper story immensely! I look forward to the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Cursing, Death, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Violence, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Emotional abuse
cascannotread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rating: 3.5
This was a really fun new fantasy series based on Korean mythology. I actually wished the book incorporated a bit more mythology but it was enjoyable nonetheless, and I’m looking forward to the next instalment.
The Last of the Talons follows Shin Lina, allegedly the best assassin in the country/region. I say allegedly because for the most part she felt very unserious and immature for a supposed battle-worn assassin. Some of her so-called “tactics” felt cartoonish and amateurish. Her assassin skills aside, I did enjoy Shin Lina as a character and what of the most interesting parts of her story was her grief. Not to spoil too much but Lina suffers from survivor’s guilt. She starts the story haunted and broken, both physically and mentally and throughout the course of the story she learns to heal and find happiness again.
One thing that confused me about the story was the setting and time period. My e-arc did not have a map and I’m not sure if they added one in the finished copy but I feel it would be really helpful here. I never quite understood the geography and the different countries and regions of the world. At first I assumed the story was in a Joseon-like period but some of the descriptions about the other regions made the story feel like it was more modern.
This was a really fun new fantasy series based on Korean mythology. I actually wished the book incorporated a bit more mythology but it was enjoyable nonetheless, and I’m looking forward to the next instalment.
The Last of the Talons follows Shin Lina, allegedly the best assassin in the country/region. I say allegedly because for the most part she felt very unserious and immature for a supposed battle-worn assassin. Some of her so-called “tactics” felt cartoonish and amateurish. Her assassin skills aside, I did enjoy Shin Lina as a character and what of the most interesting parts of her story was her grief. Not to spoil too much but Lina suffers from survivor’s guilt. She starts the story haunted and broken, both physically and mentally and throughout the course of the story she learns to heal and find happiness again.
One thing that confused me about the story was the setting and time period. My e-arc did not have a map and I’m not sure if they added one in the finished copy but I feel it would be really helpful here. I never quite understood the geography and the different countries and regions of the world. At first I assumed the story was in a Joseon-like period but some of the descriptions about the other regions made the story feel like it was more modern.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Confinement, Gore, Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, and Blood
cw: substance abuse, gore, death, mutilation, grief, hallucinations, kidnapping, parental deathlydiareads247's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"I am the last of the talons. My kingdom calls to me. And when I arrive the blackbloods will feel my wrath."
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
"Last of the Talons" is Sophie Kim's debut book, consisting of a pied piper retelling mixed with korean mythology, and it has such a promising plot - it follows Shin Lina in an adventure to the magical realm of Dokkaebi, where she sees her path intertwined with the emperor's (the pied piper) and the revolution.
While I did enjoy the author's writing, I see room for improvement, especially regarding monologues. She does start to fix that towards the ending of the book. There is much more internal monologue at the beginning of the book, which made it a bit dull at times, but once the book picks up, it gets really interesting.
Some of the "plot twists" weren't really twists, I could see them coming a mile away, but I still enjoyed when they were revealed and the plot developed. There are really good fight scenes and dialogue and Lina is a captivating character and fighter.
I think the one thing I disliked the most (though this is only a personal preference, for others this may be their cup of tea) was the constant flashbacks. Until about half of the book, Lina has flashbacks regarding her time with the talons, until it eventually culminates in their murder and how it came to happen. Sometimes these flashbacks take up whole chapters. I understand they're important to the story and I enjoyed reading about the other talons, but I feel like it would have been better if the book started up when Lina was still with the talons - their loss would have been more significant and we would've had a chance to see Lina in a different environment and time in her life. Though, if it was so, then we wouldn't get to Rui until later in the book.
Haneul Rui is the emperor and love interest. The one bad thing I have to point out about him and his romance with Lina is the classic "hundred of years old man falls for 18 year-old girl" (even though it's said that "Rui is 20 in dokkaebi standards" - I can only forgive that if time in his realm works kind of like in Narnia? Then the age difference wouldn't have much meaning but I'm not sure that's how it works). If I overlook the age thing, I was capable of enjoying their romance, especially towards the final chapters.
And speaking of final chapters, the one thing I was shocked about in the book was the final fight and the revelation about Lina - and I really liked it. It changes a lot regarding her fight since she now has the upper hand and no one else is expecting it. And the plan she shares with Rui in how she plans her revenge... can't wait to see it unfold.
Added to that, there were some plot points left unanswered that I'm curious about so I will definitely be reading the next book. I'm also a sucker for sisterly bonds so I'm looking forward to seeing how Lina and Eunbi's bond develops and I'm curious about the gods and their abandonment of their realms (I don't know if we'll get any looks into that but I think that would be really interesting).
Overall, I think Sophie Kim has done a pretty good job. "Last of the Talons" is enjoyable, fun and pretty much everything you can expect for in a book that has an assassin for main character.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
"Last of the Talons" is Sophie Kim's debut book, consisting of a pied piper retelling mixed with korean mythology, and it has such a promising plot - it follows Shin Lina in an adventure to the magical realm of Dokkaebi, where she sees her path intertwined with the emperor's (the pied piper) and the revolution.
While I did enjoy the author's writing, I see room for improvement, especially regarding monologues. She does start to fix that towards the ending of the book. There is much more internal monologue at the beginning of the book, which made it a bit dull at times, but once the book picks up, it gets really interesting.
Some of the "plot twists" weren't really twists, I could see them coming a mile away, but I still enjoyed when they were revealed and the plot developed. There are really good fight scenes and dialogue and Lina is a captivating character and fighter.
I think the one thing I disliked the most (though this is only a personal preference, for others this may be their cup of tea) was the constant flashbacks. Until about half of the book, Lina has flashbacks regarding her time with the talons, until it eventually culminates in their murder and how it came to happen. Sometimes these flashbacks take up whole chapters. I understand they're important to the story and I enjoyed reading about the other talons, but I feel like it would have been better if the book started up when Lina was still with the talons - their loss would have been more significant and we would've had a chance to see Lina in a different environment and time in her life. Though, if it was so, then we wouldn't get to Rui until later in the book.
Haneul Rui is the emperor and love interest. The one bad thing I have to point out about him and his romance with Lina is the classic "hundred of years old man falls for 18 year-old girl" (even though it's said that "Rui is 20 in dokkaebi standards" - I can only forgive that if time in his realm works kind of like in Narnia? Then the age difference wouldn't have much meaning but I'm not sure that's how it works). If I overlook the age thing, I was capable of enjoying their romance, especially towards the final chapters.
And speaking of final chapters, the one thing I was shocked about in the book was the final fight and the revelation about Lina - and I really liked it. It changes a lot regarding her fight since she now has the upper hand and no one else is expecting it. And the plan she shares with Rui in how she plans her revenge... can't wait to see it unfold.
Added to that, there were some plot points left unanswered that I'm curious about so I will definitely be reading the next book. I'm also a sucker for sisterly bonds so I'm looking forward to seeing how Lina and Eunbi's bond develops and I'm curious about the gods and their abandonment of their realms (I don't know if we'll get any looks into that but I think that would be really interesting).
Overall, I think Sophie Kim has done a pretty good job. "Last of the Talons" is enjoyable, fun and pretty much everything you can expect for in a book that has an assassin for main character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction
daniellestarredpages's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Review to come
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Vomit, Death, Blood, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death of parent, Grief, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Addiction
lauren_miller's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I went into this book intrigued and came out utterly stunned. It is hands down the best book I have read all year and I am already itching to own a physical copy of it, re-read it via audio, and savor the story all over again.
Things I loved about this book:
1. The writing was beautiful; it was a perfect marriage of efficiency and lyrical fancy. It offered so much in the way of characterization and description, but it also never lingered too long and overstayed its welcome. Lina's voice was so clear and entrancing to me, hardened and strong, yet naive and hopeful. She and Rui both were so well-rounded it was easy to become attached to them.
2. The pacing was brilliant. There was a timeless quality to this story, like a legend out of time and space. Each beat felt appropriately fast or slow, never lagging or exhausting. I felt like I was able to truly savor the story as it unfolded.
3. The futility of Lina's position. Early on, it's obvious to the reader the utter despair of her position, and it's even reinforced a few times (the dagger scene lol). Yet somehow, in spite of all that, I still could not help but root for her—fan that spark of hope that she would find her way and succeed somehow.
4. The isolated settings. Sunpo was easy and visceral to imagine. Gyeulcheon was every bit the fantastical realm I adore in a fantasy—vast and yet tightly bound, isolated and yet just within reach. And the foray into Jeoseung was so. cool.
5. The twists and turns of the plot. Again, thanks to the futility of Lina's position, I truly had no idea where the story would go; each new conversation or failed murder attempt was unexpected and exciting. Though some things were a little predictable, the ways in which they played out were still new and satisfying. If this were simply a standalone, I'd still be perfectly sated. Also, the romance? I was wary at first, but the subtle push-and-pull was absolutely delicious.
I could continue raving about this book, but honestly, you don't need to waste your time. Do yourself a favor and please pick up a copy of this book IMMEDIATELY. You will NOT regret it.
5 out of 5 stars, ★★★★★
I went into this book intrigued and came out utterly stunned. It is hands down the best book I have read all year and I am already itching to own a physical copy of it, re-read it via audio, and savor the story all over again.
Things I loved about this book:
1. The writing was beautiful; it was a perfect marriage of efficiency and lyrical fancy. It offered so much in the way of characterization and description, but it also never lingered too long and overstayed its welcome. Lina's voice was so clear and entrancing to me, hardened and strong, yet naive and hopeful. She and Rui both were so well-rounded it was easy to become attached to them.
2. The pacing was brilliant. There was a timeless quality to this story, like a legend out of time and space. Each beat felt appropriately fast or slow, never lagging or exhausting. I felt like I was able to truly savor the story as it unfolded.
3. The futility of Lina's position. Early on, it's obvious to the reader the utter despair of her position, and it's even reinforced a few times (the dagger scene lol). Yet somehow, in spite of all that, I still could not help but root for her—fan that spark of hope that she would find her way and succeed somehow.
4. The isolated settings. Sunpo was easy and visceral to imagine. Gyeulcheon was every bit the fantastical realm I adore in a fantasy—vast and yet tightly bound, isolated and yet just within reach. And the foray into Jeoseung was so. cool.
5. The twists and turns of the plot. Again, thanks to the futility of Lina's position, I truly had no idea where the story would go; each new conversation or failed murder attempt was unexpected and exciting. Though some things were a little predictable, the ways in which they played out were still new and satisfying. If this were simply a standalone, I'd still be perfectly sated. Also, the romance? I was wary at first, but the subtle push-and-pull was absolutely delicious.
I could continue raving about this book, but honestly, you don't need to waste your time. Do yourself a favor and please pick up a copy of this book IMMEDIATELY. You will NOT regret it.
5 out of 5 stars, ★★★★★
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Drug abuse, Murder, and Physical abuse
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Torture and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
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