Rogue by Julie Kagawa

May contain spoilers for Talon
Rogue Talon Book Two
Written by Julie Kagawa
See my review for Talon
Expected Publication June 2015
348 Pages
Thank you to Harlequin Teen Australia
Add Talon to Goodreads
RATING ★★★☆
Ember Hill left the dragon organization Talon to take her chances with rebel dragon Cobalt and his crew of rogues. But Ember can't forget the sacrifice made for her by the human boy who could have killed her, Garret Xavier Sebastian, a soldier of the dragonslaying Order of St. George, the boy who saved her from a Talon assassin, knowing that by doing so, he'd signed his own death warrant.

Determined to save Garret from execution, Ember must convince Cobalt to help her break into the Order's headquarters. With assassins after them and Ember's own brother helping Talon with the hunt, the rogues find an unexpected ally in Garret and a new perspective on the underground battle between Talon and St. George.

A reckoning is brewing and the secrets hidden by both sides are shocking and deadly. Soon Ember must decide, should she retreat to fight another day... Or start an all out war?
Ember is now on the run with Riley, both considered rogue dragons in the eyes of Talon. Their escape coming at the cost of Garret being captured, the former soldier now a traitor to his organisation and facing death by trial. He was the perfect soldier until he met Ember, a sleeper dragon in which he was ultimately trained to kill. In a long way from Crescent Beach, Garret is awaiting his fate. But against Riley's protests, Ember won't allow Garret to pay for his humanity and plans to infiltrate the Order's secret base.

But while Ember plans Garrets escape, her twin and clutchmate Dante is working within Talon, brought to task with capturing the rogue dragon in Riley and bringing his sister home. Along with Wes, the three unlikely companions are now on the run with both Talon and the Order hot on their heels. But Riley has more pressing matters to worry about, with the sighting of a runaway dragon seeking solace near his Vegas safehouse.

Neither Talon or The Order play by the rules and with tensions high between the three, something has to give. Ember will need to make the ultimate decision, which side, which boy does she fight for?

MY THOUGHTS

Dragon, wherefore art thou dragon. Unlike it's predecessor, Rogue was an entertaining adventure, rather than a mundane teen drama and finally, finally, the premise finally delivers what readers have been pleading for. Dragons. But in small, sporadic bursts. Now told in several points of view, Ember and Riley are both on the run from both Talon and The Order, both classed as Rogue dragons who are dangerous both to themselves and society. But Ember knows that Garret has been captured for aiding her escape and there is only one punishment for those deemed guilty of treason. Death.

It's a suicide mission, but Riley refuses to let Ember infiltrate The Order compound and free the soldier alone. Riley, who is portrayed as once a fierce hunter, now a revolutionary freedom fighter amongst his kind, is reduced to following a teen girl just hoping for a shred of returned affection. And Ember isn't all that remarkable, never mind being in love with someone else. Comparing the two love interests is akin to being offered chocolate... Or bread and water. Garret's only attraction is that he is classed as the forbidden choice being a former soldier who hunted dragons. He may be seeking redemption, but his character is as exciting as watching paint dry. Riley is clearly the winner here, and fingers crossed that common sense prevails.

But as entertaining and well written as I find the Talon series, there is something lacking that sets it apart from other young adult titles. Although there is a few instances of dragon warfare, sadly not enough to keep me interested. I did enjoy the banter from Riley, but with Garret possibly being made from cardboard, it was mostly one sided.

THE VERDICT

It's actually an entertaining and quick read that builds nicely on Talon. With her dragon obsessed Twitter feed I had thought, who better than to create a fantasy dragon based series than Julie Kagawa. But sadly it doesn't have the same heart and grunt as her previous releases, namely the Blood of Eden series and it appears to be one that has failed to live up to the hype for me.

24 comments

  1. Uhm, will you hate me if I say I haven't read anything from this author? What do you recommend, Kelly? Because I tried Talon and I just ended up putting it down :( And now, I'm not sure I'll pick it up again. Thanks for the great review Kelly!! <3

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    1. You've never read a Julie Kagawa book? You must rectify this immediately Paula.

      Although I've liked the Talon series so far, her Blood of Eden series is phenomenal. The vampire and zombie theme is awesome and Allison Sekemoto is one of the most kick ass heroines you'll find in young adult.

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  2. I really want to read this series! I love dragons-though I haven't read much about them other than Eragon-and I remember enjoying Kagawa's story telling when I read Iron Fey years ago.
    Great review Kelly!

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    1. She's a brilliant storyteller Mishma, one of the most engaging and unique in young adult actually. I love dragons too! There's so few dragon based books around and even though I was hoping for a little more dragon in this series so far, there's no doubt an epic finale is on the cards. Definitely give Talon a try, it might really surprise you.

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  3. Sorry you don't really LOVE this series. I read another review that said they thought this one was way better than the first. I haven't read anything by Julie, but I think I'll start with her other books.

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    1. Rogue is an amazing improvement on Talon, the characters were far more liable and I really enjoyed that it focused more on the suspense of the wanted characters, than teen drama this time. She's an incredible author, I think you'd really enjoy her Blood of Eden series before starting Talon Lauren. Either way, she's brilliant and you usually can't go wrong with any of her titles.

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  4. I haven't read anything by Julie Kawaga, despite how much praise I've heard for her writing. It's a shame to know what, while this was still a decent read that it didn't necessarily reach up to the level of her previous books. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ♥

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    1. Thanks Zoe. I'm actually amazed by how many readers haven't read anything by her yet. She's an amazing author and one of the best young adult has to offer. While I've enjoyed the series so far, Talon hasn't been her strongest series for me unfortunately, but that's juts personal preference. You definitely need to pick up one of her titles, she's brilliant.

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  5. Everyone loves Julie Kawaga but i have to admit that i've never read anything by her *hides behind dumpster in shame* When Talon first came out i made myself promise to buy it but than one thing led to another AND I STILL do not have it *cries* i promise i will remedy this Kelly!

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    1. You're not alone there Lily, it seems that a lot of readers haven't read anything of hers yet either. She really has something for everyone, vampires and zombies, faeries and now dragons. I'd love to see her try contemporary next. She's probably one of the most well rounded authors in young adult to date.

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  6. Oh bummer, at least it was better than Talon? I was so excited for this series but to hear that there's pretty much a lack of dragons and more teen drama...it makes me wonder what the point of it even is? And Garrett sounds so dull, I'm trying not to fall asleep just writing about him haha! Wonderful review Kels, hope your next read is better with more solid characters.

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    1. Talon was, but Rogue is a bit step up with not only more dragon, but the action and adventure as well. The romance is definitely more intense as well. Garret is okay, but far too straight laced and dull for me. Now Riley, that's a dragon I can get on board with. I'm backing Riley for the win... He's been my favourite character so far.

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  7. Yes, I found that Talon definitely wasn't as good as her other books, but sigh, I still feel compelled to read them. What if I like Rouge more than the first book? I suppose I won't know until I've read it. This seems like a little bit of an improvement on the first, though - so that's something! Lovely review. I'm actually quite a fan of those multiple PoVs.

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    1. Me too Kara. Single viewpoints tend to be pretty boring, two or three is perfect. It still allows you to distinguish the characters and for the author to create more in depth and well rounded point of view as well. It's a big step up from Talon and sinister. But you'll have to read it to find out what I mean. I think you'll really enjoy this one.

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  8. I actually read a few chapters of Talon, and I definitely got a more contemporary/drama vibe from it, which is why I ended up putting it down (temporarily). :( I'm so glad this one has more action and fantasy in it. I found the characters to be incredibly dull in the first book as well, sadly.
    I'm really doubting this series now, considering I absolutely loved all of Julie's other books. :( Awesome review either way, Kelly!

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    1. Thanks Aimee. For me it hasn't been her strongest series sadly, but still well worth the read. After loving her Blood of Eden series, I must admit that my expectations were through the roof, which is my own fault. It's a huge improvement on Talon though, less teen drama. Give it another go, I have a feeling it's leading up to a pretty epic finale.

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  9. Yeah, see I was so disappointed from Talon that I refuse to pick up the rest of the series. Garrett does not sound interesting at all, and this one somehow seems a bit tropey again? Yeah, no thanks. Thanks for taking one for the team Kelly :D

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    1. Even if you didn't enjoy Talon, still give this a try Jeann. It has a much more positive feel than book one and less teen drama too. Garret is far too wooden for me, but Riley really steps up in this one as steals the show. It's a no brainer really that she needs to take a chance on Riley, fingers crossed that common sense prevails Jeann.

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  10. I've not read anything by Julie Kagawa yet but I have a few of her books, the ones I am avoiding are these though. I've not seen one review that loves it, and it sounds a bit...not awesome, so I won't be picking them up any time soon :/

    - Wattle @ Whimsical Nature

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    1. I can understand why Wattle, in comparison to her previous series' in The Iron Fey and Blood of Eden. They seem to be aimed at the younger market I think. Very clean cut. I'd definitely start with her Blood of Eden series. Vampires. Zombies. Totally knocked my socks off.

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  11. It's really disappointing to know that this one is supposedly about dragons but actually lacks the dragons. It's so weird, considering her previous books were about fairies and vampires and they were full of those creatures, but this one is just so lacking in that department. I'm so hesitant to try this out because so many people were so disappointed by it, and I honestly don't want to read something like that right now (unless it's an ARC).

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. Talon was more teen drama, but thankfully Rogue is far more dragon than drama. It's probably hard when writing about shape shifters, too long in dragon mode and you wouldn't be able to connect with the characters, but the balance in Talon was a bit too one sided. Thankfully it's far more balanced now.

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  12. I still haven't read the first book yet, Jeann's review of it has scared me off but I do like the premise though, let's see. I might give it a go over the weekend. Thank you for the honest review :) <3 Benish | Feminist Reflections

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  13. Gah! I had to skim through the review, because I have yet to read Talon, but I did note that dragons are sparingly introduced in this one, do you think it was owing to the staging of the next installment? I’ve read many second books in a series that struggle through this. :/

    I honestly need to read this ASAP. I’ve been dying to read a narrative that has dragons as the focal point :) Oh but guess what!? I started Splintered this week and I'm loving it! <3

    Claudia @ My Soul Called Life

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