Talon, by Janet Lee Carey

2007, Faber Children's Books
336 pages
Childrens, Fantasy

Cushions: 2/5
Daggers: 1/5
Smiles: 1/5
Tissues: 2/5

On Wilde island lives Princess Rose, in exile from England with her family. Her life seems idyllic, all for one thing - a claw on her hand. Her hands never see sunlight. They are robed in golden clothes, which the queen also wears so no-one will comment on her daughter's strange practice. If anyone saw it, they'd think her a witch, and burn her for the crime-which-isn't-a-crime. You can't help what you're born with. But, as the book reveals, sometimes a mother can.

Talon follows Rose as the problem with a dragon escalates. No matter who gets sent to fight the dragon, it's never killed. As the attacks increase, events lead Rose closer to discovering how she received her claw. It's a tense journey, with loss and betrayal happening at every few chapters. I failed in predicting the end of the book.

This book gets five stars, yet I do have a small grumble. Sometimes dialogue for two different people sat in the same paragraph. This made it a little difficult to figure out who was speaking. Also, the blurb on the back cover intimated Rose was kidnapped by the dragon quite early on. It doesn't happen for at least 160 pages! (I peeked ahead). The build up leading to this is brilliant, and thoroughly enjoyable. I just expected it to happen quite a bit sooner than it did.

Themes in this book: definitely the theme of friendship, and caring for others. Rose puts herself out to help people, a characteristic which is a good role model. It deals with betrayal from people who Rose loved: the horror at finding out close acquaintances partook in questionable acts under the belief they could help her. It also looks at kindness, the kindness that can exist in a person who appears cold and evil.

Definitely one I'd like to own. Can't wait to read more by Janet, whose website is here.

Liked this? Try The Flowing Queen or The Lady in the Tower