2022 truly is the year for fantastic debuts - and 'Last of the Talons' is certainly one of them!

I have been excited for this particular book ever since I saw the author post fanart on Twitter between the main character Lina and the emperor she is meant to kill Rui. One piece of fanart and I was hooked! My excitement only grew as I approved for an eARC and drove into the story. The mythology is breathtaking, the characters are incredible, and the pacing was excellent. (Be warned though: I was silly and thought this was a standalone BUT IT IS NOT! And the ending is going to leave you screaming for the sequel ASAP!)

Honestly, I can't wait to add this one to my bookshelf (and I am hoping that maybe a certain book subscription box with do a special release of it) and I will be recommending it to everyone I know!

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Entangled Teens Publishers for sending me an e-arc in return for an honest review.

This book held me in a grip! I love the main character Shin Lina, she is every bit feisty and stubborn as she seeks to find meaning in life after everything was torn from her. The relationship between her and Rui, was full of angst and so much tension that built up, truly making it an enemies to lovers. I loved the banter between the two, and how each played off of each other's schemes to trying and best the other. So many times I had to hold my laughter back at night in fear of waking others as it had me laughing so hard. Along with the comedy we are also left many times feeling the pain that Lina has faced in her life, cruel realities of life that have never left her at bay.

Overall the top tier part of the story is the mythology itself. I was left with so much intrigue as the tales of the gods, the realms, the dokkaebi pulled me in. It left me wanting to further immerse myself in the richness of the culture, the taste of the food that made me hungry to eat it. I love that Sophie Kim has taken Korean mythology and woven a beautiful story that she has dreamt of being told.

I enjoyed this debut novel from Sophie Kim! Last of the Talons is the first in a new YA-fantasy series that is built on various Korean folktales, centering around the classic mythological creatures of the Dokkaebi (goblins), among others. Shin Lina, an assassin known as the Reaper of Sunpo, must journey to the realm of the Dokkaebi in order to protect her younger sister; there, she is pulled into a twisted game with the emperor: if she is able to kill him within 14 days, she’ll win her freedom and can return to exact her revenge on the rival gang that murdered her friends.

Initially, I felt that the writing for Lina’s narration was repetitive; for example, early on in the book, so many of Lina’s thoughts are centered on her bewilderment: “HowdidIgetherehowdidIgethere” (an actual line from the book). I also felt that certain moments or interactions were paced oddly, perhaps as a result of this narration; something that should have elapsed over a single page was dragged out over a few. There were certain plot elements that while critical to the plot, I didn’t care much for and thought didn’t quite match the tone of the story or made it a bit more juvenile than it could have been (particularly the very important berries and their effects…).

However, once Lina is cast into the kingdom of the Dokkaebi and meets Emperor Rui, the pace picks up. The strength of the story really lay in these two characters and the relationship they developed. Lina is a really great protagonist: she’s fierce and calculating, but also wrestling with responsibility as an older sister and the guilt she feels in being the only surviving member of her gang. Behind his smirks and blasé persona, Rui also carries a similar depth and complexity regarding his past and it’s heavily implied that future books will explore more of his backstory. Together, the back and forth rapport they have works well and makes for a believable if quick romance.

It will be interesting to read the subsequent novel(s) since the author has left a few remaining mysteries in the open!

Last of the Talons was absolutely enchanting! Kim wrote a story that was so well written I found myself flying through the pages, unable to put the book down, pondering what would happen next. My favorite piece of this entire story was how believable the characters were.

The writing is clear and clean, and very immersive. The book hums along at a good clip, but the pacing makes sure we're given time to breathe between plot-intensifying moments. The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb. I felt absolutely transported and I'm so incredibly glad I was able to read an arc of this story

Last of the Talons by Sophie Kim is a new and exciting addition to the YA Fantasy genre. The Korean mythological elements of the novel are refreshing to read in an already saturated genre, and offer a fresh take.

I really enjoyed Shin Lina’s character, I thought she was feisty, sarcastic and brave, and a great heroine. However, I had to imagine that she was the greatest assassin in Sunpo, despite barely seeing her in action, and when we do she’s commuting theft not assassinations.

The pace is very fast, and I couldn’t put the book down. Though as a result of this I found that some of the plot points felt rushed, and could have been explained more thoroughly.

Overall it was a very enjoyable read, and I will be reading the next one.

Before I say anything, be aware that I read this as an arc and everything is susceptible to change.

That being said, big oof. Lina tried so hard to be Kaz Brekker and it just did not work. She even has the leg injury and “farmer until parents were killed and then joined the gang and became the most notorious criminal in the city” backstory. Which like that’s cool if you’re gonna do it right! The problem is there were a lot of technical details that just??? Don’t make sense?? We’re told that Lina grew up on a farm, and when she was 14 she had to join the gang. This book takes place when she’s I believe 17? So she had three years with the gang, (technically two but i won’t add any details on why bc spoilers) and somehow in those two years she became the best fighter in the city, better than everyone who has been training since they were old enough to walk. In those two years she became SO good that it’s her job to protect the people who taught her to fight, because without her there they’ll lose. Even tho they taught her to fight. Yeah. *visible confusion*

Lina is a member of the Talons, the biggest, most powerful gang in the country. This gang controls the city. This gang owns multiple businesses. This gang also has exactly five members. Yes, you read that right. Five members. No more, no less. How does a gang with five members control the entire city?? Especially when their rival gang seems to have hundreds of members??? Make it make sense??????

Lina is given a bargain with the Pied Piper (basically ruler of the fae) that if she doesn’t kill him in fourteen days, he’ll kill her. We never actually find out why he made that bargain? Just for funsies I guess? That didn’t make a lotta sense. She just keeps trying and trying to kill him and he laughs harder every time and there’s no explanation for why he thinks it’s so funny?? It’s just like “oh yea lol this girl tried to kill me again hahaha isn’t she cute I hope she succeeds next time” like Rui are you okay????? Do u need therapy my dude??? Why would you literally command someone to kill you just for giggles???? What??????

I did enjoy reading this. Is was a very fun, if very cliche, ya enemies to lovers with fun magic and mythology. There were just too many plot holes and things that didn’t make sense for me to truly be happy tho.

Fans of Sarah J Maas, if you ever wondered what a Celaena x Rhysand pairing would look like if they were transported to a world inspired by Korean mythology, you want to be immediately pre-ordering Last of the Talons. Expect enemies to lovers; sparks fly between long-lived emperor and captured teen assassin; and you can guess the rest. If you know and love stories like these, Last of the Talons is likely to be a guaranteed 5* read for you.

After the destruction of her gang, assassin Lina is forced to work for the kingdom’s most-feared crime lord. When the order to steal a priceless tapestry incites the wrath of a legendary immortal, Lina finds herself in the dreamlike realm of the Dokkaebi, her fate in the hands of its cruel and captivating emperor. If she wants to win her life, she must kill him first.

Any of that sound familiar? While I loved the exploration of Korean mythology and the atmosphere of Lina's hometown, I was quite surprised by how much of the focus of the book was on the romance between Lina and Rui. I think I went into the novel expecting something darker and grittier, more pure Fantasy than Romance. I was hoping for more of a rich deep dive, like She Who Became The Sun or Priory of the Orange Tree, but this is much more a dark-ish romance, and very light on the worldbuilding and fantasy genre elements. Probably I just feel as though I've read this story before, in the Throne of Glass series, and then again in the ACOTAR series, and I was hoping for something more original. I personally don't like love interests like Rui, so I wasn't on board with their relationship. For what the story is trying to do, it achieves very well. It just wasn't for me personally as a reader.

I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of Last of the Talons. These opinions are my own.

Last of the Talons is a stunning blend of dark romance and Korean mythology. Sophie Kim writes enemies to lovers with heart-pounding intensity, blurring the line between love and hate. Bloodthirsty, addictive, and searingly romantic.” —Axie Oh, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

After the destruction of her entire Talon gang, eighteen-year-old Shin Lina—the Reaper of Sunpo—is forced to become a living, breathing weapon for the kingdom’s most-feared crime lord. All that keeps her from turning on her ruthless master is the life of her beloved little sister hanging in the balance. But the order to steal a priceless tapestry from a Dokkaebi temple incites not only the wrath of a legendary immortal, but the beginning of an unwinnable game…

Suddenly Lina finds herself in the dreamlike realm of the Dokkaebi, her fate in the hands of its cruel and captivating emperor. But she can win her life—if she kills him first.

Now a terrible game of life and death has begun, and even Lina's swift, precise blade is no match for the magnetic Haneul Rui. Lina will have to use every weapon in her arsenal if she wants to outplay this cunning king and save her sister...all before the final grain of sand leaks out of the hourglass.

Because one way or another, she'll take Rui's heart.

Even if it means giving up her own.

Lina is the Reaper of the Talons. But after they are all murdered by a rival gang and she is forced to work for them under threat of her sister’s death, Lina will do anything. She is tasked with stealing a tapestry from The Pied Piper and when she’s successful she draws his attention to her. Can Lina keep her sister safe and satisfy the Emperor at the same time? Or is there more to literally everything than she ever knew?

What a great start to this series!!! Lina and Rui are amazing foils to the other and I thoroughly enjoyed their snark!

Another dark romance and Korean mythology!! Such a fun and exciting reading because the pace of this book surely is fast for me and the beautifully written of the story hooked me and become interesting, i LOVE THAT😵‍💫🫶🏻 It was a lot of tough topics and thrill riding experiences while reading, twas good!
Lina had so much to deal with (ofc strong female mc ^____^) she has to deal with loss, anxiety, fears, and not only just being an assassin and its really hard to endure in such a young age :( the found family topics on how she kept focused on protecting her sister makes me sad and proud of her!

Thank you netgalley and Entangled Teen for the opportunity to read this ARC and beautiful story! Recommended for the lover of fantasy and Korean Myth <3!

Thank you to the publisher, Entangled Teen and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

An exciting and very well written debut set to sweep us off to a land forsaken by the gods, a land of gangs, assassins, betrayals of myth, magic and bittersweet revenge.

This story will definitely have broad appeal! Definitely written with certain tropes that fans of the genre go feral over!

Last of the Talons is quite romance heavy, with an enemies to friends to lovers relationship, filled with throats held at knife point, dangerous banter and ‘who hurt you’
intrigues!

I like that even though this is said to be a trilogy, this book had a satisfying end while leaving you with plenty to look forward to in book 2!

Content: Violence, murder, abduction, theft, crime, gangs, mental health disorders

How far will you go to save your only remaining family?

Last of the Talons by Sofie Kim is the first in the Talon Series and was a lot to take in. Shin Lina, the last member of the Talon gang and assassin was taken by the crime lord, Kalmin after he and his goons killed her family. He forced her to be his sword and one of her jobs was to steal a tapestry from the Dokkaebi temple, which she completed in order to keep her sister Eunbi safe. Due to her stealing from the mythical creatures, she ends up in their realm and has to fight for her life. Can she save herself and her sister or will she be taken down by Rui?

I did not expect this to be so intense, but even though it was a lot of tough topics and experiences, it was so good! I loved the overall storyline and the fact that the lead was a strong female character. Lina had so much to deal with, not only being an assassin, but having to deal with loss, fears, ptsd, and anxiety on top of being enslaved and then in a gladiator type of situation. She had too much to deal with at such a young age, but she kept herself focused on protecting her sister, because she was all she had left.

The Korean mythology was intertwined so well. I love that it wasn’t explained right at the beginning, it just flowed along with the story. Just as any story would, without the need to explain what their magical/mythological creature was. This showed so much more Asian influence and acceptance in literature and I’m here for it! I liked the driving force being the connection to her family and her own inner strength, no matter how weak she felt, physically and mentally.

If you love reading portal fantasies that have crime, asian mythology, and a strong female lead, then this is for you!

I’m so ready for Talon #2 to come into existence! Once it does, I’m diving right in.

Rating: 5 stars

For everyone who loves their heroine scarred but badass, their hero powerful, lethal but with a deliciously wicked smile, their world rich, filled with action and myths that transport you to a different continent, in a different time: this book can't be missed! It's Korean history and mythology at their finest.🤌

This was my first venture into a Asian/Korean world but it will definitely not be the last! So magical, unique, whimsical and deadly. Different from everything else out there but at the same time, having everything we hope to find in our fantasy books.

A heroine with a difficult past who is forced to travel into a land of powerful creatures, set to kill their leader; court politics, intrigue, killing plots, action, adventure and a hero who pushes all her buttons and who makes her to want to kill him more every day - or get closer to him for all the forbidden reasons. A hero who can end the world on a whim, but who finds a spark and someone worth living for. These two... I can't even. 🙆‍♀️👌🤤

It has ALL - let me repeat that in case you didn't get it the first time: 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐒! !

Tropes:

✔️Badass stabby heroine (assassin!)
✔️Immortal scary but yummy hero
✔️Enemies to lovers
✔️Forbidden love
✔️Slow burn
✔️I came to kill you
✔️Forced proximity
✔️Banter
✔️Sword to the throat
✔️Who did this to you?

I wish I could read it for the first time again.🥰🥺

I can't wait for this book to become all the rave! I want it to be a bestseller. I want it in special edition boxes with sprayed edges and foiled covers. I want reels and aesthetics. I want it on favorite lists. I want bonus chapters from HIS pov. I want a fangroup where we can all swoon and squeal over best scenes.

Totally recommend to all fantasy lovers out there, it's a very unique story, with strong characters and beautiful, imaginative writing. Add it to your TBR and preorder asap. You're welcome🤗.

Many THANKS to Entangled Teen for the opportunity to read this gem!

Last of the Talons reminds me a bit of Uprooted by Naomi Novik, though in truth they seem nothing alike. And yet, both are about young women who are taken away from what is familiar and put in a situation where the person in control is older and more powerful than they are. I’m not going to call it Stockholm Syndrome, nor am I going to call in instalove, because that is not what is going on here.

Last of the Talons is a romance, in the sense that there is an enemy to friend or lover vibe going on from the start. But beyond that, they are both two very different stories. It is just the feeling of a being more powerful that has control of your life, that makes me wonder why both women tend to fall in love with someone who could kill you in an instant.

This is not to say I didn’t enjoy this book. I actually found it quite thrilling, and wanted to know how it would all turn out. Lina is a thief, and an assassin, who gets on the wrong side of another gang, and is forced to steal something that is important to an ancient immortal, Rui, who just so happens to want it back.

But he is also bored, and curious about Lina, so he takes her to his realm and offers her a challenge. Kill him, and he will let her go back to her own place and time. And if she doesn’t, she will be killed.

The world building in this book is based on Korean folklore, and is quite rich and interesting. The situation that Lina finds herself in is very much a Catch 22. She can not win, or so it seems. Because this is the beginning of a duality or trilogy, there are some things left unfinished in the end, but that just makes you want to read the next book when it comes out.

This is apparently the author's first published book. So well done.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. </em>

I almost dnfed Last of the Talons at like 30% and I am very glad I was not stupid and did not do that! It's very rough at first because the main character has a lot of self hatred/guilt, and it honestly felt depressing being in her head.
But then Rui happens. And then dagger to the neck happens more time than I can count. AND THEN WHO DID THIS TO YOU TROPE HAPPENED!
I am still screaming. This book served enemies to lovers on a steaming gluten free platter just for me. Also I liked the way her character arc ended up, it made it all worth it. This book was just satisfying. I don't feel like we got much from any of the side characters though and they could easily be expanded on.
I recommend to all my enemies to lovers friends.

<i>I received this ARC thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.</i>

<b><i>The Reaper of Sunpo does not fall, </i> Yoonho whispers. <i>Death does not die, and neither will you, Shin Lina.</i></b>
Beautiful cover, intriguing description, and a bucket of korean fantasy was what invited me to read this book. And What can I say, it delivered. I'm honestly surprised how could I not expect to acquire another bookish husband to my harem after lecture, but if you're listening Rui please feel very welcome to the family!
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/67/6f/a0/676fa0187f9b6d50fee76fbf3dbd334a.gif" width="300" height="auto" alt="description"/>
<b>"Is it my fate to always be subject to another's will?"</b>
Lina works hard to make a living for her and Eunbi, baby sister she adores. Recently loosing her gang to homicide, now she has to be under command of the very person who stands behind it. Hiding hatred away, she completes another mission of stealing a supposedly forgotten tappestry from some rich man. Turns out it's still precious to him, and she gets caught. Now not only she's got a deadline to retrieve the man who's her biggest enemy so she could have her sister back, she also makes a deal with the mysterious Dokkaebi who's the owner of the tapestry, to kill him within two weeks. This, or she'll be killed herself. If only one could slay immortal so easily, sadly life's hard and so is the game of assassin.
<img src="https://68.media.tumblr.com/3d35f56ddd2025b979390f01f8dba216/tumblr_oqxhivsUHe1sxg8vro2_r1_540.gif" width="300" height="auto" alt="description"/>
<b><i>There is power in being apologized to, </i>I realize. <i>I do not need to forgive him</i>
So I don't.</b>
Hate to admit it, but this whole deadline thing, at least the reason behind it, was my least favourite part of the story. I was much more invested when the immortals court appeared, and I was gracefully sipping the tea when Lina was struggling to not turn her dying game with the emperor to a simple lovers affair. It felt like I was sitting beside Rui, watching her join the rebels, seeing one after another plan of assassination fail, and whispering "that's cute" over my delicious tea. Rui, you're the best partner to do so, please invite me for some more! Lina had to make all these attempts, while working in the kitchen she was asked too, and managing to go unseen by the emperor that followed her every step, trying to invite her for another outing.
<img src="https://nillynilly.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/dongyi.gif?w=300" width="300" height="auto" alt="description"/>
<b>"So kiss me or kill me, Shin Lina. You'll find that I'll enjoy either equally.</b>
Comparing books to others is not always a ood thing, but I don't want to spoil too much from the plot for You so anyone reading the book later could enjoy it as much as I did. So I will indeed compare it to give you yet another reason to reach for it -- imagine it as korean A Court of Thorns and Roses, with Tamlin being Rhysand, and Feyre being Celaena (from Throne of Glass). I'm not intending to hurt anyone's feelings with that statement, it's just what came up to my mind after finishing the story, and I consider this comparison as a honorable achievment as it's a perfect blend in my opinion! I think it's also good to mention to help someone understand what they're getting into, as I was quite confused after reading the bio for the first time.

Of course I always look forward to sequels of the books I've read, but in this particular case I'm super excited to see what comes next for Rui, and Lina, and immortals, and Rui... did I already mention that Rui stole my heart? No? Well, that's too bad as he run away with it and I don't want to have it back either! 4.5 Stars for me, definitely worth reading for anyone keen with tropes for enemies to lovers, and good asian folklore!

It was a little slow to build at the start but when it hits, it was like damn it hit hard! Absolutely loved the story it's an older ya genre with a darker romance vibe and some beautiful world building, intricately weaving you into the story until you just cannot stop reading. I'm hanging out for the next book already.

Mythology, and particularly that from around the world - seems to be a hugely popular sub genre and I am hete for it all. This was a brilliant read in ebery way!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Lina and Rui. I liked seeing their relationship change and grow. I love the idea of the Dokkaebi in the story. Different Asian mythologies have always intrigued me. There’s definitely an opening at the ending, hinting towards a sequel. I really hope that comes to be and would love to read it.

This book was such a pleasant surprise, it was engaging and very interesting. I had never read a book steeped in Korean mythology and gods before but it was so interesting to learn about. Plus, the main character is ferocious and fierce in the best kind of way. The romantic chemistry between the leads felt real and reasonable. Overall, I think learning about the Korean mythology was the most fun part of it all but the plot itself was really intriguing and well-written as well. I would definitely recommend this to fantasy romance fans and fans of mythology.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.