Review: Legion by Julie Kagawa

Book: Legion
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Talon (Book #4, ongoing)
Genre: YA urban fantasy
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 384
Release: April 24th, 2017

The legions are about to be unleashed, and no human, rogue dragon or former dragon slayer can stand against the coming horde.

Dragon hatchling Ember Hill was never prepared to find love at all—dragons do not suffer human emotions—let alone the love of a human, and a former dragonslayer at that. With ex-soldier of St. George Garret dying at her feet after sacrificing his freedom and his life to expose the deepest of betrayals, Ember knows only that nothing she was taught by dragon organization Talon is true. About humans, about rogue dragons, about herself and what she’s capable of doing and feeling.

In the face of great loss, Ember vows to stand with rogue dragon Riley against St. George and her own twin brother Dante—the heir apparent to all of Talon, and the boy who will soon unleash the greatest threat and terror dragonkind has ever known. Talon is poised to conquer the world, and the abominations they have created will soon take to the skies, darkening the world with the promise of blood and death to those who will not yield.

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Recap of the devastating ending of the last book: the leader of Order of St. George was officially exposed to have been conspiring with Talon by going against the code and shooting Garret even after Garret had won their battle fair and square. I repeat: Garret. Was. Shot. Brutally. 

This book starts mere seconds since the last book ended. With the double-crossing of the Patriarch, the Order has been thrown into utter chaos. Ember now needs to step up to face the reality: war is coming between the Order of St. George and Talon, and she is caught in-between, loyal to none but herself and her friends. Her biggest challenge though? Her twin brother, Dante, one of the growing masterminds behind Talon.

What I liked about this book were the longer segments of Dante's perspective. There were chapters that were brilliantly short, just enough for you to glimpse the kind of bluntly horrible person he has become in his quest for power and respect. From his perspective, we also got quite a bit of backstory, which really set up just how and why Dante fell so easily to Talon's ideals. It really added more depth to understanding Ember's internal conflict with her brother, which made it so much more enjoyable.

We got to find out just why Ember was so important to Talon. I will admit, I did see it coming, but the author was able to put in a slight twist about her role in Talon's ultimate schemes. However, I do wish more could have happened to Ember, that Talon was able to successfully impact her in other ways apart from her brother.

Something veeeery interesting happens to Garret. I really don't think it's much of a spoiler to say he lives (obviously, since he's the main love interest and there's another book). I did want a bit more about what was going on with him in this book, but I also feel it's better to pull out the big guns in the final book ;)

"You said so yourself - someone has to take the first step. Someone has to start trusting the other side, or this war will never be over."

If anyone's been tested the most, it's been Riley. With everything getting more and more dangerous, he was forced to choose between his friends and his underground time and time again. And that's not an easy decision. 

"But we're out," she breathed. "We made it out, all of us. Your stupid bluff actually worked, and that's why I'm not going to punch you in the face when we get out of this.""I might, " said the solider in a low voice.

I really enjoyed the plot line of this book--though you could anticipate what would happen, there was always something in it that you wouldn't be able to see coming, that small detail that changes the direction you think the plot will be taking.

All in all, I enjoyed it. Dante's presence definitely made up for the slight lacking on Ember's part, successfully able to pull on my heartstrings. There's still a few questions that need answered--Garret's condition, Mist's employer, Tristian, and of course, the war itself--but I'm really looking forward to see what becomes of everyone in the final book!