“Reading this book felt like going back in time to the dystopian books that I grew up reading in high school; just a clean story with lots of action!”

Review by Rayleigh Setser

Could you survive as a fugitive in a world where tyranny rules, not even knowing why they’re hunting you?

May, 2492

It’s been years since democracy died. America is no more, each state broken up into their own separate countries ruled mostly by cruelty and oppression. New York City is at the summit, having crushed those who opposed them, destroyed those who resisted.

Fifteen-year-old Talon lives alone in a sector known as Drudgen, just another place in what used to be The Bronx. He wants to keep it that way. Any family he’s ever had… it’s all led to grief… tragedy… torment. He can’t let it happen again.

But his reclusive life is shattered when the tyrannical governor of New York sends his most dangerous assassin to kill Talon for unknown reasons.

Just when all seems lost, he is rescued by two kids his age: Castor and Amber, who live on an aircraft dubbed The Independence. They explain that they believe the reason behind his attempted assassination might have ties to his lineage… that his parents could’ve been a part of something dangerous to the government… something bigger than themselves.

They set out to crack the clues, to discover what his parents were involved in, what they might have kept secret from Talon all along. But, when they finally solve the mystery, he knows they can’t stay silent. He knows they must continue what his parents started, even if it means death.

But… when Talon discovers newfound care for Castor and Amber… when he realizes he’s forming a bond… he understands he has to make a choice: risk losing them or overcome his fear of loss.

"Her voice was like poisoned sugar, sweet but deadly." 

Talon is the exciting debut book by new author, Jayden Jelso. Reading this book felt like going back in time to the dystopian books that I grew up reading in high school; just a clean story with lots of action! 

I really liked Talon as a character and I sympathized with his story and motives. His journey of discovering that he wasn't alone in his sorrow is an encouraging reminder to readers that they aren't alone either. Pain can feel isolating, but listening to those around you tell their stories, different though they may be, is incredibly important in healing. All of the characters were very well written and I loved the camaraderie between Amber and Castor. I also really appreciated how straightforward the plot was; the tasks felt like quests in a video game and that made it a really easy read!

Overall, I think Jelso is an author worth watching and I can't wait to read his future work!

Content Ratings:

2. Very mild action (mentions of common injuries without gruesome details).

0. None.

1. Infrequent substitute cursing (less than 10 "craps" etc. and/or book-specific curse words.)

Other Trigger/Content Notices:

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