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The Crowns of Ishia #2
The Desert Talon
The exciting sequel to the gunslinging, dragon-riding world of The Mountain Crown
Sephihalé ele Janan sits in a prison cell in the southern island of Mazemoor, dreaming of escape. After months in a provisional prison for fighting for the imperial Kattakans, Janan is sponsored by another refugee who was once a part of his scattered family. Yearning to build a life on his sister’s land with the dragons their people revere, the peace Janan seeks is threatened by a ruthless dragon baron who covets both Janan’s connection to the earth and the battle dragon to which he is covenanted.
The conflict may drive Janan to acts of violence he hoped to leave behind in the war, and bring more death to the land Janan now calls home.
THE DESERT TALON is a story of two groups of people who, despite a common ancestry, have diverged so far in their beliefs that there appears to be little mutual ground—and the conflict may well start to unravel the burgeoning hopes of a country, and a man, still recovering from the ravages of war.
Sephihalé ele Janan sits in a prison cell in the southern island of Mazemoor, dreaming of escape. After months in a provisional prison for fighting for the imperial Kattakans, Janan is sponsored by another refugee who was once a part of his scattered family. Yearning to build a life on his sister’s land with the dragons their people revere, the peace Janan seeks is threatened by a ruthless dragon baron who covets both Janan’s connection to the earth and the battle dragon to which he is covenanted.
The conflict may drive Janan to acts of violence he hoped to leave behind in the war, and bring more death to the land Janan now calls home.
THE DESERT TALON is a story of two groups of people who, despite a common ancestry, have diverged so far in their beliefs that there appears to be little mutual ground—and the conflict may well start to unravel the burgeoning hopes of a country, and a man, still recovering from the ravages of war.
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2025
About the author
Karin Lowachee
62 books362 followersKarin was born in South America, grew up in Canada, and worked in the Arctic. Her novels have been translated into French, Hebrew, and Japanese, and her short stories have been published in numerous anthologies and magazines, some of which were edited by John Joseph Adams, Nalo Hopkinson, Nisi Shawl and Ann VanderMeer. When she isn't writing, she serves at the whim of a black cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 17, 2025
Review originally on JamReads
The Desert Talon is the second novella in the fantasy series The Crowns of Ishia, this fantasy with western motifs written by Karin Lowachee, published by Solaris Books. A story that is parallel in time with The Mountain Crown, following Janaan, Lilley's lover, after he fled Kattaka, being captured with his suon Tourmaline; he's released as a refugee in Mazemoor into the custody of his sister, Prita.
In this second instalment, Lowachee presents us the nation of Mazemoor, a fascinating setting with a steampunk technology level, a strong bureaucracy; their government tolerates the existence of the Ba'Suon, but is deeply wary of their magic. Janaan, under the refugee status, is under a powerful pressure, especially as his sister and family status depend on him complying with Mazemoor's exigences. Lowachee takes this as the perfect setting to draw a story about nature exploitation, tragedy, and revenge.
We will see how the conflict arises between Janaan and a dangerous suon baron, Eben Wisterel; Janaan is forced to walk a difficult path forced by Mazemoor's administration, while having to deal with his own trauma. Wisterel represents greed and nature's exploitation just for the sake of benefit, even using people as disposable thralls just to get money; in contrast with Janaan and the Ba'Suon traditional culture, respecting the bond with the suons.
Interestingly, we also have a splendid portrait of how precarious are refugees situation, those that are forced to flee their home in the hopes of finding a secure place for them and their loved ones; Prita's family is the best example of it, having to step up to get Janaan out of the refugee center (which is basically a prison with other name), and putting themselves at risk just for giving him a new place.
The interactions between Janaan and his suon are quite heart-warming, also becoming a reflection of how Janaan feels nostalgia and misses Lilley; the writing is sharp, and the pacing is a bit faster than in the first novella, making this book incredibly fast to read. My only gripe is how fast the ending comes, as it feels a bit rushed in comparison with the rest of the story.
The Desert Talon is another excellent instalment in this fantasy western series; if themes such as tragedy, nature exploitation and nostalgia are your jam, I totally recommend you to read this particular novella. It can be read as a standalone, but you will enjoy it more if you have previously read The Mountain Talon; and honestly, I can't wait for the third instalment on the Crowns of Ishia series.
The Desert Talon is the second novella in the fantasy series The Crowns of Ishia, this fantasy with western motifs written by Karin Lowachee, published by Solaris Books. A story that is parallel in time with The Mountain Crown, following Janaan, Lilley's lover, after he fled Kattaka, being captured with his suon Tourmaline; he's released as a refugee in Mazemoor into the custody of his sister, Prita.
In this second instalment, Lowachee presents us the nation of Mazemoor, a fascinating setting with a steampunk technology level, a strong bureaucracy; their government tolerates the existence of the Ba'Suon, but is deeply wary of their magic. Janaan, under the refugee status, is under a powerful pressure, especially as his sister and family status depend on him complying with Mazemoor's exigences. Lowachee takes this as the perfect setting to draw a story about nature exploitation, tragedy, and revenge.
We will see how the conflict arises between Janaan and a dangerous suon baron, Eben Wisterel; Janaan is forced to walk a difficult path forced by Mazemoor's administration, while having to deal with his own trauma. Wisterel represents greed and nature's exploitation just for the sake of benefit, even using people as disposable thralls just to get money; in contrast with Janaan and the Ba'Suon traditional culture, respecting the bond with the suons.
Interestingly, we also have a splendid portrait of how precarious are refugees situation, those that are forced to flee their home in the hopes of finding a secure place for them and their loved ones; Prita's family is the best example of it, having to step up to get Janaan out of the refugee center (which is basically a prison with other name), and putting themselves at risk just for giving him a new place.
The interactions between Janaan and his suon are quite heart-warming, also becoming a reflection of how Janaan feels nostalgia and misses Lilley; the writing is sharp, and the pacing is a bit faster than in the first novella, making this book incredibly fast to read. My only gripe is how fast the ending comes, as it feels a bit rushed in comparison with the rest of the story.
The Desert Talon is another excellent instalment in this fantasy western series; if themes such as tragedy, nature exploitation and nostalgia are your jam, I totally recommend you to read this particular novella. It can be read as a standalone, but you will enjoy it more if you have previously read The Mountain Talon; and honestly, I can't wait for the third instalment on the Crowns of Ishia series.
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March 20, 2025The sequel novella to The Mountain Crown follows Janan into a foreign land to the south, seeking respite from the ravages of spirit encountered in war, while fighting for another faction that is not his own.
While it would not be necessary to begin with The Mountain Crown - this tale of strength of character set against a 'civilized society' powered by greed that is slowly destroying the land it inhabits - stands quite well on its own, expanding the world of the original setting.
The characters and conflicts are exceptionally well developed, driven forward by the constant battles of resistance that seek to force compliance and assimilation, the main character struggles to hold on to his values, his identity, and the ragged fabric of family and culture, shredded wholesale and forced to become chipped away and diminished by governments that have settled the lands and parted the threads of his nomadic culture.
Here be dragons, and themes flavored by the weird west, where magic meets a science that is wildly strange - where heartbreak and love bond us to the story and character work Lowachee excels at, packed into a tight novella. If you have never given Karin Lowachee a try, I highly recommend her exceptional storytelling, both SF and Fantasy - you can't miss.
While it would not be necessary to begin with The Mountain Crown - this tale of strength of character set against a 'civilized society' powered by greed that is slowly destroying the land it inhabits - stands quite well on its own, expanding the world of the original setting.
The characters and conflicts are exceptionally well developed, driven forward by the constant battles of resistance that seek to force compliance and assimilation, the main character struggles to hold on to his values, his identity, and the ragged fabric of family and culture, shredded wholesale and forced to become chipped away and diminished by governments that have settled the lands and parted the threads of his nomadic culture.
Here be dragons, and themes flavored by the weird west, where magic meets a science that is wildly strange - where heartbreak and love bond us to the story and character work Lowachee excels at, packed into a tight novella. If you have never given Karin Lowachee a try, I highly recommend her exceptional storytelling, both SF and Fantasy - you can't miss.
May 12, 2025
Thanks to the publisher (Rebellion Publishing) for an ARC of this book.
If the first novella was good, this one is even better. The Desert Talon follows Lilley’s beloved, Janan, as he struggles to adjust to life as a refugee in Mazemoor. From being imprisoned on arrival and having to deal with opaque bureaucracy and a government that keeps demanding things he’s unwilling to give, to a sketchy neighbour who might be doing something sinister with dragons, his post-war life is far less restful than he might have wished for. It’s very much an immigrant story with dragons and the injustice of Janan’s treatment and the contrast between the cultures are sharply felt.
Recommended to all dragon fans!
Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Execution: 4/5
Content warnings:
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
If the first novella was good, this one is even better. The Desert Talon follows Lilley’s beloved, Janan, as he struggles to adjust to life as a refugee in Mazemoor. From being imprisoned on arrival and having to deal with opaque bureaucracy and a government that keeps demanding things he’s unwilling to give, to a sketchy neighbour who might be doing something sinister with dragons, his post-war life is far less restful than he might have wished for. It’s very much an immigrant story with dragons and the injustice of Janan’s treatment and the contrast between the cultures are sharply felt.
Recommended to all dragon fans!
Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Execution: 4/5
Content warnings:
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
February 2, 2025
*I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
I didn’t love this one as much as the previous instalment, The Mountain Crown, but I think that was a combination of me (intense brain fog) and the subject matter being not quite as much to my taste as Mountain was.
Lowachee remains great at making me feel INTENSE RAGE at fictional injustice – Janan’s treatment during and after prison made my blood boil. Janan himself…was much more constrained by his circumstances than Meka was in Mountain, with the result that I don’t think we really got to see his real self until near the end. Who he is for most of the book…is who he is under surveillance, when he’s trying to behave. Can’t take that as genuine.
Mostly, I did not feel smart enough for this book – I really didn’t understand Mazemoor’s magic (except that it was a metaphor for industrialisation, probably?), which a lot seemed to hinge on, and there seemed to be a lot of undercurrents I could barely perceive. Janan’s nephew, for example, is the first half-Ba’Suon we’ve seen, and I could tell that Lowachee was saying a lot with that, but I couldn’t figure out what. Meaningful stuff, I think, about belonging and family and who gets access to a culture, and how disconnected you can be from your heritage when raised outside of your homeland. (Of course, most Ba’Suon have had to leave their homeland now, but the nephew has never lived there at all.) And Meaningful Stuff about other topics, too. None of which I could properly parse – and I do think that was a me-problem.
There’s a big timeskip towards the end, where events are summarised for us, and that surprised me, because it involves…a pretty major change for Janan, and it still seems odd that we didn’t get to see that up close and personal. Where Mountain Crown felt like the perfect story for its length, I didn’t think the same of Desert Talon: with the timeskipped events especially, I think Janan’s story could have been a novel. And maybe should have been?
I’m not sure. I’m very ambivalent about this one…but also pretty sure that most of that is me, and my current headspace. I still recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first book, and I still VERY MUCH want to read book three! But I will admit that I didn’t love it.
I didn’t love this one as much as the previous instalment, The Mountain Crown, but I think that was a combination of me (intense brain fog) and the subject matter being not quite as much to my taste as Mountain was.
Lowachee remains great at making me feel INTENSE RAGE at fictional injustice – Janan’s treatment during and after prison made my blood boil. Janan himself…was much more constrained by his circumstances than Meka was in Mountain, with the result that I don’t think we really got to see his real self until near the end. Who he is for most of the book…is who he is under surveillance, when he’s trying to behave. Can’t take that as genuine.
Mostly, I did not feel smart enough for this book – I really didn’t understand Mazemoor’s magic (except that it was a metaphor for industrialisation, probably?), which a lot seemed to hinge on, and there seemed to be a lot of undercurrents I could barely perceive. Janan’s nephew, for example, is the first half-Ba’Suon we’ve seen, and I could tell that Lowachee was saying a lot with that, but I couldn’t figure out what. Meaningful stuff, I think, about belonging and family and who gets access to a culture, and how disconnected you can be from your heritage when raised outside of your homeland. (Of course, most Ba’Suon have had to leave their homeland now, but the nephew has never lived there at all.) And Meaningful Stuff about other topics, too. None of which I could properly parse – and I do think that was a me-problem.
There’s a big timeskip towards the end, where events are summarised for us, and that surprised me, because it involves…a pretty major change for Janan, and it still seems odd that we didn’t get to see that up close and personal. Where Mountain Crown felt like the perfect story for its length, I didn’t think the same of Desert Talon: with the timeskipped events especially, I think Janan’s story could have been a novel. And maybe should have been?
I’m not sure. I’m very ambivalent about this one…but also pretty sure that most of that is me, and my current headspace. I still recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first book, and I still VERY MUCH want to read book three! But I will admit that I didn’t love it.
April 1, 2025
i think a dragon-western really was all i was missing in life
March 18, 2025
HmmMmmMmmM thinking about it… im just having a hard time emotionally connecting to this series. The political landscape is SO good but the characters are only okay, and this installment’s villain was Wild West cardboard cartoon levels of not all there. I want to adore Janan and I do like him but…I can’t tell if it’s the pacing or the language or the limited number of Things you can get through in a novella? And then in the last ten pages we jump FIVE YEARS?
I don’t know. Unfortunately I think all fantasy novellas for me are pitted against singing hills and unfortunately Nghi vo is absolutely insane with knowing how to structure a book of this size.
That all being said…I have the third book on order.
I don’t know. Unfortunately I think all fantasy novellas for me are pitted against singing hills and unfortunately Nghi vo is absolutely insane with knowing how to structure a book of this size.
That all being said…I have the third book on order.
April 28, 2025
"All tides recede, all storms abate, no matter how powerful."
★★★★½
This second book in The Crowns of Ishia series has all of the emotional depth and complex character studies that I would expect from Lowachee. I cannot get over her writing it is so GORGEOUS ahhhh I just love how much love and respect there is for the natural world in these books. The relationships between Janan and his family were the highlight of the story here, and the portrayals of PTSD and even the brief insight into the experience of a refugee were all portrayed with a lot of respect. Seriously, my man Janan cannot catch a break.
Why I didn't rate this as highly as the The Mountain Crown was because for me, Janan had so much presence in the first book because of his absence, which I realize sounds contradictory. You could just feel how powerful his absence was and I think that the fact Lowachee was able to do this speaks so much to how talented of a writer she is. This book does take away some of the mystery of him. In a way, the author does a similar thing with Lilley being missing in this novella however because we already know him well from The Mountain Crown, I did not find it as impactful as Janan's absence from book 1. I kind of wished we had gotten to reunite with him from Lilley's perspective much later on in the course of this trilogy.
Regardless, I'm so excited to see how Lowachee wraps this story up. Bring on all of that sweet emotional devastation!!! I am here for it and will have the tissues ready :')
[Thank you to the publisher for the arc which I received through Netgalley. My review and thoughts on this book are entirely my own.]
— ♩♫♩ ~ June Mermaid
December 10, 2024
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley / Solaris.
I enjoyed the first book, but I didn't feel like I fully connected with it. Perhaps it was the protagonist-or maybe just something about its quick pace. This volume tells a more contained story, with point-of-view character's journey driving the narrative, and things came together much more satisfyingly, for me. There's still a certain rush to the ending, but the heartbreak felt earned and felt.
It's also beautifully written - I enjoyed the language quite a lot, and the worldbuilding continued to be excellent.
Very curious what the next book in this series will bring.
I enjoyed the first book, but I didn't feel like I fully connected with it. Perhaps it was the protagonist-or maybe just something about its quick pace. This volume tells a more contained story, with point-of-view character's journey driving the narrative, and things came together much more satisfyingly, for me. There's still a certain rush to the ending, but the heartbreak felt earned and felt.
It's also beautifully written - I enjoyed the language quite a lot, and the worldbuilding continued to be excellent.
Very curious what the next book in this series will bring.
February 2, 2025
After enjoying The Mountain Crown, I was so pleased to get a chance to review the ARC of Karin Lowachee’s The Desert Talon, Book 2 of The Crowns of Ishia.
The Desert Talon takes everything that I loved about The Mountain Crown and makes it even better. This time, the story follows Janaan, who is Lilley’s lover - originally mentioned back in Book 1. Janaan fled Kattaka, only to be captured with his suon (dragon), Tourmaline. Janaan starts off his story in a grim Mazemoor refugee holding centre before being reluctantly released into the custody of his sister, Prita.
Mazemoor itself is a fascinating setting, with its steampunk-flavoured bureaucracy, mechanical alarm systems, and transcription automatons. This government, compared to the grim Kattaka (the location for Book 1), tolerates the Ba’Suon people living traditionally on their lands but is deeply wary of their magic and their bond with the suon. That tension adds another layer to Janaan’s struggles as he tries to adapt to life on his sister’s small ranch while dealing with the Mazemoor authorities and a dangerous local suon baron, Eben Wisterel.
This book leans heavily into those themes of tragedy and revenge, keeping up the same moody western feel that really pulled me into The Mountain Crown. I found the interactions with the draconic suon much clearer this time, making their connection to the characters and world more natural and also impactful.
Janaan’s relationships with his sister and her son really stood out for me. They felt like a real little family, and their dynamic gave the story some much-needed warmth amidst all the hardship. The little details, like the difference between Mazemoor and Ba'suon fashions, helped to make the setting feel grounded and have a rich history.
The book seems to run parallel to the events of The Mountain Crown, which was an interesting approach. The ending felt a bit rushed, so much happens in just the last few pages! It was still a fun journey and I haven't yet read another series which delivers that contemplative, western feel in a fantasy setting.
Overall, I think The Desert Talon is even stronger than the first book. Janaan's story felt like a somewhat complete narrative arc, with enough links back to the first book and hints for the future that I can’t wait to see where Lowachee takes the story next!
Thanks Solaris and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
The Desert Talon takes everything that I loved about The Mountain Crown and makes it even better. This time, the story follows Janaan, who is Lilley’s lover - originally mentioned back in Book 1. Janaan fled Kattaka, only to be captured with his suon (dragon), Tourmaline. Janaan starts off his story in a grim Mazemoor refugee holding centre before being reluctantly released into the custody of his sister, Prita.
Mazemoor itself is a fascinating setting, with its steampunk-flavoured bureaucracy, mechanical alarm systems, and transcription automatons. This government, compared to the grim Kattaka (the location for Book 1), tolerates the Ba’Suon people living traditionally on their lands but is deeply wary of their magic and their bond with the suon. That tension adds another layer to Janaan’s struggles as he tries to adapt to life on his sister’s small ranch while dealing with the Mazemoor authorities and a dangerous local suon baron, Eben Wisterel.
This book leans heavily into those themes of tragedy and revenge, keeping up the same moody western feel that really pulled me into The Mountain Crown. I found the interactions with the draconic suon much clearer this time, making their connection to the characters and world more natural and also impactful.
Janaan’s relationships with his sister and her son really stood out for me. They felt like a real little family, and their dynamic gave the story some much-needed warmth amidst all the hardship. The little details, like the difference between Mazemoor and Ba'suon fashions, helped to make the setting feel grounded and have a rich history.
The book seems to run parallel to the events of The Mountain Crown, which was an interesting approach. The ending felt a bit rushed, so much happens in just the last few pages! It was still a fun journey and I haven't yet read another series which delivers that contemplative, western feel in a fantasy setting.
Overall, I think The Desert Talon is even stronger than the first book. Janaan's story felt like a somewhat complete narrative arc, with enough links back to the first book and hints for the future that I can’t wait to see where Lowachee takes the story next!
Thanks Solaris and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
July 10, 2025
I thought the first book in this series tried to tell too large a story for its length, resorting to telling rather than showing emotional bonds and developments as a result. This book, however, fits beautifully within its format. Very excited to read the third one when it comes out.
Both books come with content notes for harm against friendly dragons.
Both books come with content notes for harm against friendly dragons.
May 27, 2025
This series needs more love
September 6, 2025
Grief, melancholy and menace suffuse this middle entry in the "Crowns of Ishiia" trilogy. Rather than picking up immediately after the end of "The Mountain Crown", author Karin Lowachee gives us Sephilalé ele Janan‘s story post-war.
Janan set down in Mazemoor after leaving Kattaka, and was apprehended by government authorities, as he was a Kattakan soldier, albeit unwillingly, fighting against Mazemoor.
He and his suon Tourmaline are incarcerated, and both are subject to not only cages, but also some sort of Mazemoor mythicism (magic), which dampens, or outright cuts off their access to Ba’suon knowing.
When he is finally released into his sister Prita’s care, he and Tourmaline are still subject to a variety of restrictions, and they quickly come to the notice of a dragon baron, Eben Wisterel, who is incredibly fascinated by Janan and Tourmaline. Janan feels the man is up to no good, and wants nothing to do with him. Unfortunately, Mazemoor authorities push him into investigating, to tragic effect.
The contrast between the Kattakan and Mazoön people seems marginal, as both are interested in taking from the land, and not necessarily living in harmony with it and its creatures. Janan struggles to keep his anger in check, and his trauma is still fresh, as is his loneliness and need for Lilley.
The Ba'suon and suon bond is again on display with Janan and Tourmaline, as it was between Méka and other suons in book one. Lowachee does a wonderful job showing us a different relationship between human and dragon, and that despite Tourmaline's great size and inherent perilousness, one can feel the warmth and bond between the pair.
This novella moves along a little faster than book one, likely because some of the world was already described earlier. Here, Lowachee shows us that even though Mazemoor took in the Ba'suon during the Kattakan conquest, it's not an easy or respectful relationship between the Mazoön and its refugees. The refugees live a precarious and misunderstood existence, even while they seek to maintain their culture and traditions.
I found the previous instalment full of tragedy and cruelty, this entry has its deeply tragic and horrifying moments, and sudden and unexpected violence. At the same time, there are moments of quiet love and compassion; I deeply enjoyed this part of the Ishia story.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Rebellion for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Janan set down in Mazemoor after leaving Kattaka, and was apprehended by government authorities, as he was a Kattakan soldier, albeit unwillingly, fighting against Mazemoor.
He and his suon Tourmaline are incarcerated, and both are subject to not only cages, but also some sort of Mazemoor mythicism (magic), which dampens, or outright cuts off their access to Ba’suon knowing.
When he is finally released into his sister Prita’s care, he and Tourmaline are still subject to a variety of restrictions, and they quickly come to the notice of a dragon baron, Eben Wisterel, who is incredibly fascinated by Janan and Tourmaline. Janan feels the man is up to no good, and wants nothing to do with him. Unfortunately, Mazemoor authorities push him into investigating, to tragic effect.
The contrast between the Kattakan and Mazoön people seems marginal, as both are interested in taking from the land, and not necessarily living in harmony with it and its creatures. Janan struggles to keep his anger in check, and his trauma is still fresh, as is his loneliness and need for Lilley.
The Ba'suon and suon bond is again on display with Janan and Tourmaline, as it was between Méka and other suons in book one. Lowachee does a wonderful job showing us a different relationship between human and dragon, and that despite Tourmaline's great size and inherent perilousness, one can feel the warmth and bond between the pair.
This novella moves along a little faster than book one, likely because some of the world was already described earlier. Here, Lowachee shows us that even though Mazemoor took in the Ba'suon during the Kattakan conquest, it's not an easy or respectful relationship between the Mazoön and its refugees. The refugees live a precarious and misunderstood existence, even while they seek to maintain their culture and traditions.
I found the previous instalment full of tragedy and cruelty, this entry has its deeply tragic and horrifying moments, and sudden and unexpected violence. At the same time, there are moments of quiet love and compassion; I deeply enjoyed this part of the Ishia story.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Rebellion for this ARC in exchange for my review.
February 1, 2025
Thank you to solaris and netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
TW Racism | Mentions of War | Death of a Loved One | Mentioned Loss of a Parent | PTSD | Violence
The Desert Talon is the second book in the novella series The Crowns of Ishia. The thing I struggled a little with during the first book was not present here and as such I enjoyed this one a little more.
This sequel is in a way more of a companion to The Mountain Crown. It takes place around the same time as that book. But we follow a different character. Janan is a character that has been mentioned in book 1 and as such is familiar to us. He has left the regime behind that forced him to fight and has come to Mazemoor as a refuge.
Where in book 1 we learn the political and social climate of this world and we learn about the war and how that is affecting the world, in this book we see the effects of being forced to become a soldier for your enemy, escaping, to instead become a refuge in a country where you aren't quite accepted either.
One could say that Janan shows signs of PTSD. It is subtle for the most part but it is there, underneath. Being forced to fight for the people that took your country is bad enough as it is, but having to leave behind the man that you love, makes it so much worse.
Despite that Janan was honestly a pleasure to follow. He felt level headed and even still caring underneath it all for those still in his vicinity. He isn't bitter. He is hurt. He was a victim but isn't being treated like one by the goverment that he seeks refge. Instead of getting the time to heal, he gets dragged into something bad happening to the dragons.
I am curious to see who we will be following in the next installment and how this is all going to come together. Because I am certain that they will.
TW Racism | Mentions of War | Death of a Loved One | Mentioned Loss of a Parent | PTSD | Violence
The Desert Talon is the second book in the novella series The Crowns of Ishia. The thing I struggled a little with during the first book was not present here and as such I enjoyed this one a little more.
This sequel is in a way more of a companion to The Mountain Crown. It takes place around the same time as that book. But we follow a different character. Janan is a character that has been mentioned in book 1 and as such is familiar to us. He has left the regime behind that forced him to fight and has come to Mazemoor as a refuge.
Where in book 1 we learn the political and social climate of this world and we learn about the war and how that is affecting the world, in this book we see the effects of being forced to become a soldier for your enemy, escaping, to instead become a refuge in a country where you aren't quite accepted either.
One could say that Janan shows signs of PTSD. It is subtle for the most part but it is there, underneath. Being forced to fight for the people that took your country is bad enough as it is, but having to leave behind the man that you love, makes it so much worse.
Despite that Janan was honestly a pleasure to follow. He felt level headed and even still caring underneath it all for those still in his vicinity. He isn't bitter. He is hurt. He was a victim but isn't being treated like one by the goverment that he seeks refge. Instead of getting the time to heal, he gets dragged into something bad happening to the dragons.
I am curious to see who we will be following in the next installment and how this is all going to come together. Because I am certain that they will.
November 7, 2025
Another really solid entry in this anti-colonial fantasy trilogy using the launching pad of dragon fantasy to explore the many challenges traditional and land-based indigenous peoples navigate when imposed upon by rapacious settler societies. I highly recommend these books as quietly powerful radical fantasy.
February 21, 2025
I picked this up because I enjoyed the first book in the Crowns of Ishia novella trilogy, The Mountain Crown. Which is not, at all, about the sort of crown that one wears on one’s head. In this case, ‘crown’ is the collective noun for a group of suon, who are what we would call dragons.
What the enemies of the land where the suon thrive call them as well. Because dragons are animals, but suon are people – for large and winged and deadly definitions of ‘people’. And the Ba’Suon, the people who live in harmony with the dragons, fully acknowledge that fact.
Their enemies, conquerors and exploiters do not. Because it doesn’t suit their narrative of events. And conquest. And exploitation.
In the first novella in this trilogy, Meka received diplomatic immunity to come to the heart of their enemy to ‘gather’, meaning bond with, one and only one suon. Of course, their enemies have other plans, which enmesh Meka with others of her people, Raka and Lilley and by extension Janan, all currently imprisoned or enslaved along with Janan’s suon Tourmaline. But Janan is imprisoned elsewhere and Raka seems destined for the ‘dark side’.
This second book takes place partly simultaneously and partly in the wake of the events at the end of The Mountain Crown. This is Janan’s half of the story, imprisoned in a neighboring country because he deserted. He does not know the fate of his partner and lover, Lilley, all he knows is that he left Lilley in grave danger.
That first story was more than a bit of a tease, in that it clearly started in the midst of the long-running feud/war/conquest between the Ba’Suon lands and their enemies. I left that first book wanting more and now I have it. And I still want more, because this middle story asks as many questions as it answers.
But I was absolutely glad to continue down this path with Janan and his suon Tourmaline, in spite of the danger, heartbreak and tragedy he faces along the way.
Escape Rating B: That first book was very much an ‘in medias res’ story in that it started in the middle, both of Janan’s and Lilley’s stories and in the middle of the long running conflict/conquest of their land by the enemies that surround them. The Desert Talon is even more so, as its still in the middle of that mess plus we’re now in the midst of Janan’s story as well.
But in the hours after I turned the last page on The Desert Talon, I realized that this book, in addition to being part of ITS series, was also in dialogue with my two previous books this very week, The River Has Roots and One Message Remains. Because all three stories are wrapped around the axle of war and conquest, especially around the greed and concupiscence that fuel those desires and disrupt the natural forces and powers of the world in terrible ways with horrifying long term consequences.
In The River Has Roots the overarching conflict wrapped itself around the endless debate between science and logic on the one hand, and nature and magic on the other, embodied, literally in Esther’s choice to marry the fae Rin instead of the greedy human villain Pollard. He dismissed magic as a force but it was magic, in the end, that brought him down.
The overall theme of One Message Remains is about the blind logic of conquest that begins with presuming that everyone is your lesser and they have nothing to teach you. That in the end the land has power of its own and it is greater than yours – at least for now.
In The Desert Talon the desire to capture and subject the dragons, the suon, out of greed for both money and power results in a loss of life and agency so frightening that even the conqueror’s own people are terrified. Some gifts really do come at just too high a price.
But in all of these cases, while the current conflict resolves on the side of conservation and preservation, the terrible handwriting is clearly on the wall. And that’s the saddest part of all three books.
Howsomever, Janan’s and Lilley’s adventures with their suons has one more chapter to be revealed in A Covenant of Ice, arriving just as ironically at the height of summer as this story set in the heat of the desert came out in the depths of winter.
Originally published at Reading Reality
What the enemies of the land where the suon thrive call them as well. Because dragons are animals, but suon are people – for large and winged and deadly definitions of ‘people’. And the Ba’Suon, the people who live in harmony with the dragons, fully acknowledge that fact.
Their enemies, conquerors and exploiters do not. Because it doesn’t suit their narrative of events. And conquest. And exploitation.
In the first novella in this trilogy, Meka received diplomatic immunity to come to the heart of their enemy to ‘gather’, meaning bond with, one and only one suon. Of course, their enemies have other plans, which enmesh Meka with others of her people, Raka and Lilley and by extension Janan, all currently imprisoned or enslaved along with Janan’s suon Tourmaline. But Janan is imprisoned elsewhere and Raka seems destined for the ‘dark side’.
This second book takes place partly simultaneously and partly in the wake of the events at the end of The Mountain Crown. This is Janan’s half of the story, imprisoned in a neighboring country because he deserted. He does not know the fate of his partner and lover, Lilley, all he knows is that he left Lilley in grave danger.
That first story was more than a bit of a tease, in that it clearly started in the midst of the long-running feud/war/conquest between the Ba’Suon lands and their enemies. I left that first book wanting more and now I have it. And I still want more, because this middle story asks as many questions as it answers.
But I was absolutely glad to continue down this path with Janan and his suon Tourmaline, in spite of the danger, heartbreak and tragedy he faces along the way.
Escape Rating B: That first book was very much an ‘in medias res’ story in that it started in the middle, both of Janan’s and Lilley’s stories and in the middle of the long running conflict/conquest of their land by the enemies that surround them. The Desert Talon is even more so, as its still in the middle of that mess plus we’re now in the midst of Janan’s story as well.
But in the hours after I turned the last page on The Desert Talon, I realized that this book, in addition to being part of ITS series, was also in dialogue with my two previous books this very week, The River Has Roots and One Message Remains. Because all three stories are wrapped around the axle of war and conquest, especially around the greed and concupiscence that fuel those desires and disrupt the natural forces and powers of the world in terrible ways with horrifying long term consequences.
In The River Has Roots the overarching conflict wrapped itself around the endless debate between science and logic on the one hand, and nature and magic on the other, embodied, literally in Esther’s choice to marry the fae Rin instead of the greedy human villain Pollard. He dismissed magic as a force but it was magic, in the end, that brought him down.
The overall theme of One Message Remains is about the blind logic of conquest that begins with presuming that everyone is your lesser and they have nothing to teach you. That in the end the land has power of its own and it is greater than yours – at least for now.
In The Desert Talon the desire to capture and subject the dragons, the suon, out of greed for both money and power results in a loss of life and agency so frightening that even the conqueror’s own people are terrified. Some gifts really do come at just too high a price.
But in all of these cases, while the current conflict resolves on the side of conservation and preservation, the terrible handwriting is clearly on the wall. And that’s the saddest part of all three books.
Howsomever, Janan’s and Lilley’s adventures with their suons has one more chapter to be revealed in A Covenant of Ice, arriving just as ironically at the height of summer as this story set in the heat of the desert came out in the depths of winter.
Originally published at Reading Reality
January 9, 2025
I received this novel from the publisher (via a widget for NetGalley) in exchange for a fair review. I was so stoked to get it! The Mountain Crown was one of my favourite books from last year.
As compelling, heart-wrenching, and thematically complex as the first book, The Desert Talon is a more than worthy sequel.
At first, I wasn’t sure if it could match the sheer amazing nature of the first one, but while it didn’t quite reach that for me, it did not feel tacked on or unnecessary, and I still loved it.
To get this out of the way, I think the only thing I didn’t like was that I was missing Meka! I adored her, and to find out she wasn’t in this, I was sort of sad. Yet, we do get to meet some new characters who were also interesting people, so after the first few pages, I was back to being entranced.
While the theme of the novel last time was more about colonialism and environmentalism and sustainability, as well as occupation, this is more about living in another culture but one that isn’t actively antagonistic. Like the previous novel, it’s a more nuanced look at how wars disrupt not only lives but culture and how prevailing forces function with blinders on towards how those they’ve taken over or incorporated wish to or need to live.
The dragons are part of this, but they also spawn into a commentary on abusing animals and the environment for monetary gain and how money and status can protect you even when you are in the wrong. And how this was shown was heartbreaking.
The story is meditative, like the first one, with passages in which Janan thinks about his past or how things are different now. We get more insight into Lilley and Raka too, though more on the former. We also get more of the exceptional worldbuilding from the first that just feels so immersive and is easy to picture.
The book is also about family, the bonds we make with others, and the bonds we make with the animals in our lives.
Overall, I thought it was excellent and highly recommend it.
Read this book if you want:
- Detailed worldbuilding
- Thought-provoking concepts and situations
- An interesting take on dragons!
As compelling, heart-wrenching, and thematically complex as the first book, The Desert Talon is a more than worthy sequel.
At first, I wasn’t sure if it could match the sheer amazing nature of the first one, but while it didn’t quite reach that for me, it did not feel tacked on or unnecessary, and I still loved it.
To get this out of the way, I think the only thing I didn’t like was that I was missing Meka! I adored her, and to find out she wasn’t in this, I was sort of sad. Yet, we do get to meet some new characters who were also interesting people, so after the first few pages, I was back to being entranced.
While the theme of the novel last time was more about colonialism and environmentalism and sustainability, as well as occupation, this is more about living in another culture but one that isn’t actively antagonistic. Like the previous novel, it’s a more nuanced look at how wars disrupt not only lives but culture and how prevailing forces function with blinders on towards how those they’ve taken over or incorporated wish to or need to live.
The dragons are part of this, but they also spawn into a commentary on abusing animals and the environment for monetary gain and how money and status can protect you even when you are in the wrong. And how this was shown was heartbreaking.
The story is meditative, like the first one, with passages in which Janan thinks about his past or how things are different now. We get more insight into Lilley and Raka too, though more on the former. We also get more of the exceptional worldbuilding from the first that just feels so immersive and is easy to picture.
The book is also about family, the bonds we make with others, and the bonds we make with the animals in our lives.
Overall, I thought it was excellent and highly recommend it.
Read this book if you want:
- Detailed worldbuilding
- Thought-provoking concepts and situations
- An interesting take on dragons!
November 25, 2024
Thank you to Solaris books and NetGalley for this eARC!
Another brilliant entry in the Crowns of Ishia series!
I think I enjoyed this even more than the first entry in the series. The story was a very simple one, but I was really struck by how genuine and human it was.
As with the first book, the dragons were great! I loved the representation of their inner thoughts: very alien but poetic and beautiful. I also really liked the exploration of how magic is different for different cultures- this is often something that’s overlooked in fantasy but it makes so much sense that different cultures will have different approaches to and experiences with magic. Each different type was logical yet didn’t lose that spark of wonder that magic should have.
As I said in the beginning, the humanity is what made me really love this story. The heart of it was the characters and their relationships to one another and this was just written so wonderfully which such care and affection. I really became invested in all of the characters, even the side characters, though Janan and Lilley’s story was the most prominent. This humanity was reflected in the plot: bittersweet and full of hope despite the world and its evils. A bit of personal bias here because I have a particular love for this kind of tone, but it was just so wonderful to read!
Unlike the first book, I didn’t feel like the length of this one restricted it in any way. In fact, I think it made it better: short but impactful! The series has already improved so much (though the first book was still excellent) and I can’t wait to see how it improves in the future.
I can’t wait to read more entries in this series and explore the world, magic and the suon even more!
Another brilliant entry in the Crowns of Ishia series!
I think I enjoyed this even more than the first entry in the series. The story was a very simple one, but I was really struck by how genuine and human it was.
As with the first book, the dragons were great! I loved the representation of their inner thoughts: very alien but poetic and beautiful. I also really liked the exploration of how magic is different for different cultures- this is often something that’s overlooked in fantasy but it makes so much sense that different cultures will have different approaches to and experiences with magic. Each different type was logical yet didn’t lose that spark of wonder that magic should have.
As I said in the beginning, the humanity is what made me really love this story. The heart of it was the characters and their relationships to one another and this was just written so wonderfully which such care and affection. I really became invested in all of the characters, even the side characters, though Janan and Lilley’s story was the most prominent. This humanity was reflected in the plot: bittersweet and full of hope despite the world and its evils. A bit of personal bias here because I have a particular love for this kind of tone, but it was just so wonderful to read!
Unlike the first book, I didn’t feel like the length of this one restricted it in any way. In fact, I think it made it better: short but impactful! The series has already improved so much (though the first book was still excellent) and I can’t wait to see how it improves in the future.
I can’t wait to read more entries in this series and explore the world, magic and the suon even more!
November 19, 2024
A beautifully written story about the necessity of living alongside nature set in an enthralling world of dragons and conquerors who wish to exploit them regardless of the cost. The Desert Talon is a more subdued follow up from The Mountain Crown, but this second book really dives into the deep introspections, grief, and loneliness of it’s main character, Janan. I actually really loved that this story was overall more slowly paced because it allowed Janan to really blossom as a character on the page. It was easy to feel how displaced and uneasy he was living in a foreign land surrounded by people with 0 understanding of his way of life.
I always love a cautionary tale about human’s consumption of nature and viewing living creatures as objects and commodities rather than treating them with respect. The character of Wisterel really shows how easy to it is to twist our point of views in order to cast ourselves in a heroic light even if we are taking advantage of the world we live in, disregarding of how our actions may affect it. The final conflict of the story did happen begin and end very quickly was a bit jarring and contrasted the pacing of the rest of the book, but I don’t mind too much because I think the true bulk of the book was found through Janan’s introspection and observations about the world around him.
I received a free eARC from NetGalley and the publisher Solaris. Thank you for the opportunity to read this story! This review is voluntarily written and all opinions are my own.
I always love a cautionary tale about human’s consumption of nature and viewing living creatures as objects and commodities rather than treating them with respect. The character of Wisterel really shows how easy to it is to twist our point of views in order to cast ourselves in a heroic light even if we are taking advantage of the world we live in, disregarding of how our actions may affect it. The final conflict of the story did happen begin and end very quickly was a bit jarring and contrasted the pacing of the rest of the book, but I don’t mind too much because I think the true bulk of the book was found through Janan’s introspection and observations about the world around him.
I received a free eARC from NetGalley and the publisher Solaris. Thank you for the opportunity to read this story! This review is voluntarily written and all opinions are my own.
May 17, 2025
This book offers a thoughtful exploration of sacrifice, redemption, and the search for peace after a life marked by war. The protagonist, Janan, wrestles with relinquishing his cherished freedom to protect his family and build a quieter existence—a theme that resonates deeply throughout the narrative. The unique bond between riders and dragons is a compelling element that enriches the story’s emotional texture.
However, the world-building and magic system felt overly complex and sometimes confusing, requiring multiple readings and an audiobook listen to fully grasp. The pacing is uneven, with a slow and somewhat muddled start that gradually builds into an emotionally gripping climax. I appreciated the author’s willingness to address difficult topics such as animal cruelty within the story, although I wished these issues were given more narrative weight.
Character development was strongest in Janan’s sister, Prita, whose transformation from cautious survivor to a formidable force added much-needed dynamism to the plot. Janan himself remains somewhat static, serving more as an observer caught between duty and desire.
Overall, this is a quiet but emotionally charged fantasy that may appeal most to readers who enjoy slow-building tension, complex relationships, and themes of personal sacrifice. While not without flaws, it sets up intriguing questions for the rest of the trilogy and leaves a lasting emotional impact.
However, the world-building and magic system felt overly complex and sometimes confusing, requiring multiple readings and an audiobook listen to fully grasp. The pacing is uneven, with a slow and somewhat muddled start that gradually builds into an emotionally gripping climax. I appreciated the author’s willingness to address difficult topics such as animal cruelty within the story, although I wished these issues were given more narrative weight.
Character development was strongest in Janan’s sister, Prita, whose transformation from cautious survivor to a formidable force added much-needed dynamism to the plot. Janan himself remains somewhat static, serving more as an observer caught between duty and desire.
Overall, this is a quiet but emotionally charged fantasy that may appeal most to readers who enjoy slow-building tension, complex relationships, and themes of personal sacrifice. While not without flaws, it sets up intriguing questions for the rest of the trilogy and leaves a lasting emotional impact.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2025
This follows closely in the footsteps of the first book. It details the story of a character referenced but not seen there. Here we get to see Janan making his way through living as a refugee in a foreign culture and navigating the prejudice and manipulations he ends up facing. The writing again deals with culture, loss, tragedy, and starting over in a believable way. It's all integrated as part of the story well and doesn't come across as heavy handed. Reading about these Ba'Suon people trying to navigate their lives in new lands and the aftermath of war is somehow compelling. The writing is hauntingly evocative in parts, and the pacing is good. Nothing feels rushed or poorly handled. Liked it enough to finish in one sitting and am left looking forward to seeing how this trilogy wraps up. The "dragons" continue to be cool.
February 27, 2025
8/10
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for providing me with an eARC for this novella.
I was so excited to get to this novella after really enjoying The Mountain Crown and this didn’t disappoint at all. The writing here was fantastic as expected. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions and world building here. Everything feels so real and immersive, and the way that the magic is presented here is fascinating.
I loved how this expanded on the story and world from the first novella and can’t wait to see where this goes next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for providing me with an eARC for this novella.
I was so excited to get to this novella after really enjoying The Mountain Crown and this didn’t disappoint at all. The writing here was fantastic as expected. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions and world building here. Everything feels so real and immersive, and the way that the magic is presented here is fascinating.
I loved how this expanded on the story and world from the first novella and can’t wait to see where this goes next!
November 25, 2024
Another great read in this trilogy!
December 24, 2024
Excellent. Inventive tale involving dragons, family, political intrigue and so much more. Thank you to the author I really enjoyed this read. Thank you to # NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.
March 29, 2025
I will avenge the suon and set Mazemoor on fire, i and wrath and i.
October 31, 2024
Who says epic fantasy must be epically long? Clearly this series is here to prove that conception wrong. Much like The Mountain Crown, we find ourselves in this richly developed world where the conquerors are reaping the spoils of their victory, and dragons and those people that have traditionally bonded with them are exploited. The characters are dynamic and it was easy to get absorbed in this story and come to care about their plight. I am eager to see what the third part of this trilogy brings. This book, much like its prequel, is a great choice for someone who enjoys epic tales but is looking for a quicker read.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Rebellion - Solaris) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Rebellion - Solaris) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
December 1, 2024
The Desert Talon is the second book in the Crowns of Ishia series, and follows a character who was prominent by his absence in the first book, Janan. He had escaped servitude as a soldier on dragonback and is requesting asylum in the country he'd fought against. He's allowed to stay on probation with his kin sister, but will encounter tragedy as he tries to integrate his new country.
Like the first book, there's a strong anti imperial message in this one, but added on is an indictment of capitalism: Janan sees that his innate magic, or connection with his dragon, is something to exploit for material gain.
The ending is bittersweet and both ties up some threads from the first book while also leaving room for new adventures and lands to discover. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.
Like the first book, there's a strong anti imperial message in this one, but added on is an indictment of capitalism: Janan sees that his innate magic, or connection with his dragon, is something to exploit for material gain.
The ending is bittersweet and both ties up some threads from the first book while also leaving room for new adventures and lands to discover. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.
December 24, 2024
This is book two in the crowns of Ishia series but most of the book felt more like is should have been book one. Other than the ending it read like everything that happened to Jana happened before book one.
I enjoyed this book more than I did the first, and it was easy to follow the story and the characters. It was however missing an emotional connection between any of the characters. Even when there was a death, it just didn’t feel as impactfull as it should have and every significant moment felt like it was rushed.
It was still an enjoyable read and I loved the dragons in this one and it felt like they played more of a part in the story instead of just being there.
If you are looking for a quick read with dragons, action, and just a hint of romance at the end, The Desert Talon could be just what you are looking for.
I enjoyed this book more than I did the first, and it was easy to follow the story and the characters. It was however missing an emotional connection between any of the characters. Even when there was a death, it just didn’t feel as impactfull as it should have and every significant moment felt like it was rushed.
It was still an enjoyable read and I loved the dragons in this one and it felt like they played more of a part in the story instead of just being there.
If you are looking for a quick read with dragons, action, and just a hint of romance at the end, The Desert Talon could be just what you are looking for.
March 9, 2025
The Desert Talon was a poignant and refreshing follow-up to the Mountain Crown! From the start, I was so excited to follow Janan's story. The story slowed down a bit in this novella to explore Janan's life as a displaced member of the Ba'Suon and all the complexity that stems from his decisions and reuniting with his family after the war and his captivity. I loved the nuance with which this book navigated the aftermath of war, colonization, and displacement. And it was great to dive deeply into Janan's character and family in a moment of comparative stillness. But of course that stillness is short-lived, and the second half of this novella was tense, riveting, and heartbreaking. But also fulfilling! The story came full circle, and I'm SO excited to see what happens in the third installment.
November 8, 2024
This is a common review for both The Mountain Crown and The Desert Talon, the first and second instalment in the Crown Ishia fantasy series
It's an entertaining a promising starts: dragon, action, good world building, and an entertaining and tightly knitted plot
I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait to read the last instalment
4.5 upped to 5
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's an entertaining a promising starts: dragon, action, good world building, and an entertaining and tightly knitted plot
I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait to read the last instalment
4.5 upped to 5
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 8, 2026
Another really intriguing slice of this world and these characters, taking a second strand and bringing it back to braid with our characters from the first. This felt both a slower and simpler story (one main character, rather than the three) but it gave a deeper, gasping grind for all that. I thoroughly enjoyed, once again, the language and the ideas. And I can't wait to see the way everything comes together in the third part.
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