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Talons #3
Die Göttin des Zorns
Ein Faden aus Hass und Liebe
Noch immer kann König Rui nicht fassen, was passiert Die Prophezeiung hat Linas Körper eingenommen. Seitdem führt sie als selbsternannte Göttin des Zorns Krieg gegen die Drei Königreiche. An ihrer die Furcht einflößenden Imugi. Die echte Lina ist dagegen gefangen in ihrem eigenen Kopf. Nur Rui kann sie durch den Faden des Schicksals erreichen. Aber können sie eine Prophezeiung überhaupt stoppen? Und wenn ja, zu welchem Preis?
Das mitreißende Finale der Romantasy-Trilogie
Im fulminanten Abschluss von Sophie Kims Romantasy-Reihe dreht sich alles um Schicksal, Liebe, Vergebung und die Folgen von Rache und Machtgier. Voller koreanischer Mythologie, die in eine spannende Fantasywelt entführt!
Band 3 der packenden Romantasy-Trilogie von Dein SPIEGEL-Bestsellerautorin Sophie KimBasierend auf koreanischen Sagen und voller mystischer Wesen wie den Riesenschlangen Imugi, einer Gumiho (einer neunschwänzigen Füchsin), Dokkaebi und GötterMit einer prickelnden und berührenden RomanceÜber Rache, Macht und Vergebung, aber auch über Liebe, Familie (Found Family) und SchicksalErzählt aus mehreren Perspektiven, mit spannenden Nebenhandlungen und mitreißenden LiebesgeschichtenErstauflage mit opulentem Farbschnitt
Noch immer kann König Rui nicht fassen, was passiert Die Prophezeiung hat Linas Körper eingenommen. Seitdem führt sie als selbsternannte Göttin des Zorns Krieg gegen die Drei Königreiche. An ihrer die Furcht einflößenden Imugi. Die echte Lina ist dagegen gefangen in ihrem eigenen Kopf. Nur Rui kann sie durch den Faden des Schicksals erreichen. Aber können sie eine Prophezeiung überhaupt stoppen? Und wenn ja, zu welchem Preis?
Das mitreißende Finale der Romantasy-Trilogie
Im fulminanten Abschluss von Sophie Kims Romantasy-Reihe dreht sich alles um Schicksal, Liebe, Vergebung und die Folgen von Rache und Machtgier. Voller koreanischer Mythologie, die in eine spannende Fantasywelt entführt!
Band 3 der packenden Romantasy-Trilogie von Dein SPIEGEL-Bestsellerautorin Sophie KimBasierend auf koreanischen Sagen und voller mystischer Wesen wie den Riesenschlangen Imugi, einer Gumiho (einer neunschwänzigen Füchsin), Dokkaebi und GötterMit einer prickelnden und berührenden RomanceÜber Rache, Macht und Vergebung, aber auch über Liebe, Familie (Found Family) und SchicksalErzählt aus mehreren Perspektiven, mit spannenden Nebenhandlungen und mitreißenden LiebesgeschichtenErstauflage mit opulentem Farbschnitt
587 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
19 people are currently reading
1120 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Kim
6 books969 followersSophie Kim is the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of stories that feature mythology, monsters, mystery, and magic. Her critically acclaimed work includes young adult novels such as the Talons series, as well as books on the adult spectrum such as The God and the Gumiho.
Profile illustration by @warickaart.
Profile illustration by @warickaart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
February 16, 2025
I will write a review when I stop SOBBING
Oh my god that was perfect. A heart wrenching story of healing and love
Oh my god that was perfect. A heart wrenching story of healing and love
August 31, 2025
OH WE ARE SO BACK!!! The pacing was finally consistent throughout, and...so was the pain. If you thought book two was bad, here comes book three to prove you wrong.
I love Lina's character growth throughout the series, particularly in this book where it was most apparent. She went through A LOT, and deserves nothing but eternal happiness.
Rui's love for Lina, and determination to bring her back to herself, was the highlight of my reading experience, he never gave up on her, not even for a second. He's probably my favourite character, just because of his sweetness and undying loyalty.
We got some more PoVs this time, though I wouldn't say they all added to the story equally, some could've been taken out and it still would've been fine, but I enjoyed reading them.
The ending was k-drama worthy 100%, it was beautiful, but also sad. Knowing this, I'm not going to jump into Sophie Kim's second series immediately, I'm going to let this one marinate a little, and then hopefully when book three is out I can read them back to back.
BY THE WAY, you should pick it up now that it's finished!! It's so underrated and deserves more fans.
I love Lina's character growth throughout the series, particularly in this book where it was most apparent. She went through A LOT, and deserves nothing but eternal happiness.
Rui's love for Lina, and determination to bring her back to herself, was the highlight of my reading experience, he never gave up on her, not even for a second. He's probably my favourite character, just because of his sweetness and undying loyalty.
We got some more PoVs this time, though I wouldn't say they all added to the story equally, some could've been taken out and it still would've been fine, but I enjoyed reading them.
The ending was k-drama worthy 100%, it was beautiful, but also sad. Knowing this, I'm not going to jump into Sophie Kim's second series immediately, I'm going to let this one marinate a little, and then hopefully when book three is out I can read them back to back.
BY THE WAY, you should pick it up now that it's finished!! It's so underrated and deserves more fans.
January 3, 2025
"Rise to your feet, Shin Lina. One last time."
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
TW:
(The trigger warnings are only classified as spoilers because this was an arc for the last book in a series. Trigger warnings aren't spoilers <3)
Easily one of the best series finales I have ever read.
This is how you write a finale. Hell, this is how you write a trilogy.
Sophie Kim has created the kind of series that will stay with me for a long time. The character arcs, the depth, the growth, the foreshadowing from book 1? There isn't a single piece of this that I could find fault with, even if I tried.
I swear I felt every emotion while reading this book, which is odd for me. I've said this before, I love reading but I don't always have the emotional experience that other people seem to. Part of this is because I'm usually unsurprised by most intended twists.
This whole trilogy was an exception.
This may sound a bit melodramatic, but I really mean it when I say this is the kind of book that tears you apart and puts you back together again. In many ways, there were lines that felt like they were meant specifically for me - which is a magic of fantasy, to feel so personal even as the characters are fighting mythical beasts and literal gods.
When I thought I knew where the story was going, the actual events always left me surprised. Even in small story beats, patterns I recognized from other books, Sophie Kim turned them on their head in the most satisfying way.
If I haven't made it clear already, this was incredible and secured this trilogy's position as one of my favorite series.
If you love *actual* enemies-to-lovers, stories of grief and addiction and forgiveness, books that don't treat traumatic events as minor inconveniences, a morally grey main character, magic, gods, and prophecies please read this. You won't regret it.
It's so bittersweet to be reviewing the last book, but I'm excited to return to Sophie Kim's words whenever she writes them.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
TW:
(The trigger warnings are only classified as spoilers because this was an arc for the last book in a series. Trigger warnings aren't spoilers <3)
Easily one of the best series finales I have ever read.
This is how you write a finale. Hell, this is how you write a trilogy.
Sophie Kim has created the kind of series that will stay with me for a long time. The character arcs, the depth, the growth, the foreshadowing from book 1? There isn't a single piece of this that I could find fault with, even if I tried.
I swear I felt every emotion while reading this book, which is odd for me. I've said this before, I love reading but I don't always have the emotional experience that other people seem to. Part of this is because I'm usually unsurprised by most intended twists.
This whole trilogy was an exception.
This may sound a bit melodramatic, but I really mean it when I say this is the kind of book that tears you apart and puts you back together again. In many ways, there were lines that felt like they were meant specifically for me - which is a magic of fantasy, to feel so personal even as the characters are fighting mythical beasts and literal gods.
When I thought I knew where the story was going, the actual events always left me surprised. Even in small story beats, patterns I recognized from other books, Sophie Kim turned them on their head in the most satisfying way.
If I haven't made it clear already, this was incredible and secured this trilogy's position as one of my favorite series.
If you love *actual* enemies-to-lovers, stories of grief and addiction and forgiveness, books that don't treat traumatic events as minor inconveniences, a morally grey main character, magic, gods, and prophecies please read this. You won't regret it.
It's so bittersweet to be reviewing the last book, but I'm excited to return to Sophie Kim's words whenever she writes them.
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February 12, 2025
.4 stars.
.my thoughts.
reign of the talon picks right back up from the major ending of the second ending, and thoroughly I would say I was interested in this book more than I would care to admit. I wasn't supposed to read this until later when my exams were over, but I just couldn't help myself and decided to have a dose of mythology I was craving so hard yesterday.
the book delved into multiple person of views so far.. and it's a relief to me they weren't as boring as I originally thought they would be. I've disliked multiple pov's of side characters as long as I can remember, so when I enjoyed them, it was like a huge accomplishment for me.
The plot -> We have the Prophecy, who has taken over Shin Lina's body, even though she was meant to be destroyed, now freed, she has one mission to fill as one of the prophecies and take the lead. But when the red thread that ties Lina's Body with Rui brings them closer more, that one's death results in another, there is a change of plans.
The Prophecy uses multiple strategies and even guess Rui's brokenhearted plans. Making me quite surprised about her smartness. She knew every Rui's moveset right from start, which made Rui too predictable.
Rui was really devasted from the start, he was hopeless, and he would do anything else rather than kill the Prophecy as she's still inside his lovers body, and he hopes that Lina is still there too. I liked his character more than I would like to admit, and I have no words to describe.
I liked Iseul, her pov was so much better and I loved every reaction she had of Seojin. Every moment they had together made my heart burst. It was like something I wanted to keep close to myself.
I loved Eunbi, she didn't deserved what happened to her, she was beautiful at heart and her getting the moment at the end was so heart breaking, I loved it and I was soo sad at this part. I don't think I would ever recover what this book has brought me.
The ending was heartbreaking. It mended me, but at the same time broke me realising what has happened. And now leaving these characters make me think that I would never be able to see them again.
One fact I would like to talk about the God is that what happened, was actually correct in the place of the Gods. Gameunjang was correct on her spot as much as I don't like to admit. She had to play a part, and she did it in a way any god would have done. And yes, that gave me a sudden impact on the heart for some reasons.
This book also made such a huge impact on Shin Lina's life, going through eight stages of her acceptance, and I loved it. It was so sad for me to read about how she hated herself right from the start of even book one. And now at the end... she was healing which was the self development I wanted from her. Her journey was a huge one, and her recovery was another.
Kang realised that wasn't what he wanted in the end was a true apology I could ever get from him. And it made me slightly better. In the end.
I enjoyed this book, I would recommend the series💕 goodbye to these characters. I actually enjoyed them. And so I end this with a good quote to remember this🎀.
. ݁₊ ⊹ will read on 14th February
THE WAY I GOT THE ARC??? BUT I CAN'T READ IT BECAUSE OF MY FINAL EXAMS IS TORTURE😭
Thank you for NetGalley and Entangled publishing for giving me this arc!!🫶😭
"But to be alive, isn't that a fortune itself?"
.my thoughts.
reign of the talon picks right back up from the major ending of the second ending, and thoroughly I would say I was interested in this book more than I would care to admit. I wasn't supposed to read this until later when my exams were over, but I just couldn't help myself and decided to have a dose of mythology I was craving so hard yesterday.
the book delved into multiple person of views so far.. and it's a relief to me they weren't as boring as I originally thought they would be. I've disliked multiple pov's of side characters as long as I can remember, so when I enjoyed them, it was like a huge accomplishment for me.
The plot -> We have the Prophecy, who has taken over Shin Lina's body, even though she was meant to be destroyed, now freed, she has one mission to fill as one of the prophecies and take the lead. But when the red thread that ties Lina's Body with Rui brings them closer more, that one's death results in another, there is a change of plans.
The Prophecy uses multiple strategies and even guess Rui's brokenhearted plans. Making me quite surprised about her smartness. She knew every Rui's moveset right from start, which made Rui too predictable.
Rui was really devasted from the start, he was hopeless, and he would do anything else rather than kill the Prophecy as she's still inside his lovers body, and he hopes that Lina is still there too. I liked his character more than I would like to admit, and I have no words to describe.
I liked Iseul, her pov was so much better and I loved every reaction she had of Seojin. Every moment they had together made my heart burst. It was like something I wanted to keep close to myself.
I loved Eunbi, she didn't deserved what happened to her, she was beautiful at heart and her getting the moment at the end was so heart breaking, I loved it and I was soo sad at this part. I don't think I would ever recover what this book has brought me.
The ending was heartbreaking. It mended me, but at the same time broke me realising what has happened. And now leaving these characters make me think that I would never be able to see them again.
One fact I would like to talk about the God is that what happened, was actually correct in the place of the Gods. Gameunjang was correct on her spot as much as I don't like to admit. She had to play a part, and she did it in a way any god would have done. And yes, that gave me a sudden impact on the heart for some reasons.
This book also made such a huge impact on Shin Lina's life, going through eight stages of her acceptance, and I loved it. It was so sad for me to read about how she hated herself right from the start of even book one. And now at the end... she was healing which was the self development I wanted from her. Her journey was a huge one, and her recovery was another.
Kang realised that wasn't what he wanted in the end was a true apology I could ever get from him. And it made me slightly better. In the end.
I enjoyed this book, I would recommend the series💕 goodbye to these characters. I actually enjoyed them. And so I end this with a good quote to remember this🎀.
where endings are new beginnings.
. ݁₊ ⊹ will read on 14th February
THE WAY I GOT THE ARC??? BUT I CAN'T READ IT BECAUSE OF MY FINAL EXAMS IS TORTURE😭
Thank you for NetGalley and Entangled publishing for giving me this arc!!🫶😭
July 13, 2024
I NEED TO GET MY HANDS ON THIS BOOK AFTER WHAT YOU PULLED AT THE END OF BOOK 2. SOPHIE WHEN I CATCH YOU-😭😭
September 23, 2025
.☘︎ ݁˖ i know you're hurt. i know you're grieving. but i'm here now, asking you to do it one last time. rise to your feet, shin lina. one last time.
⋆˙⟡ 6 stars ˙⊹
one prophecy, one red string of fate, two lovers broken apart, a pantheon of angry gods. as war takes over, are they all doomed or is there hope after all? perfect for fans of alchemy of souls and korean mythology
first off thank you soo much to miss sophie for sending me an eARC. this does not affect my thoughts about the book in any way. out now! check out my latest post, to see some cool edits i made for this book :) reign of the talon book edits
reign of the talon was both my first and fiftieth read of this year, and what a beautiful book this is 🥹 the book picks up from exactly where wrath of the talon leaves us, and god reading this the first time was heart-wrenching. but rereading it?? seeing all the subtle clues and knowing how it ends?? i just about died T-T but now i think i can write a review that does this absolutely insane book justice <333
⋆˙⟡ — writing ˙⊹
miss sophie's writing has awakens the intrigue in you. especially with how almost every chapter ends in a very tiny cliffhangers, that makes you want to flip the page and read the next bit. she always keeps you on your toes, and this book was no exception. written in third pov, and with so many more character chapters, this book shows you the struggles and hopes of each one of them that's caught up in this war. i also loved the way miss sophie subtly weaves in topics like trauma, addiction, depression and so much more in a manner that keeps it true to its mythological roots, while also helping readers feel what the characters are going through. ALSO MISS SOPHIE IS SUCH A MASTERMIND?!?!? she's dropping so much hints and subtle foreshadowing, my rereading self was flabbergasted-
⋆˙⟡ — characters ˙⊹
— lina ˙⊹ "nobody's truly good. and nobody's truly bad. we're just…us. shades of gray in a dark world.”
i just about started bawling midway through my reread because how freaking unfair is this??? literally everything that happened to lina, i can't!! my baby... she is mine and miss sophie pls sign over her adoption papers rn!! if i leave her with u for an extra second she might go insane 😭😭 i am in awe of lina, and the woman she has become throughout this series!! when we start the book, lina is no longer herself. she's a mere shell that exists somewhere so deep within her head, no one could find her. but as the book unfolds, she learns and lets go. she... she is everything!! she is every oldest daughter.
— rui ˙⊹ "do what you must, little thief.. wherever you go, i will follow. i am your shadow, trailing after you even in the coldest of days.”
rui, oh rui. i love you <333 thank you for never giving up and believing in her!! this poor immortal has gone through literally everything to save his wife, and this is why my standards are as high as heaven. he fought with his own commander and advisor to make sure she stays safe?? he went against literal GODS??!!! yeah he's the literal standard 🙂↕️🙂↕️
— other characters ˙⊹
˙⊹ iseul: her character growth was the best thing ever!! her willingness to unlearn what she knew and to see the world in a different light was so beautiful 🥹
˙⊹ seojin: i have a soft spot for herbalist boys in fantasy and boy was the best person for iseul!! he helped her soo much and ahh thank you for your service ^^
˙⊹ the gods: we meet all the gods finally, and man. sigh... why are they like this???? and oh, i have LOTS TO SAY TO ONE PARTICULAR GOD. if i ever see them, its on sight 😤 like they instigated all this for FUN?!??! million of people dying for fun?? may they never have a day of peace!!!! also my extreme apologies to one god, i misunderstood her as the villain, when she was also just a victim (╥‸╥) im sorryyyyy
ᯓ★ you know whats the worst part about this book? you cant even really blame one particular character for this mess! they all are justified to take the actions they did, but doesnt mean i can stop hating some people *ahem* xxxxxx *ahem* yeah i said what i said.
— them <3 ˙⊹ “love him. desperately so, passionately so, steadily so. he is your anchor in a treacherous sea. you are his light in the impenetrable dark. where you go, he will follow.”
when i read book 1, i did not expect this series to go where it did. i did not expect what all happened to my poor lina and rui, however i am so glad they found their way back to each other. my heart wouldve given up by the end otherwise .·°՞(っ-ᯅ-ς)՞°·. i adore how their relationship evolved both throughout the series, and through this book because ASKHDKSHKFIKDJSJDKK yeah pls read!! *siri play die with a smile by lady gaga & bruno mars* ಥ_ಥ
⋆˙⟡ — the ending ˙⊹
the ending was not what i expected at all, especially when i think about where we started with book 1, but now it all makes sense (even if its soo unfair), and i adored the ending (read: i was crying my heart out, are u happy now miss sophie)
꩜ .ᐟ anyways bottom-line: idk why this series is soo underrated, but if you loved watching alchemy of souls, i promise you, you’ll love this one!!! pls go read it!!
⋆˙⟡ — incoherent review ˙⊹
˙⊹ finished the reread: i am now smh even more distraught the second time around ((T_T))
OMG OMG OMG. THAT ENDING!? I DID NOT EXPECT THAT AT ALL. this is such a heartfelt goodbye, and i don’t want to leave them yet. my rui and lina, my beloved loves please stay happy (and ms sophie let’s give them all the rest they need 🥺) my heart is full 🥹😭💘 (tho that one god, i have some choice words for you 😤) full rtc
⋆˙⟡ — pre-read thoughts ˙⊹
꩜ .ᐟ 19/12/2024: I GOT THE ARC!!! THIS ISNT A DRILL!!! AKDJSIDJSHSJIIIKAHHJ I AM GOING INSANE. AND MS SOPHIE SENT IT TO ME PERSONALLY??! I AM UNWELL. best birthday miracle fr 🥹
꩜ .ᐟ 21/10/2024: THAT COVER!!! omg this beauty has revived me from the dead! ahhhh i can’t wait to get my hands on this and see lina and rui get their very much deserved happy ending 😤 (manifesting an arc to fall from the skies🤞)
꩜ .ᐟ 20/05/2024: someone save me T-T because WHAT WAS THAT ENDING MS. SOPHIE?!?!! that shattered my heart like a crystal chandelier, it is now fine dust. i have died and a ghost is typing this out. 😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔
꩜ .ᐟ 02/04/2024: REIGN OF THE TALON! the title reveal is here and oh boy am i excited 😆🥳 ill be here to tell more when im done reading book 2. toodaloo~
⋆˙⟡ dates read ˙⊹
⤿ 20/12/2024 - 03/01/2025
⤿ 07/06/2025 - 17/06/2025
February 19, 2025
2025 reads: 33/300
2025 tbr: 14/111
i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
in this conclusion to the talons trilogy, lina, trapped inside her own mind, can do nothing but watch as chaos reigns in the three kingdoms. rui refuses to surrender and leads the armies against the imugi. the red thread of fate ties rui, lina, and the prophecy together, and only gets tighter the harder lina fights against her destiny.
something i commented on in my review of book two, wrath of the talon, was the angst. i wish i could go back in time and warn myself that the angst in that book was nothing compared to this one😭 not complaining at all, because i love books that make me emotional, but oh man…this book destroyed me in the best way.
i highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the previous two books! stock up on tissues!
2025 tbr: 14/111
i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
in this conclusion to the talons trilogy, lina, trapped inside her own mind, can do nothing but watch as chaos reigns in the three kingdoms. rui refuses to surrender and leads the armies against the imugi. the red thread of fate ties rui, lina, and the prophecy together, and only gets tighter the harder lina fights against her destiny.
something i commented on in my review of book two, wrath of the talon, was the angst. i wish i could go back in time and warn myself that the angst in that book was nothing compared to this one😭 not complaining at all, because i love books that make me emotional, but oh man…this book destroyed me in the best way.
i highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the previous two books! stock up on tissues!
February 11, 2025
Thank you so much to Sophie Kim for sending me an early copy!
Wow. I'm sitting in here in shock still reeling from the ending of this book. My mind is processing not only Reign of the Talon, but Lina's journey as a whole from Last of the Talons to now. I fear I need to take a look inside Sophie Kim's brain because never in a million years would I have imagined this series to go in the direction it did when I first started this series.
I stumbled across Last of the Talon in fall 2022 on NetGalley. Little did I know that this random ARC I found with a super cool cover would kickstart one of my favorite fantasy trilogies. I immediately fell in love with this knife-to-throat, cat-and-mouse, enemies-to-lovers fantasy. Lina and Rui captivated me from their first scenes. Their fiery chemistry, sharp banter, and taste for danger made me become quickly obsessed with them. In , I could start to see the stepping stones Sophie put in place for this plot to expand beyond just a young assassin trying to kill a Dokkeabi emperor and save her sister. This book ended with the one of the most painful, shocking cliffhanger I've read, and I was genuinely at a loss for how Lina and Rui could recover. This feeling continued in Reign of the Talon, with Sophie opening the book with the most depressing chapters 🥲. I cried so much reading the first half of this book. It was truly one of those "it'll get worse before it gets better" situations LOL.
The third person storytelling really allowed me as a reader to see all the moving pieces in this story. We have several characters telling the story in Reign of the Talon, each with their own motivations and characters arcs. Lina's chapters were definitely my favorite. Watching her embark on her own healing journey to find herself after everything she endured in her nineteen years was very beautiful. All of the scenes of Lina trying to mend her relationship with *spoiler* made me cry so much!
Rui's chapters were definitely the most nerve-wracking to read. I found myself reading one paragraph and then closing the book for some time because I was so nervous about things going wrong. Iseul's chapters were also super fun to read. She definitely quickly became one of my favorite characters. Her diva-like, sarcastic personality brought a perfect amount of comedic relief. I also love that she got her own romantic subplot in true second-couple storyline fashion in a Kdrama.
About 70% into the story, there is a new character introduction that I did not see coming at all, but in hindsight makes perfect sense given the world and mythology that Sophie is drawing on. I let out such a dramatic, audible gasp while reading this scene. While this scene does not confirm the existence of the Sophie Kim Cinematic Universe, it was still a fun addition to the story.
As the book progressed, I started to see where Sophie was taking Lina's journey. It's not at all where I expected her story to go when reading Last of the Talons, but it made perfect sense for who Lina has become in book 3. The ending of this book is perfectly like a Kdrama that has made me feel so empty inside. It feels so wild to reflect back on this series and think of how far Lina and Rui have come from their bickering in Book 1. Sophie Kim is truly a master storyteller, and I cannot wait to dive into her future books! (Thank you so much Sophie for writing one of my favorite fantasy series!)
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Wow. I'm sitting in here in shock still reeling from the ending of this book. My mind is processing not only Reign of the Talon, but Lina's journey as a whole from Last of the Talons to now. I fear I need to take a look inside Sophie Kim's brain because never in a million years would I have imagined this series to go in the direction it did when I first started this series.
I stumbled across Last of the Talon in fall 2022 on NetGalley. Little did I know that this random ARC I found with a super cool cover would kickstart one of my favorite fantasy trilogies. I immediately fell in love with this knife-to-throat, cat-and-mouse, enemies-to-lovers fantasy. Lina and Rui captivated me from their first scenes. Their fiery chemistry, sharp banter, and taste for danger made me become quickly obsessed with them. In , I could start to see the stepping stones Sophie put in place for this plot to expand beyond just a young assassin trying to kill a Dokkeabi emperor and save her sister. This book ended with the one of the most painful, shocking cliffhanger I've read, and I was genuinely at a loss for how Lina and Rui could recover. This feeling continued in Reign of the Talon, with Sophie opening the book with the most depressing chapters 🥲. I cried so much reading the first half of this book. It was truly one of those "it'll get worse before it gets better" situations LOL.
The third person storytelling really allowed me as a reader to see all the moving pieces in this story. We have several characters telling the story in Reign of the Talon, each with their own motivations and characters arcs. Lina's chapters were definitely my favorite. Watching her embark on her own healing journey to find herself after everything she endured in her nineteen years was very beautiful. All of the scenes of Lina trying to mend her relationship with *spoiler* made me cry so much!
Rui's chapters were definitely the most nerve-wracking to read. I found myself reading one paragraph and then closing the book for some time because I was so nervous about things going wrong. Iseul's chapters were also super fun to read. She definitely quickly became one of my favorite characters. Her diva-like, sarcastic personality brought a perfect amount of comedic relief. I also love that she got her own romantic subplot in true second-couple storyline fashion in a Kdrama.
About 70% into the story, there is a new character introduction that I did not see coming at all, but in hindsight makes perfect sense given the world and mythology that Sophie is drawing on. I let out such a dramatic, audible gasp while reading this scene. While this scene does not confirm the existence of the Sophie Kim Cinematic Universe, it was still a fun addition to the story.
As the book progressed, I started to see where Sophie was taking Lina's journey. It's not at all where I expected her story to go when reading Last of the Talons, but it made perfect sense for who Lina has become in book 3. The ending of this book is perfectly like a Kdrama that has made me feel so empty inside. It feels so wild to reflect back on this series and think of how far Lina and Rui have come from their bickering in Book 1. Sophie Kim is truly a master storyteller, and I cannot wait to dive into her future books! (Thank you so much Sophie for writing one of my favorite fantasy series!)
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February 15, 2025
Okay, so you know that feeling when you reach the end of a book series and you have no idea how the author is going to wrap it all up? That was me going into Reign of the Talent, and let me just say—it did not disappoint. This book is fast-paced, intense, and packed with tension from start to finish. It held my attention the entire time, and I was genuinely on edge wondering where it was all going to go.
That being said, I will admit that at times, it got a little dense. There were a lot of moving pieces—plot threads, character arcs, big dramatic moments—so I occasionally had to pause and mentally sort everything out. But honestly? That didn’t take away from my enjoyment. The core story stayed strong, and the way everything came together by the end was totally worth it.
Now, let’s talk about the romance—absolute perfection. The tension, the longing, the angst—I ate it up. And the fact that we got a happily ever after? Yes, thank you. I love a good slow burn with a solid payoff, and this book delivered.
One trope I don’t always love is the “brought back to life” moment, but in this case, I think it worked. There were a lot of deaths (some of which felt… unnecessary), so having that element in the story helped balance things out. Plus, the way it played out—the whole exchange for her sister’s life, and then the waiting aspect—felt unique and well thought out. It wasn’t just a cheap undo button; it actually mattered.
Overall, Reign of the Talent stuck the landing for the series. It was intense, emotional, and completely gripping, even when it got a little overwhelming. If you’re into fast-moving fantasy with high stakes and swoon-worthy romance, definitely add this to your TBR.
——
Listen, right here whippersnapper, I need this book. Pronto, yesterday, with haste, etc.
——
That being said, I will admit that at times, it got a little dense. There were a lot of moving pieces—plot threads, character arcs, big dramatic moments—so I occasionally had to pause and mentally sort everything out. But honestly? That didn’t take away from my enjoyment. The core story stayed strong, and the way everything came together by the end was totally worth it.
Now, let’s talk about the romance—absolute perfection. The tension, the longing, the angst—I ate it up. And the fact that we got a happily ever after? Yes, thank you. I love a good slow burn with a solid payoff, and this book delivered.
One trope I don’t always love is the “brought back to life” moment, but in this case, I think it worked. There were a lot of deaths (some of which felt… unnecessary), so having that element in the story helped balance things out. Plus, the way it played out—the whole exchange for her sister’s life, and then the waiting aspect—felt unique and well thought out. It wasn’t just a cheap undo button; it actually mattered.
Overall, Reign of the Talent stuck the landing for the series. It was intense, emotional, and completely gripping, even when it got a little overwhelming. If you’re into fast-moving fantasy with high stakes and swoon-worthy romance, definitely add this to your TBR.
——
Listen, right here whippersnapper, I need this book. Pronto, yesterday, with haste, etc.
——
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2025
Review: 4.5 Stars
I was dreading and looking forward to this book after the dreadness of Book 2. The book started with a lot of “woe is me” and introspective moments from the characters with some minimal action thrown in for about 25% of the book and I struggled a little with it. The book takes a multi-pov which makes things interesting when everything slowly comes together in the book.
This book was pure angst and heartbroken moments with everything coming through fruition due to the instigation of fate and prophecies where Lina never really had a choice in anything in the first place. It’s so lovely and heartbreaking to say how much Rui loves her and tries so hard to find her despite everything and how he refuses to give up. I love the part about Lina finding herself again and those parts bought tears into my eyes - her character has grown so much. The trilogy all did came together and everything did make sense...
I’m not doing a summary as it will give everything away and would recommend this series especially for the brilliantness in Book 3.
Thank you Entangled Publishing for the e-arc!
I was dreading and looking forward to this book after the dreadness of Book 2. The book started with a lot of “woe is me” and introspective moments from the characters with some minimal action thrown in for about 25% of the book and I struggled a little with it. The book takes a multi-pov which makes things interesting when everything slowly comes together in the book.
This book was pure angst and heartbroken moments with everything coming through fruition due to the instigation of fate and prophecies where Lina never really had a choice in anything in the first place. It’s so lovely and heartbreaking to say how much Rui loves her and tries so hard to find her despite everything and how he refuses to give up. I love the part about Lina finding herself again and those parts bought tears into my eyes - her character has grown so much. The trilogy all did came together and everything did make sense...
I’m not doing a summary as it will give everything away and would recommend this series especially for the brilliantness in Book 3.
Thank you Entangled Publishing for the e-arc!
December 19, 2024
4.25 stars!
I literally dropped everything else I was reading to start this because I couldn't wait to see how it would end. I thought this was a great finale to the Talons trilogy and one series that actually gets better with each book. I initially didn't care much for book 1, but I got the eARC for book 2 and decided to give it another chance. I'm glad I did, since I have since enjoyed Sophie Kim's other works.
After the events of book 2, Lina's body has been taken over by the Prophecy, and she has been relegated to a prison cell in her own mind. This means that this book had so much angst all around. Lina is traumatized, and the effects of this are shown as she tries to escape and reclaim her body. Her journey was written so well, and I loved her strength and how she developed. There is one particular scene to be quite emotional. And that ending!! All I'm going to say is that I did guess it because it was foreshadowed relatively early on but I did like how it wrapped up.
Other parts I enjoyed: most of the POVs, and I thought Iseul's growth was great. Loved Rui's determination, and the appearances of other gods including
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I literally dropped everything else I was reading to start this because I couldn't wait to see how it would end. I thought this was a great finale to the Talons trilogy and one series that actually gets better with each book. I initially didn't care much for book 1, but I got the eARC for book 2 and decided to give it another chance. I'm glad I did, since I have since enjoyed Sophie Kim's other works.
After the events of book 2, Lina's body has been taken over by the Prophecy, and she has been relegated to a prison cell in her own mind. This means that this book had so much angst all around. Lina is traumatized, and the effects of this are shown as she tries to escape and reclaim her body. Her journey was written so well, and I loved her strength and how she developed. There is one particular scene to be quite emotional. And that ending!! All I'm going to say is that I did guess it because it was foreshadowed relatively early on but I did like how it wrapped up.
Other parts I enjoyed: most of the POVs, and I thought Iseul's growth was great. Loved Rui's determination, and the appearances of other gods including
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2025
I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S OVER!!! These characters have grown on me so much in the last couple years and my ending with them is bittersweet. While I appreciate and agree with the ending after one heck of a journey(!), I am sad that my time with these characters has come to an end.
What I loved:
1. I loved all the strategy, conniving, and double-crossing that took place! This book definitely took war and battle to the next level, complete with sabotages, rebellions, and many, many deaths. It was gritty, but oh so realistic and a perfect environment for the final book in this series.
2. I loved that this book had so much more fantasy within it. We met so many Gods who played so many parts, good and bad. From Rui’s ancestors to the Goddess of Fate, to the God of Death, the Gods were brought in at a pace and frequency to add to the overall lore but not distract with too much information. I also found some of their…interactions in the grand scheme of things very surprising, which I loved! It was perfect.
3. I loved Lina’s battles within her own mind while she fought to regain control of her body. Without giving away too much, she essentially had these 7 tasks that she had to complete, but they were not tasks of skill but tasks of letting go, accepting her flaws and past mistakes, and moving on. To me, this was the most powerful message of the book; to me, someone who has taken a long time to accept myself and my past mistakes, this was everything I needed to read.
4. Sweet, loyal Rui. If I didn’t love you before this book, I definitely do now. Despite battling the Prophecy every step of the way, he could never, and would never, go all the way to killing it with it in Lina’s body. He could tell, as Lina’s husband and the man on the other side of the red thread, that she was still buried deep inside and fought with literally every ounce of his being to save her and bring her back.
5. Finally, what I loved most of all was how much of Iseul and Seojin we got and what we got of them. I definitely am not spoiling anything here, but let’s just say, I’m very happy with the development of these characters both individually and as a team 😊
Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and Sophie Kim for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
What I loved:
1. I loved all the strategy, conniving, and double-crossing that took place! This book definitely took war and battle to the next level, complete with sabotages, rebellions, and many, many deaths. It was gritty, but oh so realistic and a perfect environment for the final book in this series.
2. I loved that this book had so much more fantasy within it. We met so many Gods who played so many parts, good and bad. From Rui’s ancestors to the Goddess of Fate, to the God of Death, the Gods were brought in at a pace and frequency to add to the overall lore but not distract with too much information. I also found some of their…interactions in the grand scheme of things very surprising, which I loved! It was perfect.
3. I loved Lina’s battles within her own mind while she fought to regain control of her body. Without giving away too much, she essentially had these 7 tasks that she had to complete, but they were not tasks of skill but tasks of letting go, accepting her flaws and past mistakes, and moving on. To me, this was the most powerful message of the book; to me, someone who has taken a long time to accept myself and my past mistakes, this was everything I needed to read.
4. Sweet, loyal Rui. If I didn’t love you before this book, I definitely do now. Despite battling the Prophecy every step of the way, he could never, and would never, go all the way to killing it with it in Lina’s body. He could tell, as Lina’s husband and the man on the other side of the red thread, that she was still buried deep inside and fought with literally every ounce of his being to save her and bring her back.
5. Finally, what I loved most of all was how much of Iseul and Seojin we got and what we got of them. I definitely am not spoiling anything here, but let’s just say, I’m very happy with the development of these characters both individually and as a team 😊
Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and Sophie Kim for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
February 14, 2025
I'm going to miss them sooo much
Here we go!
I’ll be keeping a crying count, so far once. 🥹
—————
Wrath of the talon hurt my Soul, wishing this one would remedy it (probably won’t happen) 😭🥲
Here we go!
I’ll be keeping a crying count, so far once. 🥹
—————
Wrath of the talon hurt my Soul, wishing this one would remedy it (probably won’t happen) 😭🥲
February 14, 2025
I cannot believe this series has come to an end. When I read book 1 ages ago, I did not realise how much I would come to love this series. With Reign of the Talon , my love for the series has only grown. It is oddly bittersweet to bid farewell to this world and the characters, but man oh man, I loved the ending.
Among the many many things that I loved about this book was the inclusion of POV from different characters. This allowed a fresh new look at the story, from both sides of the battle. Lina and Rui's POVs were my favourite, because their agony, their pain and determination to find each other again just flows off the page. Lina has gone through so much throughout the trilogy, and this book really showcases the aftereffects of everything, and how desperate Lina is to fix things. Rui's POV was especially agonizing because clearly, he was split between two fronts - protect his love or kill the monster that resides within her body. I loved getting to read from Iseul's POV; she is bratty in the best way possible, and lowkey I would love a spin-off just about her adventures after the conclusion of this book.
I absolutely loved the battle scenes here - they were a masterpiece and it felt like you were actually there alongside the characters. The scheming and the strategising was another part of the book that I obsessed over; those scenes were beautifully crafted and were some of the best in the book. Also, special shoutout to that one character appearance that I let out a scream at. Those who have read all of Sophie Kim's books, you might scream too.
The conclusion and the ending go in a direction I didn't think they would, but make complete sense if you think about Lina's overarching story arc. As I mentioned in my opening paragraph of this review, I loved the ending. It wraps up all plot threads of the trilogy neatly, and feels perfect for all the characters.
Reign of the Talon delivers on all fronts as a thrilling conclusion to what has been an absolutely incredible trilogy. I cannot wait to revisit the trilogy and catch all the foreshadowing I might have missed. And after reading this, Sophie Kim has become one of my auto-buy authors and I cannot wait to read more of what she writes!
Thank you Entangled Teen for sending me an e-ARC!
Among the many many things that I loved about this book was the inclusion of POV from different characters. This allowed a fresh new look at the story, from both sides of the battle. Lina and Rui's POVs were my favourite, because their agony, their pain and determination to find each other again just flows off the page. Lina has gone through so much throughout the trilogy, and this book really showcases the aftereffects of everything, and how desperate Lina is to fix things. Rui's POV was especially agonizing because clearly, he was split between two fronts - protect his love or kill the monster that resides within her body. I loved getting to read from Iseul's POV; she is bratty in the best way possible, and lowkey I would love a spin-off just about her adventures after the conclusion of this book.
I absolutely loved the battle scenes here - they were a masterpiece and it felt like you were actually there alongside the characters. The scheming and the strategising was another part of the book that I obsessed over; those scenes were beautifully crafted and were some of the best in the book. Also, special shoutout to that one character appearance that I let out a scream at. Those who have read all of Sophie Kim's books, you might scream too.
The conclusion and the ending go in a direction I didn't think they would, but make complete sense if you think about Lina's overarching story arc. As I mentioned in my opening paragraph of this review, I loved the ending. It wraps up all plot threads of the trilogy neatly, and feels perfect for all the characters.
Reign of the Talon delivers on all fronts as a thrilling conclusion to what has been an absolutely incredible trilogy. I cannot wait to revisit the trilogy and catch all the foreshadowing I might have missed. And after reading this, Sophie Kim has become one of my auto-buy authors and I cannot wait to read more of what she writes!
Thank you Entangled Teen for sending me an e-ARC!
December 20, 2024
i absolutely loved Reign of the Talon! from the very first page, i was hooked. Sophie Kim does an incredible job of creating a world full of rich history, intriguing characters, and non-stop action.
the plot centers around a group of fierce warriors known as the Talon, and the story mixes politics, betrayal, and self-discovery in such a unique way.
i found the main character to be relatable and strong, but also vulnerable, which made her journey even more engaging. the pacing was perfect—there were plenty of twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat without it feeling rushed.
if you're into fantasy with strong world-building and complex characters, this book is definitely worth reading! 5 stars all the way!
the plot centers around a group of fierce warriors known as the Talon, and the story mixes politics, betrayal, and self-discovery in such a unique way.
i found the main character to be relatable and strong, but also vulnerable, which made her journey even more engaging. the pacing was perfect—there were plenty of twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat without it feeling rushed.
if you're into fantasy with strong world-building and complex characters, this book is definitely worth reading! 5 stars all the way!
February 14, 2025
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Reign of the Talon is the third and final installment in author Sophie Kim's Talon trilogy. This story revolves around three key characters: Haneul Rui (the Pied Piper, Emperor of Gyeulcheon) and Shin Lina, who has been split into two personalities (Prophecy and Prisoner) thanks to the heartbreaking events of Wrath of the Talon. Iseul is the last of her kind, a seven-tailed Gumiho who befriended Lina but has no idea what really happened to her. The Prophecy has already conquered one kingdom; now it wants the other two, Wyusan and Bonseyo.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Reign of the Talon is the third and final installment in author Sophie Kim's Talon trilogy. This story revolves around three key characters: Haneul Rui (the Pied Piper, Emperor of Gyeulcheon) and Shin Lina, who has been split into two personalities (Prophecy and Prisoner) thanks to the heartbreaking events of Wrath of the Talon. Iseul is the last of her kind, a seven-tailed Gumiho who befriended Lina but has no idea what really happened to her. The Prophecy has already conquered one kingdom; now it wants the other two, Wyusan and Bonseyo.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
August 22, 2025
This was an awesome ending to this trilogy. If you enjoy fantasy and more, then be sure to check this book out at your local library and wherever books and ebooks are sold.
November 7, 2025
Lieblings-Reihe! 🤩
December 20, 2024
thank you for the ARC! Sophie Kim never disappoints me. what a roller coaster ride from crying because of book one and now crying because of the ending of the trilogy. i can't believe that Shin Lina's story is at its ending, but as Lina's said, "endings are new beginnings," so I can't wait for more.
again, thank you for Sophie Kim and the publisher!
again, thank you for Sophie Kim and the publisher!
April 23, 2025
thank you SO MUCH to netgalley, colored pages blog tours and entangled teen for an early (AND PHYSICAL) copy! all opinions are my own!
yeah no, hello new favourite book of the year and new fave trilogies of all time
this book made me sob FIVE FREAKING TIMES!!!! AND ALL OF THOSE TIMES WAS BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THE MC WAS SUFFERING THROUGH!!! there is no other character that deserves peace and a beautiful life than Lina, tbh. she went through SO MUCH and i adored her journey in this book. it also solidified Rui as the ultimate book boyfriend because the many times he repeated that he would do ANYTHING for Lina had me swooning badly. all the POVs added so much to the story, Iseul's POV was one i truly enjoyed reading and made me love her more.
if you haven't read the trilogy, i don't know what else to tell you: it was Korean mythology, enemies to lovers to enemies to a lot of things, characters who would do anything to protect their loved one, high stakes, a lot of character development, prophecies that don't make sense, horrible villains that sometimes those could be the MCs themselves... i will never regret asking for the audiobook of the first one after seeing it on the Read now section on Netgalley. Thank you Fate for bringing it to my fave series ever ❤❤❤❤❤
yeah no, hello new favourite book of the year and new fave trilogies of all time
this book made me sob FIVE FREAKING TIMES!!!! AND ALL OF THOSE TIMES WAS BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THE MC WAS SUFFERING THROUGH!!! there is no other character that deserves peace and a beautiful life than Lina, tbh. she went through SO MUCH and i adored her journey in this book. it also solidified Rui as the ultimate book boyfriend because the many times he repeated that he would do ANYTHING for Lina had me swooning badly. all the POVs added so much to the story, Iseul's POV was one i truly enjoyed reading and made me love her more.
if you haven't read the trilogy, i don't know what else to tell you: it was Korean mythology, enemies to lovers to enemies to a lot of things, characters who would do anything to protect their loved one, high stakes, a lot of character development, prophecies that don't make sense, horrible villains that sometimes those could be the MCs themselves... i will never regret asking for the audiobook of the first one after seeing it on the Read now section on Netgalley. Thank you Fate for bringing it to my fave series ever ❤❤❤❤❤
February 21, 2025
thank you to the author and colored books tour for the arc!
4.5
"Rise to your feet, Shin Lina. One last time."
this book sent me on a rollercoaster. it made me cry, made me hate, made me question life at times, and towards the very end, even made me happy. i welcomed all the emotions this book had to offer (some more than others, haha); sophie kim truly has such an amazing talent with story writing, because everything about this story is so well crafted. the plot twist at the end made me lose all hope in life NOT GONNA LIE AHAHAHA MISS SOPHIE JUST LETTING YOU KNOW I HAVEN'T HEALED!!
we got to explore so many new pov's in this book and there was truly not a single on that i did not like!! i loved iseul's character so much and her and seojin's interaction were so <33 I LOVE THEM!! there definitely were some characters that i hated A LOT in this book they deserve what they go through at the end they can go rot in a ditch for all i care oh i hate them
honestly this whole book was like it gets worse before it gets better. but it got worse a lot. like it was worse, worse, worse, slightly better, worse, WORSE, worse, then better again. the ending really does heal something within you. my heart was actually aching as i read the last few chapters. those last couple of chapters were so freaking good to read i absolutely love how she takes on a full journey that truly connects the previous two books. this book, i think, at it's core, is about learning to accept yourself. it's about forgiving, understanding, love (all types, romantic, platonic, familial), and most importantly, loving yourself. that whole maze we go through (if you know, you know) was probably one of my favourite parts of this book.
also, i just want to talk about rui. this is the type of loyalty and trust we need in real life. this man is truly something else. the faith he has in lina, the way even if the entire world says that he needs to kill her body he tries his hardest to avoid it? the love he has for lina???? oh my god please he is just. just too good for this world. my poor boy went through so freaking much this book i'm hoping he takes the time to heal (and based on the ending, i think he has/is :))
i'm going to avoid talking about each character individually because it is very difficult to do without spoiling, so i'm just going to say that this is truly a fantastic conclusion; sophie kim i cannot wait for you to write more.
4.5
"Rise to your feet, Shin Lina. One last time."
this book sent me on a rollercoaster. it made me cry, made me hate, made me question life at times, and towards the very end, even made me happy. i welcomed all the emotions this book had to offer (some more than others, haha); sophie kim truly has such an amazing talent with story writing, because everything about this story is so well crafted. the plot twist at the end made me lose all hope in life NOT GONNA LIE AHAHAHA MISS SOPHIE JUST LETTING YOU KNOW I HAVEN'T HEALED!!
we got to explore so many new pov's in this book and there was truly not a single on that i did not like!! i loved iseul's character so much and her and seojin's interaction were so <33 I LOVE THEM!! there definitely were some characters that i hated A LOT in this book they deserve what they go through at the end they can go rot in a ditch for all i care oh i hate them
honestly this whole book was like it gets worse before it gets better. but it got worse a lot. like it was worse, worse, worse, slightly better, worse, WORSE, worse, then better again. the ending really does heal something within you. my heart was actually aching as i read the last few chapters. those last couple of chapters were so freaking good to read i absolutely love how she takes on a full journey that truly connects the previous two books. this book, i think, at it's core, is about learning to accept yourself. it's about forgiving, understanding, love (all types, romantic, platonic, familial), and most importantly, loving yourself. that whole maze we go through (if you know, you know) was probably one of my favourite parts of this book.
also, i just want to talk about rui. this is the type of loyalty and trust we need in real life. this man is truly something else. the faith he has in lina, the way even if the entire world says that he needs to kill her body he tries his hardest to avoid it? the love he has for lina???? oh my god please he is just. just too good for this world. my poor boy went through so freaking much this book i'm hoping he takes the time to heal (and based on the ending, i think he has/is :))
i'm going to avoid talking about each character individually because it is very difficult to do without spoiling, so i'm just going to say that this is truly a fantastic conclusion; sophie kim i cannot wait for you to write more.
February 11, 2025
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Considering how Wrath of the Talon ended, I knew I had to immediately jump into Reign of the Talon. I loved how it ended as Kim develops Lina as a character and her relationship with Rui. In Reign of the Talon, Lina faces her own imprisonment and her grief. We can become so overcome with grief, we allow ourselves and our actions to go against who we are. Reign of the Talon is about confronting our mistakes and our guilt to come back to who we are. To reclaim Lina's agency and face her ghosts.
Considering how Wrath of the Talon ended, I knew I had to immediately jump into Reign of the Talon. I loved how it ended as Kim develops Lina as a character and her relationship with Rui. In Reign of the Talon, Lina faces her own imprisonment and her grief. We can become so overcome with grief, we allow ourselves and our actions to go against who we are. Reign of the Talon is about confronting our mistakes and our guilt to come back to who we are. To reclaim Lina's agency and face her ghosts.
February 24, 2025
a very nice ending to the series :) although i hate first person books and i felt like the story plot was a little scattered :/
May 2, 2025
Genre: YA Fantasy
Satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.
My favorite part was the prisoner POV and her escape plan/ seeing the old characters from the first book.
Satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.
My favorite part was the prisoner POV and her escape plan/ seeing the old characters from the first book.
August 20, 2025
3.5. i was expecting a lot more from this finale, considering how much i liked the first 2 books. i just think that this added too much to the story in the final book. the whole concept of the gods interfering should have been introduced much earlier, because as it stands, it comes out of nowhere and makes the story more convoluted. that being said, i love lina and rui
December 19, 2025
3.5 Stars
July 2, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The prophecy has arrived and so has war. There is a prisoner, caged within the walls of her own mind. The once-fierce assassin, Shin Lina, can do nothing but watch as blood and chaos sweeps across the Three Kingdoms. After all, it was Lina who unleashed the Prophecy upon her world. All the secrets. All the lies. They’re all her fault. However, Haneul Rui, the immortal Dokkaebi Emperor refuses to surrender. He leads the armies against the serpentine Imugi. He wields his scorching fire atop blood-soaked battlefields. He rallies his soldiers against a terrifying future of death and destruction. The red thread of fate ties Rui, Lina, and the Prophecy together in love and hatred. The more Lina fights against her destiny, the tighter the thread becomes. They are bound in both life and death, to wound one is to wound them all. To kill the Child of Venom is to kill them all. Soon enough, not even the gods themselves can stop their inevitable ruin.
“‘Our name is Shin Lina,’ she whispers, ‘and we will triumph. Fear not that this is your end - trust that this is your beginning.’”
I think this is Sophie Kim’s best book. I love how she included the different perspectives of the Prophecy, Lina, and Rui, along with other side characters. The writing was so unique, so spectacular. By the time the story got to part 4, tears were already in my eyes. I started tearing up near the halfway point of the book. I absolutely loved this book. Truly a masterpiece by Kim.
“Nobody’s truly Good. And nobody’s truly bad. We’re just…us. Shades of gray in a dark world.”
Shin Lina has grown so much as a person throughout the book. I’m so happy to see her finally fight back and become the woman she was meant to be. She finally learns to let go.
“Death is coming for us both, Lina. It is only a question of how we choose to meet it.”
Hanuel Rui put his wife over everything. He fights back, willing to do anything to save Lina. His relationship with his two friends diminish over the course of the story, something that I didn’t enjoy very much. Nevertheless, Rui’s character truly evolves in this final book.
“You can be worthy of love, if you allow yourself to be.”
Iseul has grown so much. Her character has truly evolved as she is willing to see the world in a different perspective. She was willing to put what she had learned behind her, unlearning what she knew.
I loved Lina and Eunbi’s relationship. 😍 Their bond as sisters have grown so much since book 1. I absolutely loved seeing them work out their emotions and problems, especially through their ups and downs. Their sisterly bond was definitely my favourite relationship. Definitely makes me think of my relationship with my sister. Another thing I loved was Lina’s connection to each one of the Talons. They truly are one as a family and their bond is just beautiful. And that is what got me sobbing at the end.
In this book, we are finally introduced to the gods. I didn’t like the gods, as I found that most of them irritated me. I feel like the whole prophecy thing and wiping out the Three Kingdoms and killing innocent people was just too much.
When I first read book 1, I wasn’t too sure about the series. However, as I read book 2 and 3, I discovered my love for this series. Lina and Rui’s characters have changed and grown in so many ways and I am very happy that I got to see their journey together.
With the ending, I was not expecting what had happened. The scenes were so special, so raw with emotion. I just couldn’t help myself but cry. 😭 I fell in love with each character, seeing them develop further was amazing. Everyone needs to read this series. I swear, you will not be disappointed.
“For a few long moments, I stare at the place where she once was, picking up my broken pieces and fitting them back together. As a tear traces a path down my cheek, I feel - for the very first time - entirely whole.
Ready to confront this last self.
So with a deep breath, I begin to run.”
The prophecy has arrived and so has war. There is a prisoner, caged within the walls of her own mind. The once-fierce assassin, Shin Lina, can do nothing but watch as blood and chaos sweeps across the Three Kingdoms. After all, it was Lina who unleashed the Prophecy upon her world. All the secrets. All the lies. They’re all her fault. However, Haneul Rui, the immortal Dokkaebi Emperor refuses to surrender. He leads the armies against the serpentine Imugi. He wields his scorching fire atop blood-soaked battlefields. He rallies his soldiers against a terrifying future of death and destruction. The red thread of fate ties Rui, Lina, and the Prophecy together in love and hatred. The more Lina fights against her destiny, the tighter the thread becomes. They are bound in both life and death, to wound one is to wound them all. To kill the Child of Venom is to kill them all. Soon enough, not even the gods themselves can stop their inevitable ruin.
“‘Our name is Shin Lina,’ she whispers, ‘and we will triumph. Fear not that this is your end - trust that this is your beginning.’”
I think this is Sophie Kim’s best book. I love how she included the different perspectives of the Prophecy, Lina, and Rui, along with other side characters. The writing was so unique, so spectacular. By the time the story got to part 4, tears were already in my eyes. I started tearing up near the halfway point of the book. I absolutely loved this book. Truly a masterpiece by Kim.
“Nobody’s truly Good. And nobody’s truly bad. We’re just…us. Shades of gray in a dark world.”
Shin Lina has grown so much as a person throughout the book. I’m so happy to see her finally fight back and become the woman she was meant to be. She finally learns to let go.
“Death is coming for us both, Lina. It is only a question of how we choose to meet it.”
Hanuel Rui put his wife over everything. He fights back, willing to do anything to save Lina. His relationship with his two friends diminish over the course of the story, something that I didn’t enjoy very much. Nevertheless, Rui’s character truly evolves in this final book.
“You can be worthy of love, if you allow yourself to be.”
Iseul has grown so much. Her character has truly evolved as she is willing to see the world in a different perspective. She was willing to put what she had learned behind her, unlearning what she knew.
I loved Lina and Eunbi’s relationship. 😍 Their bond as sisters have grown so much since book 1. I absolutely loved seeing them work out their emotions and problems, especially through their ups and downs. Their sisterly bond was definitely my favourite relationship. Definitely makes me think of my relationship with my sister. Another thing I loved was Lina’s connection to each one of the Talons. They truly are one as a family and their bond is just beautiful. And that is what got me sobbing at the end.
In this book, we are finally introduced to the gods. I didn’t like the gods, as I found that most of them irritated me. I feel like the whole prophecy thing and wiping out the Three Kingdoms and killing innocent people was just too much.
When I first read book 1, I wasn’t too sure about the series. However, as I read book 2 and 3, I discovered my love for this series. Lina and Rui’s characters have changed and grown in so many ways and I am very happy that I got to see their journey together.
With the ending, I was not expecting what had happened. The scenes were so special, so raw with emotion. I just couldn’t help myself but cry. 😭 I fell in love with each character, seeing them develop further was amazing. Everyone needs to read this series. I swear, you will not be disappointed.
“For a few long moments, I stare at the place where she once was, picking up my broken pieces and fitting them back together. As a tear traces a path down my cheek, I feel - for the very first time - entirely whole.
Ready to confront this last self.
So with a deep breath, I begin to run.”
March 9, 2025
Content Warnings:
Thank you the publisher, Entangled Teen, for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I'll be upfront, I don't think this is as strong as the first 2 books. The mental health aspect felt a little surface level, the romance was wildly just so "why is this the main priority right now".
The characters where the same as before, not too much here to say. They didn't really change too much over this book, and Lina x Rui where even more obsessed with each other than before lmao. Lina does try and grow throughout this book, and it's kinda the point of her plot actually - but with such a short time trying to go through each part it feels very surface level and like she doesn't *actually* learn anything more than just "huh I should think about this a lil more".
There was also just far too many characters. It's a multi-POV book and I genuinely lost count of how many POVs there were. Some of the POVs were only around for like 1 or 2 chapters and kinda just.. didn't add that much.
The plot was pretty straightforward and what you'd expect after the first books. War and fighting, rebellion and reflection. A mostly direct continuation from the end of the last book - war has started but it's a little bit into it. The characters kinda play like how you'd expect them to in this situation. The kinda surface level mental health aspect of Lina in the mind I felt could really have had fewer sections and each one had a longer time. Cause rn it feels like it mostly just boils down to "I gotta have a harder think about some things and let myself remember some stuff" which is great, it is a step forward, but I feel like just way too much tries to be done especially when something like this takes a lot more time to fully sink in.
The ending is pretty good though, I did quite enjoy the "final act" of sorts. Very good ending for the story and a really nice wrap up :)
Graphic: Death of a Parent, Death, War, Blood, Injury Detail
Moderate: Death of a Child, Sexual Assault, Depersonalisation, Fantasy/Old Medical Scenes
Thank you the publisher, Entangled Teen, for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I'll be upfront, I don't think this is as strong as the first 2 books. The mental health aspect felt a little surface level, the romance was wildly just so "why is this the main priority right now".
The characters where the same as before, not too much here to say. They didn't really change too much over this book, and Lina x Rui where even more obsessed with each other than before lmao. Lina does try and grow throughout this book, and it's kinda the point of her plot actually - but with such a short time trying to go through each part it feels very surface level and like she doesn't *actually* learn anything more than just "huh I should think about this a lil more".
There was also just far too many characters. It's a multi-POV book and I genuinely lost count of how many POVs there were. Some of the POVs were only around for like 1 or 2 chapters and kinda just.. didn't add that much.
The plot was pretty straightforward and what you'd expect after the first books. War and fighting, rebellion and reflection. A mostly direct continuation from the end of the last book - war has started but it's a little bit into it. The characters kinda play like how you'd expect them to in this situation. The kinda surface level mental health aspect of Lina in the mind I felt could really have had fewer sections and each one had a longer time. Cause rn it feels like it mostly just boils down to "I gotta have a harder think about some things and let myself remember some stuff" which is great, it is a step forward, but I feel like just way too much tries to be done especially when something like this takes a lot more time to fully sink in.
The ending is pretty good though, I did quite enjoy the "final act" of sorts. Very good ending for the story and a really nice wrap up :)
July 21, 2024
either i get this book soon or i lose my sanity
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