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Talon Duology #1
Talonsister
Uncover a magical past that refuses to be forgotten in a world of mythical creatures and ruthless religion in this brand-new duology from the multi-award winning author of The Ninth Rain, perfect for fans of John Gwynne and Andrea Stewart.
Leven has no memory of her life before she was a soldier. The process of turning her into a Herald – a magical killing machine – was traumatic enough that it wiped her mind clean. Now, with the war won and the Imperium satisfied, she finds herself unemployed and facing a bleak future. Her fellow Heralds are disappearing, and her own mind seems to be coming apart at the seams. Strange visions, memories she shouldn’t have, are resurfacing, and none of them make any sense. They show her Brittletain, the ancient and mysterious island that the Imperium was never able to tame. Leven resolves to go to this place of magic and warring queens, with the hope of finding who she really is.
Envoy Kaeto has done a number of important little jobs for the Imperium, most of them nasty, all of them in the shadows. His newest assignment is to escort the bone-crafter Gynid Tyleigh as she travels across the Imperium – as the woman responsible for creating the Heralds, his employers owe her a great deal. But Tyleigh’s ambition alarms even Kaeto, and her conviction that she has found a new source of Titan bones, buried deep in the earth, could lead to another, even bloodier war.
Ynis was raised by the griffins, and has never seen another human face. She lives wild, as they do, eating her meat raw and flying with her talon-sister, T’rook. The griffins fiercely protect their isolation – the piles of skulls that litter the mountains of Brittletain are testament to that – but the magic they guard will always make them a target for the greed of men. By choosing not to kill Ynis when she was just a baby, the griffins may have doomed themselves – because the girl’s past is coming for her, and it carries a lethal blade.
Leven has no memory of her life before she was a soldier. The process of turning her into a Herald – a magical killing machine – was traumatic enough that it wiped her mind clean. Now, with the war won and the Imperium satisfied, she finds herself unemployed and facing a bleak future. Her fellow Heralds are disappearing, and her own mind seems to be coming apart at the seams. Strange visions, memories she shouldn’t have, are resurfacing, and none of them make any sense. They show her Brittletain, the ancient and mysterious island that the Imperium was never able to tame. Leven resolves to go to this place of magic and warring queens, with the hope of finding who she really is.
Envoy Kaeto has done a number of important little jobs for the Imperium, most of them nasty, all of them in the shadows. His newest assignment is to escort the bone-crafter Gynid Tyleigh as she travels across the Imperium – as the woman responsible for creating the Heralds, his employers owe her a great deal. But Tyleigh’s ambition alarms even Kaeto, and her conviction that she has found a new source of Titan bones, buried deep in the earth, could lead to another, even bloodier war.
Ynis was raised by the griffins, and has never seen another human face. She lives wild, as they do, eating her meat raw and flying with her talon-sister, T’rook. The griffins fiercely protect their isolation – the piles of skulls that litter the mountains of Brittletain are testament to that – but the magic they guard will always make them a target for the greed of men. By choosing not to kill Ynis when she was just a baby, the griffins may have doomed themselves – because the girl’s past is coming for her, and it carries a lethal blade.
560 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2023
63 people are currently reading
5265 people want to read
About the author
Jen Williams
38 books1,635 followersJen Williams lives in London with her partner and their small ridiculous cat. Having been a fan of grisly fairy tales from a young age, these days Jen writes dark unsettling thrillers with strong female leads, as well as character-driven fantasy novels with plenty of adventure and magic. Her debut novel, The Copper Promise, kicked off the Copper Cat trilogy in 2014, and since then she has twice won the British Fantasy Award for her second trilogy, the Winnowing Flame. Her first thriller, Dog Rose Dirt, was published with HarperCollins in July 2021. Jen has two upcoming releases in 2023: Games for Dead Girls with Harpercollins, and Talonsister with Titan. When she’s not writing books she enjoys messing about with video games and embroidery, and also works as a part-time bookseller and a freelance copywriter.
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October 7, 2023
ARC provided by the publisher—Titan Books—in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5 stars
Talonsister is a slow-burn low-stakes novel that rewards its reader with an explosive high-stakes ending.
It is not an easy task to review Talonsister. I have been a fan of The Winnowing Flame trilogy by Jen Williams for roughly four years now. It can be gratifying to recommend The Winnowing Flame trilogy to other fantasy readers. When I hear readers start reading The Winnowing Flame trilogy, or any fantasy series, because of my review and recommendations, it satisfies me if they love the recommended series. It is a pleasure of mine, why I continue reviewing, and I’m even mentioned in the acknowledgment of Talonsister for doing that. And I am incredibly thankful for this badge of honor. The Poison Song, the final book in The Winnowing Flame trilogy, was released in 2019. And for the past four years, seeing new readers flock to the trilogy has undoubtedly been a joy. But yes, four years! It has been four years since The Winnowing Flame was concluded, and Talonsister marked the first time Jen Williams returned to the fantasy scene since then. This was easily one of my most anticipated books of the year. And with such high expectations, I am both happy and sad to say there were a few aspects where Talonsister did and did not meet my high expectations.
If you want to know the premise of Talonsister, I recommend you to check out the official blurb on Goodreads or Amazon. It did a great job explaining the premise without giving any spoilers away. Now, from me, if you’re going to read Talonsister, my advice is this: prepare for a slow-burn narration with exploration as the sole driving strength in the first 65% of the book. Talonsister takes place in a world inspired by Britain. From the map and the names of the locations, this is obvious. And we get to follow four main POV characters throughout the novel. But here’s the thing. Their storyline, all four POV characters, initially revolves around a single mission. These missions, although different from one another, are basically getting from one place to the destination. And within, the first 300 pages were full of slow-burn relationship development, explorations, world-building, and exploration. This is usually okay to do. I have read and loved many novels that utilize this minimal plotting while focusing on characterizations and developments. But the first 65%, more or less 300 pages of the book, barely have conflicts. And when they existed, they were too low-stakes to immerse me. And yes, that is how long it took before the story turned exciting and engaging for me. It was a slog reading through the first half of Talonsister, something I did not expect from Jen Williams's fantasy novel.
Thankfully, Talonsister was not thoroughly disappointing. It could be that if we read only the first half. If you persevere to the end and have read The Winnowing Flame trilogy, you will know Jen Williams is not a storyteller who wastes all the build-up to the world-building and character work. Unique world-building and great characters are some of Jen Williams’ forte as a fantasy writer, and as I said, we follow the perspective of four main characters in Talonsister. Ynis is an orphaned human kid raised by Griffins. Leven, a powerful Herald with a mission to go to Brittletain to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of her fellow Herald and the reoccurring strange visions she keeps seeing that tell her to go to Brittletain. Then, a druin named Cillian is assigned to be Leven's tour guide in Brittletain. Finally, there is Kaeto, an Envoy of the Imperium in charge of accompanying the bone-crafter, Gynid Tyleigh, across the Imperium in search of new Titan bones. Although it is true the low stakes and the slow burn did not make me feel invested in the main characters in the first half of the novel, my opinion and feelings have shifted in the final 35%.
By the end, as it turns out, I did care about the friendship between Leven, Cillian, and Epona. More than I thought I would! The same goes for Ynis. I found it difficult to feel interested in Kaeto’s storyline for most of the book because his story felt so disjointed compared to the rest. It was not until the end, after a big revelation and convergence, that I finally ended up enjoying Kaeto’s storyline and his affection for Belise. Jen Williams left the best of the series in the final 35%, and although there were times when I almost DNFed the book, I am glad I strived to the end. The last third of Talonsister is Jen Williams at her best. I cannot deny I do wish I felt invested in the story and characters much earlier in the story, just like I did with The Ninth Rain. But I still got what I wanted from Talonsister, even if it was later than expected.
In other words, to put it simply, your patience with Talonsister will be rewarded. If you are in the mood for reading a slow-burn narrative about a found family in an intricate world reminiscent of Princess Mononoke, then you cannot go wrong reading Talonsister. After that ending, I certainly look forward to reading the conclusion of Talon Duology as soon as possible. Hopefully, there will be a detailed summary of what has happened in this book by the time the sequel and final book of the duology is out. Once again, thank you so much to Jen Williams for including me in the acknowledgment of Talonsister. Even though I did not enjoy this as much as The Winnowing Flame trilogy, I still will undoubtedly recommend Talonsister to the correct readers.
You can order this book from: Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Biskit, Brad, Cade, Chris, Cullen, Dan, David, Dernerror, Donna, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elaine, Elias, Ellen, Frank, Garrick, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, Jenn, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Kristina, Lara, Lourdes, Luis, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Norbert, Radiah, RCT, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tori, Tracy, Trish, TS, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
3.5/5 stars
Talonsister is a slow-burn low-stakes novel that rewards its reader with an explosive high-stakes ending.
It is not an easy task to review Talonsister. I have been a fan of The Winnowing Flame trilogy by Jen Williams for roughly four years now. It can be gratifying to recommend The Winnowing Flame trilogy to other fantasy readers. When I hear readers start reading The Winnowing Flame trilogy, or any fantasy series, because of my review and recommendations, it satisfies me if they love the recommended series. It is a pleasure of mine, why I continue reviewing, and I’m even mentioned in the acknowledgment of Talonsister for doing that. And I am incredibly thankful for this badge of honor. The Poison Song, the final book in The Winnowing Flame trilogy, was released in 2019. And for the past four years, seeing new readers flock to the trilogy has undoubtedly been a joy. But yes, four years! It has been four years since The Winnowing Flame was concluded, and Talonsister marked the first time Jen Williams returned to the fantasy scene since then. This was easily one of my most anticipated books of the year. And with such high expectations, I am both happy and sad to say there were a few aspects where Talonsister did and did not meet my high expectations.
“A hundred loyal men and women, their memories erased and their dedication to the Imperium absolute. Their bodies are inscribed with the power of the Titans, and none will stand in their way.”
If you want to know the premise of Talonsister, I recommend you to check out the official blurb on Goodreads or Amazon. It did a great job explaining the premise without giving any spoilers away. Now, from me, if you’re going to read Talonsister, my advice is this: prepare for a slow-burn narration with exploration as the sole driving strength in the first 65% of the book. Talonsister takes place in a world inspired by Britain. From the map and the names of the locations, this is obvious. And we get to follow four main POV characters throughout the novel. But here’s the thing. Their storyline, all four POV characters, initially revolves around a single mission. These missions, although different from one another, are basically getting from one place to the destination. And within, the first 300 pages were full of slow-burn relationship development, explorations, world-building, and exploration. This is usually okay to do. I have read and loved many novels that utilize this minimal plotting while focusing on characterizations and developments. But the first 65%, more or less 300 pages of the book, barely have conflicts. And when they existed, they were too low-stakes to immerse me. And yes, that is how long it took before the story turned exciting and engaging for me. It was a slog reading through the first half of Talonsister, something I did not expect from Jen Williams's fantasy novel.
‘Convinced he is special, that one. Ynis, beware of those who are convinced of their own specialness– it usually means they can’t see further than their own beaks.’
Thankfully, Talonsister was not thoroughly disappointing. It could be that if we read only the first half. If you persevere to the end and have read The Winnowing Flame trilogy, you will know Jen Williams is not a storyteller who wastes all the build-up to the world-building and character work. Unique world-building and great characters are some of Jen Williams’ forte as a fantasy writer, and as I said, we follow the perspective of four main characters in Talonsister. Ynis is an orphaned human kid raised by Griffins. Leven, a powerful Herald with a mission to go to Brittletain to solve the mystery behind the disappearance of her fellow Herald and the reoccurring strange visions she keeps seeing that tell her to go to Brittletain. Then, a druin named Cillian is assigned to be Leven's tour guide in Brittletain. Finally, there is Kaeto, an Envoy of the Imperium in charge of accompanying the bone-crafter, Gynid Tyleigh, across the Imperium in search of new Titan bones. Although it is true the low stakes and the slow burn did not make me feel invested in the main characters in the first half of the novel, my opinion and feelings have shifted in the final 35%.
‘Sadness and pain are nothing to be ashamed of. They are important parts of our lives, the darker twin to love and joy. Without them, without all these things, we are incomplete.
By the end, as it turns out, I did care about the friendship between Leven, Cillian, and Epona. More than I thought I would! The same goes for Ynis. I found it difficult to feel interested in Kaeto’s storyline for most of the book because his story felt so disjointed compared to the rest. It was not until the end, after a big revelation and convergence, that I finally ended up enjoying Kaeto’s storyline and his affection for Belise. Jen Williams left the best of the series in the final 35%, and although there were times when I almost DNFed the book, I am glad I strived to the end. The last third of Talonsister is Jen Williams at her best. I cannot deny I do wish I felt invested in the story and characters much earlier in the story, just like I did with The Ninth Rain. But I still got what I wanted from Talonsister, even if it was later than expected.
“Brittletain is built on the bones of giants, it is said, and a great skull is buried underneath the kingdom of Galabroc. Beneath the keep there are echoing tunnels of bone, and dark spirits walk there, thinking only of the lost ages of ice. As bright and bustling as Galabroc is, as sturdy and as forthright its people, it is a melancholy place, and such mood seeps into the earth and stones. The ghosts are so old that no one knew their names even in my time. I do not like to go to Galabroc.”
In other words, to put it simply, your patience with Talonsister will be rewarded. If you are in the mood for reading a slow-burn narrative about a found family in an intricate world reminiscent of Princess Mononoke, then you cannot go wrong reading Talonsister. After that ending, I certainly look forward to reading the conclusion of Talon Duology as soon as possible. Hopefully, there will be a detailed summary of what has happened in this book by the time the sequel and final book of the duology is out. Once again, thank you so much to Jen Williams for including me in the acknowledgment of Talonsister. Even though I did not enjoy this as much as The Winnowing Flame trilogy, I still will undoubtedly recommend Talonsister to the correct readers.
“I’d also like to send huge dollops of gratitude to Petrik Leo, Elliot Brooks and The Broken Binding, who together brought a whole new audience to the Winnowing Flame trilogy. Publishing can be a hard business, often crushing entire authors underfoot, so it’s incredibly uplifting to witness the power of people who just love books and reading and want to share their passion. Bravo!”
You can order this book from: Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Biskit, Brad, Cade, Chris, Cullen, Dan, David, Dernerror, Donna, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elaine, Elias, Ellen, Frank, Garrick, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, Jenn, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Kristina, Lara, Lourdes, Luis, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Norbert, Radiah, RCT, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tori, Tracy, Trish, TS, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
April 17, 2025
➽ And the moral of this reread is: Not sure I would have reread this one, had I remembered what Jen Williams had in store. I'm going to need some time to re-recover from this one.
Note to self: Remember to fill the liquor cabinet before starting Titanchild. Ample amounts of alcohol will surely be needed to make it through the book.
✉️ A message from Sarah of the Future Who Just Finished Writing this Thing: do yourself a favor, skip this pathetic review and start reading this book now. You are quite welcome.
What happened here is inversely proportional to what happened with my dear friend Jane Yellowrocknearly a decade ago (I feel so bloody ancient right now) a few years ago. As I was reading the first half of the book, I thought it was pretty good (it’s Jen Williams, DUH) but far from reaching Complete Fangirling Territory (CFMT™). (I expected Winnowing Flame Levels of Utter Scrumptiousness—LoUS™—from the get-go so my little black heart was slightly crushed by this most unexpected turn of events.) If I’d had to rate the book at this point, I probably would have gone for a miserable 3.5-star rating.
But as the story progressed, I thought to my little self: “hey, this is much, much better than I originally thought, it looks like I read the first half of the book really wrong!” And, lo and behold, my hypothetical rating went up to 4 stars! Upon finishing the book and writing my captivating pre-review, I considered going for a 4.489977569-star rating but eventually decided to leave it at 4. (Goes to show you can be both nefarious and a complete, utter idiot.)
Over the next few days, I couldn’t stop thinking about the book. And what a fantastic storyteller Jen Williams is. And how rich and unique the world she created is. And how diverse, complex, and endearing her characters are. And how much I wanted to get back to the Starlight Emperium. In other words, I had a lightbulb moment . And finally gave the book the rating it deserves. So go me and stuff.
Now, to expand a teensy little bit on what I mentioned up here ↑↑ (aka Why You Need to Read this Book Posthaste):
① This world. THIS WORLD.
A seemingly invincibleCrustacean empire bent on conquering the world, an alternate Not-So-United Kingdom—called Brittletain—ruled by queens (👋waves at Boudica Broudicca👋), mysterious woods and their horned guardians, Titans, a land of sentient griffins, magically-enhanced warriors…I could go on and on and on and on but could never do the utter scrumptiousness that is this world justice, so read the book and find out for your little selves!
② Those characters. THOSE CHARACTERS.
I’m not sure how Jen Williams does it but she always creates the most fantastic, engaging, compelling, relatable, touching characters. She does broken/conflicted/messed up characters who struggle to fit in SO well. Oh, and she writes the best evil, treacherous, deranged bitches, too. And the most amazing griffins, obviously 😬.
Now one issue people might have with the book is its structure. It’s a multiple-POV type story, in which we follow three sets of characters. The links between them are not clear at first and it takes quite a long time for all the different threads to come together. But believe me, when they finally do, they do. And HOW. Think “bloody shrimping hell of the stinking fish, I didn’t see that one coming!”
And now I can’t wait to read the next installment. And have my poor little black heart thoroughly crushed in the process. Because it is a truth universally acknowledged that Jen Williams is one of the cruelest, most heartless authors ever. Just ask anyone who has read the final installment in the Winnowing Flame trilogy, they’ll tell you. Well they will if they managed to survive the book 😬.
➽ And the moral of this review is:
P.S. This books features one of the most lovably deranged kids ever. Just so you know.
[Pre-review nonsense]
Jen Williams, I lurves thee.
P.S. I want to start my next life as yenlin and fly with griffins and eat raw meat and stuff. Just so you know.
➽ Review to come and stuff.
[Pre-review nonsense]
April 2023
A new Fantasy story by Jen Williams of The Most Scrumptious Winnowing Flame Trilogy?
Oh and also:
Note to self: Remember to fill the liquor cabinet before starting Titanchild. Ample amounts of alcohol will surely be needed to make it through the book.
✉️ A message from Sarah of the Future Who Just Finished Writing this Thing: do yourself a favor, skip this pathetic review and start reading this book now. You are quite welcome.
What happened here is inversely proportional to what happened with my dear friend Jane Yellowrock
But as the story progressed, I thought to my little self: “hey, this is much, much better than I originally thought, it looks like I read the first half of the book really wrong!” And, lo and behold, my hypothetical rating went up to 4 stars! Upon finishing the book and writing my captivating pre-review, I considered going for a 4.489977569-star rating but eventually decided to leave it at 4. (Goes to show you can be both nefarious and a complete, utter idiot.)
Over the next few days, I couldn’t stop thinking about the book. And what a fantastic storyteller Jen Williams is. And how rich and unique the world she created is. And how diverse, complex, and endearing her characters are. And how much I wanted to get back to the Starlight Emperium. In other words, I had a lightbulb moment . And finally gave the book the rating it deserves. So go me and stuff.
Now, to expand a teensy little bit on what I mentioned up here ↑↑ (aka Why You Need to Read this Book Posthaste):
① This world. THIS WORLD.
A seemingly invincible
② Those characters. THOSE CHARACTERS.
I’m not sure how Jen Williams does it but she always creates the most fantastic, engaging, compelling, relatable, touching characters. She does broken/conflicted/messed up characters who struggle to fit in SO well. Oh, and she writes the best evil, treacherous, deranged bitches, too. And the most amazing griffins, obviously 😬.
Now one issue people might have with the book is its structure. It’s a multiple-POV type story, in which we follow three sets of characters. The links between them are not clear at first and it takes quite a long time for all the different threads to come together. But believe me, when they finally do, they do. And HOW. Think “bloody shrimping hell of the stinking fish, I didn’t see that one coming!”
And now I can’t wait to read the next installment. And have my poor little black heart thoroughly crushed in the process. Because it is a truth universally acknowledged that Jen Williams is one of the cruelest, most heartless authors ever. Just ask anyone who has read the final installment in the Winnowing Flame trilogy, they’ll tell you. Well they will if they managed to survive the book 😬.
➽ And the moral of this review is:
P.S. This books features one of the most lovably deranged kids ever. Just so you know.
[Pre-review nonsense]
Jen Williams, I lurves thee.
P.S. I want to start my next life as yenlin and fly with griffins and eat raw meat and stuff. Just so you know.
➽ Review to come and stuff.
[Pre-review nonsense]
April 2023
A new Fantasy story by Jen Williams of The Most Scrumptious Winnowing Flame Trilogy?
Oh and also:
August 31, 2023
Very mixed feelings
I am a massive fan of the Winnowing Flame trilogy, and I was incredibly excited to read Williams’s next epic fantasy work. So, did it live up to the hype?
Let me start by saying that in typical Jen Williams fashion, Talonsister has some of the strangest and most unique world-building I have ever come across. This world is clearly inspired by Great Britain, with a map that almost resembles the United Kingdom. Moreover, the world is called Brittletain, and the capital is called Londus; we have a place named Kornwullis, and the people are ‘Britons’. Williams is not trying to hide where the inspiration came from. However, this world does differ from our world in a lot of ways. This world has intelligent griffins, mysterious and haunted woods, weird magic, spirits and a fantasy race tasked with maintaining the forests. I must also mention that I am a huge fan of fantasy worlds with ‘mysterious’ locations that people never go to for various reasons, and this world has several of those places. It is also refreshing to read a fantasy that takes place primarily in the woods. There is no doubt that Williams succeeds in creating a lush, weird and unique fantasy world, so if you are looking for something different, pick up Talonsister.
While I loved the world-building in this book, I did have some issues that ultimately hindered me from loving this book. Firstly, there are a couple of scenes where our characters escape from life-threatening situations, and unfortunately, most of these were resolved in quite convenient ways, leading to the stakes not feeling as high. Secondly, this book is very slow-paced. I don’t mind a good slow burn, but the plot doesn’t really start going until page around 300, and even then, I still wasn’t fully invested in the story. The slow pacing led me to not really care about this story’s climax, which is unfortunate since there are some significant reveals at the end. Williams has set up a lot of exciting things for book 2, but only time will tell if I will pick up book 2. I hope Williams will consider adding a recap for Talonsister in book two since I am confident that I will probably forget some elements of this story when the next book is published.
So, what are my concluding thoughts? I loved many aspects of this story, and I will always recommend Jen Williams’ books to my followers since she has an incredible imagination and unique takes on world-building. Unfortunately, while the mysterious woods and griffins were terrific, I never truly felt invested in this story, leading to a mixed experience.
3 / 5
Thanks to Titan Books and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I am a massive fan of the Winnowing Flame trilogy, and I was incredibly excited to read Williams’s next epic fantasy work. So, did it live up to the hype?
Let me start by saying that in typical Jen Williams fashion, Talonsister has some of the strangest and most unique world-building I have ever come across. This world is clearly inspired by Great Britain, with a map that almost resembles the United Kingdom. Moreover, the world is called Brittletain, and the capital is called Londus; we have a place named Kornwullis, and the people are ‘Britons’. Williams is not trying to hide where the inspiration came from. However, this world does differ from our world in a lot of ways. This world has intelligent griffins, mysterious and haunted woods, weird magic, spirits and a fantasy race tasked with maintaining the forests. I must also mention that I am a huge fan of fantasy worlds with ‘mysterious’ locations that people never go to for various reasons, and this world has several of those places. It is also refreshing to read a fantasy that takes place primarily in the woods. There is no doubt that Williams succeeds in creating a lush, weird and unique fantasy world, so if you are looking for something different, pick up Talonsister.
While I loved the world-building in this book, I did have some issues that ultimately hindered me from loving this book. Firstly, there are a couple of scenes where our characters escape from life-threatening situations, and unfortunately, most of these were resolved in quite convenient ways, leading to the stakes not feeling as high. Secondly, this book is very slow-paced. I don’t mind a good slow burn, but the plot doesn’t really start going until page around 300, and even then, I still wasn’t fully invested in the story. The slow pacing led me to not really care about this story’s climax, which is unfortunate since there are some significant reveals at the end. Williams has set up a lot of exciting things for book 2, but only time will tell if I will pick up book 2. I hope Williams will consider adding a recap for Talonsister in book two since I am confident that I will probably forget some elements of this story when the next book is published.
So, what are my concluding thoughts? I loved many aspects of this story, and I will always recommend Jen Williams’ books to my followers since she has an incredible imagination and unique takes on world-building. Unfortunately, while the mysterious woods and griffins were terrific, I never truly felt invested in this story, leading to a mixed experience.
3 / 5
Thanks to Titan Books and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2023
An abandoned human raised with griffins.
A women who has been given the powers of a Herald at the cost of losing her memories.
An Imperial assassin who’s sent to accompany the bone-crafter to find new sources of unfathomable power.
A Druin tasked with protecting the woods and its majestic creatures.
Underlying it all, the all-conquering Empire strives to bring all other nations under its Blessed mantle with Brittletain rebelliously holding out.
Fascinatingly, this allowed Williams to explore how one empire can force religion onto others through a guise of well-being and ‘blessing’, painting others as barbarians and savages who must be taken in.
The horror and the violence of the Imperium grows with each sunrise, with each season, each turning of Enonah. They take our neighbours one by one, calling the bloodshed blessed while we hear stories of their butchery in our ports.
This book carries William’s usual sharp wit and funny jibes. With such a fun and diverse cast (princesses, assassin, child assistant, wood-wanderer, warrior with no prior memories, haughty griffins, and witch seers), there will be at least one story you love. Honestly, I loved them all, and never once felt annoyed at having to change perspective or storyline as each were equally compelling!
”Well, you can feed it. And you'll have to explain to Queen Fellvyn why we are keeping food alive in our nest. It is not hygienic!”
The world-building, like her previous work, was phenomenal! A Britain and Roman Empire inspired fantasy with warring factions, under-handed political scheming, and rebel groups - this is epic in more ways than one.
If you’ve read the Winnowing Flame trilogy, don’t worry, you can expect yucky bugs in this series too! I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at a beetle again without gagging.
This exceeded my expectations. William’s characterisation, lore, and world-crafting has just flourished in this story.
Come for the griffins, stay for the genius (which, of course, includes the griffins).
Thank you to Titan Books for providing a physical arc in exchange for a review.
Bookstagram
A women who has been given the powers of a Herald at the cost of losing her memories.
An Imperial assassin who’s sent to accompany the bone-crafter to find new sources of unfathomable power.
A Druin tasked with protecting the woods and its majestic creatures.
Underlying it all, the all-conquering Empire strives to bring all other nations under its Blessed mantle with Brittletain rebelliously holding out.
Fascinatingly, this allowed Williams to explore how one empire can force religion onto others through a guise of well-being and ‘blessing’, painting others as barbarians and savages who must be taken in.
The horror and the violence of the Imperium grows with each sunrise, with each season, each turning of Enonah. They take our neighbours one by one, calling the bloodshed blessed while we hear stories of their butchery in our ports.
This book carries William’s usual sharp wit and funny jibes. With such a fun and diverse cast (princesses, assassin, child assistant, wood-wanderer, warrior with no prior memories, haughty griffins, and witch seers), there will be at least one story you love. Honestly, I loved them all, and never once felt annoyed at having to change perspective or storyline as each were equally compelling!
”Well, you can feed it. And you'll have to explain to Queen Fellvyn why we are keeping food alive in our nest. It is not hygienic!”
The world-building, like her previous work, was phenomenal! A Britain and Roman Empire inspired fantasy with warring factions, under-handed political scheming, and rebel groups - this is epic in more ways than one.
If you’ve read the Winnowing Flame trilogy, don’t worry, you can expect yucky bugs in this series too! I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at a beetle again without gagging.
This exceeded my expectations. William’s characterisation, lore, and world-crafting has just flourished in this story.
Come for the griffins, stay for the genius (which, of course, includes the griffins).
Thank you to Titan Books for providing a physical arc in exchange for a review.
Bookstagram
December 10, 2023
I really enjoyed Talonsister. Although there are a couple of things that I didn't like so much about the book, that's pretty common because it's very hard to have an absolutely perfect book and when they do come along, they are just a joy to behold. This one was actually pretty close though. I had so much fun reading it and there was such a great world, even if I was initially a bit put off by the world map.
There are two maps, one, a wider view which is clearly influenced by the outline of Europe, and then a closer view of the island of Brittletain, which is clearly Great Britain. In this second map in particular, some of the place names are clearly taken from Britain past or present, with Londus, Kornwullis, Mersia, etc.
This is only quite a small thing though, because it's very easy to forget about it. I'm someone who loves a fantasy map but I don't actually tend to refer back to them too much when I'm actually reading the book, so being based on a real world in terms of the physical geography is something that I can quickly get past. Here, if it wasn't for a couple of the names, I would have forgotten about it completely while reading.
Outside of that though, the worldbuilding is something I really did enjoy. In one storyline you have Ynis, a 16-year-old girl who was found by griffins as a baby and taken in by them. She has a Talonsister (which is where the title comes in) as her new griffin family already had a hatching, T’rook, who becomes sister to Ynis even though they are obviously very, very different.
So here you see a lot of the griffin culture and society. They can converse, as the griffins do speak the what you might call the common tongue, and as these two ‘sisters’ set out on a journey of discovery, it helps to build some of the lore of this world.
The second part of the story features the Heralds, or one particular Herald, called Leven. The Heralds are essentially super soldiers who have Titan ore grafted onto them which grants them incredible powers. They can go harder and faster and for longer than a normal human without tiring, and they're very difficult to defeat one-on-one. They do also have some additional abilities as well, including wings and a sword that can appear that are both made out of energy.
All of this makes them the perfect shock troops for the Imperium as they try to expand their empire. These Heralds do only have a shelf life of eight years and then they are cast off and released from the army. The reason for this is the Titan bones that grant them these powers do remember their original form, and after about eight years they start to very painfully disintegrate, essentially rendering these Heralds useless.
Leven sets out on a journey herself because she has been having memories, or a vision, that leads her to Brittletain, where the Griffins live. I really liked the worldbuilding around the Heralds, and you do learn a lot more about this as the book moves on.
The third part of the story features the envoy Kaeto, who works for the Imperium. He's the empress’s blade in the dark, doing various tasks for the Imperium in the shadows. You then have the bone crafter Gynid Tyleigh. She's the one who is responsible for grafting this Titan ore onto the bodies of the Heralds, and she has learned of a new source of Titan bones that she needs to get her hands on so that she can create more Heralds.
Kaeto's job on the one hand is to serve as a guide to Gynid, and on the other hand to keep her in check. In this storyline in particular, you learn about the different types of Titans, only two of which are known to still be alive—griffins being one of those. Other Titans of the past include wyverns, kraken, unicorns, and firebirds.
I also thought the characters were all pretty good. They all had what I thought to be a good story and also, when it came up, a pretty good backstory as well. I like how they interacted with each other and I thought that it made for some very easy reading character arcs.
I loved the story itself—the three different elements all tied together quite nicely but also moved along well on their own. I really liked some of the little twists and turns at the end that brought some of these storylines together and I'm really looking forward to exploring those further in the second book in this duology.
There was one thing that was maybe a little bit obvious at the start of the book, but then when I was thinking about it, the timeline really didn't line up, so I was pleased with how that was resolved towards the end of the book. This turned out to be probably the biggest reveal of the story and I really enjoyed seeing both the way that it was revealed but also just what the actual reveal was. I thought it was masterfully done and really helped with overall enjoyment of the story.
There are two maps, one, a wider view which is clearly influenced by the outline of Europe, and then a closer view of the island of Brittletain, which is clearly Great Britain. In this second map in particular, some of the place names are clearly taken from Britain past or present, with Londus, Kornwullis, Mersia, etc.
This is only quite a small thing though, because it's very easy to forget about it. I'm someone who loves a fantasy map but I don't actually tend to refer back to them too much when I'm actually reading the book, so being based on a real world in terms of the physical geography is something that I can quickly get past. Here, if it wasn't for a couple of the names, I would have forgotten about it completely while reading.
Outside of that though, the worldbuilding is something I really did enjoy. In one storyline you have Ynis, a 16-year-old girl who was found by griffins as a baby and taken in by them. She has a Talonsister (which is where the title comes in) as her new griffin family already had a hatching, T’rook, who becomes sister to Ynis even though they are obviously very, very different.
So here you see a lot of the griffin culture and society. They can converse, as the griffins do speak the what you might call the common tongue, and as these two ‘sisters’ set out on a journey of discovery, it helps to build some of the lore of this world.
The second part of the story features the Heralds, or one particular Herald, called Leven. The Heralds are essentially super soldiers who have Titan ore grafted onto them which grants them incredible powers. They can go harder and faster and for longer than a normal human without tiring, and they're very difficult to defeat one-on-one. They do also have some additional abilities as well, including wings and a sword that can appear that are both made out of energy.
All of this makes them the perfect shock troops for the Imperium as they try to expand their empire. These Heralds do only have a shelf life of eight years and then they are cast off and released from the army. The reason for this is the Titan bones that grant them these powers do remember their original form, and after about eight years they start to very painfully disintegrate, essentially rendering these Heralds useless.
Leven sets out on a journey herself because she has been having memories, or a vision, that leads her to Brittletain, where the Griffins live. I really liked the worldbuilding around the Heralds, and you do learn a lot more about this as the book moves on.
The third part of the story features the envoy Kaeto, who works for the Imperium. He's the empress’s blade in the dark, doing various tasks for the Imperium in the shadows. You then have the bone crafter Gynid Tyleigh. She's the one who is responsible for grafting this Titan ore onto the bodies of the Heralds, and she has learned of a new source of Titan bones that she needs to get her hands on so that she can create more Heralds.
Kaeto's job on the one hand is to serve as a guide to Gynid, and on the other hand to keep her in check. In this storyline in particular, you learn about the different types of Titans, only two of which are known to still be alive—griffins being one of those. Other Titans of the past include wyverns, kraken, unicorns, and firebirds.
I also thought the characters were all pretty good. They all had what I thought to be a good story and also, when it came up, a pretty good backstory as well. I like how they interacted with each other and I thought that it made for some very easy reading character arcs.
I loved the story itself—the three different elements all tied together quite nicely but also moved along well on their own. I really liked some of the little twists and turns at the end that brought some of these storylines together and I'm really looking forward to exploring those further in the second book in this duology.
There was one thing that was maybe a little bit obvious at the start of the book, but then when I was thinking about it, the timeline really didn't line up, so I was pleased with how that was resolved towards the end of the book. This turned out to be probably the biggest reveal of the story and I really enjoyed seeing both the way that it was revealed but also just what the actual reveal was. I thought it was masterfully done and really helped with overall enjoyment of the story.
November 21, 2024
4,5 ⭐ un premier tome qui prend son temps mais en même temps il y a beaucoup d'informations à assimiler ! Les personnages sont géniaux et l'intrigue m'a happé tout de suite. Hâte de lire la suite !
July 10, 2023
What a read. What a ride!
Talonsister is a great exploration of what it means to be family, what is means to be human (even if you're not human-shaped) and what it means to be monstrous (even if you are human-shaped).
A great cast of characters, a truly inventive world, and enough plot twists to make you dizzy. Plus! Queer Griffins!
As a long-time fan of Jen Williams, I felt that Gynid Tyleigh was very much the dark mirror/evil spiderman version of Vintage from the Winnowing Flame trilogy - the same curiosity and lust for knowledge, but without any of the filters that come with any sort of a moral compass.
Epona and Belise were a joy to read, and Kaeto was that particular delicious flavour of "possibly a good man in a bad situation, possibly a bad man in a situation of his own making" that is catnip to me.
I'm deeply worried for Cillian's future and very keen to see him be proved right about his worries for the Wild Wood - though knowing Jen, I might not get that. *shakes fist*
And I simply can't wait to see what happens to Ynis and Leven, though I'm also very concerned for the latter after what we learn about Heralds.
Highly recommended.
Talonsister is a great exploration of what it means to be family, what is means to be human (even if you're not human-shaped) and what it means to be monstrous (even if you are human-shaped).
A great cast of characters, a truly inventive world, and enough plot twists to make you dizzy. Plus! Queer Griffins!
As a long-time fan of Jen Williams, I felt that Gynid Tyleigh was very much the dark mirror/evil spiderman version of Vintage from the Winnowing Flame trilogy - the same curiosity and lust for knowledge, but without any of the filters that come with any sort of a moral compass.
Epona and Belise were a joy to read, and Kaeto was that particular delicious flavour of "possibly a good man in a bad situation, possibly a bad man in a situation of his own making" that is catnip to me.
I'm deeply worried for Cillian's future and very keen to see him be proved right about his worries for the Wild Wood - though knowing Jen, I might not get that. *shakes fist*
And I simply can't wait to see what happens to Ynis and Leven, though I'm also very concerned for the latter after what we learn about Heralds.
Highly recommended.
October 4, 2023
MERAVIGLIOSO.
Come al solito, Jen Williams crea un mondo stupendo e con una Lore infinita. Prende ispirazione dell'impero romano e dal Regno Unito e unisce il tutto a creature mitologiche, dando un nuovo significato alla parola Titano.
Worldbuilding davvero stupendo, tutto ha motivo di esistere, anche linguisticamente parlando.
Protagonisti ben caratterizzati, forse giusto un po' sacrificati i secondari, ma amo come Williams riesce a donare spessore ai suoi personaggi.
Cillian, Ynis, Leven e Kaeto hanno un proprio carattere, una propria storia e sfumature uniche. Sono tutti esseri umani con tantissime sfaccettature, pregi e difetti, che formano un'identità ben chiara e distinguibile.
Pensavo di aver sgamato una cosa E INVECE NO, PROPRIO NO.
È un libro dal ritmo lento, ma è un crescendo costante.
Jen Williams una garanzia.
QUANDO ESCE IL SECONDO?
Come al solito, Jen Williams crea un mondo stupendo e con una Lore infinita. Prende ispirazione dell'impero romano e dal Regno Unito e unisce il tutto a creature mitologiche, dando un nuovo significato alla parola Titano.
Worldbuilding davvero stupendo, tutto ha motivo di esistere, anche linguisticamente parlando.
Protagonisti ben caratterizzati, forse giusto un po' sacrificati i secondari, ma amo come Williams riesce a donare spessore ai suoi personaggi.
Cillian, Ynis, Leven e Kaeto hanno un proprio carattere, una propria storia e sfumature uniche. Sono tutti esseri umani con tantissime sfaccettature, pregi e difetti, che formano un'identità ben chiara e distinguibile.
Pensavo di aver sgamato una cosa E INVECE NO, PROPRIO NO.
È un libro dal ritmo lento, ma è un crescendo costante.
Jen Williams una garanzia.
QUANDO ESCE IL SECONDO?
February 14, 2024
I liked the world building in this quite a bit. Williams truly just has the most unique ideas. But I do think the pacing in this dragged a little and I needed more to happen. However I'm really excited to read the finale still.
December 24, 2024
A breathtaking return to the fantasy worlds of Jen Williams! Talonsister was such a joyful read that it got me back into the “just one more chapter” as the clock ticked away hours and days.
As always with Williams’s worlds, they are immersive, richly detailed, and overflowing with magic in all forms. They are inhabited by an eclectic cast of characters with all manner of tragic and traumatic pasts, and the found family themes rule supreme.
The lore and magic of the Titans is one that absolutely tickled my interest the moment they were introduced, and we’ve only scratched the surface of who (and what) they are, much less what they are capable of. The idea of stealing magical power from these creatures is written incredibly well. There is an underlying horrific curiosity, and the resulting Heralds are magnificent.
Of course, no power comes without cost, and there are a lot of steep bills to pay. Druid magic is no less taxing, and when you throw in forest spirits and ancient creatures, a heart of the woods that is angered by something, and far-reaching ancient bone magic, and you have all the seeds of a thrilling epic adventure.
There are plenty of stand out characters, many of whom do silly things in the hopes they are helping themselves or their loved ones, and the ripple effects this has on the wider world is an aspect that I try to include in my own writing. This was so much my jam.
We have Ynis, caught between two worlds and not fitting into either. We have Leven, thrown out of the only world she knows (yay for memory loss) and struggling to find her place. We have Cillian, a Druin with his own fears and doubts and what might happen when he pushes through them. We have queens and princesses, we have griffins and forbidden cities, we have thousands of beetles, we have Inkwort, and oh my gosh, I loved every single page of this.
We get to explore an "alternate" Britain (and Europe), with the rich history, folklore, and mythology that fills our island. There is a wonderful focus on exploration as the foundations of the world, magic, and different factions are set. It's my absolute favourite kind of story, and it is treated with so much reverence and care, that I just want to wander in the woods and let that joy fill my soul.
I neeeeeeed to order book two immediately and read it as soon as possible!
As always with Williams’s worlds, they are immersive, richly detailed, and overflowing with magic in all forms. They are inhabited by an eclectic cast of characters with all manner of tragic and traumatic pasts, and the found family themes rule supreme.
The lore and magic of the Titans is one that absolutely tickled my interest the moment they were introduced, and we’ve only scratched the surface of who (and what) they are, much less what they are capable of. The idea of stealing magical power from these creatures is written incredibly well. There is an underlying horrific curiosity, and the resulting Heralds are magnificent.
Of course, no power comes without cost, and there are a lot of steep bills to pay. Druid magic is no less taxing, and when you throw in forest spirits and ancient creatures, a heart of the woods that is angered by something, and far-reaching ancient bone magic, and you have all the seeds of a thrilling epic adventure.
There are plenty of stand out characters, many of whom do silly things in the hopes they are helping themselves or their loved ones, and the ripple effects this has on the wider world is an aspect that I try to include in my own writing. This was so much my jam.
We have Ynis, caught between two worlds and not fitting into either. We have Leven, thrown out of the only world she knows (yay for memory loss) and struggling to find her place. We have Cillian, a Druin with his own fears and doubts and what might happen when he pushes through them. We have queens and princesses, we have griffins and forbidden cities, we have thousands of beetles, we have Inkwort, and oh my gosh, I loved every single page of this.
We get to explore an "alternate" Britain (and Europe), with the rich history, folklore, and mythology that fills our island. There is a wonderful focus on exploration as the foundations of the world, magic, and different factions are set. It's my absolute favourite kind of story, and it is treated with so much reverence and care, that I just want to wander in the woods and let that joy fill my soul.
I neeeeeeed to order book two immediately and read it as soon as possible!
September 22, 2024
2024 Update.
Re-read in preparation for the conclusion.
This is a highly imaginative Fantasy adventure that follows the intertwined fates of a human girl raised by griffins, a former soldier and an envoy to the empire's alchemist.
We also get to see from the point of view of a member of the mysterious Druins.
Their nature based magic and ability to communicate with the forest souls was my favorite experience, reminiscent of "Princess Mononoke".
I loved how Jen Williams created such a vivid and truly magical worldbuilding with the help of British folklore and some Egyptian inspired elements.
This is a story about identity, embracing the responsibility towards nature, found family and the ties that bound us.
"Talonsister" has some of the best use of folklore and magic, great emotional tension between its diverse cast of characters, and an atmosphere to captivate any reader's imagination.
You can now support my passion for books with a small donation here https://ko-fi.com/mariareadssff
Re-read in preparation for the conclusion.
This is a highly imaginative Fantasy adventure that follows the intertwined fates of a human girl raised by griffins, a former soldier and an envoy to the empire's alchemist.
We also get to see from the point of view of a member of the mysterious Druins.
Their nature based magic and ability to communicate with the forest souls was my favorite experience, reminiscent of "Princess Mononoke".
I loved how Jen Williams created such a vivid and truly magical worldbuilding with the help of British folklore and some Egyptian inspired elements.
This is a story about identity, embracing the responsibility towards nature, found family and the ties that bound us.
"Talonsister" has some of the best use of folklore and magic, great emotional tension between its diverse cast of characters, and an atmosphere to captivate any reader's imagination.
You can now support my passion for books with a small donation here https://ko-fi.com/mariareadssff
April 14, 2025
This was a five star read for me.
I don’t think everyone will love the pace and the way this story is written, but it exactly how I like my stories told.
The story doesn’t rush, it grows. The story is deliberately methodical as Williams unleashes her worldbuilding and character growth.
There are multiple POV in the story, which does at times pull you out of the action, but I found it was done in a way which built anticipation
I have not had a great history with Griffins in books but I tell you now, I would go to war for T’rook and her sister Ynis.
The unravelling of the “baddies” was masterful and I cant wait to see out the series!
I don’t think everyone will love the pace and the way this story is written, but it exactly how I like my stories told.
The story doesn’t rush, it grows. The story is deliberately methodical as Williams unleashes her worldbuilding and character growth.
There are multiple POV in the story, which does at times pull you out of the action, but I found it was done in a way which built anticipation
I have not had a great history with Griffins in books but I tell you now, I would go to war for T’rook and her sister Ynis.
The unravelling of the “baddies” was masterful and I cant wait to see out the series!
September 29, 2023
The griffins! The mystery! The twists!
Review to come!
Review to come!
September 9, 2023
ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I had a tough time getting into this one. It's clearly imaginative and clever, inclusive as well. The story is centred aroynd the Luminous Empire (kind of like Ancient Rome) and an unconquered vaguely magical Celtic Briton and Ireland. There are four view points - Leven, a herald - which is a soldier who gives up their memories and former life in order to be imbued with Titan ore which gives them the power of flight and great strength and speed. Cillian (if you pronounce that the correct Irish way it's Kill-ee-on) who is a warden of the Brittleton wildwood. Kaeto - an emissary for the Luminous Empress. And Ynis and orphan girl brough up by griffins.
Sounds really promising, right? And it is but it takes way too long to get going. Part of the issue is that the chapters are short so you've barely met one character before you're on to the next. While this might work for some readers, it means it takes longer to really get to know a character and bond with them. As is always a risk in multi pov stories, there was one pov that just didn't interest me. Which was compounded by the fact that there is no obvious main plot fir a long time. Instead there are four plots that are interelated but you won't find out how until much later in the book.
So overall, I enjoyed it and I liked the world building, but there were times when the way the book was put together got in the way for me. It's a bit like Samantha Shannon's A Day of Fallen Night but unlike that multi pov multi plot tome, this didn't haveva central conflict as a guiding thread. At least not at the beginning.
Overall though if you want fantasy with a different slant you can't go far wrong here.
I had a tough time getting into this one. It's clearly imaginative and clever, inclusive as well. The story is centred aroynd the Luminous Empire (kind of like Ancient Rome) and an unconquered vaguely magical Celtic Briton and Ireland. There are four view points - Leven, a herald - which is a soldier who gives up their memories and former life in order to be imbued with Titan ore which gives them the power of flight and great strength and speed. Cillian (if you pronounce that the correct Irish way it's Kill-ee-on) who is a warden of the Brittleton wildwood. Kaeto - an emissary for the Luminous Empress. And Ynis and orphan girl brough up by griffins.
Sounds really promising, right? And it is but it takes way too long to get going. Part of the issue is that the chapters are short so you've barely met one character before you're on to the next. While this might work for some readers, it means it takes longer to really get to know a character and bond with them. As is always a risk in multi pov stories, there was one pov that just didn't interest me. Which was compounded by the fact that there is no obvious main plot fir a long time. Instead there are four plots that are interelated but you won't find out how until much later in the book.
So overall, I enjoyed it and I liked the world building, but there were times when the way the book was put together got in the way for me. It's a bit like Samantha Shannon's A Day of Fallen Night but unlike that multi pov multi plot tome, this didn't haveva central conflict as a guiding thread. At least not at the beginning.
Overall though if you want fantasy with a different slant you can't go far wrong here.
February 8, 2024
Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Jot Davies
Content: 3.5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
Talonsister is a slow-paced and quite complex high fantasy novel with many characters and subplots. The setting and story are inspired by the UK and its history.
Leven is a retired herald who served eight years in the Imperium’s army. She has no memory of before she joined the army. Now, after the serving, she has strange visions of some foreign place. She is travelling with Cillian, the druin. Accompanied by the envoy of the Imperium, Kaeto, bone-crafter Gynid Tyleigh is searching for the new Titan bones. Ynis is a 16-year-old girl raised by griffins who lives surrounded by them in the north. They are isolated, so she never saw another human. She lives as griffins do and flies with her talon-sister, T’rook.
I needed really a lot of time to get invested in the story, and in the first half, I didn’t know how to feel about the story. The last quarter of the story was more engaging and faster-paced.
I liked the extraordinary narration by Jot Davies, who did an amazing job of bringing to life so many human and nonhuman characters.
Thanks to Bolinda Audio for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
Content: 3.5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
Talonsister is a slow-paced and quite complex high fantasy novel with many characters and subplots. The setting and story are inspired by the UK and its history.
Leven is a retired herald who served eight years in the Imperium’s army. She has no memory of before she joined the army. Now, after the serving, she has strange visions of some foreign place. She is travelling with Cillian, the druin. Accompanied by the envoy of the Imperium, Kaeto, bone-crafter Gynid Tyleigh is searching for the new Titan bones. Ynis is a 16-year-old girl raised by griffins who lives surrounded by them in the north. They are isolated, so she never saw another human. She lives as griffins do and flies with her talon-sister, T’rook.
I needed really a lot of time to get invested in the story, and in the first half, I didn’t know how to feel about the story. The last quarter of the story was more engaging and faster-paced.
I liked the extraordinary narration by Jot Davies, who did an amazing job of bringing to life so many human and nonhuman characters.
Thanks to Bolinda Audio for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
September 19, 2023
My thanks to Titan Books and NetGalley for providing an Advanced Reading Copy of Talonsister.
Jen Williams is another one of those authors I love to read. Her first novel, The Copper Promise was an absolute gem of a read, and everything she's written since then has just gotten better.
The novel follows several separate and disparate characters in a world not dissimilar to our own during the height of the Roman Empire. Indeed, there is an all-conquering Empire that strives to bring all other nations under its Blessed mantle, and a rebellious holdout nation called Brittletain that according to the included map looks an awful lot like Britain. So, a fantasy alternative to Roman Europe, but not quite. And honestly, this conceit in itself made this one of my favourite reads of the year so far.
The characters themselves include an interesting mix. There's Leven, the retired Imperial super-soldier; Ynis, a human girl raised by griffins and struggling to fit in; Kaeto, an Imperial spy and assassin charged with escorting bone-crafter Gynid Tyleigh on a quest to uncover a hitherto undiscovered race of Titans; Belise, Kaeto's young, brash assistant and protégé; and Cillian, the mystical young Druin with some fringe opinions that make him unpopular amongst his colleagues. Through their eyes and individual narratives, we get to see quite a bit of the world that Williams has set up for us here, and slowly get to piece together a tale of some unnamed darkness lurking in the shadows. A darkness that, given the author's previous works, we know damned well will rise up to bite everyone in the ass.
According to ISFDB this is Williams' eighth novel to date, and of the ones I've read is, so far, her best. It carries a lot of the same tongue-in-cheek humour as her earlier works, and while it may not be quite as dark as her Winnowing Flame trilogy, it still has a murky edge to it that will occasionally send the odd shiver down your spine. Add in more than a few traces of Celtic influence, some Ghibli-esque spirits, and a nod of the head to Egyptian mythology, and you have a fine recipe for adventure.
I genuinely loved this one, and definitely can't wait for book two to come along. In the meantime, I may have to go back and reread some of the author's earlier stuff, just because.
Jen Williams is another one of those authors I love to read. Her first novel, The Copper Promise was an absolute gem of a read, and everything she's written since then has just gotten better.
The novel follows several separate and disparate characters in a world not dissimilar to our own during the height of the Roman Empire. Indeed, there is an all-conquering Empire that strives to bring all other nations under its Blessed mantle, and a rebellious holdout nation called Brittletain that according to the included map looks an awful lot like Britain. So, a fantasy alternative to Roman Europe, but not quite. And honestly, this conceit in itself made this one of my favourite reads of the year so far.
The characters themselves include an interesting mix. There's Leven, the retired Imperial super-soldier; Ynis, a human girl raised by griffins and struggling to fit in; Kaeto, an Imperial spy and assassin charged with escorting bone-crafter Gynid Tyleigh on a quest to uncover a hitherto undiscovered race of Titans; Belise, Kaeto's young, brash assistant and protégé; and Cillian, the mystical young Druin with some fringe opinions that make him unpopular amongst his colleagues. Through their eyes and individual narratives, we get to see quite a bit of the world that Williams has set up for us here, and slowly get to piece together a tale of some unnamed darkness lurking in the shadows. A darkness that, given the author's previous works, we know damned well will rise up to bite everyone in the ass.
According to ISFDB this is Williams' eighth novel to date, and of the ones I've read is, so far, her best. It carries a lot of the same tongue-in-cheek humour as her earlier works, and while it may not be quite as dark as her Winnowing Flame trilogy, it still has a murky edge to it that will occasionally send the odd shiver down your spine. Add in more than a few traces of Celtic influence, some Ghibli-esque spirits, and a nod of the head to Egyptian mythology, and you have a fine recipe for adventure.
I genuinely loved this one, and definitely can't wait for book two to come along. In the meantime, I may have to go back and reread some of the author's earlier stuff, just because.
September 14, 2023
A fantastic read as Williams takes their usual mix of creating great complex and unique characters and plotting but adds this time a rich new version of various myths to create a great mix of the old and the new
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
on-hold
September 8, 2025While not a hard DNF, I'm putting this on hold because we're not really vibing.
Still loving the world-building, especially the Paths and wild woods. Cillian is favourite POV.
Still loving the world-building, especially the Paths and wild woods. Cillian is favourite POV.
December 1, 2024
This has to be one of the best books I've ever read.
November 29, 2024
A freaking masterpiece. Williams is now an autobuy author 💯
May 12, 2025
Another amazing read from this author. A slow start but a great build of the world, characters and story. I loved each of the point of view characters. They are all different but well written and as things grow you slowly see it all come together in the second half. I would have loved more Ynis point of view chapters as the griffins were among my favourite elements (of course) but Leven and Kato were engaging too.
I had a few guesses for the ending but ultimately never saw it all coming exactly how it played out and found it so intriguing for part two. If it weren’t for a book club read next I’d go straight to book two.
I had a few guesses for the ending but ultimately never saw it all coming exactly how it played out and found it so intriguing for part two. If it weren’t for a book club read next I’d go straight to book two.
February 28, 2025
Jen Williams has become an auto-buy author for me, because I've never been disappointed by one of her books. Talonsister is no different. Endlessly inventive, filled with her trademark brisk pace, endearing, nuanced characters and just enough darkness to give it some bite, I loved it from beginning to end. Can't wait for the sequel!
December 9, 2024
This is an exhilarating fantasy adventure that blends rich world-building with high-stakes action and vibrant characters. Williams’ writing is sharp and immersive, making Talonsister a thrilling, character-driven tale that will resonate with fans of epic fantasy and intricate storytelling. This book certainty gives Princess Mononoke energy in the best way possible.
August 12, 2024
4.5/5
I loved the Winnowing Flame trilogy a lot, so I was very happy to hear that the author was coming out with a new Fantasy book and I also really liked this book as well.
I did not know that this was very much like a Fantasy ancient Britain with what I'm assuming is kind of like a Holy Roman Empire. But it was so fun. The beginning was slow but it let me really get to know the characters and I liked them all for different reasons, which was especially funny because one of them, Leven, is kind of a hothead but in a way that didn't annoy me. She is a bit of a himbo which worked well and I liked the mystery of her memories that were erased. I was a bit annoyed that she took so long to question the Empire but it was probably for realistic than what I personally wanted but she got there in the end.
There also was Cillian who was such a grumpy cat. I liked the whole forest-person thing and how honest he was about disliking others and him and Leven together not being socially capable was hilarious to me. I am very intrigued how his story will continue based on how this ended and I loved his arc but also staying a grumpy anti-social cat.
The third main POV is Kaeto, who I think was my favourite, even though I did really love all of them. He was very much morally dark grey, but he also adopted an orphan and they have such a loving dysfunctional relationship which I really loved. Also he was never duplicitous about being shady so it was easier to like him, although I still wanted him to question his moral apathy a bit.
The last main character was Ynis, who was mostly separate from all the other things going on and her situation was very different, because she lives with Griffins as a human which made her upbringing unusual in human terms. Her story would be the most spoiler-filled, but I did enjoy her looking to find her place, although her stubborness/rashness could be annoying but also she was sixteen so there is more room for character development.
Since the sequel is set two years later I am excited to see how the set-up will be different to how it left off.
I loved the Winnowing Flame trilogy a lot, so I was very happy to hear that the author was coming out with a new Fantasy book and I also really liked this book as well.
I did not know that this was very much like a Fantasy ancient Britain with what I'm assuming is kind of like a Holy Roman Empire. But it was so fun. The beginning was slow but it let me really get to know the characters and I liked them all for different reasons, which was especially funny because one of them, Leven, is kind of a hothead but in a way that didn't annoy me. She is a bit of a himbo which worked well and I liked the mystery of her memories that were erased. I was a bit annoyed that she took so long to question the Empire but it was probably for realistic than what I personally wanted but she got there in the end.
There also was Cillian who was such a grumpy cat. I liked the whole forest-person thing and how honest he was about disliking others and him and Leven together not being socially capable was hilarious to me. I am very intrigued how his story will continue based on how this ended and I loved his arc but also staying a grumpy anti-social cat.
The third main POV is Kaeto, who I think was my favourite, even though I did really love all of them. He was very much morally dark grey, but he also adopted an orphan and they have such a loving dysfunctional relationship which I really loved. Also he was never duplicitous about being shady so it was easier to like him, although I still wanted him to question his moral apathy a bit.
The last main character was Ynis, who was mostly separate from all the other things going on and her situation was very different, because she lives with Griffins as a human which made her upbringing unusual in human terms. Her story would be the most spoiler-filled, but I did enjoy her looking to find her place, although her stubborness/rashness could be annoying but also she was sixteen so there is more room for character development.
Since the sequel is set two years later I am excited to see how the set-up will be different to how it left off.
August 18, 2023
Talonsister was an easy five stars and is definitely one I will be recommending to all.
Talonsister is told from a few different POV's:
Ynis - a young human girl abandoned as a baby and raised with the Griffins
Leven - A women who gave her memories up to become a Herald/solider for the Imperial
Kaeto - The Imperial spy/assassin who is tasked to help the bone-crafter in any way she requires
Cillian - A Druin who protects the woods by being able to speak with them and all animals
Leven is retired from being the Imperials magical killing machine, she is allowed to live out her days as she sees fit, the only problem she has no memories from her time before becoming a Herald and suddenly her own mind becomes unreelable as she starts to see things and black out. Now she is on her own mission, one to find out who she truly is.
Ynis has been raised by the Griffins all her life, which is extremely unusual for both sides. Not quite fitting in she is soon kicked out, and now she journeys with her Griffin sister to seek a place they can both belong.
Kaeto along with his assistant Belise is tasked with helping the bone-crafter Tyleigh across the Imperium. Tyleigh is responsible for creating the Heralds but as with all power she cant stop there and is on a mission to expand her experiments. But could helping Tyleigh get to where she needs to go be bringing on a whole new war.
Jen does an amazing job of world building, just like her previous books it sucks you straight in and becomes so easy to digest. If you have read the Winnowing Flame series you will love Talonsister.
One of my favourite things about the book was all the characters, human or mystical creature I loved them all. Jen again does an amazing job at really bringing them all to life in a real way. They all have their own flaws and are by no means perfect, a few are definitely morally grey which is my favourite kind of character. I loved the connections between the characters and how they all came together. It was hard to have a favourite because I loved them all in their own way, even the side characters shined through and brought so much into the story.
The ending had me worried about all the characters, they have all discovered something that was part of their missions that will change everything and I while I'm worried what will happen to them I also can't wait to get more of this world.
Genuinely loved this one, read through it in two days because I didn't want to put it down. Jen is fast becoming a favourite of mine.
Thank you so much to Titan Books for gifting me an arc copy of this.
Please give me book two, I'm so desperate to know what will happen next.
Talonsister is told from a few different POV's:
Ynis - a young human girl abandoned as a baby and raised with the Griffins
Leven - A women who gave her memories up to become a Herald/solider for the Imperial
Kaeto - The Imperial spy/assassin who is tasked to help the bone-crafter in any way she requires
Cillian - A Druin who protects the woods by being able to speak with them and all animals
Leven is retired from being the Imperials magical killing machine, she is allowed to live out her days as she sees fit, the only problem she has no memories from her time before becoming a Herald and suddenly her own mind becomes unreelable as she starts to see things and black out. Now she is on her own mission, one to find out who she truly is.
Ynis has been raised by the Griffins all her life, which is extremely unusual for both sides. Not quite fitting in she is soon kicked out, and now she journeys with her Griffin sister to seek a place they can both belong.
Kaeto along with his assistant Belise is tasked with helping the bone-crafter Tyleigh across the Imperium. Tyleigh is responsible for creating the Heralds but as with all power she cant stop there and is on a mission to expand her experiments. But could helping Tyleigh get to where she needs to go be bringing on a whole new war.
Jen does an amazing job of world building, just like her previous books it sucks you straight in and becomes so easy to digest. If you have read the Winnowing Flame series you will love Talonsister.
One of my favourite things about the book was all the characters, human or mystical creature I loved them all. Jen again does an amazing job at really bringing them all to life in a real way. They all have their own flaws and are by no means perfect, a few are definitely morally grey which is my favourite kind of character. I loved the connections between the characters and how they all came together. It was hard to have a favourite because I loved them all in their own way, even the side characters shined through and brought so much into the story.
The ending had me worried about all the characters, they have all discovered something that was part of their missions that will change everything and I while I'm worried what will happen to them I also can't wait to get more of this world.
Genuinely loved this one, read through it in two days because I didn't want to put it down. Jen is fast becoming a favourite of mine.
Thank you so much to Titan Books for gifting me an arc copy of this.
Please give me book two, I'm so desperate to know what will happen next.
February 11, 2025
4.5 stars - audio version
Jot Davies is hands down the best narrator I've listened to yet, the RANGE he displayed made this read so immersive and really brought the characters to life. I found the start of this book a little slow paced for my taste, but the narration was so good I still had a great time. The plot really picked up from about halfway and I was so invested by that point I devoured the second half.
This is my kind of 'cosy' when it comes to fantasy the queer normative griffins, the nature based magic, the gorgeous British folklore inspired world I just loved spending time here.
But there was also such a compelling plot and such loveable characters and HATEABLE villains, I was so emotional and angry at some of the reveals. I will absolutely be going for the audio version of the sequel, this was such a beautiful experience
Jot Davies is hands down the best narrator I've listened to yet, the RANGE he displayed made this read so immersive and really brought the characters to life. I found the start of this book a little slow paced for my taste, but the narration was so good I still had a great time. The plot really picked up from about halfway and I was so invested by that point I devoured the second half.
This is my kind of 'cosy' when it comes to fantasy the queer normative griffins, the nature based magic, the gorgeous British folklore inspired world I just loved spending time here.
But there was also such a compelling plot and such loveable characters and HATEABLE villains, I was so emotional and angry at some of the reveals. I will absolutely be going for the audio version of the sequel, this was such a beautiful experience
September 25, 2023
How do I give a book 6 stars?!?! Speechless.
August 18, 2024
A Soaring Fantasy Adventure with Depth and Heart
Jen Williams' Talonsister is an exciting and fascinating trip into a world where magic, mystery, and complicated characters combine to create a captivating story of identity, power, and survival. This story expertly blends fast-paced action and deep emotional resonance, making it an engaging read for epic fantasy lovers like me.
Talonsister ♦ Jen Williams
Opinion
The story revolves around three primary characters, each with their own unique voice and narrative arc. Leven, a former Herald and magical warrior, is probably the most intriguing of the three. Her battle with forgotten memories and search for identity in a world that has abandoned her after using her as a weapon is moving and realistic. Williams does a wonderful job of depicting Leven’s shattered psyche, dragging the reader into her uncertainty and desperation as she begins to see bizarre dreams of Brittletain, the mythical island steeped in magic and violence.
Leven’s path of self-discovery is paralleled by the experiences of Envoy Kaeto and Ynis, each of whom contributes a distinct perspective and stake to the story. Kaeto, a seasoned Imperium operative, offers a tough and morally complex worldview. His assignment to accompany Gynid Tyleigh, the bone-crafter responsible for generating Heralds such as Leven, adds layers of political intrigue and ethical quandaries to the plot. Kaeto’s rising concerns about Tyleigh’s goals, notably her discovery of a new source of Titan bones, foreshadow a future conflict with disastrous results.
Ynis, the wild girl raised by griffins, brings a more primal and magical perspective to the story. Her relationship with her talon-sister, T’rook, is one of the novel’s most wonderfully described scenes. The way Williams conveys Brittletain’s untamed energy and the strong bond between Ynis and the griffins is both enchanting and heartbreaking. Ynis‚ journey, as her past begins to catch up with her, is fraught with tension and wonder, making her chapters among the most compelling in the novel.
The world-building in Talonsister is rich and imaginative, with the island of Brittletain serving as a character in its own right. Williams creates a vivid image of this ancient and frightening world, complete with warring queens, untamed magic, and mysteries hidden deep beneath the ground. The place is brought to life through beautiful descriptions and a sense of history, adding dimension to the plot.
The novel has one minor flaw: the many perspectives and intricate plot lines can feel overpowering at times. The pacing occasionally pauses to accommodate the weight of world-building or the characters‘ internal problems. However, these times are few and far between, and the general narrative is powerful enough so it kept me engaged.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Talonsister is a compelling and entertaining fantasy story that delves into themes of identity, loyalty, and the costs of power. Jen Williams has written a story that is filled with inventiveness and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. Despite some minor pacing flaws, the book’s engaging characters, sophisticated plot, and well drawn universe make it an excellent addition to any fantasy fan’s library.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
Jen Williams' Talonsister is an exciting and fascinating trip into a world where magic, mystery, and complicated characters combine to create a captivating story of identity, power, and survival. This story expertly blends fast-paced action and deep emotional resonance, making it an engaging read for epic fantasy lovers like me.
Talonsister ♦ Jen Williams
Opinion
The story revolves around three primary characters, each with their own unique voice and narrative arc. Leven, a former Herald and magical warrior, is probably the most intriguing of the three. Her battle with forgotten memories and search for identity in a world that has abandoned her after using her as a weapon is moving and realistic. Williams does a wonderful job of depicting Leven’s shattered psyche, dragging the reader into her uncertainty and desperation as she begins to see bizarre dreams of Brittletain, the mythical island steeped in magic and violence.
Leven’s path of self-discovery is paralleled by the experiences of Envoy Kaeto and Ynis, each of whom contributes a distinct perspective and stake to the story. Kaeto, a seasoned Imperium operative, offers a tough and morally complex worldview. His assignment to accompany Gynid Tyleigh, the bone-crafter responsible for generating Heralds such as Leven, adds layers of political intrigue and ethical quandaries to the plot. Kaeto’s rising concerns about Tyleigh’s goals, notably her discovery of a new source of Titan bones, foreshadow a future conflict with disastrous results.
Ynis, the wild girl raised by griffins, brings a more primal and magical perspective to the story. Her relationship with her talon-sister, T’rook, is one of the novel’s most wonderfully described scenes. The way Williams conveys Brittletain’s untamed energy and the strong bond between Ynis and the griffins is both enchanting and heartbreaking. Ynis‚ journey, as her past begins to catch up with her, is fraught with tension and wonder, making her chapters among the most compelling in the novel.
The world-building in Talonsister is rich and imaginative, with the island of Brittletain serving as a character in its own right. Williams creates a vivid image of this ancient and frightening world, complete with warring queens, untamed magic, and mysteries hidden deep beneath the ground. The place is brought to life through beautiful descriptions and a sense of history, adding dimension to the plot.
The novel has one minor flaw: the many perspectives and intricate plot lines can feel overpowering at times. The pacing occasionally pauses to accommodate the weight of world-building or the characters‘ internal problems. However, these times are few and far between, and the general narrative is powerful enough so it kept me engaged.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Talonsister is a compelling and entertaining fantasy story that delves into themes of identity, loyalty, and the costs of power. Jen Williams has written a story that is filled with inventiveness and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. Despite some minor pacing flaws, the book’s engaging characters, sophisticated plot, and well drawn universe make it an excellent addition to any fantasy fan’s library.
This review was first published at The Art of Reading.
May 3, 2024
RATING: 2 stars
Holy Attack on Titan, what did I just read? It's like a weird isekai-ish anime complete with a Titan last boss, villains (one of them is a red-headed seductress), magic, OP MCs, gay Griffins, Yuri, pixies, ancestor spirits, a creepy loli that carries a doll everywhere and boys' love sprinkled for good measure.
The plot is quest-like in essence and follows three characters but, in the end, the ending was super rushed and the quests lead nowhere. The main romance was the least romance like thing I've seen for a while.
The super villain is released but it goes nowhere because we don't see what happens next. The griffin "sister" of one of the main characters was missing but her saving (and we don't know what happened to her) was off screen so we only read about it when a bunch of griffins appear in the last pages to rescue an important side character. We also never see that rescue because the book ends there.
Taking the pacing into account (slow) and the careful world building (fantastic), I though this was a set-up book, but as a stand alone it really isn't very good.
Holy Attack on Titan, what did I just read? It's like a weird isekai-ish anime complete with a Titan last boss, villains (one of them is a red-headed seductress), magic, OP MCs, gay Griffins, Yuri, pixies, ancestor spirits, a creepy loli that carries a doll everywhere and boys' love sprinkled for good measure.
The plot is quest-like in essence and follows three characters but, in the end, the ending was super rushed and the quests lead nowhere. The main romance was the least romance like thing I've seen for a while.
The super villain is released but it goes nowhere because we don't see what happens next. The griffin "sister" of one of the main characters was missing but her saving (and we don't know what happened to her) was off screen so we only read about it when a bunch of griffins appear in the last pages to rescue an important side character. We also never see that rescue because the book ends there.
Taking the pacing into account (slow) and the careful world building (fantastic), I though this was a set-up book, but as a stand alone it really isn't very good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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