Scary Talon Lady

Scary Talon Lady leaned back in her chair and crossed her long legs, still continuing to watch me with the unblinking stare of a predator.

“Well, here we are,” she said at last. “And I bet you’re wondering why, aren’t you?” She raised an eyebrow at my continued silence. “Don’t be afraid to talk to me, hatchling. At least, not today. Talon’s senior vice president himself asked me to take over your training, but right now this is just an introduction. Student to teacher.” The faint smile vanished then, and her voice went hard. “Make no mistake about it-after today, things will become much more difficult. You are going to struggle, and you are going to get hurt. It is not going to be easy for you. SO, if you ahve any questions, hatchling, now is the time to ask them.”

My stomach twisted. “What am I being trained for?” I almost whispered. 

“Survival.”

-Talon, Julie Kagawa

Book Summary (Goodreads):

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they’re positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon’s newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember’s bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

Lilith AKA “Scary Talon Lady”

Lilith is Scary Talon Lady from Talon by Julie Kagawa. She is the lead protagonist’s (Ember’s) trainer. She teachers Ember all of what it means to be a dragon and what it is to be a part of the Talon organization. She also rocks when it comes to fighting and teachers Ember how to fight. She’s very tough on Ember and is constantly pushing Ember to the limits. She is cold, heartless, and to me, seems pretty empty and hollow inside. Her allegiance is with Talon and she will do whatever it takes to keep Talon safe.  But I can’t help but wonder, does she have ulterior motives?

What makes Lilith a great villain?

When I first read Talon, I was immediately captured by Scary Talon Lady, as Ember calls her throughout most the book. She’s cold, rough, tough, and one of my favorite villains. Not only is she a dragon and part of Talon’s elite warriors, but she’s also a Viper. Throughout the entire story we aren’t necessarily sure of what a Viper is until towards the end. I think even the Vipers all on their own are pretty bad ass. Their purpose is to hunt down and assassinate the rogue dragons that have separated themselves from Talon. And they want Ember to become a Viper. Lilith is ruthless, with blonde hair. She reminds me of an uptight business woman. But holy cow can she fight! Something I always look for in a villain is how evil and sinister they can be, but at the same time how likable they can be. I like her because of how cold and ruthless she is.

It’s also interesting because Lilith wants Ember to be a part of the Vipers and gives her several chances to prove herself. I think Lilith is fascinated by Ember’s abilities and knows she has alot to offer.

One of the best parts in the book is when Lilith turns into a dragon and has the most epic battle scene I have ever read. Dragons fight dragons off the coast of California. Can it get any cooler than that? Not to mention when one of those dragons is a Viper, and one of the meanest, coldest, evilest villains you will ever encounter.

I think Lilith’s villain character type is THE EVIL GENIUS: “the malevolent mastermind, he/she loves to show off their superior intelligence. Intellectual inferiors are contemptible to him/her and that includes just about everyone. Elaborate puzzles and experiments are their trademark. Don’t let them pull your strings – the game is always rigged in their favor.” But that is definitely up for debate. What villain type do you think she is? Check out more villain types here! Leave your opinions in the comments below!

What do you think of Lilith as a villain?

Rogue is out next Tuesday (the sequel to Talon) and I cannot wait to see Lilith and the Vipers again. I hope she will at least make an appearance, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that she’s in it the majority of the time!

Book Summary (Goodreads): 

Ember Hill left the dragon organization Talon to take her chances with rebel dragon Cobalt and his crew of rogues. But Ember can’t forget the sacrifice made for her by the human boy who could have killed her—Garret Xavier Sebastian, a soldier of the dragonslaying Order of St. George, the boy who saved her from a Talon assassin, knowing that by doing so, he’d signed his own death warrant.

Determined to save Garret from execution, Ember must convince Cobalt to help her break into the Order’s headquarters. With assassins after them and Ember’s own brother helping Talon with the hunt, the rogues find an unexpected ally in Garret and a new perspective on the underground battle between Talon and St. George.

A reckoning is brewing and the secrets hidden by both sides are shocking and deadly. Soon Ember must decide: Should she retreat to fight another day…or start an all-out war?

ANYONE ELSE AS EXCITED AS ME?! Tuesday can’t come faster!