Name: Talon, Come Fly with Me

Author: Gigi Sedlmayer

Print Length: 238 pages

Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1921578726

Publisher: Aurora House (March 16, 2014)

Publication Date: March 16, 2014

Language: English

ASIN: B00J2643PG

Talon Come Fly With Me is about a small girl searching for her purpose in life. Matica and her family live in the village of Pucara in Peru where the Indians have restricted Matica from playing with their children because of her small size. Thinking she’s possessed by an evil spirit it leaves Matica feeling lonely and without purpose in life because she’s so small. The story opens with Matica and her little brother Aikon searching for food to feed Matica’s birds. Aikon is in a hurry to play with his friend Emelio which makes Matica sad. She admires her brother having friends since she has none. Well, she almost has none.

The story is about Matica’s friendship with a family of Condors, the largest vultures on Earth and the largest land birds. In a place, she called Ramah, which Matica named after the biblical city Ramah, Matica befriends Tamo and Tima, the condor couple. There is only one problem. The condors are nearly extinct and are being hunted by poachers. They only lay one egg a year and the poachers are on a quest to steal the bird’s egg which they can get paid lots of money for. Matica has learned how to communicate with the birds in a way that the Indians cannot but can she help them to save their egg?

I feel funny reviewing this book seeing that there are already over one hundred reviews! I can see why, it’s a cute story, well-written, and simple enough for young children to enjoy. Personally, I enjoyed the symbolism tied into Matica’s size and that of the birds. The Condors are huge which makes them look clumsy and weird and Crayn, Matica’s father, thinks they are ugly (I have to agree, they do look funny. Sorry Matica lol). Similarly, Matica is small and odd looking to the Indians who has made her an outcast.

I loved the mention of the birds being pushed off the cliff at six months old to learn to fly. To me, the entire book was Matica being pushed off the cliff so that she can learn to fly. I don’t want to spoil it for you, so I’ll leave it there. This is book one in the Talon series however the story is well-written and has a satisfying ending so it can be read as a standalone.

I recommend this book to middle-grade readers and pre-teens.

Ratings:

Plot Movement / Strength: 4/5

Entertainment Factor: 4/5

Characterization: 5/5

Authenticity / Believable: 5/5

Thought Provoking: 5/5

Overall Rating: 5 / 5

Talon, Come Fly with Me is available now on Amazon on Kindle and paperback

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Stay tuned for my next awesome author! My next two are some new faces! Whoop.