Book Review: Invisible Monsters (Talker 25) by Joshua McCune

Invisible Monsters
Author: Joshua McCune
Series: Talker 25 (Book 2)
Publication: Greenwillow Books (June 2, 2015)

Description: In this sequel to Talker 25, which Publishers Weekly said “packs a significant punch,” Joshua McCune once again keeps readers on the edge of their seats with a gritty and masterful reimagining of popular dragon fantasy set in a militant future.

Set in a not-too-distant future where dragon wars have shaped society, the battle between the dragon resistance and government forces escalates in Joshua McCune’s thrilling and heart-pounding sequel to Talker 25, which The Horn Book praised as “absolutely gripping and absolutely horrifying.” Finally free after spending three months locked in a secret government facility, where she was forced to torture and assassinate dragons for the popular television series Kissing Dragons, all Melissa Callahan wants is a quiet recovery. Hiding in an Alaskan cave with fellow escapee Allie (known as Talker 21), Melissa does her best to stay out of the dragon politics. However, when a group of rebels called the Diocletians discovers their hideout and captures Allie, Melissa soon realizes she must finally choose who she’s fighting for—the humans or the dragons.

My Thoughts: The action and the violence ramp up in this sequel to TALKER 25. Melissa has finally escaped the secret government facility that tortured and brain-washed her into calling dragons so that they could be tortured and killed on a popular television series Kissing Dragons. When she escaped, she took another young talker with her. They also managed to free a couple of dragons. They have been hiding out in Alaska.

When they are discovered by the Dioletians, Ally is taken and Melissa is determined to do anything to get her back. Her journey takes her to the Diocletians who control green dragons. They are using their control to kill humans. They are a terrorist organization whose goal is freeing the dragons. Melissa needs to to horrible things to work her way into the organization to find Ally.

There are two young men who are important in this story too. Both of them are keeping secrets and both have loyalties that Melissa can't figure out. It seems that both young men are by turns enemies and allies for Melissa.

The graphic violence of this story makes it most suitable for older young adults who like their fantasy filled with a gritty reality.

Favorite Quote:

T-Clef's face hardens. "Seriously, though, Missy C, questions are dangerous things." Back to perky and singing. "Ours is not to reason why..."

Grizzly B joins her for the last part. "Ours is just to fly and die."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.