Dickens & Rumi

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Talons of Power

Tui T. Sutherland · 2016

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Talons of Power by Tui T. Sutherland. This book is content notes include Frightening scenes, Violence, Death of a character; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Book 9 · Wings of FireSource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsFrightening scenes 3/5 · Violence 3/5 · Death of a character 2/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Creativity & curiosity 4/5
Series positionBook 9 · Wings of Fire
Recommendation3.8/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Frightening scenes 3/5
Recommendation 3.8/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
16Scored categories
16Evidence notes
2Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 5, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth16 scored categories16 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Violence3/5
  • Death of a character2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 10 · Darkness of DragonsStrongest cautions: Frightening scenes 4/5 · Violence 4/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · The Dragonet ProphecyAges 14+
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes2/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 1 · WINGS OF FIREAges 10+
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Graphic injury2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  3. Book 2 · The Lost HeirAges 14+
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Graphic injury2/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  4. Book 3 · The Hidden Kingdom
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Death of a character1/5Graphic injury1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  5. Book 4 · THE DARK SECRET
    Frightening scenes4/5Death of a character3/5Violence3/5Graphic injury2/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  6. Book 5 · The Brightest NightAges 14+
    Death of a character4/5Violence4/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  7. Book 6 · Moon RisingAges 12+
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Religious themes1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  8. Book 7 · Winter Turning
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  9. Book 8 · Escaping PerilAges 14+
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Religious themes1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  10. Book 9 · Talons of Power
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  11. Book 10 · Darkness of DragonsAges 14+
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Religious themes1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  12. Book 11 · The Lost Continent
    Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  13. Book 12 · The Hive QueenAges 14+
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Romance2/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  14. Book 13 · The Poison JungleAges 14+
    Frightening scenes4/5LGBTQIA characters4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Graphic injury2/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  15. Book 14 · The Dangerous GiftAges 12+
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence3/5Death of a character2/5Graphic injury2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  16. Book 15 · The Flames of Hope
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Graphic injury2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Romance2/5Religious themes1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  17. Book 16 · THE HYBRID PRINCE
    Violence2/5Death of a character1/5Frightening scenes1/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler

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What’s in it?

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

Deaths occur within the context of war and conflict, typical for the series.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Minor mentions of injuries or blood in battle contexts, but not graphic or dwelt upon.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Mild fantasy-style insults or name-calling, nothing offensive.

LGBTQIA characters1/5
Why this rating?

LGBTQIA characters or relationships may exist in the wider series, but they appear limited or not prominent in this book.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Features mild, age-appropriate crushes and romantic feelings between young dragons.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Tense situations with a powerful villain who can influence minds and manipulate reality.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Features fantasy combat with claws, fire breath, and magical threats; characters are frequently in danger.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

Products & advertising · 0/5Religious themes · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters confront danger, fear, manipulation, and powerful enemies, often choosing loyalty or principle despite risk.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

The imaginative dragon world, magical abilities, political tensions, and inventive problem-solving strongly encourage imaginative engagement.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Wide array of dragon tribes with distinct abilities and cultures, emphasizing individual agency.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Encourages reading for pleasure; promotes vocabulary development and thematic analysis.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Empathy and friendship are central motivations for the main characters.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It emphasizes responsibility, loyalty, resisting manipulation, making ethical choices, and considering consequences of power.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Protagonists often display growth, courage, and a commitment to helping others despite their fears.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in Talons of Power would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Talons of Power, and what caused that change?
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