The poachers are back – and they are looking for Talon! They are doing everything in their power to capture him, and if they can’t get him alive, will kill him.
Determined to get him at all costs the poachers run up against the might and will of Tamo, Tima and Talon.
It is war. The poachers against the condors, Matica and the Indians – with the poachers even taking hostages to win the war.
With the help of Tamo and Tima, Talon and Matica do the impossible knowing they have to capture and stop the poachers or they will be back. Between the poachers shooting at the condors, the crows playing their part, and Tamo being shot and injured, Matica goes above and beyond to help her beloved condors.
Action-packed from beginning to end, Talon Encounter will keep you on the edge of your seat.
REVIEWS FOR TALON, ENCOUNTER
By Tigerlily64 on October 15, 2015
Format: Paperback
Talon, Encounter is the fifth book of the Talon series by Gigi Sedlmayer. This is a great series for young teens. However, it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing all five books that Gigi has written so far. For the best understanding of Matica and her adventures with the condors in Peru, I would recommend starting the series with book 1, Talon, Come Fly with Me. When you read book 1, you will be hooked and eager for the next. Read each book consecutively. By book 5, you will be very much a part of Matica’s family and intimately involved with the condors.
For some background, Matica lives with her family in Pucara, a remote village in Northern Peru near the Andes. Her parents, Crayn and Mira, are missionaries, who came from Peru to Australia. The Indians of Peru shunned Matica initially because she has a growth disability; at age 10, she was the size of a two-year old. Lonely and miserable, she made friends with a pair of condors, Tamo and Tima. Poachers stole Tima’s egg, but Matica and her father, Crayn, with the help of the condors, rescued the egg. Matica kept the egg warm, and when it hatched, baby Talon grew up in Matica’s household. After a spark from the kitchen fire scared Talon, Matica jumped on his back to calm him. Talon rushed out the door and flew with her on his back.
Soon Matica was flying on Talon daily. She was so small that she was the only one who could fly on Talon. The Indians were awestruck when they saw her ride on Talon’s back and fly with him. They learned to respect and admire her when they saw her friendship with the condors. They were amazed that Matica could talk to the condors, and the condors understood her. She, in turn, learned to interpret the condors’ sounds and gestures. Eventually, word spread of Matica and the condors, and Matica become a celebrity.
In book 5, there are a number of encounters with the poachers, Pete and Zed. The poachers want to kill Talon, Matica’s youngest condor friend. Talon’s parents, Tamo and Tima, are also in danger of being shot, although the poachers want Tima to lay another egg once Talon is dead. Matica loves Tamo, Tima and Talon, and they love her, as well. Matica is so freaked out by the word “poachers” that she has asked people to say “the you know who”. She is afraid for all three condors, but especially for her darling Talon who is in the most danger.
As this fifth book begins, Pajaro, the village leader, is mourning his father, Elcano. Elcano was the village leader and wise man. On his deathbed, he told Matica, “We are all connected”; he said that the Peruvian Indian villagers, Matica’s family and the condors are all connected. Elcano told Matica that she must work with Pajaro to keep the condors safe. The poachers must be caught and put in prison.
Elcano had wanted to be cremated. Although this is against the usual custom, the villagers honor his wish. The village Indians and Matica’s family attend the creamation. Tamo, Timo and Talon are there to pay their respects, as well. Outsiders are not usually invited to such an important event, but Pajaro believes Elcano would have wanted Matica’s family and the condors to attend his cremation. The Indians are amazed that the birds show emotion and cry for Elcano.
Unfortunately, Pete and Zed see the cremation fire and head towards the village. Since the condors have warned the villagers that the poachers are coming, Matica’s family and the Indians prepare to confront them. Because the poachers have guns, the Indians are afraid and disorganized. The villagers hope the police will come before they have to deal with them. However, the police have not arrived. Through the fighting and confusion, Pete and Zed hold several different people hostage; when one escapes, another is captured. They attempt without success to barter and exchange each hostage for Talon.
Tamo, Tima and Talon (with Matica on his back) dive down and attack the poachers. The condors’ attacks enable Crayn, Pajaro, Jose and others to tie up the poachers. All the rest of the morning, the poachers, tied to chairs with rope, sit in the Community Hall, with Tamo and Tima faithfully guarding them.
Matica and Talon fly to Bambamarca to look for the police, and when they find them, they urge the police to come to Pucara and take the poachers to prison. When the police arrive later that day, they recognize Pete and Zed as wanted criminals. Pete and Zed have been using fake names; their names are really Alfonso and Ferdinand, and they are wanted for thief and murder. Matica and the others realize the poachers are more dangerous than they had originally thought. They are happy to see the last of the poachers.
Will there be another story to follow? Gigi leaves the possibility open. Matica is flying somewhere else on Talon. The reader does not know where.
Throughout this Talon, series, I am struck with the love and respect that Gigi Sedlmayer has for animals. She also has a deep empathy for those with disabilities. Her books are uplifting and heart-warming. Patience, love, faith in God, forgiveness and courage are strong elements in her writing. There is also a strong sense of community and the connection of animals and people as part of that community. “We are all connected”.
ANOTHER REVIEW
By Alexia Janie Evans on October 17, 2015
Format: Paperback
“Talon, Encounter” by Gigi Sedlmayer is the fifth book in the ‘Talon’ series. I have read all five books in this series and have to say that I loved them. It is best to read this as a series but if you were to pick up book 5 you would be able to follow along as the author does a great job with the characters in the story. In this book Matica (the young girl that the story is written around) and her young condor friend Talon are dealing with poachers. There is much more to this story but it deserves to be read and enjoyed rather than me telling you what is going to happen. Perfect book for younger teens, but as an adult i thoroughly enjoyed it too. The way Gigi Sedlmayer writes shows how the author deals with love of animals, and accepting people with disabilities.
ANOTHER REVIEW:
By Eliza E. on October 24, 2015
Format: Paperback
‘TALON ENCOUNTER’ – Gisela Sedlmayer:
It is war. The poachers are back – and they are looking for Talon. What an introduction!
This 382 page ‘Talon, Encounter’ is the fifth book of the Talon series by Gigi Sedlmayer.
The action-packed, inspirational and compassionate tale of Matica’s adventures with the condor named Talon, keeps us page turning. We learn to respect and admire Matica as we see her friendship with the condors – and she learns to interpret the condors’ sounds and gestures.
This is a super-duper series for young teens especially but can be enjoyed also by readers of all ages.
Recommended. A well-deserved five stars.
Well done talented author Gigi. I look forward to reading more of your works.
ANOTHER REVIEW:
By Book Reads on November 8, 2015
Format: Paperback
Another great inspiring piece of work by talented author Gigi! ‘Talon, Encounter’ is the fifth book of the Talon series. Very well written and this action-packed compassionate tale will keep you page turning.
Highly Recommended. A well-deserved five stars.
ANOTHER REVIEW:
By J L. Mitchell on October 21, 2015
Format: Paperback
Talon, Encounter
Cover Art: Eye-Catching
I’ve just finished Gigi Sedlmayer’s fifth novel in the ‘Talon’ series -Talon, Encounter, and I must say it’s an
inspiring piece of work indeed! Teaches a very good lesson in compassion and thoughtfulness.
Highly recommend.
More amazing books by Ms Sedlmayer (the ‘TALON’ series)
Talon, Come Fly with Me
Talon, On the Wing
Talon, Flight for Life
Talon, Connected
Review by children’s author of: ‘Lulu’s Green Luge’
Talon, family book series 