The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Sutherland, Tui, Wings of Fire Book 9; Talons of Power. Scholastic Press, New York, NY, 2017. Kindle AZW file.

Turtle is a SeaWing dragon who has animus (magic) power. He has kept his animus power hidden from everyone until recently when he revealed it to his best friends. He grew up in a tribe that remembered the historical accounts of a SeaWing who killed most of the royal family. Turtle feared that his strong-willed mother might use his powers or that he will be singled out. He tries to avoid attention because he is one of more than 30 princes and he failed at an important task when he was very young. Turtle is one of the students of the Jade Winglet at the Jade Mountain Academy, and he has begun to form friendships with other dragons – a RainWing named Kinkajou, a SandWing named Qibli, a NightWing named Moon, an IceWing named Winter, and a SkyWing with firescales named Peril. Despite the emerging friendships and the fact that Turtle revealed his power to his friends, he continues to remain in the shadows and lacks the confidence to believe in himself.

Turtle is thrust into the middle of a dramatic situation when an ancient NightWing named Darkstalker emerges after 2,000 years of entombment in a mountain. Darkstalker is immortal, invincible, and incredibly powerful. Turtle, having hidden from Darkstalker the moment he emerged, escapes Darkstalker's spell that makes all the other dragons trust him. He introduces himself to the displaced NightWing tribe and pledges to lead them back to their ancient homeland – the Night Kingdom. Turtle's sister Anemone has latched onto Darkstalker as her mentor, but she is not equipped to share his attention. When he tells her to leave, Anemone is furious. Turtle fears she will go on a killing spree in the Sea Kingdom. Turtle and Anemone are in an animus battle until Turtle is finally able to confine her. Darkstalker senses the magic being used and uses his own to teleport them to him. Turtle is able to protect Anemone. However, in the process, he leaves himself open to Darkstalker's full attention. Darkstalker, realizing that Turtle will likely always be a danger to him, takes away Turtle's powers. For the first time, Turtle is nothing but an ordinary dragon.

All events are set against a prophecy issued by Moon, the first NightWing in centuries to demonstrate the power of prophecy. Moon's prophecy is filled with dire warnings. However, it is vague, meaning it is open to interpretation. Moon and her friends know they need to stop the prophecy from coming true to protect the Jade Mountain Academy. But, they are uncertain about how to prevent it from happening. As the novel comes to a close, there are events happening in other parts of Pyrrhia. A plague takes the life of the IceWing queen, and the SeaWings see a ghost they believe to be the animus who massacred the royal family centuries earlier.