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joana_stormblessed's review against another edition
5.0
this book was simply amazing. it was a pretty quick read considering that it is almost 550 pages long.
the writing was excellent and the story was just amazing.
i absolutely recommend this book. its fantastic
the writing was excellent and the story was just amazing.
i absolutely recommend this book. its fantastic
kayteaface's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this! The plot was intriguing and very unusual, and the setting and time period were both really interesting. I've never been one for politics and plots to overthrow royalty and whatnot, but this story had me hooked. I think this was a great first book to begin my foray into historical fiction genre! I'm dying to read more of whatever LeFevers releases in this series as I found her prose and this world she's set up to be fantastic.
I must say that the characters were fabulous, too. I took to Ismae right off the bat. Lately, I've been not digging the protagonists I've been reading about so it was a nice change to actually take an interest in a strong female lead character who knows how to handle herself and is a complete BAMF with some wicked assassination skills; plus her main priority isn't fawning over males so she earns extra kudos for that.
I also really liked Duval once I got used to him. I was a little wary~ at first, but he eventually grew on me :') I really do hope we get a glimpse of them in later books to see where they've ended up!
I must say that the characters were fabulous, too. I took to Ismae right off the bat. Lately, I've been not digging the protagonists I've been reading about so it was a nice change to actually take an interest in a strong female lead character who knows how to handle herself and is a complete BAMF with some wicked assassination skills; plus her main priority isn't fawning over males so she earns extra kudos for that.
I also really liked Duval once I got used to him. I was a little wary~ at first, but he eventually grew on me :') I really do hope we get a glimpse of them in later books to see where they've ended up!
marthamaereads's review against another edition
5.0
This was just as good as the first time I read it. I love these characters and I am so glad I opted for a reread of the series.
halynah's review against another edition
5.0
AMAZING, OFFBEAT, RIVETING BOOK! Great plot - plenty of intrigues, plots, betrayals and unexpectedness. Strongly-written characters - no matter if it's a honourable hero, or a villain - all the characters are charismatic and unforgettable! I loved the protagonists, the development of their relationships, their growing trust to each other. I enjoyed all the twists and turns and all the characters. Huge compliments to the author - to write a book in the medieval period is not easy, you cannot use pop-culture as in contemporary literature to spice the plot and romance cannot be fast, steamy and sweet because of the historical traditions of that time. So it takes a great talent to charm the readers not having all those instruments to attract readers' attention.
No matter what genre you love and whether medieval period appeals to you, this book is a must-read!
No matter what genre you love and whether medieval period appeals to you, this book is a must-read!
abaugher's review against another edition
3.0
(a few chapters in, reading like an historical novel so far. still, not too bad. yet.)
Ismae, A low-born young girl in medieval Brittany is given a chance at a life different from the misery and drudgery of being wife to the cruel man who gave her father a few silver coins--as an assasin in service to the Saint Mortain. After training in all sorts of methods of efficiently dispatching a person chosen by her god for death, she is sent into fieldwork and given an assignment she's not sure she can accomplish. At the court of the young duchess Anne, with her land in peril of a French invasion, Ismae works closely with Duval, the duchess's brother, while growing ever more fond of him. Ismae discovers her strength, a deeper sense of faith in her calling and its complexities, and the possibility of a love she never thought to find.
A lovely story of court intrigue, nefarious plots, assassination attempts, and love across the boundaries of class rests between the covers of this book. This is a sweet beginning to a story of young womanhood and strength, as well as a deeper look at vengeance, mercy, and the more noble motives behind some of the worst treachery in the land.
(in the end, it was a pretty decent book, and this is coming from someone who does NOT enjoy romance novels. this one, however, had enough kickass girl action in it to offset the sappy nature of some scenes.)
Ismae, A low-born young girl in medieval Brittany is given a chance at a life different from the misery and drudgery of being wife to the cruel man who gave her father a few silver coins--as an assasin in service to the Saint Mortain. After training in all sorts of methods of efficiently dispatching a person chosen by her god for death, she is sent into fieldwork and given an assignment she's not sure she can accomplish. At the court of the young duchess Anne, with her land in peril of a French invasion, Ismae works closely with Duval, the duchess's brother, while growing ever more fond of him. Ismae discovers her strength, a deeper sense of faith in her calling and its complexities, and the possibility of a love she never thought to find.
A lovely story of court intrigue, nefarious plots, assassination attempts, and love across the boundaries of class rests between the covers of this book. This is a sweet beginning to a story of young womanhood and strength, as well as a deeper look at vengeance, mercy, and the more noble motives behind some of the worst treachery in the land.
(in the end, it was a pretty decent book, and this is coming from someone who does NOT enjoy romance novels. this one, however, had enough kickass girl action in it to offset the sappy nature of some scenes.)
mareli_coetzer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
msglord's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5