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darakuhn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
alicebme's review against another edition
3.0
I liked that it didn't get gratuitously ugly, but totally loved all of the assassin business. Excited to see where this series might go now that Ismae has a mind of her own.
teaturtlesandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
fatimareadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
“This is what I want to be. An instrument of mercy, not vengeance.”
I felt like this book could've been something more. The main character is an assassin, yet I don't see much of any assassinations. I needed more badassery; this book was basically sprinkles of action throughout long stretches of boredom. The only action-filled scenes were at the beginning of the story and they were awesome, so I didn't expect this path that the book took a turn to.
The historical aspect of this book kind of bored me - I don't normally read historical fiction - but I felt like it could've been weaved into the story more artfully. The romance was bland and predictable. When I read this book's synopsis, my expectations soared; and by the way everyone was singing the book's praises, I expected it to be something more. However, I was sorely disappointed. This book had so much potential, which is such a shame.
Nevertheless, I'll still be reading the sequels - but with lowered expectations. In between the stretches of boredom, there were many parts of this book that just made you want to keep reading. The writing was pretty good and the similes and metaphors the author uses were incredible. So, to conclude this review, I will add some quotes that particularly impressed me from the book.
“Behind me, the door opens and Louyse bustles in. “My lady! Come away from there before you catch your death!”
Her words bring a smile to my lips. Does she think Death is some small bird with my name written on it, beating at the window in the hope that I will catch it?”
“For while I am Death’s daughter and walk in His dark shadow, surely the darkness can give way to light sometimes.”
I felt like this book could've been something more. The main character is an assassin, yet I don't see much of any assassinations. I needed more badassery; this book was basically sprinkles of action throughout long stretches of boredom. The only action-filled scenes were at the beginning of the story and they were awesome, so I didn't expect this path that the book took a turn to.
The historical aspect of this book kind of bored me - I don't normally read historical fiction - but I felt like it could've been weaved into the story more artfully. The romance was bland and predictable. When I read this book's synopsis, my expectations soared; and by the way everyone was singing the book's praises, I expected it to be something more. However, I was sorely disappointed. This book had so much potential, which is such a shame.
Nevertheless, I'll still be reading the sequels - but with lowered expectations. In between the stretches of boredom, there were many parts of this book that just made you want to keep reading. The writing was pretty good and the similes and metaphors the author uses were incredible. So, to conclude this review, I will add some quotes that particularly impressed me from the book.
“Behind me, the door opens and Louyse bustles in. “My lady! Come away from there before you catch your death!”
Her words bring a smile to my lips. Does she think Death is some small bird with my name written on it, beating at the window in the hope that I will catch it?”
“For while I am Death’s daughter and walk in His dark shadow, surely the darkness can give way to light sometimes.”
ewagner78's review against another edition
3.0
I think 3.5 or even 3.75 would be more accurate. I enjoyed Ismae's story and felt that it was a well-done setup for the trilogy. The sad scenes were so well written, I almost enjoyed reading them more than the happy ones!
mstapel's review against another edition
4.0
A very good read that kept me interested until the very end! I do not normally enjoy historical fiction, but Ismae was such a beautiful and strong character to follow! Looking forward to the next!
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!