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mgree's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hebberelle's review
4.0
Very sweet but wow did it ever take her FOREVER to realize what was happening and where she came from.
storydarling's review
Mostly I’m just not in the mood for this book. But also, I’m a little tired of “enemies to lovers” basically just meaning constant banter.
mobookishbaker's review
5.0
I loved this book so much! It drew me in from beginning to end, keeping me hooked mentally and emotionally. I was cheering for Azora, felt the same anger and hatred she felt as she had the bravery to volunteer and be sacrificed for her kingdom, then you meet Tarquin and I couldn't help but cheer for him too. They were made for each other! Plus, so many vibes from characters in other shows I enjoy. I saw that Mary compared this to Zuko's energy from Avatar and I 100% agree. It was Avatar meets Assassin's Creed, with some Robin Hood vibes sprinkled in on top.
annabethjoy23's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
rmb27's review
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
This book starts like an easy, cheesy romance, but I have to admit that I was fooled by the twist.
I would have loved for the author to add some more details to help me connect with the characters. This book moved very quickly and it felt like the first part of it was missing.
I would have loved for the author to add some more details to help me connect with the characters. This book moved very quickly and it felt like the first part of it was missing.
athenacomplex's review
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Predictable but cute.
"You were never bluffing, were you? ...Who are you?"
Some intriguing but surface-level commentary on political figureheads, a few unnecessary plot twists, and some plot holes.
moni_reads's review
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. This book is the fifth book in the Sacrificed Hearts Series to be released but it's a complete standalone. The book's blurb is straightforward. Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice is told through Azora's pov and is a riveting enemies to lovers romance.
Raised as an assassin, Azora has the skills and confidence to volunteer to be the bride of the Tarquin, prince of her kingdom's enemy. She knows that she can eliminate him when given the order and she's eagerly biding her time before she gets her revenge on those responsible for killing her parents. When she meets Tarquin, he isn't what he expected. He's wary of her yet wants to get to know her and she can't deny that he's a good prince to his people. As she spends more time with him, she has to answer if he's really the monster that she thought he was.
Because they belong to enemy kingdoms and were in an arranged marriage, their romance was a slow burn full of the best kind of tension. Naturally, they each assumptions about each other and didn't trust the other. But, even though they didn't trust each other and Azora was ready to carry out her mission, they both wanted peace for their kingdoms and that allowed them to slowly let their guards down. In particular, Tarquin's readiness to be on friendly terms helped Azora see him for who he was and not who she thought he was. I liked the conflicting thoughts she had as their friendship grew into something some. Their romance was a clean one consisting of sweet kisses, that aren't overly descriptive, and no cursing was used. The violence is one of level pg-13. I really loved the banter between Azora and Tarquin but the banter she had with Razo, her friend, was just as fun to read. The funny banter was perfect to balance the anxious feelings of wondering what would happen between the enemy kingdoms and Azora and Tarquin. As for the plot twists, they were so good and may leave you in shock. Overall, this was great story and I can't wait for Razo's story.
Raised as an assassin, Azora has the skills and confidence to volunteer to be the bride of the Tarquin, prince of her kingdom's enemy. She knows that she can eliminate him when given the order and she's eagerly biding her time before she gets her revenge on those responsible for killing her parents. When she meets Tarquin, he isn't what he expected. He's wary of her yet wants to get to know her and she can't deny that he's a good prince to his people. As she spends more time with him, she has to answer if he's really the monster that she thought he was.
Because they belong to enemy kingdoms and were in an arranged marriage, their romance was a slow burn full of the best kind of tension. Naturally, they each assumptions about each other and didn't trust the other. But, even though they didn't trust each other and Azora was ready to carry out her mission, they both wanted peace for their kingdoms and that allowed them to slowly let their guards down. In particular, Tarquin's readiness to be on friendly terms helped Azora see him for who he was and not who she thought he was. I liked the conflicting thoughts she had as their friendship grew into something some. Their romance was a clean one consisting of sweet kisses, that aren't overly descriptive, and no cursing was used. The violence is one of level pg-13. I really loved the banter between Azora and Tarquin but the banter she had with Razo, her friend, was just as fun to read. The funny banter was perfect to balance the anxious feelings of wondering what would happen between the enemy kingdoms and Azora and Tarquin. As for the plot twists, they were so good and may leave you in shock. Overall, this was great story and I can't wait for Razo's story.
shelvedthoughts's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but meant to be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Azora’s point of view
– there is some death/killing mentioned – one instance briefly mentions pooling blood & another briefly mentions burned bodies
Review:
I’ve been anticipating this book since hearing what it was going to be about and was not disappointed! I loved getting a great romance with an assassin and a phoenix shifter! Azora was funny with her adoptive siblings and I loved the whole dynamic with their profession in the mix. I also liked that we didn’t get Tarquin’s point of view (though at times I wanted it!). It made things a little more mysterious when it came to him and what he’d do with everything he thought was going on. I really really enjoyed the twist(s) thrown in that kept me guessing about what was really going on around Azora and who was behind it all!
Summary:
Azora’s traces of Pyrenese blood had lent her aid in the fight against the Pyrenese who took her parents lives away from her. And it will lend her even greater aid with the newest mission her assassin squad has been tasked with. In order to ensure the safety of her home kingdom of Termarth and the peace treaty being offered, Azora will need to go to Pyren to wed Prince Tarquin…and be ready to end him should the need arise. With her blood granting her the ability to kill phoenix shifters (like the prince) and an immunity from fire, it’s the perfect plan.
But when Azora arrives in Pyren and gets to know her husband, she finds that not everything is as black and white as she assumed. And when the command to end him is issued, Azora doesn’t know which she’ll do: follow her original duties or push them aside…