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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
thepaperzombie's review against another edition
5.0
I am in love. This book was so fantastic. Ismae is seriously one of my favorite female characters. Usually a lot of authors make mistakes when they're going for that bad ass female. Somehow they manage to make it so unbelievable. I'm not sure why it's so tough to write. Women are strong by nature but we're still emotional and a lot of authors struggle with that. The results usually end in characters who can kick ass but lack emotional depth leaving the character feeling very flat.
LaFevers does not make that mistake. Ismae is bad ass. She can kill a man in so many ways but she is young and she does make mistakes and she does question. She struggles with her emotions. For all that she's an assassin, she can't turn off her feelings and that's what makes her endearing.
The romance between Ismae and Duval is very believable. Neither is immediately smitten, which always rubs me the wrong way. In fact, they both despise each other at first. You have to peel back the layers of their relationship one by one until you get to the good stuff.
The complicated political intrigue is not overly complicated and doesn't make the novel boring.
I love that Ismae's father is Death. I love that despite the horrible upbringing and her experience with men she is able to overcome that and love Duval. She doesn't let that ruin her. That to me is true strength. The ability to overcome and to be open to new things despite pain in your past.
LaFevers does not make that mistake. Ismae is bad ass. She can kill a man in so many ways but she is young and she does make mistakes and she does question. She struggles with her emotions. For all that she's an assassin, she can't turn off her feelings and that's what makes her endearing.
The romance between Ismae and Duval is very believable. Neither is immediately smitten, which always rubs me the wrong way. In fact, they both despise each other at first. You have to peel back the layers of their relationship one by one until you get to the good stuff.
The complicated political intrigue is not overly complicated and doesn't make the novel boring.
I love that Ismae's father is Death. I love that despite the horrible upbringing and her experience with men she is able to overcome that and love Duval. She doesn't let that ruin her. That to me is true strength. The ability to overcome and to be open to new things despite pain in your past.
laurverdi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0