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melanie_books's review
5.0
Years after a decisive battle that supposedly ended the control of those who would hoard magic for themselves, it seems as though the Aphrasians are again working to undermine the royal family of Renovia. The queen charges her assassin to infiltrate a neighboring kingdom to discover the conspirator - and eliminate him if necessary. Shadow, a young peasant girl with magic abilities, has long admired the assassin. When he is sent to a notorious prison as a part of his cover, Shadow decides to break him out to prove that she is worthy of further magical training. Their unlikely partnership will find them in over their heads at times and faced with impossible decisions.
There were so many things about this book that I liked: the dual narrators, the shaky beginning of a partnership, the resourcefulness of an unlikely heroine, and more. But I loved what the author did with Shadow - how her story unfolded and was revealed. I can't say more without spoiling it but the plot twist was great. The ending had me very excited for the sequel...too bad it's not out for a couple of months!
There were so many things about this book that I liked: the dual narrators, the shaky beginning of a partnership, the resourcefulness of an unlikely heroine, and more. But I loved what the author did with Shadow - how her story unfolded and was revealed. I can't say more without spoiling it but the plot twist was great. The ending had me very excited for the sequel...too bad it's not out for a couple of months!
ottiline's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
mollymcinnes's review
2.0
This book was a difficult read. the plot had potential but the writing style and skill wasn’t it. i couldn’t get into the world due to the inexperienced writing pulling me out. i was always thinking ‘that doesn’t make sense’ or even just ‘that was bad writing’
felicity_boepple's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
lexi8601's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
skwiecien's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
readwithsarahkay's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
whatsmacksaid's review
1.0
DNF at page 295. I could soldier through the last ninety pages, but I just don't care about any of it--the characters, the plot, the terrible, boring sentences.
booktrovertreader's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
This was a little bad...but entertaining enough to keep going? The ending is was is compelling me to move on to the second book
This is rated pretty low. But I gave this a chance because to be honest, you don't know what you would love that everyone else hated. In rare moments, it does happen to me.
I think what really helped me enjoy this book is:
1. The ending
2. The audiobook narrators
The audiobook narrators did such an fantastic job and I probably would have DNF'd this book if it wasn't for them. So, BRAVO.
This wasn't bad, but if you go into this expecting assassin stuff, you are not going to get it. Which can be a big disappointment. But I am here to tell you, lower your expectations and just go with the flow.
With it being the title of The Queen's Assassin, I was expecting more of the adventure and assassin stuff. But mid way when it was to be Queen's Assassin, it turned to Queen's Spy, and then back to Queen's Assassin a little. Then it pivoted hard to the romance between the main characters.
You have to shift your perspective to this is a YA fantasy romance and just jump the adventure aspect of it. This isn't half bad. There is a closed door scene in this one. So I am glad this romance is a little more mature.
Most of the plot was taken up with Cal doing what he was sent to do which is to spy and figure secrets without being discovered. And Shadow being jealous about it.
Shadow does apparently become Cal's apprentice, but wasn't taught anything other than using her womanly charms to be a spy. Which to me, is stupid. Which partially why the ratings are so low on this book.
The magic system was randomly introduced in the story 1/3 of the way in. The thing is, there was no mention of magic until that moment happened and our main character apparently had magic this whole time. I wish there was more story set up for this and more demonstration of magic
What made this worth it to finish is the ending. The ending wasn't what I was expecting, which think made it worth going on to the second book just to see what happens next.
This is rated pretty low. But I gave this a chance because to be honest, you don't know what you would love that everyone else hated. In rare moments, it does happen to me.
I think what really helped me enjoy this book is:
1. The ending
2. The audiobook narrators
The audiobook narrators did such an fantastic job and I probably would have DNF'd this book if it wasn't for them. So, BRAVO.
This wasn't bad, but if you go into this expecting assassin stuff, you are not going to get it. Which can be a big disappointment. But I am here to tell you, lower your expectations and just go with the flow.
With it being the title of The Queen's Assassin, I was expecting more of the adventure and assassin stuff. But mid way when it was to be Queen's Assassin, it turned to Queen's Spy, and then back to Queen's Assassin a little. Then it pivoted hard to the romance between the main characters.
You have to shift your perspective to this is a YA fantasy romance and just jump the adventure aspect of it. This isn't half bad. There is a closed door scene in this one. So I am glad this romance is a little more mature.
Most of the plot was taken up with Cal doing what he was sent to do which is to spy and figure secrets without being discovered. And Shadow being jealous about it.
Shadow does apparently become Cal's apprentice, but wasn't taught anything other than using her womanly charms to be a spy. Which to me, is stupid. Which partially why the ratings are so low on this book.
The magic system was randomly introduced in the story 1/3 of the way in. The thing is, there was no mention of magic until that moment happened and our main character apparently had magic this whole time. I wish there was more story set up for this and more demonstration of magic
What made this worth it to finish is the ending. The ending wasn't what I was expecting, which think made it worth going on to the second book just to see what happens next.
k1llerqueen's review
3.0
There were good parts and bad parts, it’s a good book, it really is but it’s not as good as other books I’ve read are. But this is only my opinion and everyone has they’re own opinion. Mine is, it’s good and I liked it but would I suggest it or read it again, yes and no. Am I going to read the second book because the ending of this one makes me excited for the second one? HELL YESSSSSS