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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
greenteabookme's review against another edition
3.0
I was provided with an ARC excerpt in exchange for providing an honest review. At first I didn’t realize it was just the first portion of the novel and was so disappointed I have to wait now to read the rest of the book when it comes out!
vikingtantan's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
mnwild32's review against another edition
4.0
Not bad, I'm at least interested in seeing where the story goes.
jruff's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
ameserole's review
3.0
I am so happy that I finally got to dive into this!!
The Queen's Assassin has been on my radar ever since I saw this beautiful cover. Once I found the time to dive into it, I was beyond excited and ready. In it, you will meet Shadow and Cal. Their relationship was honestly something that got me hooked. You could clearly see the tension and sparks between them but you also felt something missing. Like, maybe someone was hiding something from the other.
Now this book is all told from both of their POV's which I very much enjoyed. For some reason though I assumed it would all be from Cal's. Since he is actually the Queen's assassin. That being said, still enjoyed the heck out of this book and would definitely recommend the audiobook version!
In the end, that damn cliffhanger got me hooked. No idea when the next one will be out but I'm hoping it was him knocking at the door. I want these two to be happy.
The Queen's Assassin has been on my radar ever since I saw this beautiful cover. Once I found the time to dive into it, I was beyond excited and ready. In it, you will meet Shadow and Cal. Their relationship was honestly something that got me hooked. You could clearly see the tension and sparks between them but you also felt something missing. Like, maybe someone was hiding something from the other.
Now this book is all told from both of their POV's which I very much enjoyed. For some reason though I assumed it would all be from Cal's. Since he is actually the Queen's assassin. That being said, still enjoyed the heck out of this book and would definitely recommend the audiobook version!
In the end, that damn cliffhanger got me hooked. No idea when the next one will be out but I'm hoping it was him knocking at the door. I want these two to be happy.
irenetrexqueen's review
3.0
This is my first read of any of Melissa's books, no idea why because her writing seems right up my alley. Now, like any review, this is heavily biased and like a very particular type of book. The books I prefer have action, adventure, mystery and maybe some light romance and if it's in a fantasy world (or just has magic) I like it even more. The Queen's Assassin hits about 80% of this.
We find the book set in a fantasy world with unique names and places, including ancient castles and prisons, kings and beautiful queens. There is something dark in the world hunting our female character and stopped by male main character. From there we get a buddy adventure book with escapes from a stronghold, magic, espionage, and a falling fast romance. With the last being my main issue with the book.
Why would the country's BEST spy and warrior fall for a girl so quickly? After only a few hours together Cal is "fighting" the urge to hold and love Shadow. Throughout the book we have no real idea of how much time has passed, though it felt like a few days. I know, I'm not the real demo for this book, but we really need to stop writing romances as 3 days of falling for someone, ESPECIALLY SPIES. Even a note of a week has passed or some time at so and so's manior house would be better.
Another smaller issue I had was the magic, it seemed a bit out of left field. It came about mid-book and from there it's a big plot point. Could have built that up a bit more.
My last issue ties into the love story. It goes from an action-adventure to pure romance novel for the last 4th of the book. I understand this is a series, but the end of the could just be the end of all of it. I know we have things to find and people to kill but those were thrown to the wind at the end and now I feel no more forward momentum.
All this being said, I did finish the book and that's a good sign. If I can get my hands on the second book from the Library I'll read it. I suggest a rent over buy.
We find the book set in a fantasy world with unique names and places, including ancient castles and prisons, kings and beautiful queens. There is something dark in the world hunting our female character and stopped by male main character. From there we get a buddy adventure book with escapes from a stronghold, magic, espionage, and a falling fast romance. With the last being my main issue with the book.
Why would the country's BEST spy and warrior fall for a girl so quickly? After only a few hours together Cal is "fighting" the urge to hold and love Shadow. Throughout the book we have no real idea of how much time has passed, though it felt like a few days. I know, I'm not the real demo for this book, but we really need to stop writing romances as 3 days of falling for someone, ESPECIALLY SPIES. Even a note of a week has passed or some time at so and so's manior house would be better.
Another smaller issue I had was the magic, it seemed a bit out of left field. It came about mid-book and from there it's a big plot point. Could have built that up a bit more.
My last issue ties into the love story. It goes from an action-adventure to pure romance novel for the last 4th of the book. I understand this is a series, but the end of the could just be the end of all of it. I know we have things to find and people to kill but those were thrown to the wind at the end and now I feel no more forward momentum.
All this being said, I did finish the book and that's a good sign. If I can get my hands on the second book from the Library I'll read it. I suggest a rent over buy.