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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
**actual rating, 4.5 stars, rounded up**
Isabel Ryans wants out. Out of her old life, her family—out from underneath the thumb of being an assassin. Raised and trained to be a professional killer under the guidance and horror of her Parents—a poison-making father and killer mother—Isabel has been through a lot for her age. She slips away one day and doesn’t look back, fleeing from home with a new name with the hopes of starting a new life as a civilian. But escaping came at a price, and before she knows it, she’s hurled into danger that she can’t recall being in.
Immobilised with pain, Isabel has few options. But at her new school, surprise connections have gotten her friends for the first time in her life, ones that help her to try and overcome the chaos she’s deep in. But when her cover is blown, it’s only a matter of time before the domino effect takes aim, and she’s left with only two choices—go back to the people that made her this way, or fight against them with people just as sinister.
Overall, The Butterfly Assassin was everything I hoped it would be and more. It’s been such a long time since I’ve read something this nail-biting and edge-of-your-seat, action-packed and full of twists. The character development of Isabel was greatly depicted and I loved that the author, Finn Longman, gave an authentic and powerful portrayal of carrying pain with you. I did find the book slow at the start and slightly confusing as I grappled with the world-building, but as the book progressed, it became second nature and I got fully submerged in the new landscape world Isabel resides in. This was such a haunting and unputdownable novel that takes flight with hypnotic characters and a storyline with razor-sharp thrills. Packed with surprises at every turn, The Butterfly Assassin is a book not to be missed—I cannot wait to read the follow-up novel next year! An amazing 4.5 star novel.
Isabel Ryans wants out. Out of her old life, her family—out from underneath the thumb of being an assassin. Raised and trained to be a professional killer under the guidance and horror of her Parents—a poison-making father and killer mother—Isabel has been through a lot for her age. She slips away one day and doesn’t look back, fleeing from home with a new name with the hopes of starting a new life as a civilian. But escaping came at a price, and before she knows it, she’s hurled into danger that she can’t recall being in.
Immobilised with pain, Isabel has few options. But at her new school, surprise connections have gotten her friends for the first time in her life, ones that help her to try and overcome the chaos she’s deep in. But when her cover is blown, it’s only a matter of time before the domino effect takes aim, and she’s left with only two choices—go back to the people that made her this way, or fight against them with people just as sinister.
Overall, The Butterfly Assassin was everything I hoped it would be and more. It’s been such a long time since I’ve read something this nail-biting and edge-of-your-seat, action-packed and full of twists. The character development of Isabel was greatly depicted and I loved that the author, Finn Longman, gave an authentic and powerful portrayal of carrying pain with you. I did find the book slow at the start and slightly confusing as I grappled with the world-building, but as the book progressed, it became second nature and I got fully submerged in the new landscape world Isabel resides in. This was such a haunting and unputdownable novel that takes flight with hypnotic characters and a storyline with razor-sharp thrills. Packed with surprises at every turn, The Butterfly Assassin is a book not to be missed—I cannot wait to read the follow-up novel next year! An amazing 4.5 star novel.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I flew through this book, so here's a short and sweet review:
I really liked this book and enjoyed the story. Especially the trauma Isabel is carrying, which makes me hate a lot of the decisions she makes, but the book is written in a way that they are reasonable based on what she has been through and what she feels, which I can't say about certain other books.
Another thing I loved was the depiction of the importance of friendship and how romance was not seen as lacking in Isabel'S life because FRIENDSHIPS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT (makes my ace heart happy, thanks Finn!)
Lastly, I have started reading author's notes because they always reveal interesting stuff I don't pick up on and I would have never guessed how much of the stuff was based on real events. Like I knew the language existed, but all the weapons facilities, the fact that there is a weapon fair in the UK, the technological advancement, the Russian boarded cities where they develop weapons and stuff... It sounds so surreal, but it actually exists/existed. Always love learning terrifying facts about the world.
Anyway, overall a cool read I guess I'd place in the Alternate History/Expanded Reality realm. But I'd recommend reading trigger warnings if you are sensitive to some stuff
I really liked this book and enjoyed the story. Especially the trauma Isabel is carrying, which makes me hate a lot of the decisions she makes, but the book is written in a way that they are reasonable based on what she has been through and what she feels, which I can't say about certain other books.
Another thing I loved was the depiction of the importance of friendship and how romance was not seen as lacking in Isabel'S life because FRIENDSHIPS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT (makes my ace heart happy, thanks Finn!)
Lastly, I have started reading author's notes because they always reveal interesting stuff I don't pick up on and I would have never guessed how much of the stuff was based on real events. Like I knew the language existed, but all the weapons facilities, the fact that there is a weapon fair in the UK, the technological advancement, the Russian boarded cities where they develop weapons and stuff... It sounds so surreal, but it actually exists/existed. Always love learning terrifying facts about the world.
Anyway, overall a cool read I guess I'd place in the Alternate History/Expanded Reality realm. But I'd recommend reading trigger warnings if you are sensitive to some stuff
This book was fire! But the good kind. A whirlwind of suspense, tension and assassin drama. I was on tenterhooks for the entire time and with the main storyline, it made for a very intense follow along and wow, I did not foresee what the plot of this book would be like but I loved it.
It was not what I was expecting but this was even better than the idea I had in my head of what this was going to be like. It by far surpassed my expectations and was so much more than I thought it would be.
It was dark, had a real ‘against the clock’ impending doom feel to it which had you on the edge of your seat, tearing through the pages to see what would happen. Once I’d gotten to grips with the gangs and the rivalries and the set up to the story, it was easy to follow and such a thrilling read.
It was such a pain to rip myself away from this book as I just needed to know how it was going to end. Certainly very entertaining although I was dissatisfied with a few of the events and how certain things unfolded. A bit too much injustice, some things felt a little rushed and too easy and occasionally the main character got a little repetitive but I did really enjoy reading it and I’m excited to see more from this author and where the story with Isobel is headed.
Thank you to the publishers and author via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
It was not what I was expecting but this was even better than the idea I had in my head of what this was going to be like. It by far surpassed my expectations and was so much more than I thought it would be.
It was dark, had a real ‘against the clock’ impending doom feel to it which had you on the edge of your seat, tearing through the pages to see what would happen. Once I’d gotten to grips with the gangs and the rivalries and the set up to the story, it was easy to follow and such a thrilling read.
It was such a pain to rip myself away from this book as I just needed to know how it was going to end. Certainly very entertaining although I was dissatisfied with a few of the events and how certain things unfolded. A bit too much injustice, some things felt a little rushed and too easy and occasionally the main character got a little repetitive but I did really enjoy reading it and I’m excited to see more from this author and where the story with Isobel is headed.
Thank you to the publishers and author via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
An amazing debut which deals eloquently with the repercussions of childhood trauma, chronic and debilitating illness, and severe depression against the backdrop of a teenage assassin trying to find her place in the world. This book will take you on a (very stabby) ride and will break your heart. A lot.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love Isabel and I absolutely adore Daragh so so so much. But also please please give Isabel some comfort and reassurance. NEED to buy book 2 asap
dark
hopeful
sad
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
Heartbreaking and hopeful. This is the first book in ages that I've read in 48 hours without trying to slog through it—a fast-paced thriller with a lot of heart. As someone who keeps seeing shows/books with people who were raised to be assassins as kids & turned into total badasses, and who always thought "idk man I feel like that would be deeply traumatizing in ways the story doesn't go into," it was both great and heartbreaking to have Isabel's trauma responses play such a major part in the story. But although this is a very dark book (mind the content warnings if you need to,) it is also deeply hopeful—hope in the characters who keep resolutely showing up to help someone who needs it, who refuse to let the horror of the world deny their ability to do good. The author also writes about how their own pacifism influenced the story, and I found it a really refreshing, thoughtful take on both YA dystopia and revenge narratives.
Dystopia, in my mind, only works if there's a world worth living for; and in Espera, there's a world worth living for. I'm excited to read the rest of the trilogy and see where Isabel's journey takes her.
Dystopia, in my mind, only works if there's a world worth living for; and in Espera, there's a world worth living for. I'm excited to read the rest of the trilogy and see where Isabel's journey takes her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What an amazing debut novel. I love dystopian type fiction and this thriller nails it.
A story of abuse, chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety and murder may not be to everyone's taste but it is told perfectly, it twists and turns so much I never see what's coming next, and for me, who 99% of the time can guess where a book is heading, I had no clue. I had so many "wtf just happened?!" moments, I lost count of how many times I had to go back to make sure I'd read it right.
Knowing Finn had coeliac before starting to read, and having it myself, I knew where the inspiration for the poison came from, a substance that makes your body attack its only immune system is exactly how gluten attacks a coeliac. A brilliant twist on a poison.
Warning though, don't get to attached to any characters...you just never know if they are what they appear.
Can't wait for the next one!
A story of abuse, chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety and murder may not be to everyone's taste but it is told perfectly, it twists and turns so much I never see what's coming next, and for me, who 99% of the time can guess where a book is heading, I had no clue. I had so many "wtf just happened?!" moments, I lost count of how many times I had to go back to make sure I'd read it right.
Knowing Finn had coeliac before starting to read, and having it myself, I knew where the inspiration for the poison came from, a substance that makes your body attack its only immune system is exactly how gluten attacks a coeliac. A brilliant twist on a poison.
Warning though, don't get to attached to any characters...you just never know if they are what they appear.
Can't wait for the next one!
The book was super boring, I really tired to get into it. The main chatacter also irritated me a bit.