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A review by halcyone
The Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke
4.0
Originally posted at The Cozy Armchair.
I absolutely LOVED The Assassin’s Curse and have been recommending it to just about all my friends every chance I get. So, naturally, I was super excited when I realized that the sequel would be released in the same year (bless you Strange Chemistry) and wasted no time in requesting it once it became available on NetGalley.
The vibrant Middle East-inspired world from the first book is still present, its borders expanded with more countries and background stories. This continues to be such a unique fantasy setting, but it’s truly the characters that have made this one of my favorite series.
Ananna is still her headstrong self, fighting at every turn and always moving forward. Naji is still a brooding magical assassin, but we definitely get to see a softer side to him as his relationship with Ananna grows from a simmer to a fierce slow burn. They clash again and again but ultimately come to understand each other.
Where the romance was very slight in The Assassin’s Curse, it is a core part of Ananna and Naji’s arc in The Pirate’s Wish, and it gets a very early start in the book, which I wasn’t expecting. I really appreciated that Clarke didn’t beat around the bush with their relationship and, while there was a certain amount of angst and longing, I loved it. Both Ananna and Naji are insecure people, and it takes them some time to deal with their feelings for each other. Basically, there is a ton of romance and feelings and beautiful misunderstandings between these two idiots, which is right up my alley, so I didn’t mind at all.
While you would assume The Pirate’s Curse would be all about questing to complete the tasks required to break Naji’s curse, they get sidetracked a lot, most notably by the manticore. Yes, you read that right: a MANTICORE. I rarely see this mythical creature used in fantasy books, which is why it was so exciting to see this particular manticore play a pretty cool role in the book. I can’t begin to remember much less type out her name, but this manticore was fantastic, and the quirky friendship she strikes up with Ananna warmed my heart. Another notable character and a personal favorite: Marjani! Her friendship with Ananna is so wonderful, especially the way they are loyal and supportive and empowering to each other. Props to Clarke for creating such a three-dimensional world and characters!
The plot is very straightforward and easy, moving from one point to another, while the curse is resolved in unconventional ways that perhaps won’t satisfy a reader looking for a harder solution. Honestly, The Pirate’s Wish takes on a less serious tone as the story progresses, culminating with an unconventional but totally satisfying ending that allowed all characters to lead their own lives.
Are there areas that could have been better? Sure, but I’m not feeling the slightest inclination to nitpick with this book. Everything about The Pirate’s Wish was engaging and fun, making it a super enjoyable read. I was so immersed in this entertaining world that I didn’t want to put it down, and I’m already looking forward to reading more from the author.
I absolutely LOVED The Assassin’s Curse and have been recommending it to just about all my friends every chance I get. So, naturally, I was super excited when I realized that the sequel would be released in the same year (bless you Strange Chemistry) and wasted no time in requesting it once it became available on NetGalley.
The vibrant Middle East-inspired world from the first book is still present, its borders expanded with more countries and background stories. This continues to be such a unique fantasy setting, but it’s truly the characters that have made this one of my favorite series.
Ananna is still her headstrong self, fighting at every turn and always moving forward. Naji is still a brooding magical assassin, but we definitely get to see a softer side to him as his relationship with Ananna grows from a simmer to a fierce slow burn. They clash again and again but ultimately come to understand each other.
Where the romance was very slight in The Assassin’s Curse, it is a core part of Ananna and Naji’s arc in The Pirate’s Wish, and it gets a very early start in the book, which I wasn’t expecting. I really appreciated that Clarke didn’t beat around the bush with their relationship and, while there was a certain amount of angst and longing, I loved it. Both Ananna and Naji are insecure people, and it takes them some time to deal with their feelings for each other. Basically, there is a ton of romance and feelings and beautiful misunderstandings between these two idiots, which is right up my alley, so I didn’t mind at all.
While you would assume The Pirate’s Curse would be all about questing to complete the tasks required to break Naji’s curse, they get sidetracked a lot, most notably by the manticore. Yes, you read that right: a MANTICORE. I rarely see this mythical creature used in fantasy books, which is why it was so exciting to see this particular manticore play a pretty cool role in the book. I can’t begin to remember much less type out her name, but this manticore was fantastic, and the quirky friendship she strikes up with Ananna warmed my heart. Another notable character and a personal favorite: Marjani! Her friendship with Ananna is so wonderful, especially the way they are loyal and supportive and empowering to each other. Props to Clarke for creating such a three-dimensional world and characters!
The plot is very straightforward and easy, moving from one point to another, while the curse is resolved in unconventional ways that perhaps won’t satisfy a reader looking for a harder solution. Honestly, The Pirate’s Wish takes on a less serious tone as the story progresses, culminating with an unconventional but totally satisfying ending that allowed all characters to lead their own lives.
Are there areas that could have been better? Sure, but I’m not feeling the slightest inclination to nitpick with this book. Everything about The Pirate’s Wish was engaging and fun, making it a super enjoyable read. I was so immersed in this entertaining world that I didn’t want to put it down, and I’m already looking forward to reading more from the author.