Series: The Assassin's Curse #1
Paperback, 1st Edition, 416 pages
Expected publication: October 2nd 2012 by Strange Chemistry
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: eARC from NetGalley
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Goodreads Summary:
Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to an allying pirate clan. But that only prompts the scorned clan to send an assassin after her.
And when Ananna faces him down one night, armed with magic she doesn’t really know how to use, she accidentally activates a curse binding them together. To break the curse, Ananna and the assassin must complete three impossible tasks—all while grappling with evil wizards, floating islands, haughty manticores, runaway nobility, strange magic, and the growing romantic tension between them.
My Opinion
When I saw the cover and read the summary, I knew I had to read this book and I'm really glad that I've read it! The Assassin's Curse is what I have expected it to be, and maybe a little more! A tough female pirate and a dangerous assassin? And the magic? That totally wow-ed me!
The story started off with introducing Ananna, the resourceful female pirate, and her fiancee. I have to admit I was a little confused with the way the author introduced their names. Anannan of Tanarau and Tarrin of the Hariri. I got used to it after reading several pages and it was smooth from there on. Anannan didn't want this arranged marriage and ended up sneaking away from her family, throwing away everything. However, Hariri's family sent an assassin after her. The assassin was supposed to get rid of her but ended up stuck with her in a curse after one surprising act from Anannan. They set off on a dangerous journey to find a way to break that impossible curse. Will they be able to do it while hiding from any more assassins that the Hariri sent after them?
I find that Anannan is very resourceful girl, who is able to fend for herself after she sneaked away from the arranged marriage. She's very brave to do so as it meant that she had to throw away everything--her family and her life on her beloved ship.
The assassin named Naji was a scarred man who was unwittingly cursed and had to protect Anannan instead of killing her. In the beginning, he was dark and mysterious, slinking within the shadows and tailing Anannan. He's tough, powerful and dangerous. He has long tattoos on his arms! And they glow! More about him was revealed as the story progresses.
The author did a good job in building the world and the tension between the characters. I thought the conflict within Naji was quite well done. I appreciate that a little about Naji was revealed as the story progresses and how the two characters warmed up to each other. Love interest wise, I don't see much in the book and I was hoping for more. There's only a little on Anannan's part though and before more could be developed, the book ended. The story will continue in book 2, which I will definitely read! Can't wait to see how the story will progress!
The Assassin's Curse is an entertaining read which I will recommend to all Fantasy lovers.
Quotes: (Taken from eARC which may be subjected to revision)
- "Don't feel the need to defend my good reputation," Naji said as we made our way up the stairs to the room, out of earshot of the innkeep. "I don't have one.""Oh, I'm sorry," I said. "Did you want me to act like your prisoner or something? Slip him a note to send for help?"
- "You don't miss someone like Leila," Naji said, after enough time had passed that I figured he'd no intention of answering. "You merely feel her absence."
- "You have to take off your mask."He got read quiet. "Why?""Because we need 'em to trust us enough to let us on their boat. You covering up your face like that, it's a sign of bad intentions.""I usually have bad intentions."
About the author: Cassandra Rose Clarke
I saw this book in a lot of hauls weeks ago. I need to pick this up later! Great review!
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Lisa @ Shatterbooks
Hope you'll get a chance to read it too! And thanks for the nomination. :)
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