Reviewed by Silvara on
I liked that even though she was an assassin, and apparently the best one ever, as well as much younger than anyone expected her to be... she had morals. Not to say that assassins are supposed to be evil creatures or anything, but she had specific things that she would never do. Like kill children.
She likes pretty dresses, and playing the piano, and reading. And the fact that she likes these things, and takes the time to do them even though she needs to be training up for the competition, helps make her three-dimensional. She doesn't skip practices, she still hones her skills. But she also takes a little time to do other things, things she enjoys.
And along the way she makes friends, stumbles upon a bit of a magical mystery, and still manages to place well in the competition. Even though she is supposed to be hiding her skills for the most part, to trick the others into underestimating her.
I loved her interactions with Chaol, the Captain of the Guard. Yes this book does have the dreaded love-triangle. I was rooting for Chaol from the first meeting though. Just something about him appealed to me more than Crown Prince Dorian did. I liked Dorian too, I just was really hoping she wouldn't pick him. And I'm not going to tell you which one she seemed to be picking by the end of the book. Especially as it's possible the next book may change that outcome since it wasn't clear-cut who she chooses.
There were a number of different plot threads going on during the book. And they moved smoothly from one to another. There was definitely a lot of magic, as well as murder and mystery, and the threads of romance. So many things happened I'm still deciding on what my favorite bits were. But it was never so involved that you get lost as to what is happening or forget anything important.
If you like a little mystery and romance with your fantasy, well-developed memorable characters, and a detailed world, I would highly recommend this book.
This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 12 June, 2015: Finished reading
- 12 June, 2015: Reviewed