The Assassin's Curse #1
Reviewed by Noelle on October 15, 2012
Published October 2, 2012 by Strange Chemistry
Goodreads • Buy on Amazon • Kindle • Book Depository
This is an accurate portrayal of me after reading The Assassin's Curse:
In fact. You know, what? Hit it:
Ananna is a pirate, born and raised
and on the high seas is where she spends her days.
Sword fightin', riggin', stealing your loot.
Handy with a lie and a knife in her boot.
All she wants is to travel to distant lands,
but her mom and pop are plotting marriage plans.
She'll take adventure over a relationship,
so on the big day gives her fiance the slip.
She has no idea just what trouble she's in,
turns out he wasn't joking about that assassin.
Naji's an assassin with a capital A.
He's got a new target, he's stalking his prey.
He's the shadow behind her in the dead of night,
knows eighty ways to kill, never lost a fight.
All covered in blood magic, scars and tattoos.
He'll meet her in the desert for a midnight duel.
But versus Ananna, he experiences a first:
instead of an easy kill they both get cursed.
Enemies become allies if only to survive.
The Curse is Impossible but they still have to try...
Dance Break!
There are few things I like better than reading about two adversaries forced to become allies in pursuit of some higher goal. When Ananna accidentally triggers a curse binding herself with her would-be assassin, Naji, they quickly become one of my most favorite Buddy Cops of Convenience of all time. The awkward teamwork! The reluctant bonding! The coordinated sword fights! Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter!
What makes this particular team so perfect is that both sides of the partnership hold equal weight. You'd think that might be hard to pull off with one side being a legendary blood magic assassin and all, but Ananna is no wilting flower either. In fact one of the most enjoyable parts of the book for me was how often Ananna nonchalantly saved Naji's ass. Perfect heroine is perfect. Etc. Etc.
As much as I enjoyed this first book, I can already tell the sequel is going to be even better. I cannot wait to get my greedy hands on it. As is, though, The Assassin's Curse is a gem and has the perfect blend of hijinks and high stakes.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
Warning: I bought the paperback and the back cover copy includes developments that happen within the last 10 pages or so of the book so just go ahead and stick with the Goodreads summary if you don't want to know the set up for the next book until you get there.
Woo! Yes! Love this review! *raises the roof*
ReplyDeleteSo agree this book was bril!
Thanks Trin!! :D --N
DeleteOMG! Apparently you're a poet now too?! Crazy talented woman. You know...I was so freaking scared when you "added" this book and left it alone and rating-less for days. I was halfway convinced that you hated it and were too kind to tell me. Now I know you were just gestating that piece of amazingness above. We need Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff here stat!
ReplyDeleteHA! I just like to inadvertently mess with your mind Catie! You caught me! Actually I was just encountering a bout of Review Laziness. Luckily the first sentence I left languishing in my drafts was "Ananna was a pirate, born and raised" and when I revisited it a week later I was like "...wait a minute." :D Thanks Catie! --N
DeleteWhat the heck? Why would they put stuff from the last ten pages on the jacket copy? WHAT THE HECK?
ReplyDeleteYo, homes, to Bel Air.
RIGHT?! It honestly could have worked as the jacket copy for the sequel instead. BTW: Thanks for linking this on twitter, Flannery! --N
DeleteYAY!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteEverybody who loves Assassin's Curse gets a cookie! Great review!
Seriously this book was one of my favorites of this year.
Mmmm COOKIES! Thanks Cassi, it was one of my faves too! --N
DeleteDon't apologise for that review, it was awesome, hun! I do want to get around to reading this as it's not something I'd usually read but you and Catie have convinced me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, they included how the book ends in the blurb? Someone needs to re-learn blurbing!
I know! I kept flipping over to the back of the book and being like, did I miss something? But nope. There it was in the last 10 pages. Thanks for the lovely comment Mandee! --N
DeleteTHIS IS FANTASTIC. Hilarious and creative. Plus I could use a pirate read!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I don't know about you, but I am always looking for a good pirate read! -N
Deletehaha I love this! Such a creative review! I've heard so many positive remarks about this book, and I like the fact that it's only going to be a duology. I definitely need to read this soon.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize it was going to be just a duology! Now I'm even more excited for the next book! --N
DeleteFantastic review! I'd say your poetry skillz are awesome man! :) You've totally convinced me to try it now. {added to tbr pile} Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBest. Review. Ever. That is all.
ReplyDelete