"The Twins on Thursday" is reserved for the Twins' joint reviews. It is a special feature of our blog that discusses books that we either both like, dislike, or have mixed feelings about. This is also the day where we post reviews for books (and ARCs/Galleys) that have been sent to us by authors/galley sites/publishing houses. And because we don't believe much in uniformity, we'll be trying to mix things up a bit by adding random stuff in relation to our review (well, mostly for books we purchased anyway).
Title: The Assassin's CurseAuthor: Cassandra Rose Clarke
Format Acquired: Paperback
Publication Date: October 2, 2012
Publishing House: Strange Chemistry
ISBN: 97801908844019
Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked
Summary:
Ananna of the Tanara abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to another pirate clan. But that only prompts the scorned clan to send an assassin after her. When Ananna faces him down one night, armed with magic she doesn't know how to use, she accidentally activates a curse binding them together.
To break the spell, 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.
Review:
As soon as we spotted this one, we knew we had to feature it on a Thursday. There're promises of pirates, curses, assassins... C'mon. The book was practically begging to be read!
The whole mess started because Ananna's parents were marrying her off to another pirate and that was something that she could not take. What does she do? She steals a camel, rides off into the sunset and tries to find out her next course of action. But of course things aren't as easy as they seem and soon Ananna finds herself stalked by an assassin sent by the scorned pirate clan. Then in a strange twist of fate, she saves said assassin then finds herself bound to him because of his curse. This prompts them to go on a journey - across the desert, past the men set out to take Ananna back, down a river to an annoying river witch then aboard a ship - to find a cure for their curse.
Ananna and Naji - the assassin - make an adorable pair, she, the undaunted yet kind pirate girl, and he, the cursed assassin. Ananna is a delightful heroine, she's brash and brave and spirited. We particularly liked how protective she was of Naji and it was charming to see her develop feelings for Naji, feelings which she studiously hides from him. Naji on the other hand is brooding, quiet, mysterious and desperate to lift the curse that burdens him. We found it quite enjoyable watching their friendship grow and reading their interactions with each other.
The best thing about this one is that Clarke does a good job with the pacing and doesn't force any weird or awkward romantic interaction, and the love depicted here is very pure and innocent. It was like watching your younger sibling finally have his/her first crush, and you can't help but go, "Aww...".
Truth be told, we found the premise of another book kind of disappointing. The ending of the first book was a bit anticlimactic for us as we were expecting something that we would be eagerly looking forward to in the next book, like say, something really unexpected maybe? We just thought that if the author finished the whole story in one book, it would have fared better for us. We're still getting the next book though, because Ananna and Naji are just too cute for words.
Pick this one up if you're in for a light, delightful read, or if you're into the whole pirate thing. 'til we meet again then, Naji and Ananna.
Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked
Summary:
Ananna of the Tanara abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to another pirate clan. But that only prompts the scorned clan to send an assassin after her. When Ananna faces him down one night, armed with magic she doesn't know how to use, she accidentally activates a curse binding them together.
To break the spell, 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.
Review:
As soon as we spotted this one, we knew we had to feature it on a Thursday. There're promises of pirates, curses, assassins... C'mon. The book was practically begging to be read!
The whole mess started because Ananna's parents were marrying her off to another pirate and that was something that she could not take. What does she do? She steals a camel, rides off into the sunset and tries to find out her next course of action. But of course things aren't as easy as they seem and soon Ananna finds herself stalked by an assassin sent by the scorned pirate clan. Then in a strange twist of fate, she saves said assassin then finds herself bound to him because of his curse. This prompts them to go on a journey - across the desert, past the men set out to take Ananna back, down a river to an annoying river witch then aboard a ship - to find a cure for their curse.
Ananna and Naji - the assassin - make an adorable pair, she, the undaunted yet kind pirate girl, and he, the cursed assassin. Ananna is a delightful heroine, she's brash and brave and spirited. We particularly liked how protective she was of Naji and it was charming to see her develop feelings for Naji, feelings which she studiously hides from him. Naji on the other hand is brooding, quiet, mysterious and desperate to lift the curse that burdens him. We found it quite enjoyable watching their friendship grow and reading their interactions with each other.
The best thing about this one is that Clarke does a good job with the pacing and doesn't force any weird or awkward romantic interaction, and the love depicted here is very pure and innocent. It was like watching your younger sibling finally have his/her first crush, and you can't help but go, "Aww...".
Truth be told, we found the premise of another book kind of disappointing. The ending of the first book was a bit anticlimactic for us as we were expecting something that we would be eagerly looking forward to in the next book, like say, something really unexpected maybe? We just thought that if the author finished the whole story in one book, it would have fared better for us. We're still getting the next book though, because Ananna and Naji are just too cute for words.
Pick this one up if you're in for a light, delightful read, or if you're into the whole pirate thing. 'til we meet again then, Naji and Ananna.
The sequel, The Pirate's Wish, comes out on June 4, 2013.
Rating:
Pirates and assassins, that is actually all I need to hear to make me excited. I love them both and a combination is only better! The characters sound great and that is always important for me. Plus no awkward romance! Nice review, I can't wait to pick this up.
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
Yes! I wholeheartedly agree. Pirates and assassins and curses make for an interesting and entertaining read. Hope you enjoy this one. :>
Deletehmm this is lighter then I expected, I am glad the pacing was well done but sad that it isn't more.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's a great read despite all that. :) Hoping the second book gives us more.
DeleteI want to read this! So good and the romance sounds so adorable. I love adorable-ness romances. >___<
ReplyDeleteHaha! This one is definitely a fun read. I loved how adorable Naji and Ananna were. :>
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