This is a fantasy thriller suitable for mature young adults
and up.
Alara set out to be Lord Osari's spotter: one who verifies
an assassin's kills. Instead she finds herself fast tracked in the final year
of an assassin school as an apprentice. This is a school like no other; not
everyone gets to graduate as it is up to the students to whittle down numbers
to find the best of the best. As always politics and founding families have a
hand in the selections and when Lord Osari goes missing she needs to find
allies to help her figure out which major family house was behind it all. She
is stuck in a nest of vipers so who can she trust? And are the dragon statues
that weave the houses together just that: statues? It's kill or be killed in
her life.
Even though I edited the book, in my opinion it is a really
good book. A very interesting idea for a storyline that gives you a little
taster of the books to come. Alara is a strong female character and holds her
own against some of the more dominant male characters. The concept of the
pupils having to eliminate class members, not just with sheer brutal force but
with magical artistic abilities, is well portrayed and the action sequences
exhilarating. Alliances are quickly created and as quickly destroyed and
placing loyalty in someone might not be the best thing. The dragon statues play
a big part in the story and I'm curious to see where this goes. I liked the
idea of commerce versus old money, with rival families unearthing secrets that
could destroy years of hiding indiscretions. The places are based on real towns
in and around Portsmouth so a number of the forts and areas can be seen on the
net.
I loved the story and can't wait for the next one!
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