Book Description
Young Fitz, the illegitimate son of the noble Prince Chivalry, is ignored by all royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has had him tutored him in the dark arts of the assassin. He has barely survived his first, soul-shattering mission, and returns to the court where he is thrown headfirst into the tumult of royal life. With the King near death, and Fitz's only ally off on a seemingly hopeless quest, the throne itself is threatened. Meanwhile, the treacherous Red Ship Raiders have renewed their attacks on the Six Duchies, slaughtering the inhabitants of entire seaside towns. In this time of great peril, it soon becomes clear that the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz's hands--and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice.
From the Paperback edition.
Download Description
Young Fitz, the illegitimate son of the noble Prince Chivalry, is ignored by all royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has had him tutored in the dark arts of the assassin. He has barely survived his first, soul-shattering mission, and returns to the court where he is thrown headfirst into the tumult of royal life.
With the King near death, and Fitz's only ally off on a seemingly hopeless quest, the throne itself is threatened. Meanwhile, the treacherous Red Ship Raiders have renewed their attacks on the Six Duchies, slaughtering the inhabitants of entire seaside towns.
In this time of great peril, it soon becomes clear that the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz's hands -- and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice.
Customer Reviews:
On the edge of my seat.......2007-02-20
Again, as with Assassin's Apprentice, I was held fast by a story that constantly kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next. This series is just stunning in the ability to hold my attention and keep me wondering all day exactly where Robin Hobb is taking her characters. Every time I think I know, the outcome is exactly the opposite of what I had predicted. Sometimes it is difficult, even sad, to read this book because you desperately want something good, something he deserves to happen to FitzChivalry, and it almost never does. I'm very eager to begin the third installment in the series.
Will leave you craving for Book III.......2007-02-06
Middle books of trilogies are supposed to be worse than either book one or three but that is so not true for this book. Political drama, adventure and court politics twirl in the Kingdom of Six Duchies where an ailing King is watching his sons combat one another for the throne, or so it seems.
The villain in the form of Regal is simply hateful and that is exactly the image of him that Hobb wants conveyed; there are times when he is a bit scary (because the reader would be reading from the perspective of Fitz, the hero) but that horror is so human that it bites into you for you to feel. It is the ugliness of a ruthless heart that unfolds itself and creates a solid impression on the mind of the reader.
Once again, credit goes to Hobb for a) Excellent characters which leave nothing to desire, b) a page-turning storyline and c) and end that will leave you gasping for the third book. For me, these characteristics of the book put Hobb in the same category as George RR Martin.
HIGHLY recommended.
Brilliance part II.......2006-12-29
This is the second installment of the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. In this installment we find FitzChivalry, [...] son of an ex heir to the throne and king's assassin, growing up. He has become an accomplished young man with the burden of many responsibilities. The six duchies that are Fitz' home have been under furious and relentless attacks by the Red raider ships who wreak havoc on the coastline murdering, burning villages and "forging" others by through an unknown process turn people into uncaring savages bent on destruction and death.
King Shrewd is in ill health and King in waiting Verity goes off on a quest to find the mysterious elderlings, of which ancient bards's tells proclaim can save the realm. This leaves Fitz at Buckkeep with little between he and the spiteful and treacherous Prince Regal. FitzChivalry soon finds that he may be little more then a fly caught in an ever growing web of intrigue.
Robin Hobbs' continues this captivating tale and plundering the depths of Fitzchivalry's psyche: His thoughts, his motivations, and his emotions, as well as adding layers and texture to the world she has created. While the book will serve to draw one in deeper and deeper into fitz' story, it does have its moments where it can be a bit overly descriptive and plodding.
This book is a second entry in the farseer trilogy and it should be recognized as such. This trilogy is not really three seperate books in as much as it is one very long book, so one should not expect there to be big climax's at the end, but instead part of the tale that builds the momentum to the climax at the end.
This trilogy is excellent and this book is excellent. Don't let yourself miss out on something well worth your time and effort!
...kill to live [no spoilers].......2006-12-15
"The Farseer: Royal Assassin" continues "The Farseer Trilogy" as FitzChivalry explains his activities using his developing skills as an assassin and in both the Skill and Wit from a first person point of view. Being educated and working alongside the master assassin uncovers more insight into Chade's past.
King Shrewd entrusts political assignments similar to the stereotypical mobster, in a subtle and (resembling his namesake) shrewd fashion asking for resolutions to specific dilemmas. Assassinations can be avoided also with the proper advice or suitable scheme. In the meantime FitzChivalry struggles with his emotions towards childhood friend Molly. Chade, Burrich, and the King's Fool remain refreshing support characters in addition to the unexpected King-in-Waiting Verity. Wide ranges of female characters interact but without the braid tugging or whining found in other series. A couple exciting events at sea and a powerful scene at a funeral pyre identify the amazing talent of the author.
The creative plot becomes darker when Red-Ship Raiders and resulting Forged ones generate difficulties by becoming more aggressive during periods of internal strife. Strangely FitzChivalry does not intuitively observe his surrounding and solve problems like in the previous novel. Nevertheless, the book has an intense and unanticipated end.
The storyline for the most part presents respectable affection between individuals and animals but maintains the cunning of politics to be acceptable for young readers. The many people can be confusing with the odd names. A more detailed map of the significant terrains and comprehensive appendix would have been useful.
I highly recommend this series to any fan of the fantasy genre.
Thank you.
Not bad for a follow up........2006-08-17
I was very suprised at how much I liked the first book, and was eagerly anticipating reading this one. I was not overwhelmed with its greatness, but neither was I let down at the direction the story took. As with the first one, the characters are very interesting, and the plot isnt "good guy always wins" style, wich I find boring. After 'Assasins Apprentice' I find it hard to believe anyone is doubting to buy this one, but if you are, than have no fear, it will not dissapoint.
The only thing different about this from the first book, is that while the first book was only 435 pages packed full of plot and written at a fast pace, this one is around 675 pages and slower paced. The story seems to drag toward the middle of the book. I would rather it had been full of plot and dialouge and been shorter, than have it longer and slower. As far as fantasy novels go in general 700 pages is still not long I suppose.
Either way, it is a good read, and an excellent series thus far. I highly recommend it.
Book Description
As this epic trilogy reaches its unforgettable conclusion, young FitzChivalry faces his toughest opponent ever: himself. Embittered and broken, his body reclaimed from the grave and his spirit from the care of his bond-wolf Nighteyes, Fitz awakens to a world where everything he once held dear is in ruins. King Shrewd is dead; Prince Regal has claimed the throne and rules the kingdom with a cruel and selfish negligence. Molly has deserted him for parts unknown. Queen Kettricken and her unborn child have fled to the mountains with the Fool, Verity is lost seeking the elusive Elderlings, and Fitz's presumed death forever bars him from Buckkeep. The only companions he had left in his solitude are Chade and Burrich, who wrestle him reluctantly back to humanity after his sojourn in Nighteyes' mind.
But angry with the lot Fate has cast him, Fitz drives away even these loyal companions, and for the first time faces his life on his own, without anyone to guide or lead him. And what he most desires is revenge against Regal, for everything the usurper has cost him. So, preparing his assassin's kit, he sets out for Regal's new capital at Tradeford, determined to murder the treacherous "king." Without guidance, though, he botches the attempt, and an urgent sending by Verity to save him leaves Fitz imprinted with the burning imperative to find and aid his true king in his quest to aid the land.
Eventually fighting his way through to the mountains, he rejoins Kettricken and the Fool in a quest for Verity--and there in the Skill-shadowed hills, he discovers an ancient power and a mysterious riddle, whose answer may well change the fate of the Six Duchies forever....
Download Description
From an extraordinary new voice in fantasy comes the stunning conclusion to the Farseer trilogy, as FitzChivalry confronts his destiny as the catalyst who holds the fate of the kingdom of the Six Duchies...and the world itself.
King Shrewd is dead at the hands of his son Regal. As is Fitz—or so his enemies and friends believe. But with the help of his allies and his beast magic, he emerges from the grave, deeply scarred in body and soul. The kingdom also teeters toward ruin: Regal has plundered and abandoned the capital, while the rightful heir, Prince Verity, is lost to his mad quest—perhaps to death. Only Verity's return—or the heir his princess carries—can save the Six Duchies.
But Fitz will not wait. Driven by loss and bitter memories, he undertakes a quest: to kill Regal. The journey casts him into deep waters, as he discovers wild currents of magic within him—currents that will either drown him or make him something more than he was....
"Superbly written, wholly satisfying, unforgettable: better than any fantasy trilogy in print—including mine!"
MELANIE RAWN
"With shimmering language and the alluring garb of Faerie, Hobb concludes her Farseer trilogy with this immense coming-of-age novel."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Customer Reviews:
Finished the series reasonably well.......2007-07-16
I've developed a habit of late that when I finish a book, I immediately read the reader reviews on both the UK and US incarnations of Amazon. Usually, I go to the 1 and 2 star reviews and see how many people disliked it. Rarely do I agree with all of them, and this book is no exception. Some of the criticisms are valid, but others seem merely spiteful.
The world of the Elderlings is one of the more original worlds I have encounted. In fact, I think the only series more original in my mind is the Axis Trilogy by Sara Douglass.
The most frequent criticism I read about this book is the speed at which it wrapped up. Some call it a Deus Ex Machina, others say Hobb merely ran out of words. I tend to disagree on both counts. I feel that the story, for Fitz at least, ended when the dragons fought of the Skill coteries. The Cleansing of the Six Duchies was not witnessed by Fizt directly (he was still in the mountains), so from a first person perspective it doesn't make sense for him to give an overly detailed account. And that's how it came across to me - his conclusion was the summary of the details Fitz picked up in the six years of his travels back to Buck. So for me, the style of the ending made perfect sense.
What holds this book back from a better rating for me is the treatment of Fitz. For crying out loud, the poor guy has literally given his life, love and soul for his king and queen. And yet people seem to feel nothing but anger, disappointment and disdain when he wants to take a time out and live his (second?) life for himself. In most people's eyes he is a failure. How many other characters can be said to have given as much as Fitz throughout the entire trilogy, except maybe Verity? Not even the Fool sacrifices as much. This for me was a real down note. If he'd maybe given all his memories of Molly to Verity-as-Dragon, he could have lived something akin to a happy life with Starling. But he held on to Molly's memory, and thus was further denied happiness. Fitz is truly one of the most tragic figures I have ever encountered in the ~300 books that I own. Except maybe Faraday from the Axis trilogy. I think she dies more times than Fitz, and far more gruesomly too...
Good reading, good book but not perfect!.......2007-05-04
This I think was the expected ending to the series - not sure if I've just read too many fantasy novels now but I could see what was going to happen pages before it did! That's not to knock the book - it was good, and hard to put down (a sure sign of a winner) but maybe it was a bit too drawn out. There was a point at which the words seemed to be just to fill a quota rather than tell a story.
There is an especially nagging tendency for Hobb to repeat/summarise events at the start of each section of these novels using 1, 2 or even 3 paragraphs - though it is nice enough as a refresher I found it got very tedious by the second novel! Still a great trilogy and this was a good if a bit melancholy ending! 4 stars!
Dead stall..........2007-04-08
Warning spoilers...
In the worst installment of a bad series, Fitzchivalry wont die. Perhaps the most interesting plot point of this whole contrived series is wasted entirely. Fitz, who died, and rose again has his potentially interesting ordeal descrobed in perhaps the most boring way possible. I supposed his dead body was infused with both wolf personality and human for a while (I guess souls mix when they are contained in a tiny brain), and of course the seizures. Seizures trouble Fitz for a while, as long as they are convenient to the plot, and then, of course, they totally vanish. While I found it really interesting that Fitz used to be dead, and the ramifications of that, we find that there are no ramifications whatsoever, except for a brief period of eliminate-the-wolf-behavior rehab. I mean, he was reanimated after a period of time, but that's no big deal I guess.
Robin Hobb is such a good story teller, but she is horrible at plot. Except in the Liveship traders series, but she must have written that one entirely differently, because you can't tell that this is the same author. What she is good at is writing loveable characters, and slowly feeding you tidbits of knowledge about interesting things as the characters "learn" about them. In other words she can "feed the fire" of the story well to keep interest.
But that doesn't mean she does it consistently, and this book is a great example of how even Hobb can utterly fail.
Robin relys solely on you LOVING the characters (which I feel she herself does) and she allows that to distract you from reasonable pacing. This book starts out slow, then begins the ending phase of the master plot, and slowly slowly slowly panders through that and then ends in a rush. Not to mention the fact that she knows nothing about plausibility. This whole series is based on a character that is as loveable as your little brother, yet supposedly kills without compunction. You know, an assassin.
This series asks people a simple question. How would you describe an assassin? Prior to reading this series you might say ruthless, cold, cruel, at best disaffected and callous. Crafty certainly. After reading this book, you would say, kind, affectionate, and loves dogs? Add to that loyal to himself first, good natured, well liked, and an advisor to royalty? So is Robin Hobb rethinking the role of an assassin? No, you can't do that. An assassin is an assassin. You can't change that FACT. No, she's creating a hero who was trained as an assassin, but who only functions as an assassin very very very few times at all, since that is a nasty business. As kind and good natured as Fitz is, he never once questions the morality of killing someone because he was told in the weighty manner such a question deserves. He never is actually put to any test. So, Robin creates a hero, calls him an assassin, and swings the plot around to have him doing everying imaginable EXCEPT functioning as a cold-hearted killer. He's a spy, a soldier, a telepathy partner, a wolf-buddy, and for some reason everyone just thinks he ought to be the hero. When everything comes together, everyone just says Fitz, be the hero. For no good reason at all (because you have telepathy does that make you the guy to go to?). [...]
Perhaps Robin thought the weirdness of the ending scenes would add a sort of tension, and of course, they were being persued, and so I guess that added drama. But of course, the main threat, the "forged ones" were not really a threat anymore, but of course, you still have to resolve that issue, and was neatly done in the end. But I felt the whole story, the drama of the "forged ones" really wasn't so dramatic, and I just don't get what caused them to behave just like they did. On a fantasy scale, it was new, but not very interesting. Robin does much better with dragons in the Liveship traders, and these dragons are just stupid. And Verity-as-dragon is perhaps the dumbest of all. Over all a slow build up for an overall letdown.
If I began Robin Hobb with this series, I would have never read her again. I am forcing myself to finish the Tawny man series now, because I WANT to like her stuff. But I don't know if I will EVER find enough time to finish that sleeper series.
Overall, try Ship of Magic, unless you are already invested in this, and have to have closure.
What happened to the editor?.......2007-03-10
The first Farseer book impressed me with its great writing and interesting characters. The second book, though not as great, was still a solid sequel. This third Farseer book is a mess (see Kaymin's comments). The 757 page book (paperback version) should have been edited to fewer than 500 pages. A few of the ill-considered, disjointed plot lines also should have encountered the delete key.
What could not be repaired are some of the idiotic key elements such as the fact that no one remembered that the ancient race who helped the citizens of Buck were actually dragons that exist as stone statues until imbued with the memories, souls, and lives of multiple humans. What the heck? And somehow, the protagonist, FitzChivalry, continues to make the same stupid mistakes he did as a teenager and still manages to survive. Of the main characters, only his wit-bonded wolf made reliably sensible decisions.
Given the flaws described above, I am astonished by the many five star reviews of this book. I believe that fans of the first two books were overly generous to this one.
excellent series.......2007-02-08
The final book in the Farseer Trilogy provides an excellent finish to a wonderful series. The build up to a dramatic climax is true to the best fantasy traditions. Many of the unanswered questions raised in the first two books of the series are left unresolved until the conclusion of the story creating a page turning frenzy.
One criticism is the obvious lead into other series by leaving certain matters hanging. This is no real criticism, however, as it just means that I get to read more books by this excellent author.
Book Description
Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court by his father's gruff stableman. He is treated like an outcast by all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him sectetly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz's blood runs the magic Skill--and the darker knowledge of a child raised with the stable hounds and rejected by his family. As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts, Fitz is growing to manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And though some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom.
From the Paperback edition.
Download Description
Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court by his father's gruff stableman. He is treated like an outcast by all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him sectetly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz's blood runs the magic Skill -- and the darker knowledge of a child raised with the stable hounds and rejected by his family.
As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts, Fitz is growing to manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And though some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom.
Customer Reviews:
Got under my skin.......2007-09-30
As others have said, it's hard to go wrong with a story about the tossed-away bastard son of royalty who is taken under the wing of an assassin. It's inherently compelling. And this book is really well written, or at least, to me it is -- the style is very clear and fast-moving. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down, and couldn't wait to hear what happened next to our hero.
Pleasant Surprise.......2007-09-14
I'm actually still reading this book, though I am very nearly finished. I, like many others, am growing frustrated waiting for the next installment of Song of Ice and Fire, and thus am sampling a vast assortment of other fantasy fiction while I wait. I won't review other novels with in this review but I will say only that I have found many lacking, even very popular ones. That said this book surprised me. I guess that I was just expecting less from it, probably because of the title. I think of 'Assasins' as being cliche with in this genre of literature. Also the paperback copy that I have is from Europe, Bulgaria specifically, though it is in English. The cover is not the simple and ambiguous one of this paperback copy but rather one that is almost embarrassing to hold while I'm on the train, or at work. It looks like a comic book. This cover is much better. I don't know how the whole series will be, but this first installment is really good and I recommend it for those of you waiting around for GRRM to give us the next installment in his five star series. At least I know that I won't have to wait for the next installment of this series. I give this four and a half stars, no forget it I'll give it Five. I'm being too stingy these days.
Outstanding...Great....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-08-26
These books are the best. The characters are so defined that it's almost like you've known them your entire life. They are so complex and so interesting that I found it very hard to put the book down for long periods of time.
As fantasy books go... this series has everything:
magic (two types actually)
talking animals (sorta)
a noble king
a usurping prince (I'm not sure if usurping is a real word)
and to top it all off... DRAGONS! (sorry...I love dragons)
You cannot pass up The Farseer Trilogy.
More a childrens tale.......2007-08-04
I was looking for something more suited for an adult. Something along the lines of the RA Salvatore or Jordan's Wheel of time. I only made it half through the book before I looked for somethng else.
Great read! Pick this one up..........2007-07-23
This is the first book I've read by Robin Hobb and having finished it, I anxiously look forward to reading more!
Mrs. Hobb manages what few authors can, in that she has created a story in which all the important elements are firing on all cylinders. You don't have to compromise character to get plot or world building in favor of a skilled and cohesive writing style. Assassin's Apprentice covers all the bases.
I won't cover the contents of the story here as you can read them for yourself in the blurb, but I will say that it is beautifully executed and draws you into the world in a way that few other fantasy books do. Each of the main characters is engaging and interesting and each engenders concern for their respective well-being.
More than that, I was extremely pleased with the intrigue and political power-play that theme this story, and I was impressed by the author's ability to take me down what I though was one road, only to reveal it to be another later in the story (this is particularly prevalent in the closing chapters of the book).
If I were pressed for the one thing I would change about this story it would be that I'd like to see the main character, Fitz, in fewer black and white type situations and faced with more shades of grey. Granted there were times when this was the case, but for the most part the dilemma's surrounding Fitz's occupation as an assassin were easily decided and left little room for doubt.
All in all, if you are looking for a great story, great characters, and an overall feeling of maturity and intelligence, this is a great book for you. I highly recommend Assassin's Apprentice
Average customer rating:
- Good but could have been stronger
- Slight Overkill
- 15 tales of professional killers
- A varied look at the assassin
- Anthology about assassins and their work
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Assassin Fantastic
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0756400023
Release Date: 2001-07-10 |
Book Description
They're fascinating and they're fatal.
They're trained assassins-the targeted subjects of this killer collection of brand-new tales featuring the hottest hit men-and women-in fantasy today.
With a new Nightfall story by best-selling author Mickey Zucker Reichert, a dangerous turn with Tanya Huff's duo, Vree and Bannon, and a killer surprise from Michelle West's Kallandras-this is, truly, an anthology to die for.
Customer Reviews:
Good but could have been stronger.......2005-07-12
I finished the "Assassin Fantastic" anthology, edited by Marc Greenberg and Alexander Potter. It was a better anthology than most that I've read, but I still found the assassins very similar from story to story. Most could be summed up as "dark and mysterious," not too far removed from a romance novel hero in its "cardboard-ness". And the plots were predictable.
The stories that I became most engaged in were Tanya Huff's "Death Rites" where if anyone has read here two novels about the brother/sister assassin duo Bannon and Vree (respectively), then you'd enjoy this little tale. It's just a one-shot story that doesn't try to develop much of who they are. It's better if you've read the stories and know the characters, because you can certainly catch several instances of continuity with the novels. The story doesn't try to do too much and that makes the plot so much better.
Teresa Edgerton's "Dying By Inches" also jumped off the beaten path about a woman seeking revenge on the man who wrought so much trouble for her and her family. This story focuses more on a moral dilemma than an assassination.
Kristin Rusch's "Coin of the Realm" was also an enveloping story about a princess on her way to her wedding. You see the end coming a mile away, but the writing and characterization made it worth reading. It's smart but easy and that worked very well.
Lynn Flewelling is an author who I enjoy, but she failed to capture me with her story-within-a-story, "Raven's Cut." It was just icky and dumb.
Anna Oster's "History and Economics" was a great premise but ended up vague, confusing, and one step away from snuff porn. Very unlikely that the guy going after the assassin who killed his sister would end up so familiar with the killer.
I was very disappointed in P. N. Elrod's yakkity story, "Myhr's Adventure in Hell." Yep...that about sums it up. I was in hell.
The rest other handful of stories were bland, poorly written, and/or submitted solely for getting a known author. In the case of the latter, the work produced by the author felt more like a writing excersize than an actual attempt at a story.
Slight Overkill.......2003-09-07
I love assassins. Using their wits, stealth, skill and the judicious use of force to complete their mission they appeal to someone who wants more than a mighty thewed warrior hewing his way to success.
That being said, there's one thing assassins do. They kill, or at least try to. A book full of assassin stories, no matter how varied the collection tries to make the stories, does get a bit tiresome if they are are not all superlative.
In this case, the middle stories are particularly weak. Halfway through the book I was composing a three star review. However, the beginning and end containg strong stories.
Particulary strong are the Tanya Huff story, the Edgehill, Lindskold and West. One of the joys of short story collections is the introduction to new authors. In this case I will definitely be picking up the Huff, Lindskold and West novels featuring these characters and/or locales.
15 tales of professional killers.......2002-12-08
My favorite stories are those that remind me of Looking Glass Studios' _Thief_ games; a *real* sneaker leaves no traces, other than the job having been done.
Arntzen, Bernie: "On My Honor" Nicholas, the narrator, is and isn't the Oranian Royal Assassin; he's also Roarke's most secret agent in the Oranian court. Now he's been ordered to bite off the hand that feeds him: the queen has ordered him to kill her despicable brother-in-law, the King of Roarke. (Nicholas' humor isn't quenched by his dilemma. "Assassin sarcasm. Another occupational hazard.")
Edgerton, Teresa: "Dying By Inches" Set in the same world as _The Queen's Necklace_. Few of the Rowans survived the two years of imprisonment in barbarous conditions before their names were cleared. When Odilia hears a rumour that the Marquis committed the crime that sent her family into limbo, she plans to exact revenge, with or without proof.
Edghill, Rosemary: "War of the Roses" In the Argestian States, assassins have replaced war as the last resort of diplomacy. But checks and balances are necessary: the Flower Guild exists to hunt down assassins who have become too dangerous. Redlorn, who styles himself the Red Rose, is their next target; the Guild's agent is the legendary White Rose. The feel is _Thief_-like, as Redlorn makes a point of getting into and out of his target's home without touching the guards, and *his* pursuer likewise toys with *him*.
Elrod, P.N. "Myhr's Adventure in Hell" Terrin and Myhr *really* want to earn enough gemstones to let them escape to a more civilized world, broadly defining 'civilized' in terms of plumbing. Their client's husband - this world's Hitler-equivalent - is already dead; she wants to make sure his soul can never reincarnate. Myhr, the narrator, is nominated by his wizard-partner to make the hit. (Myhr trusts him on magic, if not on splitting red velvet cake equally.)
Flewelling, Lynn: "Raven's Cut" The young foreign assassin, when it's his turn to tell the evening's tale, remembers the best assassin he ever knew.
Huff, Tanya: "Death Rites" Very Thiefy feel: the two young assassins attached to 7th Army are the best hope of prying the rebel commander out of her captured stronghold - the secret entrance can't be blocked without cutting off her water supply.
Jefferson, Leyte: "He" Moonback is an assassin whose master remade him into a werewolf. His canine instincts predominate as the moon waxes; at that point, even in human form he reacts like a dog, approaching his master on his belly, licking his hands - losing some of his vocabulary, but remembering some of his professional skills even when he can't remember the word 'army'. Disturbing.
Leigh, Stephen: "Green Stones" The scarred man is only the latest in a long series of fools seeking to learn at the feet of the Green Stone. The trademark green stones left on the victims were always from the flanks of Goat Fell, so the would-be assassin's apprentice has come to Maire's lonely tavern. (Scar doesn't have the sense he was born with, but the reader shouldn't be *too* smug.)
Lindskold, Jane: "A Touch of Poison" Set in the same world as _Through Wolf's Eyes_. The assassins' tool of choice to reach the Supreme Affluent is Adalia, his chief baker; they've taken her infant son as surety. But Adalia knows she has no guarantee they'll return the baby, or that they won't reveal whose hand poisoned her master's pastry. (The culture of Waterland, where administration - there is no 'government' as such - and status are tied directly to money, is interesting in itself.)
Oster, Anna: Mallon is being stalked by a young fool who believes she killed his sister; Mallon, in exasperation, tells him he should have studied "History and Economics" instead of (obviously) poetry at university. (The Silent Guild is quite legal - and it's the client, not the assassin, the boy should be concerned with.)
Patton, Fiona: "The Svedali Foundlings" 'In Cercicava, the dead were revered far more than the living.' Coll can testify to this on several counts; he survived the burning of the Svedali Innocenti Foundling Home fourteen years ago during the duc's little expansion project for the necropolis, only to be picked up as an organ collector by the death mages. But someone else survived the burning: Drey, an assassin now stalking the corridors of power.
Reichert, Mickey Zucker: "Darkness Comes Together" Josafah envies the fame of the assassin known as Nightfall; no hire would dare waste Nightfall's time, as he'd just as soon destroy an unworthy hire as destroy his target. When Josafah encounters Nightfall outside his target's home, he suggests that they cooperate - who's to know? (Josafah's gratuitous violence contrasts with Nightfall's minimalist approach.)
Rusch, Kristine Kathryn: "Coin of the Realm" Orsem's assassins are competing for the public executioner's job - most of whose work is outside the kingdom - and the winner will be he who kills the most important victim, increasing the king's holdings in the process. *Not* the safest time to bring foreign dignitaries to court, as the king's daughter Rosalind is being sold into marriage to a neighbouring kingdom's heir.
Sherman, Josepha: "Never Say...Uh...Die?" Rather than ordinary humans, the narrator assassinates rampaging ogres, sorcerers plotting to usurp kingdoms - like that. His current target, a Koshchei, has learned subtlety in the art of hiding his heart outside his body. (*Not* a retelling of the Firebird legend.)
West, Michelle: "Echoes" Kallandras' family was murdered because someone learned they had a child with demonic powers - command-voice, among other things - and sought to take him. Kallandras survived as a beggar until the day the Kovaschii, the brotherhood serving the Lady's darkest face, took him for testing. The story is told in flashback, as the adult Kallandras remembers the tests of his training in a land far away.
A varied look at the assassin.......2002-10-29
Assassin's are extremely difficult characters to write. If you do it wrong, the assassin becomes a monster that no one can relate to. Or becomes self-rightous and hypocritical.
In this book there are 15 stories of assassins who are unique characters unto themselves, and no where near typical.
My favorites were Death Rites, about the brother sister team of Vree and Bannon, assassins for the empire. Also Coin of the Realm, which gave a very interesting twist, and Darkness Comes Together, about an assassin who is nearly as dangerous to his employer as his mark.
Echos was a good story to me, but then I have read the other books featuring Kallandras. For thoses who haven't, it may just be a little confusing.
I didn't care much for He, or for History and Economics or Dying By Inches. They seemed a little stilted, and not quite as smoothly flowing as some of the others.
But all in all, this was a good book, especially if you enjoy tales of darkness and deception, and of the ever mysterous assassin.
All assassin lovers should give this book a try.
Anthology about assassins and their work.......2001-10-19
As with all anthologies, the stories here vary in quality. I particularly liked Tanya Huff's story of the brother and sister assassin team that she later featured in her novel _Fifth Quarter,_ and Fiona Patton's tale of a slightly-alternate magical Italy where "death mages" and the Church wage an underground war. The nice thing about anthologies in general is that they can make one aware of writers, and works, that one might miss otherwise. The bad thing is that the quality of stories can be very uneven, but that's not much in evidence here---Greenberg's an experienced editor working with pros.
Average customer rating:
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Assassins #1 : Political Suicide (Marvel / DC Amalgam Comic Book 1996)
D.G. Chichester
Manufacturer: DC Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: B000PA3ZDE |
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Prism: A Novel
Austin Bay
Manufacturer: Harpercollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0060175257 |
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The Spectacular Spider-Man #224: The Assassin With My Face (The Mark of Kaine - Marvel Comics)
Tom DeFalco
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: B000UWW8JO |
Average customer rating:
- Entertaining book
- The waste of a nice plot
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Winged Assassin
Catherine Cooke
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0441894259 |
Customer Reviews:
Entertaining book.......2007-06-14
This book at first bored me to tears. I read through the first "book" (its separated into three main sections or "books") twice before I could slog through the rest of it. I had the intention of selling this book back to a resale shop but after slogging through it, much to my surprise it turned into a really entertaining story that I couldn't put down! The plot at first seemed to be very predictable but all that changed once the main charecter gains (a little) maturity once hes older. Other reviewers have said that this writers style is cold or weak, however, it seems less "cold" and "weak" but more toward a style that is fitting of the charecters and their environments and religious leanings- they aren't very overly romantic nor overly emotional but they have enough to keep you interested and know what theyre thinking.
Another thing- many of the reviewers keep calling the charecter "gay", he isn't. He is more bisexual or pansexual than anything- enjoying the company of men as much and as often as he does women. Just a small irk of mine since writers and people tend to view things in black and white (gay or straight) and forget that people in between exist- like the main charecter here.
Anyhow, this book isn't and never will be one of the greats, but its definitely worth reading and it is going in my book collection as I thoroghly enjoyed reading it. Oh, and a previous reviewer states that the ending had many open knots and could have been longer. Thats probably because it IS longer and the knots are left there for a reason- its the first in a trilogy! (and also, longer does not necessarily mean better...)
The waste of a nice plot.......2005-05-14
After reading the barely professional and very trite "The Mask of the Wizard" I did not expect much from this later book and decided to read it only to see my opinions confirmed.
I have to admit that the plot is excellent and the pace of the story fairly good. Besides, the main character is gay: the two women he craves for are a girl who despises him and the avatar of an all powerful goddess (how is someone supposed to resist a divine female, gay or not?) and this added to the interest.
It is hardly to be expected, though, for Ms Cooke to have turned into a decent writer. Her writing is as neat as it is cold, it pushes the story on well but it stirs no real emotion.
Characters lack depth, interesting emotional issues are sadly neglected. The love between the hero and the emperor (a potentially wonderful character) is stated and sometimes described, but curtly and icily. Many plot points feel like they would have welcomed further discussion.
In the hands of a competent writer (I am thinking about Lynn Flewelling) this could have been a much longer and better book. As it is it has left me dissatisfied, the many open knots of the ending so much the worse for it.
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- Saint John's Bible: Prophets
- Search for Senna (Everworld, 1)
- Shadows and Strongholds: A Novel
- Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi: A Math Adventure
- Sovereign: A Matthew Shardlake Mystery (Matthew Shardlake Mysteries)
- Star of the Sea
- Stargirl (Readers Circle)
- Stem Cell Transplantation: Biology, Processes, Therapy
- Tapping the Healer Within : Using Thought-Field Therapy to Instantly Conquer Your Fears, Anxieties, and Emotional Distress
- The Accidental Mind: How Brain Evolution Has Given Us Love, Memory, Dreams, and God
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