The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke
Published: 2nd October 2012
By: Strange Chemistry
Source: Netgalley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ananna dreams of being Captain of her own ship one day, so marrying Tarrin, a marriage arranged by her parents, is something she really doesn't want to do. So, she runs from her betrothed, by stealing a camel and running, or should I say, riding, away. She doesn't know what she's going to do now, just that she can't go back to her parents and that Tarrin's family will most likely have assassins on her tail before long.
Naji, the assassin sent after Ananna, has a curse on him. He will be bound to protect the person who will one day save his life, and will feel unmerciful pain when that person is put in danger. And during his attack on Ananna, she saves his life from a snake. And so begins a trip across the dessert, across the ocean and to the Isle of the Sky, to find someone who can lift the curse. The threat of another assassin coming after Ananna or "the mists", coming after Naji, is with them all the time.
The Assassin's Curse was an awesome read. I found Ananna to be a fantastic heroine. She's a pirate, she's strong, brave and handy with a knife or sword. She's also ambitious and not afraid of speaking her mind.
The Assassin, Naji, is broody and mysterious. A scar down one side of his face adds vulnerability to what is otherwise a tough exterior. He is very self concious of it, and wears a mask most of the time. This vulnerable side made him so much more appealing and I loved him.
I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions and relationship of Naji and Ananna. While there's no romance and revelation of feelings between the two, I know they're there for Ananna and feel they are also present for Naji, I'm definitely hoping they are anyway.
The Assassin's Curse is fast paced with a dose of action and angst plus Naji keeps us guessing throughout with all the secrets he keeps. What's coming in the next book, The Pirate's Wish, seems really good and I'm really looking forward to it.
Buy the book: Amazon/The Book Depository
