Many thanks to Patricia and FFBC Tours for my spot on this Blog Tour.
This took me two attempts to get into the story, but ultimately I was entranced by the adventure in the plot.
Cal was the Queen’s Assassin and Shadow wanted to be his apprentice to learn from him. But she had a secret. Having uncovered a plot of treason but in the process, killing the crown prince, Cal was imprisoned. Shadow saved him, and together they went in search of the holy scrolls which would save their Kingdom.
This was the broad gist, but there were many subplots to it, with lies and deceptions and strange beings abounding it and of course, magic. My first book by Melissa de la Cruz, I liked the adventure section. I read the book for the pure joy of the action sequences rather than analyzing the subplots.
Both Cal and Shadow were fun, though I wondered why Val kept telling me he was the Queen’s Assassin. I got it when he told me the first time. But in spite of being the biggest warrior, he was quite naive. Alternately, I liked Shadow much better. She was heart and brains, and it felt her quick thinking saved the day at times.
Twists soon found their way with the last few chapters bringing the biggest one. I was not fond of the ending, but to each their own. Overall, being my first book by the author, I quite enjoyed it.
I did wonder at the end of it if I would become a better Queen’s Assassin. I had visions of being in leathers with a sword or two on me, and of course my favorite, the katanas. Ah well…
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.
All my reviews can be read here
Caledon Holt is the Kingdom of Renovia’s deadliest weapon. No one alive can best him in brawn or brains, which is why he’s the Guild’s most dangerous member and the Queen’s one and only assassin. He’s also bound to the Queen by an impossible vow–to find the missing Deian Scrolls, the fount of all magical history and knowledge, stolen years ago by a nefarious sect called the Aphrasians.
Shadow has been training all her life to follow in the footsteps of her mother and aunts–to become skilled enough to join the ranks of the Guild. Though magic has been forbidden since the Aphrasian uprising, Shadow has been learning to control her powers in secret, hoping that one day she’ll become an assassin as feared and revered as Caledon Holt.
When a surprise attack brings Shadow and Cal together, they’re forced to team up as assassin and apprentice to hunt down a new sinister threat to Renovia. But as Cal and Shadow grow closer, they’ll uncover a shocking web of lies and secrets that may destroy everything they hold dear. With war on the horizon and true love at risk, they’ll stop at nothing to protect each other and their kingdom in this stunning first novel in the Queen’s Secret series.
Publication Date: February 2020
22 Responses
Sometimes it’s not love at first sight but it’s worth it giving it a second shot! x
I agree. It was quite a fun read
This sounds great, Shalini.
Thank you ❤️ it was a fun read.
Intriguing…. and I really like the cover… the title too 😂
Me too… I imagined myself in the lead
Ooh. Well, did she have a sword? I know you want a sword.
My eldest is reading Descendants by the same author. He likes the movies so I’m hoping that will encourage him to read the books….
I haven’t read any other book, should I? Is it good?
It seems so. I haven’t read it myself. Just sort of following along with him as he reads it but I like the premise.
I enjoyed it. Loved the world and writing but few things was like ‘Oh yes, I have read it all’. I figured out who Shadow was as soon as I read Epilogue. one third of the climax/end, I saw coming but most of it I couldn’t guess. I liked Cal. His suggestions were logical and even right. Shadow was rather reckless and she could get out because she had magic. If she was like Cal she couldn’t stand a chance. I’m posting my review on Tuesday. Great review!
Glad you enjoyed it. I liked parts of it. Just felt it could have been sharper.
Heart and brains- Shadow sounds like a great character. Awesome review, Shalini, even though I’m still not sure about the book.
It is fun, but nothing really new.. If you get it in a sale or library, then it would be good
Great review! I have my eye on this one but haven’t decided how much I want to read it yet haha.
Hope you get it in a sale… 😂❤️
Super review, Shalini. I see you have a wonderful imagination–see yourself as one of the swash-buckling independents, capable and strong but being in the thick of it. Me–I’m one of the knaves on the sidelines hoping I’m keeping to the shadows.
Hahaha you are my getaway on the bike… So not in the sidelines. You are the master planner
Great review! Totally agree with you on many of the points in the book, especially about Cal being the assassin. Wish he did more assassin things 😂 It took me a while to get into this one but I’m curious to see how the series will end!
Oooh many have liked this book a lot. I found it difficult then too easy as nothing new in the other sections. Have you reviewed it?
I have posted my review for it 🙂 I was lucky enough to also be included in the blog tour (my first with FFBC)!
I saw that. I commented on it. Check spam if my comment lost