Review: The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke
298 Pages
Release Date: October 2nd, 2012
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Genre: Fantasy
Level: YA
Rating: 4.3 STARS

Goodreads Summary:

Ananna of the Tanarau 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 really 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.

               

Assassin's Curse is really interesting because it is so different from anything I've read before. First off it's about a pirate...daughter (I want to say princess but that's not right) and maybe thats not a strange thing but I've never read another book besides this one where a pirate is the main character. (Maybe you guys have ones you could recommend down in the comments?) Secondly, even the magic is different from any other books I've read, which usually have SOME similarities to them. In this book it seemed like the amount and type of magic you had depends on who you are and it can be used by speaking/making small sacrifices (not dead animals) to the magical being you are asking to help you...come to think of it, it wasn't really explained. But it was really cool.  Thirdly the assassin's, at first I thought they were just really dedicated killers so I was confused as to why they were so scary but in reality they are like the most powerful magicians of this entire world. Anyways, Assassin's Curse is really interesting and cool and a nice quick read.

Now Ananna...she...Well I respect her spirit. In the beginning she seemed kinda complacent but soon (like within two chapters) she showed her true colors as this amazing, smart, cunning, and independent girl intent on doing what she wants and not what anyone else or society dictates her to do. It takes a bit to get used to her...language style, being a pirate she uses words like "aint" and such a lot and it can be slightly distracting, but once you get into it either it goes away or you being to accept it as being a part of her and are able to just get into the story. Ananna is really cool and badass (she can totally take care of herself and has good street smarts) while at the same time is really sweet and compassionate despite the front she puts up. I really enjoy watching her grow and love seeing what she'll do next. Plus her interactions with Naji are really great and funny. OH! And I love how nonjudgemental she is about some things that really bother others and how she accepts them for how they are and sees things many others don't.

So...Naji. He's an assassin, I love the way Cassandra Clarke integrates how they meet and why they stick together and how its really the root of all their problems (I won't go into detail because its kinda a spoiler). At first he seems really gruff and...just plain bitchy but in reality he is really sweet and kind and super moody. OH MY GOSH THIS BOY IS MOODY! I swear, it's not her that flips her mood all the time like in normal books its HIM! Anyways, he is really observant and perceptive to other people's feeling (except this one girl I wanna punch in the face). Sometimes this kicks him in the face because it means he knows how everyone is scared of him but at other times it helps him make people *cough* Ananna *cough* feel more comfortable around him. AND HE PRACTICES BLOOD MAGIC AND ITS REALLY COOL NO MATTER HOW SCARY THE STUPID PEOPLE IN THE BOOK BELIEVE IT TO BE.

Assassin's Curse is a really interesting and unique book. Its a quick read and the main characters are really cool and kick ass. You should totally read it especially if you like assassins or pirates or fantasy. If you do end up reading it and then like it but don't feel like reading the second book: READ THE SECOND BOOK!!!! It kicks this books ass and is like 100xs better, which is saying something because I really like this book. Anyways, I hope you enjoy!