Book Review: Allies & Assassins: A conspiracy of Princes by Justin Stomper

I declare myself Queen of Achenfield. Because a Queen outranks a Prince, so that's a inconsistency.

In seven days, the princedom of Archenfield will be invaded by its deadly rival. In a race against time, Prince Jared must cross the border and recruit what strategic alliances he can.

As the Prince and his team rides out, his cousin Axel Blaxland launches his own bid for the throne. Each member of the Council of Twelve falls prey to manipulation as rivalries begin to emerge and Asta Peck, newest member of the Twelve, finds herself plunged into conspiracy. She resolves to fight on Prince Jared's behalf until he is able to defend himself.In a game of power, only the strongest will survive.

Welcome back to Archenfield. Trust no-one.

I don't what it is about this series, but I can't read the books unless I have break from it. This time, it was a personal choice, not dictated by deadlines (not ones I couldn't get out of).

This book is nothing but politics. I was expecting an interesting battle of wits or violence. However, all I got was people lying to each other or petty secrets. Yes, some politics are necessary. It just goes on and with it being the whole book it was too much. In terms, of the real world, I had enough of politics at this point and was not looking for book to be so dominated by it. I'm sure there is someone out there, who would love this book because it's swords and politics but I didn't.

I started plotted possible deaths for these characters. I stopped liking the characters and just became a game of guessing how they would messed up. There was gayness. Sort of. Hinted at. I just stopped caring about the characters the more I got through the book. I was annoyed so much by the characters and their actions were clearly dumb. Obvious betrayal is obvious.

Overall, I gave this novel three out of five stars for pointless votes. I really don't see myself finishing this series. I'm still half interested in this world, but I struggled to get through both of the books in the series, so that makes me doubt that the third book would be easier/better read for me.

Book Review: Allies & Assassins by Justin Stomper

The following summary has a error in that its a Princedom, not a Kingdom.


Prince is Dead. 
Long Live the Prince.

As the second-in-line to the throne of Archenfield, Jared never expected to rule. But behind the walls of the castle is a dark and dangerous court where murder and intrigue are never far below the surface. 

Now his older brother is dead. the Kingdom is his. And the target is on his back. Can he find the assassin before the assassin?

This might be awkward review as I took four month break between one half of the book and the other.

The Princedom is interesting as it has a council of Twelve people, though I've got to say some them are kinda random like the head Beekeeper gets a say and there's the Prince's bodyguard as well as the head of the Guards. The Twelve are basically the times of the day and the council remembers seem to have been stretched to fit that idea. Also the heir is picked by the ruling prince. The world building was mostly small, I mean there nothing overly unique about it. I think it meant to be based on Wales but I have no real knowledge of Medieval Wales but this book is weird whilst not a fantasy, it seems a tad off to call it a Historical book. Also women have roles of leadships which I'm sure was not a thing in Europe during the sort of time it takes place.

The mystery of who did it was well built but the misleads seem a bit obvious there were not real leads to the Assassin. This book does end with a cliff-hanger but the actual plot of the book is wrapped up nicely.

The characters were alright except sometimes they seem intentionally dumb. Also certain characters seem to slightly switch personality at times in order to fit the plot.  I liked Asta. The relationships were okays, they are some that I would like to see how they develop.

Overall, I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars for bells. I would definitely read the next book if the library got it in or I found it really cheap. I am interesting in what happens with these characters and this Princedom especially with the cliff-hanger we left with at the end.

Book Review: The Dark Flight Down by Marcus Sedgwick

 I haven't this disappointment in a name since finding out what the J stood for in Homer J. Simpson.

In the morning you should think
You might not last unto the night
In the evening you should think
You might not last unto the morn

Boy has survived the terrors of life with the magician Valerian, dark magic, and deadly chases, but he is still on the run. Now, as the City lies frozen, he is captured and incarcerated in the Emperor Frederick’s palace. Boy is transported to a world of splendor, and wealth beyond his wildest imagining. But beneath its golden veneer, this world is full of madness and cruelty, closely guarded secrets, and terrifying revelations.

 So this is the sequel to The Book of Dead Days which was a book I really liked. I didn't like this one as much as I found the characters continued to be weak and I didn't enjoy the plot as much this time. 

The plot this times involves Boy trying to escape repeatedly from people and we get answers to the questions from the last book. However, they were kinda underwhelming. Finding out who the serial killer made me go what, more than it made sense. It became clear early on what the solution would end up being as well.

I gave this book four out of five stars for winding stairs. I can't remember why though, which proves that you shouldn't wait months before writing a review. While I liked this book, it is sort of bland in my memory. I'm glad I read it to have finished the series but it definitely not as good as the first.

Book Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

It's not a book about an Assassin unless someone dies horribly. 

CROWNED BY EVIL.
BOUND BY DUTY.
DIVIDED BY LOVE.

THE ASSASSIN IS BACK – AND SHE’S BURNING WITH RAGE IN THE BLAZING-HOT SEQUEL TO THRONE OF GLASS

Celaena Sardothien, royal assassin, is the King of Adarlan's deadliest weapon. She must win her freedom through his enemies’ blood – but she cannot bear to kill for the crown. And every death Celaena fakes, every lie she tells, puts those she loves at risk.

Torn between her two protectors – a captain and a prince – and battling a dark force far greater than the king, Celaena must decide what she will fight for: her liberty, her heart, or the fate of a kingdom . . .

So this the second full length novel in the Throne of Glass series, once again writing this presumably you've read the first book (also read the novellas, they're good). I'm going to be honest that I found this review hard to write as I just didn't like it as much as the other book.
Basically, everything just proceeds from the last novel. There is some major new developments but like, yeah so what.

Like there's a weird triangle thing going on, I just really hate triangle romance thing. Its been old since Twilight and it such a lazy way of adding drama. Frankly, I find it more interesting to pair up the male corners of this triangle. Now that some drama, just think of the scandal. Also it all doesn't matter in the end really and I just want to slap a bitch.

The secrets got so annoying, like does anyone actually trust each other. I mean some of them have know each all their lives or risk their very lives for each other but no one tells anyone anything until it too damn late. By the end everything a big mess. Sort of mess which should have you begging for the next book but I could wait a year or two. Yes, I want to know what going on. However, I just don't care anymore.

There a few revelations in this book, one was sort of hinted at in the first book and the other was like "er...dur, that was obvious from book one and it means literally nothing." Also I guess some you might of not seen coming but makes sense. However, I really just didn't give a fuck.

A petpeeve (mainly from the first book but first chance to express it), is it has this whole medieval sort of thing going on and then the characters use the word "pants" to describe trouser and it really takes me out of the moment. Like that word is definitely not around till the 18th century sort of era and this series setting so isn't that. I guess if I wasn't British it wouldn't be so jarring.

Overall, I think this novel is weaker than the first in the series. To be honest, I might not have been in the best mood for this book when I read it, however it definitely suffers from Middle book syndrome. I gave it 4/5 stars for boring revelations. Will continue, though not in a hurry.