Rating: 4/5 stars
Pages: 352
Series: The Chronicles of Ghadid #1
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Macmillan-Tor/Forge
Pub. Date: March 19, 2019
When Amastan finishes his assassin training as a member of the Basbowen family, he’s partly relieved that no contracts are being given out anymore—taking a life isn’t something he’s sure he wants to do. But things spiral quickly out of his control when he comes across the body of an important drum chief. A body hidden with the purpose of letting it’s jaani run unchecked in the city.
Things get even worse when fellow assassin’s start showing up murdered. Amastan has to solve this murder before more of his family gets killed, and the Jaan cause major problems in the city. But in a world filled with secrets and where everyone has a history, Amastan’s search leads him closer to home than he’d like.
All of his training might not be enough as he faces down a perfect assassin—one trained to hunt their own.
**Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing me with a eARC of this book**
I have such mixed feelings about this book. I really did enjoy it, it was a great read and I thought the world was interesting and I loved Amastan as a character!
I think where it didn’t click for me, was that I wanted the world-building to be a little better rounded out, and more assassiny (that’s not a word but I’m just rolling with it!). That’s not to say that the world building wasn’t good, because it was, I mean. A city in the desert on stilts… yes please! But I just wanted it to be a little more detailed. I did enjoy how well the history tied into the plot, and how the world-building presented all revolved around that, but otherwise, I found myself not really connecting with the world.
This is a mystery at it’s core, unfortunately, I found it a little predictable, and was sad when I guessed who-dunnit. It was still interesting to learn why and to see how Amastan would deal with this, but in the end it didn’t really hold me to the book. Where I did get invested was in Amastan. I thought he was a great character, and his vulnerability and insecurity definitely drew me to him (okay, but yeah, that’s pretty much how to get me to love a character).
Anyway, despite the book not quite clicking in the right way with me, I am definitely eager for the next one, and can’t wait to read more from this author.
I’d recommend this book if you’re looking for an assassin filled mystery topped off with some excellent races across rooftops on a city on stilts. Okay that was needlessly specific, but you get me. High fantasy, mixed with mystery plus action. Actually on that note, if you read and enjoyed City of Lies, you’ll probably enjoy this one as well! (Or vice versa).
To learn more about the author, check out her website:
https://kadoore.com/
Or follow her on twitter: @KA_Doore
And to preorder this book:
https://kadoore.com/novels/aog-book-one/
PS. If you’re interested, my review of City of Lies is here, and I highly recommend that book as well!