I first read this book for an assignment in Grade 11 English. The teacher had told us we all had to read and review two books by Canadian authors. We both knew she meant actual 'literature', but she never said it out loud so when I brought her this book and Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint, she caved. Hurrah! This book has been one of my favorites ever since. I bought it for my collection a year or so ago but I just finished re-reading it about an hour ago.While this book is a fantasy, no question, it's not the fantastical elements that make it a great story. The plot is beautifully crafted and the main character, Lale, is both likeable and believable. The story is set in a fantasy world, with a distinctly Asian spin, which has always made this book stand out to me. While there are still swords and sorcery (but only in minor degrees as this book focuses more on subtlety and spies) the culture around it is different and so you're forced to look at things in a new way.Now, I'm the first to admit that maybe part of this books fantastic rating has to do with my being sentimental about it. I swear though, it's an interesting mystery, a complicated love story and definitely worth a read!
In short: loved 98% of it! Strong female characters (though with flaws, some of them fatal), male characters who are equally strong, characters of both genders who are not always as good (or as evil) as they might first seem... add this to clear, engaging prose, good pacing, and tie it all up in a neat bundle that becomes a quite enjoyable read."The Assassins..." is also an interesting look at the way a person can become lured in and indoctrinated to particular beliefs, how love can be twisted into a tool for hatred, and how a quite ordinary person can become something that many might fear or revile. For any of us who have wondered "how could someone do that?" while studying historic events such as the Nazi genocides, or the various suicide bombers who have worked for a particular cause, this is an intriguing story.My only criticism comes with the ending: perhaps a little too neat and tidy, a little too Hollywood. Still, it wouldn't prevent me from picking up another book by the same author.
Do You like book The Assassins Of Tamurin (2003)?
44 pages in, and OMG, what a world the author has created! seems a shame that there's only one book. (edit: I believe the author's other books, which are in French, are part of this world.) the level of detail and depth to create the new world, it's just amazing. 124 pg. Oopsie... gave it 5 stars way too early... looks like our assassin spy will have to (view spoiler)[ sleep with the king, attracting the king because she looks like his beloved dead wife, (hide spoiler)]
—Nenya
Very, VERY slow book. Good writing at times, but I find myself skipping entire pages with no decrease in my enjoyment or loss of important information. I am 2/3 the book and that far there have been no assasinations of any sort. There was no explanation of the assassin/spy training. The first three chapters can be summed up in 1 sentence. "Village found an orphan girl, raised her, were mean to her, and she ran away"I have a hard time not giving books I am reading a 4 or above, but I am just going to finish this one because I am 2/3 of the way through.
—Christopher
lale is a foundling in a village that dislikes and mistrusts her. one day she loses a valuable item and they punish her for it, and this prompts her to leave to search for a better life, she meets a wandering story teller who she had seen before in the village, and just as things seem to be getting better for her, he gets killed by bandits. All is not lost though because shortly after she crosses paths with a Despotania who takes her to her school for orphans. I like this story a lot, I have read it a couple times and there are still parts that bring tears to my eyes. I love the way the characters develop as the story progresses, you can see how she learns and grows and becomes herself through the many trials she faces as eventually overcomes.
—Sheri
