moirwyn's review
4.0
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2014/08/27/witchs-betrayal-cassandra-rose-clarke/
The Witch’s Betrayal is a short story set in the same world as Cassandra Rose Clarke’s The Assassin’s Curse duology. One of the main characters in The Assassin’s Curse is Naji, an assassin who wields powerful blood magic to hunt down his prey. In the previous books, Clarke mentions that Naji’s face is heavily scarred, but doesn’t go into any detail as to why. The Witch’s Betrayal tells the story of how Naji acquired his scars and reveals additional insights into his relationship with the witch Leila.
One day, Naji is given an assassination assignment that’s supposed to be routine. It turns out to be much more difficult than anticipated. Naji is seeking a man who is the epitome of evil and leaves a trail of dead prostitutes in his wake. This is a man who won’t hesitate to use dark magic to hide himself from pursuit. Naji has to practice dangerous magic of his own if he wants to track down his quarry, but this magic comes at a cost…
It was so interesting to get more insight into Naji and Leila’s relationship. In The Assassin’s Curse, we can see that Leila isn’t a very nice person (narcissistic bitch is my preferred description), but that Naji has had a history with her and still hasn’t gotten over it.
The Witch’s Betrayal also gives us a chance to see Naji acting within his profession and to get an idea of his motivations. We see the assassins as more than just killers–they are more like the MI6 of this fantasy world, and are used to stop wars before they can start. Recently the assassins have fallen upon hard times and are more like traditional mercenaries, but this particular assignment gives Naji a chance to fulfill his original purpose, and the fact that he is being sent to right a great injustice drives him to stop at nothing until his mission has been accomplished.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2014/08/27/witchs-betrayal-cassandra-rose-clarke/
The Witch’s Betrayal is a short story set in the same world as Cassandra Rose Clarke’s The Assassin’s Curse duology. One of the main characters in The Assassin’s Curse is Naji, an assassin who wields powerful blood magic to hunt down his prey. In the previous books, Clarke mentions that Naji’s face is heavily scarred, but doesn’t go into any detail as to why. The Witch’s Betrayal tells the story of how Naji acquired his scars and reveals additional insights into his relationship with the witch Leila.
One day, Naji is given an assassination assignment that’s supposed to be routine. It turns out to be much more difficult than anticipated. Naji is seeking a man who is the epitome of evil and leaves a trail of dead prostitutes in his wake. This is a man who won’t hesitate to use dark magic to hide himself from pursuit. Naji has to practice dangerous magic of his own if he wants to track down his quarry, but this magic comes at a cost…
It was so interesting to get more insight into Naji and Leila’s relationship. In The Assassin’s Curse, we can see that Leila isn’t a very nice person (narcissistic bitch is my preferred description), but that Naji has had a history with her and still hasn’t gotten over it.
The Witch’s Betrayal also gives us a chance to see Naji acting within his profession and to get an idea of his motivations. We see the assassins as more than just killers–they are more like the MI6 of this fantasy world, and are used to stop wars before they can start. Recently the assassins have fallen upon hard times and are more like traditional mercenaries, but this particular assignment gives Naji a chance to fulfill his original purpose, and the fact that he is being sent to right a great injustice drives him to stop at nothing until his mission has been accomplished.
samiism's review
3.0
A short backstory on Naji, his relationship with Leila, and an assassin job that goes awry.
Clarke's writing is just beautiful. For less than 50 pages, I got a lot of info that helps with Naji and Leila's character development, and telling the history of Naji's disfigurement.
Clarke's writing is just beautiful. For less than 50 pages, I got a lot of info that helps with Naji and Leila's character development, and telling the history of Naji's disfigurement.
kim1kim2's review
3.0
I was a bit sceptical about this short novella but it was pretty good. I liked being inside Naji's head, also getting to know him more and how he got the scar. He felt like a very different person in the Assassin's curse. I hope we get to see this side of him in the next book.
Rating: 3,5 stars.
Rating: 3,5 stars.
angelicasreads's review
4.0
OMG!!! Naji I love you!!!! He was definitely on my list of book boyfriends back in [b:The Assassin's Curse|13533650|The Assassin's Curse (The Assassin's Curse, #1)|Cassandra Rose Clarke|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335967954s/13533650.jpg|18229805] but now he has gone to my top ten. It makes me sad that he seems to have such a low self esteem and a bit of self hatred and yet he is such a good person. He deserves someone to love him for who and what he is and also despite of what he looks like. This is why he and Ananna are a good pair, she doesn't see a monster inside or outside of him. Oh and Leila, you can go jump of a bridge. Better yet, go jump into the fire yourself you horrible, heartless person. Can't wait for [b:The Pirate's Wish|15714476|The Pirate's Wish (The Assassin's Curse, #2)|Cassandra Rose Clarke|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352903412s/15714476.jpg|21383294]!!!!
joriecalabrese's review
3.0
I really liked learning about Naji's past and how he got his scar, but the writing style of this just seemed really stiff to me.
courtneymines's review
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
katkaslivkova's review
3.0
I have to admit I was expecting there was quiet more behind the story of Naji's scars then this. Very disappointing for me. But I liked how the story was narrated, so one extra star for that.
seaglass's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
eejohnson3's review
3.0
More like 3.5 stars. It was really interesting to see how Naji's physical appearance became what it is in The Assassin's Curse and The Pirate's Wish. I liked seeing Leila and his relationship together.