Scan barcode
A review by annkniggendorf
The Assassin's Curse by Lindsay Buroker
4.0
[b:Assassin's Curse|13379541|Assassin's Curse (The Witch Stone Prophecy)|Debra L. Martin|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51-G2enG75L._SL75_.jpg|18609489] is a tough, short-paced short story adventure of the center pair of [a:Lindsay Buroker|4512224|Lindsay Buroker|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1292869920p2/4512224.jpg]'s captivating "[b:The Emperor's Edge|10031259|The Emperor's Edge (The Emperor's Edge #1)|Lindsay Buroker|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jpNjpFc%2BL._SL75_.jpg|14926833]" novel series. Fans of the series, especially A+S shippers, would not want to miss it! At least, I for sure loved every minute of reading it. :-)
Then why only 4 of 5 stars?
It's because [b:Assassin's Curse|13379541|Assassin's Curse (The Witch Stone Prophecy)|Debra L. Martin|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51-G2enG75L._SL75_.jpg|18609489] suffers from a typical "established series in between short story illness": the indecision of whether to include all the details necessary for freshly visiting readers or to accept that it is an in between story catering to established fans and leave out the established background where it doesn't connect to the actual plot.
The result of this indecision are "info dumps" esp. in the first part of the story that are not enough for new readers to appreciate the characters (and their treats & quirks), while tempting an established fan to jump a few lines. Interestingly, the later part of the story doesn't suffer from this. Background details here (the supposed lineage of the current emperor, for example) are used skillfully as plot device and are also expanded to greater depth. Lovely so, I may add.
So much about style, but what about content?
It's not even 12.000 words, read yourself!
No really, I don't want to summarize a short story. It would give too much away imho. However, since only two of the five main characters star in this, I think it might be nice to have the other three say their thoughts about the events:
"Following heavily armed thieves onto a cursed island is not prudent." ~ Books.
"There's something wrong with a man, when it takes a shot to the back to make him hug a beautiful woman." ~ Maldynado.
"Whatever." ~Akstyr.
Then why only 4 of 5 stars?
It's because [b:Assassin's Curse|13379541|Assassin's Curse (The Witch Stone Prophecy)|Debra L. Martin|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51-G2enG75L._SL75_.jpg|18609489] suffers from a typical "established series in between short story illness": the indecision of whether to include all the details necessary for freshly visiting readers or to accept that it is an in between story catering to established fans and leave out the established background where it doesn't connect to the actual plot.
The result of this indecision are "info dumps" esp. in the first part of the story that are not enough for new readers to appreciate the characters (and their treats & quirks), while tempting an established fan to jump a few lines. Interestingly, the later part of the story doesn't suffer from this. Background details here (the supposed lineage of the current emperor, for example) are used skillfully as plot device and are also expanded to greater depth. Lovely so, I may add.
So much about style, but what about content?
It's not even 12.000 words, read yourself!
No really, I don't want to summarize a short story. It would give too much away imho. However, since only two of the five main characters star in this, I think it might be nice to have the other three say their thoughts about the events:
"Following heavily armed thieves onto a cursed island is not prudent." ~ Books.
"There's something wrong with a man, when it takes a shot to the back to make him hug a beautiful woman." ~ Maldynado.
"Whatever." ~Akstyr.