Monday, January 18, 2016

Review: Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers

Title: Assassin's Heart
Author: Sarah Ahiers
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Harper Teen (February 2, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
In the kingdom of Lovero, nine rival Families of assassins lawfully kill people for a price. As a highly skilled member of one of these powerful clans, seventeen-year-old Lea Saldana has always trusted in the strength of her Family. Until she awakens to find them murdered and her home in flames. The Da Vias, the Saldanas’ biggest enemy, must be responsible—and Lea should have seen it coming. But her secret relationship with the Da Vias’ son, Val, has clouded her otherwise killer instinct—and given the Da Vias more reason than ever to take her Family down.

Racked with guilt and shattered over Val’s probable betrayal, Lea sets out to even the score, with her heart set on retaliation and only one thought clear in her mind: make the Da Vias pay.

With shades of The Godfather and Romeo and Juliet, this richly imagined fantasy from debut author Sarah Ahiers is a story of love, lies, and the ultimate vengeance.








I'm a sucker for a good star crossed lovers romance. Add in a family filled with deadly assassins all fighting to be top dog and you have one read that I just couldn't resist. 

And while this wasn't quite the star crossed Romeo and Juliet lover's story the synopsis promised, this was the assassin story that I was hoping it would be and I found myself caught up in it before I even knew it.

This was such a fun read. It wasn't anything too special or mind blowing but it was well written and just plain entertaining and sometimes, that it is all that matters. 

From the medieval Romeo and Juliet feel, to the adventure and action around every bend this novel was fast paced, quick, and flowed together nicely and best of all was a stand alone that left me feeling quite satisfied when it was all over. 

It truly was something spunky and fun in the genre and I'm so glad I took a chance and read it and am truly looking forward to whatever the author puts out next.




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*


47 comments:

  1. Thank you for your honest review..... Was never a fan of Romeo & Juliet but hopefully it won't hinder me in enjoying this book, i'm starting my e-arc copy today and will hopefully like it like you did.

    Aparajita @Le' Grande Codex

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  2. I'm glad to hear that this one was entertaining and fun, Ali. You're right sometimes that's exactly what we all need. I'm looking forward to reading it myself now! :)
    Lovely review, Ali!

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    1. Thanks so much Nick, I hope you like it as well.

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  3. Sometimes well written and entertaining is enough! Glad you enjoyed this!

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  4. I've been looking for a new assassin series for a minute. I love everything that this one promises. Great review!

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    1. It was fun and if there was a book two I would pick it up.

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  5. Oh I do like the sound of this even though there was nothing special about it. Romeo and Juliet retellings (of sort) can sometimes be as irritating as the original, but at least you were entertained!

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  6. That's too bad it wasn't as star crossed lovers as the summary leads you to believe. But I'm glad you enjoyed it anyway! It sure does look like a fun read. :D

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    1. I think I would have liked it a bit more if it did but it was still good.

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  7. Oh this looks and sounds so good! Thanks

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  8. Hmmm... I was a little curious about this but I was kind of hoping for more. I want it to be more Romeo and Juliet like, I think. But I'll keep considering it. If it ends up in my hands I'd definitely read it.

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    1. I would have loved for it to have been as well.

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  9. I am glad that your chance taking paid off, that is always so nice. Have a nice week.

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  10. Glad to hear it was entertaining! It's on my up coming reads list and I can't wait to dig in. I can't help but love a good star crossed lovers relationship either :)

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  11. I do enjoy a good retelling so this is something I really need to check out. It sounds like it works so well.

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  12. You gave me a good reminder, Ali. Every book doesn't need to get ground breaking or completely fresh. As long as it's written well, the pacing is on point and characters are well developed it's ok to just enjoy a book for what it is.

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    1. That is very true Tyler and sometimes those really are the best books.

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  13. I do like assassins. I also agree that not every book we read needs to knock it out of the park. Glad you enjoyed this one. I might have to look it up.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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  14. I didn't grab this one because I thought it would be all ... I don't know, dramatic. But spunky and fun I can do.

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  15. Oooh I had an eye on this one and wasn't sure if I should take a chance on it. I was actually hoping that the assassin part would be stronger than the love story which seems to be the case. I think I may have to pick this one up and give it a shot. Glad it was an entertaining read for you, Ali!

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    1. It is definitely stronger than the love story although there is a romance in it as well but it is definitely the side story.

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  16. Thanks for sharing - I hadn't read the summary of this one before. Glad it was really good story if nothing else!!

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  17. That's great that the author didn't piggy much on Shakespeare's play, I think giving it a new angle is better

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    1. It was a nice change that it was different and definitely it's own story.

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  18. I want the assassin story. Sounds like a great read.

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    1. I hope you like it when you get it and read it. :D

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  19. I'm looking forward to the assassin part, lol - can't resist that! I was hoping for lots of swoon as well, but this still sounds fun.
    Thanks for the great review, Ali :)

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  20. I like spunky and fun. I almost started this one but stopped. I really hope I enjoy it!

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  21. This sounds mesmerizing. I'm curious to know if there are life lessons surrounding the family dynamics. Too, seeing how this is a stand alone fantasy novel, I'm left wondering how the world building progressed.

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    1. There really wasn't a lot to the world but I didn't feel lost or like enough wasn't explained if that makes sense.

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  22. Im really excited about this book so I'm glad to see you really liked it Ali!

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  23. So glad you found a new author to enjoy! Sounds like a good read even if the blurb wasn't exactly correct :)

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