Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Zayn has special powers she cannot control—powers that others fear and covet. Powers that cause the Templar Knights to burn Zayn’s mother at the stake for witchcraft. When a mysterious stranger tempts Zayn to become the first female member of the heretical Assassins, the chance to seek her revenge lures her in. She trains to harness her supernatural strength and agility, and then enters the King of Jerusalem’s court in disguise with the assignment to assassinate Guy de Molay, her mother’s condemner. But once there, she discovers Earic Goodwin, the childhood friend who still holds her heart, among the knights—and his ocean-blue eyes don’t miss a thing. Will vengeance be worth the life of the one love she has left?
Thoughts: I’m a little conflicted about this one because when I first started the book I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to get all the way through it. I hate to not finish books though, so I push on in hope that they pick up and with Knight Assassin I’m happy to admit it did. Knight Assassin is an interesting book that combines some heavy elements with the fun fantasy aspects.
With the protagonists there were parts I really liked about her and parts I didn’t. With the writing I think our main character, Zayn, is supposed to be seventeen, possibly eighteen by the end of the book and I felt as if Zayn’s “voice” came off a lot younger which was something that didn’t float my boat. That being said, I do like the strength that Zayn shows through out the book. The situations she’s thrown in are not only physically hard but emotionally draining as well.
The story at parts confused me, or lost my interests in the beginning but the last third of the book I could not put down. I’m not sure if it was the romance, revenge, or battles that peaked my interest… but I really enjoyed the end of the book and was excited to keep reading. That being said it took me reading at least half of the book to get to that point.
This book definitely mixes a culture you don’t get to read about quite too often with fun and fantasy elements, which I liked. I also give props to the author for putting a few heavy conflicts in the book like murder and rape. With that being said, I don’t think this book was necessarily a “me” book, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t amazing for someone else. So, if you’re thinking of picking it up, I always say to give a book a try!
jottedbyjena.com 