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Imperial Trilogy #2
Imperial Assassin
Declared outlaws by the Emperor, the Guild of Assassins strikes back hard in the second volume in the Imperial Trilogy. The Emperor must act fast. He needs someone to infiltrate the Guild. All attempts to locate the assassins' headquarters have failed and Femke is already known to the assassins. So Reynik, the young legionnaire, must penetrate their inner circle to discover the Guild's secrets. But secrets kept hidden for more than five centuries command a high price—is Reynik ready to risk his life for the mission?
368 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2006
4 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Mark Robson
49 books41 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Mark Robson was born in Essex in 1966 and raised, for the most part, in Camarthen, West Wales. In 1982 he gained a scholarship to join the Royal Air Force as a pilot and has worked for them ever since. He successfully self-published the four book series, The Darkweaver Legacy, the first book of which was largely written during tours of duty in the Falkland Islands. He now lives in Northamptonshire with his family.
Mark Robson was born in Essex in 1966 and raised, for the most part, in Camarthen, West Wales. In 1982 he gained a scholarship to join the Royal Air Force as a pilot and has worked for them ever since. He successfully self-published the four book series, The Darkweaver Legacy, the first book of which was largely written during tours of duty in the Falkland Islands. He now lives in Northamptonshire with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 10, 2018
2.9 ☆☆☆
I can’t help but feel like the translation is ruining most of the book.
I can’t help but feel like the translation is ruining most of the book.
July 22, 2019
Amazing
This book was great and I loved the storyline however the ending isn’t to good you instantly have to read the next book because there isn’t an ending. However the series is great and I would recommend it to teenagers or anyone who likes action.
This book was great and I loved the storyline however the ending isn’t to good you instantly have to read the next book because there isn’t an ending. However the series is great and I would recommend it to teenagers or anyone who likes action.
July 17, 2013
This is the second book in Mark Robson's Imperial trilogy, following on from the events of Imperial Spy. Here we see the centre of attention shift from Femke, the spy although she still plays a major role, to Reynik a solid and career soldier who has already found his time with the infantry disrupted by a special mission from the Emperor; finds that a smooth re-integration will not be happening when he is picked for another. This time though he must infiltrate the Assassin's Guild, now declared illegal and do his best to find a way to shut it down. It may be a lot more dangerous than he thinks.
The previous book was almost complete in its own right, but this novel is definitely part of a greater whole, with no resolution coming at the end, rather a whole restructuring which sets up the third book perfectly. Written as a young adults adventure it tames down some of the language and situations you might get in an older book, but it does not detract from the over all reading experience, producing a highly entertaining book, which gets faster and faster as the the book races through to an excellent finale and a cliffhanger that makes you want to read the next book.
Robson seems to shy away from too much world development, just giving the reader what they need to know about the city and the world around it. This makes the story read faster which is a refreshing change; while the characters are well drawn, making us want to cheer for the good guys and boo the bad. Indeed it is the characters that really give the story its depth, with even the relatively minor ones becoming interesting as you read.
The magic that the assassins use is different, well thought out and used, and in at least one aspect quite chilling, and by the end you get the feeling that there might be more than meets the eye in the heart of their guild.
If there was one thing that really bugged me it was the apparent death a a character close to one of the two main ones. It seemed somehow disconnected, almost as though it did not really happen, and consequently it made this reader at least, wonder if it actually happened. The emotional turmoil of this is very slight, and I would have thought it would have a greater effect on the character. In the same light one of the major deaths (a brilliantly executed part of the story) that comes at the end, happens off page, and it makes you wonder if it actually happened or not.
All in all though, an excellent and very enjoyable read that makes you really want to pick up the conclusion to the series. Which I will.
The previous book was almost complete in its own right, but this novel is definitely part of a greater whole, with no resolution coming at the end, rather a whole restructuring which sets up the third book perfectly. Written as a young adults adventure it tames down some of the language and situations you might get in an older book, but it does not detract from the over all reading experience, producing a highly entertaining book, which gets faster and faster as the the book races through to an excellent finale and a cliffhanger that makes you want to read the next book.
Robson seems to shy away from too much world development, just giving the reader what they need to know about the city and the world around it. This makes the story read faster which is a refreshing change; while the characters are well drawn, making us want to cheer for the good guys and boo the bad. Indeed it is the characters that really give the story its depth, with even the relatively minor ones becoming interesting as you read.
The magic that the assassins use is different, well thought out and used, and in at least one aspect quite chilling, and by the end you get the feeling that there might be more than meets the eye in the heart of their guild.
If there was one thing that really bugged me it was the apparent death a a character close to one of the two main ones. It seemed somehow disconnected, almost as though it did not really happen, and consequently it made this reader at least, wonder if it actually happened. The emotional turmoil of this is very slight, and I would have thought it would have a greater effect on the character. In the same light one of the major deaths (a brilliantly executed part of the story) that comes at the end, happens off page, and it makes you wonder if it actually happened or not.
All in all though, an excellent and very enjoyable read that makes you really want to pick up the conclusion to the series. Which I will.
March 13, 2013
This review was originally posted on ThirstforFiction.com
Emperor Surabar has been disliked by the aristocracy for a while now; his ideas have not corrobated with those who seek only for themselves. But now his most controversial order has been passed; the out-lawing of the Guild of Assassins, but they are not going to give up without a fight. It is now up to Femke and Reynik to find out more about these assassins, and it will not be easy....
There's always been something immensly thrilling when reading a spy novel. They're full of action, fast paced, and often have plots that twist and turn all the time. Well, Imperial Assassin combines this with high fantasy- a strong mix that utilises the best of both worlds. Fans of fantasy will no doubt feel satisfied after this strong read, and the added detective face makes Imperial Assassin stand out from most fantasy books.
Imperial Assassin Plays with the notion of morality and what one must do to keep things right- but not in a preachy way. Infact, it merges very well with the story in a way which is noticeable but not glaringly obvious. Neither is the book written for the theme, but the theme gently incorporated into the plot line, as is often better as a reader. read more...
Emperor Surabar has been disliked by the aristocracy for a while now; his ideas have not corrobated with those who seek only for themselves. But now his most controversial order has been passed; the out-lawing of the Guild of Assassins, but they are not going to give up without a fight. It is now up to Femke and Reynik to find out more about these assassins, and it will not be easy....
There's always been something immensly thrilling when reading a spy novel. They're full of action, fast paced, and often have plots that twist and turn all the time. Well, Imperial Assassin combines this with high fantasy- a strong mix that utilises the best of both worlds. Fans of fantasy will no doubt feel satisfied after this strong read, and the added detective face makes Imperial Assassin stand out from most fantasy books.
Imperial Assassin Plays with the notion of morality and what one must do to keep things right- but not in a preachy way. Infact, it merges very well with the story in a way which is noticeable but not glaringly obvious. Neither is the book written for the theme, but the theme gently incorporated into the plot line, as is often better as a reader. read more...
December 25, 2025
If you have stumbled across this review of mine for Imperial Assassin, I highly recommend you go read my review for the first book in the trilogy, Imperial Spy. I'm attempting to be kind to my memory of this book by not doing the re-read I'd once hoped to do (my other review should hopefully shed some light on why,) but I will say I remember enjoying this book as a teenager where I didn't enjoy the first one. Reynik is, as far as I'm concerned, the only compelling character in this trilogy.
January 21, 2012
A really good sequel to Imperial Spy!
What I love about Mark Robson's series is the fact the story is seen by many different perspectives. It means you have to pay attention when reading but the story gains another dimension.
The book is more based on Reynik's adventures rather than Femke. With that said however, Femke is still the second lead character. I love both of these characters!
Imperial Assassin is full of action, thrills and a little bit of romance and humor as well.
What I love about Mark Robson's series is the fact the story is seen by many different perspectives. It means you have to pay attention when reading but the story gains another dimension.
The book is more based on Reynik's adventures rather than Femke. With that said however, Femke is still the second lead character. I love both of these characters!
Imperial Assassin is full of action, thrills and a little bit of romance and humor as well.
December 13, 2012
A good mix of slight mystery, magic, action and twists. Very entertaining in my opinion. Also, this was my first book that has more than 350 pages, and I was assuming it could last me for half a year. I ended up finishing it on the first week, and it was my record time. Even the much smaller and bigger fonts kinda book bored me to death. I guess I could say this book inspired me to really take into reading storybooks, and I'm glad it did so.
October 2, 2013
A nice light read to break from revision...I wouldn't say that the story line is gripping but I wouldn't mind reading on to see how it plays out.
(Oh wonderful I just realised it's the second book. No wonder I was puzzled with the recap at the beginning.)
(Oh wonderful I just realised it's the second book. No wonder I was puzzled with the recap at the beginning.)
October 17, 2007
It has a goood mix of action and mystery!
Want to read
August 11, 2008Nominated for the Carnegie Medal (UK)
October 28, 2009
95/100
I need to revisit this book soon.
I need to revisit this book soon.
January 19, 2013
enjoyable book following femke and reynik' story with lots of action and adventures.
March 3, 2022
REALLY AWESOME! Suspense is killing me!
May 10, 2016
i think that this book is very interesting because it was instance and realistic.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews