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The Blackthorn Key #3
The Assassin's Curse
Wherever Christopher Rowe goes, adventure-and murder-follows. Even a chance to meet King Charles ends in a brush with an assassin. All that's recovered from the killer is a coded message with an ominous more attempts are coming. So when Christopher's code-breaking discovers the attack's true target, he and his friends are ordered to Paris to investigate a centuries-old curse on the French throne. And when they learn an ancient treasure is promised to any assassin who succeeds, they realize the entire royal family is at stake-as well as their own lives. In the third heart-pounding installment of the award-winning Blackthorn Key series, Christopher, Tom, and Sally face new codes, puzzles, and traps as they race to find the hidden treasure before someone else is murdered.
560 pages, Library Binding
First published September 5, 2017
212 people are currently reading
2708 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Sands
21 books965 followersSince escaping from university with a pair of degrees in theoretical physics, Kevin Sands has worked as a researcher, a business consultant, and a teacher. He is the author of the bestselling The Blackthorn Key series. His brand new fantasy adventure, Children of the Fox, is out now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 392 reviews
January 21, 2019
Another amazing addition the the Blackthorn Key series. This time after saving the King of england from poisoning. Christopher, Tom, and Sally are sent to Paris under fake names and titles to stop the assassins and protect the royals. Clues, codes, danger, and humor. The perfect combination.
I found this to be another great read. Where as I did start to predict some of the answers before hand. I think that is simply because I am starting to understand the way the author thinks, but I would not call the book at all predictable. There are more than enough twists and turns to make you look twice.
The character development is really coming together. Christopher who always sticks to his morals and would gladly give his life for his friends. Tom who is very loyal, but has no problem telling Christopher when hes being foolish, also easily appeased with food. Sally who always find the bright side of things. Where Christopher is book smart she is street smart. Making them a great team.
The book was impossible for me to put down. I found it hurt to put it down even for a few minutes while i went to get myself some coffee. I am so excited for the 4th book which I currently have on the way and I hope for many more books to come.
I found this to be another great read. Where as I did start to predict some of the answers before hand. I think that is simply because I am starting to understand the way the author thinks, but I would not call the book at all predictable. There are more than enough twists and turns to make you look twice.
The character development is really coming together. Christopher who always sticks to his morals and would gladly give his life for his friends. Tom who is very loyal, but has no problem telling Christopher when hes being foolish, also easily appeased with food. Sally who always find the bright side of things. Where Christopher is book smart she is street smart. Making them a great team.
The book was impossible for me to put down. I found it hurt to put it down even for a few minutes while i went to get myself some coffee. I am so excited for the 4th book which I currently have on the way and I hope for many more books to come.
October 2, 2021
This is the third of the Blackthorn Key series, though I suppose you could start here and not be too confused. I’m getting suspicious that is series is not finished yet.
The book starts with a bang and keeps going. There is never a dull moment. Christopher, Tom, and Sally thwart an assassination attempt at the beginning and soon end up in Paris. There are more assassination attempts plus a treasure hunt involving clues and riddles.
The audio narration is good, but it probably works better as a print book because there are a lot of alphabets in code that take a long time to read. In a printed book, you’d skim over them.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence: Accidental death and attempted murder involving poison, strangulation, swords, etc.
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
The book starts with a bang and keeps going. There is never a dull moment. Christopher, Tom, and Sally thwart an assassination attempt at the beginning and soon end up in Paris. There are more assassination attempts plus a treasure hunt involving clues and riddles.
The audio narration is good, but it probably works better as a print book because there are a lot of alphabets in code that take a long time to read. In a printed book, you’d skim over them.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence: Accidental death and attempted murder involving poison, strangulation, swords, etc.
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
June 1, 2021
This may have been a better book to read than listening to it. There are parts that are really really long that deal with the alphabet...other than that, it was a type of book that I do not normally read and though it was #3 in the series, I found that I didn't really need to read the first two, though there were some references to them.
August 14, 2018
Ich bin von dieser Reihe absolut begeistert und warte nun inzwischen immer wieder sehnsüchtig auf einen neuen Teil. Natürlich in der Hoffnung, dass diese mit meinen Erwartungen mithalten können und zum Glück werde ich nicht enttäuscht.
Im dritten Teil verschlägt es Christopher und Tom nach Frankreich, um dort die königliche Familien vor einem Attentat zu bewahren. Doch bald müssen sie wieder jede Menge Rätsel lösen und es taucht eine Verbindung zu den Tempelrittern auf.
Das Buch ist wieder unglaublich spannend und ich war von dem Buch total gepackt. Ich liebe es wie der Autor Codes, Mythen und historische Fakten in seine Geschichten einarbeitet. Dadurch ist es nicht nur abwechslungsreich und unterhaltsam, sondern auch unglaublich informativ. Die Informationen zu den Tempelrittern fand ich total spannend.
Das Tempo in der Geschichte ist zum Teil wirklich rasant, daher wird einem wirklich nie langweilig. "Beruhigt" wird die Geschichte dann durch Code-Entschlüsselungen, aber auch das war für mich alles andere als langweilig.
"Das Geheimnis des letzten Tempelritters" ist wieder ein rundum gelungenes Leseabenteuer und jetzt heißt es wieder warten auf den nächsten Teil.
Im dritten Teil verschlägt es Christopher und Tom nach Frankreich, um dort die königliche Familien vor einem Attentat zu bewahren. Doch bald müssen sie wieder jede Menge Rätsel lösen und es taucht eine Verbindung zu den Tempelrittern auf.
Das Buch ist wieder unglaublich spannend und ich war von dem Buch total gepackt. Ich liebe es wie der Autor Codes, Mythen und historische Fakten in seine Geschichten einarbeitet. Dadurch ist es nicht nur abwechslungsreich und unterhaltsam, sondern auch unglaublich informativ. Die Informationen zu den Tempelrittern fand ich total spannend.
Das Tempo in der Geschichte ist zum Teil wirklich rasant, daher wird einem wirklich nie langweilig. "Beruhigt" wird die Geschichte dann durch Code-Entschlüsselungen, aber auch das war für mich alles andere als langweilig.
"Das Geheimnis des letzten Tempelritters" ist wieder ein rundum gelungenes Leseabenteuer und jetzt heißt es wieder warten auf den nächsten Teil.
August 20, 2018
I don’t know why this series doesn’t have more reviews, it’s SO good! Each book is very well written and researched. I’ve really enjoyed learning more about the 1600s and standard apothecary practices. It’s also refreshing to read a historical fiction book that’s set outside of the late 1800s, which is when most of the ones I own are set. I would recommend this series to fans of Rick Riordan or Jonathan Stroud - obviously, the subject matter is different, but the writing is of the same caliber.
December 1, 2021
Yet another wild ride filled with mysterious codes, dangerous confrontations, and more Christopher and Sally interactions than you ever knew you needed!
Given that the Knights Templar were “masters of misdirection”, their mysterious treasure hunt in this book did well to skirt the fine line between insanely smart puzzle and annoyingly convoluted wild goose chase. In the end, the circularity of the clues was impressively satisfying and very unexpected.
The French setting certainly shook things up and made for an interesting change. I loved that it allowed for the introduction to both Sally and Benedict’s past relations as that really helped make their character backstories more layered. These characters are so complex and there’s more to them than we know—especially Benedict.
Once again, the character relationships and dynamics were fantastic. Seeing a truly angry Tom and a very vulnerable Sally was so startlingly fascinating. It was amazing to see them being given even more character depth and I lived for all their interactions, Sally and Christopher’s sweetly subtle flirtations most of all.
The ending was something of a red herring which lulled you into a false sense of security that everything would come to a neat conclusion and then bang! It wasn’t over! I honestly cannot wait to see what happens next. It seems there’s a lot more codes and pain waiting for Christopher in Call of the Wraith...
Given that the Knights Templar were “masters of misdirection”, their mysterious treasure hunt in this book did well to skirt the fine line between insanely smart puzzle and annoyingly convoluted wild goose chase. In the end, the circularity of the clues was impressively satisfying and very unexpected.
The French setting certainly shook things up and made for an interesting change. I loved that it allowed for the introduction to both Sally and Benedict’s past relations as that really helped make their character backstories more layered. These characters are so complex and there’s more to them than we know—especially Benedict.
Once again, the character relationships and dynamics were fantastic. Seeing a truly angry Tom and a very vulnerable Sally was so startlingly fascinating. It was amazing to see them being given even more character depth and I lived for all their interactions, Sally and Christopher’s sweetly subtle flirtations most of all.
The ending was something of a red herring which lulled you into a false sense of security that everything would come to a neat conclusion and then bang! It wasn’t over! I honestly cannot wait to see what happens next. It seems there’s a lot more codes and pain waiting for Christopher in Call of the Wraith...
July 20, 2018
Ach, som smutna. Docitala som teraz uz definitivne moju milovanu sériu. Ako dlho budem musiet cakat na dalsi diel? Cakanie sa mi rovná prechadzke po Sahare. Hlavne po tom konci!
Zboznujem a vsetkym odporucam tuto seriu! Mam rada knihy Dana Browna a keby mam tuto seriu oznacit za naplast na chvile cakania na jeho dalsiu knihu, velmi by som ju degradovala!
Autor zostava v období krasneho 16. storocia a tento krat Christopher lusti sifry v Parizi! Hltala a vychutnala som si kazde slovo! Kaslite na to, ze je to detska kniha! Toto si musite prečítať!
Zboznujem a vsetkym odporucam tuto seriu! Mam rada knihy Dana Browna a keby mam tuto seriu oznacit za naplast na chvile cakania na jeho dalsiu knihu, velmi by som ju degradovala!
Autor zostava v období krasneho 16. storocia a tento krat Christopher lusti sifry v Parizi! Hltala a vychutnala som si kazde slovo! Kaslite na to, ze je to detska kniha! Toto si musite prečítať!
December 17, 2017
After an attempt on the life of King Charles is thwarted by Christopher Rowe, the King sends Christopher, Tom, and Sally to Paris and the court of the Sun King, Louis XIV to protect King Charles beloved sister, Minette. Besides court intrigue and politics, Christopher meets an aging ally of his deceased master, Benedict Blackthorne, who provides key assistance in a centuries-old quest for the treasure of the Knights Templar. The three friends continue to delight, especially in their various roles in French high society, making this a great book of adventure and treasure hunting for audiences too young for Dan Brown. I look forward to book #4.
January 14, 2019
3’5 ★★★
{English}
I’ve come across The Blackthorn Key series last year and I’ve enjoyed reading it quite a lot. Even though it’s a middle-grade series it has most of the things I like in a book: historical fiction –set in 17th century London (and in this third instalment Paris)–, a little bit of magic and fantasy, puzzles and riddles –it’s like Da Vinci Code but well written–, great and lovely characters –Christopher is such a cutie and intelligent boy; Tom is the loyal and down-to-earth best friend; and Bridget the pigeon is quite funny– and really well-built villains. These books mix History and whodunit novels perfectly well and it doesn’t matter if you’re not the intended audience –I’d recommend this book to children from 10 years-old– that you’re gonna truly enjoy them.
As I said, in this third book we move from London to Paris, and starts off a few days after the ending of the second instalment Mark of the Plague. Christopher had solved the Great Plague enigma in London (1665) but he hasn’t time to have tranquility 'cause Charles II of England wants him to solve a new riddle that involves an attempt to murder her sister Henrietta, married to Phillipe, Duke of Orléans, the brother of Louis XIV. Christopher, disguised as an English noble in the France Court, has to discover who the assassin is but his adventure –alongside Tom and Sally– lead to new riddles, secret treasures and puzzles connected to The Templars!
Even though the setting has always a special treatment in these books, I’ve noticed –as an Art Historian– some little incongruences with the real 17th century Paris (ex. the description of Notre-Dame is Viollet-le-Duc’s ideal –the Notre-Dame we have now– and not the real gothic cathedral) but that doesn’t bother me that much. I especially enjoyed the approach of the Louvre’s descriptions and the artworks involved in the mystery, which is gonna keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.
I surely continue the series with the fourth instalment coming out this year!
P. S. I'm not English, so if you see any mistakes let me know so I can correct them, please
—
{Español}
Descubrí la saga El Enigma Blackthorn el año pasado y disfruté bastante su lectura. Aunque es una saga más middle-grade tiene la mayoría de cosas que me gustan en un libro: ficción histórica –están ambientados en el Londres del siglo XVII (y esta tercera parte en París)–, un poquito de magia y fantasía, puzzles y acertijos –es un poco como El Código Da Vince pero bien escrito–, personajes geniales y divertidos –Christopher es un niño muy 'cuqui' e inteligente; Tom es el mejor amigo ideal, leal y con los pies en la tierra; y la paloma Bridget es bastante divertida– y unos villanos muy bien construidos. Estos libros mezclan perfectamente bien Historia y novelas de detectives y no importa que no entres dentro de la 'audiencia intencionada' –recomendaría estos libros a lectores a partir de los 10 años– que vas a disfrutar con su lectura.
Como he dicho, en este tercer libro nos vamos de Londres a París, y empieza pocos días después del final del segundo libro: Mark of the Plague. Christopher ha solucionado el enigma de la Gran Plaga de Londres (1665) pero no tiene tiempo para tener paz y tranquilidad porque el rey Carlos II de Inglaterra le pide que resuelva un nuevo misterio que gira en torno a un intento de asesinato de su hermana Enriqueta, casada con Felipe Duque de Orleans, el hermano del rey Luis XIV. Christopher, disfrazado como un noble inglés dentro de la Corte francesa, deberá descubrir quién es el asesino pero su aventura –junto con Tom y Sally– le llevará a nuevos misterios, acertijos, tesoros secretos y puzzles conectados con ¡los Templarios!.
Aunque la ambientación tiene siempre un desarrollo muy especial en estos libros, he notado –como historiadora del arte– algunas pequeñas incongruencias con el verdadero París del siglo XVII (por ejemplo, la descripción de Notre-Dame es el ideal de Viollet-le-Duc –la Notre-Dame que tenemos ahora– y no la verdadera catedral gótica del momento) pero no ha sido algo que me molestara mucho. Sí que he disfrutado especialmente el acercamiento a las descripciones del palacio del Louvre y las obras de arte que están presentes en el misterio, que además te hará morderte las uñas hasta el final.
Voy a continuar seguro con esta saga este año, en cuanto se publique el cuarto libro.
«Ego autem non exspecto aeternitatem. Sempiternus sum – I do not await eternity. I am eternity.»
{English}
I’ve come across The Blackthorn Key series last year and I’ve enjoyed reading it quite a lot. Even though it’s a middle-grade series it has most of the things I like in a book: historical fiction –set in 17th century London (and in this third instalment Paris)–, a little bit of magic and fantasy, puzzles and riddles –it’s like Da Vinci Code but well written–, great and lovely characters –Christopher is such a cutie and intelligent boy; Tom is the loyal and down-to-earth best friend; and Bridget the pigeon is quite funny– and really well-built villains. These books mix History and whodunit novels perfectly well and it doesn’t matter if you’re not the intended audience –I’d recommend this book to children from 10 years-old– that you’re gonna truly enjoy them.
As I said, in this third book we move from London to Paris, and starts off a few days after the ending of the second instalment Mark of the Plague. Christopher had solved the Great Plague enigma in London (1665) but he hasn’t time to have tranquility 'cause Charles II of England wants him to solve a new riddle that involves an attempt to murder her sister Henrietta, married to Phillipe, Duke of Orléans, the brother of Louis XIV. Christopher, disguised as an English noble in the France Court, has to discover who the assassin is but his adventure –alongside Tom and Sally– lead to new riddles, secret treasures and puzzles connected to The Templars!
Even though the setting has always a special treatment in these books, I’ve noticed –as an Art Historian– some little incongruences with the real 17th century Paris (ex. the description of Notre-Dame is Viollet-le-Duc’s ideal –the Notre-Dame we have now– and not the real gothic cathedral) but that doesn’t bother me that much. I especially enjoyed the approach of the Louvre’s descriptions and the artworks involved in the mystery, which is gonna keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.
I surely continue the series with the fourth instalment coming out this year!
P. S. I'm not English, so if you see any mistakes let me know so I can correct them, please
—
{Español}
Descubrí la saga El Enigma Blackthorn el año pasado y disfruté bastante su lectura. Aunque es una saga más middle-grade tiene la mayoría de cosas que me gustan en un libro: ficción histórica –están ambientados en el Londres del siglo XVII (y esta tercera parte en París)–, un poquito de magia y fantasía, puzzles y acertijos –es un poco como El Código Da Vince pero bien escrito–, personajes geniales y divertidos –Christopher es un niño muy 'cuqui' e inteligente; Tom es el mejor amigo ideal, leal y con los pies en la tierra; y la paloma Bridget es bastante divertida– y unos villanos muy bien construidos. Estos libros mezclan perfectamente bien Historia y novelas de detectives y no importa que no entres dentro de la 'audiencia intencionada' –recomendaría estos libros a lectores a partir de los 10 años– que vas a disfrutar con su lectura.
Como he dicho, en este tercer libro nos vamos de Londres a París, y empieza pocos días después del final del segundo libro: Mark of the Plague. Christopher ha solucionado el enigma de la Gran Plaga de Londres (1665) pero no tiene tiempo para tener paz y tranquilidad porque el rey Carlos II de Inglaterra le pide que resuelva un nuevo misterio que gira en torno a un intento de asesinato de su hermana Enriqueta, casada con Felipe Duque de Orleans, el hermano del rey Luis XIV. Christopher, disfrazado como un noble inglés dentro de la Corte francesa, deberá descubrir quién es el asesino pero su aventura –junto con Tom y Sally– le llevará a nuevos misterios, acertijos, tesoros secretos y puzzles conectados con ¡los Templarios!.
Aunque la ambientación tiene siempre un desarrollo muy especial en estos libros, he notado –como historiadora del arte– algunas pequeñas incongruencias con el verdadero París del siglo XVII (por ejemplo, la descripción de Notre-Dame es el ideal de Viollet-le-Duc –la Notre-Dame que tenemos ahora– y no la verdadera catedral gótica del momento) pero no ha sido algo que me molestara mucho. Sí que he disfrutado especialmente el acercamiento a las descripciones del palacio del Louvre y las obras de arte que están presentes en el misterio, que además te hará morderte las uñas hasta el final.
Voy a continuar seguro con esta saga este año, en cuanto se publique el cuarto libro.
September 24, 2017
I know this series is meant for 10-14 year olds but I simply love it. The story and writing are intriguing and keep me interested. Funny enough, these books are written much better than a few adult books I've read recently (The Magicians Trilogy!!). So I look forward to more in the series and hope they continue to be as captivating.
July 25, 2024
Second reread: July 2024
This is my first time reading this book after finishing book six and it's actually insane to get to see how everything goes now that i know the truth. Adds a whole new depth to this book
First reread: Jan 2023
I am screaming (seems my reaction to finishing this didn't change) I forgot how incredible this book is. It is perfect, it is incredible, it is stunning. It is the moment. Tomorrow I will start book 4 and then read book 5 and then BOOK SIX IS HERE I AM SO EXCITED.
First read: July 2021
I'm not even sure why I'm writing this because I have no thoughts other than a ceaseless scream. I can't breathe. This was so good?? I love the relationship Tom and Christopher have. I love Sally. She's a queen. She's so smart and badass. I love Christopher. I relate to Tom's love of food. Did I mention I really love Tom and Christopher's relationship? It makes me incredibly happy. Another reason I loved this one so much is because the characters are searching for the templar treasure, which is the same thing being searched for in National Treasure. And (don't judge me) that is one of my favorite movies of all time. Anyway. I loved this one. The climax was just *chefs kiss*. Like wow. Obsessed. I'm also super excited for the next one. The letter at the end gave me chills and the blurb for book 4 is ahhhHHH. The memory loss thing better be good though. We know how that went down in The Deceiver's Heart. We'll see.
This is my first time reading this book after finishing book six and it's actually insane to get to see how everything goes now that i know the truth. Adds a whole new depth to this book
First reread: Jan 2023
I am screaming (seems my reaction to finishing this didn't change) I forgot how incredible this book is. It is perfect, it is incredible, it is stunning. It is the moment. Tomorrow I will start book 4 and then read book 5 and then BOOK SIX IS HERE I AM SO EXCITED.
First read: July 2021
I'm not even sure why I'm writing this because I have no thoughts other than a ceaseless scream. I can't breathe. This was so good?? I love the relationship Tom and Christopher have. I love Sally. She's a queen. She's so smart and badass. I love Christopher. I relate to Tom's love of food. Did I mention I really love Tom and Christopher's relationship? It makes me incredibly happy. Another reason I loved this one so much is because the characters are searching for the templar treasure, which is the same thing being searched for in National Treasure. And (don't judge me) that is one of my favorite movies of all time. Anyway. I loved this one. The climax was just *chefs kiss*. Like wow. Obsessed. I'm also super excited for the next one. The letter at the end gave me chills and the blurb for book 4 is ahhhHHH. The memory loss thing better be good though. We know how that went down in The Deceiver's Heart. We'll see.
July 23, 2018
3.5 stars rounded down.
My least favourite in the series so far. I believe that was largely due to the subject matter/plot - it simply failed to draw me in as much as the previous two instalments did. It was still a good read though and although I'd say this instalment had slightly less humorous dialogue between Tom & Christopher, I'm pleased to see the series stays consistent in its strengths.
My least favourite in the series so far. I believe that was largely due to the subject matter/plot - it simply failed to draw me in as much as the previous two instalments did. It was still a good read though and although I'd say this instalment had slightly less humorous dialogue between Tom & Christopher, I'm pleased to see the series stays consistent in its strengths.
April 16, 2023
Characterization was a bit more confusing with this one. There were two candidates for villainy, but sometimes it seemed they were one in the same and yet not… It didn’t feel as fleshed out in general.
November 17, 2018
I. Need. The. Next. Book.
November 16, 2017
Reader thoughts: I liked this book. Another good Blackthorn mystery!
I'm getting a much better sense of who the characters are. Thomas is bigger than I kept imagining. He's big enough to act as a guard or to swordfight or to pick Christopher up from a fall out a window (um, hypothetically). Christopher is the devious thinker who really gets into more trouble than anyone should.
In this book, the two friends (plus Sally!) save the king and cause havoc in Paris (including stealing a painting from the Louvre!). The book is a lot like National Treasure mixed with spying and sword fights and chases down dark alleys.
Writer thoughts: I love that KS chose to have so many of the clues either left by Blackthorn or investigated or improved by Blackthorn. It makes the mystery seem much more personal and the stakes higher. Readers care more about Christopher solving the clues and mystery just because his master worked on the problem.
I'm getting a much better sense of who the characters are. Thomas is bigger than I kept imagining. He's big enough to act as a guard or to swordfight or to pick Christopher up from a fall out a window (um, hypothetically). Christopher is the devious thinker who really gets into more trouble than anyone should.
In this book, the two friends (plus Sally!) save the king and cause havoc in Paris (including stealing a painting from the Louvre!). The book is a lot like National Treasure mixed with spying and sword fights and chases down dark alleys.
Writer thoughts: I love that KS chose to have so many of the clues either left by Blackthorn or investigated or improved by Blackthorn. It makes the mystery seem much more personal and the stakes higher. Readers care more about Christopher solving the clues and mystery just because his master worked on the problem.
August 26, 2022
i always forget how much i love these books and what a big part they are of my childhood. this story is unique to any other story and blasts me away every single time i read it. i love the mystery. i love the riddles you can solve yourself. and more than anything, i love the characters. each of them are written out in extreme detail and they have iconic character traits which appear in every book again. every single aspect of this book is thought through and the plot is simply incredible. every time you think you figured it out, something totally unexpected happens which throws you off the path again. i love it. i finally found the fourth book of the series and i am beyond excited to start that one now, for i enjoyed this one so much.
May 31, 2024
THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD!!!!! Like the setting, the characters, the side characters, the plot!? It has everything: Curses, assassins, Frenchies, a golden trio, posing as nobles, catacombs, protective male character, kidnapping, fake-deaths, sword fighting, lords and ladies, traps, clues, messenger pigeons, gargoyles, he won’t let her go, “nobody’s going to hurt you anymore”, bleeding in the brain, “stop blaming yourself”, cathedrals, handwriting forgeries, an insane man, mistaken identities, an order of secret knights, hidden treasure, betrayal, “nobody pays attention to the servants”, poisonings!
Hundred percent recommend
Hundred percent recommend
November 3, 2017
This was another good read in the series. Normally I don't like historical fiction books but I've been enjoying this series. I love the puzzle solving aspects of the series. It just makes them so much more interesting.
September 8, 2017
About two years ago, I tried a new series called The Blackthorn Key and it has become one of my favourite MG series. I shared it with students and they also loved it, it was voted the Book of the Year in my district. The second book was also excellent and the third does not disappoint.
The Assassin's Curse has all of the elements that has made this series successful. Great characters, mysteries and codes that have you thinking along with the characters and terrific action scenes. The mix of history, science and math is rare and engaging for this age level. I think what I enjoy most is the relationship between Tom and Christopher, the wit in their exchanges and the loyalty and trust between them adds levity to some serious situations that they face.
This particular tale in the Blackthorn Adventures features the characters travelling more than in the past and I think they might face their toughest, most dangerous adversary yet. Fans of this series will love this book and I don't really want to spoil anything but this might be my favourite ending of this series.
The Assassin's Curse has all of the elements that has made this series successful. Great characters, mysteries and codes that have you thinking along with the characters and terrific action scenes. The mix of history, science and math is rare and engaging for this age level. I think what I enjoy most is the relationship between Tom and Christopher, the wit in their exchanges and the loyalty and trust between them adds levity to some serious situations that they face.
This particular tale in the Blackthorn Adventures features the characters travelling more than in the past and I think they might face their toughest, most dangerous adversary yet. Fans of this series will love this book and I don't really want to spoil anything but this might be my favourite ending of this series.
November 12, 2017
This is really a 3.5 rating.
As always the mystery was exciting and the banter between friends was funny. I just felt that the story kind of dragged. It wasn't until the last 100 pages that if turned into the page turner that the first two books in the series were so great for.
The end of the book has set up my excitement for the next instalment.
As always the mystery was exciting and the banter between friends was funny. I just felt that the story kind of dragged. It wasn't until the last 100 pages that if turned into the page turner that the first two books in the series were so great for.
The end of the book has set up my excitement for the next instalment.
October 16, 2017
I love the puzzles and twists in this series, but the lack of fully developed female characters is really getting to me.
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September 26, 2018I like the new setting in this book. Now, Christopher and his friends aren't quite as comfortable where they are, and they have to explore and get comfortable with a new setting and a completely new job. Again, I like how Tom knows Christopher so well that Christopher doesn't need to even say anything before Tom knows it's a bad idea. I don't really remember whether that was there in the first book or not, but I feel like it's getting more prominent, like Tom and Christopher are becoming even closer friends. I like that, that everything they go through brings them closer as friends.
The plot is just as interesting and twisting as in the other books, and it doesn't repeat. I still love Christopher's talents as an apothecary. Tom and Sally aren't "overshadowed" by him and they both have skills that he doesn't have.
The pages really flew with this. As always, it was super exciting and surprising.
*kind-of-spoiler*
I liked the kings and the interaction with them, so I was a little bummed when they didn't come into the plot very much at all. Maybe next book?
The plot is just as interesting and twisting as in the other books, and it doesn't repeat. I still love Christopher's talents as an apothecary. Tom and Sally aren't "overshadowed" by him and they both have skills that he doesn't have.
The pages really flew with this. As always, it was super exciting and surprising.
*kind-of-spoiler*
I liked the kings and the interaction with them, so I was a little bummed when they didn't come into the plot very much at all. Maybe next book?
December 18, 2023
This is a great entry into the Blackthorn Key series. It continues the mystery aspect that was so great in the previous entries. It takes a very distinct shift into the spy thriller genre. The spy thriller aspects fit incredibly well with the series. Christopher and Tom both seem to have a distinct growth in the story which elevates them into more interesting characters. For spoiler reasons, I will refrain from saying what those growths are. Both of them have also been given additional tools for their bags of tricks. In gaining those tools the pair are forced to prove their capability in the various challenges they come face to face with. With the expansion of the scope of the series, the characters feel like they have been almost refreshed. With that refresh, there is a slight departure from the Christopher that we know from the first two books. Overall this is a stellar book for someone who is familiar with the Blackthorn series.
June 25, 2020
I just read another book called “The Assassin’s Curse” and I can definitely say this one was the better of the two.
Not only that, but this book is for sure the best in the series so far, improving on what was already great. More codes, more danger, more funny banter. Plus we get to see 1660s Paris!
It was also cool to see more of Sally, like her family and even just her having more involvement in the story. It felt like a very natural progression from book 2.
And MAN I do not know exactly when or how but this one got DARK…
I mean, that ending, for example…
Even the antagonists this time around were on a different level so it definitely seems like the series is developing a more mature tone :0
Not only that, but this book is for sure the best in the series so far, improving on what was already great. More codes, more danger, more funny banter. Plus we get to see 1660s Paris!
It was also cool to see more of Sally, like her family and even just her having more involvement in the story. It felt like a very natural progression from book 2.
And MAN I do not know exactly when or how but this one got DARK…
I mean, that ending, for example…
Even the antagonists this time around were on a different level so it definitely seems like the series is developing a more mature tone :0
December 5, 2018
Enjoyed the plot of finding out who might want to assassinate the royal family. It morphed into a treasure hunt. Though their became to open at times about who they were which threatened their very identitites and life. It did set up an overarching villain whom seems to be very cruel and calculating. I tend to think he might be the apprentice Blackthorn never mentions.
June 20, 2022
Throw in assassination attempts, knights of the Templars, and the old streets of Paris and you have me hooked!
A little grimmer perhaps, and definitely more intense. Still a clean, enjoyable read and I love the dynamic between Christopher, Tom and Sally with my whole heart! The best trio since Lucy, Ed and Eustace1
A little grimmer perhaps, and definitely more intense. Still a clean, enjoyable read and I love the dynamic between Christopher, Tom and Sally with my whole heart! The best trio since Lucy, Ed and Eustace1
August 10, 2018
- third novel in the series
- takes place in the mid 1600s in Paris
- a fun, action-packed mystery involving codes and ciphers
- like a children's version of the DaVinci Code
- reading level: gr. 6
- interest level: gr. 5-8
- takes place in the mid 1600s in Paris
- a fun, action-packed mystery involving codes and ciphers
- like a children's version of the DaVinci Code
- reading level: gr. 6
- interest level: gr. 5-8
January 20, 2019
In between reading the books of this series, I forget how much I like it. Then I’ll pick up the next one and get immersed in seconds and I think-oh, yeah-I remember now-I love these books. Although I have to admit there was a twist at the end of this one that I really could have done without. I understand why it was put in-a bit of foreshadowing future adventures but it just stresses me out. I like these characters and I don’t want anything to happen to them so stop trying to kill them off!!
December 5, 2017
Another great addition to the Blackthorn Key series. If you love mystery, adventure, and learning historical facts along the way, then definitely check out this series. Full review coming soon.
June 21, 2018
Action-packed with plenty of the twists and turns we expect of this series. There’s also the promise of something sinister in the future. :)
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