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Mistress of Death
He’ll let the city burn to keep her safe. Gabriel Mercer knows everything can be had for the right price. Raised in the shadow of the most famous assassin the city has ever known, she wants nothing more than to make a name for herself. Taking a solo contract from an up and coming politician seems like the easiest way to make it happen. But the contract comes with strings and soon Gabriel finds herself tangled in a web she won't be able to escape on her own. Matthew Smith, a police officer rising in the ranks with a spotless record, discovers Gabriel at her lowest point; wounded and stranded on the wrong side of the river. He's drawn to her, unable to get past the uneasy feeling of familiarity, and saves her life against his better judgment. As the web tightens Gabriel turns to Matthew for help. Their simple bargain, a life for a life, becomes harder to keep as their attraction grows. Soon Matthew realizes he won't be able to uphold his end of the deal. He isn't going to be able to let her go. When the city begins to burn Gabriel will have to decide if she'll risk everything she's gained for a chance at revenge. Even if it means her future going up in smoke. Love. Death. Revenge. You can’t have it all. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers romance with a hint of Romeo and Juliet, Mistress of Death might be your next favorite book!
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2020
10 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Trattner
14 books194 followersKathryn Trattner is an award-winning author who has loved fairy tales, folk stories, and mythology all her life. Her hands-down favorites have always been East of the Sun, West of the Moon and the myth of Persephone and Hades. When not writing or reading, she's traveling as much as possible and taking thousands of photos that probably won't get edited later. She lives in Oklahoma with her wonderful husband, two very busy children, one of the friendliest dogs ever, and three cats who think they’re in charge.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 4, 2022
I received a published copy of this book via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
Mistress of Death follows the assassin Gabriel who botches her first kill and is tracked by the police officer Matthew as they discover plots upon plots to take control of the city. The steampunk setting mixed with electoral politics and glamorous balls created an atmosphere that the reader could almost touch. The writing was eloquent and descriptive, and the plot flew by. My problem was this book arose from the characters, who lacked emotional growth and any real development. Since that was really the only problem with Mistress of Death, I still elected to give it three stars because it was fun to read.
Gabriel and Matthew would have been somewhat interesting characters on their own, but when placed in a relationship that was supposed to be romantic, they didn’t work. Additionally, Gabriel needed to be rescued an absurd amount of time for a woman who supposedly spent her days as a trained assassin for hire. Any moral complexity Matthew could have had was ignored in favor of the plot, so his character was bland, even though it served as an interesting plot device. If anything, the side characters were more interesting than the lead protagonists. The villain especially was a great character, combining obsession and control to form a truly horrifying persona.
The setting and writing of Mistress of Death are what saved it. The city split by a river with two warring sides is not a new concept, but the delivery here was excellent. The contrast between the Left and Right Banks was shown instead of told, and the characters who appeared for little more than a chapter felt human. The writing was whimsical, crafting gorgeous imagery that utilized all five senses in order to captivate the reader. The plot was handled with the same amount of skill given to the setting and had an engaging pace. Outside of the mediocre characters, Mistress of Death was a fun and entertaining read that I would recommend for steampunk and suto-historical fantasy lovers.
Mistress of Death follows the assassin Gabriel who botches her first kill and is tracked by the police officer Matthew as they discover plots upon plots to take control of the city. The steampunk setting mixed with electoral politics and glamorous balls created an atmosphere that the reader could almost touch. The writing was eloquent and descriptive, and the plot flew by. My problem was this book arose from the characters, who lacked emotional growth and any real development. Since that was really the only problem with Mistress of Death, I still elected to give it three stars because it was fun to read.
Gabriel and Matthew would have been somewhat interesting characters on their own, but when placed in a relationship that was supposed to be romantic, they didn’t work. Additionally, Gabriel needed to be rescued an absurd amount of time for a woman who supposedly spent her days as a trained assassin for hire. Any moral complexity Matthew could have had was ignored in favor of the plot, so his character was bland, even though it served as an interesting plot device. If anything, the side characters were more interesting than the lead protagonists. The villain especially was a great character, combining obsession and control to form a truly horrifying persona.
The setting and writing of Mistress of Death are what saved it. The city split by a river with two warring sides is not a new concept, but the delivery here was excellent. The contrast between the Left and Right Banks was shown instead of told, and the characters who appeared for little more than a chapter felt human. The writing was whimsical, crafting gorgeous imagery that utilized all five senses in order to captivate the reader. The plot was handled with the same amount of skill given to the setting and had an engaging pace. Outside of the mediocre characters, Mistress of Death was a fun and entertaining read that I would recommend for steampunk and suto-historical fantasy lovers.
July 24, 2023
How is this character that is an assassin .. humanized? I swear this author is magical with her writing!
June 25, 2020
Trattner is my favorite author. Hands down. Her writing is intense, emotional, lyrical, and just fantastic. She knows how fo make you FEEL. And honestly she keeps me up late reading. I highly recommend this book. And ALL of her books.
September 27, 2020
This book was delightful. The only thing I could want out of it was more of it, even though I adore the ending.
May 23, 2022
~~~~ 2.5 Stars ~~~~
First impression: this book was a sloooooow slog... a honey in the Arctic type read. YET, take into consideration, if you will, how much of a sucker I am for any and all (well done) Steampunk backdrops and you'll see why I have given this book the amount stars that I have. It is precisely here that Mistress Of Death excelled.
NOW, second impression: taking into consideration that the landscape of two divided yet interconnected societies is not new literary territory, in this book however, it was depicted vividly and showed staying power... it stuck in the old noggin for days after SO definite points for that aspect BUT unfortunately the points awarded trickles down from there.
I wanted to love this book. I wanted to devour it and cherish it and by the synopsis given I was surely headed there BUT the pacing was terrible, the "attraction" between our two MCs was stilted, awkward and bland to the point of non-existence and our main girl Gabriel, for a bad mamajama assassin, spent too much page real-estate being rescued. The villain was dark and twisted (which worked well) but I didn't feel ANYTHING for our two main characters... a literary travesty (imo). It is almost paramount that I connect and care for at least one of a book's main characters so to have a story with zero relatedness at all is tragic and a detriment to my enjoyment. A fatal TKO.
Overall:
I liked the Steampunk setting and I normally eat up a good, politically cut throat, muddled read with dastardly evil machinations and devious villians but this here... it was not a good example of that. In fact, this here was a rather watered down attempt at dirty politics. Although the villian was twisted in his own right, the politics were bland.
Also, I do realize that this is an advanced copy but there were SOOOOOO many editing errors... so many that it triggered my grammatical obsessive compulsive disorder to the point of palpitations... needless to say, it could use a HUGE helping of TLC.
This story had so much potential, it really did, and it's a crying shame that it just didn't deliver! If it weren't for the poor pacing, tissue paper thin main characters and their pseudo- romance then this story would be a slam dunk... at least for me. Is that harsh? Probably, but I was super excited to get my hands on this one and it fell way short of expectations. Sadly, I will not be on the lookout for book #2.
~ Sorry
**** I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ***
First impression: this book was a sloooooow slog... a honey in the Arctic type read. YET, take into consideration, if you will, how much of a sucker I am for any and all (well done) Steampunk backdrops and you'll see why I have given this book the amount stars that I have. It is precisely here that Mistress Of Death excelled.
NOW, second impression: taking into consideration that the landscape of two divided yet interconnected societies is not new literary territory, in this book however, it was depicted vividly and showed staying power... it stuck in the old noggin for days after SO definite points for that aspect BUT unfortunately the points awarded trickles down from there.
I wanted to love this book. I wanted to devour it and cherish it and by the synopsis given I was surely headed there BUT the pacing was terrible, the "attraction" between our two MCs was stilted, awkward and bland to the point of non-existence and our main girl Gabriel, for a bad mamajama assassin, spent too much page real-estate being rescued. The villain was dark and twisted (which worked well) but I didn't feel ANYTHING for our two main characters... a literary travesty (imo). It is almost paramount that I connect and care for at least one of a book's main characters so to have a story with zero relatedness at all is tragic and a detriment to my enjoyment. A fatal TKO.
Overall:
I liked the Steampunk setting and I normally eat up a good, politically cut throat, muddled read with dastardly evil machinations and devious villians but this here... it was not a good example of that. In fact, this here was a rather watered down attempt at dirty politics. Although the villian was twisted in his own right, the politics were bland.
Also, I do realize that this is an advanced copy but there were SOOOOOO many editing errors... so many that it triggered my grammatical obsessive compulsive disorder to the point of palpitations... needless to say, it could use a HUGE helping of TLC.
This story had so much potential, it really did, and it's a crying shame that it just didn't deliver! If it weren't for the poor pacing, tissue paper thin main characters and their pseudo- romance then this story would be a slam dunk... at least for me. Is that harsh? Probably, but I was super excited to get my hands on this one and it fell way short of expectations. Sadly, I will not be on the lookout for book #2.
~ Sorry
**** I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ***
June 2, 2022
There are things I absolutely adored about this book and then there were also things that I loathed or left me scratching my head in bewilderment. Resulting in my 3 star review.
Things I loved. If you're a fan of Netflix's 'Arcane, League of Legends' this is the book for you!!!
Telum is a city divided in many ways, geographically, by the River of Doubt bisecting it; divided in class by the Left and Right banks of the River. The Left Bank is the poor side. Rowdy, rough, brothels and bars, the dregs the upstanding Right Bank society despises. It's an election year, a new mayor is to be elected from the elite of either side of the river and the Right's shoe-in candidate has just been assassinated.
There are plenty of steampunk elements. Zeppelin's, steam driven carriages and boats; metallic crows driven by steam and inhabited by demons. The individual elements of the story are exquisitely drawn and detailed. It's just that for me, the main characters of Gabriel and Matthew are flat.
Gabriel is the apprentice of the premier assassin of the Left Bank, Arno Mercer known colloquially as 'Death'. For a woman raised from an infant to be the ultimate assassin, Gabriel gets her butt handed to her several times by people that she should not have been overpowered by. Matthew's fascination with her from just the smallest interaction is unfathomable to me also. There is a definite Romeo and Juliet vibe to the pair. Reading their interactions is like watching a train wreck happening. You dread it but just have to look and see 'exactly' how bad it's gonna turn out to be. I just couldn't get onboard with their portrayals.
On the side of things that I was fascinated by and would have liked to see more of… The aforementioned demon driven mechanical crows and their urchin keepers. The assassin cliques known as The Spiders and what drives them. I adored St. Patrick and Vivian Lee and would like to know more about them. I suspect St. Patrick himself is much more than he lets on. A Doctor, fascinated by bloodshed. A courtesan drawn from the elite of the Right Bank and now the premier harlot of the Left.
All in all there is much to enjoy! unfortunately that didn't include Gabriel and Matthew's plight for this reader.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Things I loved. If you're a fan of Netflix's 'Arcane, League of Legends' this is the book for you!!!
Telum is a city divided in many ways, geographically, by the River of Doubt bisecting it; divided in class by the Left and Right banks of the River. The Left Bank is the poor side. Rowdy, rough, brothels and bars, the dregs the upstanding Right Bank society despises. It's an election year, a new mayor is to be elected from the elite of either side of the river and the Right's shoe-in candidate has just been assassinated.
There are plenty of steampunk elements. Zeppelin's, steam driven carriages and boats; metallic crows driven by steam and inhabited by demons. The individual elements of the story are exquisitely drawn and detailed. It's just that for me, the main characters of Gabriel and Matthew are flat.
Gabriel is the apprentice of the premier assassin of the Left Bank, Arno Mercer known colloquially as 'Death'. For a woman raised from an infant to be the ultimate assassin, Gabriel gets her butt handed to her several times by people that she should not have been overpowered by. Matthew's fascination with her from just the smallest interaction is unfathomable to me also. There is a definite Romeo and Juliet vibe to the pair. Reading their interactions is like watching a train wreck happening. You dread it but just have to look and see 'exactly' how bad it's gonna turn out to be. I just couldn't get onboard with their portrayals.
On the side of things that I was fascinated by and would have liked to see more of… The aforementioned demon driven mechanical crows and their urchin keepers. The assassin cliques known as The Spiders and what drives them. I adored St. Patrick and Vivian Lee and would like to know more about them. I suspect St. Patrick himself is much more than he lets on. A Doctor, fascinated by bloodshed. A courtesan drawn from the elite of the Right Bank and now the premier harlot of the Left.
All in all there is much to enjoy! unfortunately that didn't include Gabriel and Matthew's plight for this reader.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 1, 2020
I wish this book could be required reading. It's that good. It's YA, and dips into several sub-genres. Historical, steampunk, dystopian, fantasy.
The book switches points of view often, flitting in and out of characters who are all unique and immersive - some you'll love and some you'll loathe. Our main characters are Gabriel, a female assassin fond of blades, and Matthew, the cop meant to bring her in. You already know the tension is DELICIOUS (So, so delicious.)
The setting is a gritty city resembling Victorian London, divided in half by a river and pleasures. One side, where she lives, is wanton. The other side, where Matthew lives, is staid.
Everything about this book is magic. It reads like poetry, visceral and memorable. You will experience it more than read it. I so hope there will be more stories in this fantastic world by this incredibly talented author.
The book switches points of view often, flitting in and out of characters who are all unique and immersive - some you'll love and some you'll loathe. Our main characters are Gabriel, a female assassin fond of blades, and Matthew, the cop meant to bring her in. You already know the tension is DELICIOUS (So, so delicious.)
The setting is a gritty city resembling Victorian London, divided in half by a river and pleasures. One side, where she lives, is wanton. The other side, where Matthew lives, is staid.
Everything about this book is magic. It reads like poetry, visceral and memorable. You will experience it more than read it. I so hope there will be more stories in this fantastic world by this incredibly talented author.
June 27, 2020
Mistress of Death follows Gabriel, an up-and-coming-assassin, on a journey of revenge. With its engaging plot and myriad of surprises, this book is truly hard to put down. Trattner has a knack for weaving together beautiful prose, drawing in her reader with each hand-crafted sentence. I will gladly read anything by this author!
Want to read
November 18, 2020ARCs can be requested here: [closed - other review opportunities found here]
December 23, 2022
2.5 stars: I had high hopes going into this book as from the blurb it sounded just the sort of thing I was after: twisty politics, action, adventure, stealthy assassinations, maybe with a splash of doomed romance for good measure. Unfortunately I wasn't quite sure the blurb really gave me the correct expectations. While the prose flowed well and the steampunk setting made you want to delve deep into the gritty and divided society of Telum, the plot, politics and characters didn't quite hit the right notes for me.
We hop between a few POVs in this story. The first is Gabriel, an up-and-coming assassin known as the protege of Death - her master, keeper, teacher and confidante being the former go-to man for any and all high-level killings. Her mission to prove herself is to assassinate a politician standing for election. Things go sideways, leaving her injured and at the mercy of the dark streets until Matthew, a lawman on patrol, takes her to be patched up. His doctor friend, St Patrick, recognizes Gabriel for who she is, and suddenly things get a whole load more complicated. Gabriel's jealous employer wants to own her. Matthew's moral compass screams at him to turn her in. But the two are caught in an awkward gothic dance of fate and desire, and death follows in their wake.
My favorite thing about the book was the word itself. It's a gaslamp confection of smoke and spit, grit and grime tinged with the paranormal. Telum is a city of two halves divided by The River of Doubt, one side being dedicated to overt vices while the other maintains a facade of respectability. We spend most of our time in the darker areas of the city which are far more interesting. Metal crows powered by demons watch over streets rife with sneaky urchins, mute murderers-for-hire, prostitutes and mercenaries who (if you're lucky) have hearts of gold. I wished we could have discovered more about some of these things.
The characters and plot were where things didn't quite work out for me. Gabriel isn't constantly described as the best assassin ever who is beautiful and amazing but she still seemed to me a bit Throne of Glass special snowflake. She does make a few competent kills, but never comes across as the fabled Mistress of Death she aspires to be, getting overpowered or tricked easily into compromising situations requiring rescue. Everybody wants her to the point where I couldn't help but wonder why. Her instant relationship with Matthew didn't quite hit the mark for me either; it was as if they already knew each other and we skipped the chemistry building that a getting to know you/meet cute would have provided. I was mainly interested in the dark doctor St Patrick and his lady (of the night) friend Vivian, both of whom come across as having hidden depths as well as bold personalities. I can't say I understood the villain much, though he too gave off slightly gothic vibes.
The pacing was very slow, and the plot didn't always seem to be advancing. There were times when I wasn't sure what was going on as characters drifted around, and then the ending breezed through events and came to a bit of an abrupt halt. I think I'd expected more of the political angle of the city, but most of it centered on the main characters avoiding romantic thoughts and exploring the city.
Having read some of the author's short stories, I knew they'd deliver on the writing front. It has a dreamlike quality to it, flowing steadily with the occasional foray into tangents and fragmented observations that would usually put me off reading. Not so here; here it's used to show our characters' mental state or the shifting of the sands around them. Frustratingly there are a number of editorial slips (paragraphs left in twice with one sentence changed, typos making one word swap for another similar spelling but different meaning, punctuation oddities), markedly more towards the end, that did put a big dampener on things for me.
Overall, the setting and writing were the things that really stuck out for me. I appreciated that it wasn't all hormonal angst when it came to the romance, and that the world was so dark and magical it drew me in from the start. The writing is full of wonderful imagery and whimsical ways. While the story in the end didn't quite work out for me, I would still recommend it to the right reader.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We hop between a few POVs in this story. The first is Gabriel, an up-and-coming assassin known as the protege of Death - her master, keeper, teacher and confidante being the former go-to man for any and all high-level killings. Her mission to prove herself is to assassinate a politician standing for election. Things go sideways, leaving her injured and at the mercy of the dark streets until Matthew, a lawman on patrol, takes her to be patched up. His doctor friend, St Patrick, recognizes Gabriel for who she is, and suddenly things get a whole load more complicated. Gabriel's jealous employer wants to own her. Matthew's moral compass screams at him to turn her in. But the two are caught in an awkward gothic dance of fate and desire, and death follows in their wake.
My favorite thing about the book was the word itself. It's a gaslamp confection of smoke and spit, grit and grime tinged with the paranormal. Telum is a city of two halves divided by The River of Doubt, one side being dedicated to overt vices while the other maintains a facade of respectability. We spend most of our time in the darker areas of the city which are far more interesting. Metal crows powered by demons watch over streets rife with sneaky urchins, mute murderers-for-hire, prostitutes and mercenaries who (if you're lucky) have hearts of gold. I wished we could have discovered more about some of these things.
The characters and plot were where things didn't quite work out for me. Gabriel isn't constantly described as the best assassin ever who is beautiful and amazing but she still seemed to me a bit Throne of Glass special snowflake. She does make a few competent kills, but never comes across as the fabled Mistress of Death she aspires to be, getting overpowered or tricked easily into compromising situations requiring rescue. Everybody wants her to the point where I couldn't help but wonder why. Her instant relationship with Matthew didn't quite hit the mark for me either; it was as if they already knew each other and we skipped the chemistry building that a getting to know you/meet cute would have provided. I was mainly interested in the dark doctor St Patrick and his lady (of the night) friend Vivian, both of whom come across as having hidden depths as well as bold personalities. I can't say I understood the villain much, though he too gave off slightly gothic vibes.
The pacing was very slow, and the plot didn't always seem to be advancing. There were times when I wasn't sure what was going on as characters drifted around, and then the ending breezed through events and came to a bit of an abrupt halt. I think I'd expected more of the political angle of the city, but most of it centered on the main characters avoiding romantic thoughts and exploring the city.
Having read some of the author's short stories, I knew they'd deliver on the writing front. It has a dreamlike quality to it, flowing steadily with the occasional foray into tangents and fragmented observations that would usually put me off reading. Not so here; here it's used to show our characters' mental state or the shifting of the sands around them. Frustratingly there are a number of editorial slips (paragraphs left in twice with one sentence changed, typos making one word swap for another similar spelling but different meaning, punctuation oddities), markedly more towards the end, that did put a big dampener on things for me.
Overall, the setting and writing were the things that really stuck out for me. I appreciated that it wasn't all hormonal angst when it came to the romance, and that the world was so dark and magical it drew me in from the start. The writing is full of wonderful imagery and whimsical ways. While the story in the end didn't quite work out for me, I would still recommend it to the right reader.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 20, 2022
Plot:
Gabriel is an assassin, and apprentice of the most well renowned assassin, Arno Mercer (aka Death). When her first solo assassination goes wrong, she encounters a police officer, Matthew, who is intrigued by her and helps her despite his logic telling him otherwise.
Review:
This book was really enjoyable. It was steampunk vibes with an unapologetically badass female MC. Gabriel really made this book pleasant, and the worldbuilding of society was pretty well-developed. There was politics and betrayal and a lot of growth for our main character. The story is medium-paced (though I did find some parts of the book got a lot slower) but it starts and ends with a good amount of action.
High key - this is a Vivian stan-account, she was my favourite character by a mile.
I will say the main reasons I didn't give this a 5 star review are:
- I am not a fan of and this trope is prominent in this book in my opinion
- I didn't quite feel like I understood the main couple's romance and motivations ... I didn't mind it, but I didn't feel like I fully understood them, or that they had the depth I wanted them to have.
- There were a very small number of typos which should have been caught in a proofread but were not [I want to note that this book was indie published and that may explain it - none of the typos impacted my reading experience honestly]
Overall this was a good experience and I'm glad it ended the way it did, despite the fact that isn't where I thought it would go - I thought this would be the start of a series but the way it ended, I think it is a stand-alone with a definitive ending.
I received an advance review copy via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily.
Gabriel is an assassin, and apprentice of the most well renowned assassin, Arno Mercer (aka Death). When her first solo assassination goes wrong, she encounters a police officer, Matthew, who is intrigued by her and helps her despite his logic telling him otherwise.
Review:
This book was really enjoyable. It was steampunk vibes with an unapologetically badass female MC. Gabriel really made this book pleasant, and the worldbuilding of society was pretty well-developed. There was politics and betrayal and a lot of growth for our main character. The story is medium-paced (though I did find some parts of the book got a lot slower) but it starts and ends with a good amount of action.
High key - this is a Vivian stan-account, she was my favourite character by a mile.
I will say the main reasons I didn't give this a 5 star review are:
- I am not a fan of and this trope is prominent in this book in my opinion
- I didn't quite feel like I understood the main couple's romance and motivations ... I didn't mind it, but I didn't feel like I fully understood them, or that they had the depth I wanted them to have.
- There were a very small number of typos which should have been caught in a proofread but were not [I want to note that this book was indie published and that may explain it - none of the typos impacted my reading experience honestly]
Overall this was a good experience and I'm glad it ended the way it did, despite the fact that isn't where I thought it would go - I thought this would be the start of a series but the way it ended, I think it is a stand-alone with a definitive ending.
I received an advance review copy via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily.
October 15, 2020
Packed with emotion, this assassin is deadly, ruthless, and impossible not to love.
Gabriel is on the verge of becoming one of the most revered and feared people on the left bank, but when her first solo assassination stumbles, her whole life is about to take a turn. As Death's apprentice, she is more than feared but there are a few men who dare to want to possess her. She underestimates one of these, a mistake that could be the last one she ever makes.
I've enjoyed the books I've read from this author, and this one didn't disappoint. From the very first page, it's hard not to like Gabe and sympathize with her...and that while she ruthlessly kills. Her actions are horrid, and yet, the author makes her impossible not to side with and like. But this isn't really an emotional novel. It is action packed, cold-hearted, stuffed with intrigue, and cruel. Gabe's world is ruthless, and that is brought across with a bloody beauty, which is hard not to get lost in.
While this is a fast-paced read and there's never a boring moment, it isn't really only action, either. There's a lot of internal battles going on, romantic moments...well, ones which fit the tone, anyway...and mysteries to solve. Gabe is caught up in a dangerous game, which she only realizes after she's sunk too far to get out. While there are fight scenes and very tense moments, the author takes the time to let the reader accompany Gabe as she works through it. And there are some dark shadows, inside and out, to venture past.
I love how this one leaves off, too. It ties up all loose knots, but yet, leaves the future open. Just like life.
Gabriel is on the verge of becoming one of the most revered and feared people on the left bank, but when her first solo assassination stumbles, her whole life is about to take a turn. As Death's apprentice, she is more than feared but there are a few men who dare to want to possess her. She underestimates one of these, a mistake that could be the last one she ever makes.
I've enjoyed the books I've read from this author, and this one didn't disappoint. From the very first page, it's hard not to like Gabe and sympathize with her...and that while she ruthlessly kills. Her actions are horrid, and yet, the author makes her impossible not to side with and like. But this isn't really an emotional novel. It is action packed, cold-hearted, stuffed with intrigue, and cruel. Gabe's world is ruthless, and that is brought across with a bloody beauty, which is hard not to get lost in.
While this is a fast-paced read and there's never a boring moment, it isn't really only action, either. There's a lot of internal battles going on, romantic moments...well, ones which fit the tone, anyway...and mysteries to solve. Gabe is caught up in a dangerous game, which she only realizes after she's sunk too far to get out. While there are fight scenes and very tense moments, the author takes the time to let the reader accompany Gabe as she works through it. And there are some dark shadows, inside and out, to venture past.
I love how this one leaves off, too. It ties up all loose knots, but yet, leaves the future open. Just like life.
September 21, 2020
It's not easy to make a career assassin sympathetic and relatable, but that's what this author has done. Main character Gabriel is a pro at her job, but there can be no doubt she is vulnerable and has needs she can't deny. One is her need for Matthew, a police officer she can't get off her mind. Like Gabriel, Matthew experiences feelings he's never felt before and doesn't recognize.
I appreciated the storytelling skill and the interesting, evocative turns of phrase. Both gave me the feeling I was in the hands of an accomplished author who knows her craft. Her settings are vivid and intriguing, and her larger than life characters are believable and fun to care about.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the idea of urban fantasy (with a love story) set in a historical-feeling setting, as I most definitely do!
I appreciated the storytelling skill and the interesting, evocative turns of phrase. Both gave me the feeling I was in the hands of an accomplished author who knows her craft. Her settings are vivid and intriguing, and her larger than life characters are believable and fun to care about.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the idea of urban fantasy (with a love story) set in a historical-feeling setting, as I most definitely do!
December 21, 2020
Gabriel has trained all a long time for an opportunity to prove herself as an assassin, but her first mission goes astray, and she barely makes it. Then she finds herself in a whole new set of trouble. As an apprentice to Death, most fear assassin and a whole lot of men want to possess her.
Matthew is a police officer, who found Gabriel when she was barely conscious. Even though is against everything he believes is, he saves her and just can't let her go.
The writing is very poetic and while I like the storyline very much, I had a hard time connecting to it. It's one of those -it's not you, it's me- things when every book just isn't for everyone.
received from Xpresso Book Tours
Matthew is a police officer, who found Gabriel when she was barely conscious. Even though is against everything he believes is, he saves her and just can't let her go.
The writing is very poetic and while I like the storyline very much, I had a hard time connecting to it. It's one of those -it's not you, it's me- things when every book just isn't for everyone.
received from Xpresso Book Tours
September 25, 2022
I received a ARC free from Book Sirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
Descriptive writing!
Fascinating characters!
Fun!
Entertaining!
Read!
Enjoy!
Descriptive writing!
Fascinating characters!
Fun!
Entertaining!
Read!
Enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews