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Dawn of Assassins #1
Dawn of Assassins
Two friends. A master assassin. One deadly choice.
Fedor and Lev are thieves...not killers.
They lead a desperate life in the tunnels of Nordturm, conning and stealing to buy their next meal.
But when an assassin recruits them against their will, they are forced into a life they do not want and cannot escape.
If they leave, they will die. But if they stay, they must kill.
Can they survive the master’s relentless evaluation?
Is loyalty stronger than the will to live?
Will their friendship last the ordeal?
Fedor and Lev are thieves...not killers.
They lead a desperate life in the tunnels of Nordturm, conning and stealing to buy their next meal.
But when an assassin recruits them against their will, they are forced into a life they do not want and cannot escape.
If they leave, they will die. But if they stay, they must kill.
Can they survive the master’s relentless evaluation?
Is loyalty stronger than the will to live?
Will their friendship last the ordeal?
- GenresFantasyEpic Fantasy
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2022
212 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Jon Cronshaw
103 books138 followersJon Cronshaw is a British science fiction and fantasy author based in the north of England, just south of the wall.
As a freelance features writer, he has had work published in local and national newspapers across the UK, including the Yorkshire Post and the Guardian.
He earned his PhD in history of art from the University of Leeds in 2011, focusing on the life and work of Anglo-American sculptor, Jacob Epstein (1880-1959).
He's a voracious reader, guide dog owner, ex-gamer, and wrestling fan.
As a freelance features writer, he has had work published in local and national newspapers across the UK, including the Yorkshire Post and the Guardian.
He earned his PhD in history of art from the University of Leeds in 2011, focusing on the life and work of Anglo-American sculptor, Jacob Epstein (1880-1959).
He's a voracious reader, guide dog owner, ex-gamer, and wrestling fan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 9, 2023
To kill or be killed
A master assassin is taking on an apprentice. Selecting two leading a life of thievery. Killing is something they want no part of. Unfortunately to refuse is to die.
Gr8 dialogue, action & suspense. One hell of a predicament for these fun characters. Terrific!
A master assassin is taking on an apprentice. Selecting two leading a life of thievery. Killing is something they want no part of. Unfortunately to refuse is to die.
Gr8 dialogue, action & suspense. One hell of a predicament for these fun characters. Terrific!
January 18, 2022
This is a great start into this new series. The world building is simply incredible and so beautiful and you find yourself drawn into it. The storyline is well paced, intense and full of drama, suspense, action and adventure and the characters are just great. The banter is great and very relatable and I just loved their interactions. Excitement, danger there’s so much going on and I cannot wait to read more!
May 7, 2022
Fedor and Lev are lured into the home of master assassin Sodor and must train in his deadly craft or die. I liked that the book still focused on their friends in the gang, and the ramifications of the boys disappearance. This is an enjoyable read.
October 31, 2023
The start of this book was very tense, reminiscent of the Hunter by Andy Peloquin. Two friends, who are thieves, find themselves in a tenuous situation, retained by an assassin who gives them a choice, learn to be assassins or die. I liked the banter between the two of them as they try desperately to escape from the clutches of the assassin. The pace slacked off a bit about a third in but picked up again and ended dramatically. Quite unexpected at times, it's a great plot. Loved how the crew rally around to help each other. Melita was a bit of a wuss in the beginning as crew leader, but she finds her mettle and still retains her softer side. Lev, Fedor and what's left of the crew, are going to take us to an even bigger adventure and I'm looking forward to it
January 21, 2023
The characters are credible and stay true from the prior book (Birth of Assassins). The author addresses greed, right & wrong, hypocrisy, and loyalty. I definitely want to continue reading the series to see where they end up.
** Edit - reading #2 (Trial of Thieves)
** Edit - reading #2 (Trial of Thieves)
October 7, 2022
Having read the prequels The Little Thief and Birth of Assassins, it is a natural progression to Dawn of Assassins, the first book in the series by author Jon Cronshaw.
The prequels sketch rather graphically life in Nordturm and the meeting of Lev and Fedor. Both who would become friends and both living in the tunnels as part of a thievery group of individuals. Both would later swore to have each other's backs. As does Melida for reasons that will become clear soon enough.
Not an idyllic situation to be involved in. But it worked for them.
Till the day Soren, the Assassin, had them led into a rather interesting trap involving a wyvern.
Yes, wyverns are real. And sentient.
Suddenly life changed for Fedor and Lev, mostly for the worse.
Dawn of Assassins details this rather graphically in a series of events that shook these boys to the core..The characters of Lev and Fedor are well defined and I often found myself wanting to shake some sense into one or the other of these two boys.
Yet, one has to also admire their basic reliance on each other and resolution as to the fact that they are thieves, not killers.
So, will Soren eventually succeed in turning them into killers? Into assassins?
It is rather difficult to put this immersive book down in pursuit of such an answer. Pursuit or persuation? You have been warned.
Enjoy
The prequels sketch rather graphically life in Nordturm and the meeting of Lev and Fedor. Both who would become friends and both living in the tunnels as part of a thievery group of individuals. Both would later swore to have each other's backs. As does Melida for reasons that will become clear soon enough.
Not an idyllic situation to be involved in. But it worked for them.
Till the day Soren, the Assassin, had them led into a rather interesting trap involving a wyvern.
Yes, wyverns are real. And sentient.
Suddenly life changed for Fedor and Lev, mostly for the worse.
Dawn of Assassins details this rather graphically in a series of events that shook these boys to the core..The characters of Lev and Fedor are well defined and I often found myself wanting to shake some sense into one or the other of these two boys.
Yet, one has to also admire their basic reliance on each other and resolution as to the fact that they are thieves, not killers.
So, will Soren eventually succeed in turning them into killers? Into assassins?
It is rather difficult to put this immersive book down in pursuit of such an answer. Pursuit or persuation? You have been warned.
Enjoy
August 13, 2025
Rebellious band of thieves stick up for their own - a dark epic adventure
This was not quite my cuppa (read it for a summer reading challenge), but I reckon lovers of dark epick sword and sorcery might like this.
Melita is running a crew of thieves when two of her band are picked off by an assassin looking for apprentices. Things get hair on all fronts and then they’re back, bringing more problems with them.
Things I liked:
- Melita was a fierce character, ready to anything for her own, she held the crew, and quite frankly, the book together;
- loved the pesky wyvern;
- loved the camaraderie of the band of thieves - dark and as far from Robin Hood as you can get, but the banter was good, despite the frequent fecal references;
- the blades used for portal-hopping and going through walls were cool;
- the medieval feel of the world;
- the rebellion and surprise twist in the end.
What I didn’t enjoy:
- the long setup and the 30+ pages at the end showcasing the next book - bit bulky, this;
- too epic and not enough action-adventure for my taste (lots of peeps dying).
Recommended for lovers of dark epic fantasy about a medieval-magical underworld or lovers of sword and sorcery more on the masculine side (more male characters than female).
This was not quite my cuppa (read it for a summer reading challenge), but I reckon lovers of dark epick sword and sorcery might like this.
Melita is running a crew of thieves when two of her band are picked off by an assassin looking for apprentices. Things get hair on all fronts and then they’re back, bringing more problems with them.
Things I liked:
- Melita was a fierce character, ready to anything for her own, she held the crew, and quite frankly, the book together;
- loved the pesky wyvern;
- loved the camaraderie of the band of thieves - dark and as far from Robin Hood as you can get, but the banter was good, despite the frequent fecal references;
- the blades used for portal-hopping and going through walls were cool;
- the medieval feel of the world;
- the rebellion and surprise twist in the end.
What I didn’t enjoy:
- the long setup and the 30+ pages at the end showcasing the next book - bit bulky, this;
- too epic and not enough action-adventure for my taste (lots of peeps dying).
Recommended for lovers of dark epic fantasy about a medieval-magical underworld or lovers of sword and sorcery more on the masculine side (more male characters than female).
July 3, 2023
Excellent story and well written characters.
We follow friends Fedor and Lev, who are thieves, as they are taken in by an assassin to become assassins themselves. The problem is they don't want to kill.
Lots of twists and turns throughout the book keep the story fresh and the readers on their toes. We also meet the rest of the thieves crew and I have to say, I really liked reading about them as they are not simple side characters as usual in books like this, but had certain depth as well.
The banter between the characters had me laughing out loud a few times as well. I only wished that Lev would use the word "mate" less...I sometimes wanted to jump into the book and just slap him for using it again.
I also really liked the use of German words for some of the city and wyvern names (German is my mother tongue).
Definitely worth checking out if you like fantasy stories about assassins but want some new ideas and good humor.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
We follow friends Fedor and Lev, who are thieves, as they are taken in by an assassin to become assassins themselves. The problem is they don't want to kill.
Lots of twists and turns throughout the book keep the story fresh and the readers on their toes. We also meet the rest of the thieves crew and I have to say, I really liked reading about them as they are not simple side characters as usual in books like this, but had certain depth as well.
The banter between the characters had me laughing out loud a few times as well. I only wished that Lev would use the word "mate" less...I sometimes wanted to jump into the book and just slap him for using it again.
I also really liked the use of German words for some of the city and wyvern names (German is my mother tongue).
Definitely worth checking out if you like fantasy stories about assassins but want some new ideas and good humor.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 14, 2022
My thanks to the Author for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This is the first book I have read by this Author but it certainly won't be the last, and I look forward to the continuation of this good start in this series. Completely engaging and entertaining from first to last page, Well written with excellent characterisation, atmospheric clever and descriptive. Several reviewers have suggested a Charles Dickens Oliver Twist feel to the story, and while I agree there is in some ways an Artful Dodger Fagin and Oliver feel to the main trio of characters, we are definitely not in Dickensian London. As someone who turned sixty five reading this book, I am probably not the Author's target audience, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Completely recommended.
This is the first book I have read by this Author but it certainly won't be the last, and I look forward to the continuation of this good start in this series. Completely engaging and entertaining from first to last page, Well written with excellent characterisation, atmospheric clever and descriptive. Several reviewers have suggested a Charles Dickens Oliver Twist feel to the story, and while I agree there is in some ways an Artful Dodger Fagin and Oliver feel to the main trio of characters, we are definitely not in Dickensian London. As someone who turned sixty five reading this book, I am probably not the Author's target audience, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Completely recommended.
February 24, 2023
Unfortunately, I found this series bitterly disappointing. I read the two prequels, this book (book 1) and then just gave up halfway through book 2.
The concept and outline was very promising but the slow plodding story arc was devastated by the fact that all the main protagonists are spectacularly and annoyingly stupid and do nothing by whine and make foolish and/or bad decisions over and over again.
Not a lot happens after hundreds of pages as they are primarily filled with the characters doing nothing other than pointlessly bickering ad nauseum or whining about their lot in life. The magic in this realm seemed very promising but it is never explained nor explored.
It could have been great - if something actually happened rather than being a teen angst "Days of our Lives" in literature medium...........
The concept and outline was very promising but the slow plodding story arc was devastated by the fact that all the main protagonists are spectacularly and annoyingly stupid and do nothing by whine and make foolish and/or bad decisions over and over again.
Not a lot happens after hundreds of pages as they are primarily filled with the characters doing nothing other than pointlessly bickering ad nauseum or whining about their lot in life. The magic in this realm seemed very promising but it is never explained nor explored.
It could have been great - if something actually happened rather than being a teen angst "Days of our Lives" in literature medium...........
June 30, 2023
I will say this book did keep my interest but it seemed to lack something. The can’t quite put my finger in it. I love the video game series Assassin’s Creed and I guess I was expecting this book to be similar to the games. Being book #1 in the series I knew there would be some slow moments while the author fleshed out the characters, but the fight/action scenes were few & far between. I felt like the training sessions were lacking also. It was a good book but I’m still on the fence if I want to read more books in this series. I may give the next book a try since they are free through Kindle Unlimited.
January 18, 2022
Dawn of Assassins - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Young Fedor, the orphaned shoeshine boy gets a salutary lesson in integrity from a well-shod customer.
He stuns Lev, a shady but friendly bystander, who saw what happened and offers to take Fedor under his wing - and away from the priests, whom he insists are perverts.
A retelling of Oliver Twist would aptly describe this excellent and engaging Dawn of Assassins series opener with the same name, by the versatile Jon Cronshaw, author of the fascinating Wasteland saga.
In fact my only tiny little peeve is that we have to wait over a year for the next in the series. Luckily there's already a prequel, Birth of Assassins available - get them both, to enjoy a full reading experience you're guaranteed to enjoy!
Young Fedor, the orphaned shoeshine boy gets a salutary lesson in integrity from a well-shod customer.
He stuns Lev, a shady but friendly bystander, who saw what happened and offers to take Fedor under his wing - and away from the priests, whom he insists are perverts.
A retelling of Oliver Twist would aptly describe this excellent and engaging Dawn of Assassins series opener with the same name, by the versatile Jon Cronshaw, author of the fascinating Wasteland saga.
In fact my only tiny little peeve is that we have to wait over a year for the next in the series. Luckily there's already a prequel, Birth of Assassins available - get them both, to enjoy a full reading experience you're guaranteed to enjoy!
October 8, 2022
Excellent dark fantasy!
Dawn of Assassins, book 1, is well-written with an intriguing storyline that kept me guessing for a large portion of the book. Most of the main characters are familiar to me from the two novellas set in the same universe and it was very entertaining to discover the trials they had to endure throughout. The world is well described so the reader can visualize the scenes. I enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to book 2!
Read via Kindle Unlimited
Dawn of Assassins, book 1, is well-written with an intriguing storyline that kept me guessing for a large portion of the book. Most of the main characters are familiar to me from the two novellas set in the same universe and it was very entertaining to discover the trials they had to endure throughout. The world is well described so the reader can visualize the scenes. I enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to book 2!
Read via Kindle Unlimited
October 24, 2022
Fedor and Lev work with crewmates as petty thieves trying to survive. They end up in a precarious situation which they are finding difficult to get out of. Their crewmates rally together to try and help them. An interesting story with good characters, especially Fedor and Lev who bounce of each other and provide plenty of entertainment with their funny quips. A good, enjoyable read. I received a complimentary copy and voluntarily leave an honest review.
December 27, 2022
Entertaining book
Entertaining and enjoyable. I like to read fun books just for entertainment after every few books. The problem with Jon Cronshaw books is that I usually can't just read one, and get stuck reading the entire series before I change what I'm reading. I recommend this as just a fun book to get away from the world for a while. I will probably read it again sometime in the future.
Entertaining and enjoyable. I like to read fun books just for entertainment after every few books. The problem with Jon Cronshaw books is that I usually can't just read one, and get stuck reading the entire series before I change what I'm reading. I recommend this as just a fun book to get away from the world for a while. I will probably read it again sometime in the future.
September 29, 2023
I can't figure out if I liked this book or not. Nothing was really exciting about it. It was mostly about Soren teaching Lev and Fedor to be assassins. The second book is going to be out on audible but I'm not sure if I'll buy it.
And talk about repeating themselves. They used "shit" 177 times in this book and the F-bomb 9 times.
That was too many "shits" for me.
As for the narration: Todd Menesses was pretty good but he could use a little help with the female voices.
And talk about repeating themselves. They used "shit" 177 times in this book and the F-bomb 9 times.
That was too many "shits" for me.
As for the narration: Todd Menesses was pretty good but he could use a little help with the female voices.
April 20, 2022
Completely enjoyed this tale about a thief and his early story of how he gets taken care off by those around him- think Oliver Twist...but updated language and skillful world building. You get a real feel for the cast of characters and the trouble they get into, and out of. Plenty to enjoy here if you like your fantasy mixed with action and adventure. i eagerly await the next installment!
February 27, 2023
An awesome story
I loved the whole plot and all the characters. Even some of the bad ones. They are all fully developed. There is a lot of action. The whole book kept me wanting more. I had a hard time putting it down. But I loved this story and I am ready to read the next one in the series.
I loved the whole plot and all the characters. Even some of the bad ones. They are all fully developed. There is a lot of action. The whole book kept me wanting more. I had a hard time putting it down. But I loved this story and I am ready to read the next one in the series.
March 4, 2023
Lost its momentum part way
Fits and starts... characters are indecisively written... Fedor is good and honest... but then he's not... he's not a thief until he is... he's not a killer... but then he is... seems odd they're the only gang free from Mad Pat... it drags with dilemmas
Fits and starts... characters are indecisively written... Fedor is good and honest... but then he's not... he's not a thief until he is... he's not a killer... but then he is... seems odd they're the only gang free from Mad Pat... it drags with dilemmas
April 20, 2023
Epic story with epic characters that keep you coming back for more. Fedor and Lev are a tragic characters who are thrust into a world they never wanted and they have to fight for their lives and freedom. It’s a wild ride that definitely keeps you on your toes through all the twists and turns you experience. It’s definitely a ride you dont want to miss.
January 20, 2025
Not what I was expecting after reading the summary and seeing the cover art. An assassin traps two street thieves and evaluates them for apprenticeship. The assassin has watched them for years and gave their street gang protection unbeknownst to them. While the two are with the assassin, their street gang starts getting harassed since their protection is gone.
January 15, 2022
Excellent new series from Jon Cronshaw.
I’ve read all the episodes of Mr. Cronshaw’s Ravenglass Chronicles series and being able to follow a new series in that same world, albeit a bit later in time, I knew I had to read Dawn of Assassins. This first book in the Dawn of Assassins series took me by complete surprise not just by how much I enjoyed getting to know the characters and refamiliarize myself with Jon’s worldbuilding, but the length of this book. Unlike the previous Ravengalss Chronicles series where each installment was a novella, Dawn of Assassins is a full-length novel which allowed the story to fully develop as well as create a deep foundation for the future stories to build upon. I received an advance reader copy from the author through StoryOrigins and chose to provide this review.
I’ve read all the episodes of Mr. Cronshaw’s Ravenglass Chronicles series and being able to follow a new series in that same world, albeit a bit later in time, I knew I had to read Dawn of Assassins. This first book in the Dawn of Assassins series took me by complete surprise not just by how much I enjoyed getting to know the characters and refamiliarize myself with Jon’s worldbuilding, but the length of this book. Unlike the previous Ravengalss Chronicles series where each installment was a novella, Dawn of Assassins is a full-length novel which allowed the story to fully develop as well as create a deep foundation for the future stories to build upon. I received an advance reader copy from the author through StoryOrigins and chose to provide this review.
February 9, 2022
Very Good Start
This is a very good start to the series. The main character is younger than what's on the cover. There is action and much struggle and turmoil. I have already placed my pre-order for the next book.
This is a very good start to the series. The main character is younger than what's on the cover. There is action and much struggle and turmoil. I have already placed my pre-order for the next book.
October 18, 2022
Excellent
Thank you for this book, I enjoyed reading more about the magic of Ravenglass with a new story.. I really liked the characters i was fascinated by the dilemma at the end... Looking forward to reading more about the crew
Thank you for this book, I enjoyed reading more about the magic of Ravenglass with a new story.. I really liked the characters i was fascinated by the dilemma at the end... Looking forward to reading more about the crew
October 26, 2022
Fun Read!
Time reading this book seemed to fly by. With the events of this first book ending, I’m very interested to see what the gang does next and what twists and turns are waiting.
Time reading this book seemed to fly by. With the events of this first book ending, I’m very interested to see what the gang does next and what twists and turns are waiting.
June 27, 2023
Dawn of Assassin's by Jon cronshae.
Is a very intense book, the drama,the level of suspense and action is something out of this world. The surviving that Fedor and lev pass to be able to survive is amazing 😍
Is a very intense book, the drama,the level of suspense and action is something out of this world. The surviving that Fedor and lev pass to be able to survive is amazing 😍
June 10, 2024
Another great read by Jon Cronshaw. Even more character growth growth. The world building is astonishing. So many twists and turns you don't know where the story will end up. Again, I definitely recommend this book. And I am am looking forward to the next book.
March 27, 2025
Interesting read. Fedor and Lev had lots of challenges, but they stuck together till the end even though it got a little intense. The things Sorens put them through was really tough and scary at times. Even at the end the group stayed together and had each other's back.
January 18, 2022
Same thing as Birth of Assassins!
Am upset that I paid 2x for the same book with different names. I think it is a good book for the first time through but not both of them.
Am upset that I paid 2x for the same book with different names. I think it is a good book for the first time through but not both of them.
January 25, 2022
This is definitely a fantastic beginning to a new series. Plenty of action, suspense and more to keep you intrigued. Perfectly written to make you feel a part of the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews