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Imperial Assassin #1
City of Whispers
A Middle Eastern-inspired assassin fantasy where muskets and magic collide.
Dhani Karim was once the Empire's most feared assassin.
Treacherously framed for a murder she didn't commit, she loses everything and is exiled to a remote desert city. There, she's forced to work with a dangerous spy hiding a deadly secret.
When she discovers a ruthless cult has plans to seize the city, she races against time to stop a conspiracy that will consume thousands of innocents - including the lives of trusted friends.
With enemies everywhere, she'll need all her assassin's skills to stay alive. If she survives, someone is going to pay for starting this bloodshed.
And then there are those who betrayed her...
Set in a Middle Eastern-inspired land where magic and muskets collide, City of Whispers is the thrilling first book in the Imperial Assassin fantasy adventure series. If you like gutsy heroines, high-octane action, and snarky banter, then you’ll love Katt Powers’ gritty tale.
Dhani Karim was once the Empire's most feared assassin.
Treacherously framed for a murder she didn't commit, she loses everything and is exiled to a remote desert city. There, she's forced to work with a dangerous spy hiding a deadly secret.
When she discovers a ruthless cult has plans to seize the city, she races against time to stop a conspiracy that will consume thousands of innocents - including the lives of trusted friends.
With enemies everywhere, she'll need all her assassin's skills to stay alive. If she survives, someone is going to pay for starting this bloodshed.
And then there are those who betrayed her...
Set in a Middle Eastern-inspired land where magic and muskets collide, City of Whispers is the thrilling first book in the Imperial Assassin fantasy adventure series. If you like gutsy heroines, high-octane action, and snarky banter, then you’ll love Katt Powers’ gritty tale.
- GenresFantasy
287 pages, ebook
Published January 31, 2021
83 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 14, 2023
4 stars**I was provided with an reading copy from the author Katt Powers (which was sooo nice and lovely i'm sooo gratelful) for an honest review**★★★★
⋆☾⋆ My review is also posted right here on my blog ⋆☾⋆
⋆☾⋆My instagram review is posted right here⋆☾⋆
☞ Trigger warnings: **contains spoilers*
No emotion. No weakness. No retreat.Dhani Karim was framed. Accused of a heinous crime, she is ousted from her position as an elite imperial assassin, and shunted off to the far reaches of the empire, forced to work with her new cantankerous partner, Captain Parvan Gorshayik. With both of them on their last straw with the Imperium, Dhani undertakes this new position as a lowly field agent for the Secret Service's Internal Affairs, bidding her time, and playing along as she waits for an opportunity to clear her name. A girls gotta do what she's gotta do, and if that means completing a stint as a dutiful pencil pusher, than bring on the pencils that need pushing.
"Nothing she said or did would change a thing. She was a tooth in a tiny cog, an insignificant, nameless component in the great hulking gears comprising of the brass, iron and steel of the Imperium."
It's the first day on the job her first assignment seems simple.
"Find Scythe and bring him in. That's your mission".All she has to do is find this Scythe and to haul his arse into headquarters. The funny thing is, there is no information on who or where he is. Oh, and they only have 3 days. This assignment turns out to be more than simply locating a ghost. It's simply unfortunate that Dhani trips and falls into a deadly conspiracy involving a religious cult. What? Like she is meant to not uncover what the religious cult is up to? Regardless of support from her partner and her boss, Dhani decides the conspiracy is bigger than her, and her goal of getting her old job back.
"You're an assassin. A killer. You don't have feelings. You don't show any emotion at all."Katt Powers draws you into a fast paced immersive desert fantasy where the mystery spans three intense days. The hard magic system is unique, with the main character unable to wield the Flames and having to survive a confrontation without it. Complex political, religious and historical elements enrich the world but the it takes a while to understand the systems and insitutions in place. I find I still need some clarity in the governmental structure, within the city as well as in the empire, and Dhani's position within it all. How high up in the food-chain was she really as an elite imperial assassin, and how low is a Secret Service agent.
Writing colonisation into fiction is not easy. No matter how many examples there are in the real world, colonisation is a complex nuanced issue with a long bloody history. The consequence of colonising different countries and their people means a melding of a range of cultures, beliefs, religions and ethnicities. I found there is very little explored about the colonisation of the different countries and cultures and only touched lightly on the underlying tensions that colonisation wrought. The imperial government felt large and over-imposing, but there was no sense of scale of how large or how in control they truly were. I really needed a chart of the governmental structures, the different cultures, religions and a small detailed history of the Imperial colonisation. A map of the 'world' with particular indications of the colonised areas, including where the imperial stronghold resides was also needed.
I must warn you, as a self-proclaimed romantasy aficionado, there is not a drop of romance in this fantasy. In all honesty, I was a little taken aback that there was no romance subplot. There is, however, a sniff, dare I say a whiff, of perhaps a possible romantic subplot in a future book, but alas, there are no actual romantic elements in City of Whispers. However, I think the mystery was exciting and intense enough to forget there was a lack of romance. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how things were connected and who might be involved in the conspiracy, and a romance would have slowed down the story, changed the dynamics of the partnership and ultimately, made fore a potentially worse story.
City of Whispers is the type of story that may take a while to pull you in, but once you understand the overarching mystery, then you are hooked. It's a desert fantasy that makes you feel like you are roaming the dusty markets, jumping buildings and fighting in alleyways alongside the characters. The history is rich and the characters are believably intense. I am excited for the future adventures of Dhani.
This book makes me want to go play my Assassin's Creed game.
Would I recommend this book?
Yes! I recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery in their fantasy.
Will I re-read this book?
Yes, why not it was fun, enjoyable and a fast read.
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March 31, 2021
Dhani Karim is a trained assassin, her weapons of choice are throwing knives, a metal baton, hair accessories which double as lethal spikes, a bracelet which can be used as a garotte and a set of lock picking tools in her brassiere, but in a land of magic, she is one of the few people who cannot wield it. However, due to an accusation of a murder she didn’t commit, she has now been demoted from Imperial Assassins to a lowly covert operative for a year until a judgement can be made as to whether she can rejoin the ranks and as such has been sent to the smallest town which is at the furthest point possible from the capital city.
Dhani has just arrived in the Imperial Colony of Tizrak Yirda to report to her superior, it is a hot, dry place with insects galore, but the thing she is least happy about is the touchy feely guard who took it upon himself to frisk her at the entrance of the Regional Command building with the excuse that it was to find her weapons, although he did get a cracked rib courtesy of her elbow for the inconvenience. Repeating the Imperial Assassin’s mantra she enters the office and faces the music, amid the veiled and outright insults she is told that she is not wanted and that it is only because it has been ordered that she is allowed to be there, she will also have to work with a partner, who isn’t wanted either and that their assignment is to find an individual of interest. The two of them are handed a file and told they have three days to find this person, but that they don’t need to know why they are looking for them and after they are dismissed, they go to find their office which is tiny and full of dust where her partner asks her why she hasn’t kept to protocol and isn’t impressed with her answers, or her attitude, however, she isn’t impressed with his attitude either, but they come to an understanding and an agreement eventually and come up with a plan of action, but albeit reluctantly.
When they go to the archives to pull the files they need, they find that one of the people who should have a file doesn’t and others who don’t need a file do, but they put it to the back of their minds and decide who they are going to talk to first, but it isn’t as easy and straightforward when the people on the list are less than enthusiastic to talk to them, one of them is even dead, but they are sure that at least one of them is lying about what they know. As they make their way through the other names of the list, they find that they are being tailed and are eventually attacked, but when three others join in, they realise that they are outnumbered, but they prevail and Dhani is dropped off outside her lodgings as her partner goes to find some much needed medical help, she finds that one of the people is wearing a bracelet with a religious symbol on it, which looks familiar. The evening is not over for Dhani though as she finds that her apartment has been ransacked while they were out, she gathers what is left of her belongings and goes to find one of her stashes to replenish them, the next thing she does is to go to another place where she knows she will receive a warm welcome and have a place to stay.
Over breakfast the next morning, she talks to the people she is staying with and finds out some interesting information , but when she goes on the search for her partner, she realises that he is not going to be of any help to her, so she decides to draft a message to send the the General to tell him of the developments in the case. As the days progress and this simple search for a missing person becomes a lot more complicated and every time Dhani thinks she has a handle on things, something else happens, but will she be able to solve the mystery of this person of interest and why it ties into the religious imagery she has seen popping up everywhere before it is too late to do anything about it? This is an adventure with more twists and turns than a maze and is just as entertaining, it is a book which pulls you in and keeps you hooked until the end.
Dhani has just arrived in the Imperial Colony of Tizrak Yirda to report to her superior, it is a hot, dry place with insects galore, but the thing she is least happy about is the touchy feely guard who took it upon himself to frisk her at the entrance of the Regional Command building with the excuse that it was to find her weapons, although he did get a cracked rib courtesy of her elbow for the inconvenience. Repeating the Imperial Assassin’s mantra she enters the office and faces the music, amid the veiled and outright insults she is told that she is not wanted and that it is only because it has been ordered that she is allowed to be there, she will also have to work with a partner, who isn’t wanted either and that their assignment is to find an individual of interest. The two of them are handed a file and told they have three days to find this person, but that they don’t need to know why they are looking for them and after they are dismissed, they go to find their office which is tiny and full of dust where her partner asks her why she hasn’t kept to protocol and isn’t impressed with her answers, or her attitude, however, she isn’t impressed with his attitude either, but they come to an understanding and an agreement eventually and come up with a plan of action, but albeit reluctantly.
When they go to the archives to pull the files they need, they find that one of the people who should have a file doesn’t and others who don’t need a file do, but they put it to the back of their minds and decide who they are going to talk to first, but it isn’t as easy and straightforward when the people on the list are less than enthusiastic to talk to them, one of them is even dead, but they are sure that at least one of them is lying about what they know. As they make their way through the other names of the list, they find that they are being tailed and are eventually attacked, but when three others join in, they realise that they are outnumbered, but they prevail and Dhani is dropped off outside her lodgings as her partner goes to find some much needed medical help, she finds that one of the people is wearing a bracelet with a religious symbol on it, which looks familiar. The evening is not over for Dhani though as she finds that her apartment has been ransacked while they were out, she gathers what is left of her belongings and goes to find one of her stashes to replenish them, the next thing she does is to go to another place where she knows she will receive a warm welcome and have a place to stay.
Over breakfast the next morning, she talks to the people she is staying with and finds out some interesting information , but when she goes on the search for her partner, she realises that he is not going to be of any help to her, so she decides to draft a message to send the the General to tell him of the developments in the case. As the days progress and this simple search for a missing person becomes a lot more complicated and every time Dhani thinks she has a handle on things, something else happens, but will she be able to solve the mystery of this person of interest and why it ties into the religious imagery she has seen popping up everywhere before it is too late to do anything about it? This is an adventure with more twists and turns than a maze and is just as entertaining, it is a book which pulls you in and keeps you hooked until the end.
March 24, 2021
A colourful tale of ancient cities, spice-filled souks and foul-smelling back streets, where you’re never quite sure what’s around the next corner, or lurking in the gloom of a side alley.
Katt Powers sets an intoxicating scene, weaving together a rich tapestry of characters, landscapes and intrigue that will keep you turning pages late into the night.
In a city where everyone has a secret, an attitude and a price, Dhani’s just treading water to prove her loyalty, so she can return to her role as a high-ranking elite assassin in the Ta’Hafiq, and identify the traitor responsible for the death of the man she loved, and her exile.
1001 Nights meets Nevernight in this fast-paced, exotic whodunnit, which is packed full of metaphor and analogies, making for a very descriptive read. It’s certainly action-packed, and the only thing that stopped it being a five-star read for me was that I found the number of characters and the underlying plot a little confusing and difficult to follow at times.
I really enjoyed Katt’s humour which made itself felt in the witty analogies peppered throughout the story.
A solid four stars from me.
I read an ARC of this novel, so there were a few typos that no doubt have been sorted out in the final round of editing.
Katt Powers sets an intoxicating scene, weaving together a rich tapestry of characters, landscapes and intrigue that will keep you turning pages late into the night.
In a city where everyone has a secret, an attitude and a price, Dhani’s just treading water to prove her loyalty, so she can return to her role as a high-ranking elite assassin in the Ta’Hafiq, and identify the traitor responsible for the death of the man she loved, and her exile.
1001 Nights meets Nevernight in this fast-paced, exotic whodunnit, which is packed full of metaphor and analogies, making for a very descriptive read. It’s certainly action-packed, and the only thing that stopped it being a five-star read for me was that I found the number of characters and the underlying plot a little confusing and difficult to follow at times.
I really enjoyed Katt’s humour which made itself felt in the witty analogies peppered throughout the story.
A solid four stars from me.
I read an ARC of this novel, so there were a few typos that no doubt have been sorted out in the final round of editing.
March 29, 2021
3.5 stars
Katt Powers first book in the Imperial Assassin series is City of Whispers. This Sci Fi Fantasy is fast paced with a kick arse heroine who is sassy, loud, brash and sarcastically witty. This multilayered tale is complex and woven with magic and conspiracies, lies and deceit. I must admit I almost gave up on this book as I found it hard to really get into the writing style and keeping track of names etc. Having said that though it was entertaining.
Dhani has been accused of a murder she didn’t commit. Along the way to trying to clear her name she uncovers a little more than meets the eye. Can she stop it, or will they all be decimated?
Katt Powers first book in the Imperial Assassin series is City of Whispers. This Sci Fi Fantasy is fast paced with a kick arse heroine who is sassy, loud, brash and sarcastically witty. This multilayered tale is complex and woven with magic and conspiracies, lies and deceit. I must admit I almost gave up on this book as I found it hard to really get into the writing style and keeping track of names etc. Having said that though it was entertaining.
Dhani has been accused of a murder she didn’t commit. Along the way to trying to clear her name she uncovers a little more than meets the eye. Can she stop it, or will they all be decimated?
February 6, 2021
Rough around the edges. While it was doable to complete the story unfortunately this was not my cup of tea. The story itself was okay but overly complex and confusing 80% of the time. There was many times I felt like I missed something important but it was just jumping around from place to place with a lot of words that felt foreign.
While this has potential it needs some major fine tuning.
While this has potential it needs some major fine tuning.
September 2, 2021
Action and assassins
This was a fun book to read. I liked the main character and the world. There were some confusing parts and sometimes the pacing was rushed. I had to keep flipping back to the glossary to look up words because there wasn't always an explanation for terms and things. Overall it was a fun story to read
This was a fun book to read. I liked the main character and the world. There were some confusing parts and sometimes the pacing was rushed. I had to keep flipping back to the glossary to look up words because there wasn't always an explanation for terms and things. Overall it was a fun story to read
March 28, 2021
3 1/2 Stars
City of Whispers is the first book in the Imperial Assassin series by Katt Powers. This is a wonderful fantasy adventure- full of intricate details woven into a rich and vibrant setting. It is an action-packed urban fantasy with magic, danger, drama, hidden agendas, fight scenes, humour, emotion, secrets, and incredible world building.
This is my first rad from Katt Powers, so I really didn’t now what to expect going into the story- but I absolutely love fantasy adventures, and the cover and blurb sold me in an instant. While I did enjoy the story, I am not going to lie, it did take me a few chapters to ‘settle’ into the story as there were just so many characters with hard to pronounce names places, and terms- that disrupted the flow of reading for me while I tried to figure out how to pronounce it all. The book does come with a glossary, providing a list of names and their pronunciations, which was handy- but again disrupted the flow when I had to keep referring back to it time and again. With 8 pages of names and pronunciations, things got a little confusing and complicated. Having such complex and unusual names added to the whole exotic feel to the ‘world’ in which the story is set- but it also made things more confusing than they needed to be when it came to reading it all.
I did enjoy the story and think this is set to be a fantastic series, I just wish some of the names and places weren’t so complicated- as it did detract a little from my overall enjoyment of the story.
The story is set to continue in Book #2, Valley of Lies.
Thank you, Katt Powers!
City of Whispers is the first book in the Imperial Assassin series by Katt Powers. This is a wonderful fantasy adventure- full of intricate details woven into a rich and vibrant setting. It is an action-packed urban fantasy with magic, danger, drama, hidden agendas, fight scenes, humour, emotion, secrets, and incredible world building.
This is my first rad from Katt Powers, so I really didn’t now what to expect going into the story- but I absolutely love fantasy adventures, and the cover and blurb sold me in an instant. While I did enjoy the story, I am not going to lie, it did take me a few chapters to ‘settle’ into the story as there were just so many characters with hard to pronounce names places, and terms- that disrupted the flow of reading for me while I tried to figure out how to pronounce it all. The book does come with a glossary, providing a list of names and their pronunciations, which was handy- but again disrupted the flow when I had to keep referring back to it time and again. With 8 pages of names and pronunciations, things got a little confusing and complicated. Having such complex and unusual names added to the whole exotic feel to the ‘world’ in which the story is set- but it also made things more confusing than they needed to be when it came to reading it all.
I did enjoy the story and think this is set to be a fantastic series, I just wish some of the names and places weren’t so complicated- as it did detract a little from my overall enjoyment of the story.
The story is set to continue in Book #2, Valley of Lies.
Thank you, Katt Powers!
March 31, 2021
This book is fantastic. Dhani Karim is a young assassin recently demoted from an elite sect of the military to a lowly field agent, after being framed for massacre. She is smart, tough, deadly, and quick-tempered. Her fiery demeanour often gets her into trouble with her higher-ups, but she is one of the best at what she does. When her boring punishment assignment uncovers a much more dangerous plot, her skills and loyalties are tested once again.
I was riveted to this book for the entire 302 pages. The plot moves quickly, and there is so much action. I kept thinking this would make an amazing movie, as I imagined the fight sequences in my head. Powers is a master at creating worlds. She deftly draws the reader into the city of Izurum by detailing the scents in the outdoor market, the sound of metal hitting hard packed dirt, the feel of the cotton-wrapped hilt of her knife. I truly could imagine being there, feeling the heat of the Flame and seeing the bodies of bad guys hitting the ground. An excellent Fantasy Adventure novel, you'll be hooked. Can't wait for the next in the series!
I was riveted to this book for the entire 302 pages. The plot moves quickly, and there is so much action. I kept thinking this would make an amazing movie, as I imagined the fight sequences in my head. Powers is a master at creating worlds. She deftly draws the reader into the city of Izurum by detailing the scents in the outdoor market, the sound of metal hitting hard packed dirt, the feel of the cotton-wrapped hilt of her knife. I truly could imagine being there, feeling the heat of the Flame and seeing the bodies of bad guys hitting the ground. An excellent Fantasy Adventure novel, you'll be hooked. Can't wait for the next in the series!
April 1, 2021
City of Whispers:
A “City of Whispers (Imperial Assassin Book 1),” by Katt Powers, is a stunning cultural, dark, female empowerment fantasy novel you’ve been waiting for. If you like Throne of Glass or Nevernight this is your next book! Wrongly accused Dhani Karim, must do whatever it takes to clear her name; even if that included working with a partner let alone a partner whose is her supervisor mutually, they hate each other. Her new unwanted partner Gorshayik, a powerhouse of a man with his secrets and dark history. Given an impossible task we journey through this case this is anything but close to being closed.
Stuck in civilian ways to solve this mystery, Dhani must use every tool and training she has to complete this mission. Starting this journey with Dhani you can help but wonder where her story is going next. This book is so action packed it was addicting, I highly recommend this book for any interested in magical realms filled with action pack twists and turns that will keep you reading well past your bedtime.
A “City of Whispers (Imperial Assassin Book 1),” by Katt Powers, is a stunning cultural, dark, female empowerment fantasy novel you’ve been waiting for. If you like Throne of Glass or Nevernight this is your next book! Wrongly accused Dhani Karim, must do whatever it takes to clear her name; even if that included working with a partner let alone a partner whose is her supervisor mutually, they hate each other. Her new unwanted partner Gorshayik, a powerhouse of a man with his secrets and dark history. Given an impossible task we journey through this case this is anything but close to being closed.
Stuck in civilian ways to solve this mystery, Dhani must use every tool and training she has to complete this mission. Starting this journey with Dhani you can help but wonder where her story is going next. This book is so action packed it was addicting, I highly recommend this book for any interested in magical realms filled with action pack twists and turns that will keep you reading well past your bedtime.
June 3, 2023
Rcvd an advanced reader copy from Hidden Gems for giving my two cents. We meet disgraced assassin Dhani who was demoted and framed doe murder in a smaller town full or corruption. She is partnered up with Captain Parval who doesn't like her from first glance. They are tasked with the impossible...find Sythe in 4 days or meet the end of the noose..in her case. A fools errand...a list of name of who may know this person but no files in archives of a few...how odd in this city. Dhana and Parval have a fight of sorts and she ventures on her own. After finding her safe haven ransacked and a threatening note she goes outside the gate to a friends place in order to visit the pastor in the area. What dhana doesn't expect is there is more going on their meets the eye. There are murmurs of the nationalist murdering group in town planning a hostile takeover. Things get hard when there's a warrant for her arrest and innocents are dying. Dhana will continue to find answers or go down fighting.
March 21, 2021
City of Whispers: Imperial Assassin Book 1 is the first book in this series by Katt Powers.
I was drawn in by the book description, and being classed as a fantasy/adventure book meant I didn’t really know what to expect. This genre is new to me and I was looking forward to getting stuck into something different.
The story is fast-paced from the start and keeps up the same fast pace throughout. The characters are much more relatable than I had expected and I was soon caught up in this wonderfully different story. I kept picking it up as I needed to know what happened next. The writing is full of passion, magic, and mystery and keeps you wanting more.
I would definitely recommend giving this a read, especially if you are looking for something a little bit different
I was drawn in by the book description, and being classed as a fantasy/adventure book meant I didn’t really know what to expect. This genre is new to me and I was looking forward to getting stuck into something different.
The story is fast-paced from the start and keeps up the same fast pace throughout. The characters are much more relatable than I had expected and I was soon caught up in this wonderfully different story. I kept picking it up as I needed to know what happened next. The writing is full of passion, magic, and mystery and keeps you wanting more.
I would definitely recommend giving this a read, especially if you are looking for something a little bit different
March 30, 2021
City of Whispers (Imperial Assassin Series Book 1) by Katt Powers. This is such a fun, action packed book. It will keep you turning the pages well into the night. This is the 1st book of the series and if it is any indication of the books to come I can't wait. This one is very multi layered and some of the names I had trouble with pronouncing. You have to really pay attention to keep up so keep that in mind. Its about a character named Dhani who has been accused of murder she didn't commit. On top of being wrongly accused in trying to clear her name she starts to get death threats from very dangerous people. Dhani is such a kick butt kinda girl but without her magic she is just like everyone else. Will Dhani get her name cleared and get out of the place her magic is no good before its too late? Read City of Whispers to find out!
March 27, 2021
City of Whispers: Imperial Assassin Book One by Katt Powers was a really good read! I wasn't sure exactly what to expect with this novel, but it certainly wasn't the action packed, blood bath book that I got. It took me a couple of chapters to really get into this novel, but once I did I didn't want to put it down. It super easy to become lost in the pages of this book.y only complaint really is the names and city names in this book. They were very hard to pronounce in my opinion, and I had trouble keeping them all separated. Besides that this book was great. I can't wait to read the next installment!
March 28, 2021
This was a really interesting read. It is packed full of adventure and mystery. The author does an amazing job of building the scene and the characters are really well written that you can't help feel invested in their story.
When Dhani Karim is falsely accused of a murder she didn't commit she is sent to redeem herself and get back to her job as an assassin. However things aren't going to be that easy. With a partner to work with who's also looking for redemption and forces at work to stop her from returning will she be able to survive to return to her position and break through the conspiracy that has her accused of murder?
Can Dhani and her partner work together to unravel this or will they work against each other and get nowhere?
When Dhani Karim is falsely accused of a murder she didn't commit she is sent to redeem herself and get back to her job as an assassin. However things aren't going to be that easy. With a partner to work with who's also looking for redemption and forces at work to stop her from returning will she be able to survive to return to her position and break through the conspiracy that has her accused of murder?
Can Dhani and her partner work together to unravel this or will they work against each other and get nowhere?
February 18, 2021
This is normally not my cup of tea, so to speak, but this one really hooked me in from the start.
I'll admit I had issues remembering, and pronouncing, most of the names and places but that is true of all SciFi I have ever read, but it did make it difficult for me. The story however kept me going. It was a longer read, as is SciFi fashion but I didn't mind.
The story keeps on rolling and keeps you entertained throughout. I was quite impressed and would certainly look for more in this series.
I'll admit I had issues remembering, and pronouncing, most of the names and places but that is true of all SciFi I have ever read, but it did make it difficult for me. The story however kept me going. It was a longer read, as is SciFi fashion but I didn't mind.
The story keeps on rolling and keeps you entertained throughout. I was quite impressed and would certainly look for more in this series.
March 18, 2021
Katt Power's has given the literary world much-needed strong female leads. The creative force in this book is evident in the plot, setting, and character development. At some point, everyone has felt rejected or like an outcast and has to navigate within the world being different. It is this relatability that makes this book so enjoyable. The reader is transported through this relation from modern earth to the remote desert colony where magic is the norm. Readers will be waiting for the fate of the characters in the sequel Power's is hopefully revealing soon.
March 22, 2021
City of Whispers: Imperial Assassin Book 1 by Katt Powers is full of fantasy and adventure. The action-packed story leaves you wanting more.
A tainted gunman. A nefarious plot. Would her one chance at salvation lead to her death? Dhani Karim is outraged. The snarky killer is pushed into a lowly unranked spot in a remote desert colony, working with a guy who's damaged goods after being wrongfully expelled from the Imperial Assassins. When they barely avoid an assault on what should have been a routine mission, she worries that clearing her name would cost her her life. When she receives a death threat and her unwelcome partner vanishes, she's struggling to negotiate a land where she's the only one who can't use spells. When the clues lead to a violent cult, Dhani finds herself in a race against time to prevent a massacre that will claim the lives of innocent people.
Every page was exciting, and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. It is a unique story. The story really transports you into their world. I couldn’t put the book down. I can’t wait for book two.
A tainted gunman. A nefarious plot. Would her one chance at salvation lead to her death? Dhani Karim is outraged. The snarky killer is pushed into a lowly unranked spot in a remote desert colony, working with a guy who's damaged goods after being wrongfully expelled from the Imperial Assassins. When they barely avoid an assault on what should have been a routine mission, she worries that clearing her name would cost her her life. When she receives a death threat and her unwelcome partner vanishes, she's struggling to negotiate a land where she's the only one who can't use spells. When the clues lead to a violent cult, Dhani finds herself in a race against time to prevent a massacre that will claim the lives of innocent people.
Every page was exciting, and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. It is a unique story. The story really transports you into their world. I couldn’t put the book down. I can’t wait for book two.
March 23, 2021
City of Whispers (Imperial Assassin #1) by Katt Powers
3-stars
I was immediately intrigued by the synopsis and couldn’t wait to dive into this book. However, I ended up being a little disappointed. I found this book incredibly detailed and intricate, which I found to be a bit hard to follow. I felt like as I was reading, I was constantly trying to piece everything together which sort of took away from my reading experience.
However, in saying that I am honestly in awe with all the detail, this author has created such an original world and storyline, one unlike any other. As someone who reads every day, I can say that this is incredibly hard to come by and I did really enjoy that aspect.
This was my first book by this author but I can honestly say it won’t be my last. I do look forward to exploring more of what this author has to offer. This is a truly unique read that I won’t soon forget.
3-stars
I was immediately intrigued by the synopsis and couldn’t wait to dive into this book. However, I ended up being a little disappointed. I found this book incredibly detailed and intricate, which I found to be a bit hard to follow. I felt like as I was reading, I was constantly trying to piece everything together which sort of took away from my reading experience.
However, in saying that I am honestly in awe with all the detail, this author has created such an original world and storyline, one unlike any other. As someone who reads every day, I can say that this is incredibly hard to come by and I did really enjoy that aspect.
This was my first book by this author but I can honestly say it won’t be my last. I do look forward to exploring more of what this author has to offer. This is a truly unique read that I won’t soon forget.
March 29, 2021
5/5 Stars
City of Whispers: Imperial Assassin #1 by Katt Powers
This is the first book I've read by Powers, but it won't be my last. The Imperial Assassin Series is a great way to begin a new author.
Dhani Karim has been casted out of the Imperial Assassin group. She was casted out for something she didn't do, but now she has to clear her name. The quote I chose for Dhani is: “As a matter of fact, there is something else, Adjutant…. Perhaps Adjutant Ziraat, you could explain why I wasn’t informed of the change earlier?”
Highly recommended for Fantasy Adventure lovers.
City of Whispers: Imperial Assassin #1 by Katt Powers
This is the first book I've read by Powers, but it won't be my last. The Imperial Assassin Series is a great way to begin a new author.
Dhani Karim has been casted out of the Imperial Assassin group. She was casted out for something she didn't do, but now she has to clear her name. The quote I chose for Dhani is: “As a matter of fact, there is something else, Adjutant…. Perhaps Adjutant Ziraat, you could explain why I wasn’t informed of the change earlier?”
Highly recommended for Fantasy Adventure lovers.
February 21, 2021
City of Whispers is a fantastic, quick-paced, full-of-action fantasy about assassins and the manipulation of the politics surrounding them. Dhani is a protagonist I love to follow along with. She's strong, intelligent, and not afraid to let a few curse words display her emotional turmoil. Wonderful read and I'm excited for the story to continue.
Also, I think I will forever be on the lookout for bougainvillea. I'm far from a botanist, but this plant has me intrigued now.
Also, I think I will forever be on the lookout for bougainvillea. I'm far from a botanist, but this plant has me intrigued now.
March 28, 2021
This is the first book in the Imperial Assassin’s series. This is a Fantasy Adventure novel and is 309 pages. This story follows Dhani, an assassin. She wrongfully gets expelled from Imperial Assassins and has now taken a new position in the desert with a partner she does not want. She not only has no magic here, but she also gets a death threat and her partner comes up missing. She finds out that it is a cult that is involved and if she does not do something quick, a lot of people will die. This was a good read and I thoroughly enjoyed Dhani’s sassiness. This is definitely a unique story and keeps you glued to your seat.
March 30, 2021
City of Whispers is the first book in a new series. I was captured from the first word until the last word. This story is full of magic, drama, fantasy, emotions, and secrets. The characters are complex and engaging. This story is about Dhani, an assassin, who gets expelled from the Imperials Assassins but it was not her fault. She is sent to a position in the desert. She does not have any magic, but she is trying to figure out what is happening. I highly recommend this book, I cannot wait to see what is going to happen next.
April 1, 2021
Katt powers has a way of taking you to a place you would never even imagine with the vivid descriptions and worthy telling the story kept me gripped the entire time. When I first started to read this book I thought hmm ok lets give it a try. So when I started reading I started picturing everything she was saying and got totally lost in this book world. I was up until three in the morning reading this book and could not put it down. This is a book that I definitely can't wait for the second one to be done thank you for such an amazing book.
March 18, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It is full of action and fantasy. This is the first book in this series and I can’t wait to see what the next book brings. This is a well written story that has characters that not only bring the story to life but also took me on an adventure of redemption. The characters are relatable and kept me turning pages to see what they would do next. This is a story of a race against time to save thousands of people and a conspiracy that is broken wide open. What happens next I highly recommend reading to find out. This truly is a great story that took me on a nonstop adventure.
March 30, 2021
From the stunning cover to the fantastic story within the pages, I was immediately swept into this fantasy and transported into another world. Equal parts fantasy and adventure, I really loved the journey that unfolded in every page. One of self discovery and struggle. Every emotion felt real and the action felt tangible. I really enjoyed this book and am thankful to see it is part of a series. Can’t wait to read more.
June 5, 2021
Like any good book you need to take the journey with the author as the characters develop. I enjoyed the strong believable heroine. The Arabic flavour and the way magic existed but didn’t dominate the theme. Plenty of intrigue, moments where you reacting emotionally to the characters. Seriously looking forward to the next instalment .
March 23, 2021
City of Whispers by Katt Powers is the is the first book in the Imperial Assassin series. This is an action packed book from start to finish and I wasn’t at all sure how it was going to turn out. Dhani was an interesting character I and I enjoyed the strength that she seemed to have about her. She was easy to connect with and I felt like I could envisage her journey quite well.
The book I thought was well written. It was well paced and a pretty exciting story. It caught my attention easily and I became engaged with what was happening. As this first book I have read by this author it was a great introduction and I am looking forward to reading more.
The book I thought was well written. It was well paced and a pretty exciting story. It caught my attention easily and I became engaged with what was happening. As this first book I have read by this author it was a great introduction and I am looking forward to reading more.
November 10, 2021
Action packed read!
Action packed read with a kick ass female lead with attitude! Well thought out characters with a plot that twists, turns and keeps you wanting more. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series
Action packed read with a kick ass female lead with attitude! Well thought out characters with a plot that twists, turns and keeps you wanting more. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series
December 7, 2021
I was hooked from the start, and I can easily say it never lost my interest. A disgraced assassin trying to run from her past and hold onto the ruins of her career, is thrown into a mission she never expected in her new position. She grabs hold of your hand and drags you along for the ride. She doesn’t let any detail go unnoticed, and you will love every second of it.
This was a greatly written book, with imagery making you wrinkle your nose in a back alley, or feeling a sweat in the afternoon sun. As the reader you never know what will happen next and as someone who loves mystery it was a great ride.
I got this book courtesy of Voracious Readers Only.
This was a greatly written book, with imagery making you wrinkle your nose in a back alley, or feeling a sweat in the afternoon sun. As the reader you never know what will happen next and as someone who loves mystery it was a great ride.
I got this book courtesy of Voracious Readers Only.
February 2, 2021
The Imperial Assassins book one begins with the assassin, Dhani Karim, who has been shunned by the assassins' organization, the Ta'Hafiq for committing 'a vile and despicable act'. The only atonement is accepting a 'paper-pushing' grunt job of a lowly operative in the forgotten regions of the Empire. To add insult to the injury, she has been assigned a partner-in-crime, so to speak, Parvan Gorshayik and it seems the only thing they have in common is a mutual dislike for each other.
It took some time for me to get warmed up to the writing style and become comfortable with the characters. The lingo is completely new. There is the magic of Flames called Deenjah and then there are Deenjah wielders called Deenjins and Yargans. There are different people like Tizraki and Jhirriyan. All the characters and accoutrements used in the book have unusual names like Imril Saludin and Yussif Loviktil or kafai and ashishqa.
Honestly at one point it became difficult for me to keep all these names straight with the characters they belonged to. The most (and maybe the only) proper name was of the persona called Scythe - and finding this individual was what we readers started our quest with - together with Operative Karim and Captain Gorshayik of course.
One can only imagine the amount of research and imagination gone into the construction of a whole new world of this Ereldemore Empire and creating a new vocabulary to bring it to life. What I absolutely loved in the novel were the similes, the expressions used for describing different instances, characters and their feelings. It really provoked strong imagery at many places - to give an example, when the protagonist was trying to keep herself from sinking into the thoughts of a particularly trying time of her life,
the author, describing how she tried and failed there, writes 'she'd torn the scab clean off the half healed wound and there was no turning back'.
Ouch! Felt you there, Lady - It's like a constant itch, you just gotta pull it off even though you know it ain't gonna do any good.
Or take another instance, the new desk job was so full of boredom and boredom, that the cockroach on the desk died probably coz he 'succumbed to depression'. Haah!
Now, there were some things that felt unexplained, but considering this is the first book of a many part series, I am sure all will be revealed in good time.
A word of caution though, while in most cases, the insanely graphical descriptions were amusing, some places I felt they were becoming too extensive and it made me rush through, skipping words to know how all was coming to a close.
In retrospect, it could be the other way round too, I was desperate to know what was next which made me impatient.
I have always believed reading a book is worth its while if I come out a little wiser and/or even a tad more knowledgeable at the end. Thankfully, this was the case here. I learnt some real cool words - daguerreotype is one example( it is actually a photograph made using a really old process with a light sensitive silver plate and mercury vapors!), and pronouncing all the new syllables was nothing short of a mental exercise.
More so, the aim of the author is achieved if they leave the readers wanting more - that was a hit for me too. I am curious as ever to see what new challenges Dhani would face, to finally come out of her purgatory as an acquitted assassin.
Anyone looking for a bit of light read in the fantasy genre with a penchant for an assassin possessing kickass knife-throwing skills and a repertoire of sarcasm would certainly enjoy this piece.
I was pleasantly surprised with the author's note in the beginning, citing differences between US and UK English - this was something I had not come across in any novels till now. I would have loved it even more if the author had put a map of the entire continent where the events would take place, that would take the series to a whole another level of coolness.
As a parting gift, one more fantastic example of expression, the smell was so sickening that 'her tears cried tears of their own' - This was a real good one that's gonna stay with me long. Thank you, Katt Powers!
It took some time for me to get warmed up to the writing style and become comfortable with the characters. The lingo is completely new. There is the magic of Flames called Deenjah and then there are Deenjah wielders called Deenjins and Yargans. There are different people like Tizraki and Jhirriyan. All the characters and accoutrements used in the book have unusual names like Imril Saludin and Yussif Loviktil or kafai and ashishqa.
Honestly at one point it became difficult for me to keep all these names straight with the characters they belonged to. The most (and maybe the only) proper name was of the persona called Scythe - and finding this individual was what we readers started our quest with - together with Operative Karim and Captain Gorshayik of course.
One can only imagine the amount of research and imagination gone into the construction of a whole new world of this Ereldemore Empire and creating a new vocabulary to bring it to life. What I absolutely loved in the novel were the similes, the expressions used for describing different instances, characters and their feelings. It really provoked strong imagery at many places - to give an example, when the protagonist was trying to keep herself from sinking into the thoughts of a particularly trying time of her life,
the author, describing how she tried and failed there, writes 'she'd torn the scab clean off the half healed wound and there was no turning back'.
Ouch! Felt you there, Lady - It's like a constant itch, you just gotta pull it off even though you know it ain't gonna do any good.
Or take another instance, the new desk job was so full of boredom and boredom, that the cockroach on the desk died probably coz he 'succumbed to depression'. Haah!
Now, there were some things that felt unexplained, but considering this is the first book of a many part series, I am sure all will be revealed in good time.
A word of caution though, while in most cases, the insanely graphical descriptions were amusing, some places I felt they were becoming too extensive and it made me rush through, skipping words to know how all was coming to a close.
In retrospect, it could be the other way round too, I was desperate to know what was next which made me impatient.
I have always believed reading a book is worth its while if I come out a little wiser and/or even a tad more knowledgeable at the end. Thankfully, this was the case here. I learnt some real cool words - daguerreotype is one example( it is actually a photograph made using a really old process with a light sensitive silver plate and mercury vapors!), and pronouncing all the new syllables was nothing short of a mental exercise.
More so, the aim of the author is achieved if they leave the readers wanting more - that was a hit for me too. I am curious as ever to see what new challenges Dhani would face, to finally come out of her purgatory as an acquitted assassin.
Anyone looking for a bit of light read in the fantasy genre with a penchant for an assassin possessing kickass knife-throwing skills and a repertoire of sarcasm would certainly enjoy this piece.
I was pleasantly surprised with the author's note in the beginning, citing differences between US and UK English - this was something I had not come across in any novels till now. I would have loved it even more if the author had put a map of the entire continent where the events would take place, that would take the series to a whole another level of coolness.
As a parting gift, one more fantastic example of expression, the smell was so sickening that 'her tears cried tears of their own' - This was a real good one that's gonna stay with me long. Thank you, Katt Powers!
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