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Imperial Trilogy #1
Die Spionin
Femke, une espionne au service de l'empereur passée maître dans l'art du travestissement, est envoyée en tant qu'ambassadrice dans un royaume voisin. Mais c'est un piège. Son ennemi Shalidar la fait accuser de deux meurtres qu'elle n'a pas commis. La jeune femme doit retrouver au plus vite les assassins, mais rien n'est plus difficile dans un monde de conspirations et de tueurs...
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
14 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Mark Robson
50 books41 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Mark Robson was born in Essex in 1966 and raised, for the most part, in Camarthen, West Wales. In 1982 he gained a scholarship to join the Royal Air Force as a pilot and has worked for them ever since. He successfully self-published the four book series, The Darkweaver Legacy, the first book of which was largely written during tours of duty in the Falkland Islands. He now lives in Northamptonshire with his family.
Mark Robson was born in Essex in 1966 and raised, for the most part, in Camarthen, West Wales. In 1982 he gained a scholarship to join the Royal Air Force as a pilot and has worked for them ever since. He successfully self-published the four book series, The Darkweaver Legacy, the first book of which was largely written during tours of duty in the Falkland Islands. He now lives in Northamptonshire with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 6, 2015
3.5
If I had read this book some years ago probably I would have liked it better.
I love books about spy, assassin and thief, so I was happy to read this one, and it's a good reading. Fast paced, full of action, and Femke and co. are really good characters (even the emperor, and this is an unusual thing, because usually the people who have the power are bad with the main character... it's a simplistic point of view, because there are reasons for this, obviously, but it's functional for the here and now). It was a good reading, but there is a big but
If I had read this book some years ago probably I would have liked it better.
I love books about spy, assassin and thief, so I was happy to read this one, and it's a good reading. Fast paced, full of action, and Femke and co. are really good characters (even the emperor, and this is an unusual thing, because usually the people who have the power are bad with the main character... it's a simplistic point of view, because there are reasons for this, obviously, but it's functional for the here and now). It was a good reading, but there is a big but
September 10, 2024
"Spioana imperială" este un roman ce a fost publicat inițial în 2005, pe urmă în România în 2009. Nu prea este cunoscut, totuși unele elemente din cartea aceasta le-am regăsit și în altele mai populare, publicate mai târziu. Dacă aveți vreodată ocazia să o citiți, eu cred că merită o șansă.
Femke are doar douăzeci de ani și a dus o viață dură, este o spioană la curtea împăratului Surabar, un general uns de curând drept suveran. Când se arată publicului, numele ei este Lady Alyssa, o domnișoară arogantă, fata unui lord de pe coastă. Înfățișarea ei adevărată? Cine să o cunoască? Surabar se îndoiește chiar și de numele ei. Femke este un mister, totuși este o piesă importantă de pe tabla de șah a unui strateg bun.
După ce este trimisă ca ambasadoare în regatul alăturat, Thrandor, la curtea regelui Malo, pericolele încep să o pândească la totul pasul, mai ales că o urmărește vechiul ei dușman, Shalidar, un asasin de temut. În curând, nu va ști în cine să se încreadă și își va calcula fiecare mișcare. Femke este o tânără inteligentă și nemiloasă, care ar sacrifica totul pentru ca planul să îi iasă. Ceea ce mi-a displăcut la Femke este faptul că era prea încrezătoare — chiar și în bunătatea ei, pe când eu o văd pe de-o parte ca pe o antieroină; în plus, nu gândea planurile luând în calcul toate posibilitățile, nu doar ea având de suferit din cauza acestui fapt.
În povestea ei se implică și doi servitori, pe care autorul parcă i-a scris în contrast, doi soldați, printre care și Reynik, un băiat care de curând a ajuns în armată, un alt spion și Danar, un tânăr lord amorezat care ar da totul să mai poarte o conversație cu Lady Alyssa, cel din urmă fiind un personaj masculin cu o poveste foarte interesantă (și tragică, fiindcă dragostea lui aduce complicații). Dar chiar și printre ei se ascund secrete.
Cu toate că este puțin previzibilă, cărții nu îi lipsește suspansul, având acțiune din plin și personaje care luptă până la sfârșit pentru viețile lor.
Femke are doar douăzeci de ani și a dus o viață dură, este o spioană la curtea împăratului Surabar, un general uns de curând drept suveran. Când se arată publicului, numele ei este Lady Alyssa, o domnișoară arogantă, fata unui lord de pe coastă. Înfățișarea ei adevărată? Cine să o cunoască? Surabar se îndoiește chiar și de numele ei. Femke este un mister, totuși este o piesă importantă de pe tabla de șah a unui strateg bun.
După ce este trimisă ca ambasadoare în regatul alăturat, Thrandor, la curtea regelui Malo, pericolele încep să o pândească la totul pasul, mai ales că o urmărește vechiul ei dușman, Shalidar, un asasin de temut. În curând, nu va ști în cine să se încreadă și își va calcula fiecare mișcare. Femke este o tânără inteligentă și nemiloasă, care ar sacrifica totul pentru ca planul să îi iasă. Ceea ce mi-a displăcut la Femke este faptul că era prea încrezătoare — chiar și în bunătatea ei, pe când eu o văd pe de-o parte ca pe o antieroină; în plus, nu gândea planurile luând în calcul toate posibilitățile, nu doar ea având de suferit din cauza acestui fapt.
În povestea ei se implică și doi servitori, pe care autorul parcă i-a scris în contrast, doi soldați, printre care și Reynik, un băiat care de curând a ajuns în armată, un alt spion și Danar, un tânăr lord amorezat care ar da totul să mai poarte o conversație cu Lady Alyssa, cel din urmă fiind un personaj masculin cu o poveste foarte interesantă (și tragică, fiindcă dragostea lui aduce complicații). Dar chiar și printre ei se ascund secrete.
Cu toate că este puțin previzibilă, cărții nu îi lipsește suspansul, având acțiune din plin și personaje care luptă până la sfârșit pentru viețile lor.
September 19, 2007
I love spies. Stealth, assasins whatever, the sneaky stuff, I love it. So naturally, I was atracted to the book. But the book fulfilled my need for some sneaky action and more. The book is based in a medieval world, where magic is rare and feared. Femke, a spy, has just finished overthrowing an evil imposter. So, the general takes the thron. It's not to say he's not a bad ruler though. He's a great ruler, thinking more about his country than any other true-to-the-bloodline king. ut that's the problem. The families of the country think that one of them should be the new king. A secret underground war spawns in the country and all th while, the general has to apologize to the country in which they had just warred with. (al because of the impostor). Oh, and she has a guy on her tail.
This book is very good. It is original, and is written well. The author is good a describing the action, mking you feel as thoughyou're in a movie.
This book is very good. It is original, and is written well. The author is good a describing the action, mking you feel as thoughyou're in a movie.
July 13, 2020
I originally read this book a long time ago when I was about 11 and loved it then, now reading as an adult I still enjoyed the book but I feel it lacks a lot of complexity of world building and character development which I have come to expect from any good fantasy novel.
Throughout the author seemed to adopt a ‘tell don’t show’ approach which felt clunky, and characters had little development throughout. The romantic relationship between Femke and Danar felt forced, with the two of them interacting once or twice before declaring undying love.
Despite this I still enjoyed the book and the basic plot was good, with an interesting twist at the end. I won’t be rereading the rest of the trilogy any time soon (although I do remember the following books being much better than the first) as my TBR is too long!
Throughout the author seemed to adopt a ‘tell don’t show’ approach which felt clunky, and characters had little development throughout. The romantic relationship between Femke and Danar felt forced, with the two of them interacting once or twice before declaring undying love.
Despite this I still enjoyed the book and the basic plot was good, with an interesting twist at the end. I won’t be rereading the rest of the trilogy any time soon (although I do remember the following books being much better than the first) as my TBR is too long!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2010
When I first opened this book, I thought "this is all my childhood day-dreams come true!" Which indeed it was, a smart, clever girl working as a spy for the emperor, wandering about the court keeping tags on the nobles, chasing after assassins... Even the way the author described the motions of the spy was the exact same way I imagined my alter-ego's actions. The story could have been better, the writer could have given his characters more background, there were quite a few things that could have been improved, but as light reading, it's good. There was one thing I disliked at the end, but I'm not planning to spoil it.
March 6, 2018
2.8 ☆☆☆ - 0,5 ☆ for the god awful german translation
February 9, 2025
J'ai l'impression que c'est un miracle que je sois arrivée au bout de ce livre, les chapitres étaient beaucoup trop long (selon moi)! En revanche super ambiance, c'est pas le truc le plus extraordinaire au monde, mais y'a un certain travail derrière (si on veut....)
P.S justice pour les morts absolument pas merité.
P.S justice pour les morts absolument pas merité.
May 9, 2025
5 stars because it holds sentimental value, i read this book when i was little and loved it as much as cried for it
December 25, 2025
As of Christmas Eve of 2025, I am calling a DNF on my attempt to re-read this novel.
I'm not sure where to begin with my reasons. One thing that I can safely say for sure is that I don't recall being very impressed with this book when I was younger and got it as a gift, and I'm not impressed now. I do feel like the author makes an attempt at being thorough and generous with descriptions of what occurs, as well as world-building and character thought processes, but this often tips over into unnecessary infodumps and lingering far too long before anything in the plot moves forward. The pacing is sluggish and confused at best, and I personally don't find any of the characters (save for Reynik) compelling, much less our focus character Femke. Femke IS very self-reliant and has her shortcomings in what she does, but she tips too far into blandness for me, since she's so good at everything she does, especially being a spy. There's nothing compelling in her character to me, not even when it comes to her backstory.
I remember enjoying the second book far more as a teenager, and being thoroughly dismayed I didn't receive a copy of the third book, but this attempt at a re-read has done nothing but reaffirm for me that I don't really enjoy this book, I don't think I'll enjoy the trilogy, and it's not worth wasting my time on. If there was ever a time when I would have enjoyed this trilogy, I think it was sometime after I'd already read the first two books and been somewhat disappointed, and the present day. I won't be re-reading the second book (though I'll update my review of it briefly,) and I have no desire to read the third. This just isn't doing it for me.
I'm not sure where to begin with my reasons. One thing that I can safely say for sure is that I don't recall being very impressed with this book when I was younger and got it as a gift, and I'm not impressed now. I do feel like the author makes an attempt at being thorough and generous with descriptions of what occurs, as well as world-building and character thought processes, but this often tips over into unnecessary infodumps and lingering far too long before anything in the plot moves forward. The pacing is sluggish and confused at best, and I personally don't find any of the characters (save for Reynik) compelling, much less our focus character Femke. Femke IS very self-reliant and has her shortcomings in what she does, but she tips too far into blandness for me, since she's so good at everything she does, especially being a spy. There's nothing compelling in her character to me, not even when it comes to her backstory.
I remember enjoying the second book far more as a teenager, and being thoroughly dismayed I didn't receive a copy of the third book, but this attempt at a re-read has done nothing but reaffirm for me that I don't really enjoy this book, I don't think I'll enjoy the trilogy, and it's not worth wasting my time on. If there was ever a time when I would have enjoyed this trilogy, I think it was sometime after I'd already read the first two books and been somewhat disappointed, and the present day. I won't be re-reading the second book (though I'll update my review of it briefly,) and I have no desire to read the third. This just isn't doing it for me.
October 28, 2010
This one was a total chance encounter, as I picked it up as the third in a '3 for 2' deal and wasn't quite sure what I was getting. It's a young adult book, first of a trilogy, but as all three books are in print I figured it was worth a try!
The basic premise of 'Imperial Spy' is that it's the story of Femke, who has overcome the requisite Tragic Past to become a spy for the emperor - she's tasked with leading an embassy to another country, one with which they'd recently been at war, and finds herself framed for murder.
The positives are that Femke is a fairly self-reliant character, quite able to get herself both into and out of trouble (though tending a little towards the MarySue in her being fantastic at everything) and that the author is not afraid to bad things to significant characters. The downside is that initially it feels a little like you've been dropped in the beginning of book 2 of a series, since the first few scenes are so full of plot development and worldbuilding.
All in all, not a bad read and I couldn't quite see how the author was going to sort everything out, which kept my attention - the series continues in 'Imperial Assassin', which appears to focus more on one of the supporting characters in this book, and I will certainly be keeping an eye out for it.
The basic premise of 'Imperial Spy' is that it's the story of Femke, who has overcome the requisite Tragic Past to become a spy for the emperor - she's tasked with leading an embassy to another country, one with which they'd recently been at war, and finds herself framed for murder.
The positives are that Femke is a fairly self-reliant character, quite able to get herself both into and out of trouble (though tending a little towards the MarySue in her being fantastic at everything) and that the author is not afraid to bad things to significant characters. The downside is that initially it feels a little like you've been dropped in the beginning of book 2 of a series, since the first few scenes are so full of plot development and worldbuilding.
All in all, not a bad read and I couldn't quite see how the author was going to sort everything out, which kept my attention - the series continues in 'Imperial Assassin', which appears to focus more on one of the supporting characters in this book, and I will certainly be keeping an eye out for it.
September 13, 2011
Qui la recensione completa: http://bookland89.blogspot.com/2011/0...
La storia ruota intorno alle attività di spia della protagonista, Femke, che dopo essere stata inviata dal nuovo imperatore in veste di ambasciatrice in un territorio vicino, viene accusata ingiustamente di una serie di omicidi. La giovane spia, ricordando gli insegnamenti del suo defunto maestro (questo mi ricorda tantissimo Dubhe delle Guerre del Mondo Emerso della Troisi), deve riuscire a fare chiarezza e a mostrare le trame del suo nemico volte a distruggere sia la sua carriera di spia, sia a portare il suo paese ,Shandar, sull’orlo della guerra .
Devo certamente dire di essere stata attratta da questo libro non tanto per il suo titolo o per la sua trama( che ho letto solo una volta acquistato), ma per la copertina disegnata da Paolo Barbieri che, come al solito è splendida. Devo dire di non essermi pentita dell’acquisto perché ho trovato la storia molto fresca e godibile nella sua semplicità, è scritta molto bene ed è quindi possibile seguire la trama, di per se non molto articolata ma abbastanza avvincente.
Però non posso fare a meno di elencare un paio di difettucci che mi sono saltati all’occhi durante la lettura.
La storia ruota intorno alle attività di spia della protagonista, Femke, che dopo essere stata inviata dal nuovo imperatore in veste di ambasciatrice in un territorio vicino, viene accusata ingiustamente di una serie di omicidi. La giovane spia, ricordando gli insegnamenti del suo defunto maestro (questo mi ricorda tantissimo Dubhe delle Guerre del Mondo Emerso della Troisi), deve riuscire a fare chiarezza e a mostrare le trame del suo nemico volte a distruggere sia la sua carriera di spia, sia a portare il suo paese ,Shandar, sull’orlo della guerra .
Devo certamente dire di essere stata attratta da questo libro non tanto per il suo titolo o per la sua trama( che ho letto solo una volta acquistato), ma per la copertina disegnata da Paolo Barbieri che, come al solito è splendida. Devo dire di non essermi pentita dell’acquisto perché ho trovato la storia molto fresca e godibile nella sua semplicità, è scritta molto bene ed è quindi possibile seguire la trama, di per se non molto articolata ma abbastanza avvincente.
Però non posso fare a meno di elencare un paio di difettucci che mi sono saltati all’occhi durante la lettura.
September 21, 2012
Gli unici due motivi che mi hanno spinto ad acquistare questo libro, di un autore a me precedentemente sconosciuto, sono stati una breve recensione di Licia Troisi (autrice delle Cronache e delle Guerre del Mondo Emerso) trovata su di un segnalibro e la splendida immagine di copertina.
Il problema che ora si presenta è la mia incapacità di trovare altri punti a favore da elencare per questo libro che, in tutta sincerità, non ho particolarmente gradito.
Buona la scorrevolezza delle pagine, fattore che forse mi ha portato a leggerlo fino in fondo, nonostante la trama poco originale e interessante.
A differenza di quanto accaduto con gli altri libri fantasy da me letti, il metodo utilizzato dall'autore per caratterizzare i personaggi e lo svolgersi delle situazioni non è riuscito a coinvolgermi e farmi entrare nella giusta ottica per godermelo, lasciandomi costantemente con una sensazione di leggero distacco da quanto accadeva con l'evolversi della trama.
Leggera ripresa e slancio di coinvolgimento verso gli ultimissimi capitoli, comunque non abbastanza da convincermi a proseguire la lettura dei successivi volumi.
Il problema che ora si presenta è la mia incapacità di trovare altri punti a favore da elencare per questo libro che, in tutta sincerità, non ho particolarmente gradito.
Buona la scorrevolezza delle pagine, fattore che forse mi ha portato a leggerlo fino in fondo, nonostante la trama poco originale e interessante.
A differenza di quanto accaduto con gli altri libri fantasy da me letti, il metodo utilizzato dall'autore per caratterizzare i personaggi e lo svolgersi delle situazioni non è riuscito a coinvolgermi e farmi entrare nella giusta ottica per godermelo, lasciandomi costantemente con una sensazione di leggero distacco da quanto accadeva con l'evolversi della trama.
Leggera ripresa e slancio di coinvolgimento verso gli ultimissimi capitoli, comunque non abbastanza da convincermi a proseguire la lettura dei successivi volumi.
March 13, 2013
This review was originally posted on ThirstforFiction.com
Set in the lands of Thrandor and Shandar, Femke, a spy, has been framed for murder on a much needed ambassadorial meeting. When peace is necessary, this is the last thing you need, and Femke is trying to prove she did not commit the crime. But the murderer is always two steps ahead...
The fact that this book is in the fantasy genre, may put some of you off, with hundreds of clichéd high fantasy novels around. There's no need to worry, though. Imperial spy is highly original, and certainly I have never read anything similar, and I am well read in the fantasy genre. This isn't one of those hero-farmboy vs evil lord which result in an epic battle, it is an interesting rivalry that involves trickery, revenge and a lot of wit. read more...
Set in the lands of Thrandor and Shandar, Femke, a spy, has been framed for murder on a much needed ambassadorial meeting. When peace is necessary, this is the last thing you need, and Femke is trying to prove she did not commit the crime. But the murderer is always two steps ahead...
The fact that this book is in the fantasy genre, may put some of you off, with hundreds of clichéd high fantasy novels around. There's no need to worry, though. Imperial spy is highly original, and certainly I have never read anything similar, and I am well read in the fantasy genre. This isn't one of those hero-farmboy vs evil lord which result in an epic battle, it is an interesting rivalry that involves trickery, revenge and a lot of wit. read more...
December 17, 2012
2,5/10
Sciatto e banale, più noioso che altro. Scritto, poi, in una maniera davvero infame per essere edito: le similitudini ridicole si sprecano (quella del ragazzino dal preside, per dire la peggiore di tutte), i dialoghi grondano infodump e falsità nel tono, lo stile è elementare e le situazioni in cui ci veniamo a trovare (processo, ricevimenti) sono tali e quali se le potrebbe immaginare un ragazzotto del duemila cresciuto a pane e TV, che di documentarsi aveva poca voglia. Femke è una bella Mary Sue, ma non tanto da divertire davvero; la trama è piuttosto cliché e prevedibile nei suoi svolgimenti, i personaggi trasparenti, l'ambientazione inesistente. Passiamo attraverso una serie di avventure rocambolesche e scenografiche praticamente indenni, e per un libro di avventura non è un gran merito. Arrivata alla fine più per uno sforzo di volontà che per altro.
Sciatto e banale, più noioso che altro. Scritto, poi, in una maniera davvero infame per essere edito: le similitudini ridicole si sprecano (quella del ragazzino dal preside, per dire la peggiore di tutte), i dialoghi grondano infodump e falsità nel tono, lo stile è elementare e le situazioni in cui ci veniamo a trovare (processo, ricevimenti) sono tali e quali se le potrebbe immaginare un ragazzotto del duemila cresciuto a pane e TV, che di documentarsi aveva poca voglia. Femke è una bella Mary Sue, ma non tanto da divertire davvero; la trama è piuttosto cliché e prevedibile nei suoi svolgimenti, i personaggi trasparenti, l'ambientazione inesistente. Passiamo attraverso una serie di avventure rocambolesche e scenografiche praticamente indenni, e per un libro di avventura non è un gran merito. Arrivata alla fine più per uno sforzo di volontà che per altro.
October 27, 2016
I got this book some time ago, when our school was lucky enough to actually have Mark Robson come in to talk about, sell and sign Imperial Spy and Imperial Assassin. (I still really want Imperial Traitor but don't know where to find it) And I can honestly say that I'm glad that my mum decided to give me the money to buy it. Even if you've never picked up a fantasy book in your life, like I hadn't, I recommend that this is definitely the book to start you off. I haven't read it in some time so I can't say much about how brilliant the story and the characters were, but I do know that I absolutely loved it.
Read
August 4, 2011It's very hard to read a book by a 'new' author, directly after you have written a run of top books by some of your favourites; especially when the book in question is a young adult tale. Through no fault of its own it just might not live up to what has just gone before.
Fortunately this book worked quite well, it was an easier read than some which made it a comfortable follow on to the previous books, and the story was one that grew as the book progressed. The last 100 pages were brilliant, a great conclusion to a story that had built as it went., giving likeable characters, and a couple of surprise deaths that really made all the characters seem vulnerable.
Fortunately this book worked quite well, it was an easier read than some which made it a comfortable follow on to the previous books, and the story was one that grew as the book progressed. The last 100 pages were brilliant, a great conclusion to a story that had built as it went., giving likeable characters, and a couple of surprise deaths that really made all the characters seem vulnerable.
January 12, 2012
I have a love for espionage and assassins and general bad-assery in books. I love them and I loved this book.
A lot happens in Imperial Spy for a book under 400 pages so you have to keep up with it.
Thankfully, Robson explains all the characters at the start of the book which makes it easier to get start into the story.
I loved the characters especially Reynik.
Imperial Spy is highly original book that incorporates the action, thriller, suspense and romance genres into one novel.
A lot happens in Imperial Spy for a book under 400 pages so you have to keep up with it.
Thankfully, Robson explains all the characters at the start of the book which makes it easier to get start into the story.
I loved the characters especially Reynik.
Imperial Spy is highly original book that incorporates the action, thriller, suspense and romance genres into one novel.
December 25, 2015
I fully expected to enjoy this book, but I found myself bored throughout most of it. I don't know if it was me or the book, but I struggled to finish it. The characters seemed flat and I didn't care enough for them, with the exception of Reynik. I also found Shalidar interesting but he seemed the typical 'bad guy'. My major complaint was the romance - it seemed so forced. There was no build up, and they didn't even seem to really like each other that much, it was straight to the whole "i want you so much i'll do anything for you". I think I will read the second, in hope that the series and characters improve.
March 23, 2014
I bought it for my daughter 14y and as I read the 1st few pages I was drawn in. I ended up reading it all, the book finished, unfinished, leading nicely in to the next book of the trilogy. I don't feel the urge to read the next book as I understand it is targeted at a younger audience, and I did find the story a bit predictable. However I reckon it's an ideal book for my daughter.
July 1, 2016
I bought it for my daughter 14y and as I read the 1st few pages I was drawn in. I ended up reading it all, the book finished, unfinished, leading nicely in to the next book of the trilogy. I don't feel the urge to read the next book as I understand it is targeted at a younger audience, and I did find the story a bit predictable. However I reckon it's an ideal book for my daughter.
January 16, 2013
I enjoyed this book and loved the characters and i there interaction. I would have loved to have a extra chapter at the end of the book to find out Surabar and Merrik's reaction. I hope the next book also focuses of Femke again as she is my favouritr charecter.
Currently reading
February 25, 2009Die Gilde von Shandar. Die Spionin by Mark Robson (2008)
October 28, 2009
95.5/100
I have a thing for first books of trilogies. I don't know why.
This book had me cracking up all till dawn (4/5am). Powerful stuff.
I have a thing for first books of trilogies. I don't know why.
This book had me cracking up all till dawn (4/5am). Powerful stuff.
November 24, 2009
A good book to read if you like fantasy books. I do. So I liked this one. One of the best thing is that Femke makes mistakes - she isn't perfect. That gave it a plus in my books, excuse the pun. : )
June 5, 2013
Very interesting sequel to his previous series, ties in quite well.
January 13, 2015
Really cool! Very well written and a very interesting story, but it did get a little boring every now and again...
Overall cool
Overall cool
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews