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Assassin of Onisea #2

Assassin's Quest

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We delivered a deep cut to the enemy, but not deep enough.

Zayden, Rykon and Ajax are now in my corner, mostly, and working towards our goal—dethroning the evil king. Things get complicated as we try to make plans and Vance, the crown prince and my best friend, finds a solution. One that might save us a lot of time and bloodshed. The catch? The journey alone might kill us.

I’m nervous about going into the uncharted territory of the badlands, but that’s why I’m taking the guys with me. Ajax, who can fight beside me, Rykon, who can work in the shadows, and Zayden, who could talk the knife out of a cutthroat’s own hand.

After a lot of hardship and some eye-opening experiences, we finally get to our destination and are shocked with unbelievable news. News that might just destroy all the relationships I have carefully built around myself.

I can’t help but think, is getting rid of the king worth my life as I know it?

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2022

60 people are currently reading
130 people want to read

About the author

Kira Stanley

21 books715 followers

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5 stars
124 (45%)
4 stars
96 (35%)
3 stars
41 (15%)
2 stars
7 (2%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Jai M {Cat Crazy Dragon }.
872 reviews50 followers
September 25, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ 💘Hemlock

This is not a standalone, and must be read in order.
This author is complicated for me. I love her writing, am always utterly invested in her stories and their worlds, and for the most parts, like her MC’s.
However, there are always issues that hold me back from being able to give 5⭐️ ratings.

This one is no different, and there are definitely issues here.
Tropes that are very annoying for moments at a time (betrayed body syndrome, inappropriate sex moments, behaviour that contradicts established training, to name the worst).

The FMC is tedious when indulging in her repetitive angsty monologue whines (but otherwise eminently likeable).

The guys at times behave like undeveloped squabbling children, in contradiction to their established backstories, beyond the aforementioned trope.
In their favour though, apart from one instance (where I questioned if the characters name had been incorrectly written), all the guys were distinct and individually recognisable.
Though I don’t like Ajax’s personality. He was questionable in B1, in B2 he crossed over for me. Did like the other 2 a lot however.

I absolutely loved Hemlock.
In fact, I wish we had spent less time on some of the angst, childish fights, and unnecessary repetitive reminders, and spent more time with her, and gotten to learn more than the basics of the other newly introduced characters.

That felt like a major omission. Like so many romance heavy stories, they tend to overlook other characters. Though at least the world building and plot details were solid, another common romance oversight.

Overall, even with all its issues, the writing and story were well worth the journey, and I have every intention of continuing.
Profile Image for Jessica Martens.
185 reviews12 followers
January 3, 2024
great read!

has a good mix of world building and spice. but what a cliffhanger at the end!!! will definetly reccomend tk book friends :)
13 reviews
June 6, 2025
Great finish to the series and introduction into the great world of Hobb. The progression from book one to three in terms of the intensity, scale and theme was amazing. I would have never anticipated the journey Fitz goes on and the battle is he is constantly waging.
Profile Image for Lizs.book.nook ||Elizabeth||.
1,393 reviews47 followers
August 30, 2022
This book was FANTASTIC! I jumped right back into Mika’s story and it was like I never left. Full of action, mystery, passion, love and all around bada**ness, what’s not to love. Mika is one bada** assassin and I am SO HERE FOR IT! She kicks a** and takes names. She doesn’t take crap from anyone and despite her profession, has a moral compass. And her men…Rykon, Ajax and Zayden…what am I going to do with these men. Despite their own fears and vulnerabilities, they slowly open themselves up to their friendship with each other again and allow themselves to be raw and real with Mika. And they also all bring their own skill sets to the table. Mika and her men take a journey they never saw coming and grow stronger for it. Side note: Hemlock is cray cray but so awesome!
I CANNOT WAIT for the next book! I desperately need to know what happens next! I have to many what ifs and different scenarios running around in my mind and I NEED to know! Ugh, I just love this book and this series so much!
Profile Image for Jordanne.
44 reviews6 followers
December 1, 2024
DNF 38%.... should have been sooner.

"The sun's rays BURSTED into the room." That's the moment I should have known it was over. I then spent the next 3 hours scrolling on tik tok instead of reading because I just couldn't with this book. Then I picked it up again and instead of getting invested in what was supposed to be a steamy scene between the main character and 1 of her love interests, I skimmed a couple words of every paragraph for probably six pages. Needless to say, it was time to just give in.

Loved the concept, but the writing was truly terrible. If these books were 200 pages instead of 400, I could probably fight through it so I could know what happened, but honestly, I could guess. She's going to turn out to be the lost princess... the men are going to find out her true identity... I would hope that they would get pissed and need the prince to tell them that she was ordered to kill them and refused but with how one dimensional these characters are they'd probably just be ecstatic that "their love 😍" had returned to them.

1 very poorly written star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Abby.
69 reviews
January 16, 2024
I am enjoying this series however it also feels very slow. It’s exciting enough for me to want to keep reading but not enough that I would be staying up late to finish the books. I also dislike how long it takes for secrets to be revealed or for things you infer to be confirmed as true. I know that’s not an unusual thing with books but since this series is slow paced (in my opinion) it feels like it’s taking forever. I knew from the beginning that Mika was a lost princess but that wasn’t confirmed until the end of book 2. Also when are the guys going to find out Emerald is Mika.

Going off that I find it hard to believe the guys haven’t realized Emerald is Mika by now. Yeah she had black hair and was a teenager when they met but she wouldn’t look THAT different at 26 with green hair. She also might act differently than she did when they were teenagers but after spending so much time around her I feel like they would have noticed similarities with Mika and put the pieces together.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amy.
1,496 reviews5 followers
September 11, 2022
oh so good

Mika still trying to hide her identity from the guys. They know she’s the hood and goes by emerald. Mika and the guys travel to find the missing royal. On their journey they run into fae and get into a unaliving spree. As they continue on the meet others and there’s so much action it’s awesome. Mika finds out many things when she reaches the librarian. This book not only has action but it has some nice steamy scenes. That cliff hanger has me hoping book three will be out soon . I can’t wait to read it. I’m sure it will be amazing !
Profile Image for Miranda May.
Author 46 books530 followers
March 18, 2023
Oof. I’d forgotten just how much I love this series and these characters. It’s been a minute since I read the first book, but I feel right back in with no problem. There’s so many problems brewing in this group, I wouldn’t want to touch that with a ten foot pole. We get to see more of the world the author has created and I love it. We get introduced to a new character that I adore, and we get some answers that the characters never saw coming. With that cliffhanger, I’m going to need to read the next book sooner rather than later.
303 reviews2 followers
Read
August 13, 2023
Really Enjoying!

I am really enjoying this series. The main characters are great and the secondary characters are awesome, especially the newest arrival, Hemlock. I know we are all wondering what will happen with Vance, because let's face it, he's a total sweetheart! If he doesn't end up with Ember/Mika, then he definitely needs his own happily ever after. I look forward to seeing what happens next in the Fae lands with the mysterious kidnapper!
329 reviews3 followers
February 3, 2023
Excellent!

Wow that was good! I liked this more then the first, because Mika and her guys are together for the majority of the story. There was a ton of action, in this book. We also got to know everyone so much better, it really gave these characters more depth..
I can't wait for book 3!
Profile Image for Melissa Hickman.
1,043 reviews14 followers
September 16, 2022
Great Book!!!!

This series is fantastic!!!! Mika is such a bada** and I’m here for it!!!! The guys are each perfect for her in their own way and I can’t wait until they find out about Emerald’s secret!!!! The next book can’t come soon enough!!!
Profile Image for Amber.
2,222 reviews60 followers
November 2, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The pacing was so much better than in book one making it easier to read and vastly more enjoyable. The only downside is now I have to wait 5 months for the next book.
Profile Image for Cristina.
162 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2023
Wow!!!!

This is the second book in her series and wow does she deliver!!! I loved following Mika or Emerald and her men as they journey into the badlands to find the heir. This book had me sucked in and I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to dive into the next book!!!
1,875 reviews8 followers
August 21, 2023
Wow

Mika is now got her men with her on a mission to find out who the lost heir is. With revelations she didn’t expect and alloes that are a little coo coo this book will have yoi wanting to see more.
Profile Image for Jewell Urbano.
113 reviews
October 9, 2025
OOOOOO

Had to write this review just to say “OOOOO MISS KIRA STANLEY YOU!! HOW DARE YOU LEAVE ME IN SUSPENSE LIKE THAT!!” Okay rant done lol I was expecting it because you’ve done this to me before but goodness gracious ma’am I am sooo ready for the next book! You miss ma’am know how to keep a girl hooked ! Now onto my binge lol thank you! ☺️
488 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2024
Loving this story so far

Not sure how it’s going to finish satisfactorily in the pages remaining in this series but I’m about to dive in and start finding out.
Profile Image for Alana.
215 reviews
October 23, 2024
TELL THEM YOURE MIKA. I’m gonna kill myself if she doesn’t get to the point. And I’m pissed Vance isn’t a love interest.

Trope
Assassin
Fantasy
RH

2.5⭐️ 3🌶️
Profile Image for Jenny P.
250 reviews10 followers
November 13, 2025
Editing is sooo bad, but these are my favorite kinds of stories and that accounts for the stars.
Profile Image for Victoria.
470 reviews
March 29, 2023
Actual rating: 3.5 stars

Enjoyable but found some inconsistencies comparing it with the first book.
Profile Image for Ann Brown.
3,466 reviews24 followers
March 7, 2023
This second book was full of action, humour and spice. Mika and her men were all together. They meet a group of new friends which was fun and have some surprises. Looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Kylee.
632 reviews
September 12, 2022
I had to go back and reread the first one before reading this one. It had been a while since reading this book. I really enjoyed Mika's story. For me, at the beginning of story two I had a little bit of a hard time gettin back into the story, however, after reading farther along I really enjoyed the book. I loved the way the story continued into this book. It definitely had its action, adventure, and steam! One thing I really enjoyed about this next book was the way it picked up a little more than the first one I thought. The dynamic between Mika and her men continue to grow and it was very much enjoyable to read.

Her men (Rykon, Ajax, and Zayden) slowly open themselves up to friendships with each other again, while allowing themselves to be real and connect with Mika. I really love the way Mika is also able to open up herself to her men. It made it all the more delicious to read. Overall, great book! I can't wait for the next installment in the series. I am looking forward to the read, especially since this one took me on an adventure!
362 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2022
I was so excited to dive back into this world and this book did not disappoint!

Assassin’s Quest is the second book in the Assassins of Onisea series and picks up where Assassin’s Refusal left off. In this book Mika and Vance come up with a plan to *hopefully* dethrone the King and Mika soon rounds up the guys for another mission. This time the group will be travelling out of Onisea and into unknown territory, where anything could happen!

I really enjoyed all the adventure in this book as well as the introduction to a few new characters! I also loved that the guys are beginning to resurrect their friendship, and are attempting to work through their differences in order to begin a relationship with the girl they all love.

This was such a fun and exciting read, with lots of adventure and a few challenges along the way! There were a few surprising revelations, and an ending that left me theorizing what’s going to happen next! I’m so excited for Assassin’s Rescue to be released and all the adventure still to come!
Profile Image for Ashley Clark.
759 reviews18 followers
September 9, 2022
I loved this book. I love all of Kira’s books. She just has away with words. She also likes to kill you with her cliffhanger endings. But I will always come back for more of her books. This is book two in the Assassin of Onisea series. Emerald aka Mika is back and so are her guys. Ajax, Zayden and Rykon. They all meet with Emerald and Prince Vance to come up with a plan to dethrone his father the king. The guys are all still competing for Emeralds attention. Vance has a plan to stop his father. All they have to do is go on a journey in search of something that will help them. Can’t say what it is without giving away spoilers. All I can say is the journey might kill them. It also tests their friendship and their blooming relationship with Emerald. So if you must know what happens to Emerald and her men pick up the book. You won’t be disappointed. But you might want to start with book one. So your not lost and confused.
Profile Image for Marisa Niemann.
428 reviews5 followers
September 12, 2022
This series has such a fantastical and mystical feeling that it makes everything that these characters do even more interesting. I am so fascinated by Mika and all of the sides of her personality that only we as the readers get to experience all of, she was so in her element out in the badlands and it felt like maybe she was showing her true self there. Although I was slightly disappointed in the way that Mika and Vance's relationship turns out in this book (because I am a hopeless romantic) I love their friendship and the bond that they have created with each other in the most unlikely of scenarios. Speaking of friendship I am absolutely in love with Hemlock and her new friendship with Mika, this girl is absolutely crazy and bloodthirsty but also fiercely loyal and caring to those who are important to her. I cannot wait to see how Vance takes the news revealed to Mika and her guys on their journey.
Profile Image for Kyla .
320 reviews7 followers
February 28, 2023
Awesome! I really enjoyed this book it’s such a fun, adventurous ride through Onisea and beyond! I was hooked from the start; I really enjoyed the first book but this one is even better in my opinion. There’s a lot more adventure, steam, mystery, passion, and more. The book starts where the last one left off and immediately, we are back with Mika and the guys. There are no dull moments, there’s a ton of mystery and new quests. I love the adventure aspect; it brings together characters from all walks of life and has them working together to achieve a common goal. Mika is still hiding behind the name Emerald, and the guys haven’t figured it out yet, but I have a feeling they will eventually and that it will be explosive. I can’t wait for the next book, the author has managed to create a fantastic world to get lost in with amazing characters that you don’t want to miss!
Profile Image for Ange Bennetts.
871 reviews6 followers
September 11, 2022
One of the things I love about this series and this book, is the attention to detail. The world is so vivid in my mind and it makes me take my time while reading. The characters are many layered, in the the FMC's case, many layered and almost multi personalities! This only makes the reader love her more. I liked seeing her tough, assassin persona almost at war with her warm heart and the emotionally available Mika. This is the quest to find the missing royal heir, so the prince has to stay at home - I missed him! But I really enjoyed seeing our girl realising that these three guys from her past are more than just flings! New characters show up and I laughed out loud at some of the antics and conversations. I can't wait to see what happens next and am very loudly cheering Kira on!
2 reviews
September 8, 2022
The second installment of this series picks up where Assassin's Refusal left off.
'Emerald' and her group haven't abandoned the plot to remove the King and set out to find the lost heir to the throne. The dangerous journey they begin leads them to rely on each other as a team and deeper feelings develop. Through it all, Emerald knows that she must find a way to tell her lovers her true identity, even though she may lose them once they know the truth.

Dangerous new enemies, strange new allies, and a prophecy that leads to more questions than answers, Assassin's Quest grabs hold of the imagination and is a great continuation of this epic adventure!
Profile Image for Zoe_isreading.
634 reviews61 followers
October 19, 2022
This is the second book in the Assassins of Onisea series, and from page one you're thrown straight back into Mikas story.

This book is a lot more intense that the first story, Mika and her men are off to find a way to overthrow the King. They're all put through a lot in this story, battling new enemies, going to previously unknown places to them and of course the fact that they all love her.
Zayden continues to be my favourite of Mikas men, he's hilarious and I honestly can't get enough of him in these books!
There's also a LOT more steamy scenes in this!

A fantastic continuation in the series, ending on a massive cliffhanger. I can't wait to see where Kira takes the next book!
Profile Image for Mary Curtis .
215 reviews
September 15, 2022
I can’t wait for book 3 to come out! When I read this story I feel like I’m pulled into the world with the characters. I don’t feel like the main female lead but still right there. The way this is playing out is so…… I can’t believe she was who she is!!! Just when we thought she was going to drop that bomb boom the Fae come in….. This is a lovely Why chose and I can’t wait for more.

Characters: 1000/10
Plot:Everything and more
Trope: RH or why chose fantasy
Triggers: A few
Smutt: 100/10 🤤

P.s. I really think this should turn into a tv series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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