Ellina’s answer to “I've heard that this book wasn't very good, but I've also heard that the second book is Amazing. Is…” > Likes and Comments

And if she's such a fabulous assassin, why isn't she plain? A spectacularly beautiful woman is too easy to notice. You really have to be unmemorable.
And all that physical stuff was clearly written by someone who has never done any of it., who at best might work out at the gym.
I wondered why a position like "King' Champion" was offered to a bunch of criminals instead of the equivalent of Sir Lancelot. If it was "King's Assassin" she should have said so.
The secret tunnel behind a tapestry was truly difficult to swallow. It's been there all those years and nobody noticed? Not even the servants?

But the kids at my school loved it; I had to buy sequels as they came out. I guess it's aimed at them, not this cynical old school librarian.

Yeah, I have to admit that I noticed some of these things myself. It's as if it's not enough for her to be this powerful assassin, she has to have a life or death purge the evil type quest as well. And I admit that in some ways, the plot holes are too big for me to ignore, and some of the physical descriptions, especially ones about actions or weapons bothered me. But I could see it being written for a younger audience.

Guess what? On Thursday a BOY asked me for the latest in the series! And there was I thinking it was a girls' fantasy! (In more ways than one)

Your questions are all answered in the book. She doesn't run as she doesn't want to live her life as a wanted woman. She longs to finally be free. Although later in the series you find more reasons but i don't wanna spoil