Fantasy Buddy Read for the Book Assassin (Darkblade #1) by Andy Peloquin-May 14, 2022

[Kevin]

I'm 5 chapters in and I and really liking this. It's like Batman and the Punisher had a kid. But with a softspot for the most innocent ones.

I actually LOL'd a few times. They way Peloquin wrote some parts (fight scenes) had some funny descriptors. Especially on who won against a pillar.

I'm not getting too much into it to avoid spoilers.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Sally wrote: "Starting now!"

Whoo-hoo!

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Dang, no time was wasted starting this story! And as usual, I want his dagger!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Sally wrote: "Dang, no time was wasted starting this story! And as usual, I want his dagger!"

LOL!!! Me too!

The action is seamless and the (view spoiler)[fighting scenes are flawless - I love the roof jumping - reminds me of that video game from back in the day - it was called Shinobi I think. You could jump from roof to roof with ease and not be seen! (hide spoiler)]

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

The cover is very Assassins Creed, love it!

Hope to start tonight, trying to finish something short first.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Also something else with the dagger (view spoiler)[the dagger reminds me of another game - Skyrim fans will know this - the dagger is like the weapons you have in Skyrim where your soul gems are used for the weapons - though in this case the souls of the dead travel through the dagger making the Hunter stronger and more powerful which is also something like the game Skyrim with dragon souls making the dragonborn more powerful. As a gamer we see things compared to video games sometimes and it makes you think as you are reading the book - like "oh this could be like a game I have played". lol (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I am totally loving this book! I just cannot seem to break away from it! The book is so easy to read and the flow of the story is smooth. I have highlighted a bunch of stuff already and the way it is looking I don't think I will be reading anything else but this book. I am completely already wrapped within this world! :)

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Kasia wrote: "The cover is very Assassins Creed, love it!

Hope to start tonight, trying to finish something short first."


Oh yeah you are right, Kas! Assassins Creed! I love that game! Definitely has the cover vibes for sure! :)

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Starting Chapter 6. Maybe changing my mind about wanting his dagger. It seems pretty bitchy.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Sally wrote: "Starting Chapter 6. Maybe changing my mind about wanting his dagger. It seems pretty bitchy."

LOL!!! It does have a mind of its own it seems! :)

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

8% in and it tickled me to read that (view spoiler)[the Hunter spends time and money spreading rumors about himself, pretty clever (hide spoiler)]

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

Kevin wrote: "I'm 5 chapters in and I and really liking this. It's like Batman and the Punisher had a kid. But with a softspot for the most innocent ones.

I actually LOL'd a few times. They way Peloquin wrote s..."

You can use spoiler tags, on top right part of each comment box next to "add book/author" is (some html is ok) click on that and towards the bottom is the code for spoilers, you just copy that, paste into your comment and enter your text where the ... are. You can use the (preview) link to see if it works how you want :)

[Choko]

Just started:) Going to do the older audio books, and I am guessing that he might have combined some of the old 7 books into the new 4 books:) So I hope this is not too confusing for everyone, and I would like to know the added content:)

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Choko wrote: "Just started:) Going to do the older audio books, and I am guessing that he might have combined some of the old 7 books into the new 4 books:) So I hope this is not too confusing for everyone, and ..."

Awesome Choko, hope you enjoy! I'm about 100 pages in and am totally hooked. I'm not sure about the differences between the older books and the newer ones. We'll just figure it out as we go. Happy reading!

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

Choko wrote: "Just started:) Going to do the older audio books, and I am guessing that he might have combined some of the old 7 books into the new 4 books:) So I hope this is not too confusing for everyone, and ..."

Hey you <3

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Choko wrote: "Just started:) Going to do the older audio books, and I am guessing that he might have combined some of the old 7 books into the new 4 books:) So I hope this is not too confusing for everyone, and ..."

The older books have been condensed down to the newer books but has extra content. Not sure what is extra and what isn't. The older books have been totally revamped.

[Choko]

It would be a shame to waste the ones I have already purchased though... I bought them back when they came out, so I am guessing the writing might be a bit rougher, but that also speaks well for the author, since he probably recognized his weaknesses and reworked them... I am even more excited to get to reading his work now:)

[Choko]

Kasia, hey:)))))

[Choko]

Just finished the audio Ch. 5, and no roof jumping yet. However, I am sucked right into the story. (view spoiler)[ I like the fact that he comes off Infront of his clients, as if he doesn't care about the reasons, only the money, but then goes and investigates both the client and the mark.

The chick in the bar was very observant, I am sure she will show up again...

For a cold hearted killer he is trying to appear to be, he cares about all the beggars in his community, and the little girl with the flowers... Obviously he has kept some humanity through the years...

Just wanted to mark, I hate human trafficking and enforced abuse of any kind.. I hope he kills that Lord D! (hide spoiler)]

[Kevin]

Kasia wrote: "Kevin wrote: "I'm 5 chapters in and I and really liking this. It's like Batman and the Punisher had a kid. But with a softspot for the most innocent ones.

I actually LOL'd a few times. They way Pe..."

Thanks for the info! I really don't want to spoil anything for anyone.

I'm usually on the app which seems to have a lot less features unless I i just can't find them. I'll use the desktop version for this.

[Kevin]

I had a lot of time to read today so I was able get up to chapter 21. I'm really liking this one. As i said, the writing is witty with the descriptions.

(view spoiler)[there are some twists that are starting. The hunter has good acting chops and seems to be quite the ladies man. His distaste for human trafficking seems to be a driving force on his craft.
That dagger is like a spoiled child. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Ch. 11 audiobook... (view spoiler)[ Do we trust Lord Syranius? This sounds like a setup, from someone who knows what buttons to push in the Hunter, and is trying to kill off a priest... I don't trust this scenario at all... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I have a feeling, the audiobook Ch. 14 was like the newer book's Ch 5-6... (view spoiler)[ The Hunter just carried out his contract for the Priest... I felt really sad for the outcome and am disappointed that he didn't research if the story he was told was legit... I did like the fight sequence though:) (hide spoiler)]

[Kevin]

Choko wrote: "I have a feeling, the audiobook Ch. 14 was like the newer book's Ch 5-6... [spoilers removed]"

Hi there Choko.

I think you are correct with the chapter difference in the two versions. I have the newer one and that's about right. Although in the newer updated version... (view spoiler)[The Hunter didn't kill the priest because he realized during the fight that he didn't act like his typical target. Also, the Hunter can feel heartbeats with that dagger so he can act like a polygraph test and know if someone is lying. He did knock him unconscious though. This may be a new and improved Hunter? lol (hide spoiler)]

Just a heads up!

Thanks!

[Choko]

Kevin, thank you so much for that!!! That is one big difference! (view spoiler)[ He can still hear heartbeats, but has not really read them as an indicator of truth or falsehood... Interesting! (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I am in the middle of chapter 10 and I think (view spoiler)[it is cool that the dagger can feel the power of heartbeats and that power is transferred to the Hunter - I also think it is interesting how the dagger has so much power over the Hunter and any time that he is close to his target the dagger sends out like these sonic waves to the Hunter's head - he feels his head ache and there is no way to shut that off (hide spoiler)] It would drive me crazy. lol

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

Marie wrote: "I am in the middle of chapter 10 and I think [spoilers removed] It would drive me crazy. lol"

Same feeling I have when I'm near a bookstore, MUST...GO...IN!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Kasia wrote: "Marie wrote: "I am in the middle of chapter 10 and I think [spoilers removed] It would drive me crazy. lol"

Same feeling I have when I'm near a bookstore, MUST...GO...IN!"

LMAO!!!! 😂 🤣

[Andy]

Felina wrote: "So I'm trying to see if I can find this on audio and I have a clarifying question. Audible has quite a few books from Peloquin but not one called Assassin. They have one called Darkblade Assassin. ..."

Hey Felina, It is NOT the same book. It was the OLDER version, that has since been rebooted/overhauled. No audiobook version of the new one yet.

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

Hi Andy!! :D

[Andy]

Choko wrote: "Just started:) Going to do the older audio books, and I am guessing that he might have combined some of the old 7 books into the new 4 books:) So I hope this is not too confusing for everyone, and ..."

Some of the storyline from the old Book 2 (Darkblade Outcast) has been written into ASSASSIN (Darkblade #1), and some into PROTECTOR (Darkblade #2).

[Andy]

Sally wrote: "Starting Chapter 6. Maybe changing my mind about wanting his dagger. It seems pretty bitchy."

"Bitchy" was exactly the word I kept in mind every time I wrote Soulhunger's inner dialogue. Just the whiniest, neediest, bitchiest thing ever. :D

[Andy]

Kasia wrote: "Marie wrote: "I am in the middle of chapter 10 and I think [spoilers removed] It would drive me crazy. lol"

Same feeling I have when I'm near a bookstore, MUST...GO...IN!"

ME TOO!!!!

[Andy]

Kasia wrote: "Hi Andy!! :D"

Hey, so excited to see all these awesome people reading my work. I hope you enjoy the s*** out of it. LOVING the live commentary. :D

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Hey Andy! Welcome! So happy you have joined us! Your book has been absolutely addictive so far!

[Andy]

Sally wrote: "Hey Andy! Welcome! So happy you have joined us! Your book has been absolutely addictive so far!"

I'm so thrilled to hear that! I AGONIZED over the entire rewrite/overhaul process--probably the closest I've ever come to self-doubt paralysis as I tried to make every scene the best i could. I'm so happy with how it turned out, so it was worth those sleepless nights and hair-receding days. :D

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Whoo-hoo! Hey Andy! Welcome! :)

I am so loving this book! I can barely put it down! I only put it down to go to sleep! LOL

I agree with Sally - definitely addictive! :)

[Andy]

Marie wrote: "Whoo-hoo! Hey Andy! Welcome! :)

I am so loving this book! I can barely put it down! I only put it down to go to sleep! LOL

I agree with Sally - definitely addictive! :)"

That's the highest praise it can be offered! Just be warned: s*** gets DARK. SOON. AND WORSE. SO MUCH WORSE.

>:)
Hehehehe

[Andy]

I can't wait to see all the "GASP! HE DIDN'T!!!!!!" posts coming up soon.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I am curious though about the Hunter and this newer series compared to the older series you have out there.

What made you decide to revamp the series?

As you had quite a few books in the original series so I was just curious of what made you decide to kind of start over with newer books.

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Andy wrote: "Sally wrote: "Hey Andy! Welcome! So happy you have joined us! Your book has been absolutely addictive so far!"

I'm so thrilled to hear that! I AGONIZED over the entire rewrite/overhaul process--pr..."

I'm about 100 pages in and I'd say your agony paid off! I'm a very visual reader and I can see this very clearly, love that. Thank you for sacrificing your sleep and hair for us, it is deeply appreciated, lol!

[Andy]

Marie wrote: "I am curious though about the Hunter and this newer series compared to the older series you have out there.

What made you decide to revamp the series?

As you had quite a few books in the origin..."

The original (Hero of Darkness) was my first series ever, so as I grew more experienced, I looked back and realized i made a lot of rookie mistakes. I also knew I could execute the story far better. And because I had another 6 or so books to write IN ADDITION To the 7 I'd already written, I wanted to go back and make sure the foundation was solid before building later into the story.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Andy wrote: "The original (Hero of Darkness) was my first series ever, so as I grew more experienced, I looked back and realized i made a lot of rookie mistakes. I also knew I could execute the story far better. And because I had another 6 or so books to write IN ADDITION To the 7 I'd already written, I wanted to go back and make sure the foundation was solid before building later into the story..."


That is awesome! I am happy that you revamped them! :)

How many books are you planning on having for the new series, Andy?

[Andy]

So far, I KNOW it's going to take at least 6 more books (total of 10) to get the story told the way I want to. I'm allowing myself up to 12, though, before it's just too darned long.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Andy wrote: "So far, I KNOW it's going to take at least 6 more books (total of 10) to get the story told the way I want to. I'm allowing myself up to 12, though, before it's just too darned long."

Awesome! The more books the merrier! :)

[Andy]

Yeah, and they're all going to be LONG books. DECEIVER (Darkblade 5) is currently on track to crack 300,000 words

[Kevin]

Hi Andy! You wrote an amazing story. It's difficult to put this one down!

I've said it in this thread already, but i really appreciate the cheeky humor in this. The exchanges between The Hunter and Graeme are especially funny.

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

Andy, how do you have so many words in you? I always find that simply incredible when an author does that. To me writing ONE book seems like climbing Mount Everest but to write a whole series of big books that have substance, unreal.

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

15% in and so envious of his trick trick for not being recognized...

(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Andy, thank you for the clarification and letting us know that there will be more coming in the series! I read that, and I got the new version on Kindle. I will be tracking back, because I was close to the end of the original... I am enjoying it a lot just as it is, so I am very interested to see how much better you might have made it, Andy:)))