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

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

Yes please count me in for book 2 and the rest once we settle the schedule :) awesome!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Kasia wrote: "Yes please count me in for book 2 and the rest once we settle the schedule :) awesome!"

You have been counted into the Darkblade fold! :)

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

As Kasia mentioned a couple of comments ago - the front of the homepage of the group is dedicated to your book Andy. We are so loving this book that it inspired us to have our homepage pics to reflect this awesome book and series. :)

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Me too, fold me in!

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

Looks like we're assassins united then! :D

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Sally wrote: "Me too, fold me in!"

You have been folded into the Darkblade Syndicate! Sounds pretty cool actually! :)

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Kasia wrote: "Looks like we're assassins united then! :D

"

Yeah - we are United Assassins! Love that gif! :)

[Kevin]

Kasia wrote: "Looks like we're assassins united then! :D

"

Awesome! Any GIF or meme from The Office is welcome!

[Kevin]

I finished chapter 11 of part 2.

(view spoiler)[I like Bardin and his relationship with the Hunter. The scene where the Hunter was actually drunk, his fake drunk was amazing too, was spot on for someone going through what he has I think. Bardin seems almost childish due to his tragic past and lack of socialization. I'm not going to buy too much into this but he seems too innocent and kind-hearted to be anything but helpful. This is a dark fantasy after all. He did so a lot of bravery though to help the Hunter (hide spoiler)] The characters are very well written. As someone said in an earlier post, this is written very visually. You can easily see it in your mind when reading it.

[Andy]

Kasia wrote: "Andy wrote: "Dark is 100% what I was going for! :D"

Your book is basically a stab, stab stab in the heart! Love it.

Also not sure if you come here through notifications link but we spruced up the..."

Well that is AWESOME!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I thought the (view spoiler)[bearhounds were cool - the Hunter took care of them swiftly with love and good words. I loved how they listened to him and he was able to make a swift escape. (hide spoiler)]

[Kevin]

Marie wrote: "I thought the [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[the power of friendship! (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Kevin wrote: "Marie wrote: "I thought the [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Exactly Kevin! :)

[Andy]

Marie wrote: "I thought the [spoilers removed]"

In the original version (view spoiler)[ he killed them using a special fast-acting poison. But I didn't want do that here, and thought playing it this way both made him more prepared and built upon his dalliance with Lady Dannaros. Way more fun this way! (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Andy wrote: "Marie wrote: "I thought the [spoilers removed]"

In the original version [spoilers removed]"

Well I am happy that you (view spoiler)[didn't kill them - I have cringe moments with animal deaths - big pet/animal lover here so I really thought it was cool that the Hunter was able to interact with them that way and shows the Hunter's soft side too. (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Marie wrote: "Andy wrote: "Marie wrote: "I thought the [spoilers removed]"

In the original version [spoilers removed]"

Well I am happy that you [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I'm much happier with the way that scene turned out, too.

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Guys I'm doing it again! Falling in love with one of the villains because she's a hot woman with dark hair and a smart mouth. Gets me every time! So, thanks for that Andy!

[Andy]

Sucked me right in, too! :D

[Choko]

Sally, same exact experience with the strong, no nonsense lady:))) At least here she was pretty upfront that she is not on the side of the saints. In the first version, it was left a bit ambiguous at first...

[Terry]

Man, I really want to join for this read (I bought the book last month even)! I just don't know how to fit in the time 😢

[Andy]

Terry wrote: "Man, I really want to join for this read (I bought the book last month even)! I just don't know how to fit in the time 😢"

One word, one page, one chapter at a time. That's how we write the books, too. Heheh

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Terry wrote: "Man, I really want to join for this read (I bought the book last month even)! I just don't know how to fit in the time 😢"

You know Terry - you could read this book as slow as you wanted my friend. Some of us are super slow reading it - I have slowed way down on it as I want to absorb every word and every scene. Also there are no end dates on these reads - we are just reading it at the leisure of ourselves as some of us too are reading other books. :) Just take your time with it as we will still be here. We are in this series for the long haul and Andy will be around on here somewhere. :)

[Andy]

I'll be popping back in on the regular so you can lavish me with ALL THE HATE for all the terrible things i do to the Hunter. :D

[Terry]

Thanks. I'm not so worried about my sporadic pacing as I am about having some other commitments scheduled that I don't want to leave hanging and trying to decide whether to try to squeeze it in now or wait until later this summer. I'm waffling, but enjoying seeing everyone having fun with it!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Andy wrote: "I'll be popping back in on the regular so you can lavish me with ALL THE HATE for all the terrible things i do to the Hunter. :D"

Sounds like a plan, Andy! Thank you! We have loved having you here with us - it has definitely been a blast! :)

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Terry wrote: "Thanks. I'm not so worried about my sporadic pacing as I am about having some other commitments scheduled that I don't want to leave hanging and trying to decide whether to try to squeeze it in now..."

Maybe you will waffle it right along over here eventually. lol :)

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Choko wrote: "Sally, same exact experience with the strong, no nonsense lady:))) At least here she was pretty upfront that she is not on the side of the saints. In the first version, it was left a bit ambiguous ..."

And I want to smell her hair! Everything else in this town is stinky but her hair must smell amazing!

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Terry wrote: "Thanks. I'm not so worried about my sporadic pacing as I am about having some other commitments scheduled that I don't want to leave hanging and trying to decide whether to try to squeeze it in now..."

Mmm, waffles! Hi Terry! Excited for you to join when you can! I think you'll love this one. I adore reading with you so I'll be happy when you dive in!

[Kevin]

I now know what Bucelarii means. And it makes The Hunter's backstory even more tragic.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

29% in - Okay so I got to the part where (view spoiler)[Jak has been pummeled to death and The Hunter is on the hunt. The graphic details of Jak's body is almost like reading a horror novel. Now we are seeing the gritty dark side of life in Voramis up close and personal now that it has seeped into the Hunter's personal space. I am hoping to see some justice! (hide spoiler)]

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Around page 200. The Hunter plus Graeme equals comedy gold! This scene is so good!

[Andy]

Marie wrote: "29% in - Okay so I got to the part where [spoilers removed]"

Justice? More like (view spoiler)[ bloody vengeance!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Andy wrote: "Marie wrote: "29% in - Okay so I got to the part where [spoilers removed]"

Justice? More like [spoilers removed]"

Whoo-hoo Andy! I cannot wait to see that! :)

[Andy]

Marie wrote: "Andy wrote: "Marie wrote: "29% in - Okay so I got to the part where [spoilers removed]"

Justice? More like [spoilers removed]"

Whoo-hoo Andy! I cannot wait to see that! :)"

So much THAT. :D

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

Page 217. Really Andy?! Ow!

[Andy]

Sally wrote: "Page 217. Really Andy?! Ow!"

(view spoiler)[ It was the only way the Hunter would TRULY fly into a maddened rage and go apeshit on the Bloody Hand. None of the other deaths would ever have had that much impact. (hide spoiler)]

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

I know, it makes sense. Beautifully done, I really felt that.

[Kevin]

Sally wrote: "Page 217. Really Andy?! Ow!"

Yeah....I tried warning you! haha. It was a tough few chapters for sure.

As you and Andy said, it makes sense. If he just went into some blind rage it would seem forced.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I don't even want to know what "Ow" is! I am not there yet and there has already been one "Ow" and whatever that next one is must be a doozy "Ow"! I am on page 188. I am where (view spoiler)[the Hunter is checking out Breaker. (hide spoiler)]

I have a very funny feeling there are going to be lots of "Ow's" from here on out. Authors "love" (LOL) Ow's! They live for it I think! LOL

[Andy]

Some of us are slightly sadistic, I will admit. :D

[Kevin]

I made it to page 378 yesterday.

(view spoiler)[ I'm not sure if all of this counts as spoiler material but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

There is a lot of really nice lore and background information in Part 2. Not an info dump like some epic fantasy books. I don't mind that either. This one is well paced as I've said before.

Now that the Hunter knows a bit about his past, it's going to be very interesting to see how he reacts in future encounters. His frame of mind may change? More of understanding why thinks the way he does.

Pretty much Reverentus to the Hunter



And the Midden still lurks. I still think this has bigger implications than it seems. (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Kevin, did you find yourself wondering HOW LONG IS THAT STAIRCASE? :D

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Andy wrote: "Some of us are slightly sadistic, I will admit. :D"

Yes I know - some of you sit behind your desk rubbing your hands together with a twisted smile on your face as you try to figure out what kind of ways you can gut your readers! LOL

[Kevin]

Andy wrote: "Kevin, did you find yourself wondering HOW LONG IS THAT STAIRCASE? :D"

Right?!

I find it quite ironically funny that (view spoiler)[ the Hunter was told entire life history is based on things he didn't believe in at all. Although he has been convinced, I'm not sure Brother Reverentus is being 100% truthful or at all for that matter. I can't trust anyone at this point! (hide spoiler)]

[Kevin]

I'm on part 2, chapter 32, page 478. This is amazing!

(view spoiler)[We have the vengeful Hunter I think we have been waiting for. These fight and action scenes lay it all out for you. Glad he was able to reconnect with Graeme. I love their exchanges.

The spirits helping him on his quest of vengeance is a great idea. They are acting like his new Soulhunger guiding him to targets.

Still stopping to help the helpless. I love this guy! (hide spoiler)]

[Kevin]

It seems like I am quite a bit further ahead than the rest of the crew. I'll just finish this up and post a review of this amazing book.

I really dont want to spoil anything.

[Choko]

Kevin, don't do that. It is totally safe once you post the pages or chapter before the spoiler. We are all veterans here, we don't open spoilers until we get to that point, but it is wonderful to get to those spoilers and see how people experience the book as we go. Don't stop commenting, please:)))

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

@Kevin I agree with Choko 100% Stick around and talk! We'll read your spoilers when we catch up!

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

I'm starting part 2!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Kevin wrote: "It seems like I am quite a bit further ahead than the rest of the crew. I'll just finish this up and post a review of this amazing book.

I really dont want to spoil anything."

Do not leave this thread Kevin! If you do we will send the Hunter after you (kicking and screaming) back to this thread. lol Your thought input is very important to us so we want you to stay around and chat with us! :)