A review by Elizabeth Manthos
A review by Elizabeth ManthosThe Prince is dead!
Prince Anders, the ruler of Archenfield, a small principality, has been murdered, leaving his younger brother and heir, Jared, to assume the throne.
Sixteen-year-old Jared feels unprepared to rule the principality and his powerful and dangerous court, yet he knows that he can rely on the twelve officers of the court to advise him. He also knows he can just as easily be at their mercy, especially when it appears that one of them may be responsible for his brother’s death.
Unable to trust anyone, Jared takes it upon himself to try and solve the mystery surrounding his brother’s untimely demise.
Set over the course of five days, Justin Somper uses different points of view to deliver the story in a flawless manner, even so far as to introduce the point of view of characters who we have met only once and characters seemingly insignificant to the story.
If there is one thing I can say about Justin Somper’s writing in Allies and Assassins, is that it hooks you in right from the very start. The story flowed well, easily switching to different characters points of view and making you believe you, as a reader, were right there with him.
Jared is a likeable character and I found myself wishing and hoping no one would try and kill him. Asta as a character was phenomenal, throwing off the conventions that her rank in society brings and befriending the prince to help solve his brother’s death. By far, Asta was my favourite character.
The novel was filled with secrets, intrigue and drama with underlying tones of romance (that I’d like to see explored into the next novel). Allies and Assassins keeps you guessing at every turn and no matter whom you think assassinated the prince, the novel changes your mind, right up to the big reveal.
I can recommend Allies and Assassins to any YA lover with a love of mystery and drama.
ISBN: 9781907411861
Publisher: Atom (Hachette)
Page count: 416
