Reaction to... The Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke

TO UNCOVER OR BE COVERED:
I don’t think it’s possible (or wise *raises fist*) to argue with me when I say that this series has the most INCREDIBLE cover designs. They really are impressive, with all these fantastic graphic designs intermingled with equally awesome artwork! The cover for THE PIRATE’S WISH does not disappoint, with a vivid background color, matching design, and a center that alludes to what we can expect this installment to be about. Strange Chemistry has done a highly commendable job giving covers to this series that encapsulates what both books are all about and presents it in a way that intrigues.

SUMMARY: After setting out to break the curse that binds them together, the pirate Ananna and the assassin Naji find themselves stranded on an enchanted island in the north with nothing but a sword, their wits, and the secret to breaking the curse: complete three impossible tasks. With the help of their friend Marjani and a rather unusual ally, Ananna and Naji make their way south again, seeking what seems to be beyond their reach.

Unfortunately, Naji has enemies from the shadowy world known as the Mists, and Ananna must still face the repercussions of going up against the Pirate Confederation. Together, Naji and Ananna must break the curse, escape their enemies — and come to terms with their growing romantic attraction.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS:
Ananna is a pirate from a high-ranking family in the Pirate Confederation. But as notorious as her family is, they don’t have the resources to plunder this particularly attractive and tempting loot hotspot. And there’s only one thing for it: Ananna’s parents must ally themselves with a family who can, and to do it they must marry their daughter off to the son of that family. Alas, things don’t go according to plan because the last thing Ananna wants to be is second-in-command to a too-beautiful wannabe when she’s good and passionate enough to sail her own ship. Leaving the arrangement behind, however, leads to a whirlwind of consequences. Top of the list? Having a highly trained, legendary assassin on her tail at every turn ready to annihilate her. What neither she nor the assassin count on, though, is her good-hearted nature stepping in and saving him from an absolute death, triggering, you guessed it, the assassin’s curse.

Now an epic adventure quest is in full swing, as both desperately try to cure him of his impossible curse, only to learn that the answer, or should I say answers, they seek will not come to them easily. In fact, the solutions are said to be just as impossible as the assassin’s curse. Still, there’s nothing for it but to try, and with the opening of THE PIRATE’S WISH, Ananna and Naji are bringing themselves closer to end of their journey.

WHERE WE GO:


My excitement for THE PIRATE’S WISH is pretty much unparalleled compared to most sequels I’m anticipating. Because, though THE ASSASSIN’S CURSE wasn’t an absolute perfect read for me, it’s still one of my favorites, an extraordinary tale presented in a very unique fashion. The series doesn’t fall in with YA fantasy tropes and trends that I think most people allow themselves to expect when it comes to books like these and use them as an excuse not to pick them up. THE ASSASSIN’S CURSE series just proves that there are books that aren’t about this all-powerful “chosen one,” a prophecy, or a large-scale battle of good versus evil set in medieval-esque universe. This duology takes place in a kind of middle Eastern-inspired backdrop, navigating the seas and maneuvering in the desert, with two characters tied by a forced and unexpected irrevocable bond they seek to break, bringing with it the promise of adventure.

WHO WE ARE WITH:
I would totally share a single slice of my cheesecake with Ananna, which WHOA. But she’s just that awesome, that if she ever asked me for a piece, I’d gladly take the whole pie out of my fridge and allow her to even have the BIGGEST piece. Again: whoa. She’s not the most beautiful or sweetest of heroines, and I do adore that. But more than that I like that she has a gruff, blunt manner that hides the oversized heart she’s got, the one that, these days, seems to be beating only for Naji. She’s quick and clever, devious and sly, bad-tempered and easily frustrated, and the sea, more than your average pirate, belongs to her, is where she’s home.

I loved seeing her come into her own capabilities as a pirate, helping keep her friend’s ship afloat, managing the crew, and navigating through the seas by a natural talent. And of course I kept glaring at Naji throughout the first half of the book because Ananna’s heart was sore. But the manticore they meet perked things up considerably! My goodness, that beast is hilarious and interesting and definitely uncommon when it comes to magical beasts you expect to greet you during an adventure fantasy. I loved the surprising female solidarity both the beast and Ananna shared.

But mostly, I couldn’t stop gushing and squealing and making happy giggles over the direction of the romance. I know some people aren’t fully satisfied in that respect, but I certainly am. Because it wasn’t overdone to make me gag and I don’t think it took away from who Naji and Ananna are as people. Their lives will never completely fit into each other’s and yet they will always love and know that they are loved back and will forever be entwined, blood-bond or no. There’s a special kind of trust in that sort of unique relationship that they’ve chosen to have which best suits their needs as individuals. I LOVED THAT so so much!!

THE LITTLE THINGS:

1. The Manticore Eats Men A Lot
2. Ananna Gets Her Heart's Wish (As Do I)
3. Every Damn Kiss %&$@@^I& ('Cause Hades knows we've been waiting!)

As much as I’m going to miss these characters, this particular story, I’m really happy that this is a duology. That Clarke and her team were able to definitively cut the story in half and that was all. No need to elongate it for the sake of a label, for the sake of making just another trilogy. It’s perfect the way it is and never once did I feel like it was being dragged out as it stands now. I can't imagine anyone not appreciating that, just as I can't imagine anyone not enjoying the heck out of these books! Give them a try and see for yourself.

Paperback / 336 pgs / June 18th 2013 / Strange Chemistry / Goodreads / $9.99

I received an e-galley of this installment from Strange Chemistry via Netgalley.

Cover Reveal: The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke + Giveaway

An Angry Robot Cover Reveal

Title/Author: The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke
Story ARC: Standalone
Expected Publication: February 2013 by Angry Robot

There’s never been anyone - or anything - quite like Finn.

He looks, and acts human, though he has no desire to be. He was programmed to assist his owners, and performs his duties to perfection. A billion-dollar construct, his primary task is to tutor Cat.

When the government grants rights to the ever-increasing robot population, however, Finn struggles to find his place in the world.

ARC Review: The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra R. Clarke + Giveaway

Title: The Assassin's Curse
Story Arc: Duology, Book 1
Publication: October 2, 2012 by Strange Chemistry
Paperback: 416 pages
Genre: High Fantasy, Magic, Pirates
Age Group: Teen, Young Adult
Content: Nothing Worrisome or Notable
Source: Strange Chemistry via NetGalley | Quote(s): Yes

I ain't never been one to trust beautiful people, and Tarrin of the Hariri was the most beautiful man I ever saw.

Ananna of the Tanarau is the eldest daughter of a highly-ranked family in the loose assortment of cutthroats and thieves in the Pirate's Confederation. When she runs away from the marriage her parents have arranged for her, they hire Naji the assassin to murder her.

When a mysterious woman in a dress shop offers her magical assistance for dealing with the assassin, Ananna accepts. She never went in much for magic herself -- she lacks the talent for it -- but she's not quite ready to die yet, either. Unfortunately, the woman's magic fails.

Fortunately, Ananna inadvertently saves the assassin's life in the skirmish, thus activating a curse that had been placed on him a few years earlier. Now, whenever her life is in danger, he must protect her -- or else he experiences tremendous physical pain. Neither Ananna nor the assassin, Naji, are pleased about this development.

Follow Ananna and Naji as they sail across the globe, visiting such mysterious places as the Court of Salt and Waves, in their desperate effort to lift the curse. Soon they will discover that only by completing three impossible tasks will they be able to set themselves free.

What happens when you mess with pirates

In Ananna of the Tanarau’s world, beautiful people sure know how to make a fine mess.

Especially when said beautiful people include the progeny of dastardly greedy pirates, a river witch with a glossed over nasty streak, and evil entities in disguise from a place called Elsewhere, and… well, there I go, getting ahead of myself. Let me try again.

Ananna is the daughter of a pair of badass pirates, part of one of the higher up families in the Pirate Confederation. With the help of another pirate clan, Ananna’s family can sack a sweet hotspot ripe for pirate pickings by utilizing this clan’s stellar naval fleet. Impressive deviousness, no? The catch? An arranged marriage is involved—Ananna’s—to exactly the kind of boy she detests and distrusts—an unrepentantly beautiful one.

Because of this trashed marriage, all sorts of cool things await for the adventurous, loyal, and spirited Ananna! This is FANTASY, you guys. And one of the best ones I’ve read this year! Not only are there pirates in our midst but also shadow-dwelling assassins, insect-ship hybrid machines, mistlike entities from other worlds, witches, wizards, blood magic, and the list GOES ON. Naturalistic dialogue, organic, brilliant, mind-catching fantasy, and characters so flawed, mysterious, and huggable they are DRILLED into your heart, The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke is a story of BOUNDLESS possibilities, in which every situation or fantasy element you can cook up in your head has a chance to make it on the pages. It’s impossible to tell what Clarke will show us, design for us to visualize, next.

It’s SO easy to geek out over this book!

THIS is why I’m a character girl

Ananna is my kind of young woman. She’s bold, feisty, and fiercely loyal of her companion, Naji, the assassin sent to KILL her. How did that (their flipped relationship) happen? His tie to her is a result of her good-hearted tendencies, the ones that make her that much more of an astonishingly lovable person. She doesn’t think much of herself on the outside but she’s conscious and proud of her capabilities, which is why she doesn’t enjoy being rendered helpless, left to hand over the reins on her escape, and eventual quest into the unknown, to a certain grumbly, miserable assassin who can’t be up to any good in the first place. She’s not afraid to be who she is and she can lay it out like it is, blunt and open. I firmly believe there isn’t anything she CAN’T do—and, no, that’s not because of my insanely OBVS girl crush on her!

Naji is no slouch, or piece of chopped liver. Naji and Ananna are amazingly well-paired main characters. They’re both used to leading, to doing things a certain way. DIFFICULT is a mild term for their attempts at compromise and trust. In fact, there’s so much distrust and discord fueling their adorably sarcastic banter that their relationship grows unawares to the two of them, until they’re forced to rely on each other even more than would be considered comfortable for both of them so that those two negative, intangible companions on their exquisite journey disappear altogether. Throw in Naji’s tortured soul motif under all the Jadorr’a badassery—you know, vulnerable and crushed heart over his facial disfigurement—and you couldn’t have two more surprisingly sweetly endearing characters, both of whom would probably scowl at the label, to fall in love with in The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke.

In terms of plot and shizz

THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON HERE. We’ve got Ananna doing her darnest to escape her dreadful future in-laws in hopes that she won’t have to marry their obnoxious, dull, wannabe pirate son, and her attempts to elude the assassin after her very clever butt. Then, once the assassin in question is forced to her side because of an underlying curse suddenly activated by Ananna’s generous move, we’ve got a GIANT and ENGAGING quest to remove said curse—one which binds these two irrevocably in moments of danger. This becomes the PERFECT opportunity to take us across hazardous deserts and creature-infested seas to the maddening Isles of Sky where the answers they seek are said to be. Meanwhile, they have to dodge beings of the mists who are out on account of a personal vendetta against are solemn and secretive Naji.

But nothing about The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke TRULY compares to Ananna and Naji and the bond that solidifies into something impervious and steely over the months into their dangerous journey. Something about the two of them sparks instantly, but is taking a while to really catch fire. Their friendship is a slow, painful process because their trust and respect for each other is built upon many hard lessons and trials. It’s amusing to experience their inevitable softening toward each other, but even more so is their fast and steady defense of one another. It’s warming to see Ananna jump to defend Naji’s honor or his already bruised feelings, and come to realize the true nature of her feelings. And Naji may be a solid wall of unreachable mystery, but, underneath it all, there really isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her.

How does it end?

The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke is part of a duology, which is both lovely and saddening, because while our misery over the lack of romantic fodder won’t last overly long, I KNOW I’m going to miss them both, as well as the other characters and the extraordinary high fantasy in the storytelling, and the mess of adventures Ananna and Naji drop into.

Moments of frustratingly slow pacing aside, The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke gave me a fantastical story of epic levels, with grand fantasy that seems bigger than the story itself and characters that I’m ever-rooting for, and I’m ridiculously impressed! The story scores even more points for its unexpected awesomeness, which makes it into the sort of precious gem I treasure most. A definite favorite of the year!

PS: Doesn't Naji already remind you of Prince/Fire Lord Zuko? :-D Speaking of, check out my book boyfriend edition for June which features my favorite shadow-dwelling assassin!

"A river?" I said. "Water?"
"Water generally comprises a river, yes."
"Oh, thank Kaol and E'mko both!" I closed my eyes and all the dusty dryness fell away, and I imagined diving into clean hard river water, sloughing off all the grime and filth of travel, a proper bath and not a useless sandscrub-- "We're not there yet."
I opened my eyes. Naji was looking at me with little lines creasing the strip of his face, his own eyes bright and sparkling.
"Are you laughing at me?"
"Never."
I lunged at him with an imaginary sword, and this time he really did laugh, all throaty and raspy, and I wondered what I could do to get him to laugh more. (35%)

Rating: Perfect Bed Partner

While at very few times in the novel I struggled with the sporadic too-slow pacing—I’m a fast-paced plot kind of gal—I was deeply immersed in the enchanting and more-than-merely-the-pages fantasy that very much has a life of its own. Throw in two fabulous main characters—one of whom is the amusing, honest, and realistic narrator of the story—and I was hooked. Daring and dire adventures, wicked, frightening foes, and characters I became viciously protective of by the end, The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke rapidly found its way to the top half of my favorites of the year pile!

OTHER REVIEWS: Serendipity Reviews Infinite Day Dreams YA Book Seasons

SIMILAR TITLES: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo Seraphina by Rachel Hartman Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Want to win your very own copy?

The awesome folk over at Strange Chemistry are providing one lucky winner the chance to read this FANTASTIC book ahead of schedule! Sign up so you don't miss out! Good luck!

Official Giveaway Info:

• you do NOT have to be a follower
• there are extra entries available
• all entrants must be at least 13 years old or older
• giveaway deadline is July 22, 2012
• giveaway is open to US + INTL*
• read my Contest | Giveaway page, as well as my Privacy Notice

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Got something specific in mind? Dare I believe I might NOT have covered something you wish to know? If so, let me know down in the comments section. Don't be shy!

My Book Boyfriend: June Edition - Naji from The Assassin's Curse

Bossy, arrogant, irritable, scarred face... I was TOTALLY having Zuko flashbacks here. Not to mention this awesome guy is a KICKASS warrior assassin dude. The man of the hour? I'm talking about NAJI, from the AMAZEBALLS novel The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke, which is releasing October 2, 2012 by Strange Chemistry.

Not only is The Assassin's Curse a hands-down, gloriously stunning fantasy, but it's also got FRAKING FAB characters to boot. Why, if there was a My Book Girlfriend circulating right about now, best believe Ananna would be my pick for this month. She's brave, unceasingly loyal, temperamental, and a basketful of BADASS AWESOME PIRATE.

If only his clothes were BLACK. And he had a mask.

Don't let Naji's vulnerability and insecurity over his marred face fool you, though. Bro is an ASSASSIN after all. One of the elite, highly paid, intensely trained, specialize-in-killing assassins instead of your run-of-the-mill wannabe with a knife, okay?

• He moves with shadows and shizz
• He's wicked fab at magic using and spells, and even *dramatic pause* BLOOD MAGIC
• He's got enemies in frightening places *wiggles fingers ominously*
• He's irrevocably cursed with an IMPOSSIBLE CURSE
• Scar or not, the man is SMEXY IN MY MIND
• He wears all black robes and a mask to cover his face
• He's really called a Jadorr'a
• He speaks an incomprehensible "beautiful terrible language"
• He has a beautiful, glacial pair of blue-gray eyes and, I believe, olive skin

YOU WANT THIS MAN. He brings so much tenderness and sexy feelings out of you, nearly simultaneously, and you want to hug and slobber over him at once. He's gone through some rough times because of his disfigurement, but that VERY SLOW brewing romance between him and Ananna? Well, it's REALLY SLOW. But the spark is there. Because she's his friend, she sees him for the incredible person he is. She's in love with him and I CAN'T WAIT to see HIS FACE when he realizes it. Cuz girlfriend is fierce and wonderful like no other.

It's crazysauce on a taco how FINE this boy is.

Now don't feel too upset, ladies and Fred. Because the chances of ONE of you not being without this book for long is GREAT. Because Strange Chemistry has allowed me to plan a special something for ya'll by the end of the week. So, interested in Naji (let's be real, who isn't?)? Then tune back into Paranormal Indulgence this Sunday, July 3rd for a generous surprise ;D

"Beautiful people, things are too easy for 'em. They don't know how to survive in this world. Somebody's ugly, or even plain, normal-looking, that means they got to work twice as hard for things. For anything. Just to get people to listen to 'em, or take 'em serious. So yeah. I don't trust beautiful people."
"I see." He dropped his head to the side. I didn't look at him, but down at the floor instead, at the fissures in the stones. "No wonder you were so quick to trust me."
I heard the hard edge in his voice, the crack of bitterness. And so I lifted my head. He was staring up at the ceiling.
"You ain't ugly." (49%)

"Ananna," Naji said. "I have actually done this sort of thing before. With alarming regularity, in fact."
"I know." I said it real soft, and he leaned over to me like cared what I was saying. "I just want to help you is all."
His eyes got soft and bright. I wanted him to smile. "That's very kind," he said. "I don't have a lot of experience with kindness, but I--I do appreciate it."
I blushed. "And I wish you wouldn't be so sore with me all the time."
He blinked. The music vibrated around us, all shimmery and soft. Nobody was dancing. "I'm not sore with you," he said.
I guess it shoulda made me feel better, but it didn't. (60%)

"I almost did," I said after a while.
"Almost did what?"
"Helped her find you." I couldn't look at him. "She showed me all these things that could happen if I did - amazing things. My own ship, my own crew."
Naji got real still. I knew he was staring at me even though I refused to look up at his face.
"What stopped you? Why didn't you help her?"
"'Cause you're my friend," I said.
All the hardness in his features melted away. "Oh." (93%)

Ananna of the Tanarau is the eldest daughter of a highly-ranked family in the loose assortment of cutthroats and thieves in the Pirate's Confederation. When she runs away from the marriage her parents have arranged for her, they hire Naji the assassin to murder her.

When a mysterious woman in a dress shop offers her magical assistance for dealing with the assassin, Ananna accepts. She never went in much for magic herself -- she lacks the talent for it -- but she's not quite ready to die yet, either. Unfortunately, the woman's magic fails.

Fortunately, Ananna inadvertently saves the assassin's life in the skirmish, thus activating a curse that had been placed on him a few years earlier. Now, whenever her life is in danger, he must protect her -- or else he experiences tremendous physical pain. Neither Ananna nor the assassin, Naji, are pleased about this development.

Follow Ananna and Naji as they sail across the globe, visiting such mysterious places as the Court of Salt and Waves, in their desperate effort to lift the curse. Soon they will discover that only by completing three impossible tasks will they be able to set themselves free.

Don't forget to check back to Missie's My Book Boyfriend post of the week.

Got something specific in mind? Dare I believe I might NOT have covered something you wish to know? If so, let me know down in the comments section. Don't be shy!