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Casca #13
The Assassin
Book by Sadler, Barry
Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 1985
41 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Barry Sadler
108 books79 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
American author, musician and former green beret.
To the general public he is most known for the hit single "Ballad of the green berets"
After his musical career he decided to write a series of novels centered around the character "Casca Rufio Longinius" Who is cursed for piercing Jesus on the crucifix with a spear and is forced to forever remain a soldier until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
In the mid 1980s Sadler moved to Guatemala City where he was shot in the head one night in a taxi. He spent 7 months in a coma and died more than a year later.
American author, musician and former green beret.
To the general public he is most known for the hit single "Ballad of the green berets"
After his musical career he decided to write a series of novels centered around the character "Casca Rufio Longinius" Who is cursed for piercing Jesus on the crucifix with a spear and is forced to forever remain a soldier until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
In the mid 1980s Sadler moved to Guatemala City where he was shot in the head one night in a taxi. He spent 7 months in a coma and died more than a year later.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 11, 2023
"Casca: The Assassin" by Barry Sadler is a thrilling addition to the long-running Casca series. In this 13th book, Casca is captured by the fanatical Hashishi, a group of assassins who serve the mysterious Hassan al Sabah. Casca is forced to commit murder after murder, using his incredible skill at arms to dispatch the enemies of Hassan al Sabah.
The book is fast-paced and action-packed, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. Sadler's writing is vivid and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the Middle Eastern landscape and the brutal violence that takes place there. The characters are well-developed and interesting, with Casca/Kasim being a particularly compelling protagonist.
One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of the psychological toll of violence and killing. Casca/Kasim is a man who has seen and done terrible things in his long life, and he struggles with the weight of his past actions. He is a man of honor and integrity, but he is also a killer who knows how to get the job done. As he is forced to commit murder after murder, he begins to question his own morality and the justifications for his actions.
The action scenes in the book are expertly crafted, with Sadler's military background shining through in the attention to detail and realism. The assassinations are intense and visceral, with plenty of blood and gore. The book is not for the faint of heart, as it contains graphic violence and descriptions of torture and brutality.
One of the weaker aspects of the book is its lack of plot development. The story is essentially a series of assassinations, with little in the way of character development or plot twists. While the action is well-done, there is a sense of repetition that can become tiresome.
Overall, "Casca: The Assassin" is a solid addition to the Casca series. Fans of military thrillers and action movies will find plenty to enjoy here, with its high-stakes action, complex characters, and moral dilemmas. While it may not break new ground in terms of plot or structure, it is a well-crafted and entertaining read that will leave readers eager for more.
The book is fast-paced and action-packed, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers engaged. Sadler's writing is vivid and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the Middle Eastern landscape and the brutal violence that takes place there. The characters are well-developed and interesting, with Casca/Kasim being a particularly compelling protagonist.
One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of the psychological toll of violence and killing. Casca/Kasim is a man who has seen and done terrible things in his long life, and he struggles with the weight of his past actions. He is a man of honor and integrity, but he is also a killer who knows how to get the job done. As he is forced to commit murder after murder, he begins to question his own morality and the justifications for his actions.
The action scenes in the book are expertly crafted, with Sadler's military background shining through in the attention to detail and realism. The assassinations are intense and visceral, with plenty of blood and gore. The book is not for the faint of heart, as it contains graphic violence and descriptions of torture and brutality.
One of the weaker aspects of the book is its lack of plot development. The story is essentially a series of assassinations, with little in the way of character development or plot twists. While the action is well-done, there is a sense of repetition that can become tiresome.
Overall, "Casca: The Assassin" is a solid addition to the Casca series. Fans of military thrillers and action movies will find plenty to enjoy here, with its high-stakes action, complex characters, and moral dilemmas. While it may not break new ground in terms of plot or structure, it is a well-crafted and entertaining read that will leave readers eager for more.
January 11, 2023
Casca gets indoctrinated in to the cult of the Assassins who use hash hish to brainwash him into killing their enemies until he is finally caught. I liked this book but it was not as exciting as the other adventures since it was mostly escape from torture and surviving a bottomless pit. What it needed was more political intrigue with more fighting. The terror that this cult inspired was given not much thought by the author.
May 23, 2018
This is the worst Casca book so far in my opinion. It didnt teach me any history, the plot was meandering and aimless, the characters instantly forgettable and action mediocre at best. Casca seemed to have forgotten all he'd learnt over the previous 1000 years and there was no explanation why he went back to Persia or why he became an assassin.
I think Barry must have needed some money quickly as this was really substandard.
I think Barry must have needed some money quickly as this was really substandard.
February 3, 2017
Like so many of the Casca series, I truly enjoyed this episode, even if it had what seemed like too many stories within the story. What I did enjoy was all the fiction wrapped in historical facts and people. I always enjoy that. All in all a very good book. Looking forward to book #14.
April 1, 2020
Not Sadler's best work; he introduces Casca into the Cult of the original Assassins. Casca has several pieces of bad luck before being stuck in an underground river for two years between life and death. He does meet Omar Kayam.
June 9, 2017
Predictable and more of the same as past books.
January 9, 2018
Good story.
January 30, 2019
This Casca book was also a bit of a departure from previous books, but not necessarily in a good way.
In the past, Casca soldierly skills or sense of duty were pretty solid. This, I was quite surprised when in the middle of a mission, Casca gets drunk and captured. It was a surprise given past books, to say the least.
At least this time, there is no long term love interest for Casca to stay with and leave when she gets old or killed. That was a nice change. Also, at least the one woman he gets involved with isn’t a virgin, as in the other books.
Of course, there was a maniac foe who will pursue Casca to the ends of the earth, that Casca manages to kill.
There is a brief mention of the Brotherhood, but nothing that seems to cause him great harm. It comes up, then falls by the wayside as the main plot took over.
Overall, this was not a strong addition to the series, which is why I gave it only three stars. It is worth the time spent reading, but more to build upon the series character, rather than this individual book.
In the past, Casca soldierly skills or sense of duty were pretty solid. This, I was quite surprised when in the middle of a mission, Casca gets drunk and captured. It was a surprise given past books, to say the least.
At least this time, there is no long term love interest for Casca to stay with and leave when she gets old or killed. That was a nice change. Also, at least the one woman he gets involved with isn’t a virgin, as in the other books.
Of course, there was a maniac foe who will pursue Casca to the ends of the earth, that Casca manages to kill.
There is a brief mention of the Brotherhood, but nothing that seems to cause him great harm. It comes up, then falls by the wayside as the main plot took over.
Overall, this was not a strong addition to the series, which is why I gave it only three stars. It is worth the time spent reading, but more to build upon the series character, rather than this individual book.
January 15, 2014
This was a really good Casca book. Casca gets initiated into a secret league of assassins. He gets double-crossed and thrown into a "bottomless pit" which is a deep hole with a swift underground river at the bottom. Since he can't die, for months he was in the dark river, being thrown underground, and passing out, then waking over and over. He eventually makes it out and gets his revenge. I only give it a 4/5 because it's so short.
April 29, 2015
So you just a soldier doing your job. You shove a spear tip into the side of this supposed messiah, except he is the real thing. He curses you to wander the earth till his return. Not bad right, immortality and all. Oh but he also curses you to be a soldier forever at war, never to know peace. This is the story of Casca the Roman legionnaire that stabbed Christ. Forever wandering the earth fighting one war after another. Great adventure series. Very recommended
November 19, 2016
This one stands out a bit from the others in the series because while essentially as entertaining as the others, it didn't have the most cohesive narrative the author has produced. This was like reading a Lamb of God or System of a Down song, as if the author had three or four different ideas but couldn't flesh them out, so he just jammed them all together as one story.
November 1, 2014
ANOTHER ONE FOR THE RECORD
Casca the assassin is a great tale about Casca and his time in Persia, there's everything we could expect and more in this volume of the series
Casca the assassin is a great tale about Casca and his time in Persia, there's everything we could expect and more in this volume of the series
June 27, 2015
This story is the next book in the Casca series. Same as the other books, Just a different time and place. Writing bad as usual.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews