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Assassin
"... the stories and the mind behind them are first rate" - Janis Ian, 4 star review "...a very good story, masterfully executed. A mule kick to the chest." - Woelf, 5 star review For almost twenty years, war has raged between the mountain kingdom of Thrace and the sea-faring land of Andal, exhausting both nations. Prince Lowan, the educated and debonair second son of the King of Thrace, has arrived to make peace with his father's enemies. But the price Andal requires for peace is high--too high--and Lowan knows there are many ways to influence a nation at war.Assassin is an original fantasy short story of 4,200 words, or about 17 paperback pages. It includes a Story Notes section, outlining the background and thought process behind the writing as well as an excerpt from Matthew Iden's fantasy short story SWORD OF KINGS.
- GenresFantasyShort Stories
17 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2012
46 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Iden
34 books345 followersI write fantasy, science fiction, horror, thrillers, crime fiction, and contemporary literary fiction with a psychological twist.
I’ve held jobs with the US Postal Service, international non-profit groups, a short stint with the Forest Service in Sitka, Alaska, and time with the globe-spanning Semester at Sea program. Trips to Iceland, Patagonia, and Antarctica added to the creative pot, as well, and I started to put all those experiences to good use about eight years ago--thinking, dreaming, and writing.
Please email me at matt.iden AT matthew-iden.com, Tweet @CrimeRighter, or find me on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/matthew.iden.
The Marty Singer detective series is:
A Reason to Live (Marty Singer #1)
Blueblood (Marty Singer #2)
One Right Thing (Marty Singer #3)
The Spike (Marty Singer #4)
The Wicked Flee (Marty Singer #5)
I’ve held jobs with the US Postal Service, international non-profit groups, a short stint with the Forest Service in Sitka, Alaska, and time with the globe-spanning Semester at Sea program. Trips to Iceland, Patagonia, and Antarctica added to the creative pot, as well, and I started to put all those experiences to good use about eight years ago--thinking, dreaming, and writing.
Please email me at matt.iden AT matthew-iden.com, Tweet @CrimeRighter, or find me on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/matthew.iden.
The Marty Singer detective series is:
A Reason to Live (Marty Singer #1)
Blueblood (Marty Singer #2)
One Right Thing (Marty Singer #3)
The Spike (Marty Singer #4)
The Wicked Flee (Marty Singer #5)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 17, 2013
I adored the way this one strung me along and tricked me. As Iden says in his note at the end, to talk about this in detail is to spoil it. Suffice it to say that in the space of really a short story, Iden had me intrigued, worried, and finally shocked -- all in those good ways you can get with a well-crafted short story.
June 23, 2012
[2012-06-23] Downloaded (thanks Matthew for the six-day giveaway!) and read within the hour.
Fantastic story! Entirely complete (excuse the tautology) and with lots to think about. I also enjoyed reading Matthew's thoughts on the book that are bundled with the story (I would have liked a blank page between to the two, just to allow my mind to close from the story).
Fanatastic word-smithing, superbing plotting and excellently drawn characters in such a short time. A real "find"
Fantastic story! Entirely complete (excuse the tautology) and with lots to think about. I also enjoyed reading Matthew's thoughts on the book that are bundled with the story (I would have liked a blank page between to the two, just to allow my mind to close from the story).
Fanatastic word-smithing, superbing plotting and excellently drawn characters in such a short time. A real "find"
June 28, 2012
This was another tightly crafted offering from Mr. Iden. Very enjoyable and with a twist that was, as it should be, unexpected! The story was complete and satisfying.
I generally avoid short stories simply because I like to take the time for the story to unfold before me and develop the characters. After reading this and "The Sword of Kings," I am going to take the risk more often. There is a definite challenge to the short story and Mr. Iden does not disappoint!
I generally avoid short stories simply because I like to take the time for the story to unfold before me and develop the characters. After reading this and "The Sword of Kings," I am going to take the risk more often. There is a definite challenge to the short story and Mr. Iden does not disappoint!
July 13, 2017
I forget.
September 2, 2012
When diplomacy and reason fail – Assassin by Matthew Iden; an Amazon average rating of 4.0 stars.
Assassin has a common medieval back-story of a war between two nations that’s run its course with the people and needs to be reconciled politically. What isn’t so common is the intimate view of this process behind the scenes where the chess match between greed and desperation are played out. Lowan’s final act to save his people will leave you stunned.
Iden gives us a look at war from the power brokers’ perspective to find the right balance of sacrifice for what they desire most while taking into account the will of the people. It’s well-crafted in terms of plot and though this isn’t a story with a lot of action the pacing is brisk enough. Iden’s ability to paint a complete picture and build a small cast that connects you in so few pages is priceless. The only drawback for some readers may be the lack of tangible action; however, if you can appreciate the delicacies and pressure of politics in a fantasy age, then you’ll thoroughly enjoy Assassin – a well-earned 4.4 stars.
Tom Clementson (Kindle Book Review)
Check out this and other reviews here: The Motley Chronicles
Assassin has a common medieval back-story of a war between two nations that’s run its course with the people and needs to be reconciled politically. What isn’t so common is the intimate view of this process behind the scenes where the chess match between greed and desperation are played out. Lowan’s final act to save his people will leave you stunned.
Iden gives us a look at war from the power brokers’ perspective to find the right balance of sacrifice for what they desire most while taking into account the will of the people. It’s well-crafted in terms of plot and though this isn’t a story with a lot of action the pacing is brisk enough. Iden’s ability to paint a complete picture and build a small cast that connects you in so few pages is priceless. The only drawback for some readers may be the lack of tangible action; however, if you can appreciate the delicacies and pressure of politics in a fantasy age, then you’ll thoroughly enjoy Assassin – a well-earned 4.4 stars.
Tom Clementson (Kindle Book Review)
Check out this and other reviews here: The Motley Chronicles
September 10, 2013
Well first of all this was an interesting book but short. Which in some ways was very refreshing.
But even though it was short and refreshing I still had a few spots that to me was a little over done. Or a little to history but wasn't .. It is fantasy but to me it reminded me of some very distant war story.
There again this is my thoughts, yours may vary and that is great. So the book is short so is my review. Pick it up and read for yourself. Then let me know what you think.
Cover: Interesting
Plot: some what done..
Characters: likeable
Ending: In some ways I wish it had not.
So for this book I will be giving my Breath of Life Rating:
Four Clock Rating:
But even though it was short and refreshing I still had a few spots that to me was a little over done. Or a little to history but wasn't .. It is fantasy but to me it reminded me of some very distant war story.
There again this is my thoughts, yours may vary and that is great. So the book is short so is my review. Pick it up and read for yourself. Then let me know what you think.
Cover: Interesting
Plot: some what done..
Characters: likeable
Ending: In some ways I wish it had not.
So for this book I will be giving my Breath of Life Rating:
Four Clock Rating:
December 11, 2015
In a fantasy/historic short story I begin with an honest amount of skepticism that the story can be told effectively in such a short amount of writing as this particular genre can be quite intricate in detail and significance. However this author has succeeded with flying colors. It is well written with an element of mystery and anticipation and once the story concludes it causes the reader to think.
June 24, 2012
This short story had to work a little harder to get me hooked. But, not much as it turned out. I thought it was very good, and will recommend it! The twist at the end did catch me off guard, I loved it. Again I was left fingers crossed that there was more pages to flip to...alas
That's the point right? Keep them wanting more.
We'll I do, so am starting the third and final short story that author Matthew Iden was so gracious to include in his 6day giveaway.
Julie
That's the point right? Keep them wanting more.
We'll I do, so am starting the third and final short story that author Matthew Iden was so gracious to include in his 6day giveaway.
Julie
September 13, 2012
Especially nice touch. Iden almost fooled me into a narrow path of expectation. I really think this could be further developed into a full-fleshed novel (perhaps coupled with the nice The Sword of Kings?)
September 17, 2012
The story was interesting and the twist unexpected, but I really wish it had been a bit longer. I felt like the back story of the two warring countries as well as the probably necessary info-dropping about the king and his character and his rule and so on dominated the whole story, instead of stressing the actual action/dialogue/emotions.
June 29, 2012
I admit, I completely did not fore-see this ending - it caught me by surprise, but made complete sense with all the clues that had been sprinkled throughout the rest of the story. Highly enjoyable read.
July 31, 2012
A very enjoyable short story set in a fictional, medieval land about a Prince who visits a neighboring country his land has been at war with for a long time in an attempt to work out an ending to hostilities. The author keeps you guessing what is going to happen until the very end.
September 9, 2012
Brilliant short story, absolutely engrossing, got really caught up in the story as the two Young Princes try and bring about a peace treaty, great descriptions of the lands and peoples, what a twist at the end, once again left me wanting to read more.
November 30, 2012
I got this short story as a free download and I really enjoyed it. Not only was it well written with an unexpected twist at the end, it was hard for me to put down and I read it in one sitting. Can't wait to read more of Matthew Iden's work.
February 25, 2013
Eh, this wasn't really my kind of story I guess. I had to reading the ending twice to understand what happened. I think the story was way to short and didn't give me enough to grab onto, which could be the reason why I didn't really like it.
September 4, 2012
An excellent short story. Thoroughly enjoyable reading when perhaps you do not have much time.
October 1, 2012
Wonderful storytelling.
November 16, 2012
I was bored and I had 15 minutes before I had to go to bed. That's all.
March 25, 2012
Really quick read. Unexpected ending. Author narrative at the end.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews