Anvil of the Sun

The Cloak and Dagger #1

by Anne Lesley Groell

Aristocratic assassin Vera Devereaux takes on a routine job of killing a politician, and, counter to custom, is promptly arrested for the murder as part of an ingenious scheme. Her rebellious debutante niece, who takes after Vera in many ways, rushes to rescue her and becomes enmeshed by the local revolutionary movement and its charismatic leader. This is the first of a series, but the story is complete. Ignore the said-isms and shaky social premises and enjoy the fast-moving plot. Groell has a wicked eye for farcical timing. If she tightens her control of language, she will give us some very funny fantasy of manners modelled on this one.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction

431 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

About the author

Editor and author Anne Lesley Groell is a native New Yorker who grew up on the Upper West Side. She received a B.A. in Biology from Yale University and a M.S. in Developmental Biology from the University of California at Irvine, specializing in limb regeneration in salamanders. Eventually, missing seasons, she returned to the Upper West Side, where she still resides, to become an editor and writer. She worked for two and a half years at Avon Books, then moved on to Bantam, where she is a SF/Fantasy editor for Bantam Spectra , editing such authors as George R. R. Martin, Robin Hobb, Connie Willis, Lynn Flewelling, Mark Anthony, Catherine Asaro, Kay Kenyon and John Marco. In addition to being an editor, she is also a popular fantasy author. Her first published novel, Anvil of the Sun, was released from Penguin/Roc in 1996; Bridge of Valor, the sequel, in 1997; and Cauldron of Iniquity, in 1999. The three novels follow the adventures of the fledgling assassins, Jenifleur and Thibault, as they strive to become full members of the legendary Assassin's Guild. Her books are a blend of fantasy, adventure and romance which have been highly praised by publications such as Locus, Starlog and Romantic Times. In addition to her vivid characters, her stories are also known for their inventive settings and their wonderful sense of humor.

Reviews

[Shaitarn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

I didn't enjoy as much as I did when I first read it waaaay back last century. As I get older I find cocky teenage heroines more annoying than I used to.

FRTC.

[Darren]

I enjoyed the 2/3 or so that I read. I just don't get into epic fantasy much nowadays, and I didn't want to have to commit to all 3 books in the series.

[Amber DiTullio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series of all time. It's a good sword-and-sorcery romp, involving two budding members of the Assassins Guild, the Cloak and the Dagger. The Cloak is a tall, plain man of peasant stock name Thibault who is one of the only people that can keep his partner, aristocrat Jennifleur, reigned in. In this first story, Jen & Thib are going rogue. While Jen has always wanted to follow her aunt into the Hestian Guild, she needed to finish school first (thanks to a promise that her aunt made to Jen's mother on the mother's death bed). While she was gone, Thib was apprenticed as (I believe) a carpenter. But now Jen is back and Thib has been recalled to meet her ship since her aunt, the famous assassin, the Hawk, is on assignment. She expects to be back soon, but that is before she is double-crossed and captured. As soon as Jen finds out, she convinces Thib to "go rogue" with her (which is what they call working outside of a guild contract). They've both been trained well by Vera, Jen's aunt, but technical training isn't everything. The two of them arrive in Ashkahron only to run over the paths of Vera (who has escaped but is thought to have been hanged) and two other operatives, the Falcon and the Hound. In some ways, it's a wonderful comedy of errors as each misses the other by moments and confuses everyone's parts. But it's also a great opening for the Cloak and the Dagger.

I LOVE the characters in this book. Jen is a character I'd love to play in an RPG, being so impetuous and full of spunk. And Thib is the kind of guy I wish I had for a big brother. Vera and Owen (the head of the Hestian Guild) are a wonderful pair and Absalom the mage is a wonderful bit of enigma wrapped in a mystery wrapped in bacon. If you like sword and sorcery, if you like adventure, and if assassins don't squick you (though there's nothing gory in the book), then I recommend the series. I just wish she were writing more of them because I'd love to see what happens to Jen & Thib next!

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This first book in a trilogy, this story introduces Jen and her childhood best friend, Thib, who swore an oath to become assassins like her Aunt Vera when they reached adulthood. When Vera's latest mission takes a turn for the worse, Jen and Thib run headlong into a vast conspiracy to destroy the mages' guild while trying to save her aunt's life. While Jen isn't a terribly likable character, her resolve is impressive.

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

this trilogy is in a good category in that they can be enjoyed by teens and adults (i think!) alike. the characters are fun, the dialogue snappy, and the plots interesting, even if the reader can be absolutely certain that everything will turn out alright. always wished the author had done more with the protagonists' romance, but you can't have everything. :)

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say like 3.75 stars.
I guess I'm a harsh critic. This story was GREAT. I loved the characters--loved the run around--foreshadowing
Things I didn't like--at times the book is slow in the beginning...however each chapter was worth the read through
Well written and thought out
Can't wait til the next book

[T J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful book full of intrigue, assassins, and magi. When Jen's aunt takes an assignment in the desert lands Jen and Thibault are pulled into an adventure that is dangerous and exciting. With many twist and turns this book keeps you guessing who is who to the very end. I am looking forward to reading book two: Bridge of Valor.

[Steph Goose]

From Dorri