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The Sword of Rogues #1
The Nightshade's Apprentice
THIS M/M DARK FANTASY ROMANCE contains mature content. Ages 17+ Go to the official URL for book extras such as a fantasy map and additional illustrations.
My name’s Kian, and I’m the Assassin of the Silver Rose. I’m the first disciple of the god of thieves. Even though you can see my true age in my eyes, my body looks nineteen. As long as I continue to kill I’ll have eternal youth. That’s how Tethyr rewards my loyalty. It’s only the first of my blessings.
Impressed? Don’t be. When I started out I belonged to the Nightshade, a cruel man with overreaching ambition.
I was his apprentice. He taught me how to murder, and blood’s been my trade ever since. I’d say we’re the same, but I’d be lying. I found love. And that’s made all the difference.
The Nightshade’s Apprentice is part one of two but can stand alone.
My name’s Kian, and I’m the Assassin of the Silver Rose. I’m the first disciple of the god of thieves. Even though you can see my true age in my eyes, my body looks nineteen. As long as I continue to kill I’ll have eternal youth. That’s how Tethyr rewards my loyalty. It’s only the first of my blessings.
Impressed? Don’t be. When I started out I belonged to the Nightshade, a cruel man with overreaching ambition.
I was his apprentice. He taught me how to murder, and blood’s been my trade ever since. I’d say we’re the same, but I’d be lying. I found love. And that’s made all the difference.
The Nightshade’s Apprentice is part one of two but can stand alone.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2013
4 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Michael Offutt
8 books60 followersMichael Offutt writes speculative fiction books that have science fiction, GLBT, and paranormal elements. His first book, "Slipstream" has received some critical acclaim and was published by Double Dragon in spring 2012. The sequel, "Oculus," was published in 2012. He has one brother, no pets, and a few roots that keep his tree of life sufficiently watered. By day, he works for the State of Utah as a Technical Specialist. By night, he watches lots of t.v., writes, draws, and sometimes dreams of chocolate.
Michael Offutt graduated from the University of Idaho in 1994 with a Bachelor's degree in English.
He keeps a blog and would appreciate a visit or two even if all you want to do is say hi.
Michael Offutt graduated from the University of Idaho in 1994 with a Bachelor's degree in English.
He keeps a blog and would appreciate a visit or two even if all you want to do is say hi.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 27, 2013
A little slow at first, but it gets better. Good story can't wait for book 2.
September 9, 2013
I had to give up on this: the basic idea, far from new though it is, is compelling and conducive to narrative tension. Assassins and/or apprentices such are delicate characters, though, and require special care.
Kian is not only unlikeable -after all there is no law in fiction coercing authors to only cast likeable leads- but stiff, the workings of his minds elementary and devoid of charm.
Other characters are either pale or inconsistent.
Writing is intentionally based on short, clipped sentences. A few annoying typos (seize instead of cease, for example) and the abuse of adjectives do not help but are not responsible for the lack of narrative tension build-up and/or for the feeling of detachment I felt while reading.
Kian is not only unlikeable -after all there is no law in fiction coercing authors to only cast likeable leads- but stiff, the workings of his minds elementary and devoid of charm.
Other characters are either pale or inconsistent.
Writing is intentionally based on short, clipped sentences. A few annoying typos (seize instead of cease, for example) and the abuse of adjectives do not help but are not responsible for the lack of narrative tension build-up and/or for the feeling of detachment I felt while reading.
January 29, 2014
Dark fantasy, assassins, M/M romance... this should have been right up my alley. I did like the overall plot and the action scenes, but I didn't feel any emotional connection to the characters and some scenes were just a bit too disturbing for my liking. (And Kian going on and on about how super awesomely hot he is and who he wants to fuck and how everyone wants to fuck him got tiresome very quickly.) 2.5/5
June 6, 2013
This is an adult book. Please don't read it if you don't like super hot sexy scenes between guys. Other than that, it's an assassin story similar to Brent Weeks' Night Angel trilogy.
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August 2, 2013Kindle freebie 8/2/13
August 9, 2013
Disturbing but good.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews