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Codename: Blackheart: Codename Trilogy Book 1
Descended from two lines of assassins, Alina Istrati is one of the most prolific assassins in the world. Always taking pride in her work, the cold nature of her crimes paired with her modus operandi earned her the alias, Blackheart.
A new contract that should have been a simple job proves to be more than she bargained for when she finds herself the target of the person who hired her. On top of that, she’s stuck babysitting her former target, who intrigues her at every turn.
Alina will be put to the test as she fights to uncover diabolical plots and uphold obligations in the assassin underworld while trying to maintain her Blackheart status around the man she was assigned to kill.
This book serves as book 1/3 in the Codename Trilogy.
A new contract that should have been a simple job proves to be more than she bargained for when she finds herself the target of the person who hired her. On top of that, she’s stuck babysitting her former target, who intrigues her at every turn.
Alina will be put to the test as she fights to uncover diabolical plots and uphold obligations in the assassin underworld while trying to maintain her Blackheart status around the man she was assigned to kill.
This book serves as book 1/3 in the Codename Trilogy.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2024
4 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
A.D. Burnell
2 books13 followersAustralian traditional published and self-published author, welcoming you into my world of fantasy. As an author, I aim not only to write strong, empowering female characters but also to showcase diversity and inclusivity, giving representation and voices to those who are often neglected in the book world. I love to bounce between genres, but nothing gives me greater joy than to create unique worlds with rich mythologies you can't read in any other book.
I have completed 20 books as of August 2025, with more stories on the horizon!
You can follow me at adb_Stories on IG and Author A.D. Burnell on FB for book updates. You can also subscribe to me on Ream for all my works, along with character profiles, chapter aesthetics, paperback release details, giveaways and more!
I have completed 20 books as of August 2025, with more stories on the horizon!
You can follow me at adb_Stories on IG and Author A.D. Burnell on FB for book updates. You can also subscribe to me on Ream for all my works, along with character profiles, chapter aesthetics, paperback release details, giveaways and more!
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 11, 2024
When she’s so far ahead you can’t catch up
This is my first story of A.D. Burnell and I can tell you without a doubt that it was keeping me on my toes. One of my favorite themes ever is a bad@$$ female main character and to make reference to its title a kick @ss ünålïvěr.
BLACKHEART as her code name implies it’s not your typical lady with a 9-5 job. Nope she comes from a long line of ünålïvěrş, and it’s from both side of her family. You can’t top skills, brains, intuition and the best part she is so far ahead on her planning that if they bâd guys didn’t see her coming, neither did I.
Then to add the cayenne pepper to the mix BLACKHEART had to undergo a series of trials, mainly to “survive the cut” IYKYK that phrase is punn-ing the pun.
The story was definitely 5/5 for me I enjoy not being able to know what’s going on and then be surprised by that last one turn.
The smǔț was $mü++ing 5/5, j am a very visual person and to be able to take in the scene makes the words come alive in my brain it’s the best feeling ever.
Quote: I mean that as an insult by the way. I’d never call anyone a ‘pü$$y’ to imply
weakness. V@g!n@$ are sturdy as hell. Shit, a pü$$y can take a pounding and push out small
humans. A set of balls, on the other hand, squeeze ‘em too tight and you’ll have a man crying for his mamma.
This is my first story of A.D. Burnell and I can tell you without a doubt that it was keeping me on my toes. One of my favorite themes ever is a bad@$$ female main character and to make reference to its title a kick @ss ünålïvěr.
BLACKHEART as her code name implies it’s not your typical lady with a 9-5 job. Nope she comes from a long line of ünålïvěrş, and it’s from both side of her family. You can’t top skills, brains, intuition and the best part she is so far ahead on her planning that if they bâd guys didn’t see her coming, neither did I.
Then to add the cayenne pepper to the mix BLACKHEART had to undergo a series of trials, mainly to “survive the cut” IYKYK that phrase is punn-ing the pun.
The story was definitely 5/5 for me I enjoy not being able to know what’s going on and then be surprised by that last one turn.
The smǔț was $mü++ing 5/5, j am a very visual person and to be able to take in the scene makes the words come alive in my brain it’s the best feeling ever.
Quote: I mean that as an insult by the way. I’d never call anyone a ‘pü$$y’ to imply
weakness. V@g!n@$ are sturdy as hell. Shit, a pü$$y can take a pounding and push out small
humans. A set of balls, on the other hand, squeeze ‘em too tight and you’ll have a man crying for his mamma.
June 22, 2025
I enjoyed Codename: Blackheart!
It was my first read from this author and now I’m keen to dive into the rest of the series.
I love a strong female lead and this one absolutely delivers.
Also love that the author’s Aussie, always a bonus!
It was my first read from this author and now I’m keen to dive into the rest of the series.
I love a strong female lead and this one absolutely delivers.
Also love that the author’s Aussie, always a bonus!
November 9, 2024
Clever concept! I've read several books by this author and they're so good at world building!
February 20, 2024
This is not my first read from the author, so I knew I would love it.
The story is about Alina Istrati, an assassin. She has a long line of ancestors in this profession from either side of her parents.
I loved the thrill of this woman's dangerous life, and how she handled her cases and reacted to exciting situations.
Also loved the detailed bonds she has with her family. And loved the wake-up her dad gave her and how she was able to handle him.
The steamy scenes were so graphic, that I almost saw them in front of my eyes. Loved the main characters' chemistry and how their every encounter made them sizzle in the paper.
I loved that this book is different from what I usually read. Female assassins are now one of my favourite go-to stories.
The author's descriptions of each scene are marvellous, I felt myself part of the story.
If you're looking for something different but also exciting, this book is definitely is for you!
The story is about Alina Istrati, an assassin. She has a long line of ancestors in this profession from either side of her parents.
I loved the thrill of this woman's dangerous life, and how she handled her cases and reacted to exciting situations.
Also loved the detailed bonds she has with her family. And loved the wake-up her dad gave her and how she was able to handle him.
The steamy scenes were so graphic, that I almost saw them in front of my eyes. Loved the main characters' chemistry and how their every encounter made them sizzle in the paper.
I loved that this book is different from what I usually read. Female assassins are now one of my favourite go-to stories.
The author's descriptions of each scene are marvellous, I felt myself part of the story.
If you're looking for something different but also exciting, this book is definitely is for you!
July 21, 2025
Fast-paced, razor-sharp, and gripping from the first page—Codename: Blackheart is a must-read for fans of femme fatales, shadowy syndicates, and high-octane twists
Alina Istrati was born to kill—literally. Descended from two infamous bloodlines of assassins, she’s built a deadly reputation all her own. Cold, calculating, and relentless, her surgical precision in eliminating targets earned her the feared alias: Blackheart.
But when a routine contract takes a deadly turn, Alina finds herself betrayed by the very person who hired her. Now, with a bounty on her head and the rules of the assassin underworld closing in, she’s forced into an uneasy alliance—with the man she was originally hired to kill.
Caught between obligation and survival, Alina must navigate a world of shifting loyalties, shadowy conspiracies, and a dangerously growing attraction to her former target. Can she hold onto her Blackheart persona, or will the walls she’s built around herself finally crack?
Alina Istrati was born to kill—literally. Descended from two infamous bloodlines of assassins, she’s built a deadly reputation all her own. Cold, calculating, and relentless, her surgical precision in eliminating targets earned her the feared alias: Blackheart.
But when a routine contract takes a deadly turn, Alina finds herself betrayed by the very person who hired her. Now, with a bounty on her head and the rules of the assassin underworld closing in, she’s forced into an uneasy alliance—with the man she was originally hired to kill.
Caught between obligation and survival, Alina must navigate a world of shifting loyalties, shadowy conspiracies, and a dangerously growing attraction to her former target. Can she hold onto her Blackheart persona, or will the walls she’s built around herself finally crack?
December 4, 2023
I read this on the GoodNovel app and am SO excited to get it on paperback! An amazing story of badass assassin women whose hearts are secretly as gold as they are black. There are some steamy scenes, but they are not the focus as the story solely follows our assassin lead and the many twists and turns of betrayals, double-crosses and the ultimate battle royal! But don't worry, it comes with a HEA and a sequel that is a prequel story about her mother!
February 5, 2024
I am obsessed with a book with an ending I didn’t see coming and this one had me jaw dropped. I had ideas of what was going to happen but I only worked out part of it.
I loved how strong and independent the female main character was. And the shit she had to go through… DAMNNNN. But she was smart, prepared, lethal, and calculating as fuck.
The banter between the family & characters is amazing.
And I loved the sweet yet dominant, unintentional love interest and how it plays out.
I loved how strong and independent the female main character was. And the shit she had to go through… DAMNNNN. But she was smart, prepared, lethal, and calculating as fuck.
The banter between the family & characters is amazing.
And I loved the sweet yet dominant, unintentional love interest and how it plays out.
February 7, 2024
Not my usual type of read, but it kept me engaged from beginning to end. Straight through, non-stop. I enjoyed the character byplay and the familial bonds of her family. I'm also usually pretty good at predicting outcomes, but I have to say, this one was different enough that I couldn't fully predict it. Hence, my five-star review.
March 15, 2024
This is one of my best reads of 2024!
I had been waiting a long time for this and I wasn't disappointed. The twists and turns this book has ,was addictive from start to finish and I couldn't put it down. Squid games plus hunger games equals Alina. This book had me on the edge of my seat throughout. I thought the authors previous book A Queen among Alphas was intense with one of my favorite FL Amelia,until Alina. Alina is the epitome of calm anti-hero in a chaotic world. The author set her up to be the latest generation in a long and proud line of assassins,surrounded by loving family and the romance with a different type of ML because I genuinely didn't know how I felt about him til the very last page which is very well played by the author.
I had been waiting a long time for this and I wasn't disappointed. The twists and turns this book has ,was addictive from start to finish and I couldn't put it down. Squid games plus hunger games equals Alina. This book had me on the edge of my seat throughout. I thought the authors previous book A Queen among Alphas was intense with one of my favorite FL Amelia,until Alina. Alina is the epitome of calm anti-hero in a chaotic world. The author set her up to be the latest generation in a long and proud line of assassins,surrounded by loving family and the romance with a different type of ML because I genuinely didn't know how I felt about him til the very last page which is very well played by the author.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews