The Rebel

Assassins Guild #2

by C.J. Archer, Duke DeFoix (Narrator), Duchess DeFoix (Narrator)

Cole's heart is dark.

He's a mystery, even to those closest to him in the Assassins Guild. All anyone really knows for sure is that he's ruthless, grim, and cares little for his own life. So when he loses his memory during an attack and thinks himself a naive eighteen year-old youth again, no one can really believe the transformation. But as his memory returns, so do the nightmares and the dark reality of who he has become.

Lucy's world is bright.

When gentle-natured Lucy falls in love with the damaged stranger, she thinks him a smiling, amiable gentleman. But rumors of a murder in the nearby village have her suspecting that her patient may be hiding a terrible secret.

Can opposites really attract?

What will happen when Cole regains his memory and his past catches up to him?

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Adult

10 pages, Audible Audio

First published October 30, 2013

About the author

C.J. Archer is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of historical mystery and historical fantasy novels including the GLASS AND STEELE series, the CLEOPATRA FOX MYSTERIES, the MINISTRY OF CURIOSITIES and THE GLASS LIBRARY series.

She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.

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Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give up on this series. I like the author’s other works much, much better.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I liked the character of Cole and story line more than the guy of the first book, I rated this book lower. The reason why is because I can't stand that the author is making it so the female leads are changing the male leads. I think it's enjoy this series more if some of the assassins continued to be assassins even after falling in love.

[Nicole Normand · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took one star off for the editing. I took one star off because the books are categorized as "Medieval" but there is nothing in the stories that would explain why they are "Medieval". Even the language is not medieval: the use of "fiance" and the F word is not from medieval times.
General on the four stories: The stories are okay, with a bit of suspense, lots of misunderstanding, lots of crying by the "strong" heroines. It's too bad the assassins turned soft because of their woman. The best one is the first one, but it all went downhill from there.
Unrealistic: A farmer who knows nothing about saving lives, but yet putting herself and others at risk, thinks she can help her trained assassin husband.
The Charmer has the best romance. The Rebel has the best environment descriptions. The Saint has the best window inside Lord Lynden's heart. The Sinner has the best suspense.

[Hollie Smurthwaite · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one, though not as much as the first. Nick/Cole loses his memory (love this trope) and Lucy gets to help him recover and meet his eighteen-year-old self.

The tension and danger and the sticky plot were great, but I felt that it hit the same emotional beats a few too many times.

Still, the amnesia plotline was fun and Cole's transformation was really interesting. Enjoyed it overall.

[Virginia Muñoz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The female lead in this book irritated me. She was often whiny. Her caregiving traits sometimes made her come off as clingy and overbearing instead of the strong character she was probably supposed to be.

[Ann T · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to slap Lucy throughout the entire book. What an exhausting women, so needy and whiny. I feel so sorry for Nick in the future.

[Olivia Jayaweera · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 2nd book in the "An Assassins Guild" series and the 3rd book in the series that I've read so far!
I really enjoyed this book and the ending!
Cole and Lucy are the protagonists of this novel, and both are very interesting characters.
Lucy is a cheerful girl with a can-do attitude despite the betrayal she faced in the past from a man she was hoping to spend the rest of her life with (a tale as old as time, unfortunately). She has made sure to be a kind and caring mistress to all the servants at Cowdrey Farm, especially after she and her brother inherited it from their awful cousins upon their untimely death (the events of which occur in the 2nd book of this series). She is determined to show the people in the village that real Cowdrey's are good people who care for their community. She does this by assisting the village healer to take care of the ailing and the injured.

Cole has always been a bit of an enigma! I love that he is one of the main characters in this book, as I have only seen him pop up here and there as a mysterious, brooding colleague to the male protagonists in the previous books of this series. You really get to unwind and pull back the layers of this onion man to find what's really at the core of his more than self-deprecating nature. You find the reasons for his coldness and the reason why he isolates himself even from his colleagues. He's one of those men who distances himself from those he cares about (and who care about him in return) because he thinks he is unworthy of their care. People like that can be so relatable and yet so stubborn to convince that they deserve to be loved. Will Lucy break down his walls? I guess you'll have to find out! Meanwhile, I will be reading the next (and last) book in this series!

[Jo Brinn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dear lord, I was so tempted to DNF. Can she write a female character who isn't a nosy, manipulative, whiny, crying baby? The teenage angst is infuriating, especially in a 21 year old. She wants to be a healer, but old scars make her queasy? Sheesh! When someone tells you they don't want to give you an answer to your nosy ass question, why can't she respect that and back off? Does someone have to smack her and tell her it's none of her business before she'll take a hint? People who pry like this deserve every hurt they get from hearing something unpleasant. Oh, and to cop a judgemental attitude once you know the unpleasant truth. Sigh! I guess I'm tired of the "I gotta change/fix my man* trope. Maybe this series would have been better set in the present day with a heroine who accepts the Hero as is? Maybe help investigate the targets guilt? I'm not sure if I'll continue the series on not

[Rhonda Stephens · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series is turning out to not be on my favorites and I love CJ Archers writing style. These books however are a little too sexually graphic for my taste. Albiet Im far from prudish, I just find it leaves little to the imagination and were already living in such a serve it up your own way kind of society which makes reading that a little too masterbatrix for me. I guess Im just at an age where I don’t find step-by-step graphically descriptive mechanics of a sexual act appealing. I feel theres more tasteful ways to go about it. Theres a fine line between graphic and pornographic and these books are definitly riding them and theres nothing wrong with that, its just not for me. I probably wont finish the series, but I am looking forward to see what she writes next!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-Star Review for The Rebel by C.J. Archer

I really enjoyed The Rebel! Cole and Lucy were such a compelling couple—their dynamic was full of tension, heart, and depth. I loved watching their relationship grow and evolve through the challenges they faced.

One of my favorite things about this series is how each book focuses on a different couple, yet they all connect seamlessly. The continuity between books is smooth, and it’s always fun to revisit familiar faces while diving into a new romance and adventure.

C.J. Archer does a great job weaving mystery, magic, and romance together, and The Rebel is a solid example of that. It was a great read, and I’m already looking forward to the next couple’s story!

[Katie Utterly Unashamed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this series is fun, easy and keeps you enthralled without giving you anxiety.

I loved this story line. CJ writes some great heroines, who luckily do not get on my nerves.

On to the next..... I am a little worried about the "other sister" storyline, but I'm going to trust this author to not do me dirty.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta love the perfect mix of romance and storytelling. Archer does a great job in all her books, this is no exception. An assassin loses his memory and a good lady helps him remember himself while falling in love with the big strong broody man. Will he remember who he is? Will she get the man? What will happen next? Grab the book and a good cup of tea and find out.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amnesia romances are my jam, so I had high hopes going in—unfortunately, the amnesia resulted in a rather large age difference between the hero and heroine (mentally albeit not physically), which I just couldn’t get around?

[lalalandreads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another tale of the love of a good woman can turn a murderer into a gentleman. This one had a twist though...the murderer didn’t remember he was a murderer for most of the book. It had tie ins with the first book, which was nice. I don’t know if I will read the third installment.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! The characters are so well developed they seem like real people. They all have well developed back stories. Vengeance, love, despair, forgiveness all fit. And the narrators are amazing. I’m ready for the next story!

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, couldn’t put it down.

[Janet Epperson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cole was a dark soul but meeting Lucy changed it all. Good book .

[Kim Fanning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steamy bits - great for a summer fling read :)

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy book to listen to for an escape.

[Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is about 3-3.5⭐️ but The narration bumped it up to 4 ⭐️ since they deserve 5.

[Serena Keene · Rating 5 out of 5]

** 278 pages

[L-Mo]

9:16

[Cat Rongitsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit silly

[Nav · Rating 2 out of 5]

This retreads the same ground as the first novel in the series except with the twist of (badly done) amnesia.

[WitchShouldIRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently, its been harder to find a good book. This was all around a good time.

[M.E. E. May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author puts out the sweetest romance/adventure novels. I'm enjoying this series and can't wait ti read #3.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on Audiobooks and it was wonderful!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laugh out Loud steamy corny and fun. ;)

[Stacy Sabala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review- The Rebel by C.J. Archer

This the second book in the Assassin Guild series. It picks up where the first one ended. Orlando and Susanna Holt have settled on their estate, preparing for the arrival of their first child. Their lovely neighbor is Lucy Cowdrey. She lives on the Cowdrey farm with her brother Henry, who took over the farm after their cousins tried to kill Orlando Holt in the first book. Lucy visits with Mrs. Holt frequently given her pregnancy. She is an excellent companion and wants to prove that not all Cowdreys are the same.
One day Lucy is walking home from her visit when she encounters a strange man in a meadow. He ignores her completely until she steps in a hole and trips. The next thing she knows he is helping her to her feet. His hat blocks his face and she is unable to see him clearly. They have a discussion about manners and the removal of his hat, which he refuses to do. Lucy leaves in a huff thinking he is the rudest man ever. She is determined to forget the encounter.
The rudest man ever is named Cole. He is a dark man with many secrets. He is on his way to visit the Holts when he meets Lucy. Cole doesn’t want anyone to notice him or remember him. He wants to be a shadow and blend in. His mission didn’t go as planned and he needs to get some distance.
Unfortunately he is accosted, beaten and left for dead in a meadow. Lucy happens upon him while picking wild flowers. She recognizes him as the man she saw earlier but his demeanor has changed. He isn’t as gruff or rude as he was when she first saw him. Cole doesn’t remember anything from his recent life. He thinks he is eighteen and still living with his father in Kent. He remembers nothing of his mission and who he has become.
Lucy vows to care for him and help him regain his memories. She also will take him home to Kent if the need arises.
While she cares for him, they get to know each other and their feelings start to grow. As his memories start to return his darkness invades what the two have developed and questions the trust they have built with each other. Lucy’s life will never be the same and neither will her heart.
I liked this book. It was an intriguing story about an actual group of assassins. Then having one of their own be beaten over the head where his memories are gone and he has no real clue what he is. It was fun to watch the transformation of Cole from assassin to patient to assassin. The conflicting light and dark side of the character gave true depth to Cole. The reader may not really like him at first but learns to when he can’t remember who he is.
Then Lucy is a fabulous character. She is smart and sassy, a perfect match for Cole. Her lightness of heart is ideal for Cole’s darkness. I think that it balanced the story and made them compatible even though they were opposites. I recommend this book to anyone who likes history, mystery and romance all rolled into one. I would give this book a 4 out of 5.

[Cinzia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cole's heart is dark.

He's a mystery, even to those closest to him in the Assassins Guild. All anyone really knows for sure is that he's ruthless, grim, and cares little for his own life. So when he loses his memory during an attack and thinks himself a naive eighteen year-old again, no one can really believe the transformation. But as his memory returns, so do the nightmares and the dark reality of who he has become.
Lucy's world is bright.
When gentle-natured Lucy falls in love with the damaged stranger, she thinks him a smiling, amiable gentleman. But rumors of a murder in the nearby village have her suspecting that her patient may be hiding a terrible secret.
Can opposites really attract?
What will happen when Cole regains his memory and his past catches up to him?


I expected a little bit more from this book and Cole and Lucy's story.
The fact that he was part of the Assassins Guild had made me hope maybe in some more action and adventure perhaps, but so it was.
Cole's mysterious past, which he keeps hidden even to thohistorical called his friends, is very intriguing and discover what happened to him,thanks to flashbacks that come to mind with nightmares was a nice idea of author and helped keep alive the interest while I was reading it.
Lucy is a very cute character, sometimes funny, but especially courageous and strong-minded, but something didn't impressed me towards them as a couple.
If I have to be honest I was more curious about the other components of the Assassins Guild and I would love to read their stories.
Thanks to Netgalley and C.J.Archer for the book.


RATING: 3 stelle

TITLE: The Rebel
AUTHOR: C.J. Archer
SERIES: Assassins Guild #2


The books in the Assassins Guild series are:
#1 The Charmer
#2 The Rebel
#3 The Saint
#4 The Sinner


Mi aspettavo qualcosina di più da questo libro e dalla storia di Cole e Lucy.
Il fatto che lui facesse parte dell'Assassins Guild mi aveva fatto sperare forse in un po' più di azione e avventura forse, ma così non è stato.
Il passato misterioso di Cole, che lui tiene nascosto anche a quelli che si reputano suoi amici, è molto intrigante e scoprire cosa gli era successo grazie a dei flashback che gli tornano alla mente grazie a degli incubi è stata una bella idea della autrice e ha aiutato a mantenere vivo l'interesse durante la lettura.
Lucy è un personaggio molto carino, a volte divertente, ma soprattutto coraggiosa e decisa, ma qualcosa non è scattato dentro di me nei loro confronti come coppia.
Se devo essere onesta mi hanno incuriosito più gli altri componenti della Assassins Guild e mi piacerebbe leggere le loro storie.
Ringrazio Netgalley e C.J.Archer per il libro.

VOTO: 3 stelle

TITOLO: The Rebel
AUTRICE: C.J. Archer
SERIE: Assassins Guild #2