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The Hythrun Chronicles
First Kill
How do you kill with honor? When is murder not a murder?In "First Kill", assassin Kiam Miar will find out when his first assignment goes awry and he is faced with an ethical choice…as if assassins could have ethics.And if he makes the wrong choice, he could not only lose his life but throw a good chunk of his world into chaos…The Hythrun ChroniclesDemon Medalon / Treason Keep / Wolfblade / Warrior / Warlord / Short "Elezaar's Rules of Gaining and Wielding Power"War of the The Lyre Thief / Retribution / Covenant / Brakandaran the HalfbreedAt the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
29 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 26, 2016
3 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Fallon
64 books1,122 followersFallon is the author of 17 full-length bestselling novels and a number of published short stories in genres ranging from horror to science fiction.
In addition to 4 complete fantasy series - The Demon Child trilogy, The Hythrun Chronicles, the Second Sons Trilogy,The Tide Lords Quadrilogy and the Rift Runners series - Fallon has written both a tie-novel and short fiction for the TV series, Stargate SG1, an official Zorro story, a novella for the Legends of Australian Fantasy Anthology and has a superhero - The Violet Valet (CHICKS IN CAPES).
Fallon has a Masters Degree from the Creative Arts faculty of QUT. A computer trainer and application specialist, Fallon currently works in the IT industry and spends at least a month each year working at Scott Base in Antarctica.
In addition to 4 complete fantasy series - The Demon Child trilogy, The Hythrun Chronicles, the Second Sons Trilogy,The Tide Lords Quadrilogy and the Rift Runners series - Fallon has written both a tie-novel and short fiction for the TV series, Stargate SG1, an official Zorro story, a novella for the Legends of Australian Fantasy Anthology and has a superhero - The Violet Valet (CHICKS IN CAPES).
Fallon has a Masters Degree from the Creative Arts faculty of QUT. A computer trainer and application specialist, Fallon currently works in the IT industry and spends at least a month each year working at Scott Base in Antarctica.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 24, 2017
"Killing is not the same as murder."
An entertaining, fast-paced fantasy novella about an assassin who struggles with his first kill. The world-building is very efficient; the story is set in a larger universe but is still easy to follow.
Some points are unexplained, such as why is being an assassin a respectable occupation in this world? The main character, Kiam, has a heart and morality and doesn't like to blindly follow orders, but then how does he reconcile this with his job, where he is expected to kill anyone, guilty or innocent, as long as someone pays for it? I suppose this is probably addressed in the rest of the books, but we see no hints here.
My only problem is that Kiam doesn't seem to be a good assassin at all. Even before he spots his target, he is constantly surprised by everything and has no idea how to react. Whenever he actually kills someone, his victims are very distracted and are just sitting there, waiting for someone to kill them. And a certain incident towards the end (if you've read the story, you know what I mean) really makes me question his qualifications, but the story is definitely engaging and well written. Now I want to read the other books in the same universe!
October 24, 2017
A very entertaining short story about an assassination assignment. This story is in the same universe with Wolfblade by the same author. I haven't read the book itself, but the story mentioning the names of characters of the book and Wolfblade word.
As on other review, I have concern with the mugging at the near end of the story. If only the author could make it more believable, I would rate this short story 5 star for entertaining value. I understand if some readers have concern on that scene.
Besides that one flaw, I recommend this story for a quick read. I admit after reading this story, I'm interested with the Wolfblade stories and Hythrun universe.
The mantra on this story is not too bullshit, and could be related to the plot. I like to quote it:
Knowing is not the same as understanding.
Seeing is not the same as witnessing.
Killing is not the same as murder.
As on other review, I have concern with the mugging at the near end of the story. If only the author could make it more believable, I would rate this short story 5 star for entertaining value. I understand if some readers have concern on that scene.
Besides that one flaw, I recommend this story for a quick read. I admit after reading this story, I'm interested with the Wolfblade stories and Hythrun universe.
The mantra on this story is not too bullshit, and could be related to the plot. I like to quote it:
Knowing is not the same as understanding.
Seeing is not the same as witnessing.
Killing is not the same as murder.
August 7, 2017
3.5 stars for this fantasy short story, free here on Tor.com. Final review, first posted on Fantasy Literature:
A young man, Kiam Miar, who has been trained for some years as an assassin (a respectable profession in this world) is sent to the port city of Calavandra on his first assignment. Because it is a test, he knows it will be a tricky one; he also knows that he’ll be supervised by an experienced assassin in his guild, who will speedily kill him if he fails in his mission.
What he didn’t initially know is that the prostitute he has been sent to kill is a young woman from one of the ruling houses of the Trinity Isles, who has inexplicably taken up the life of a whore. More shocks await Kiam: When he finds her in a dockside tavern, he recognizes her as Sofya, a girl with whom he had a brief but intense (and forbidden) love affair when they were both fifteen. And now she doesn’t recognize him, at all. Kiam decides he needs to investigate further before assassinating Sofya, even though doing so puts him in grave danger of being assassinated by his guild for failing in his mission.
“First Kill” is an enjoyable high fantasy story, straightforward and easily accessible. There’s an eyebrow-raising coincidence or two, and an unlikely (despite his inexperience) mental lapse for our assassin, but the story has a good heart … for a tale about assassins and a murder for hire.
A young man, Kiam Miar, who has been trained for some years as an assassin (a respectable profession in this world) is sent to the port city of Calavandra on his first assignment. Because it is a test, he knows it will be a tricky one; he also knows that he’ll be supervised by an experienced assassin in his guild, who will speedily kill him if he fails in his mission.
What he didn’t initially know is that the prostitute he has been sent to kill is a young woman from one of the ruling houses of the Trinity Isles, who has inexplicably taken up the life of a whore. More shocks await Kiam: When he finds her in a dockside tavern, he recognizes her as Sofya, a girl with whom he had a brief but intense (and forbidden) love affair when they were both fifteen. And now she doesn’t recognize him, at all. Kiam decides he needs to investigate further before assassinating Sofya, even though doing so puts him in grave danger of being assassinated by his guild for failing in his mission.
“First Kill” is an enjoyable high fantasy story, straightforward and easily accessible. There’s an eyebrow-raising coincidence or two, and an unlikely (despite his inexperience) mental lapse for our assassin, but the story has a good heart … for a tale about assassins and a murder for hire.
June 10, 2017
Where he might find Sofya the Siren was disturbingly easy to discover. Kiam merely asked the innkeeper where he took a room if the man had ever heard of her.
“Everyone has heard of her,” the jovial Calavandran chuckled. “She usually hangs out at the Bull’s Balls.”
“You have a tavern called the Bull’s Balls?”
“Doesn’t everywhere?”
review to come.
read it for yourself here:
http://www.tor.com/2016/01/26/first-k...
August 9, 2017
This was a nice short story. For anyone interested, you can read it for free *here*.
The story is about Kiam Miar, a young man trained to be an assassin (yes, this is a "job" and a respectable one, too, in this world). As his final test, he is sent on a supervised mission - if he fails, he will be killed immediately by his supervisor.
However, a few things go wrong, like so Kiam Miar decides to look into it a bit more. This is a risk, as his supervisor can decide to kill him at any point, but he doesn't care.
It's a nice fantasy story about hired killers, conscience, and not just blindly and numbly following orders but questioning people, your world and even yourself. It wasn't perfect, but it was really very good.
The story is about Kiam Miar, a young man trained to be an assassin (yes, this is a "job" and a respectable one, too, in this world). As his final test, he is sent on a supervised mission - if he fails, he will be killed immediately by his supervisor.
However, a few things go wrong, like so Kiam Miar decides to look into it a bit more. This is a risk, as his supervisor can decide to kill him at any point, but he doesn't care.
It's a nice fantasy story about hired killers, conscience, and not just blindly and numbly following orders but questioning people, your world and even yourself. It wasn't perfect, but it was really very good.
May 12, 2018
2.75 stars.
Not bad, but not particular good either. Just okay.
Gorgeous cover art, though.
Not bad, but not particular good either. Just okay.
Gorgeous cover art, though.
June 22, 2017
Completely loved this one! I think the MC and the world are fascinating and I want to read more. Worth the read. 5 stars.
March 27, 2017
This was an interesting and, quite, fast read.
In the first place I was convinced by the writing and, in the second, the whole ideea of the story was neatly wrapped up.
In the end, the wining of the day is that I discovered a new (but experienced and with books published)author that maybe writes good fantasy and that I must check furthermore into.
In the first place I was convinced by the writing and, in the second, the whole ideea of the story was neatly wrapped up.
In the end, the wining of the day is that I discovered a new (but experienced and with books published)author that maybe writes good fantasy and that I must check furthermore into.
June 18, 2017
I must have been living under a rock, because I only just found out this existed! I've already read The Lyre Thief, so this novella doesn't have the 'teaser' element for me, but it was good to learn more about the swoon-worthy Kiam Miar all the same.
This brief novella (?short story), takes place some time before the events in The Lyre Thief , and introduces us to assassin Kiam Miar as he completes his first kill. Miar is an assassin with morals and ethics, and is not out to start his body count just for the sake of it...
Although Kiam Miar isn't a kick ass female like Celaena, those who enjoyed the Throne of Glass novellas by Sarah J. Maas will likely enjoy this. There are similarities between Miar and Celaena and the way they approach their livelihoods.
An enjoyable albeit brief read.
This brief novella (?short story), takes place some time before the events in The Lyre Thief , and introduces us to assassin Kiam Miar as he completes his first kill. Miar is an assassin with morals and ethics, and is not out to start his body count just for the sake of it...
Although Kiam Miar isn't a kick ass female like Celaena, those who enjoyed the Throne of Glass novellas by Sarah J. Maas will likely enjoy this. There are similarities between Miar and Celaena and the way they approach their livelihoods.
An enjoyable albeit brief read.
March 21, 2016
I have never read any of Fallon's fantasy series, but I was able to appreciate First Kill with no per-existing knowledge of its universe. This is a hard skill to master with short stories: pleasing both new and returning readers.
First Kill is about an apprentice assassin being sent on his first kill. He discovers that his target is his old childhood love, and realises that something strange is going on when she doesn't recognise him. Kiam then jeopardises his future career and life to discover what is going on with this woman, and finally killing those rightfully responsible for her sudden personality change.
Though not a complicated story, First Kill move quickly and explores an interesting universe that made me curious for me. Kiam, however, is a dolt (a master assassin who gets MUGGED?!?), so I hope the rest of his Guild performs better than he does!
First Kill is about an apprentice assassin being sent on his first kill. He discovers that his target is his old childhood love, and realises that something strange is going on when she doesn't recognise him. Kiam then jeopardises his future career and life to discover what is going on with this woman, and finally killing those rightfully responsible for her sudden personality change.
Though not a complicated story, First Kill move quickly and explores an interesting universe that made me curious for me. Kiam, however, is a dolt (a master assassin who gets MUGGED?!?), so I hope the rest of his Guild performs better than he does!
March 12, 2016
Dün gece bitirdiğim bu kitap hakkında "Çok temiz bir başlangıç, güzel bir bitiş..." diye beylik laflar edecektim ki, kitabın hepi topu 30 sayfa olduğunu hatırlayınca dedim Kimra yine başlama.
Kitabı okumamın tek nedeni, kapakta bir Tommy Arnold şaheseri görmüş olmamdı. Sırf Tom kapak yapsın diye kitap yazarım be! Çalışmalarını sevdiğim, ah.
Neyse dediğim gibi güzeldi, okuduğuma pişman olmadım.
- 30 sayfada insan nasıl pişman olur allasen Kimra?
+ İç ses, sen sus.
- Tamam.
Kitabı okumamın tek nedeni, kapakta bir Tommy Arnold şaheseri görmüş olmamdı. Sırf Tom kapak yapsın diye kitap yazarım be! Çalışmalarını sevdiğim, ah.
Neyse dediğim gibi güzeldi, okuduğuma pişman olmadım.
- 30 sayfada insan nasıl pişman olur allasen Kimra?
+ İç ses, sen sus.
- Tamam.
"Bakmak ve görmek aynı şey değildir. Öldürmek ve katletmekte öyle."
August 21, 2018
I haven't read this author before, and I liked this lively little story. I'm not a fantasy reader, so it wasn't an easy read, but I enjoyed it once I got into it. I always appreciate a smart protagonist.
July 27, 2017
3.5 ⭐️
Very well written classic fantasy short story. Not quite my sweet spot, but very good piece of writing anyway
Very well written classic fantasy short story. Not quite my sweet spot, but very good piece of writing anyway
April 8, 2024
📚
Free short story from Tor
📚
📚 The Hythrun Chronicles reading order:
(Each series can be read independently.)
· Demon Child Trilogy, Book 1: Medalon ★★★★
· Demon Child Trilogy, Book 2: Treason Keep ★★★★
· Demon Child Trilogy, Book 3: Harshini ★★★★
· Wolfblade Trilogy, Book 1: Wolfblade ★★★★★
· Wolfblade Trilogy, Book 2: Warrior ★★★★★
· Wolfblade Trilogy, Book 3: Warlord ★★★★★
· Standalone novella: First Kill ★★★
· War of the Gods, Book 1: The Lyre Thief ★★★★★
· War of the Gods, Book 2: Retribution ★★★★★
· War of the Gods, Book 3: Covenant · to be published. Maybe.
📚 The Hythrun Chronicles reading order:
(Each series can be read independently.)
· Demon Child Trilogy, Book 1: Medalon ★★★★
· Demon Child Trilogy, Book 2: Treason Keep ★★★★
· Demon Child Trilogy, Book 3: Harshini ★★★★
· Wolfblade Trilogy, Book 1: Wolfblade ★★★★★
· Wolfblade Trilogy, Book 2: Warrior ★★★★★
· Wolfblade Trilogy, Book 3: Warlord ★★★★★
· Standalone novella: First Kill ★★★
· War of the Gods, Book 1: The Lyre Thief ★★★★★
· War of the Gods, Book 2: Retribution ★★★★★
· War of the Gods, Book 3: Covenant · to be published. Maybe.
March 8, 2016
First Kill by Jennifer Fallon is set in the same world as the Hythrun Chronicles, the Demon Child trilogy and The Lyre Thief. It features Kiam Miar, an assassin who is one of the main characters in The Lyre Thief. This story, like the title suggests, is about the young assassin's first — graduation — kill. As far as I can it's set before the events at the end of the Demon Child trilogy, but you don't have read any of Fallon's books for this story to make sense. That said, if you have read The Lyre Thief and enjoyed the character of Kiam Miar, this is a good story to read.
When I started reading, I wasn't sure how Fallon was going to make the story interesting rather than a straight recounting of Kiam killing someone. I obviously don't want to spoil it, but there is more going on than a straightforward assassination and the story showcases young Kiam's cleverness.
You can read the story on Tor.com or pick it up from your favourite ebook retailer.
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
When I started reading, I wasn't sure how Fallon was going to make the story interesting rather than a straight recounting of Kiam killing someone. I obviously don't want to spoil it, but there is more going on than a straightforward assassination and the story showcases young Kiam's cleverness.
You can read the story on Tor.com or pick it up from your favourite ebook retailer.
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
January 26, 2016
A really engaging short story that is certainly worth your time!
As the name suggests, this is the first kill of a to-be assassin, who is, as you'll discover, in a rather...precarious position when he discovers just who his target is.
You can read it at the following link : http://www.tor.com/2016/01/26/first-k...
As the name suggests, this is the first kill of a to-be assassin, who is, as you'll discover, in a rather...precarious position when he discovers just who his target is.
You can read it at the following link : http://www.tor.com/2016/01/26/first-k...
January 29, 2016
"Killing is not the same as murder.”
Nice. Straight-forward medieval-ism short story. Quick, effective world building. We've all read enough fantasy to recognize the givens, preparing us for the twists. Inside the protagonist's head all the way. The stakes are high; a mistake means death; all is not what it seems.
Good job.
Nice cover art by Tommy Arnold
Nice. Straight-forward medieval-ism short story. Quick, effective world building. We've all read enough fantasy to recognize the givens, preparing us for the twists. Inside the protagonist's head all the way. The stakes are high; a mistake means death; all is not what it seems.
Good job.
Nice cover art by Tommy Arnold
September 10, 2017
First Kill ist quasi die Fortsetzung zu Jennifer Fallons Dämonkind-Reihe sowie den Huthrun Chroniken, bzw. ein Zwischenspiel zwischen beiden Reihen.
Auch wenn es schon einige Jahre her ist, dass ich beide Buchreihen gelesen habe, ist es trotzdem eine Freude wieder in diese Welt einzutauchen.
Leider ist First Kill ein bisschen zu kurz, aber trotzdem sehr schön geschrieben und da bekommt man gleich wieder Lust auf mehr.
An sich war es jetzt das erste mal, dass ich Jennifer Fallon auf englisch gelesen habe, da die anderen Bücher entweder aus dem Heyne bzw. dem LYX Verlag stammten, daher waren manche Begrifflichkeiten von Orten oder Bezeichnungen leicht unbekannt.
Irgendwie macht die Geschichte doch noch Lust auf mehr und man fragt sich, wie es mit den Figuren weiter geht.
Auch wenn es schon einige Jahre her ist, dass ich beide Buchreihen gelesen habe, ist es trotzdem eine Freude wieder in diese Welt einzutauchen.
Leider ist First Kill ein bisschen zu kurz, aber trotzdem sehr schön geschrieben und da bekommt man gleich wieder Lust auf mehr.
An sich war es jetzt das erste mal, dass ich Jennifer Fallon auf englisch gelesen habe, da die anderen Bücher entweder aus dem Heyne bzw. dem LYX Verlag stammten, daher waren manche Begrifflichkeiten von Orten oder Bezeichnungen leicht unbekannt.
Irgendwie macht die Geschichte doch noch Lust auf mehr und man fragt sich, wie es mit den Figuren weiter geht.
May 27, 2023
I loved this short story, I thought that an assassin that was kind of bad at being a assassin was such a ironic and endearing setting. This will not be my last Jennifer Fallon book, I can tell you that. I just finished this and wish I could read it for the first time again. The writing is amazing, the world is engrossing. I didn’t have super high hopes coming into this book so they definitely got blown out of the water. I highly recommend this.
July 3, 2018
This was a free story at Tor.com. A decent short story about an assassin's first test based in Jennifer Fallon's large fantasy world. Overall you don't have to have read any other books but there are references to characters and lore from other books.
May 30, 2017
background short on one of her main characters
July 20, 2017
Novelle uit de Hythrun Chonicles, dus maar een dun boekje over Kiam Miar en hoe hij bij het Assassins Guild is aangenomen.
December 17, 2020
3.8
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
March 15, 2021
Surprisingly good! I was not expecting the world to be as fleshed out as it was. The ending was a little pedestrian, but not bad. Overall I'm satisfied.
April 16, 2021
Great little short story that sketches out this particular world in an interesting way. It would be nice to know where it fits into the overall continuity of this series.
October 25, 2017
Fallon's short story about an novice assassin who has to pass his final test by having to kill a person he once knew is quite expansive for a short story. In its 29-page length, it manages to have decent world-building (or lets you fill in details yourself by drawing on fantasy tropes) AND an engaging fast-paced plot. Since reading this short story, I have learned that it is part of a larger series, but it doesn't rely on the world-building from that one. Back to the story - so Kiam is having a dilemma; he can't go back home without eliminating the target and he can't bring himself to kill that person. The twist is how he goes about doing both those things and I will let you find that out for yourself *wink*. Besides the rushed ending, this short story is otherwise pretty awesome!
January 27, 2016
An assassin’s first job is their most important. Followed, and judged by a mentor, there is no failure - only death. It doesn’t matter who you are, who you are related to or how rich your family is; if you want to pass the test, the rules are the same for everyone.
Read thes tory online at this link:
http://www.tor.com/2016/01/26/first-k...
Oh boy, do I love that illustration from Tommy Arnold. Wait up… Fallon is an Aussie? Yew bewdie, mate.
I assume this is set in a previous book world (she has a lot of works that all seem to be set in the same world). The world building is too good for a quick short story.
***
Kiam Miar is the son of the Raven. Raised at his father’s knee to know the ways of the assassin’s guild he has trained for years and is on his first job. He makes a couple of silly mistakes before he even locates the target, a local whore. He is horrified to recognise her. She is (or was) a princess and she was also his first love. But her eyes hold no memory of him and he has several weeks worth of memories of her, before his brother found out and stopped them. As far as Kiam knew, her family wasn’t told and he never heard from her again.
He has an instinct that something is very wrong.
He breaks the rules by trusting his instincts and his heart. But in doing so, he averts an act that would have had far reaching consequences for the entire kingdom of Hythria. And if the prince regent just happens to be his own stepbrother… better and better.
But will his actions be judged a failure for the assassins’ guild?
4 ninja stars
Read thes tory online at this link:
http://www.tor.com/2016/01/26/first-k...
Oh boy, do I love that illustration from Tommy Arnold. Wait up… Fallon is an Aussie? Yew bewdie, mate.
I assume this is set in a previous book world (she has a lot of works that all seem to be set in the same world). The world building is too good for a quick short story.
***
Kiam Miar is the son of the Raven. Raised at his father’s knee to know the ways of the assassin’s guild he has trained for years and is on his first job. He makes a couple of silly mistakes before he even locates the target, a local whore. He is horrified to recognise her. She is (or was) a princess and she was also his first love. But her eyes hold no memory of him and he has several weeks worth of memories of her, before his brother found out and stopped them. As far as Kiam knew, her family wasn’t told and he never heard from her again.
He has an instinct that something is very wrong.
He breaks the rules by trusting his instincts and his heart. But in doing so, he averts an act that would have had far reaching consequences for the entire kingdom of Hythria. And if the prince regent just happens to be his own stepbrother… better and better.
But will his actions be judged a failure for the assassins’ guild?
4 ninja stars
January 28, 2016
What a great read! Although I'm not familiar with the worlds of Jennifer Fallon, this one story reminded me of some great RPG stories, definitely standard swords and sorcery stuff. I've a soft spot in my heart for thieves and assassins both, so of course my curiosity was piqued. The world building probably exists in other books, but there was enough in this one story for me to get a fair grasp of how it had evolved, and the character proved interesting to the end. I had the fortune of hearing about it on Twitter and reading it at Tor.com, and this is one of the greater results of technology, because I'm not sure this would have happened without the internet. Would I read more books by Jennifer Fallon? Sure, you bet. Would I recommend this story? Sure, no doubt about it. No spoilers for anyone, but I will say this, it's about an assassin, so yes, there is blood.
April 25, 2016
This is a short teaser story set in The Lyre Thief universe. It can be appreciated on its own as a stand-alone story.
In First Kill, assassin Kiam Miar will find out when his first assignment goes awry and he is faced with an ethical choice…as if assassins could have ethics. And if he makes the wrong choice, he could not only lose his life but throw a good chunk of his world into chaos.
Kudos to Tommy Arnold for the incredible cover!
In First Kill, assassin Kiam Miar will find out when his first assignment goes awry and he is faced with an ethical choice…as if assassins could have ethics. And if he makes the wrong choice, he could not only lose his life but throw a good chunk of his world into chaos.
Kudos to Tommy Arnold for the incredible cover!
January 1, 2017
Somewhere out there, he knew, probably watching him even now as the ship docked, was the assassin charged with overseeing this final test. Kiam didn’t know if the man—or woman—would reveal himself at some point. He didn’t know if his mentor’s task was to help or hinder Kiam’s work.
He just knew he’d been given this job to prove he had what it took. His first kill, which—assuming he passed the test—would mean he was a fully-fledged assassin.
Oh, I liked this. I used to read this kind of stuff all the time. I'm going to have to look up Fallon's series, the one related to this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews