The Reluctant Assassin

The Reluctant Assassin #1

by Thomas K. Carpenter

The best assassins learn their magic at the Academy of the Subtle Arts. Everyone joins for their own to give death her proper due, to acquire outrageous fortunes, or to know that history bends to their blade.Zayn Carter joined the Academy to save his family.In the sleepy town of Varna, an ancient evil lurks, preying on the townsfolk and keeping them enslaved by her poison. This arrangement has lasted for centuries because to kill the Lady is to guarantee the death of every man, woman, and child in the town. Faced with this impossible conundrum, Zayn vows to take down the Lady, and all that support her. He'll save his family from this horrible fate—or die trying.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2018

About the author

Thomas K. Carpenter is a full time contemporary fantasy author with over 70 independently published titles. His bestselling, multi-series universe, The Hundred Halls, has over 43 books and counting. His stories focus on fantastic families, magical academies, and epic adventures. All the books can be found at major retailers and directly from the author at https://thomaskcarpenter.com/.

You can sign up for his newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/trialso...
When he is not writing, he enjoys playing turn-based strategy games and MTG, skiing, hiking, traveling, and chilling on the couch with his wife and their little dog, Merlin, at home in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.

Reviews

[☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Q:
"I understand your caution," said Zayn. "You've got a world-shaking product and you want your grand launch to be glorious." At the mention of the grand launch, Sandy grimaced, so Zayn continued, "Ahh...I see your product is still having issues. Having your customers explode really cuts in to your repeat business." (c)

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I have been introduced to an interesting new world (for me) of the Hundred Halls. Without any knowledge of the other books, I picked up enough to make sense of what was going on. Zayn is a great character. Clever, but probably not quite as clever as he thinks he is because a number of his plans don't go the way he thought they would: not being able to pick the last person for his team, plans to confront the Goon, etc. In some ways he is a typical teenager, he thinks that he can do more than he actually can but still a likable character.

There were some funny moments, particularly the sexgeist. I wish the way some other students got their coins would have be told. I also not sure why so many people think he has potential. He is smart and devious but many of his plans fall thru, particularly the ones that people see so how would they be able to judge that he has the potential to be one of the greats at the school?

An enjoyable read and I would definitely like to read more in this world.

[Mandy Walkden-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling, fun new series from the Hundred Halls world.

So pleased to discover the beginning of Zayn Carter's time at the Hundred Halls. Have been wondering about him and his story since he first made an appearance in the Web of Lies, the second book of the Hundred Halls' Ari and Pi's story.

Such a well penned story with a clever plot, nail-biting action and some delightfully vibrant characters. Importantly, it is a complete story, no being left dangling off a cliff.

This is a well crafted, intricately developed world and its magic systems are pretty intriguing.

Some really funny portions, the sex-geist, caused some coffee-snorting laughter. Don't consume fluids when the glowing critter makes its appearance, it's a tad dangerous!

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a first book in a new series about the Hundred Halls Academy and this time we get a new student to follow Zayn, who comes from Varna. Seems there is a mystery tied around Varna about a Lady who dominates the town and who everyone has to kowtow to, but Zayn and his cousin Keelan hate the lady and Zayn has vowed to end the lady’s hold on Varna. However at the moment he is embarking on his first year at the academy, he has joined the Academy of Subtle Arts better known as the Assassins. His year starts off very badly as his team is at the bottom of the class and they are forced to do all the dirty work for that year’s students and it seems that no matter how hard Zayn tries nothing seems to go his way. He is full of good intentions but keeps getting into trouble as he just rushes into things headlong. His team mates are Vin, Portia and Skylar who he chose because he knew they were all above average potential but could not figure why they were bottom of the class. Trouble seems to find Zayn wherever he goes but though his team mates are annoyed at him they have his back when needed. Can he see out his first year or will he be expelled and sent back to Varna? Zayn’s first loyalty had always been towards his family who he loves unconditionally so he could not afford to go back home in disgrace or untrained in the art of magic especially if he wants to meet his goal! I loved every line in this book, the storyline is full of magic and the world building around the Hundred Halls and Invictus is truly amazing. The characters are full of trouble but fun and I love that Zayn has his heart in the right place and is full of good intent even if he does mess up very often. Something I really enjoyed in the book is the way in between following the story of Zayn’s first year in the Halls we get to follow his background story in Varna as well as this shows us where he is coming from. I really look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Andie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hundred Halls are back with a bang!

Incredible read! I literally couldn't put this book down. I'm so delighted that we get to know more about Zayn. If you've read the previous Hundred Halls books you know we briefly met Zayn. For him to get his own series is beyond fantastic. (You don't have to have read the previous Hundred Halls books to enjoy this one. But you'll definitely want them after)

*No Spoilers here*

As usual the author invites you into an incredible world if magic and adventure. I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks exploring Zayn's history and the mystery surrounding Varna and the Lady.

The characters are well established and the world of the Hundred Halls is built so superbly that it's not at all difficult to escape to this magical realm for a few hours.

I can't wait for the next installment and I will certainly be rereading The Reluctant Assassin in the meantime.

If you're a lover of magic, mystery, adventure and fantasy then grab this book. It won't disappoint. I give it 10/10. High praise for Thomas K. Carpenter. Please don't stop writing this series ever!

[Genie Stelnicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging series

I read the Hundred Halls first, which takes place after this series; I was not aware when I started it that this one preceded it. It held minor spoilers for this series so I would recommend this one first. That said, our main character Zayn, is interesting and complex, and the world is like ours but with an overlay of magic and magical history. It is well thought out and completely believable. The supporting characters have enough depth to be real people, and enough mystery to have room to grow, as does Zayn. I seldom write reviews, I'm too eager to get on to the book. I wanted to give this a positive and encouraging review because I have faith the series will deliver, as the succeeding Hundred Halls does. Get ready for a long immersion in magic, schemes, politics, double-crosses, and friendship.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished my introduction to the Hundred Halls, and the adventures of Zayn. This is one of those rare books, that I read in one go, and was thoroughly enthralled with the story. Well written and the characters come across as real and as people you want to help! Thanks for a good read Thomas, I look forward to picking up the next book in this series. I will also look for the previous Hundred Hall stories. Only 4 stars? Its me, no detraction of the story, but I really like standalone stories, and picking up book 1 of a six part series means I have to look out for the rest of the books. OK I am lazy

[Stuart Macmartin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can’t decide if I like this book or not. I like that it wasn’t a kid version of magic school. But I don’t really like the urban fantasy world. I’m not sure of the rules of magic, not sure who this mysterious Lady is despite everyone knowing her. Some parts felt well developed, but others felt like a gauze over it all and just weird. Maybe details being held for a later book?

I likely won’t read the next.

[Tara Bluford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but difficult read

This is the first book I’ve read for this author. It had a good storyline and the plot was there, but I found it difficult to get fully immersed. The timeline didn’t make sense, hopping back and forth in his life made me want to skip the section, and it felt a little flat.
I think this book may be geared to a certain type of reader, but as an urban paranormal fiction fan, I don’t think that audience is me.

[Pedro Bedro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a one off like all the books I read and it works well enough even though I did not know all of Zayn's previous history. There is plenty of action, magic and plotting going on to keep me interested. The Lady seems unbeatable but her high opinion of herself and the people she has surrounded herself with is eventually her undoing. I don't quite get what she gets out of controlling the town with poison but it does give a reason to want her dead.

[Lejla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so in love with Hundred Halls. I want to go there!

So this story is amazing, I enjoyed with every word. It has some funny moments and that is perfect for me.

*that strange moment when you are reading and laughing and everybody asks you what´s funny?*

The Zayn is now one of my favorites male characters from books. So yayy!!

[Douglas Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, about 3 3/4, not quite a 4. I will probably come back to the second book ; however, a new book has come out by one of my favorite authors and I am switching to it.

[Barb VanderWel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.