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The Butterfly Assassin #2
The Hummingbird Killer
Friend by day. Traitor by night. The second book in the dark, twisting YA trilogy about a teen assassin’s attempt to live a normal life.
Teen assassin Isabel Ryans now works for Comma, and she’s good at it: the Moth is the guild’s most notorious killer, infamous throughout the city of Espera. But Isabel still craves normality, and she won’t find it inside the guild. She moves in with a civilian flatmate, Laura, and begins living a double life, one where she gets to pretend she’s free.
But when Isabel’s day job tangles her up with an anti-guild abolitionist movement, it becomes harder to keep her two lives separate. Forced to choose between her loyalty to her friends and her loyalty to Comma, she finds herself with enemies on all sides, particularly those from the rival guild Hummingbird, putting herself and Laura at risk.
Can Isabel ever truly be safe in a city ruled by killers?
A bold new YA voice, Finn Longman delivers a slick and edgy trilogy for fans of global phenomena The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Killing Eve and The Hunger Games.
PRAISE FOR THE BUTTERFLY ASSASSIN:
'This dark, enthralling thriller is a compulsive debut' The Guardian
'An immersive, fast-paced thriller' The Irish Times
'An electrifying debut!’ Chelsea Pitcher, author of This Lie Will Kill You
‘A heart-in-your-mouth thriller that grips you from the first page until the very last.’ Benjamin Dean, author of The King is Dead
'A bold, jagged and uncompromising thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.’ Tom Pollock, author of White Rabbit, Red Wolf
‘Sharp and layered, with a bright beating heart. The Butterfly Assassin will lure you deep into a fascinating and dangerous new world.’ Rory Power, author of Wilder Girls
‘An utterly addictive story. I told myself "just one more chapter" well into the night.’ Emily Suvada, author of This Mortal Coil
‘Fierce, thrilling, and impossible to put down. Packed full of amazing friendships, plot twists and a desperate fight to survive’ C. G. Drews, author of The Boy Who Steals Houses
Teen assassin Isabel Ryans now works for Comma, and she’s good at it: the Moth is the guild’s most notorious killer, infamous throughout the city of Espera. But Isabel still craves normality, and she won’t find it inside the guild. She moves in with a civilian flatmate, Laura, and begins living a double life, one where she gets to pretend she’s free.
But when Isabel’s day job tangles her up with an anti-guild abolitionist movement, it becomes harder to keep her two lives separate. Forced to choose between her loyalty to her friends and her loyalty to Comma, she finds herself with enemies on all sides, particularly those from the rival guild Hummingbird, putting herself and Laura at risk.
Can Isabel ever truly be safe in a city ruled by killers?
A bold new YA voice, Finn Longman delivers a slick and edgy trilogy for fans of global phenomena The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Killing Eve and The Hunger Games.
PRAISE FOR THE BUTTERFLY ASSASSIN:
'This dark, enthralling thriller is a compulsive debut' The Guardian
'An immersive, fast-paced thriller' The Irish Times
'An electrifying debut!’ Chelsea Pitcher, author of This Lie Will Kill You
‘A heart-in-your-mouth thriller that grips you from the first page until the very last.’ Benjamin Dean, author of The King is Dead
'A bold, jagged and uncompromising thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.’ Tom Pollock, author of White Rabbit, Red Wolf
‘Sharp and layered, with a bright beating heart. The Butterfly Assassin will lure you deep into a fascinating and dangerous new world.’ Rory Power, author of Wilder Girls
‘An utterly addictive story. I told myself "just one more chapter" well into the night.’ Emily Suvada, author of This Mortal Coil
‘Fierce, thrilling, and impossible to put down. Packed full of amazing friendships, plot twists and a desperate fight to survive’ C. G. Drews, author of The Boy Who Steals Houses
432 pages, Paperback
Published May 11, 2023
15 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
About the author
Finn Longman
4 books158 followersFinn Longman is an author and medievalist, originally from London. They write young adult and adult fiction, with a particular interest in genre-bending stories about identity, friendship, and monstrosity – of the metaphorical or the literal sort. They've spent most of their adult life either working as a library assistant or studying for increasingly niche degrees in medieval literature, but when they don't have their head in a book they can usually be found playing folk music in a local pub.
Finn is currently a PhD student at the University of Cambridge, researching friendship and affection in the later Ulster Cycle.
Finn is currently a PhD student at the University of Cambridge, researching friendship and affection in the later Ulster Cycle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 27, 2025
Friend by day. Traitor by night. Teen assassin Isabel Ryans now works for Comma, and she’s good at it: the Moth is the guild’s most notorious killer, infamous throughout the city of Espera. But Isabel still craves normality, and she won’t find it inside the guild. She moves in with a civilian flatmate, Laura, and begins living a double life, one where she gets to pretend she’s free. But when Isabel’s day job tangles her up with an anti-guild abolitionist movement, it becomes harder to keep her two lives separate. Forced to choose between her loyalty to her friends and her loyalty to Comma, she finds herself with enemies on all sides, particularly those from the rival guild Hummingbird, putting herself and Laura at risk. Can Isabel ever truly be safe in a city ruled by killers?
All my reviews have the possibility of spoilers, be warned!
My heart was already broken from the first one. This book took said broken heart and stomped all over it. Finn Longman you didn't have to do this to me. Did you? I don't know what to do anymore.
The Emma mentions really poured salt into the wounds. The fact we got to see more of her brother in this book too wow. Isabel torturing herself with the blame is one of the most painful things in this book. The impact Emma had was so substantial to Isabel and now seeing it be undone is so sad.
She still visits Emma's grave more often than she'd like to admit, sitting by the headstone to tell her friend stories, even though she knows it's pointless. She tells them to Emma's sister Jean, too, even though she never knew her, because Emma isn't there to do it. She always leaves feeling both comforted and ashamed.
"I can tell he doesn't want me there, and I think he still blames me for what happened to you. And honestly, so do I. I thought once Michael was gone, some of that guilt would fade, but I'm still waiting for that to happen. Every day I'm reminded you're not in the world, I've got to face up to the fact that I'm part of the reason why."
Daragh cared for Isabel so much. He knew the consequences of her life and still stuck by her side. He recognised the hard place she was in and always reminded her he was someone she could trust and confide in. It is so admirable. I said it once he has a pure soul and he just reminded us of it again in this book.
"You should probably charge your phone," he tells Isabel.
"But then I wouldn't get the joy of a visit," she replies and gives him a swift, impulsive hug. "And where would I be without you?"
"Dead," he says and gives her a wry smile that has her own mouth twitching in morbid amusement. "Try to avoid that, would you? I worked so much overtime to keep you alive. I'd hate to see it wasted."
"Don't worry," Isabel assures him. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."
Is it just me or is Isabel really giving off a bi-panic vibe? I love it. Love love love it.
"If you're hoping to trigger a moral crisis so that I quit my job, you've got the wrong assassin," Isabel says, taking the satchel from Abbie and looping the strap over her head. "But is cute that you tried."
Mortimer was my favourite character. I see him as a father figure for Isabel. She really was lacking someone like him in her life and he filled it perfectly. I loved the unwavering source of comfort he offered Isabel. That man has such a wonderful soul.
"You know," says Mortimer, "I'm almost relieved to see you like this."
It's so unexpected that it snaps Isabel out of her spiralling thoughts. "What? Why?"
"Because for a while I thought I was losing you!" His crooked smile is fond. "Sometimes it felt like it was the Moth coming to visit me, but this? This is Isabel Ryans. And these feelings are natural. More to the point, they prove you've got feelings, so that's a breakthrough in itself. Embrace them. Let yourself feel them, in all their angsty melodrama."
Finn murdered me with the last 20% of this book. My soul is left in the pages of this book, and that is the best way to describe the heartbreak.
"Hummingbird." The tiny glimmer of sympathy in Ronan's expression looks disgusting and alien on his face. "Isabel, they came for him."
I have no idea what's in store for the final book. I know the mental breakdowns will be a hundred times worse than this one. I really wish the best for Isabel she's been knocked down again and again, I just want to see her have a happy ending she deserves it.
She raises her eyes to look at the crowd, letting them take in the sight of her: bloodied, exhausted, armed. "Please," she says. "I'm not here to hurt you." But nobody believes the Moth when she begs.
Check out the rest of the reviews for this trilogy!
The Butterfly Assassin
All my reviews have the possibility of spoilers, be warned!
My heart was already broken from the first one. This book took said broken heart and stomped all over it. Finn Longman you didn't have to do this to me. Did you? I don't know what to do anymore.
The Emma mentions really poured salt into the wounds. The fact we got to see more of her brother in this book too wow. Isabel torturing herself with the blame is one of the most painful things in this book. The impact Emma had was so substantial to Isabel and now seeing it be undone is so sad.
She still visits Emma's grave more often than she'd like to admit, sitting by the headstone to tell her friend stories, even though she knows it's pointless. She tells them to Emma's sister Jean, too, even though she never knew her, because Emma isn't there to do it. She always leaves feeling both comforted and ashamed.
"I can tell he doesn't want me there, and I think he still blames me for what happened to you. And honestly, so do I. I thought once Michael was gone, some of that guilt would fade, but I'm still waiting for that to happen. Every day I'm reminded you're not in the world, I've got to face up to the fact that I'm part of the reason why."
Daragh cared for Isabel so much. He knew the consequences of her life and still stuck by her side. He recognised the hard place she was in and always reminded her he was someone she could trust and confide in. It is so admirable. I said it once he has a pure soul and he just reminded us of it again in this book.
"You should probably charge your phone," he tells Isabel.
"But then I wouldn't get the joy of a visit," she replies and gives him a swift, impulsive hug. "And where would I be without you?"
"Dead," he says and gives her a wry smile that has her own mouth twitching in morbid amusement. "Try to avoid that, would you? I worked so much overtime to keep you alive. I'd hate to see it wasted."
"Don't worry," Isabel assures him. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."
Is it just me or is Isabel really giving off a bi-panic vibe? I love it. Love love love it.
"If you're hoping to trigger a moral crisis so that I quit my job, you've got the wrong assassin," Isabel says, taking the satchel from Abbie and looping the strap over her head. "But is cute that you tried."
Mortimer was my favourite character. I see him as a father figure for Isabel. She really was lacking someone like him in her life and he filled it perfectly. I loved the unwavering source of comfort he offered Isabel. That man has such a wonderful soul.
"You know," says Mortimer, "I'm almost relieved to see you like this."
It's so unexpected that it snaps Isabel out of her spiralling thoughts. "What? Why?"
"Because for a while I thought I was losing you!" His crooked smile is fond. "Sometimes it felt like it was the Moth coming to visit me, but this? This is Isabel Ryans. And these feelings are natural. More to the point, they prove you've got feelings, so that's a breakthrough in itself. Embrace them. Let yourself feel them, in all their angsty melodrama."
Finn murdered me with the last 20% of this book. My soul is left in the pages of this book, and that is the best way to describe the heartbreak.
"Hummingbird." The tiny glimmer of sympathy in Ronan's expression looks disgusting and alien on his face. "Isabel, they came for him."
I have no idea what's in store for the final book. I know the mental breakdowns will be a hundred times worse than this one. I really wish the best for Isabel she's been knocked down again and again, I just want to see her have a happy ending she deserves it.
She raises her eyes to look at the crowd, letting them take in the sight of her: bloodied, exhausted, armed. "Please," she says. "I'm not here to hurt you." But nobody believes the Moth when she begs.
Check out the rest of the reviews for this trilogy!
The Butterfly Assassin
Read
February 15, 2023Isabel makes more terrible life choices: the novel. Ah, my disaster child, how thorough a job she does of blowing up her entire life.
This time the camera pans out wider and we get to see more of Espera, including some of its more revolutionary elements. Isabel also actually interacts with other young adults and maybe has... friends...? A radical concept, I know. Don't worry, though, there are still some familiar characters returning alongside the new ones.
Canon* ace/aro, bi/aro, trans, and nonbinary characters. Once again there's precisely zero romance in this book, but plenty of intense friendships with all the affection, drama, and angst that you could need. (*Labels are mostly not used due to the setting, but these identities are discussed / portrayed on page.)
Content warnings below the spoiler cut:
Please feel free to ask for more details or clarification! :)
This time the camera pans out wider and we get to see more of Espera, including some of its more revolutionary elements. Isabel also actually interacts with other young adults and maybe has... friends...? A radical concept, I know. Don't worry, though, there are still some familiar characters returning alongside the new ones.
Canon* ace/aro, bi/aro, trans, and nonbinary characters. Once again there's precisely zero romance in this book, but plenty of intense friendships with all the affection, drama, and angst that you could need. (*Labels are mostly not used due to the setting, but these identities are discussed / portrayed on page.)
Content warnings below the spoiler cut:
Please feel free to ask for more details or clarification! :)
March 20, 2023
Teenage assassin is moments away from a redemption era only for her life to be upheaved by the best people who ensured she never got a chance at a childhood… and now she’s trying to fit into civilian life. Delving into childhood trauma, healing from wounds and with the saddest found family trope you’ve ever seen - The Humming Bird Killer was a thriller, and one I could not put down.
The long anticipated sequel to the YA novel that took the internet (and me specifically) by storm, The Hummingbird Killer finds Isabel in somewhat of a cross roads - as she is tied to the assassin she was born to be, and also leading her civilian life. The book zooms out a little compared to the somewhat character focused approach to its predecessor - we learn a lot more of the worldbuilding and external pressures than ensure this guild feud is worse than ever.
~
It was absolutely phenomenal. Isabel is one of the best written main characters in YA - she’s tough as nails, she has committed some truly despicable actions and yet underneath it all what Longman forces you to remember this is a deeply broken, traumatised teenage girl. Her characterisation and constant internal battle throughout the book was a wonder to witness. The choices she makes, though not always defendable, always made sense in line with the situation her character was in and I appreciated the consistency of her characterisation.
Plot wise it was deeply engaging and I cannot wait for the sequel. Did I personally detest some decisions made? Yes, not because they weren’t great for the plot but because ouch. The worldbuilding and further contextualisation was also a lovely read; the library plot had me intrigued from day one and it kept getting better.
Simultaneously excited and terrified for the sequel.
Thank you to Netgalley and S&S for the ARC!
The long anticipated sequel to the YA novel that took the internet (and me specifically) by storm, The Hummingbird Killer finds Isabel in somewhat of a cross roads - as she is tied to the assassin she was born to be, and also leading her civilian life. The book zooms out a little compared to the somewhat character focused approach to its predecessor - we learn a lot more of the worldbuilding and external pressures than ensure this guild feud is worse than ever.
~
It was absolutely phenomenal. Isabel is one of the best written main characters in YA - she’s tough as nails, she has committed some truly despicable actions and yet underneath it all what Longman forces you to remember this is a deeply broken, traumatised teenage girl. Her characterisation and constant internal battle throughout the book was a wonder to witness. The choices she makes, though not always defendable, always made sense in line with the situation her character was in and I appreciated the consistency of her characterisation.
Plot wise it was deeply engaging and I cannot wait for the sequel. Did I personally detest some decisions made? Yes, not because they weren’t great for the plot but because ouch. The worldbuilding and further contextualisation was also a lovely read; the library plot had me intrigued from day one and it kept getting better.
Simultaneously excited and terrified for the sequel.
Thank you to Netgalley and S&S for the ARC!
May 15, 2023
I am sobbing AGAIN, Finn, my heart is in PIECES.
11/10 would let Finn Longman personally victimise me again.
Oh, and Ronan Atwood can go die in a hole.
11/10 would let Finn Longman personally victimise me again.
Oh, and Ronan Atwood can go die in a hole.
October 10, 2024
4.5, rounded up
May 20, 2023
Finn deserves kudos for managing the rare feat of writing a sequel that I prefer to the original. I particularly liked the wider view of Espera - its people, its culture, the unsettling familiarity-and-yet-not of this weird closed city where everybody knows they could probably get murdered at any moment but nobody can really do anything about it. I enjoyed the more varied pace and plotlines, too, especially the supporting cast of characters; we had some familiar faces, and some new addditions, all of whom hold up distinct corners of viewpoint and narrative in ways that help the world and the story come alive beautifully - and, because this is Finn Longman, also beautifully painfully.
Despite appearing in less than five chapters, I must also give kudos that this book's central antagonist (excepting My Nemesis Ronan Atwood, who we will get to later) for being twice the monster and eminently, deliciously detestable as a a background threat... and then as a very real one.
And finally, I would like to reaffirm my status as President For Life of the Kill Ronan Atwood With A Spoon Club. We are currently fully open for applications, and I am about three inches from making myself a jacket.
I'm going to go and have a little lie down and a not-so-little Anguished Wail now.
Despite appearing in less than five chapters, I must also give kudos that this book's central antagonist (excepting My Nemesis Ronan Atwood, who we will get to later) for being twice the monster and eminently, deliciously detestable as a a background threat... and then as a very real one.
And finally, I would like to reaffirm my status as President For Life of the Kill Ronan Atwood With A Spoon Club. We are currently fully open for applications, and I am about three inches from making myself a jacket.
I'm going to go and have a little lie down and a not-so-little Anguished Wail now.
May 3, 2023
4.5* - The Hummingbird Killer picks up two years after book one is much wider in its scope - bigger world building, higher stakes and a deeper dive into characterisation. It’s exactly what you want a sequel to be! Everything you loved about the first expanded and built upon!
Isabel is a such an incredible character. She’s more complex and fully fleshed out than you usually get in YA. The characterisation really is amazing and that comes from the author writing from a deeply personal place and using their own experiences. I loved the author note where Finn talks about being trans, asexual and disabled and how this informs Isabel’s fight for control over her own choices, life and body, her experiences of pain and frustration, and the empowerment and joy she finds in friendships which become the support she needs to rebuild herself and are as significant and meaningful as any romance.
Overall, an action packed sequel with a kick-ass female lead that packs a huge punch with its deeper exploration of autonomy, trauma, identity and sexuality. Full of rage and hope… thoroughly recommend!
Isabel is a such an incredible character. She’s more complex and fully fleshed out than you usually get in YA. The characterisation really is amazing and that comes from the author writing from a deeply personal place and using their own experiences. I loved the author note where Finn talks about being trans, asexual and disabled and how this informs Isabel’s fight for control over her own choices, life and body, her experiences of pain and frustration, and the empowerment and joy she finds in friendships which become the support she needs to rebuild herself and are as significant and meaningful as any romance.
Overall, an action packed sequel with a kick-ass female lead that packs a huge punch with its deeper exploration of autonomy, trauma, identity and sexuality. Full of rage and hope… thoroughly recommend!
June 5, 2023
I really enjoyed this! Does Isobel frustrate me? Yes, but I also really feel for her. The other characters frustrate me more since they seem to just blame Isobel all the time for every little thing she does despite them not exactly being paragons of virtue themselves. I really hope she finds a way to stand up for herself a bit more and create the life for herself that she deserves.
June 25, 2025
DNF @ 20%. fails to rectify the mistakes of its predecessor.
first time reading this after rereading (& massively changing my mind on) the first book in the trilogy. decided to give it a go in the hope that elements of the first book that i didn’t enjoy would be improved upon in the sequel (mainly the lack of world building & slow pacing). unfortunately both continue.
main character is now a working assassin which is apparently not as important to explore as her getting a library assistant job. listen i love books & libraries but devoting so much time to this is not developing her. i want to know what effect the assassin job is having on her. why is she now just accepting this role when she spent the first book desperately trying to escape that future? but the author is a library assistant so there we shall remain.
the excessive descriptions that bogged down the first book also continue. there’s an incredibly detailed scene of the main character making a sandwich that continues to perplex me: ‘isabel dumps her sandwich materials on the counter and starts assembling them into a meal’ will forever haunt me. this book also opens with a 2 year time jump which, like the first book, provides a feeling like we’ve picked up the story in the middle of things.
main character continues to be a mary sue. loads of new characters are introduced (5/6 by page 86) who i’m 99% sure will all be killed off by the end of this. they all continue to fawn over her & love her despite her closed off & bland personality. leo who was barely a character in the first book is reintroduced here. he’s initially hostile to mc over their shared experience of emma’s death. mc frets for a chapter then is quickly reminded of how amazing she is & how wrong she was for thinking he may have any ill feelings towards her over his sister’s death. ultimately it wasn’t the main characters fault but it would be realistic for her to think it was & for leo to partially blame her. having some conflict with leo would have been an opportunity to create some desperately needed drama & create a conflict for the mc to overcome. it might also help with her likability (or lack thereof). don’t get me started on the fact mc is canonically aroace. idk but i suspect it’s another author self insertism rather than a detail that has a meaningful effect on the character and/or plot. i’m not holding my breath for any character development.
ultimately i have decided not to continue with this trilogy despite having some interest in how it ends (& already owning a physical copy of the third book💔). something tells me that the mc will save the world & miraculously survive. there’s far better things i could be spending my time reading.
first time reading this after rereading (& massively changing my mind on) the first book in the trilogy. decided to give it a go in the hope that elements of the first book that i didn’t enjoy would be improved upon in the sequel (mainly the lack of world building & slow pacing). unfortunately both continue.
main character is now a working assassin which is apparently not as important to explore as her getting a library assistant job. listen i love books & libraries but devoting so much time to this is not developing her. i want to know what effect the assassin job is having on her. why is she now just accepting this role when she spent the first book desperately trying to escape that future? but the author is a library assistant so there we shall remain.
the excessive descriptions that bogged down the first book also continue. there’s an incredibly detailed scene of the main character making a sandwich that continues to perplex me: ‘isabel dumps her sandwich materials on the counter and starts assembling them into a meal’ will forever haunt me. this book also opens with a 2 year time jump which, like the first book, provides a feeling like we’ve picked up the story in the middle of things.
main character continues to be a mary sue. loads of new characters are introduced (5/6 by page 86) who i’m 99% sure will all be killed off by the end of this. they all continue to fawn over her & love her despite her closed off & bland personality. leo who was barely a character in the first book is reintroduced here. he’s initially hostile to mc over their shared experience of emma’s death. mc frets for a chapter then is quickly reminded of how amazing she is & how wrong she was for thinking he may have any ill feelings towards her over his sister’s death. ultimately it wasn’t the main characters fault but it would be realistic for her to think it was & for leo to partially blame her. having some conflict with leo would have been an opportunity to create some desperately needed drama & create a conflict for the mc to overcome. it might also help with her likability (or lack thereof). don’t get me started on the fact mc is canonically aroace. idk but i suspect it’s another author self insertism rather than a detail that has a meaningful effect on the character and/or plot. i’m not holding my breath for any character development.
ultimately i have decided not to continue with this trilogy despite having some interest in how it ends (& already owning a physical copy of the third book💔). something tells me that the mc will save the world & miraculously survive. there’s far better things i could be spending my time reading.
April 29, 2023
I received an eARC from the publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
THE HUMMINGBIRD KILLER is the sort of sequel that manages to make its (very brutal) predecessor look tame. If Isabel's situation and options when it came to choices were bad in THE BUTTERFLY ASSASSIN, then they are beyond dreadful here.
The pacing of this book is a sprint as Isabel desperately tries to protect her friends (which she has grudgingly made but not even managed to grudgingly accept) - but the actions to protect them bring more dangers down. I gulped this book down, stopping briefly for lunch (and several "how dare you?!?" messages) so be prepared to clear your schedule when you pick it up.
Also be prepared to scream a lot at the number of characters killed. After the death count of the last book, Finn introduces a load more characters, makes you like them, then kills the ones you like best. It's brutal (in the best sort of way), refusing to pull any punches (or spare any kneecaps!)
The situations Isabel finds herself in are dreadful, trapped between a rock and a hard place that are being shoved together very very fast. It's the sort of plot that made me go "oh no, oh no. Wait, what? Oh no." That escalation of bad and closing options made it such a compulsive read because looking away meant missing out on how it could possibly get any worse (and then it would.)
The ending made me demand the next book because I need to know exactly how this series ends, and if Isabel can ever catch a break.
THE HUMMINGBIRD KILLER is the sort of sequel that manages to make its (very brutal) predecessor look tame. If Isabel's situation and options when it came to choices were bad in THE BUTTERFLY ASSASSIN, then they are beyond dreadful here.
The pacing of this book is a sprint as Isabel desperately tries to protect her friends (which she has grudgingly made but not even managed to grudgingly accept) - but the actions to protect them bring more dangers down. I gulped this book down, stopping briefly for lunch (and several "how dare you?!?" messages) so be prepared to clear your schedule when you pick it up.
Also be prepared to scream a lot at the number of characters killed. After the death count of the last book, Finn introduces a load more characters, makes you like them, then kills the ones you like best. It's brutal (in the best sort of way), refusing to pull any punches (or spare any kneecaps!)
The situations Isabel finds herself in are dreadful, trapped between a rock and a hard place that are being shoved together very very fast. It's the sort of plot that made me go "oh no, oh no. Wait, what? Oh no." That escalation of bad and closing options made it such a compulsive read because looking away meant missing out on how it could possibly get any worse (and then it would.)
The ending made me demand the next book because I need to know exactly how this series ends, and if Isabel can ever catch a break.
March 8, 2024
**This review will contain spoilers**
4.5/5
Whew, where do I start! What a book. My review of The Butterfly Assassin left me hesitant as to whether to continue this series, and now I know for sure I will. This book contained a lot of what I felt was missing in The Butterfly Assassin, but most importantly contains a whole lot of character depth. Isabel, who I once dislikeable, has shown the more vulnerable side that makes me sympathetic, that makes me like her and keeps me interested. The people Isabel surrounds herself with make the impact they didn't in the first book, evident during Isabel's interaction with Suzanne and the entire novel keeps me on my toes.
There are some things I didn't like. I felt the plot twists to be a little predictable, but this doesn't take away from the quality of reading. I finished this book in two days, if that says enough. This book dives back into the dystopian realm that is the Espera I love and hate so much, and The Hummingbird Killer explores the Comma workings in ways I find to be absolutely fascinating. In particularly, Ronan Atwood has completely sucked me in. I hope the next book keeps him around, just because I think there's still layers to this character we haven't seen yet, making him such a perfect antagonist for a book all about exploring a civilisation built on lies and deceit.
If you can make it through the first book despite your qualms, I would highly recommend reading the second. I too was sceptical when beginning The Hummingbird Killer, but it has surpassed my expectations in methods I never expected.
4.5/5
Whew, where do I start! What a book. My review of The Butterfly Assassin left me hesitant as to whether to continue this series, and now I know for sure I will. This book contained a lot of what I felt was missing in The Butterfly Assassin, but most importantly contains a whole lot of character depth. Isabel, who I once dislikeable, has shown the more vulnerable side that makes me sympathetic, that makes me like her and keeps me interested. The people Isabel surrounds herself with make the impact they didn't in the first book, evident during Isabel's interaction with Suzanne and the entire novel keeps me on my toes.
There are some things I didn't like. I felt the plot twists to be a little predictable, but this doesn't take away from the quality of reading. I finished this book in two days, if that says enough. This book dives back into the dystopian realm that is the Espera I love and hate so much, and The Hummingbird Killer explores the Comma workings in ways I find to be absolutely fascinating. In particularly, Ronan Atwood has completely sucked me in. I hope the next book keeps him around, just because I think there's still layers to this character we haven't seen yet, making him such a perfect antagonist for a book all about exploring a civilisation built on lies and deceit.
If you can make it through the first book despite your qualms, I would highly recommend reading the second. I too was sceptical when beginning The Hummingbird Killer, but it has surpassed my expectations in methods I never expected.
April 28, 2025
Since I rated The Butterfly Assassin 4 stars, I expected this to be the same, or at least suffer "middle book syndrome". This was not the case! This book was even stronger than book 1, which was already a strong start to what is now one of my favourite series.
This book focuses on Isabel's new life as a Comma agent and the consequences that come with that, which builds on what we learn from The Butterfly Assassin. Isabel makes new alliances along the way, with both guild members and abolitionists. I like how this book focuses on more relationships than just friendship, which I feel was one of the main themes of book 1. The world was fleshed out even more, with more of the deeper Esperan life being revealed. This is a lot more action-packed than the first book and the guilds are a really fun concept to explore.
One of the best things about this book (and to an extent book 1) is that nothing is truly as it seems. This book keeps you guessing all the way through and unlike the last book, I did not guess any of the twists correctly. Like the first book, no chapter is ever boring.
I was also a huge fan of Isabel's new roommate Laura. She has a similar purpose to Emma in the last book, while also having a different personality and overall role in the story. It's nice how Isabel can still trust someone as deeply despite Emma's death. Another thing is the fact that Isabel visits Emma's grave several times in the book to talk to her about what's happening in her life. This really showed how deeply she cared for Emma, in spite of the fact that she does not care this way for herself.
Overall, if you enjoyed the first book, then yes, continue with the series. You won't be let down.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book focuses on Isabel's new life as a Comma agent and the consequences that come with that, which builds on what we learn from The Butterfly Assassin. Isabel makes new alliances along the way, with both guild members and abolitionists. I like how this book focuses on more relationships than just friendship, which I feel was one of the main themes of book 1. The world was fleshed out even more, with more of the deeper Esperan life being revealed. This is a lot more action-packed than the first book and the guilds are a really fun concept to explore.
One of the best things about this book (and to an extent book 1) is that nothing is truly as it seems. This book keeps you guessing all the way through and unlike the last book, I did not guess any of the twists correctly. Like the first book, no chapter is ever boring.
I was also a huge fan of Isabel's new roommate Laura. She has a similar purpose to Emma in the last book, while also having a different personality and overall role in the story. It's nice how Isabel can still trust someone as deeply despite Emma's death. Another thing is the fact that Isabel visits Emma's grave several times in the book to talk to her about what's happening in her life. This really showed how deeply she cared for Emma, in spite of the fact that she does not care this way for herself.
Overall, if you enjoyed the first book, then yes, continue with the series. You won't be let down.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 29, 2023
I loved the Butterfly Assassin by this author and it’s stuck with me long after I finished reading. I was surprised how much as upon picking this one up, I found it so easy to get into and all the fond memories of reading the first book came rushing back. If you haven’t read the first one (I recommend just because it was ace) but it doesn’t feel essential for enjoyment as you can still pick this one up and enjoy it just as much. The author does a fab job with bringing you up to speed.
I may even think the follow up was better then the first! It was great to be back with our favourite assassin and this time we meet more Free Press, friends in the making and a torn Isabel as she navigates new situations.
It was seriously so compelling and I couldn’t put it down. I also couldn’t read fast enough as it next level hooked me. And now I want to go back to the first one and reread it again!
Couldn’t recommend enough. Read it read it read it!!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I may even think the follow up was better then the first! It was great to be back with our favourite assassin and this time we meet more Free Press, friends in the making and a torn Isabel as she navigates new situations.
It was seriously so compelling and I couldn’t put it down. I also couldn’t read fast enough as it next level hooked me. And now I want to go back to the first one and reread it again!
Couldn’t recommend enough. Read it read it read it!!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
October 16, 2023
This was nearly a DNF for me. It gets two stars, because it's not actually that bad, it just lacks everything that the first book has. The pretty novel idea, and the character development, the 'normal girl' vs assassin, and the eventual reconciliation/revenge with her parents. None of which is present in book 2. It makes no sense for Isobel to be kept alive, it also makes no sense for her to keep on killing, heartlessly, then full of emotion. Also another really happens. Isobel kills some people, gets her friends targeted by the guild, discovers they are anti guild anyway. Smuggles her friends out the city (via someone else) gets more people killed, then the cliffhanger is that she tried to run away. Back where she started at the start of book one. It feels like the author tried to invent another friend for Isabel to try and protect and moon over, but for me the whole thing lacked emotion and direction.
July 21, 2025
about two years have passed since the events of book 1 and Isabel, oh darling, is trying so hard to become someone better, someone normal, someone who deserves things like flatmates (friends), even as shit keeps going down.
something fascinating to me is how Isabel keeps believing that she's this irredeemable bad person, guild through and through, because she doesn't know to be anything else - but if book 1 wasn't clear on this (it was), then book 2 leaves you without a doubt: Isabel's sympathies were never with the guilds. it's not just that she works with abolitionists to save people (trying to be nonspoilery here), it's that she doesn't hesitate, when it comes down to it.
and yeah, she makes bad choices, but sometimes a bad choice is the only choice you get, and these books describe these impossible situations with such kindness that I'm still, frankly, floored.
something fascinating to me is how Isabel keeps believing that she's this irredeemable bad person, guild through and through, because she doesn't know to be anything else - but if book 1 wasn't clear on this (it was), then book 2 leaves you without a doubt: Isabel's sympathies were never with the guilds. it's not just that she works with abolitionists to save people (trying to be nonspoilery here), it's that she doesn't hesitate, when it comes down to it.
and yeah, she makes bad choices, but sometimes a bad choice is the only choice you get, and these books describe these impossible situations with such kindness that I'm still, frankly, floored.
April 30, 2023
I liked the blurb of this teenager/YA fantasy novel. I hadn’t even realised this was book two in a series when I started reading. On that, there isn’t much in the way of back story, but this meant I had lots of questions as I started to read that I really wanted answered. So was immediately drawn into this world. Isobel has been dealt a terrible hand in childhood, and wants to experience a bit of normality. But that is hard to come by, not least in trying to be more than just an assassin. I appreciated the authors style, so while there are killings, these are handled without being explicit. Thank you to Simon Schuster UK Children’s and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
May 18, 2023
I didn't think Finn could break my heart anymore than they did with the first book but then they take the broken pieces and shatter them into infinite shreds stamp on them and set them on fire for good measure....and you know what....I can't wait for those tiny infinite burnt trampled pieces to be broken all over again when book three comes out!!!! Incredible I literally gasped several times and cried a ridiculous amount at this book. The representation in the book, the emotions, the moral ambiguity, the story arcs,the character building.....just absolute perfection!! Also cannot thank them enough for including trigger warnings at the beginning of the book something more authors and publishers should do!
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December 31, 2023I started book 1 as an audiobook as I drove - I try to pick things that will last a few commutes.
I loved book 1 so much that the second I got home after work, I cleared my schedule. I sat down and DEVOURED both books immediately.
The depth of characters intended to be so young was masterful. Had I been reading this at the same age as the protagonist, I reckon I would have gotten a completely different message. This book sucked me in and I would read it thousands of times and I really wish there were more.
I loved book 1 so much that the second I got home after work, I cleared my schedule. I sat down and DEVOURED both books immediately.
The depth of characters intended to be so young was masterful. Had I been reading this at the same age as the protagonist, I reckon I would have gotten a completely different message. This book sucked me in and I would read it thousands of times and I really wish there were more.
January 25, 2024
this was even better than the first in the trilogy. i am deeply upset that i’ve finished it & sobbed at the end. really highly gripping sequences that i wanted to read forever, such brilliant characterisation and some agonising full circle moments. i want more desperately. this has torn me to shreds and idk what to do with myself now. finn longman is exceptional. you’ll be paying for my therapy bills. i need to know what happens next. i feel lost. this trilogy-to-be is the best reading experience i’ve ever had.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2023
I haven't read a book in one sitting in ages, it's been taking me a month to read a book these days because of everything else that's going on and I read this in a matter of hours. The book is that engaging, that here I am an hour and a half after when I normally go to bed trying not to cry too hard at this. It is very compelling and hits you right in the gut with all the complicated feelings. I love it.
November 19, 2023
The Hummingbird Killer is a brilliant sequel, but has the edge that you pick up without reading the previous book and still think it's an exquisite piece of fiction.
Deliciuosly dark and compelling it was a book that I could not put down I just had to keep reading more about Isobel.
Finn weaves a complex and compelling story with characters you become emotionally attached to. One of the most talented writers currently in the YA market. Would gladly and eagerly read everything Finn writes,
Deliciuosly dark and compelling it was a book that I could not put down I just had to keep reading more about Isobel.
Finn weaves a complex and compelling story with characters you become emotionally attached to. One of the most talented writers currently in the YA market. Would gladly and eagerly read everything Finn writes,
November 17, 2023
The themes of identity and trauma explored here and how the main character Isabella strives for normality in her life but everything always seems to end the same way is amazing. Saying I love this book is an understatement. THE REPRESENTATION!! A little bit slow but every moment is worth the wait. The twists were amazing.
January 2, 2024
I was sobbing by the end of this book, each page I was reading faster and faster. Such a gripping story and I didn’t think that I could be more upset by the ending of this one that its predecessor the Butterfly assassin but I was wrong. Yet again an absolute amazing book but be prepared and have a tissue box on hand because it’s heartbreaking!
August 19, 2024
den var god og spændende. Der var nogel ting som gjorde at den bare ikek var lieg så gode som 1’eren.
Den første som er min fejl er at det lang tid siden jeg læste den første så flere ting havde jeg glemt og de gav ik rigtog mening. Derudover var det var ret tydeligt et af twistene synes jeg og så det bare ikek lige så spændende.
Skal stadig læse 3’eren og det glæder jeg mig til.
Den første som er min fejl er at det lang tid siden jeg læste den første så flere ting havde jeg glemt og de gav ik rigtog mening. Derudover var det var ret tydeligt et af twistene synes jeg og så det bare ikek lige så spændende.
Skal stadig læse 3’eren og det glæder jeg mig til.
July 15, 2023
Magnifique. Ce tome 2 c’est des montagnes russes. Un coup on rigole , un coup on pleure et tout ça avec meme pas 1 page de différence. Je peux vraiment ps attendre le dernier tome . Trop de questions dans ma tête actuellement. Je voudrais tellement pouvoir avoir le tome 3 des maintenant. Bref , c’était parfait.
July 27, 2023
The writing is beautiful and the narrator was perfect. Not going to lie, I was so upset about all the things happening to Isabel because at one point it felt like there was no reason. But It was still a beautiful book
October 1, 2023
The ending is just wow like I didn't expect that. I kinda always knew about Laura though. It was like "wouldn't it be funny if she was from Hummingbird," and when it got revealed it was less funny 😭 I want Isabel safe. I can't wait to read the third book :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2023
I can’t believe I finished reading this already.
ALSO. YOU SAY ITS A TRILOGY SO WHERES THE THIRD BOOK🫵🫵🫵
hear this quote out (spoiler if you haven’t read the first book)
.
.
.
‘Emma was my friend and I loved her and I got her killed.’ I DONT KNOW WHY I TEARED AT THIS PART
okay bye
ALSO. YOU SAY ITS A TRILOGY SO WHERES THE THIRD BOOK🫵🫵🫵
hear this quote out (spoiler if you haven’t read the first book)
.
.
.
‘Emma was my friend and I loved her and I got her killed.’ I DONT KNOW WHY I TEARED AT THIS PART
okay bye
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2023
I found this a little bit harder to read, Purely because it's so sad. The author portrays the trauma and sadness of Isabel so well, yet again.It is a wonderful story and sets the world incredibly the story is fast paced and an excellent read, I yet again recommend!
January 8, 2024
The story idea is amazing, about the guilds and everything. But I hate the fact that Isabel keeps killing with no emotion and suddenly feels guilt and regret. Also, the book has little to no description of the characters and places it's really hard to fall into the story.
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