Caroline’s Comments (group member since Mar 20, 2014)

Caroline’s comments from the The Assassin's Curse Re-Read group.

D'you know, I haven't read the novellas - as soon as this re-read is over, I'm getting my hands on them!

You love cliff-hangers, Cassie - what a place to leave us!! Can't wait for the next section!

So, picking up on what's already been said in the first 1-3 chapter re-reads, I don't remember noticing before that she'd be sad that her parents were gone - she felt more independent - but this makes her more real. Her confidence is seen again as they move towards the pleasure district, although this time I wonder if it's more if a shield - she's lost but telling him what to do (carry her dress) allows her to gain some control.

I really enjoy the tension building of these chapters: in not just their relationship but also Ananna as she tries to figure out what's happening especially when dealing with the gray-eyed vendor that quote "it was the way looking at 'em made me feel like a mouse surrounded by snakes." This magic - different from her mother's - is new and strange to her and I like seeing her scared, only because it makes her more believable.

One of the highlights of this section is watching Naji act more human - paradoxically through his magic - at the end of chapter 6 when he's in pain and struggling. As much as Ananna's struggling with everything, she's not aware of the danger they're in but Naji is, and this anxiety is oh-so-human!

I must say I still feel thirsty after reading through their desert trip! The heat; the thirst; the hunger - and how this is all utterly the opposite of Ananna's usual water-based existence further removes her from her own life and brings the world to life for the reader.

I am noticing more, this time around, the beginnings of Naji & Ananna's relationship: she's noticed his hair and the way it lies, how his chest feels against hers.

I do want to slap Naji sometimes though - why does he bother telling Ananna it's a sandstorm when it's blatantly not? It's not exactly like she's not going to see whomever comes out of the kicked-up sand. He's very frustrating in his protectiveness, especially when you'd think he'd realise she's capable of taking care of herself: she knifed that drunk, she spotted the gray-eyed vendor, she can even read and tell the directions from the sky and he expected none of that from her.

Obviously the key moment in this section is Ananna killing Tarrin; there was no other way and even though she reacted by her gut instinct, it instantly affects her and now I'm looking forward to the rest of this land-ship fight!

Monicha wrote: "I just in love with the fist 3 chapters, lots of character build up. Love Ananna for her spunky, "classy" attitude, but most of all I love the when she really sees Naji when they are fighting in th..."

I'm glad I'm not the only one who does that, Monicha, skips when I'm excited! I'd love to hear about Cassandra's age frame for Ananna but don't forget we've got a Q&A with her at the end...we could always log questions in that thread for her now :)

I've never heard the audiobook - would be interesting to hear it! I have to say, for me, that bad grammar works; she's not educated, she's a street kid, well a water kid! That just ties into her character.

Mathilda wrote: "Someone once told me that you can tell whether a story is going to captivate you, just by reading its very first sentence-and I agree.

'I ain't never been one to trust beautiful people, and Tarrin..."

I love that there's a lot of talk about the first line!

Perla wrote: "These first three chapters are what I LOVE about Annana:

-she makes the decision to strike out on her own knowing she can take care of herself & completely unwilling to be pushed into a life & a r..."

I'm so glad you mentioned Aladdin! I try to put it out of my head but I always picture her as a female Aladdin - the cover is so Arabian nights and the desert, the camels. Does it explain a lot if I say Aladdin is one of my favourite Disney films ever?

Joe wrote: "So Anna is a bit of an enigma. She is a captain's daughter, so she is in a somewhat privileged position, but he is a pirate. Smart but speaks in an uneducated way. Street wise, but follows implicit..."

I think it definitely adds to her character. I'm not sure if you could call her camel escape solely impulsive. She looks around; she leads Tarrin to the market so she can view her options. The camel, for me, is actually a well-thought out reaction. That feeds into the rest of her characteristics - quick on her feet and street smart.

The first line of any book is so important - we all know that - but there's something about the opening line of The Assassin's Curse that is just perfect and for me, it's even just the "I ain't never been one to trust beautiful people". Instantly I get a feel for Ananna's spirited attitude and if she doesn't trust "beautiful people" it does paint a picture of her as a less-than-glamorous / not-interested-in-looks gal. My kind! Her language (ain't, nicked, saying 'em instead of them) portrays her immediately as a down-to-earth, unfussy, character and even re-reading it, it instantly made me smile!

Reading it again, I love how the world is set up instantly - that Ananna's not emotional about the fact she's being married off, it's part & parcel of the world she inhabits. Her independent streak is evident from the beginning and I just love how she formulates an escape plan and follows through quickly. Even after the camel escape, she is confident and clever, and uses what her father had taught her to steal clothes. There's no dallying around with this one! For me, the moment Ananna yanked her knife out of her boots and slept with it in her hadn was when I decided she had the potential to be one of my favourite kick-ass characters.

The market and the food are described so clearly - and maybe it's because I read this before lunch! - but I swear my stomach was rumbling for the wood-smoked skewers of Ananna's breakfast. The night market is so clearly depicted and this is only by page 32 that the whole world had opened up to me. The bogeyman stories of the Assassin fill in folklore and background to the pirates, and as the shadows follow her, the tension is there - who doesn't have a childhood story that would terrify them if it turned out to be true?! But again, Ananna might get scared but she stays focused and doesn't shirk away - she goes to the woman she doesn't trust, but she also isn't afraid to question her, and she certainly doesn't like not knowing who "they" are that are part of the spell. Ananna relies on her wits and messing with something she doesn't understand doesn't sit well with her.

The fight proper with the Assassin wasn't as major as I thought it would be but there are still so many aspects that are just amazing and I know I loved when Ananna wipes her knife on her dress to clean it of the snake's blood. Seriously, if I could be a pirate, I'd want to be Ananna.

Plus Ananna is funny as hell! She's been attached by an assassin, pulled into dark magic, killed some magical snake, and has been told by her wannabe killer that he now must protect her, and she's thinking of what a lucky escape she had from the Hariri clan!

Naji's introduction is mysterious, calm, and cool, and I love how that seems a paradox to Ananna's questioning, constantly-moving self.

Mieneke's mentioned it already but I also don't remember noticing the first time around that she misses her family from the beginning. It's evident that she's her father's shadow and takes pride in having learned how to sneak around, steal - not beg!, to be prepared and that she thinks of him in her actions. It makes me more sad for her than the first read but also even more proud that she's a character that doesn't succumb to this sadness but just gets the hell on with everything.

Paul wrote: "Chapters 1 - 3"

Thanks Paul!

It's finally re-read day! Be sure to head over to the Chapters 1 - 3 thread to start the re-read discussion!

I just tried to post a direct link but haven't quite fathomed the html coding; you'll find it under the main heading of The Assassin's Curse Re-Read! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Monicha wrote: "I found the books on Goodreads and very happy that I did. I love mysterious/magic/action/romance kind of books. So that's what I was looking at and then The Assassin's Curse caught my eye and then ..."

Thanks Monicha! I love hearing where people find books - and considering our GR Re-Read, isn't it wonderful that's where you found the books in the first place :)

Rebecah wrote: "Naji. Reminds me of Eric from Phantom of the Opera (The Phantom)."

YES! How did I not see that before? I think that's what felt so familiar about him, for me, but in a super hot way!

So many new members, welcome everyone! I'd love to know where you all heard about these books? I've already mentioned that for me, it was through work, but what about you guys? Did you hear about it on a blog, read a review, see it here on Goodreads? Do tell!

Loving the excitement for this group! Not long to go until we start!!

Welcome Anastasia! The covers really are just beautiful; they're by the fantastic Sarah J. Coleman and you can see more of her work here: http://www.inkymole.com/

Ouch, that's a long commute! Our Angry Robot Senior Editor has a similar length commute - and mine is 3.5 hours round commute...lots of time for reading / audiobooks :) Hope you enjoy the books!

I should mention that the Annanna duology was the first - and second - books of SC that I read when I joined the company, and I am very much looking forward to re-reading them again purely as a reader and without the pressures of a new job!

A tale exploring Marjani's first steps beyond Qilar, when she is dismissed from her home for scandalous behaviour.

Marjani's ship is stolen by pirates and, in order to save her own life, she pretends to know the location of great treasure.

An ebook original short story set before The Assassin's Curse.

You’ve read The Assassin’s Curse. You’ve met Naji. Now go back in time and see Naji in his earlier years, as he seeks a target and ends up clashing with Leila, the river witch.

Welcome everyone! Perhaps we should start a discussion on the two novellas also? I'll open a board and we can avoid any possible spoilers for those who haven't read them!

Welcome Zemira and Uzma! Very excited to have new readers on board already, and Zemira, I hope you get some new and interesting insight into The Assassin's Curse the second time around.

Uz, why don't you add a bit about where you're from; I think it'd be great at the end of the Re-Read to see how far Cassie's books travel :-)

This Q&A will start at the end of the Re-Read!