Assassin’s Heart by Monica Burns (Order of the Sicari #2)
Paranormal Romance
September 7, 2010
Trade Paperback, 368 Pages
Berkley Trade
Reviewed by Mandi
Favorite Quote: “Kiss me and I’ll show you what to believe,” she said in a voice that challenged him to listen to his heart and nothing else.
The Sicari are an ancient order of people and Lysander has lived his life fighting as one of their best. Now Legatus, or head of his order, it is a daily struggle to keep the demons and dark side of him at bay while he is the leader his team has come to expect. After being tortured at the hands of the Sicari’s nemesis, the Praetorians a year ago, he is left with only one eye, and half of his face severely disfigured. To make matters worse, the Praetorian who tortured him happens to be his father, and now he has to deal with the fact that he is one-half the enemy, a deep, dark secret he can’t bear to share with anyone.
Before his torture a year ago, he spent a passionate night with Phaedra, a Sicari healer. But after the torture, and the shame of finding out who his birth father is, he has pushed her brutally away. Phaedra is confused, and has been yearning for Lysander this past year. She could care less about his disfigurement, and only wants him to open up, and share what haunts him. As she pushes his boundaries, Lysander digs deeper into himself. They also have an important mission, the reason they are in Rome. They believe an ancient artifact, The Tyet of Isis is near, and with the rest of the crew, they go off on a search to bring a very valuable artifact into safe keeping, before the Praetorians get their evil fingers on it.
Assassin’s Heart is book two in Monica Burn’s Sicari series, and while I enjoyed book one, I think I liked this one even better. The prologue is completely antagonizing with the details of Lysander’s torture a year ago. It shows how strong he is mentally, but it also shows the fear and pain he had to endure. I’m really glad Monica Burns included it, because Lysander is such a broken hero, it gives us a very good understanding of where he is coming from.
There are a lot of things going on in this book, but all the events work really well together and present a book that will have you interested until the end. First we have Lysander and Phaedra’s dramatic love story. And I say dramatic because the angst and tension in this relationship will have you either biting your nails or banging your head against a wall. At times I became frustrated that Lysander would not give an inch and let Phaedra in on his secrets. I will say he stays true to his character until the very end, and for that I give Monica Burns a lot of credit. I wanted to grab Lysander and shake him, but Phaedra eventually does that for me. If you enjoy tortured heroes, Lysander is the guy for you.
We also get the story of Atia, the Prima Consul, or Lysander’s boss in basic terms and her very complicated relationship with the Sicari lord, Marcus. I won’t go into a lot of their story, but it is heartbreaking, and really adds a lot to this book. I really look forward to getting more from them further in the series. We also get some pretty bad dudes in the villain department, and some cool twists that make them much more than just villains looking in from the outside.
Now that I have read both of these books, I can say this is a series where I find myself anticipating the next one. With adventure and romance, angst and tension, this book is a really fun read.
Rating: 4/5
Recent Reviews:
Blog With Bite
Goodreads
This series includes:
Assassin’s Honor
Assassin’s Heart
Monica Burns will be back tomorrow with a guest blog!
I went back and re-read the review of the first book and I have to say now that I've read both of the reviews, I think I may need to check this series out. The mythology seems different enough to interject some variety into my vamp-shifter paranormal diet!
Thanks!
It is a PNR – but with some twists. I was really happy that the second book upheld the world she started in bk one. I hope you enjoy them :)
I've been curious about these books ever since you posted about bk one. Now it seems that yet again, thanks to you, my to-read pile is about to get a little bit bigger ;) Nice Review. *sigh*
I'm sorry to make your pile bigger!! LOL…I'm just getting you back for the books you have made me add! ;)
Yay, glad to hear it's a good series. Good to know if I lift that ban on book buying ;)
I definitely love the tortured heroes, they suck me in every time! And I love when the authors include some of the history, even when it's awful and you want to walk away from it. Acheron was that same type of book and I loved it. I like the covers on these books as well:) Thanks for sharing this series Mandi!
Well, you know I love, love, love this series. And I adore Lysander, he's so broody and dark and twisty. And I loved that Phae just kept pushing him. Very, very hot chemistry between the two of them.
This is my favorite Monica Burns book. Um, until Pleasure Me comes out. That one ROCKS!
Blodeuedd – Lift it darn it! ;)
Jenny – oh sigh..the tortured heroes:) Lysander is so much fun to read about.
Kati – *perks* Pleasure Me?? I like the title :)
So I have to hear it here that KatiD loves Pleasure Me?? LOL Yes dear you forgot to email me that…or my sleep-deprived self didn't get the message. LOL
Mandi, I'm delighted that you enjoyed the book and are recommending the books to others. Thanks for a lovely review. See you here tomorrow!
@Mon – I didn't tell you?!?! OMG, I read the "final" on the cruise, and was all swoony from it.
I don't just thank you, SCOTT thanks you! Heh!
Even better than the first you say?! Gawd to only have more hours in the day…
Great review Mandi. I love that you pointed out that the hero stayed true to his character til the very end. It makes me anticpate this read even more.
Looking forward to Monica's guest post!!
I really need to read this series. Great review Mandi. :)
Another great review Mandi. Looking forward to Monica tomorrow.
BTW, see you added Franklin, RIP.:(
I've read Assassin's Honor and can't wait to get started on Assassin's Heart. Lysander really stood out to me and I wanted to find out more about what happen to him.
Stephanie G
Paranormal Haven
Hey hon, I have not started this series, but I have watched and read your reviews. You do an awesome job at making me lust after these!!!
Great review hon!!!
Hugs to you!
Nice review Mandi :) I so need to meet these Assassins!! I love it when all story threads come togheter so snooping in Septembers buy list if there's a bit of room left LOL
Great review Mandi! I can't wait to get my hands on this series!
On another note…. I have a little award for you that you can pick up HERE! whenever you get the chance!!
Have a fantastic weekend!
Oh I loved Lysander and I agree with you, I liked this book even better than the last. Looking forward to another one!