Master Assassins

Fire Sacraments Series, Book 1

By: Robert V.S. Redick

Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer

Length: 17 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

Kandri Hinjuman was never meant to be a soldier. His brother Mektu was never meant for this world. Rivals since childhood, they are drafted into a horrific war led by a madwoman-Prophet, and survive each day only by hiding their disbelief. Kandri is good at blending in, but Mektu is hopeless: impulsive, erratic - and certain that a demon is stalking him. Is this madness or a second sense? Either way, Kandri knows that Mektu's antics will land them both in early graves.

But all bets are off when the brothers' simmering feud explodes into violence, and holy blood is spilled. Kandri and Mektu are taken for contract killers and must flee for their lives - to the one place where they can hope to disappear: the sprawling desert known as the Land that Eats Men.

In this eerie wilderness, the terrain is as deadly as the monsters, ghouls, and traffickers in human flesh. Here the brothers find strange allies: an aging warlord, a desert nomad searching for her family, a lethal child-soldier still in her teens. They also find themselves in possession of a secret that could bring peace to the continent of Urrath. Or unthinkable carnage.

Contains mature themes.

©2018 Robert V.S. Redick (P)2018 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"This book has everything I love: Clean, crisp worldbuilding. Characters that live and breathe. A story that teases and surprises me. I like Master Assassins so much I wish I'd written it, but deep down, I know I couldn't have written it this well." (Patrick Rothfuss, number-one New York Times best-selling author)

A Labor of Love

If you are looking for a twelve hour bottle rocket of a book with precision placed plot markers, set in stone character arcs, and an over the top climax - look elsewhere.

Here lies master craft writing, beautiful world building, and characters who feel real to the touch.

While I have nothing against fast paced writing - often I prefer it - there is something to be said about the sacrifices made to do so. Redick throws all those restraints in the garbage, leaving none of his tools spared. This book has been well nurtured to create a beautiful garden you can't help but take a stroll through. You may find yourself in a lull at points, but push through, this story is more than worth it.

The characters in this book are the most engrossing I've encountered in a long time, their decision making complicated, raw, real. My suspension of disbelief was held iron-clad. The world is vast, it's environments and cultures rich, loaded with untold secrets barely scratched in this novel.

Eric Michael Summerer is a great narrator with a good wheelhouse of voices.

There is a reason two of my favorite authors (Patrick Rothfuss & Mark Lawrence) gave glowing recommendations for this novel, because it rocks.

The ending

This is a five star book, if the ending was more definitive. I would have taken a few extra hours for more closure, instead I get to wait for hobbit book 2.

What A Book!

I think Mr. Redick is one of the finest writers of our generation in any genre. He’s happened to have chosen to write speculative fiction and this book is as good as any - in or outside the genre - I’ve read in the last five years. If you haven’t read or listened to it (I’ve done both), I highly recommend it.

Bad narrator choice

Couldn't get very far into this one for the narrator. Seemed like it was going to be good though.

The ending made me want to continue, but

it was hard to get there. I almost quit this book several times. I didn't enjoy the language or the conversation of the character. I felt annoyed by the characters most of the time. By the end of the book, though, I was finally invested in the story.

Beautiful writing at the cost of a slow story

First off, the cover art and title have a YA vibe that is completely incongruous with the actual story. This is not YA but serious, fantasy literature so don't come in expecting a swashbuckling light hearted listen!

In fact, you will struggle to find a better written book in any genre, let alone fantasy and this really came across with a wonderfully flowing narration by Eric Summerer. This book also has some serious (deservedly so) backing from the likes of Patrick Rothfuss and Mark Lawrence and i'm certain will be up there come awards season.

But (and there is always a but), there is a difference between a good story and good writing.

While the narration and writing were wonderful, I really struggled to get pulled into the actual story. It's not that a lot doesn't happen, per say, but I felt a lack of urgency and pacing that meant while I might really enjoy half an hour here and an hour there. I didn't feel compelled to find time to listen, let alone be staying up late into the night listening.

Ultimately that is one of the main things I look for and what perhaps (unfairly) makes me mark down a book that was still an enjoyable listen.

It's well worth a credit and for some will be the best thing they listen to this year. While everyone else can sit back, listen and admire the prose before moving onto a more action packed book.

Disappointing

The story is not bad and with a great world to hold it up was very enjoyable to read. Unfortunately the way it is written and narrated does not do it justice.

It felt like a second draft. The story is well structured and consistent, but emotions seem forrced at times. Fear in particular is lacking depth. The story starts with two brothers in a rather scary predicament and by the time the white child shows up there is no more room to go up. That unspeakable terror of the white child was very disappointing in the end.

Finally, narrator delivered the story in a monotone. I don't blame him as the story is lacking emotional depth, but it felt mole like memoirs rather than a fantasy.