The Assassin's Curse

In comparison to the first two books on Christopher Rowe, this one is clearly weaker. It describes a treasure hunt, although it's not clear how finding the treasure should stop the series of murders which to investigate Christopher had been sent to Paris, and ends with a horrible threat against Christopher which is obviously designed to make people buy the next book, too (which has not even been published yet). It seems that Kevin Sands realized himself that this book is weaker than the first two. I do like to buy follow-ups, if I have liked the first book - but not if the book tries to force me to. Gegenüber den ersten beiden Christopher-Rowe-Büchern fällt dieses hier deutlich ab. Es schildert eine Schatzsuche, wobei nicht klar wird, warum das Finden des Schatzes die Mordserie beenden sollte, die aufzuklären Christopher nach Paris geschickt wurde, und endet mit einer furchtbaren Drohung gegen Christopher, die offenbar dafür sorgen soll, dass auch das nächste (noch in Planung befindliche) Buch gekauft wird. Kevin Sands hat wohl selbst gemerkt, dass dieses Buch schwächer ist als die beiden ersten. Ich kaufe gerne Nachfolger, wenn mir der Vorgänger gefallen hat - aber nicht, wenn der Vorgänger mich dazu zwingen will.

From Arthur, aged 8: It’s my favourite book ever. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. It’s called ‘Call of the Wraith’. It’s action packed and full of adventure. You never know what’s going to happen next. The description is outstandingly indescribable!

"The Assassin's Curse," the third book of the Blackthorn Key series by Kevin Sands, is another winner! Christopher Rowe, apothecary apprentice, has been drawn into a complex and dangerous mission. His friends, Tom and Sally, accompany him to the king's chambers in England and onward to the Louvre in France. Christopher's mission? Solving a centuries-old curse on the French throne. This Blackthorn Key book will continue to delight middle school readers (and adults!) with its twists and turns, wild antics, and unusual cyphers. From the outset, Christopher and his accomplices battle an unknown assassin, a man of great strength and cunning. Christopher relies heavily upon his poignant memories of Master Benedict for strength and insight in a race to save the entire royal family of France. Kevin Sands weaves a complex plot through the streets of Paris, its nasty cemetery of rotting bodies, and the bizarre adoration of Louis XIV. Yes, we get to watch the Sun King as he awakens and eats breakfast. Yikes! And yes, there are deaths in this book (although not as many as in Mark of the Plague!). With so much to enjoy, I especially appreciated Master Benedict's legacy of love for Christopher, the resolution that Sally finds in Paris, and the delightfully complex clues which lead our valiant threesome into a fight for their lives. The Assassin's Curse is played out on a vast scale but still highlights Tom's loyalty, Christopher's sharp mind, and the dark humor which will have you laughing out loud. The ending is intense and the outcome seems dire. It's a masterpiece of mystery, of a battle between good and evil. To cap it off, the author leaves us hanging.... There MUST be a fourth in this series!

This is the third in The Blackthorne Key series. My 12 year old and I have read the series together. We bought this book and then didn’t want to start it because we knew it would end. With each of his books, you can’t put them down once you start. We binge-read until they’re done. The mystery, the code-breaking, the down-to-earth, good-hearted characters - the historical details of the places and times his characters are in are fascinating. And he’s funny! We tell everyone who asks what we’re reading, “Kevin Sands is Canada’s own J.K. Rowling.” We’ve recommended this series to other adult reading fiends in our family. They all agree with us. The first 22 pages of the first book has one of the funniest scenes I’ve ever read, period. I had to take breathing breaks because I was reading aloud and crying I was laughing so hard. Kevin Sands is a keeper. Read this series.

Brilliant book, I finished it in two days. Definitely my favourite from the Blackthorn series so far. Hope to see the next book coming out soon!