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Age of Assassins

The Wounded Kingdom, Book 1

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Age of Assassins

By: RJ Barker
Narrated by: Joe Jameson
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Shortlisted for the David Gemmell Awards 2018

Shortlisted for the Kitschie Award 2018

To catch an assassin, use an assassin....

Girton Club-Foot, apprentice to the land's best assassin, still has much to learn about the art of taking lives. But their latest mission tasks him and his master with a far more difficult challenge: to save a life. Someone, or many someones, is trying to kill the heir to the throne, and it is up to Girton and his master to uncover the traitor and prevent the prince's murder.

In a kingdom on the brink of civil war and a castle thick with lies, Girton finds friends he never expected, responsibilities he never wanted and a conspiracy that could destroy an entire land.

The Wounded Kingdom trilogy begins with Age of Assassins, continues with Blood of Assassins and will continue with King of Assassins.

2018, Gemmell Morningstar Award for Fantasy Debut, Short-listed

2018, The Kitschies Golden Tentacle, Short-listed

©2017 RJ Barker (P)2017 Little Brown Book Group Classics Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Historical Royalty Assassin Paranormal
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Critic reviews

"Age of Assassins reveals its mysteries with the style of a magic show and the artful grace of a gifted storyteller." (Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld)

"Dead gods, dread magic, and a lead that feels like a breath of fresh air. Great fun." (Peter Newman, author of The Vagrant)

"Outstanding. Beautifully written, perfectly paced and assured. Kept me reading well into the early hours of the morning. A wonderful first book - a wonderful book, period - that should be at the very top of your to-read list." (James Islington, author of The Shadow of what was Lost)
All stars
Most relevant

Would you consider the audio edition of Age of Assassins to be better than the print version?

Can't say. I've only listened to the Audio, but the story was 5* so I would say they are equal.

What did you like best about this story?

Right up my cobbled street. Medieval setting with a fantastical flare that reveals antlered war mounts and colourful armour; reinforced kilts and good ol' Welsh names! I don't see that enough, and as a history geek (specifically Anglo-Welsh wars), this impressed me muchly.

Have you listened to any of Joe Jameson’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Nope, so N/A

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Murder mystery in a magic-tainted medieval castle.

Any additional comments?

The story had me guessing at suspects throughout. I'd like to claim I'd figured it out early on... or at all, truth be told, but I didn't. I had suspicions about the right sort of people, but I never guessed at reasons, motives, secrets until they were revealed. Bravo, RJ. Bravo.

Damned fine debut!

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This is not my usual type of book that I read but I thought I would give it a go and I'm so glad that I did. I enjoyed the tale so much that I'm buying the next in the series. Love the narrator he's brilliant and a big reason why I bought this book.

very good book

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Enjoyed but not enough to get book 2 unless it's on offer! Good narration so worth checking out other books by Joe Jameson.

Interesting story and characters

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It is different from the average coming of age fantasy book. The characters are great and the world building is great. Author does a good job of unveiling details bit by bit. Action was sparse but good. It also had a good mystery which kept me guessing until the end. I'd definitely recommend it.

Great Characters and a good mystery

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What a story. It may be fantasy, but it weaves in political intrigue and murder mystery just as easily. I was totally hooked from the beginning. It never let up, You wanted to know how this was going to end, so much so I wanted to speed up the narration (although didn't).

Joe Jameson does a fantastic job of bringing each character to life with their own voice and inflections. It was so good, even when I switched to Kindle version I did so hearing his voice. I cannot tell you what his actual voice sounds like he switched between roles so well.

I cannot wait to read books two and three.

Outstanding

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