Book #26 Emperor's Knife

After the disaster of the last book, I was glad to have a new book in front of me. A return to a new series that I struggled with, but eventually got into. Emperor's Knife is the second book in the Imperial Assassin series by Alex Gough, the first being The Emperor's Sword (reviewed here).

So here goes. Emperor's Knife. It picks up pretty much straight after the events of the first book, with Silus and Aticus returning to Eboracum (York) after their successful mission at the end of the first book. Of course, best laid plans see them immediately arrested and sentenced to death for the crime of desertion.

Basically it's an act of vengeance from one of the co-emperors in waiting who has it in for Silus as he works for his brother.

Thankfully, Silus and Atius are not executed, as that would make the book really short and frankly a bit rubbish if the main guys had been killed within 3 pages. They're rested and given a new mission, to relax and train a new recruit, Daya. Daya is a girl, so we see some good old fashioned Roman prejudices come out at this point. Atius doesn't think Daya is worthy to be trained as she is female. Silus is more open minded but still cautious as she is incredibly skilled, yet closed off to the two of them (well, mainly Atius as he's a bit of a douche).

Disaster strikes as the Emperor Severus dies, and his two sons, Geta and Caracalla start to manoeuvre in order to take the other down, despite being co-emperors. A devastating power struggle ensues, with Silus, Atius and Daya thrown headlong into the struggle.

Silus' conscience finds himself questioning some of the actions he is told to perform, with him struggling morally with assassinating children, having lost his own young family in the previous book.

I had hoped to see more of Daya, but the book cuts her role tragically short, as Silus' conscience has dire consequences that not only put lives in danger, but test loyalties and friendship to breaking point. I'm disappointed that she will not be a part of the storyline anymore, as I feel that she added a brilliant contrast with Atius that Silus had to deal with to get the best from his two comrades. Add to that a potential love story that we have been deprived of, and a fascinating backstory, and I feel that this was maybe a premature killing off. Who knows what will happen in the next book however!

The climax of the book was unexpected; capture, torture, escape yet positively compelling reading. I found that for the last 100 pages or so, I couldn't tear myself away from the pages, such was the pace and action.

This was a marked improvement from the first book. The pace was spot on from the start, which was something I really struggled with in the first book, it just dragged a bit, no such qualms with Emperor's Knife. The vivid description of a bustling Rome, the atmosphere at the Circus Maximus and the chariot races, was a beautiful change from the dark and dingy environs of the north of the empire.

I would recommend this book, but anyone reading should look to read the first in the series first. I can't wait for the third book.

Emperor's Knife: 3cm

Total read so far: 26 books, 77.5cm

Total left to read: 115.5cm