Monday, October 17, 2016

Review of "Death Sworn"

"The Renegai have never sent a woman to serve as our tutor before."

     In Death Sworn by Leah Cypess, the only way to survive in a society of assassins is to lie to their faces. When she was a child, Ileni tested positive for permanent magical abilities and was accepted into the Renegai, a peaceful society of sorcerers beyond the Empire's grip. She was lauded as the most powerful sorceress in a very long time, and declared their best hope for finally defeating their unjust neighbor. Then, out of nowhere, her magic began to fade. Simple spells became a struggle. To give her a task suited to her now-ordinary nature, Ileni has been sent to the Assassins' Caves, a network of tunnels that houses the training grounds for the most terrifying killers in the realm. Their last two magic tutors are dead, and it's Ileni's job to figure out why--without admitting she's no longer a Renegai. And without teaching her new students anything useful or incurring their master's wrath. Suffice to say that Ileni's life is about to get very interesting.

     Ileni's situation is easy to sympathize with. Once considered a prodigy with unimaginable potential, she has been cast out of her order for something she could not prevent. She's been abandoned by everyone she holds dear and exiled to almost certain death. It's no surprise that she has low self-esteem and identity issues, but what is amazing is her strength. From page one it's obvious that she'll do whatever it takes to uncover the truth behind the previous tutors' disappearances, and does her best to embody Renegai ideologies even when it's hard. When she meets Sorin, an assassin assigned to protect her from his fellows, he becomes an anchor and a friend whose loyalty can only be overridden by the Master Assassin's command. Each character is rounded, flawed, and distinctly human, with lives that extend beyond the plot yet are intricately intertwined.

     One of the major upsides to this tale is the writing. The words flow easily from one to the next, shaping each scene with love and respect for the setting and characters it contains. Every emotion is as close to the surface as ink on the page, though the levels of emotional clarity vary as time wears on. Is Ileni really resigned to her fate? How much of what she feels is she blocking out to make things easier? And although her point of view is only abandoned a couple of times, and never for Sorin, her bodyguard and companion is just as understandable. The backdrops are vivid with color, immersive in their subtly detailed structure. Tension and pacing are well-maintained, and the romance fits into that mold well.

     All things considered, the violence between these pages is rather clean. There are plenty of fights, from an insult contest that peaks in the only crude comment to an adrenaline-flooded struggle with shocking results. However, gore is kept to a minimum and, while conversations often turn morbid, graphic content is toned down and spread out to match the pacing. The romance pairs together two strong, capable individuals with their own flaws and desires. While this doesn't guarantee a happily-ever-after in this novel or its sequel, it makes the relationship refreshing and enjoyable. If the romantic interests go beyond kissing, it happens behind the scenes and is only vaguely hinted at. Ileni is slightly depressed, and the assassins repeatedly state their willingness to sacrifice themselves for their master.

     I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an absorbing read about a strong girl making the best of an awful situation and the assassin who helps her along. The structure is believable, the characters complex, the plot absorbing. Together, these elements bring Leah Cypess's world of assassins and sorcerers to life. The mystery surrounding the Renegai tutors' deaths is truly puzzling, just as the trainees in the Assassins' Caves live up to their fearsome reputation. Ileni is a fantastic protagonist whose point of view grounds the plot, and her love interest is no different. For a convincing mystery, a formidable cast, and sound worldbuilding, Death Sworn deserves five magical stars.

No comments: