Helpful Score: 3
This story starts off with the sad life of Lale, an orphan found on the banks of a river in a poor community. Treated abysmally by the village that found her, she finally leaves. It is no surprise that when she is taken in by a woman who grooms her and other orphans into spies and assassins, that Lale becomes very loyal to Makina (aka Mother), the ruler of Tamurin. Lale finds her family with the other girl trainees and works very hard for Mother's approval. Mother has very ambitious plans for Lale: to kill the King. Lale thinks she has no problems obeying, but after meeting and growing closer to him, it becomes harder and harder to go through with it.
I thought this was a very absorbing straight fantasy with strong female characters. And an interesting dilemma for the main character, especially reading about everything Lale experiences. I'd like to read more by this author but I haven't found anything else published by them yet.
I thought this was a very absorbing straight fantasy with strong female characters. And an interesting dilemma for the main character, especially reading about everything Lale experiences. I'd like to read more by this author but I haven't found anything else published by them yet.
