The Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke
Title: The Pirate's Wish
Series: The Assassin's Curse #2
Publication: June 18, 2013
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Source: Netgalley

The sequel to The Assassin's Curse

After setting out to break the curse that binds them together, the pirate Ananna and the assassin Naji find themselves stranded on an enchanted island in the north with nothing but a sword, their wits, and the secret to breaking the curse: complete three impossible tasks. With the help of their friend Marjani and a rather unusual ally, Ananna and Naji make their way south again, seeking what seems to be beyond their reach.

Unfortunately, Naji has enemies from the shadowy world known as the Mists, and Ananna must still face the repercussions of going up against the Pirate Confederation. Together, Naji and Ananna must break the curse, escape their enemies — and come to terms with their growing romantic attraction.

Ananna and Naji are bound to each by the curse. Anytime Ananna is in danger, it hurts Naji and he has become overly protective of her because of it. She is too free of a spirit and constantly finds herself at the edge of trouble. Tired of being caged in with Naji, she just wants to do what she desires without the fear of causing Naji pain. In her attempt to not listen to his warning to stay put, Ananna gets cornered by a creature that strikes a bargain with her to get off the island as well. Gradually, the two form a unique bond as things between Naji and Ananna become tenser because she knows how to solve one of the impossible tasks, she just fears rejection. Can she find a way to overcome her confusion and pain to trust Naji with her heart before she risks losing him to the curse?

Naji seems pretty intense in this one but I found myself drawn to him. He gets misunderstood by so many including Ananna. She's hurting and she doesn't think he feels the same way but as their bond grows stronger she begins to sense that there's more...yet she's too stubborn to give in. Ananna appears childish and immature for the most part, she's reckless. She's very passionate and spirited...she believes in helping her friends, which makes her an adorable character. I liked how these two learned to work through their issues and gradually grow as characters. The ending is different but I think it fits both of their personalities. Overall, a good story filled with action, magic, pirates and romance and those that loved the Assassin's Curse will enjoy this installment.

Cover Spotlight: The Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Check out the cover for the sequel to The Assassin's Curse! 

What do you think?

Cover for Book one

The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke
Title: The Assassin's Curse
Publication: October 2, 2012
Publisher: Strange Chemisty
Rating: 3.5 out 5
Source: Publisher

Synopsis
Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to an allying pirate clan: she wants to captain her own boat, not serve as second-in-command to her handsome yet clueless fiance. But her escape has dire consequences when she learns the scorned clan has sent an assassin after her. 

And when the assassin, Naji, finally catches up with her, things get even worse. Ananna inadvertently triggers a nasty curse — with a life-altering result. Now Ananna and Naji are forced to become uneasy allies as they work together to break the curse and return their lives back to normal. Or at least as normal as the lives of a pirate and an assassin can be.

Thoughts:Longing for freedom, to be her own master, Ananna escapes a marriage that she doesn't desire only to find herself face to face with an assassin that she thought was a myth. Naji, the killer for hire by the scorned Hariri family hunts Ananna down cornering her in the desert only to hesitate momentarily and this will cost him dearly. Now, they are bound together until they can find a way to break the curse. These two must also fight to survive the many enemies that hope they fail.

I liked this story, it made me think of Aladdin just from looking at the cover but the pirate/assassin concept fascinates me. The curse the author adding in just adds to the complexity of the story. Basically, pretty cool idea that translates well onto the page. The characters are both unique but the mystery that is Naji, compelled me to want to bury myself into the page because I want to figure out who is really is and what he is hiding. Amana in comparison comes off as more open yet witty. I love her personality and her vulnerability. I think she may crack the puzzle that is Naji and hopefully fall in love along the way. The writing is clear and the pace steady. The plot is okay, I wasn't expecting the ending but other than that, good read. Overall, full of adventure, deception, humor and pirates!