Review by Booklist Review
Eighteen-year-old Aina Solís is perhaps the finest professional assassin in Kosin; she's certainly the favorite Blade of criminal mastermind Kohl Pavel, the Blood King. Rescued by Kohl from life as a homeless child at age 12, Aina has been saving money to start her own trade house that will rival her master's. To that end, she has been secretly trafficking magic diamonds, used for religious purposes, which could result in her immediate public execution. After Kohl assigns Aina the murder of wealthy industrialist Kouta Hirai, she finds herself uncharacteristically questioning Kohl's motives as well as her own. With exciting chase scenes full of flying daggers and poison darts, as well as frequent, bloody deaths, Flores' debut title is all nonstop action and cinematic gore. However, it's also notable for the multicultural cast of characters, intricate world building, and strong sense of social justice. An abrupt ending leaves no doubt that a sequel is in the works.--Debbie Carton Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Flores's fantasy debut follows Aina Solís, whose parents were executed for practicing diamond-channeled blood magic in the wake of Sumerand's industrial revolution. Aina spent years on the city of Kosín's streets before joining "Blood King" Kohl Pavel's tradehouse, which deals in all manner of criminal activity, and learning to fight. Now 18, she is a skilled assassin who dreams of becoming her own boss. When Kohl offers Aina a high-profile hit that will bankroll the start of her own tradehouse, she eagerly accepts; killing the wealthy diamond exporter proves more difficult than anticipated, though, even with the help of freelancer Teo Matgan. Kosín's ruling body places a bounty on Aina's head, forcing her to run--not just from the Diamond Guard and those eager to collect the reward, but also from Kohl, who must protect his tradehouse's reputation. Flores's cast comprises characters of multiple ethnicities, many of whom lack complexity and verisimilitude. And though superficial worldbuilding sometimes muddies the book's message, a clever setup allows for keen insights regarding poverty, religious persecution, and cycles of violence. Ages 12--up. Agent: Pete Knapp, Park Literary & Media. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 10 Up--A teen assassin tries to complete her latest assignment without being killed or double-crossed. Aina Solis was taken from the streets where she was addicted to sniffing glue and has been trained to be an assassin for hire. Her boss, Kohl, gives her a very dangerous, very difficult, and very lucrative assignment. The payout will allow Aina to gain her independence and become her own boss. When she fails to kill her target, Kohl takes all her money and puts a price on her head. Aina must work together with friends and enemies alike to take down her target and save her life in the process. This novel takes place in a world controlled by Steels, wealthy industrialists who have taken over the country after defeating the religious Inosen. Religion is outlawed: Aina's parents were killed because of their ties to the Inosen religion. There is a strong divide between the poor religious people who live in crime-ridden neighborhoods controlled by gangs and the wealthy Steels. Aina alternately chafes against Kohl and wishes to start her own business on her own terms while also secretly harboring an attraction to Kohl. Full of action sequences that will compel readers to keep turning pages, this book is ideal for those who enjoy fast-paced stories, though readers hoping for world-building and character development will be better served by other books. Give to fans of dystopian stories similar to Suzanne Collins's "Hunger Games" trilogy or James Dashner's "Maze Runner" series. VERDICT An additional purchase for libraries with heavily used young adult collections.--Jenni Frencham, Indiana University, Bloomington
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A trained assassin becomes the hunted after she is given an almost impossible target.Eighteen-year-old orphan Aina Sols grew up on the streets of the Stacksa mazelike neighborhood in Kosn, a city full of diamond mines. That is, until she was rescued from being blown up in a bar. Six years later, after being trained as a Blade by Kohlthe Blood King, her rescuer, and leader of a gang of hired assassinsAina is given the task to murder Kouta Hirai, a wealthy businessman who holds the monopoly on diamond-mining tools. As she races to complete the assignment before a week is over, Aina must also protect herself as she is wanted by the Diamond Guards and rival assassin gangs. Aided by Teoher best friend, fellow assassin, and potential love interestAina lives in a constant moral conflict, as she can never forget her parents' teaching on the value of life and how their unapologetic use of illegal blood magic helped people. However, ever present in her mind are also Kohl's lessons on survival and her desire for his approval. Despite a compelling plot and array of relationships, the book misses the mark in worldbuilding as the time period and Latin American-inspired culture never feel completely grounded. The diverse characters' skin tones range from ivory to copper.An entertaining and action-driven tale of assassins and magic. (Fantasy. 13-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
