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An order of magical-knife wielding female assassins brings both peace and chaos to their post-apocalyptic world in this bewitching blend of science fiction and epic fantasy—the first entry in a debut duology that displays the inventiveness of the works of Sarah Beth Durst and Marie Lu. Kyra is the youngest Markswoman in the Order of Kali, one of a handful of sisterhoods of highly trained elite warriors. Armed with blades whose metal is imbued with magic and guided by a strict code of conduct, the Orders are sworn to keep the peace and protect the people of Asiana. Kyra has pledged to do so—yet she secretly harbors a fierce desire to avenge her murdered family. When Tamsyn, the powerful and dangerous Mistress of Mental Arts, assumes control of the Order, Kyra is forced on the run. She is certain that Tamsyn committed murder in a twisted bid for power, but she has no proof. Kyra escapes through one of the strange Transport Hubs that are the remnants of Asiana’s long-lost past and finds herself in the unforgiving wilderness of a desert that is home to the Order of Khur, the only Order composed of men. Among them is Rustan, a disillusioned Marksman whose skill with a blade is unmatched. He understands the desperation of Kyra’s quest to prove Tamsyn’s guilt, and as the two grow closer, training daily on the windswept dunes of Khur, both begin to question their commitment to their Orders. But what they don’t yet realize is that the line between justice and vengeance is thin . . . as thin as the blade of a knife.
Series
2 primary booksAsiana is a 2-book series with 2 primary works first released in 2018 with contributions by Rati Mehrotra.
Reviews with the most likes.
Markswoman is the first book in a duology set in Asiana, a post-apocalyptic Asia in which justice is upheld by five Orders of Peace (or four Orders of Peace, depending on whom you ask since some do not believe the fifth Order containing Marksmen to be valid). The setting is fascinating and the first few chapters were engaging, but I thought it was ultimately hindered by an over-reliance on prophecy/mysterious instructions for the future to drive the plot and Kyra's actions.
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This book has fantastic ideas. It was the premise of them that had me pick it up in the first place. However, the writing and overall story just didn't grab or hold my interest. I was looking for something more fast paced and a more expanded storyline. I don't doubt this is a good book, but it just isn't for me.