Word Out 2014

Allies and Assassins by Justin Somper 

Reviewed by Anupya, age 15

“War is a fire that touches every man, woman and child in the land.”

– Logan, Allies and Assassins

You know when you’re in the mood for a good whodunit? A whodunit set in a fantasy realm revolving around themes of grief, revenge and fear? A gripping murder-mystery in which every character had a part in the assassination and the reader could never guess the killer? Well, I took a chance on this book. And boy did I strike gold.

Allies and Assassins is a thirteen-day narrative following the death of Prince Anders, the ruler of Archenfield. Anders’ sixteen-year-old brother Prince Jared, next in line to the throne, is thoroughly unprepared and unqualified for the role. He is forced into this position due to tradition (and his shrewd mother Queen Elin). Intent on proving himself to his people (and enemies) of his worthiness to follow his “flawless” brother’s footsteps, the new prince has to find his brother’s killer and prevent chaos in the land.

Allies and Assassins is the spawn of Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith and Seraphina by Rachel Hartman. With vivid imagery and a clear grasp of the plot, Justin Somper writes a very thrilling tale of grief and betrayal. In one scene, the protagonist, Jared, following his brother’s death, delivers a speech to a thousand people and the reader can’t help but cheer him on because it shows how much he’s developed as a character. Interestingly, each chapter of the book is sorted in a possibility-evidence order; the author leaves nothing to chance, covering all grounds, tying up all knots in a complicated spiralling package. I loved the debate scenes among the Twelve (the parliament of Archenfield) due to the volley of comments (sorry, garish opinions). Furthermore, I enjoyed psychoanalyzing Axel because he is very much like Prince Hans from the Disney movie Frozen; both are hungry for power and willing to kill for their desires. Furthermore, I am very tempted to write an entire essay on sexism in the book since Axel’s dad, Lord Viggo, has a very tainted view of women; the same behavior is exhibited by other men. The book makes you think a lot due to the interesting characters.

I was very happy that the author didn’t drag on the whodunit for very long. However, just when the reader thinks they know what’s up, the proverbial rug is pulled from under their feet multiple times. Towards the end, the mind is a convoluted mess of suspicions and theories, with no real answer and no hope left.

And then, the real assassin is revealed.