The Witch’s Betrayal
Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke
Publisher: Strange Chemistry, 2013
Genre: YA Fantasy
Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N
You’ve read The Assassin’s Curse. You’ve met Naji. Now go back in time and see Naji in his earlier years, as he seeks a target and ends up clashing with Leila, the river witch.
A fantastic short story from Naji’s POV that shows his relationship to Leila, the river witch, and the events leading to the scarring of his face. One of the things I love about Naji is his internal conflicts. Here it’s even more evident that Naji is slightly bothered by the fear people feel and show when they see him. And this is before his face is burned, so just imagine the issues he has with it in The Assassin’s Curse, where people fear him not just for his profession but for his appearance. Oh, Naji! I just want to tackle you into a hug and never let you go!
We also get a bit of world-building in here. I loved that we get a description of what Naji feels while he’s traveling through the shadows. It was such a nice detail to add. And we get more information about the kind of magic assassins use and how they use it. Overall, a great addition to The Assassin’s Curse world!
Favorite Quotes:
~Don’t Lie to Assassins~
“I heard you used to be partners.” “I’ve never had a partner. Do you know anything about me, assassin? Ask anyone in the pleasure district and they’ll tell you what I always say: a partner’s not worth the trouble. He’ll take half and leave you when you need—”
I leapt onto him, digging one knee into his chest bone, pressing him back into the bed. He squawked and struggled to free himself until I held the sword at his throat.
“I heard,” I said, “that you used to be partners.
