Master Assassins by Robert V.S. Redick

“I traveled with him because he promised there was a doctor where we were going. And because a God whispered in my year.” Once more, she is perfectly serious. “Which God?” says Chindilan, and Mektu asks, “Which ear?”

I just finished Master Assassins by Robert V.S. Redick. This action-packed adventure follows a pair of brothers who accidentally commit treason of the highest order and are forced to run from the very army that they have been serving for years. Kandri Hinjuman was never meant to be a soldier. His brother Mektu was never meant for this world. Rivals since childhood, they are drafted into a horrific war led by a madwoman-Prophet, and survive each day only by hiding their disbelief. Kandri is good at blending in, but Mektu is hopeless: impulsive, erratic—and certain that a demon is stalking him. Is this madness or a second sense? Either way, Kandri knows that Mektu’s antics will land them both in early graves. But all bets are off when the brothers’ simmering feud explodes into violence, and holy blood is spilled. Kandri and Mektu are taken for contract killers and must flee for their lives—to the one place where they can hope to disappear: the sprawling desert known as the Land that Eats Men. In this eerie wilderness, the terrain is as deadly as the monsters, ghouls, and traffickers in human flesh. Here the brothers find strange allies: an aging warlord, a desert nomad searching for her family, a lethal child-soldier still in her teens. They also find themselves in possession of a secret that could bring peace to the continent of Urrath. Or unthinkable carnage. On their heels are the Prophet’s death squads. Ahead lie warring armies, sandstorms, evil spirits and the deeper evil of human greed. But hope beckons as well—if the “Master Assassins” can expose the lie that has made them the world’s most wanted men. Honestly, this book was quite a page-turner. Although it is rather long at 438 pages, it didn’t feel dragged out at any point. The plot stretches out a lot, and new obstacles keep coming up. The resolutions feel natural and realistic, and the characters suffer as many defeats as victories. The brothers Kandri and Mektu are fleshed out very well, and give a realistic interpretation of sibling relationship. Kandri loves his brother, but then he also feels like Mektu is his biggest problem. Their love-hate relationship was very well written, and a blast to read. Mektu brings life to the story with his enthusiasm ans shenanigans, while Kandri’s dry sense of humor is just as entertaining. I found the brothers’ romantic relationships a bit strange to be honest. I think that, despite the author’s best intentions, they turned out a bit disrespectful, and more than a little awkward. Making up for this, though, we have two amazing female characters that help carry the story forward, and bring their own wit and charm to the table. The world-building in this story is great, and seems like it could exist at any point in time. There is no fancy technology featured, but the storyline does have a vague dystopian feel to it. Unbound by these restrictions, the reader can delve into the story and be immersed completely. Master Assassins is the first book of the Fire Sacraments series, so do not expect a conclusive ending. I will definitely be looking out for the next book in the series, and I’m sure you will too! Disclaimer: I received this book for reviewing from the publisher