REVIEW: The Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke

The Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke (The Assassin's Curse #2)
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Publication Date: June 18, 2013
Rating: 5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N

After setting out to break the curse that binds them together, the pirate Ananna and the assassin Naji find themselves stranded on an enchanted island in the north with nothing but a sword, their wits, and the secret to breaking the curse: complete three impossible tasks. With the help of their friend Marjani and a rather unusual ally, Ananna and Naji make their way south again, seeking what seems to be beyond their reach.

Unfortunately, Naji has enemies from the shadowy world known as the Mists, and Ananna must still face the repercussions of going up against the Pirate Confederation. Together, Naji and Ananna must break the curse, escape their enemies — and come to terms with their growing romantic attraction.

My Review

I fell in love with Cassandra Rose Clarke’s The Assassin’s Curse because of the originality and the creativity of the novel that had so much adventure. She gave me exactly what I wanted from the first book and brought it back into the second with even more action, danger, and even better... some romance!



This book picks up where The Assassin’s Curse left right off with Ananna and Naji stranded on the Isles of the Sky. From there the adventurous tale of these two trying to break the curse begins. Like its predecessor, The Pirate’s Wish takes my favorite duo to many places. Why I fell in love with this duology was clear from the world building alone. Clarke brought in such detail and vibrancy in both books, but so much more in this one. Much of the setting is described so clearly from the unpredictable Isles of the Sky to the beautiful nature in the Island of the Sun, to the rich city of Jokja. Even more so, I appreciated the way in which sailing across the vast sea was described and all the fights that ensued when it came to battling another ship and taking it.

The journey for Ananna and Naji to completing the three tasks was indeed epic and made way for new characters to join in. We get royal manticores, a former noble Empire soldier, a Queen of Jokja, and even talking fish and sharks from an underwater palace. All these character played a role or helped in someway. Marjani, though a recurring character, felt like a new one because so much was revealed about her. She was by far my favorite of them all, well beside the manticore.


I’ve always loved Naji and Ananna because they were so different. They just worked so well together despite their rocky alliance in the beginning. Especially with Ananna’s stubbornness to stay clear of danger and Naji‘s anger and harsh demeanor, these two clash more than once but it created an entertaining and endearing banter more than anything. I liked how Ananna was a lot more assertive in being able to protect herself. Although I did find her to be a little more insecure, she was still that awesome outgoing pirate I loved. Naji was still reserved and brooding, but I adored him because he protected and cared for Ananna even when she didn’t see it. Plus Naji could conjure up some blood magic to kick some serious ass. What’s even better between these two was how Clarke gave me the romance that I was hoping for. She gave me attraction in the first book, but gave me a foundation, substance and kindling romance that held much more depth in this one. It wasn’t legendary or monumental in any shape or form, but it was the perfect amount of affection that really snared my heart. 

Definitely a lot goes on plot wise, but it’s not difficult to read at all. There’s a mixture of revenge, doubt and near death experiences to grab attention. And why I continued to love this book despite the crazy pacing and roller coaster completion of tasks was because it was always unpredictable. I never knew what to expect from the characters or even with the magic that surrounded this book completely. There wasn’t a shortage of pirates, assassins, monsters, and spells. Naji and Ananna go through so much. Tears shed, blood is lost, and life tips in the balance because there was always a threat for them at every corner and I absolutely loved that. 




Overall, The Pirate’s Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke reminded me why I fell in love with the world she created in The Assassin’s Curse in the first place. She gave me a fit ending and conclusion for my favorite pirate and assassin that still have me thoroughly enchanted.

Check out my review for the first book that started it all - The Assassin's Curse.

REVIEW: The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Title: The Assassin's Curse (The Assassin's Curse #1)
Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Publication Date: October 2, 2012
Format: Netgalley eARC* 320 pages
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon || B&N || The Book Depository

Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to an allying pirate clan: she wants to captain her own boat, not serve as second-in-command to her handsome yet clueless fiance. But her escape has dire consequences when she learns the scorned clan has sent an assassin after her.

And when the assassin, Naji, finally catches up with her, things get even worse. Ananna inadvertently triggers a nasty curse — with a life-altering result. Now Ananna and Naji are forced to become uneasy allies as they work together to break the curse and return their lives back to normal. Or at least as normal as the lives of a pirate and an assassin can be.

My thoughts, feelings, and reactions.

Nothing could have prepared me for what I read in The Assassin’s Curse. It’s not the type of book I would initially get, but one I was so happy to. And let me tell you, Cassandra Rose Clarke takes a story about a pirate and an assassin to a whole other level. 

Ananna - the pirate


I loved this girl to bits. Ananna was such a tough main character. I didn’t think this girl had a weak bone in her body. She was daring and courageous, running off doing what she wanted to do even if she had no set plans. She wasn’t afraid to break a few rules. She knew what she wanted and she was determined to make it happen. Ananna was not necessarily fearless, but she was brave in the sense that she faced her fear head on. I loved that she stood her ground and she literally fought back. Ananna has many talents being a pirate, from pick-pocketing, to handling a sword and knife and to having the ability to survive by herself at such a young age. The best part of Ananna was humor she brought even during the serious and dangerous parts of the book.

Naji- the assassin


The man with an attractive, but scarred face and many secrets. I loved Naji in and out. With his aloof, but cunning demeanor, Naji was one puzzle that was not meant to be figured out. He doesn’t say much, but he’s strong and powerful. Not much is divulged about him, but that’s beauty of his personality. Everything that I did find out about him has allowed me to adore him even more. He’s not the type to trust so easily especially with all the death he’s seen in his lifetime. And lthough he was this dark and very intimidating man, he was still caring and protective. Naji knew the meaning of honor and loyalty and that made him much more admirable in my eyes. Even when Naji was cold, I found his expressions and the way he interacted with Ananna very endearing. 

The adventure, the world and action.


The Assassin’s Curse was one big, entertaining journey. Ananna and Naji go off to look for a way to break this curse, meet new people along the way, and end up going to different places and encountering many threats and dangers along the way. From Lisirra to the desert to Port Iskassaya and to the Isles of the Sky, each place is vibrant and described with great clarity. The world that Clarke has built up in this book is amazing. There is definitely an Arabian feel to the setting with camels and busy markets that have vendors harassing you. There are horses and land-ships and boats filled with pirates and an island floating above the water that give it a slight twist. Clarke does an astounding job of taking the reader and placing them within this book. The Assassin’s Curse had a pace that was quick and fun. From the start, something exciting was happening and it continued to get more and more entertaining throughout the book. There’s plenty of action from physical fighting with swords and knives and even magic that uses blood and odd items for spells. It was fascinating and I loved all of it. 

With an unlikely duo working together against other pirates, assassins and stronger magical forces, Cassandra Rose Clarke creates one engaging novel. I’m anxiously awaiting for the next adventure Ananna and Naji will take me on.

*Thanks to Strange Chemistry and Netgalley for sending me a copy for review