I really wanted to like this book. Truly, I did. I would give it a 2.5 rating, because I didn't hate it or dislike it, but it truly just fell short of my expectations. 
 I fell in love with the cover and the synopsis. The romance was at the forefront, and it was always present. There was never a moment where I wasn't aware of it. Ismae is a trained assassin, so I was expecting more...well, I don't know, assassinating! There was so much opportunity to truly form Ismae into something so much more, a stronger, more independent character, but she's constantly distracted by the ever so handsome Duval. 
 I didn't mind the book, but I was under the assumption that the 'handmaiden of Death' was going to be a litle more bad-ass, so for 500+ pages, I patiently waited for something more to happen. The beginning of the book showed so much promise, but when it came down to it, the only training she really seemed to use was her 'charm and persuasion' which Duval was quick to let her know that she's not too terribly good at it. There were bits and pieces of absolutely fantastic, action-packed writing, but it fell short of my overall expectations. If I had known that this book would favor the romance side more than action, I would have enjoyed it more, I think. The concept was good, but the execution just didn't go the route that I would have expected.