Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice by Mary Mecham

🐦‍🔥Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice by Mary Mecham🐦‍🔥

Book 5 of the standalone series, Sacrificed Hearts.

Blurb: 

Azora has dedicated her life to exacting revenge on the phoenix shifters who murdered her parents. When Prince Tarquin of Pyren demands a bride as part of a peace treaty, the elite strike squad of assassins Azora belongs to agree—she’s the perfect candidate to eliminate the monstrous shifter.

The traces of Pyrenese blood flowing in her veins grant her immunity to fire and will allow her to slay Tarquin, for a phoenix can only be destroyed by one descended from Pyren. The safety of all Termarth is dependent on Azora to maintain her cover; her true identity must never be discovered.

With the tantalizing offer of peace on the altar, Azora weds Tarquin, knowing that as soon as the peace treaty is broken, either bride or groom will be the first casualty. But just as Azora begins to uncover the man behind the monster, skirmishes erupt throughout the land. When the time arrives to finally eliminate the threat to Termarth, Azora’s loyalties are torn. 

She intended to gamble her life away, not her heart.

My thoughts: 

Ahhhh. 🤗

Don’t you just love happy endings? 

For a second, I thought the story was going to end with a certain character dying. But no! I’m actually very thankful for that twist in the end. I didn’t see that coming! Tarquin and Azora were AMAZING! Their humorous snark and teasing was just hilarious! It was so cute to see their feelings change from hostile to caring for the other. The part where Tarquin became the “guardian” of a little boy just made me swoon! It was just adorable! I also loved that the author made this an arranged marriage trope, but she didn’t put any inappropriate content!

The plot was very good! I didn’t get confused with any of the facts or details of what they did in Pyren, neither the facts about phoenixes and shifting. The eclipse moment was also very sweet!

In conclusion, this YA book was a fun read! Loved it!

⚠️ I would recommend this book for ages 15+. ⚠️

My rating: 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️

Romance content:

A couple kisses (one was very light , and one was mildly detailed with buildup), a neck kiss, embraces, and holding hands. Helping each other with buttoning or untying clothing (not sexual, just notices of nearness), sleeping in the same bed (not sexual).. there was one moment where he was trying to comfort her and they woke up in each other’s arms (Sex not implied, Mildly detailed). Nearness and Touches. There are some marital teasing and comments but it was more to annoy the other, not really romantic. Falling in love and the emotions. 

Enemies to lovers trope. 

Profanity: None

Violence:

Blood and death, (mildly detailed) 

Some fighting scenes (mildly detailed)

Azora is an assassin. Thinking about the best times to kill. (mildly detailed)

This was the first book I’ve read by Mary Mecham and I gotta say.. it was charming!💖