Assassin's Odyssey by CT Ortega

Looking for a Greek Tragedy? Look no further....

This is Ortega’s third standalone novel, and we find ourselves in Greece in the midst of a kingdom ruled by an narcissistic and greedy king who is determined to gain more power through fear, force and murder. Nothing sets the stage for a Greek tragedy better.

What I have enjoyed about Ortega’s books, especially his standalones, is the strong underlying moral message in each one. This one? This book centers on the concept of loyalty. The moral dilemma and impact of who we give our loyalty to, why and the sacrifices and consequences that result from those loyalties is highlighted in neon colors that can’t be missed. 

In Assassin's Odyssey, we meet Adonis and Selene. Two of the King’s highly skilled and trained assassins. As captains in King Aeneas’ precious guard, there is the obvious expectation that you are loyal to the crown, but what happens when the one wearing the crown is unworthy? Do you remain loyal because of the position of the king, or do your loyalties come under fire and you make a decision to switch those loyalties. 

I really liked Adonis and his character even though he was the one I didn’t agree with. I thought he was easier to connect to than his lover, Selene. Where I agreed with her philosophies and motives, there was just something there that kept me from fully connecting with her. Part of it was that I didn’t believe her feelings for Adonis, I felt for a good portion of the book that she was in some way using him and couldn’t get past a brother/sister feeling emanating from her. However, it was clear Adonis loved everything about Selene. It almost made me feel sorry for him.

Loyalties come into debate when Adonis and Selene are ordered to kill the King of a neighboring land. So, what decision is the right one? The moral debate between the characters is well developed to the point that it really leaves the reader with the question at the end - who was right? But it parallels our own society on so many levels. There is so much hate and violence in our world because of what people believe and where their loyalties land.

Here’s the issue. Both believe that their king is corrupt and horrible and the other is a kind, generous king. However, one of them believes that it doesn’t matter if the king is corrupt, he is the king and therefore must have loyalty. The other doesn’t feel it’s right to give loyalty to someone who doesn’t deserve it. Thus the conflict that drives the entire plot.

“I can’t turn away from such wickedness and be happy.”

There were a few points where the pace slowed down a little, but in the action scenes there was everything you could want, suspension, action and lots and lots of violence and gore. I should have gone back and counted how many times people got stabbed in the stomach. But it’s hard to say who is wrong and who is right as all the characters do what they feel morally driven to do.

In the end, people die and often die by the hands of those they know. This is one of the few books where I was drawn more into the conflict than anything else. The characters were ok and the setting worked. The setting presented the environment for the conflict to happen with the exception of the fields and pastures between the two kingdoms. So much more important than the palaces and the pubs, these lush lands were the only place where the characters find peace, calm and wisdom. It is the balance of the scales.

The pieces fit together and create a blood drawn path to the demise of one of the two kings. No spoilers here. I mean, it is a Greek Tragedy. Someone, lots of someones, are going to die.

Where does this one land on my bookshelf?

I’d put it on the middle shelf. It’s a good book, an easy read, and one that really left me contemplating the concept of loyalty. I don’t always like books that make me think, but this one made me think without overwhelming my brain. I really appreciated that. One thing is clear when I finish one of Ortega’s books, I can tell through the words he puts on the page how much he loves storytelling. I love that his passion can be seen through the pages, and that he writes the stories he wants to tell. I’m honored that I’ve gotten to know him over this past year, and I look forward to reading more of his books. I highly recommend checking his work out!

I received a free copy of the copy in exchange for my honest review.

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