Allies & Assassins

March 3, 2014
Somper (the Vampirates books) launches his first series for teens, in which a 16-year-old prince takes the throne after his older brother is assassinated. Before Jared can be crowned prince of Archenfeld, he and his court must track down Prince Anders’s killer and exact justice. Though they swiftly find their chief suspect, questions remain; Asta, the Physician’s apprentice, believes the true murderer is still on the loose. As other bodies turn up, Jared and Asta navigate a complex web of political intrigue where anyone might be a killer and a traitor. Drawing on premedieval Welsh courts for inspiration, Somper breathes life into the inner workings of his fantasy kingdom, which feels like a lost European territory. The cast is sprawling and complicated; some characters all but fade into the background while others practically chew the scenery. With its focus on forensics investigation and suspense, this is both political thriller and royal drama. Though the story takes place over just a few days, the pacing is slow, but the underlying story is solid and entertaining. Ages 12–up. Agent: Philippa Milnes-Smith, LAW, Ltd.

April 1, 2014
Following the murder of his brother, Prince Anders, Jared must not only assume the throne as ruler of all Archenfield, but take on the role of investigator into the crime. As he's only 16, it is lucky for Jared that he has the Council of The Twelve to guide him in his decisions. Unfortunately, he quickly learns that not all is as it seems in the kingdom. Lust for power, unrequited love and personal vendettas make it difficult for Jared to know whom to trust. So when Asta Peck, the Physician's niece and apprentice, begins her own inquiry, he is relieved to find that he is not the only one seeking the truth. Their investigation is complicated by the death of the prince's consort and her unborn child and the attempted murder of the Falconer. It is clear that the killer is ruthless, but his or her motivation and identity remain hidden. While the mystery is suspenseful, a lack of sensory detail keeps the fantastic setting vague, despite ornate, medieval-esque trappings. The over-large cast is often unwieldy, keeping the individual characters undefined and forcing readers to the Archenfield family tree and list of officers at the front. Still, there's a lot going on, and readers caught up in the plot will probably want to find out what happens next. Here's hoping they'll be rewarded with more depth and color in the sequels to come. (Adventure. 12-16)

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April 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-From the first page of this hefty volume, the Princedom of Archenfield is plunged into mystery, danger, and intrigue. Prince Anders, who has ruled the kingdom through just two peaceful years, has been found dead, and his 16-year-old brother Jared has automatically become Prince of All Archenfield. Though he is clever and kind, Jared is not prepared to assume the crown. Luckily, he has the Twelve; officers of the court whose job is to advise, teach, and protect him. But can Jared trust them? In the few days before his brother's funeral and his own coronation, Jared and the clever young Physician's Apprentice, Asta, investigate the mystery of Ander's murder, keenly aware that the murderer may be targeting Jared as well. As more victims are claimed, the mismatched young couple uncover lies, secret love affairs, and more suspects than they had expected. Though some of the hints seem obvious, Somper manages to keep the mystery alive with many red herrings, surprises, and plot twists, while deftly setting up the scenario for a sequel. Fans of medieval adventure, murder mysteries, and romance will all find something to like here, and readers will eagerly await the continuation of the this engrossing saga.-MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2014
Grades 7-10 Sixteen-year-old Jared ascends to the throne of Archenfield after his brother Anders is murdered. Now he must learn to navigate the murky waters of politics, while also finding the assassin. The only person he can trust is Asta, the physician's young apprentice. As the assassin strikes again and again, the situation becomes desperate and Jared must act quickly before his own reign is cut short. Somper's faux-historical novel is more of a police procedural than the political thriller the title might suggest, and readers looking for fantasy action will be disappointed, since there is no magic and the pace of the story sometimes drags. But those who like the mechanics of forensic detective work will enjoy watching Asta and Jared attempt to logically and scientifically solve the crimes, unknowingly hampered by their lack of modern equipment and know-how. Both teens fight to be taken seriously, and their friendship is a solid component of the story, balancing the huge cast of characters. A cliff-hanger ending will leave readers wanting more.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)