Synopsis: 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.
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Date Published: June 18, 2013
Date Read: January 17, 2016
No. of Pages: 330
Source: From dear friend Krish.
REVIEW
It’s like eating a stuffed-crust pizza, every bit of it is soooooo good.
I started reading The Pirate’s Wish with the smallest of expectation. The first book the Assassin’s Curse left me welling up with too much frustration over the male protagonist – Naji. I could very well remember how my eyes rolled so much. He needs to redeem himself on book 2 or else I will definitely lose it. So I approached this second book with trepidation, cautious enough to not let the actions of Naji affect me. Surprisingly, this book redeemed itself, what with all the issues I had on book 1, the book made a promise and f*cking delivered. Finally everything is falling into their rightful place. I am one happy reader once more, less of pulling my hair out and even lesser eye rolling. Haha.
Let me first comment on the character build-up. Oh boy, it was really one of the best character build-ups (?) I have seen for a looong time. You can really notice the changes in the character, how they evolved and made wiser decisions but still staying true and consistent to their own selves. It was never monotonous! The characters will always surprise you one way or another. Especially Naji, he did redeem himself, he acted more as protector of Ananna than the other way around, and I also get to see the extent of his magic and more information or back story of The Order, I wish there was more to it though. And Ananna stayed sassy and kick-ass all throughout. Though she was sometimes like a love sick puppy, which annoyed me a few times, but it isn’t something I could not handle. It was still good, all things considered. And can I just say I love love love loveeeeeeee the manticore! She made the book all the more exciting and engaging! Sometimes I continue reading just because I wanted to read more of her. Cassandra Rose Clarke should write a separate book about the manticore and I will devour it *pun is super intended* hahah I’m so punny. I also loved how all the characters and what happened to them are explained clearly. Like what happened to Ananna’s parents, Queen Saida and Marjani’s backstory, I truly commend how lgbt aspect was inserted to the book, the manticore’s story, Jeremy, the Order, the Confederation, and all the important details are presented in such a clear and convincing manner. It’s like you are getting so much out of a 300-page book. It was short but all the necessary information are condensed into this beautiful story that will leave you satisfied.
I also commend the author for giving more power to women. The feminist in me is very pleased. (I don’t want to dwell much on this because it will come out as spoiler, but I hope you will see this aspect in the book.)
And yes, I will not forget to praise the world-building. I’ve mentioned in my review of the first book that Cassandra Rose Clarke made this beautiful world that was so vivid, as if I am watching a movie, this continued on on this book, and this time even better. My imagination was running wild, I loved every bit of it. Especially the fight scenes, how action-packed everything was. How badass the characters came to be and how the whole story revolved to finding how the tasks are to be accomplished. I loved how clever everything was made, how it was perfectly plotted, how it doesn’t feel forced. Again, how everything fall in their rightful place.
The romance!!! Ahhhhhh. I live for this kind of romance – the mature and unselfish kind. The kind of romance where you meet half way, where you decide on something and make it work. I loved how the romance did not happen on an instant, how gradual yet surely it all unfolded. How it didn’t feel rushed or unripe. It was just right, just what the story needed. It was complicated yes, add the fact that Ananna was always so insecure and having all these doubts about Naji loving her back, but I guess it worked for me. It made their love story a little cuter and swoon-worthy. The romance in the book happened in a slow manner, yet it will hit you with so much force you may not fully recover from it. I am actually hungover, I want more of them. I demand a third book haha!
It was over all amazing! I highly recommend this one! This book made it to my top fantasy books. I enjoyed every bit of it. What I would trade to read it for the first time again!
RATING: 
5/5
“Love is a wound,” the assassin said. ” Neither life nor death.”
― Cassandra Rose Clarke, The Pirate’s Wish
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