Regret is a bitter poison.In a desperate grasp for prestige, Aselin Gavrell betrayed her master to the execution block for the advantage of the onyx pendant now around her neck. Shelter from her master’s crimes comes with an unwanted allegiance and a list of innocents to murder. But the Guild of poison assassins will not be so easily pacified and charge Aselin to develop an antidote as … retribution of her betrayal. Unprepared for the independence she craved, Aselin is forced to seek aid from a fickle contact who wants only one means of payment: a ruby ring with a mare’s head. To save herself from her master’s fate, Aselin must navigate a growing list of debtors eager to toss her aside and confront her guilt in this fast-paced tale of growth and redemption in Tudor England.
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Mom’s review:
Strong, independent, female characters and anti-heroes return in K.M. Pohlkamp’s much-anticipated sequel to Apricots and Wolfsbane, Shadows of Hemlock.
Aselin Gavrell made a fateful decision, and one she may live to regret when she betrayed her mentor. Now, she sits indebted to the man who arranged the betrayal.
Worse, the Guild doesn’t recognize Aseline’s supposition of her former Master’s status.
And because Fate will challenge the willful, not only does Aselin have a list of targets that she won’t be paid for, she also has four short months to discover an antidote to her poison of choice – Hemlock.
As she works her way through her benefactor’s list and comes to realize how petty their slights really were, Aselin begins to question her choices and form a plan to avenge her mentor and redeem herself.
Sequels are notoriously difficult, and they are frequently seen as less than the first. I admit that I struggled with Aselin’s character (to be fair, her mentor challenged me, too, on Apricots), but the story kept me engaged, pulling me from page to page as Aselin’s arc accelerated and grew into her purpose.
This can be read as a stand-alone, but I wouldn’t recommend doing so. Aselin’s story begins in Apricots, and so many characters pull from that tale to this that much of the detail could be lost. Start with book 1, and be ready to dive into book 2. A solid 4 stars.
Daughter’s review:
The lineage of women assassins continues with Aselin, apprentice to the late Lavia. Desperate to prove her worth to the world of poison masters and her patron, her pride guides her, mixed with the teachings of Lavinia and the guilt of her brother’s death. With the daunting tasks ahead of her, can she prove her worth, or will she be marked as both an outcast and a criminal?
Shadows of Hemlock is certainly as captivating and Apricots and Wolfsbane, and teaches you much about the assassin world the author has created. Poison on the right and one’s poison of choice shows just what kind of assassin you are. Captivating, descriptive, and overall pleasing to read, I strongly recommend to all historical fiction lovers, murder lovers, and to all people in general.
In the sequel to Apricots and Wolfsbane, author K.M. Pohlkamp promotes Aselin from apprentice to female assassin in Tudor England. It’s the early sixteenth century and the male dominated social structure is ripe with nobility seeking to exterminate their foes, or even mistresses and wives. This novel, Shadows of Hemlock places the protagonist, Aselin, in as many close calls as her predecessor. Each time she’s sure to meet her end, Aselin’s determination is as fierce as her Master’s, and she escapes, sometimes battered, but even more determined.
Lavinia Maud is now deceased, however, her apprentice Aselin, has watched over her shoulder. Familiar with the poisonous plants in Lavinia’s cottage garden and their uses, Aselin has inherited her master’s role. The reader is privy to some insight regarding Aselin’s betrayal of Lavinia in the previous novel. I enjoyed the new information in the recap of their relationship. The Guild takes on more importance for Aselin because she has to earn her place in the secret assassin’s society.
As in the previous novel, the setting, buildings, and wardrobes are described with just enough detail to paint a stunning picture for the reader. I like the hint of romance between Aselin and Dauid. He is a welcome and likeable character. I also enjoyed the brother and sister, James and Josain. Their friendship and unconditional loyalty to Aselin are enjoyable scenes. In Shadows of Hemlock, Aselin embarks on the quest to assume her Masters position in the guild while seeking the antidote for hemlock poisoning. What she discovers in the end is that loyal relationships are more valuable. Throughout the novel there are references to Aselin and her brother, Edmund. I’m intrigued by what their childhoods and history are. Could that prequel be another book in the series? I hope so.
These two books are a pleasure to read, pleasant escapes. They transport the reader to another time and into a career that no longer exists in our culture. It’s an interesting trip into a secret life in Tudor England, a trip well worth taking.
Picking up right where Apricots and Wolfsbane left off, Shadows of Hemlock transports readers back to a time when life was cheap and independence was dangerous. Aselin Gavrell understands these simple truths better than most but even she is not prepared for the dangers that come with charting her own path as an assassin. Hounded by powerful lords and agents of the law, Aselin must draw upon all her smarts to triumph over her foes. Where the book really shines, however, is Pohlkamp’s depiction of Aselin’s mental state. Rather than becoming more ruthless or more deranged as she advances in her career, Aselin’s character becomes more introspective and her character arc benefits from it greatly. Long after readers finish this book, they will be pondering heady questions related to ambition and sacrifice that will surely inspire heated discussion amongst fans. Anyone looking for an adventure novel filled with exciting twists and turns and engaging characters should look no further: Shadows of Hemlock is the book for you.