The Assassin's Curse (Blackthorn Key #3) by Kevin Sands

Because of Christopher and Tom’s heroic efforts to save London, they receive an invitation from King Charles II to attend a party. During the party, Christopher stumbles upon a poisoned guest and is attacked by an assassin. Acting quickly Christopher and Tom save Charles and the king’s sister, Minette. But a clue left by the fleeing assassin uncovers a Templar curse that has plagued the French royal family. Minette is married to King Louis XIV’s brother and Charles fears for her safety. Charles asks Christopher, Tom, and Sally to join Minette’s entourage to Paris so they can stop the assassins.

Sands delivers another death-defying, wild ride through history in his third Blackthorn Key novel. Luckily, fans of the codes and clues found prevalent in Sands’ first book will receive a hearty helping to whet anyone’s sleuthing appetites. Compared to Sands’ previous two books, The Assassin’s Curse is a cleaner, sharper, and better structured story. This is because Sands gives more background on the historical events and locations he bases his mystery on. Sands also breathes new life and relatable personalities into the pivotal characters of King Charles II and King Louis XIV. In these ways, history is brought vividly and solidly to life for readers to savor and enjoy.

Mark of the Plague (Blackthorn Key #2) by Kevin Sands

The plague is sweeping through London’s streets. Christopher Rowe wants to help by using his departed master’s apothecary, but strict rules deny Christopher—still only an apprentice—the right to open the shop to the public. Desperate for money, Christopher finds a cryptic note from Master Blackthorn about a hidden treasure. While Christopher and Tom are out following a clue, an intruder breaks into the apothecary. This break-in entangles Christopher in a deadly conflict between two competing doctors—Melchior and Galen—who claim to be healing plague victims in their own unique ways.

Mark of the Plague seems more like a raw, revealing picture of the past than the code-driven, secret-society fiction used in The Blackthorn Key. Fans of Sands’ codes and cults will still get a taste of these themes with Blackthorn’s cryptic messages and Melchior’s biblically hostile followers. Because Sands based this story on a true event, added selections of the actual Bills of Mortality, and described the crazed, chaotic world Londoners created during the plague, Mark of the Plague has more depth and richness than the first. With such a solid setting, Christopher’s character can be explored and expressed to a greater extent. A little less violent than the first, Sands second book is still a suspenseful ride through Christopher Rowe’s unpredictable world. The next book, The Assassin’s Curse comes out in September.

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

Several apothecaries have been murdered and apprentice, Christopher Rowe, fears for the life of his kindly master, Benedict Blackthorn. After a randomly abusive episode with Master Blackthorn, Christopher returns home to find Blackthorn murdered and their shop ravaged. In the midst of the mess, Christopher finds an encrypted note left by Blackthorn. Christopher takes the message and tries to solve its contents with the help of his best friend, Tom. However, the authorities pass the blame of Blackthorn’s death onto Christopher.

Sands’ debut novel is an original story loaded with mysteries, codes, deception, explosions, murder, and outrageous courage. As readers start the book, they learn that Christopher is fearless when it comes to trying anything. This fearlessness is why Christopher is a both a good apothecary and a gifted trouble maker. But that fearlessness becomes his saving grace as he, alone, faces down the people who murdered his beloved master. However, there is one major drawback to this supernatural historical fiction. The story’s setting is in the 1660s, but the way the characters talk and think seems too modern for the time period being presented. Sands does have an author’s note stating he used modern spelling for locations and our modern calendar for the times, but he makes no mention of modernizing all the characters’ language. Also, parents and teachers should note this book is suited more for teens than middle-grade readers due to the graphic descriptions of several fights and murders. Still, on the whole, a face-paced and thrilling ride of a read.