Assassin's Heart
5 Stars

Synopsis:
After being subjected to horrific torture, Lysander Condellarie is left with disfiguring scars and a terrible secret that results in the loss of the love of his life. Phaedra DeLuca has never understood Lysander's sudden rejection. Now the two must comply with their destinies and join forces in the search for an ancient artifact, which, if it falls into the hands of their enemies, could mean the destruction of their order.

Review:
An outstanding read! I would give it 6 Stars if my scale went up that high. It is even better than the first book in the series, which is saying a lot as Assassin’s Honor is an amazing read as well.

The plot builds on the foundations established in the first book with the continued search for the Tyet of Isis. The richness of detail concerning the conflict between the Sicari and Praetorian secret societies fills in the gaps that remained at the conclusion of Assassin’s Honor, and the author also provides tantalizing clues to the story in the next installment. I am really looking forward to finding out more about Alexander the Great’s potion.

The characterization is excellent. Lysander and Emma have a primal and fundamental connection that just leaps off the pages. Their pain and the love they feel for each other reaches out and grabs you. Lysander has an incredible strength and vitality even in the face of adversity, and while there were one or two moments where I could have smacked Phaedra upside the head, her emotions and reactions are, nevertheless, consistent with her nature. The secondary characters on not left out. The villains are suitably diabolical (I won’t tell you who they are so as not to ruin the interesting twists), and I enjoyed catching a glimpse at the history of the Sicari, both distant with Maximus and Cassiopeia, and more recent with Atia and Marcus, whose relationship is apparently going to be crucial to the next book. You’ll just have to read to see what I mean.

Burns’s writing has only gotten better, and she has managed to overcome the repetitiveness of thought and emotion that marred the first book. The flashback scenes are intricately woven into the primary story and the transitions between past and present are smooth and do not detract from the overall plot.

Overall, I highly recommend this series, which should be read in order because the plotlines are intertwined, and I cannot wait for the release of the next book, Inferno’s Kiss. ( )

I read a review that said Lysander and Phaedra were like Bella and Zsadist. I have to agree. Loved this installment and can't wait for the next!!! ( )

Great book! Loved Lysander and Phaedra! They are such a great couple! The story was suspenseful and kept my attention, couldn't put it down! ( )

I liked this book much better than the first. Lysander is the most interesting character for me, even with his dark side. Phaedra irritated me for a while, though; she seemed to lose the tough side she had in Assassin's Honor, but she perked back up later. I'm also very interested to see where the story will go from here -- there are many more characters I want to know more about. ( )

Assassin’s Heart is the second novel in Monica Burns’ Order of Sicari series.
The night over a year ago when Lysander’s world came crashing around his ears has left him more than just disfigured, it left him longing for a woman he still loves and vows he can never have, a way of life he still honors and a way to exterminate even more a Praetorian enemy who threatens his “Assassin’s Heart”. Phaedra witnessed the murder of her parents when she was just a child and she’ll never forget the voice of the monster who committed it, now she’s all grown up in love with a man who threw that love back in her face after the night he almost died. Lysander and Phaedra are sharing a dream of ancient Rome and possibly a past life where they were a couple, they’ll need to uncover the reason for these dreams or die again trying.
Ms. Burns second in her Sicari series is more intense and a more sensual love story then the first one, perhaps it’s because it’s my favorite kind of romance, that of second chances but whatever the reason you’ll find one heck of a plot between the pages of this novel, you’ll also find a dialogue that will transport you to the different locales of the story through her impressive vivid depictions. Her hero and heroine in this read are larger than life as they both lead two lives one past and one present and as I said above the romance is that of second chances and is presented to her audience with turmoil and unbelievable obstacles that makes their HEA that much more deserving. The love scenes are earthy, sensual and graphic so make sure you’ve got your personal fan waver to ward off the excessive heat along with a tall glass of something cool to quench your thirst.
If you haven’t yet immersed yourself in the secret Sicari society let Assassin’s Heart be your first as it does very well as a stand a lone, but why diminish your joy also get Assassin’s Honor to go to the beginning and not miss a beat or the swish of a sword. ( )