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Russell Blake
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The Assassin - King of Swords: (Assassin Series #1) Kindle Edition

by Russell Blake (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 2,032 ratings
A plot to kill the American and Mexican presidents.

A super-assassin who never fails.

A lone cop the only thing standing between them.

Can he stop the unthinkable from happening when his adversary is a ghost?

The first book of the Assassin series, The Assassin - King of Swords is an epic thriller framed against a gritty backdrop of brutal drug cartel violence in modern Mexico.

The G-20 Financial Summit is planned for San Jose Del Cabo. The world's pre-eminent finance ministers will attend, along with the presidents of the U.S. and Mexico.

In a roller-coaster race against the clock, Captain Romero Cruz of the Federal Police must track and stop El Rey, the "King of Swords" - a faceless super-assassin responsible for a string of the world's most spectacular killings - before he turns the G-20 into a slaughterhouse.

If you enjoy Forsyth, Child, and Flynn you're sure to find a new favorite with King of Swords.

Pick it up today!
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  1. Book 1 of 6
    Assassin
  2. Print length
    235 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    14 Jan. 2014
  5. File size
    696 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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 See full series
There are 6 books in this series.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B006HVW2H0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Reprobatio Ltd (14 Jan. 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 696 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 235 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 2,032 ratings

About the author

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Russell Blake

Russell Blake

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Featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Times, and The Chicago Tribune, Russell Blake is The NY Times, WSJ, and USA Today bestselling author of over sixty novels, including Fatal Exchange, Fatal Deception, The Geronimo Breach, Zero Sum, King of Swords, Night of the Assassin, Revenge of the Assassin, Return of the Assassin, Blood of the Assassin, Requiem for the Assassin, Rage of the Assassin, The Delphi Chronicle trilogy, The Voynich Cypher, Silver Justice, JET, JET - Ops Files, JET - Ops Files: Terror Alert, JET II - Betrayal, JET III - Vengeance, JET IV - Reckoning, JET V - Legacy, JET VI - Justice, JET VII - Sanctuary, JET VIII - Survival, JET IX - Escape, JET X - Incarceration, JET XI - Forsaken, JET XII - Rogue State, JET XIII - Renegade, JET XIV - Dark Web, JET XV - Sahara, JET XVI - Flight, bio-thriller Upon A Pale Horse, BLACK, BLACK Is Back, BLACK Is The New Black, BLACK To Reality, BLACK In The Box, Ramsey's Gold, Emerald Buddha, The Goddess Legacy, Deadly Calm, Extinction Thailand, A Girl Apart, A Girl Betrayed, techno-thriller Quantum Synapse, and the 10 novel The Day After Never post-apocalypse series.

Non-fiction includes the international bestseller An Angel With Fur (animal biography), Retirement Secrets of Mexico, and How To Sell A Gazillion eBooks In No Time (even if drunk, high or incarcerated), a parody of all things writing-related.

Blake is co-author of The Eye of Heaven and The Solomon Curse with legendary author Clive Cussler. Blake's novel King of Swords has been translated into German by Amazon Crossing, The Voynich Cypher into Bulgarian, and his JET, Day After Never, and Ramsey's novels into Spanish, German, and Czech.

Blake writes under the moniker R.E. Blake in the NA/YA/Contemporary Romance genres. Novels include Less Than Nothing, More Than Anything, and Best Of Everything.

Having resided in Mexico for sixteen years, Blake enjoys his dogs, fishing, boating, tequila and writing. His thoughts, such as they are, can be found at his blog: RussellBlake.com and at Facebook: Russell.Blake.Books

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
2,032 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They appreciate the suspenseful storyline and fast-paced action scenes. The writing quality is praised as well-written with beautiful descriptions. Readers enjoy the engaging story and characters.

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ReadabilitySuspenseful storyWriting qualityEnjoymentPacingCharacter development
74 customers mention ‘Readability’74 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book and find it enjoyable. They say the series is great with great suspense and promise.

"...pass without realising how long you have been reading, This is a great read, and it takes you back to the childhood of the assassin, and how he..." Read more

"...Good solid novel" Read more

"...The first book was exciting and had promise, this one was just setting up for more to come...." Read more

"Good read throughout. The story line kept my interest from the start and throughout, to the point where I didn't want to stop reading...." Read more

57 customers mention ‘Suspenseful story’50 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful story. They find the storyline engaging from start to finish, with fast-paced action scenes and graphic details of drug culture. The book has a thrilling ending and provides an introduction to an up-and-coming assassin.

"...have been reading, This is a great read, and it takes you back to the childhood of the assassin, and how he progressed through military training..." Read more

"...The first book was exciting and had promise, this one was just setting up for more to come...." Read more

"I bought this book after reading "Night of the Assassins" both are gripping and well-written...." Read more

"...of books by Russell Blake, thoroughly enjoying them, finding them gripping, though sometimes a little far-fetched - they are a great easy read, that..." Read more

39 customers mention ‘Writing quality’33 positive6 negative

Customers find the book well-written and easy to follow. They appreciate the beautiful descriptions and believable characters. The story is set in graphic detail, so there is no need for a detailed synopsis.

"...Assassin collection and some of the other books, and I really enjoy his writing style, The only other Author to do this was the late James Herbert..." Read more

"...book after reading "Night of the Assassins" both are gripping and well-written. I couldn't put the book down and finished it in no-time...." Read more

"...Still worth reading" Read more

"...Beautiful descriptions, believable characters - this book transported me to a different world...." Read more

28 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’28 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's storyline and find it gripping. They describe it as an absorbing read with good intrigue and mayhem. Readers appreciate the setting and complexity of the characters.

"...King of Swords is a fab read but, for me anyway, the ending was dissapointing; it just sort of happened. There was no closure, no climax...." Read more

"...very bad through a set of uncontrolled circumstances, so overall rather interesting. Might even take a peek at the other ones in the series...." Read more

"...Perfect holiday reading" Read more

"Enjoyable, easy to follow story......" Read more

19 customers mention ‘Pacing’15 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it an engaging read with well-developed characters.

"...the assassin and explaining how he chose his life style and moved along at a good pace, King of Swords was very dissapointing...." Read more

"...It is fast paced and pulls no punches...." Read more

"A superb, fast moving read. Hard to put down as each crisis occurs and is solved...." Read more

"a good book fast paced well written but does get bogged down occasionally. The plot is plausible but the ending is hurried." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Character development’11 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the character development and say the stories are thrilling.

"...The main protagonist was an interesting character, and the story surrounding his drive for work was of more interest to the reader...." Read more

"...Beautiful descriptions, believable characters - this book transported me to a different world...." Read more

"Very poor exa!mole of this genre slow paced and character development very weak...." Read more

"Good read. You are encouraged to keep enquiring and discovering the seedy life of the characters...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, Sure to keep you reading
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 May 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This was the very first book, that I had ready by Russell Blake, and I was instantly hooked on his books, I now have the full Assassin collection and some of the other books, and I really enjoy his writing style, The only other Author to do this was the late James Herbert (R.I.P). Different types of authors I know, but they both have something special in their books,

    If you haven't read any of the Assassin Series of books this would be the first one to get, as they do span over a fair few books, it will have you hooked into reading and the hours will pass without realising how long you have been reading, This is a great read, and it takes you back to the childhood of the assassin, and how he progressed through military training and then how he became the most feared assassin, No job is impossible.
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  • djf
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent thriller - pulls no punches
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 November 2013
    Verified Purchase
    King of Swords is a novel about a ruthless assassin operating in Mexico - not tied to the cartels, but freelancing to the (very) highest bidder.

    We get a decent bit of backstory to the antagonist, giving some decent depth too him (although by no means enough). The main protagonist was an interesting character, and the story surrounding his drive for work was of more interest to the reader.

    As the blurb states, this novel doesn't pull any punches - there is a lot of very graphic violence, and scenes of rape and torture, including of children, so do be prepared if you are going to have a go.

    However as we follow the attempts of the local police to piece the puzzle together and catch El Rey before he assassinates the presidents of Mexico and USA, the tension builds to the end and the exciting denouement.

    Good solid novel
    2 people found this helpful
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  • ReadnReap
    3.0 out of 5 stars The second book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 August 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Well, what to say? This is the second in a series and focuses less on the exploits of the assassin and more on the people trying to catch him. For that reason I think that this a little slow for my tastes. We have two new characters to add to the plot, Cruz and Briones, both likeable and he'll bent on catching El Rey. The first book was exciting and had promise, this one was just setting up for more to come. If the series is to work then there has to be one hero, either El Rey is successful and avoids capture on a regular basis or Cruz is going to get his man. A series based on one or the other winning through at different times is in my opinion going to be a bit like a boring tennis match; either El Rey is the best of the best or he's just another good assassin (Check out Victor from Tom Wood). I shall have a rest from this series and hope that when I come back to it I'll have renewed enthusiasm.
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  • Phil S.B
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - fast paced and clever
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 March 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book after reading "Night of the Assassins" both are gripping and well-written. I couldn't put the book down and finished it in no-time. Definitely would recommend it, especially if you enjoy reading action with masterful assassination plots.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Fiona Sewell
    4.0 out of 5 stars A great read, dissapointing ending
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2012
    Verified Purchase
    After downloading Night of The Assassin and thoroughly enjoying it, I couldn't wait to read King of Swords. King of Swords is a fab read but, for me anyway, the ending was dissapointing; it just sort of happened. There was no closure, no climax. Everything is left hanging, obviously set up for a sequel but it does leave you feeling slightly frustrated with the story. Still worth reading
    One person found this helpful
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  • Black Invader
    5.0 out of 5 stars great reading interesting plot line
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 August 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This could be a real scenario not as unconvincing as some stories. The poor boy come good or rather very bad through a set of uncontrolled circumstances, so overall rather interesting. Might even take a peek at the other ones in the series. Which after all is what the free kindle books are all about - aren't they...
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ella Pyves
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 April 2012
    Verified Purchase
    A well written, easy to read book; I did not want to put it down. Beautiful descriptions, believable characters - this book transported me to a different world.
    I read the prequel, Night of the Assasin, first and the way the two books together give a clear picture of why the main character is the way he is, is brilliant.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • eady
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another good read by Russell Blake
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 August 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I have recently read the "Jet" series of books by Russell Blake, thoroughly enjoying them, finding them gripping, though sometimes a little far-fetched - they are a great easy read, that you do not want to put down and the Assassin series is in a similar mould. Perfect holiday reading
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ellinah C
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Assasin
    Reviewed in Australia on 29 May 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Great story, brutal as always but absolutely enjoyable thank you. Can’t wait for the next book! I find myself rooting for the Assasin curious as he is a murderer ummm curious indeed…!
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  • Steven Konkoly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gritty, break-neck paced, intelligent thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on 14 December 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Russell Blake is no stranger to the thriller genre. His previous thrillers have turned the headlines inside-out, with gritty, no-holds-barred, edge-of-your-seat plots. With King of Swords, Russell Blake has clearly taken the best of his previous novels, and combined them into an honest, often brutal, heart stopping thriller, that left me gasping for air, and squirming on my couch. I know this sounds overly dramatic, but in reader-speak...this book kept me glued to the Kindle screen.

    In King of Swords, the reader is taken on a journey through drug cartel ruled Mexico, where violence often trumps hard cash, as the dominant cultural currency. Blake clearly draws on his own knowledge of the political and cultural climate in Mexico, to present a realistic and stark backdrop to a thriller in the fast-paced, intelligent tradition of Frederick Forsyth's "Day of the Jackal."

    The reader will be introduced to El Rey, the king of assassins, whose mysterious ways, and dramatic, unprecedented success as an assassin, has catapulted him to a legendary status on par with Carlos "The Jackal." It has also increased his contract fee to exorbitant levels, only affordable to the ruthless Mexican drug cartel leaders...and maybe a few omnipresent government agencies that we'll leave unnamed for now. Yes, a Russell Blake novel would not be complete, without the nefarious meddling of forces well beyond the scope of everyday Mexican life. Blake's conspiracy angle is brilliant and believable at every level in King of Swords.

    Following closely on El Rey's heels, is veteran "narcotraficante" hunter Captain Romero Cruz, who has dedicated his life, at great personal cost, to dismantling what he sees as the greatest threat to Mexico's future...the drug cartels. A seemingly futile, thankless task, that has cost him nearly everything. A spectacular raid early in the book, results in the capture of a high level cartel leader, who makes a boast that Cruz can't possibly ignore. El Rey has been hired to do the unthinkable, and the deeper Cruz digs into the possibility of the truth, the more frightening and devastating the consequences of El Rey's "final" contract appears.

    In a race against time, and a cunningly ruthless assassin, Cruz and his admirably brave task force, take on nearly impossible odds to stop an assassination that could change the landscape of North America forever. I've read all of Mr. Blake's novels, and feel that he has truly "hit his stride" with King of Swords.
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  • Alvin Kloeck
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on 22 February 2016
    Verified Purchase
    enjoyed the book
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  • Jordan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good adventure story
    Reviewed in Canada on 15 December 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A pretty decent adventure novel. It's interesting, fast paced, surprising, and readable. Good escapist fiction.
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  • Spyder B
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well devised and well written.
    Reviewed in the United States on 10 May 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I liked this book. It is well written, interesting and smooth. The odd part is that we get to see the events not only from the bad guy's point of view, but also from the view of the Mexican cop trying to nab him. I was initially uncomfortable rooting for the bad guy, but it turns out OK. Lots of back story on all charactors. The author is a good wirter and I am looking forward to reading more of the Assassin series.

    In most stories, you expect certain events to lead to certain other events or conclusions. It is comfortable and familiar that way. Blake doesn't do that. The great part of Blake's style is that the book reads quickly and has a bit of that you-can't-put-it-down feeling. OK, there is some violence, but what do you expect from the "Assassin" series. He is not called an assassin because he kisses people.
    I hope Blake continues his trend of tight writing and interesting charactors in the next book.
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