Book Review: The Butterfly Assassin by Finn Longman

Isabel Ryans wants out. Out of her old life, her family—out from underneath the thumb of being an assassin. Raised and trained to be a professional killer under the guidance and horror of her Parents—a poison-making father and killer mother—Isabel has been through a lot for her age. She slips away one day and doesn’t look back, fleeing from home with a new name with the hopes of starting a new life as a civilian. But escaping came at a price, and before she knows it, she’s hurled into danger that she can’t recall being in.

Immobilised with pain, Isabel has few options. But at her new school, surprise connections have gotten her friends for the first time in her life, ones that help her to try and overcome the chaos she’s deep in. But when her cover is blown, it’s only a matter of time before the domino effect takes aim, and she’s left with only two choices—go back to the people that made her this way, or fight against them with people just as sinister. 

Overall, The Butterfly Assassin was everything I hoped it would be and more. It’s been such a long time since I’ve read something this nail-biting and edge-of-your-seat, action-packed and full of twists. The character development of Isabel was greatly depicted and I loved that the author, Finn Longman, gave an authentic and powerful portrayal of carrying pain with you. I did find the book slow at the start and slightly confusing as I grappled with the world-building, but as the book progressed, it became second nature and I got fully submerged in the new landscape world Isabel resides in. This was such a haunting and unputdownable novel that takes flight with hypnotic characters and a storyline with razor-sharp thrills. Packed with surprises at every turn, The Butterfly Assassin is a book not to be missed—I cannot wait to read the follow-up novel next year! An amazing 4.5 star novel.