Review: "Tangled Web" by Crista McHugh

                                                                 The deadliest assassin in the empire just got too close
                                                             to her target…
     Azurha, a former slave turned deadliest assassin in the empire, has just been offered the ultimate challenge—seduce, then murder the new Emperor. But Titus is not the tyrant his forefathers were, and his radical ideas might be the glimmer of hope the empire needs.
     Titus Sergius Flavus has yet to master the powerful magic of his ancestors—magic he must wield if he’s to protect his people—but his father’s death has left him no choice. Rule the Deizian Empire and attempt to right his ancestors’ wrongs, or watch her fall to his greedy kin.
     More than just Titus’ ideas hold Azurha captive. Night after night, he awakens desires she thought lost, and uncovers the magic of her hidden lineage. As her deadline approaches, Azurha is forced to make an impossible decision-complete her job and kill the man she loves, or fail and forfeit both their lives.


"Tangled Web" is the first book in Crista McHugh's new Diezian Empire series.  While I believe this book is classified as sci-fi, it has more of a historical romance feel to it with a fantasy twist.    

Titus' struggle to take over the role as emperor while trying to improve things for his people makes him such a likable character right from the start.  He's got that alpha, take charge attitude and is tough when he needs to be but manages to stay humble.  Azurha just might be even tougher though.  Working as one of the most feared assassins for the past few years, she never expects to have any problems taking out the new emperor.  Her horrible past and her years of killing have made her very cold but not completely heartless.  

Titus and Azurha have instant chemistry.  She has the opportunity to kill him almost immediately but doesn't take it.  Instead, they spend a lot of time together over the days leading up to her bosses deadline.  I love that it wasn't all just about the steamy nights between them.  She comes to care about Titus and his kingdom that he's working so hard to protect.  Both characters grow so much throughout the book.  I loved the chemistry between these two.  I wish Azurha could have found it in herself to be honest with Titus a little sooner, but it ended up making for a great story.  I hope we get a little more of these two in the next book.  

Tangled Web was very appropriately named.  There are so many obstacles that the protagonists must overcome if they have any chance of being together.  It was very fast paced with tons of suspense, especially in the second half.  The sequel is due out next year and I will definitely be anxiously anticipating it's release.  We will be getting Galerius and Claudia's story in this next one which should be interesting.  

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Check out an excerpt from Tangled Web here.

Check out my reviews on a couple of Crista McHugh's other novels:
A Soul for Trouble - review
Tears of Elios - review

Want to find out more about Crista McHugh and her books?  Visit her website here.

Looking for a hot novella?  Be sure to check out her new short read, More Than a Fling.  I needed a little more Crista McHugh when I finished this, so I read this and was pleasantly surprised.  I'm usually not a big novella fan but this was an enjoyable one.  If you're looking for a steamy one sitting read, you can download it for free at Smashwords.


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