Reluctant Assassin books in order

The Reluctant Assassin is an urban fantasy series by Thomas K. Carpenter set in the Hundred Halls universe, following a student recruited as a covert operative who must balance espionage with her magical education.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 The Reluctant Assassin 2018 Thomas K. Carpenter Buy
2 The Sorcerous Spy 2018 Thomas K. Carpenter Buy
3 The Veiled Diplomat 2018 Thomas K. Carpenter Buy
4 Agent Unraveled 2019 Thomas K. Carpenter Buy
5 The Webs That Bind 2019 Thomas K. Carpenter Buy

The Reluctant Assassin puts a spy thriller inside the Hundred Halls universe. A student with unusual talents gets recruited for covert operations, and over five books she moves from uncertain recruit to experienced operative — but never a comfortable one. The series runs from The Reluctant Assassin through The Webs That Bind, published in 2018 and 2019.

Each book sends the protagonist on missions that test both her magical skills and her moral boundaries. Thomas K. Carpenter uses the espionage angle to explore parts of the Hundred Halls world that the academic-focused series don’t touch — the political maneuvering, the dirty work that keeps the system running, and the cost of being the person who does it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Reluctant Assassin series?

There are five books in the Reluctant Assassin series, published between 2018 and 2019.

What is the first book in the Reluctant Assassin series?

The first book in the Reluctant Assassin series is The Reluctant Assassin, published in 2018.

Why is the assassin reluctant?

The protagonist is a Hundred Halls student who gets pulled into covert work she didn’t sign up for. She has the skills for espionage and assassination but struggles with the moral cost, making her “reluctant” not because she lacks ability but because each mission forces her to compromise her principles. The tension between duty and conscience drives the five-book series.

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