Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
Book Summary
A new novel in the New York Times–bestselling Remnant Chronicles universe, in which a reformed thief and the young leader of an outlaw dynasty lock wits in a battle that may cost them their lives—and their hearts.
When the patriarch of the Ballenger empire dies, his son, Jase, becomes its new leader. Even nearby kingdoms bow to the strength of this outlaw family, who have always governed by their own rules. But a new era looms on the horizon, set in motion by a young queen, which makes her the target of the dynasty's resentment and anger.
At the same time, Kazi, a legendary former street thief, is sent by the queen to investigate transgressions against the new settlements. When Kazi arrives in the forbidding land of the Ballengers, she learns that there is more to Jase than she thought. As unexpected events spiral out of their control, bringing them intimately together, they continue to play a cat and mouse game of false moves and motives in order to fulfill their own secret missions.
Book Details
Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
Dance of Thieves Series #1
Published August 7th 2018 by Henry Holt & Company
Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy
Hardcover, 384 pages
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Book Review
Get ready to meet two new irresistible characters in DANCE OF THIEVES. Set in the same incredible world as Mary E. Pearson's The Remnant Chronicles, readers are introduced to Kazi, a reformed thief who is now a member of the queen's elite group known as the Rhatan, and Jase, the fierce new leader of the Ballenger clan—an outlaw dynasty that governs by its own set of rules.
I was once again reminded why I love Mary E. Pearson's writing.
I found myself falling into a story filled with vivid worldbuilding and characters that I adored. I was not anticipating loving the romance as much as I did but it was completely addicting and swoon-worthy.
My only complaint is the beginning's pace was slow reading as we are introduced to the characters and setting. With that said, however, everything is written with such depth and intensity—you can't help but want to turn the pages to find out what is going to happen.
Told through the dual POV of Kazi and Jase this book starts off immediately catching your attention with an exciting new territory to discover and cast of characters to fall in love with.
Kazi is sent by the queen to investigate rumors of a traitor ( a certain captain who betrayed Morrighan ) who is taking refuge on Ballenger land. In route, Kazi and her two sisters-in-arms travel through the infamous Hell's Mouth—a trading town set within Tor's Watch and on Ballengers' contested land.
Here, the story really picks up with Kazi and Jase meeting for the first time and it's definitely a situation of hate on first sight, in fact, there's a scuffle, some mistaken identity going on, and even a kidnapping that takes place leading to them being taken hostage by a slave trader! Readers—let's just say things get a bit feisty and I loved the banter!!
There is so much pull and tug between Kazi and Jase. I love these kinds of stories which make for an angsty, but romantic read filled with lots of romantic tension.
The plot unfolds with plenty of action and danger. Secrets are being revealed, deadly encounters of duals, fights, and overall fierceness in an open range territory abound. Readers are going to love meeting the members of the Ballenger clan as well as getting to know Kazi's Rhatan-Sisters.
In the End
DANCE OF THIEVES is an exciting new chapter set in the world of The Remnant Chronicles with a new territory painted in a vivid landscape and complex characters to root for. A few familiar faces appear which is definitely a bonus but this story really can stand on its own for new readers as well. A slow beginning gives way to a fantastic story filled with danger, romance, and plenty of fierceness. DANCE OF THIEVES was all that I had hoped for. Definitely recommended to fans of the Remnant Chronicles!
