Format: Hardcover, 512 pages
Release Date: August 7, 2018
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: YA / Fantasy / Romance / Dystopian
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.
Dance of Thieves is the first book of what appears to be a duology by author Mary E. Pearson. The series is a spin-off from the authors The Remnant Chronicles. It is set in the same world, but 6 years after the Great Battle which readers would have read about in The Beauty of Darkness. Dance of Thieves it told in alternating POVs with Kazimyrah of Brightmist (Kazi, or Ten), and Jase Ballenger as the main characters.
"Before you go about the task I have given you, see the devastation and remember what they did. What could happen again. Know what is at stake. Dragons eventually wake and crawl from their dark dens.”
Kazi is a street rat/talented thief turned Rahtan soldier. She and her fellow Rahtan, Wren, & Synove, are been sent by Queen Jesalia to find Captain Illarion, the man who betrayed his kingdom and one of only a few architects of the war not captured or killed. He is the most hated and the most hunted fugitive on the continent, and if you actually read The Beauty of Darkness you'll know why. Rumor has it he's in Hell's mouth, a city that's supposed to be under Venda's jurisdiction, but that's actually under the control of the Ballenger family.
Jase and family have been called an illegal dynasty by those who want access to Hell's Mouth, Tor's Watch, and the impressive trading arena. The Ballengers have been fighting for a long time to be recognized as the first kingdom, but they've never been able to and now is a particularly bad time because the last Patrei (the ruler) has just died. Jase has just become the new Patrei and has lots of challenges ahead of him, including from his own family and some underhanded cousins who are willing to undermine his authority. Jase is like the Don of a mafioso family that has it's hands in everything.
Soon after arrival, Kazi and Jase find themselves captured by hunters, shackled together, and forced to work together in order to survive and avoid anyone with bad intentions from recapturing them. Kazi is a surprising character, and I mean that in a good way. She's known as Ten because after years of being a thief, she still has all ten fingers. She survived the relentless Komizar rule, and the disappearance of her mother, and was made part of Lia's guard because of her daring actions.
Jase is all about his family, and they are absolutely brilliant. From his mother down to the youngest, you can't really ignore any of them. Kazi and Jase, while constantly dancing around each others feelings and each others responsibilities, she to the Queen, he to his family, grow closer as they tackle a multitude of problems and their growing feelings for one another. I have to say that this is definitely a book of many different storylines.
First, there is the relationships between Kaz and her Rahtan which I loved. All three women shouldn't be taken for granted, nor should you turn your back to them. Then there's the back and forth between Kaz and Jase, between Jase and his family, including an overbearing and untrustworthy cousin. There's a whole lot of drama between Kaz and Jase, including the fact that they fell for each other rather quickly, and have to sift through a crap load of twists and turns in order to attempt to move forward.
I am going to mention that Lia does show up in this story. It's towards the end, so readers can take a deep breath and not worry that the two series wouldn't somehow connect. The climax of the story felt like everything was going to be wrapped up nicely, until the final chapter when you are thrown for a loop with one of the more diabolical endings you will read about. Vow of Thieves is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2019. I'll be there.
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