Dance of Thieves

What did I expect from one of my favorite authors writing a spin-off of one of the best YA fantasy trilogies!!!! Nothing short of amazing and that's what this book delivered. It was a thrilling and entertaining ride from page one to the last and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Kazi is such a strong protagonist to read about that it's a delight following her around. She is a survivor, resilient, calculating and efficient while hiding a compassionate streak in her that only comes out rarely. Her harrowing backstory is revealed slowly in bits throughout the book and that explains the walls she has built around herself, her disdain for people who prey on weaker victims and also her fear of open spaces. She is tested in unexpected and brutal ways but she nevers wavers from her goal and I really admired her for that. 

Jace is the newly named Patrei of the Ballenger family but before he even gets to mourn his father properly, he is thrown (alongwith Kazi) into a game of politics whose perpetrators remain unknown and consequences can be far reaching. Escaping labor hunters and travelling days together, linked by an ankle chain that doesn't let them leave each other's side makes for an interesting journey. It forces these two enemies to become allies for the sake of survival and ultimately develop feelings for each other, even though they would never speak about them. Their relationship is sometimes fiery, sometimes fun, full secrets and betrayals, but it's also true. I really loved the progression of their relationship and their scenes together were some of the best in the book. They are morally gray characters who are driven by loyalty to their family and land and would use any means necessaryto protect the ones care for.

The side characters in the book are some of most fun and well fleshed out I've read in recent times. It was so great to see some familiar as well as new names who are now the Rahtan on a mission for the Queen of Venda and I liked that that the author makes sure everyone of them has their own story of survival and why they are the perfect ones to accomplish their task. The Ballenger family is large and boisterous and I absolutely fell in love with all of them. They are all loyal and protective and ruthless but are also quick to accept Kazi and show her all the same care and love as a family member. They have their loud disagreements but always defer to Jase for the final word and their bond was definitely the highlight of the book. And finally, getting mentions and little glimpses of my favorite Queen and King was a great pleasure and they seem to have become the just and compassionate rulers I expected them to be. 

The author uses the same world building technique that she used in the Remnant Chronicles trilogy to give us a more detailed history of the beginning of the Ballenger clan - this time through the writings of the first Ballenger and also the Song of Jezelia. Even most of the conversations that Jase and Kazi have during their journey are full of stories and riddles and I thought it was wonderful way of presenting us the world as well as give us a little insight into the minds of the two. The description of Hell's Mouth, Tor's Watch and the arena are vivid and enchanting while the consequences of the Great Battle at the end of the previous trilogy are shown to us through a gloomy chronicle of the remains of Sentinel Valley. The final traces of the conspiracy and the last remaining members who escaped justice form the crux of the conflict of this story and I can't wait to see what more havoc they wreak on the kingdoms. 

This book again proves why Mary Pearson is a gem in YA fantasy and I wish everyone would read her books. And the way she wrapped up a lot of plotlines and almost gave us a happy ending while leaving us with a dreaded cliffhanger in the last two pages was just genius. If you love YA fantasy with a dash of romance, then you shouldn't miss this one. It's a very satisfying read and I'm already excited for Vow of Thieves, which unfortunately doesn't release till another year. However, I do recommend that you read the original trilogy first, because it gives you a great sense of the world and attachment to the characters and I think it definitely enhanced my reading experience for this one. Just give this universe a try and I promise, you will have a hell of an adventure.

I just finished this book, and y'all, I have so many questions. I am having to use so much self control to not start book 2 right away! I want to be able to devote the time to it though so I'm going to hold off until maybe after the holidays when things slow down. It has been a very long time since a YA book has challenged me the way this one has. The story is more complex than most of the books I've been reading lately, and it was honestly so refreshing. For me, it was kind of slow to start, but by chapter 6 I was fully invested! Kazi and Jase have my heart, and I love them so much both individually and together. This book has lots of amazing tropes: forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and one horse. The sexual tension is absolutely exquisite and palpable. The book is YA so I knew there would be no spice, but the tension is amazing. The banter between the two main characters is so good. There are some parts in this book where my heart was pounding. It's all so well written: the adventure, the romance, the plot and character development. I can't think of anything I didn't like about this book. I absolutely devoured it, and I can't wait to get to book 2 because I have questions that need answering.

Last time I had read something from this genre, I was 14. I didn't know if I would enjoy this and was very doubtful but needless to say, I absolutely adored this book. It was not cringe, cliche or boring. The world building is brilliant and it had me addicted from the very first page. I can't wait to read the next book. I didn't want to put this book down at all and felt the same way I did when I was 14. Also the romance is just chef kisses

The second time I read this I lowered the rating. Don't get me wrong, it still has a 5 star ending, but the beginning and the middle are kind sappy. Still overall an enjoyable read and a lot made more sense after reading the first series that I originally didn't know about the first time I read this book.

I will not deny it, when I first started reading this I was about to stop reading. The first many pages bored me a lot, precisely until it got to a more action filled part at the beginning. Aside from the first part, this book was amazing and I recommend to anyone who will be willing to spare themselves 40 pages, give or take, of intense boredom. I'm telling you, it's truly worth every minute.

Dance of Thieves is an exceptional addition to the Remnant world and everything you could want in a spin-off. Mary E. Pearson has crafted a fresh yet familiar story that immerses you back into this rich universe with new characters and conflicts that feel just as engaging as the original trilogy. The balance of adventure, intrigue, and romance keeps you hooked, and Pearson’s knack for world-building shines once again, making the story vibrant and immersive.

The only thing it was missing was smut, but honestly, the writing was so strong that you don’t really miss it. This is one of those rare YA entries where the depth of the characters and the intensity of the plot make up for any lack of steamy scenes. The chemistry between the protagonists, combined with the high-stakes challenges they face, delivers all the tension and emotion you could ask for. Dance of Thieves stands on its own while paying homage to the beloved world of the original series, proving that Pearson knows exactly how to keep her readers coming back for more.