Dance of Thieves

By: Mary E. Pearson

Narrated by: Karissa Vacker, James Patrick Cronin, Ann Marie Lee

A stunning new adventure set in the kingdoms of the Remnant.

A formidable outlaw family that claims to be the first among nations.

A son destined to lead, thrust suddenly into power.

Three fierce young women of the Rahtan, the queen's premier guard.

A legendary street thief leading a mission, determined to prove herself.

A dark secret that is a threat to the entire continent.

When outlaw leader meets reformed thief, a cat-and-mouse game of false moves ensues, bringing them intimately together in a battle that may cost them their lives - and their hearts.

©2018 Mary E. Pearson (P)2018 Listening Library

Too long for a cheated ending....

The narrators were great but I felt the story was too long for such a rushed ending. I didn’t mind that this was a 15+ hour audible. It’s the last 1.5hr that sped by to just kind of give a sort of happy ending to this “episode”. I thought that after I invested so much time in the main characters idk.... just felt a little cheated.
Sooooo there’s not really a cliff hanger but the author gave you many questions at the end as a set up for the next in series, which by the way it not out yet 😡 😡
I DO recommend it and FYI it is mostly a romance clean but suggestive.

A Masterpiece

The first series this author wrote… I did not finish, I couldn’t stand the protagonist in that series. This series has none of that. The characters are incredibly well developed and multidimensional. They all have depth and humanity and strength. The tension between the two main characters is palpable. It’s brilliantly written. The twists and turns are exciting and the story flows nicely. I’ve listened to it three times now and each time, I’m so engrossed that I have it playing for almost 14 hours straight!

Sweet characters, unexpected romance

I didn’t really know what this book would be about but I thought it was very well written and read.

a new favorite

While this duology can be read without first reading the Kiss of Deception Series, you will better understand the characters and why they are the way they are.
I read the Kiss of Deception books at least three times, and I think I like this duology even more. I absolutely love the strong female characters as well as the strong male characters. I especially enjoyed seeing how they changed through the books. These were an excellent purchase.

Enjoying the series

This is a great series. The narrator brings it alive along with the actors that perform. i like that each chapter is from a characters perception!

Did it again!

I love Mary E Pearson. It was so well written I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to read the second one!

I was pleasantly surprised

I really loved the story, the characters and the plot-the motivations for each character felt driven and real.
The voice performers do well enough, they feel stilted in places.
I ended up buying the books (pt1 &2) on kindle and I realized I enjoyed reading rather than listening.

Forever swooning over these books.

I will never be over this nor the characters. One of my absolute favorite books in the world. The narrators did such a fabulous job here.

Amazing

Story was very interesting. Narration is amazing. Def worth the credit, will be checking second book.

Fantasy, Adventure and Romance!

My thoughts jumped, my own words taunting me, The thing about a mark is they’ve created lies in their head, a story they’ve invented that they desperately want to believe, a fantasy that merely needs to be fed.


Kazi grew up on the harsh streets, becoming a thief to survive- a dang good one, at that. But now, she was chosen by the Queen to be one her elite guards, but an impulsive move may coast her that. Kazi has the opportunity to redeem herself by going on a mission of importance for the Queen, the person who has so much undeserving faith in her. Jase has just lost his father and now became the ruler of his people, spending his first night as ruler wallowing in his grief and alcohol. When the two have an altercation in streets, they never anticipated being kidnapped by slavers. Banding together (both emotionally and literally by shackles- even though they are enemies- Kazi and Jase have to find their way home and to the truth of their people's conflict.

The world building was amazing and layered, with all the regions and wars as well as histories and people so lovingly craftes. I really wanted a map so I could place all the locations mentioned in the story physically since I am a visual person. This is a book that I would love a map for! And yes, this is a spin-off, but it was such a complete world, plot and characters that there was no need for previous books (but you should read the Remnant Chronicles because they are fantastic!). This was such the perfect blend of court politics and intrigue, betrayal, lies. adventure and feels!

Oh my gosh, Dance of Thieves ended up being so romantic! Seriously, I had no idea what this story was going to be like, but I knew I was going to read this new spin-off series because I enjoyed the Remnant Chronicles so much. Gah, it was so freaking romantic and hug worthy at times, I felt like I needed to swoon- or at least force Kazi to (so not her style though but appropriate for the situation, I think).

“I love you. I love you with every breath, with every thought that’s inside me . I’ve loved you from the first time I kissed you on that ledge. Even before that.”

I shook my head trying to pull away. “Jase, no—”

But he pulled me closer and didn’t stop. “When I asked, What is this? I already knew. I knew what I felt, what I was certain you felt, too, but I was afraid to say it, because it was all new to me. It seemed too soon, too impossible. But everything about us didn’t just feel right, it felt like something rare, something delicate that I was afraid of breaking. Something that only comes along once in a lifetime.”

I loved Kazi, but let's be honest- she may be a kleptomaniac. The girl did have an interesting habit of collecting the most random of trinkets of all varieties. Sure, she is a product of her upbringing, and you do what you need to to survive, but really she is a master thief. She has the most prickly of shells, but inside she was a lonely sad little girl. I loved her riddles, people maneuvering skills and her loyalty. The banter and love between Kazi and her 2 sisters in arms was perfect, you could see the love and bond between the girls and that they would gladly go into battle for each other, no questions asked.

Jase had such a strong moral compass that always pointed true- even though the morals of his people did not always line up with what other thought was right. I did really enjoy the dynamic between Jase and his family, you could see the love as well as the ruler boundaries that were probably hard to hold at times. He was just given a new, terrible and great responsibility yet he held up like a champ (for the most part). He was so caring towards Kazi, even though their purposes were at odds. (sniff sniff)

Ps I loved seeing "the Queen", who I know as Lia be her insightful, protective, queenly self. I will admit after the ending of The Beauty of Darkness, I was hoping for at least a little mention of a romantic connection with a certain wonderful guy, so the ending made my heart ever so happy...

“Do you suppose,” he finally whispered, “that this could be part of making … the best of it?”
...
I was as loyal to her as he was to his family, and I would betray him when the time came. I would bring his family and dynasty to their knees. His world was about to end.
The best of it.
We were only making the best of it.
For now.

The story felt magical and epic and I never wanted it to end. But as per all of Mary's books, the heartbreak and betrayal was strong too. There were moments where I thought my heart was ripped out of my chest, all I hoped for was a HEA...that may not be how this story ends. That last chapter though! I seriously do not know how such a beautiful and real moment could fall apart into such utter heart-wrenching chaos. Sorry for all the words, but I feel like I have a lot to say when it comes to my love of this book, this author and this world. I am so tied in knots, wanting to know where the story will go next. There is no doubt that I will be picking up the next leg of the adventure in this duology as soon as possible.