Title: Poison Dance
Author: Livia Blackburne
Series: Midnight Thief #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Assassins, Medieval fantasy, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 7th February 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Livia Blackburne
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: I was curious about how this compares to YA heroines, so I grabbed a pile of books off my shelf.

James is skilled, efficient, and deadly, a hired blade navigating the shifting alliances of a deteriorating Assassin’s Guild.

Then he meets Thalia, an alluring but troubled dancing girl who offers him a way out – if he’ll help her kill a powerful nobleman.

With the Guild falling apart, it just might be worth the risk. but when you live, breathe, and love in a world that’s forever flirting with death, the slightest misstep can be poison.

This is a great, quick little read that gives you a little more insight into James and his relationship with Thalia. It’s mentioned a few times throughout Midnight Thief, so it’s great to understand it a little more. It also provided a little more insight into James’ character, and the rise of the assassins guild. Something that might come in handy when I get around to reading Daughter of Dusk.

James is actually kind of nice in this story. Which makes me question how he’s going to develop in the rest of the series. I had him pegged as a bad guy, but now I’m really not quite sure. He could actually be far more evil than I had anticipated if he did come from good, or, there’s some hidden layer I just haven’t quite figured out yet… either way, I’m intrigued.

In spite of it all, I still hope Kyra kicks his butt in the future. Even if James’ journey in this was a really interesting one. Even if I understand the character more than I really needed to. I love getting insight into a villain’s perspective, but I also still need to dislike this man…

<- Daughter of Dusk Review

Midnight Thief Review ->

Image source: Amazon

Title: Midnight Thief
Author: Livia Blackburne
Series: Midnight Thief #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Assassins, Medieval fantasy, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 5th April 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Hyperion
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Kyra grabbed the longer shreddings from the table as they fell.

Growing up on Forge’s streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that’s not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs.

But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she’s not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he is persistent – and darkly attractive – and Kyra can’t quite resist his pull.

Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by the Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepends, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with remarkable ease.

When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival – and vengeance – might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra’s past that threatens to reshape both their lives. 88 In her arresting debut novel, Livia Blackburne creates a captivating world where intrigue prowls around every corner – and danger is a way of life.

This was one of the books that I just happened to pick up in the Black Friday sales. It was an impulse buy that I am so not regretting! This was such an amazing story. I loved the mix of medieval setting, assassins running riot and a slightly paranormal twist that wasn’t quite what I expected. Kyra was also one of my favourite young female heroines in a while… she had spunk, independence and a lot of gumption.

Midnight Thief combined some of my favourite themes and subgenres in a way that I just wasn’t used to. From assassins to medieval fantasy with a mix of paranormal fantasy, it all worked seamlessly. And this is the first time that I’ve ever seen this unique combination. I also loved the cat aspect that was intertwined throughout the story. Not only Kyra’s unique talents and inclinations, but also the Demon Riders that are constantly showing up. I might not want a pet cat, but I do love any stories that feature them, especially the big cats which are such successful predators.

There was a hint of romance throughout this story that just made you want Kyra to have a happily ever after… but, it wasn’t so overwhelming that you felt a bit gaggy over it. And, of the three men who take centre stage at one point or another, you’re not quite sure what her feelings towards them are. Or what theirs are towards her. It was really nice to read a book aimed at a young adult population that wasn’t gushy romance all the way through. But, there’s enough that you can’t wait to see not only what happens to Kyra next as people begin to unravel her past, but also how her personal relationships are going to end up…

<- Poison Dance Review

Daughter of Dusk Review ->

Image source: Amazon