Vow of Thieves (Dance of Thieves, #2) by Mary E. Pearson

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Kazi and Jase have survived, stronger and more in love than ever. Their new life now lies before them―the Ballengers will be outlaws no longer, Tor's Watch will be a kingdom, and the two of them will meet all challenges side by side, together at last.

But an ominous warning mars their journey back, and in their rush to return to Tor's Watch, just outside the fortress walls, they are violently attacked and torn apart―and each is thrust into their own new hell.

Unsure whether the other is alive or dead, Kazi and Jase must keep their wits among their greatest enemies and unlikeliest allies. And all the while, Death watches and waits.

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I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I absolutely loved this book! Vow of Thieves made me furious at times, and pretty much every other emotion a person can feasibly feel, but it was well worth it in the end. I wasn't mad at the book itself, but at some of the characters and their impulsive decisions. However, I also understood their reasons and perspectives, which made it harder to stay mad at them. There were a few characters that I loved to hate, and will continue to wish pain and death upon forever and ever. 

Speaking of the characters... they are so wonderfully written! The family dynamics are complicated, and the author really emphasizes that not all families are related by blood. Additionally, people can always surprise you, and it's nice to give them the benefit of the doubt. It's hard to trust others, especially when lives are literally on the line, but Kazi and Jase seem to be able to judge people fairly well. The characters themselves were really fleshed out, and I felt like I'd known them for years. Mary E. Pearson knows how to build characters and worlds, and despite the brutality, it's a world I wouldn't mind living in. As long as I can stay at Tor's Watch!

I enjoyed the subtle magic that was woven into the book, and how it always felt just out of reach. It's there, but it doesn't play a prominent role within the story. It gives the book a dash of fantasy that I greedily devoured. Also, it's been awhile since I read the first book, but there were subtle references to the more important aspects that I may have forgotten. The reminders gently nudged my brain in the right direction, and I was happy for those little tidbits. I never felt lost or confused as I continued the story.

I really enjoyed learning more about the Ballenger history, and where their family originated. They've endured a lot over the years, but not nearly as much as the first Ballenger. He was only a child, yet he managed to build a family out of survivors. They lived and breathed together, fought and died together, and that same tenacious spirit has been passed on for generations. Jase and the others will go on and on about family and secrecy, but Greyson Ballenger wasn't bound to his family in the traditional sense. I think the current Ballenger's forgot that from time to time, and it was nice seeing them learning and growing as a group. 

Kazi is amazing. She's strong, intelligent, and fiercely protective. She always puts others before herself, and she's even willing to help the people that want to kill her. Kazi sacrificed herself again and again for the people she cared about, thinking their lives were more important than her own. Fortunately for her, she had people in her life that thought she was worth saving and protecting. Jase, Wren, and Synové would gladly give their lives for their friend. I don't think I could have endured what Kazi did and remained sane at the end. The girl just doesn't give up, and she never gives in. She's confident in herself and her abilities, and clings to hope even when it's painful.

There were a few twists that I was not expecting, but really complimented the overall story. Once certain things are revealed, it makes you question everything you've read previously as the pieces slowly click into place. I never would have expected this story to end up exactly where it did, and I love when a book can keep me on my toes until the very last page. 

Vow of Thieves only took me a day to read, and I would have gladly kept turning the pages. However, I do think the ending was perfection, and really captured what the rest of the book had been about. We're left with hope and understanding, and also the knowledge that the world is complicated. People even more so... I cannot wait to see what Pearson comes up with next!

Dance of Thieves (Dance of Thieves, #1) by Mary E. Pearson

Narrated by Karissa Vacker, James Patrick

Cronin, and Ann Marie Lee

AnewnovelintheNewYorkTimes–bestsellingRemnantChroniclesuniverse,inwhichareformedthiefandtheyoungleaderofanoutlawdynastylockwitsinabattlethatmaycostthemtheirlives—andtheirhearts.

WhenthepatriarchoftheBallengerempiredies,hisson,Jase,becomesitsnewleader.Evennearbykingdomsbowtothestrengthofthisoutlawfamily,whohavealwaysgovernedbytheirownrules.Butaneweraloomsonthehorizon,setinmotionbyayoungqueen,whichmakesherthetargetofthedynasty'sresentmentandanger.

Atthesametime,Kazi,alegendaryformerstreetthief,issentbythequeentoinvestigatetransgressionsagainstthenewsettlements.WhenKaziarrivesintheforbiddinglandoftheBallengers,shelearnsthatthereismoretoJasethanshethought.Asunexpectedeventsspiraloutoftheircontrol,bringingthemintimatelytogether,theycontinuetoplayacatandmousegameoffalsemovesandmotivesinordertofulfilltheirownsecretmissions.Synopsis (via Goodreads): 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.

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I absolutely loved this! It was my first book by Mary E. Pearson, and I had no idea it was tied to another trilogy (The Remnant Chronicles) that's set in the same world. Other reviewers have mentioned familiar characters, and a familiarity with the world, so I'm looking forward to reading it soon! However, I had no trouble reading this one without any prior knowledge of the world. Everything made total sense.

First of all, the narration for this was amazing! I requested a review copy of Vow of Thieves, but I honesty want to wait for the audiobook. It was that good! It really added another layer to the characters and the overall story.

Speaking of the characters, they're all beautifully complex and interesting. I was uncertain about Jase at the beginning, because he seemed like a bully, but we quickly learn what motivates him, and why his family is determined to present a united front. Their idea of territory is a little tricky, which does cause them some problems (if they can see it, it's theirs), but I enjoyed watching the Ballenger's compromise with Kazi and her friends.

The world they live in has a very rich history, and it was fun learning about new places. It's a vast world with very unique concepts, and despite being fictional, felt completely real.

Additionally, I loved the riddles Kazi was always sharing with Jase! They were clever and fun to figure out. Also, his stories about the Ballenger's and their origins, were equally fascinating. I think Jase and Kazi really complimented each other, and not just romantically. They challenged one another, and were both very dedicated to their roles in life.

Kazi had an interesting backstory, and I'm curious if we'll learn more about it in the next book. Kazi's life changed drastically after a sudden loss, but an unexpected kindness sent Kazi down a different path that altered her world forever. Both instances shaped the person she is today, and made her really good at what she does. Wren and Synove, the Ballenger siblings, and even the random people on the street were all wonderful. It's clear the author put a lot of thought and love into creating memorable characters. There were a few that I loved to hate, others I felt indifferent about, and those that left me feeling like there was more to their repective stories. I have a feeling not everyone is who they say they are.

There were a lot of twists that I didn't see coming, although the characters were equally surprised. I liked learning new information with them, instead of determining what would happen in advance. Their reactions felt like my reactions, and really intensified the entire experience.

I really, really recommend this one! It doesn't matter if you've read the other trilogy, because Dance of Thieves can easily stand on its own. The characters are fleshed-out, the story was captivating and engaging, and the history made me believe I was somewhere else. The story was detailed, but there was no wasted information. Everything the author said, we needed to know. We might not have known we needed it at the time, but things had a way of reappearing when I least expected them to.

Also, I just want to say that Synove's revenge was perfect.

The ending wasn't what I was expecting, but in the best possible way. I'm also really looking forward to the next book, because even though the first book had resolution, the author made sure to dangle something juicy at the very end. Is it August yet? I need Vow of Thieves in my life!