Review by Booklist Review
Fans of magical heists, rejoice: from the author of the extensive fantasy series The Iron Fey comes the first in a new trilogy. In the city of Kovass, the twin suns are unforgiving, and the task given to Thieves Guild member Sparrow is equally so. When the shadowy beings known as The Circle request she pull off a near-impossible heist in the realm of the Deathless King, she accepts the challenge, meeting quite a cast of characters along the way. Among those encountered are a wanderer named Halek; a quiet assassin from another realm, known as Raithe; and Kysa, a giant-beetle rider. While Sparrow and her first-person narration lean a bit too archetypal at times, it is made up for by the captivating, fully realized world of Arkyennah, where the potential to expand is everywhere from the sand dunes that ferry folks between societies to the divine idea of fate woven permanently into a tapestry. If a reader is looking to invest some time in a magical adventure written like a sprint, this is it.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In a desert world in which the course of one's life is determined by fate, 17-year-old Sparrow is destined be a thief. In fact, Sparrow is known as one of the best members of the Thieves' Guild of Kovass. When the Circle, the enigmatic power brokers behind the guild, demand that Sparrow steal the memory stone, a priceless artifact once belonging to one of the mythical Deathless Kings who ruled long ago, she has no choice but to undertake the deadly assignment. But she's betrayed by a trusted confidant, and a Deathless King is reborn when Sparrow inadvertently releases his bound soul from the stone. As the Deathless King schemes to conquer the world, Sparrow must run for her life, pursued by the tyrant's blood mages and undead servants. Accompanied by mysterious iylvahn assassin Raithe, devil-may-care Halek, and flying beetle rider Kysa, Sparrow fights to defy her fate and take a stand against the reborn king. Familiar fantasy media tropes and elements include a slow-burning romance as Sparrow struggles to forge a new path from thief to hero. Kagawa (Lightningborn) utilizes fantastical imagery and memorable visuals to conjure a dangerous backdrop of dust, heat, and nonstop peril in this no-holds-barred adventure. Characters are described with varying complexions, some fanciful (Raithe has "twilight colored skin"). Ages 13--up. Agent: Laurie McLean, Fuse Literary. (July)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up--Assassin's Creed meets Tahereh Mafi's This Woven Kingdom as a thief must steal into the forgotten city of the Deathless Kings and steal an ancient relic. Sparrow, 17, was raised in the Thieves Guild to be one of their best and doesn't hesitate when the higher-ups assign her to steal the Tapestry of Fate from the temple. Hiding in the shadows of the temple, she overhears a priestess and a foreign assassin speak of a rising darkness. With the Tapestry acquired, Sparrow is given a new quest to the First Kingdom of the Deathless Kings, one that no other thief has come back from. When she succeeds, the soulstone she brings back to the surface might end up destroying everything. Kagawa paints a vivid, complex world inspired by Persian culture. The deep lore adds high stakes to the adventure, as the legends paint a harsh picture of how the world came to be. Sympathetic characters and a fast-paced plot coalesce to a fun and absorbing read, even if the beats are familiar. The supporting cast of sidekicks add humor and depth to the perilous adventure, but the romance between our thief and assassin could use a little more fuel to keep the slow burn going. Fate obviously plays an important theme in the story, as does vulnerability and strength. While the ending arrives abruptly, the pieces are in place for an exciting sequel. VERDICT An atmospheric heist for early YA readers. Recommended for general purchase.--Emmy Neal
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
After unknowingly unleashing an ancient force, a teen joins forces with unlikely allies as they race to stop the destruction it leaves in its wake. Seventeen-year-old Sparrow, who was raised by the members of the Thieves Guild, wants nothing more than to make the Guildmaster proud. She sees her chance when the Circle--a secretive group that controls the guild--assigns her to retrieve an artifact from a long-forgotten ruined underground city. During her journey, she meets Halek the Fatechaser and Raithe, an assassin. Though Raithe was sent to stop Sparrow, he becomes an unexpected ally--and maybe something more. Sparrow soon learns that she played a key role in the return of a Deathless King, inadvertently putting everyone she loves in danger. Although the Deathless Kings "once ruled the world," nowadays "the stories left behind were mostly used to scare naughty children." Along with her companions, Sparrow crosses the deadly Dust Sea in search of help to stop further devastation. But the Deathless King is hunting them because Sparrow is a Fateless, someone who poses a threat because she can defy curses. Kagawa's worldbuilding is exceptional, introducing a realm filled with unique fantasy-world races, cultures, and religions. This novel, which is perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir, features layered, distinctly drawn characters who have humorous and heartfelt interactions. The romance is subtle, allowing the main plot to take center stage. A richly imagined trilogy opener with high-stakes adventure.(Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
