Hello guys! I finished this series a few days ago and I loved it. I am going to split this post into some categories so that you can skip to which ever part you like. Also I am going to try and keep it spoiler free, but if there are going to be some you will see a spoiler warning before it.
1. Short summary of the first book
From Goodreads:
“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.”
2. Characters:
I loved all the characters in these books, even the villains(the way they were created). However, I will focus on Kazi and Jase in this review(our main characters).
Kazimyrah of Brightmist:
She is one of my favorite female protagonists in a fantasy book and I am so glad I discovered her. She is fierce, while also being vulnerable and sensitive. Kazi is one of the smartest characters that I have read about. For instance, i gasped every time she would think of some elaborate plan to escape a bad situation. I love her so much. She was also really funny, without forgetting to be serious at times. Kazi is in my opinion a perfect, balanced main character and I am honestly really sad that I can’t read anything about her.
Jase Ballenger:
He is one of the most loyal characters ever. He loves his family so much and would kill for them. I didn’t like his attitude in the first part of Dance of Thieves, but I am so glad for his immense character development in Vow of Thieves. Jase also cares about his town and has shown throughout this series that he is more than capable to ensure a nice living for the people there.
3. Writing style
These were my first book that I’ve read from Mary E. Pearson and I was pleasantly surprised by the writing style. It’s beautiful without it being very pompous. It made the book easy to read, but also managed to make me swoon over the lovely romantic quotes.
4. Things I loved about the books
I loved so many aspects of this duology, but I’m going to focus on the main ones. Firstly, I really enjoyed the political intrigue and that it was the main focus of both books. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when a book is full of fights and constant action, but there is something about a political conflict in a book that just makes the experience so much more enjoyable. Secondly, I loved the romance in these books, I finally understand the people that were head over heels for Kazi and Jase. They have managed to become one of my favorite book couples in fantasy books. Thirdly, I liked the found family trope in Kazi’s case) and how the relationships (not only romantic ones) between the characters were written. I also loved how fast paced both books are. Lastly, I liked how Vow of Thieves managed to be such a satisfying conclusion to this series, while also making me cry a bit at the ending. The perfect ending, that also made me feel a lot of emotions all at once.
5. Things I didn’t enjoy
I can’t think of anything at the moment, besides how Jase’s character was at the beginning, but as I’ve said he had such an amazing character growth after that.
6. Favorite quotes
“Love didn’t even seem like the right word to explain how I felt about her. The word seemed too small, too used, too simple, and everything I felt about her seemed complicated and rare and as wide as the world.” – Dance of Thieves
“It's awkward, isn't it?" he said. "What's that?" I replied, my voice far too breathy. "These moments when we're not hating each other.” – Dance of Thieves
“I like you, Jase Ballenger,” I said softly. “I think if you weren’t a thief, we might be friends.” “And if you didn’t whisk out knives and threaten to cut pretty necks, I think we might be friends too.” I wrinkled my nose. “Oh, how obsessed you are with your pretty neck.” His hands tightened on my wrists. He pulled me close, his teeth nipping at my neck and between kisses, he whispered, “It is not my neck I am obsessed with, Kazi of Brightmist.” – Dance of Thieves
“Who will write our story, Jase? We will, Kazi. You and I will write our own story. And side by side, every day, that is what we do.” – Vow of Thieves
“The queen once told me there were a hundred ways to fall in love. Maybe there were a hundred ways to find and give forgiveness too. I think I had already found a few of them.” – Vow of Thieves
“Do not pass a rose without stopping to smell it. It is a gift that may not always be there.” – Vow of Thieves
7. Overall opinion
I gave this series 5/5 swords and I would recommend it to anyone that is a fantasy fan, but also loves the romance genre. However, if you aren’t a fan of political conflict books, then I don’t know if you will like this series as much. Another strong point to this series is Kazi’s character in my opinion. If you like a very smart, witty, cunning(in the best way possible), while also sensible character you will for sure like her and hopefully the book, because both of them have her perspective.
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