I really enjoyed this book! I don't normally read fantasy books, but picked this up for something different and ended up being pleasantly surprised. The world also exists in the author's other novels, but I hadn't read them and didn't think it hurt the reading of the book in any way.

This plot was fast paced and engaging. Some of the relationship plot points were a bit tropey, but I still enjoyed it and getting to know the characters. Being that I don't normally read fantasy, I think this may have made it more familiar and easier for me to pick up without feeling intimidated. I can't wait to see where the series goes next!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an Arc of this book.

That was a pretty good book. It took a bit of time to get into, but it was well worth it. I didn't realize that this was a spin off from another series until I got into it. My opinion is that you have to read that series to get this one. I remembered the previous series vaguely. But it was enough.
I feel the ending cliff hanger does get me more hyped for the sequel. Ahh, what does it mean?

So excited to receive this for a review! Love this author and have heard so many good things about her kiss of deception series! She is talented and engaging with her words!

Set in the world first introduced in The Remnant Chronicles, this book continues the story in the aftermath of the war as old and new threats attempt to rise to power. Kazi is a fighter in the Queen's elite force, and she must infiltrate a distant kingdom with the help of a few other fighters in a tightly knit group in order to find and arrest a dangerous traitor. Jase has just become the ruler of his kingdom, and he is reluctantly drawn into a tenuous alliance with the fighters as they try to get to the bottom of the unrest in the area. As Kazi and Jase draw closer, it becomes very difficult for them to keep necessary secrets as they try to fulfill their separate promises and expectations. Can they have a relationship and catch the traitors at the same time?
This was such a good book. The characters, descriptions, and the plot were so realistic, and there was a good amount of humor to balance out the perilous situations. I will definitely have to go back and read The Remnant Chronicles because I enjoyed this story and the kingdoms so much. Kazi and Jase's relationship was breathtaking and heartbreaking, and the difficult lives the characters led were also very sad. I didn't like the profanity, but other than that I highly recommend this book. I cannot wait until the next book! That epilogue was a little bit of a cliffhanger. The cover was gorgeous as well!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

My opinions on all the Pearson that I’ve read have been quite mixed. I own the entirety of The Remnant Chronicles, but, upon completion, I wasn’t quite sure how I felt. Largely positive, enough so that I do plan to keep the books even though shelf space is dear, but with some hesitations about the series as a whole. Unsurprisingly, I had some hesitations about a spin-off series, given said mixed feelings, but Dance of Thieves worked for me altogether better than its predecessor.


Spin-offs can be tricky at the best of times. In fantasy, terribly often, they turn out to involve the deaths of all your favorites, either because they’re set so far in the future or because the author’s being incredibly cruel (this is a Chima subtweet, minus the actually being a tweet thing). Dance of Thieves takes place only a handful of years after the original trilogy which works really well. All the characters you know are still around, and it truly feels like a companion series. You can see those characters and enjoy them while also enjoying the new cast.

Dance of Thieves centers on three badass chicks from the Moulin Rouge young women in Queen Jazelia’s elite fighting force, the Rahtan, who are sent on a mission to find a war criminal who escaped in the original trilogy. While there, they’re also meant to help the settlers, who are reportedly being treated terribly by the people in power in the region. Though the book really only spends time on Kazi, I also really enjoyed her Rahtan friends. I adore that it’s consistently clear that all three of them are as deadly as their reputation and that you really get to see them fight. None of that “just the heroine is special” or “the heroine is strong but her love interest is stronger” stuff.

Pearson uses two POVs: Kazi and her love interest Jase. I am, perhaps, more in love with this than I normally would be, because I’m so grateful that there’s no love triangle, as the one in the prior trilogy lasted longer than I wanted. Plus, though fun, the first book hinged far too heavily on the mystery of the two guys. I’m grateful this series does not lean on that crutch again.

Kazi’s POV was my favorite, but I suppose that’s unsurprising. It also doesn’t hurt that I absolutely loved Vacker’s narration, whereas I only liked James Patrick Cronin’s. He does play Jase well, though, stolid and serious. Kazi’s just so much more fun and badass. Still, I do always appreciate a book where the male love interest knows that his girlfriend could beat him up and is totally into that.

Jase and Kazi get together surprisingly quickly, which is actually rather refreshing, as so many fantasies go for the slow burn. There’s definitely room for an instalove complaint, but it worked for me. They’re initially physically drawn to each other and also literally tied together, so hormones are gonna hormone.

I will warn that this is one of those romances where the couple spends basically the whole book lying about things, learning them, fighting, doubting each other, and getting back together. However, again, that worked for me with this book. Given that Jase is leading the Ballengers, I like that he always tries to put his people first, and I like that Kazi does the same. That’s something I appreciated about the original trilogy too: the characters make logical, world-impacting decisions with head over heart. It made sense to me, in almost all cases, why they kept the secrets they did. It also helps that they tend to react in less terrible ways than you might expect given the magnitude of what’s on the line. Plus, over the time spent together, they develop a true mutual respect that, once they’re on the same team, should make for a strong relationship.

My one hesitation with Dance of Thieves is that I rather wish this series were set up like a romance series, with each book following one of the three central Rahtan. It concerns me a bit that Vow of Thieves also centers on Jase and Kazi, because I don’t want three books of waffling romance, because that might kill my delight in them as a couple, which would be a shame. I’ll be crossing my fingers that I enjoy Vow of Thieves just as much as Dance of Thieves.

I love Mary E. Pearson's books so much which is why I requested this one. I loved how it was in the same world as the Remnant Chronicles.

Pearson writes amazing characters and is able to make it seem like you are really there with them. She is so vivid in her writings and I can't wait to see more from this author!

Such a delight to return to this world! I've been in love with Mary E. Pearson's writing since 'The Kiss of Deception' and being able to return to the world of 'The Remnant Chronicles', and from the point of view of previously-established side characters is absolutely brilliant.

'Dance of Thieves' is full of tension, adventure, and phenomenal character interactions; it's seeming length might intimidate some readers, but it's well worth it for the rich pictures that Pearson paints with her words. If there's to be more in this world, I'm more than ready to continue wandering around there.

What a wonderful, well-written beginning to a series! I thoroughly loved Kazi and Jase's story from beginning to end. They immediately have a chemistry from the first moment she brings him to his knees and that just continues to build through their unexpected adventures! Can't wait to see what else happens for them!

It’s been too long since I was last in the Remnant Chronicles world and I loved diving back in with this fresh new set of characters while still getting to see what my old favorites were up to (for the record, I approve!). The book switches between Kazi and Jase. The former is a street thief turned trusted guard for the Queen and she’s been sent on a mission to investigate trouble in the new settlements. It’s how she crosses paths with Jase, the newly appointed leader of the Ballenger Empire and said settlements. Both are too smart for their own good so naturally, antagonism and sparks fly between them immediately. (Pearson, you know how to get my attention.) What follows is a dangerous game as each tries to do what’s right for their people while one-upping the other, especially when they get put in a situation that forces them to work together (and more!). I enjoyed the intrigue and seeing how all the pieces fit as more was revealed. But my favorite parts were the characters and the different relationships we got to witness – romantic, friendship and familial. Pearson does a wonderful job of balancing the build up of the people and the world and I’m looking forward to what’s next!

Do I recommend? I do! I’m selfishly glad that it’s a duology so I don’t have to wait too long to find out how it ends! Luckily the first book ends on a solid note while making it clear that there’s more to come.

Told from the POVs of the two main characters, Kazi and Jase, Dance of Thieves was a riveting tale that captured my full attention from the very first page. Kazi is a fierce, badass female. Going from a street thief to an employee of the Queen, Kazi and her two equally fierce comrades, Wren and Sonave, are sent on a top secret mission to find a fugitive believed to be in hiding in the mysterious lands of the Ballengers.

Following his fathers untimely death, Jase Ballenger is the newly appointed leader. Proud, powerful, and ready to lead his people, Jase and Kazi find themselves thrust together in an unexpected turn of events.

“This was more than an unexpected turn. It was an unchecked slide into hell.”

I know I say how I dislike insta-love but I honestly adored Jase and Kazi’s relationship and they must be protected at all costs. They were both flawed individuals with secrets and secret agendas but I LOVED THEM OK. They are my precious.

“I do want tomorrows with you, Jase. I want a lifetime of tomorrows.”

I am often weary when reading a novel that takes place in a universe from a series/book I have not yet read, mostly because I always find myself getting completely confused with characters, events, places, etc… With Dance of Thieves, this was not the case at all. Mary Pearson delivers the layout of this novel wonderfully, describing events that had previously occurred in just enough detail as to not be overwhelming and instead focusing on new events occurring and new characters being brought into this world.. And oh lordy, that ending tho.

I will say I’m kicking myself for not reading the Remnant Chronicles and have made it a priority to promptly purchase the 3 books and immerse myself into the world once more while I impatiently await the next book ( Vow of Thieves ) in this series to arrive ( august 2019 ).

This was a 5 out of 5 stars read! I completely loved it and have a feeling it is going to send me into a very painful book hangover.

I was all over this book when I heard Mary talk about it. I loved her other series in this world and couldn’t wait to get back to it. And here we are months later and I’m finally getting to it.

Love loved loved Kazi and Jase. They’re both loyal and they don’t trust people easily and I absolutely adored how they clicked so quickly. Their chemistry was fantastic. I also loved her fellow soldiers and his family. And of course getting to see Lia and Rafe was extra fun.

Plot wise, there is a lot going on, but I never felt overwhelmed or confused. It’s a bit of a slow burn and even the climax of the story wasn’t exactly what I expected, but I was captivated the entire time. The last couple of chapters were absolute perfection and the ending has left me dead. I’m ready for book 2 now.

Overall, it was an amazing story with characters I love. Present Stacee really needs to go shove past Stacee for not reading it immediately.

**Huge thanks to Henry Holt for providing the arc free of charge**

I'm so glad that I jumped into Dance of Thieves immediately after finishing The Beauty of Darkness. Even though we're now following a different set of main characters, the cast we fell in love with from the original Remnant Chronicles series were all mentioned in one way or the other. Lia has quite a prominent role in that she's discussed frequently throughout the book and does have a section toward the end where we see her again. Kaden isn't mentioned by name I don't think, but his position and relationship to Pauline (who is mentioned more than once) is. Rafe is mentioned and is present. Even Natiya as well as Griz are all characters in this story. We even see Lia's brother, Bryn, at one point and discuss Jeb, who died at the end of The Beauty of Darkness.

Honestly, at first I was frustrated with Kazi because she's so quick to accuse Jase of being a thief, but yet she knows that she's one of the most accomplished thieves in Venda. Of course, this comes up later and isn't something that's ignored. Kazi and Jase's relationship is full of this type of thing. The very thing one holds against the other is often something they're doing also. I did feel like Kazi and Jase jumped into things quickly, but there was plenty of time that they spent together solidifying what may have happened too quickly for me. For me their relationship drove so much of the story, and this is always a good thing in my opinion.

Dance of Thieves did take me a good 10% to get invested. I kept falling asleep when I'd start reading. I don't think that's a fault of the book itself so much as me just being exhausted most of the time. But once I was hooked I didn't want to stop reading and would squeeze in a page or two every spare chance I had. Especially toward the end--70% on--I felt feverish to finish this book and see how everything was going to end until the next book in the series.

The side characters and world were just as vivid as the main two. I wasn't expecting Mary E Pearson to make a new series in the same world yet have it feel so cohesive and separate at the same time. The area of land that the Ballenger family is over has such a unique set of rules and customs that it truly made the series feel brand new even while being a piece of the world we came to love in the prior series. Kudos for that. And despite having such a large cast of characters (Jase's family alone is quite large), everyone felt separate and completely fleshed out.

Dance of Thieves was everything that I wanted it to be. Driven by the relationships yet still enough story and intrigue and questions to keep me devouring pages. I felt torn with Jase and Kazi at times. I wanted them to work things out, yet there were so many times that I thought each one had crossed the line of no return and not being able to fix their relationship. I loved the uniqueness of Thors Watch and the history of the Ballenger family where this was one of my complaints of the original series. And then there's that cliffhanger. Dance of Thieves gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read Dance of Thieves? What did you think? Let me know!

I loved Mary Pearson's previous trilogy, so I was excited to get into the world again. But something just didn't work for me. I tried to read it over and over again, but the characters didn't grab me like the ones in the trilogy had. I was disappointed and ended up DNFing the book.

I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK! If I could scream at the top of my lungs to everybody in the world that they should (first pick up the Remnant Chronicles then) pick up this book, I would. I remembered exactly why I loved Pearson's books to begin with. I love her writing style, I love her imagery, I love her settings, I love the politics, and I love the witty/snarky/sweet/swoony romance.

The beginning: At first, it took be a while to get into this story. Maybe about... 50 pages or so? I think this was because it had been so long since I've read the Remnant Chronicles, I just forgot about a lot of the old characters; HOWEVER, once I brushed up, I was ready to plunge in. This story feels entirely it's own, though it is a continuation of the first trilogy. Pearson did an amazing job of mentioning old and beloved characters here and there to keep our hearts attached to them, but she also did an amazing job of getting you attached to these new characters. BOY was I attached. I feel like I felt everything both Kazi and Jase felt and I love them so so so much.

The plot: If I'm being honest, I had no idea this book was going to go any of the directions it did. The only thing I was certain of was Kazi and Jase. Everything else... plot twist, plot turn, plot freakin' rollercoaster the whole rest of the way. I was invested in the story and characters and even side characters. Sprinkle in the political intrigue, sprinkle in some of the different cultures and histories, and then top it off with the appearance of some old characters. This is a page-turner, no doubt about it.

The Romance: I could go on and on about these two. I seriously rooted for their relationship with all my heart. I liked how honest Kazi and Jase were with each other, or at least how honest they tried to be. I like how Kazi could straight up just ask "what is going to happen to us?" A true, legitimate question running through my mind as a reader. They just complement one another in great ways. I truly enjoyed their dynamic and how they traversed each other's cultures. Though it could be argued that it started pretty fast, I want to say maybe 2 weeks, it still seems honest and believable. Because you tend to like the people that you are closest to you on a day-to-day basis and literally had no choice, but to be with one another. Not to mention big things were at stake. I still feel like throughout the book, it turned into a slow burn and really entertaining romance to read about.

The writing: This story has great examples of how to use flashbacks! Every flashback that Kazi had or Jase had had a relevance to something that was occurring in the future, not necessarily foreshadowing, but it offered premature context to decisions or actions that they took in the book like later on not super far off from when the flashback actually occurred. Pearson's writing is also, in general, very poetic to me. She has a way a transporting you into her story, making you see everything she wants you to see with your mind's eye, and having you feel everything that the characters do.

The foreshadowing: The little eggs that Pearson leaves throughout her books that lead you to make your own predictions about the story are just so good. What else can I say? They leave you extremely tense to find out what's going to happen when a big reveal comes up. I literally could not wait for everything to come to fruition. Even though big things aren't happening every single second of the page you still feel on the edge of your seat.

The ending: It was kind of cheesy if I'm being honest. But I really don't have any problems with it because it was very satisfying. Pearson chose the right moments to bring about old characters. Being able to reconnect with them and also getting the kind of ending for the new characters that I wanted with this first book was such a rewarding feeling. It was everything I wanted and needed to finally take a deep breath and think, "AH my babies yassss!!" It was also nice to finally come across a first in the series that doesn't end in a cliffhanger, BUT YOU STILL WANT MORE! I didn't need a cliffhanger at the end of this book to know that I was going to continue on with the series.

It's hard not to love anything written by Mary Pearson! Strong characters (particularly the females), intricate plot, well-crafted world building. Kazi and Jase are a formidable pair. Their interactions are believable both logically and emotionally. The story is engaging on all levels as their individual motives tangle with their discoveries of each other's worlds. Highly recommended for fans of Pearson's previous novels and those who love adventure, strategy, and pre-industrial settings.

LOVED THIS BOOK! A great companion to the Remnant Chronicles series. This book did not disappoint. My favorite part of the book was the characters of Kazi and Jase—they were a bucket full of cuteness. Or course being on opposite sides of things caused disagreement and secrets, but it made the story all the more addicting.

I think I may be the only person who didn’t love this. I tried but could not finish it. I know the teens in my life will like this but it just wasn’t for me.

My Review: I absolutely love Mary's writing. The Kiss of Deception was my favorite book of 2014. This book uses some of the same characters in a minor way. Her world-building and character development are just so brilliant! I flew through it SO QUICKLY. I just couldn't put this book down. Pearson knows how to write romance. Like seriously! There's a heavy focus on the romance but with a bigger plot looming over it all. Overall one of my favorite fantasy reads of the year so far.

Do I Recommend this book? Uhh duh!

I've got to be completely honest, the first time I started this book I didn't like it. I thought it was boring and a bit trite BUT I wanted to give it a fair shot so after a short hiatus I plunged right back in. The second time around it felt like I picked up a completely different book. I'm not sure if it was just the headspace I was in or if the story just needed a little more time to come together BUT whatever the reason, the change was dramatic. So, if you are stalled in the beginning and are questioning its worthiness then I am here to advise you to dig in and keep going because it is SO worth it!!

I absolutely LOVED this book!! Is there a yummy romance? Yes! Is it an insta-love? Heck no and thank the literary gods for that because it was a hate --> love slow burn, just the way it should be. Did it manhandle and overtake the entire plot you might ask? I'm happy to report that it was just the right amount of Amore. Though there were no sexy-time scenes the rapport was sweet yet palpable.


Did I mention the writing? WELL the writing turned out to be far from trite. It was compelling and sonorous though not so cutesy as to be nauseatingly saccharine. I also loved the riddles, especially the last one, they were well worded and helped move the plot in a fun way. I have to admit that I have not read the Remnant Chronicles (yet) but after having been gifted and then devouring this book I will definitely be checking out the previous series which happens to be set in the same world AND what a world it is!! There are assassins and cowboys and dirty captains/magistrates/cousins/kings(?!?) et al. There is Love and betrayal and devious machinations abound AND did you say you like your characters armed and dangerous? If you're in the market for some kickass female characters then this book is for you! The world building is lush and the characters are expertly crafted. I loved SO many of them I won't give a list BUT I will give honorable mention to our two MCs, our dueling POV voices, swoon worthy Jase and our uncommon thief Kazi...they were both beatific/ relatable/damaged/imperfectly human and their trials (as well as their budding affection for one another) felt torturous...in a good way.


Overall, this was such a happy surprise that I am both kicking myself for not reading it sooner and glowing because I got to savor it longer. I dreaded reaching the end and MAN what an ending it was! Warning: there is a cliffhanger so if you are not into stewing in a batch of What-if(s) for a while then maybe you should wait until the next book is out before starting this one...BUT definitely start this at some point, you won't be disappointed!! Personally I'm going to sit in a corner and stew until August 2019 when book #2, Vow of Thieves, comes out.

~Enjoy


*** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***