Pearson's writing only gets stronger and stronger as she progresses. I devour anything she writes and DANCE OF THIEVES is no different.

The book itself is beautifully written with stygian foreshadowing. Mary. E. Pearson has brought her Remnant Chronicles world to a new level and draws on a darker aspect that surrounds the characters. I love Kazi and Jace and how they each deal with the situations that keep arising. The fact that both main characters would do anything for the one's they care about is truly remarkable and make them more realistic. The world building that Pearson has created is very realistic as the reader is transported to her world.

The only problem I had was knowing when quotes from passages describe certain information from the present storyline. It could be just the ebook format, but it threw off the story while I was trying to read. I had to continually flip back pages because I thought I had missed something. The transitions made it a bit difficult to understand how things were happening.

Great new series in the beloved world of The Remnant Chronicles! A love/hate romance turned into love while also packed with suspense, action and more.

I was a bit nervous about reading a new series set in the same canon. It's hard to close the door on beloved characters and then open the door on new ones. It feels a bit like cheating on your family but Pearson did an amazing job of focusing on Kazi and Jase. You get a shadow of the old characters but it does not tarnish your memory of them.

Kazi and Jase are the most hilarious pair. The banter was spot on. I was rooting for them from the beginning and was not disappointed. As with Kiss of Deception, this was a novel heavily focused on romance. Romance very frequently drives the plot so if that is not something you enjoy, I would stay clear. It just so happens that I was in the mood for some romance so this was right up my alley.

Overall 5 stars to Dance of Thieves!

A fun and adventurous spin off series to The Remnant Chronicles with characters I couldn’t help but want to root for. I enjoyed the adventure, the politics, and the romance! Highly recommend!

Mary E. Pearson does it again! Another stand out!

I absolutely loved returning to this world and Ms. Pearson does NOT disappoint in this new series. I loved all the new characters and some other favorites who returned. Jase and Kazi really struggled with their differences and made for a nice slow burn romance. The alternating POV's didn't bother me (like it usually does) and was really well done. There were times that I felt some of conflict was a bit trite (especially regarding Jase and his family), but nothing that really impacted my enjoyment of the novel. It was more of a "really?! You can't SEE that?!" sorta thing regarding certain characters and their actions.

Overall though, this was a strong return to an already outstanding world. The ending left you satisfied, but will definitely have you chomping at the bits for the next one. (I know I am!).

Oh I love Ms Pearson's writing. She has such talent for building worlds with unforgettable characters. The characters are well developed, complex and vulnerable. Just the way I like them. The words are spun so visually reading them is like watching a movie. Thrilling, edge of my seat action, heartbreak, romance, and some fun.
This book follows in the world of The Remnant Chronicles, the author's previous series which loved. Some years have passed, and there are a few crossover characters. The heroine, is a elite guard for the Queen, who has a vary sorted, sad past. She struggles with her demons while trying to keep her promises to her queen. The male lead is a strong, honest man who is thrust into his role as head of a country when his father suddenly dies. She expresses her superiority in a public way and he tries to teach her a lesson that backfires on them both. They find themselves chained together as slaves, the sparks fly hot and mistrusting. being chain together, needing each other can bring two together or scar them forever. The beginning of tale has just begun at this point, it goes so much farther.
I can not wait to see where these characters go in the next book.
Thank You NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the review copy

So, I haven't read the Remnant Chronicles, but I'm a huge fan of fantasy books, so I thought I'd give this book a try anyway. And honestly, I LOVED it.

While reading the previous series may deepen your enjoyment of Dance of Thieves, I had no problem jumping right in and following everything that was happening, so I really appreciated that it was its own thing. I highly enjoyed the world that Pearson has built and it has a sort of sci-fi/fantasy vibe, with legends of Ancient technology being so advanced, and now with them living in a world not so advanced. I love when authors are able to blend the two genres; it's my favorite type of book to read.

The characters themselves are fierce and wonderful. We get two points of view, one from Kazi and one from Jase. It's nice to get the varying viewpoints, because the reader is able to see the characters' insecurities before the characters see them in each other, so I was able to like the characters right away because I knew neither one was heartless, dumb, or awful. It was wonderful to see them grow and open up to each other, eventually developing feelings for one another. The side characters are also incredible, and I love how fiercely both Kazi's and Jase's friends and family protect their own.

And the plot itself--brutally riveting. I couldn't tear myself away from what was happening. Pearson sure knows how to grip a reader and hold them glued to the story, because I couldn't get enough! There are so many schemes and plots happening that I felt myself completely taken in by the drama of it all, PLUS I kept wanting to see how the romance between Kazi and Jase would progress. I swear, every time a chapter ended I would audibly say "OH MY GOD," and just keep reading, because it's that well crafted. The ONLY thing that bothered me was that there is a huge cliffhanger at the end of this. So, if that sort of thing bothers you, maybe wait until the next book comes out, because it's a tough one to get past.

Overall, if you're a lover of fantasy books with some romance and scheming and such, this is the book for you. I, personally, have a soft spot for thief characters, so Kazi really took my heart. I CANNOT WAIT for the next book to be released.

For those of you who have read the Remnant Chronicles, this novel is set in the same universe. And for those of you who have not (like me), you don’t need to have read them to get into this book!

"Each victory would get me through another day, and that was another trick of surviving in Venda. Make it one more day. Die tomorrow was another one of my rules."

Kazi, a street thief in Venda, is now part of Lia’s Rahtan. Jase, now Patrei, is the ruler of the Ballenger empire after the death of his father. By fate, they meet while being chained together after being kidnapped by labor hunters. While pretending (or not) to be a couple, Jase tricks Kazi into “meeting his family”, but Kazi has some tricks up her sleeve, as well.

"Every exchange of words between Jase and me seemed like a dance, a step forward, a step back, circling, both of us leading, anticipating, wondering what the next move would be."

Despite the secrets Kazi and Jase keep from one another, can their love flourish? Will they fight the war on the same side or against each other? Will we ever meet the Queen? Whose deceitfulness will overcome the other? At what cost?

"Guard your heart, Patrei. I see a knife hovering, ready to cut it out."

I had a hard time “believing” the love story between Kazi and Jase. If someone lied to me about one of my life goals, he would be kicked to the street so fast! And that goes both ways. Also, for Jase’s family to be so convinced almost right away, just didn’t seem believable. Then again, I’m more of a realist, I guess, and wish they left love out of the equation most times.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this novel since the author is well-known and the premise seemed right up my alley. Reading the title, I instantly thought of “A Dance With Dragons” for whatever reason and it made me even more excited. For whatever reason, I just could not get into this novel. Maybe it was because I never read any of the Remnant Chronicles, I’m not sure. The pace was too slow for me, I think. However, the pace started to quicken during the end and I found myself wanting more…I just wish it would’ve happened a lot faster throughout the novel. I can definitely see a lot of people enjoying this novel, it just wasn’t for me!

"You’ve infected me with a poison that I don’t want to flush out."

I've been a long time fan of Mary's books. THE KISS OF DECEPTION continues to hold the spot as one of my favorite fantasy books ever and I was so sad to say goodbye to the series. So when I saw that she was writing a new series set in the same world, I knew I had to read it. DANCE OF THIEVES was one of my most anticipated reads this year and I'm here to say that it did not disappoint.

DANCE OF THIEVES is a new duology set in the same world as The Remnant Chronicles, a few years after the events at the end of, The Beauty of Darkness. Kazi was sent to investigate the Ballengers and instead has to work with their newly appointed leader. Kazi and Jase, an unlikely duo are forced to work together against labor hunters. Kazi, a previous street rat tuned elite guard to the Queen of Venda. Her years of thieving to survive taught her things that may just save their lives. Jase, raised to rule his dynasty, yet new to his role as Patrei, is still learning to be a leader and discovering what his father left in his wake. Both harbor secrets that could tare them apart.

The book started off full of action and I was immediately taken back to everything I loved about the previous series and Mary's writing. There was a little while where my momentum slowed but I can't say that was the books fault or my own. I adore Mary's storytelling and how she weaves in so many intricate details. The ending of this book had me looking around my empty living room saying (to myself) "Did you just read that? OMG! WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!!" Overall I loved this book and I'm already dying for the sequel. Well done!

There is one simple formula, a knee jerk reaction, perhaps. However I attribute this many times to giving an automatic five star review: My desire to re-read the book again immediately after completing it, and there you have it BAM!
5🌟's. This response is visceral, irrefutable, satisfying. Such is the case with 'Dance of Thieves'.

Mary Pearson has become one of my favorite authors who have mastered the art of world-building, creating unforgettable unique political, cultural, socio-economic atmospheres full of depth and tension, leaving me wanting to know more, every single time.

In this familiar kingdom we find a reformed master thief, now a member of an elite trained group of soldier's for The Queen, who face off with the newly appointed Leader of an elusive Family of outlaws who follow their own rules and unapologetically take what is theirs. The 'Dance ' between them is captivating, full of passion, treachery and death. Their push and pull was masterfully choreographed. I wanted justice, loyalty and peace. I am in full expectation of what is to come in this new series.

Actual Rating: 3.75 stars

Oh man, returning to bookish world of The Remnant Chronicles made my heart soar! But was this start to a new series as great as The Kiss of Deception? Sadly, I have to say that Dance of Thieves did not live up to the standard TKoD set. I really enjoyed the book overall, so I wouldn’t say it was a disappointment, but it was a letdown in certain aspects.

This book follows the perspectives of two characters, Kazi and Jase. Kazi is one of the Queen of Venda’s Rahtan (think elite guards/soldiers). She and a few other Rahtan are sent to Hell’s Mouth to investigate transgressions occurring with a new Vendan settlement and to follow up on rumors of a wanted war criminal the Queen is determined to bring to justice. Jase is the new leader of the Ballenger Empire, an illegal dynasty that includes Tor’s Watch, Hell’s Mouth, and the largest trading arena. With all new appointments of leaders, power struggles follow in its wake, and Jase is struggling to maintain an image of security and stability to his power hungry cousins. As Kazi and Jase are forced together, they find themselves simultaneously growing closer and constantly dancing around one another as they tackle a multitude of problems and their growing feelings for one another.

First of all, I loved all the nods to and the special appearances from the original cast of characters of The Remnant Chronicles (DoT takes place 6 years later). Dance of Thieves has its own original cast of characters, so you technically don’t have to have read the original trilogy (though I would strongly recommend doing so because otherwise you’ll miss out on a lot of great little details). The original characters are now on the sidelines, but it was still great to see them and where they ended up.

Another great aspect of this book was the cast of characters. Though the exposition that shed light on their characters could have been toned down, Mary E. Pearson did a great job of fleshing out her characters and giving them complexity & backstories, not just for both the protagonists, but for the side characters too. She also did a great job of putting them in interesting situations that challenged them. I was almost never bored as I swiped through the pages on my phone. I would have to say that my favorite character was for sure Kazi. I loved her hardcore exterior, supreme thieving skills, and inner kindness that radiated out in the smallest of moments.

The final detail that I adored, but I think is definitely worth mentioning, is the subtle magic woven into the background; the Gift. I loved how despite the exposure we see to this language (as it’s described as in this world) in the original trilogy, Kazi experience showcases the dimensions and uniqueness of the Gift. How Kazi interacts and sees the Gift is differently from how the original characters did, and I loved that Pearson didn’t just cut & paste this quality over to Kazi. Like Lia, Kazi is a badass, but she’s a badass in a different way and fully her own character.

Now despite enjoying this book, my biggest complaint with Dance of Thieves is the FRICKING INSTA-LOVE. This book could have easily been a 4.5 or even 5 stars, but the insta-love ruined it. Insta-love is my most hated trope and biggest pet peeve. It’s so unrealistic, especially for two characters at odds with one another, which Kazi and Jase definitely were. Everything about the romance was rushed, and it made the writing in these instances seem cheap. The characters literally meet at 9% (which by itself already felt a bit quick) and then by 22% they were already kissing! Literally, a week had only gone by in the storyline! And this was quickly followed up by the stirrings of strong emotions and the protagonists questioning their feelings for one another. And not only was that annoying, but the romance felt rushed in order to make the rest of the plot convenient. Aaaaah, I was so aggravated and disappointed by this aspect.

The final thing that irked me was the ending of this book. It wrapped up too nicely, like happily ever after with a bow. But of course, there’s going to be a sequel, so the author sneakily slipped in a short chapter in the end, turning the sickeningly sweet ending into a cliffhanger! In regards to the happily ever after bit, I feel like Mary E. Pearson’s weakness is writing endings. I had the exact same issue with the ending of The Remnant Chronicles; she does a great job of building up tension only to quickly cut it off with an anticlimactic and easy ending. Yes, the vague cliffhanger will lead into the sequel, but I feel like at this point there should still be more loose ends.

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot, but the insta-love hampered the quality of this book, bringing it just short of the standard that the original trilogy set for it. If you enjoyed The Remnant Chronicles, definitely pick this book up and give it a try, but if you haven’t read them, I would recommend reading them first, for both a better understanding of the side characters and to prevent spoilers should you later decide to read the trilogy. Not to mention, I find Lia and The Remnant Chronicles to be more worthy of praise. 😁

Kazimyrah knows what her duty is to the queen of Venda. Her dedication to this mission goes beyond her role as a member of the Rahtan, the elite guard, and reflects her personal debt for a reckless mistake. However, a misstep in a dark alley gets her kidnapped and chained to her target, and she'll have to rely on him to get out of this mishap in one piece.

Jase Ballenger curses his father's sudden death, which accelerated his ascension to leadership of his clan. Many would love to see the young Patrei fail, so they can swoop in and claim the powerful territory, so he should be on the look out for anything. When he gets grabbed by labour gang slavers and chained to the feisty young Rahtan who threatened to slit his throat, Jase feels life couldn't get any worse. A daring escape gives him hope of getting home in time for his father's funeral, but how should he handle his new constant companion?

Dance of Thieves is the first novel in a new series set in the world of Mary E Pearson's The Remnant Chronicles. I had read the first book many years ago and loved it, but somehow I had never gotten the opportunity to finish the series (work and other pesky things like that got in the way of reading entirely for pleasure), so I was thrilled to find a new story available for review. Unfortunately, I didn't remember much of the world, but Pearson allows Dance of Thieves to stand enough on its own that it can be enjoyed by both fans of her previous work and newcomers to her writing.

Kazimyrah has been charged with a mission to infiltrate the Ballenger stronghold and track down a traitorous general who nearly cost the queen and the people of Venda everything. With fellow warriors Wren and Synove by her side she needs to use everyone of her skills as a former thief to get into Tor's Watch, track down her mark, and get him back to Venda to face the Queen's Justice. Getting captured by labour gangs and chained to the new leader of the Ballengers was never part of her plan, and finding comfort in Jase Ballenger's arms during the long nights as they trek back to civilization definitely defies reason. Even worse is Kazi's realization that Jase's motivations are as understandable as her own; they just don't always mesh with her orders. How can she betray a man who fights for freedom, family, and recognition as a sovereign nation, and who has slowly wormed his way into her heart?

The heart of Dance of Thieves is the growing relationship between Jase and Kazi, not just as a couple but as two individuals who respect and admire the other's motivations. They face significant obstacles since their goals prevent them from ever being fully truthful with the other until the very end. However, I liked both of them immensely. Both protagonists are loyal to a fault, protective, and painfully fair when they evaluate each other, and they regret the things they have to conceal, like normal human beings. I believed the conflicts that Jase and Kazi faced to their relationship, primarily duty to the Rahtan/Queen vs duty to family, and I cared about how difficult it would be for them to transform their fragile alliance to stay alive in the wilderness into a lasting relationship with no major secrets.

I also enjoyed how Pearson portrayed Kazi's relationship with Wren and Synove, the other two Rahtan in her age bracket. All three girls carried trauma, and they supported each other and helped protect their group from more hurt. I appreciated that while Synove is portrayed as a flirt who enjoys liaisons with different men Kazi and Wren didn't judge her for that choice; they just chalked it up to Synove's personality and moved on unless it affected their ability to complete a mission.

My only quibble with Dance of Thieves is that the resolution felt anti-climatic. Suddenly, the main barrier between Jase and Kazi's future disappeared, and they were free to be together. Pearson hinted at some problems down the road, but they aren't shown in the last few pages. After so much drama and intrigue up until this point I was left a little disappointed (I think I was cynically expecting no resolution in this book and wanted them to struggle for a few more novels). At the same time this may hint at the other two books providing Wren and Synove-centric stories, which I strongly support.

Dance of Thieves provided me with a historical fantasy setting with a nice dose of intrigue, adventure, and ballsy female characters to entertain me for a spell. Ultimately, it didn't have quite the bite I wanted, but it's an enjoyable read that will give many fantasy readers, both young and old, something to devour during their downtime.

4 Sweetly Romantic Riddles out of 5

I have attempted to read Pearson’s other novels with little success. I was hoping this to be different because the description sounded like it held some promise. Right from the start I had the same issues that I did with her other novels which was the writing style and characters. I was hoping for characters development that I have not already read a million times and I was hoping that her writing has matured from my last attempt at her books, which was the Kiss of Deception but no. Her writing still feels like it needs some work. It is a weird feeling when I am reading and the story is so slow and yet so lacking at the same time. As for the characters once again boring. I have tried and this author just is not for me.

I am a huge fan of Mary E. Pearson. From The Jenna Fox Chronicles to The Remnant Chronicles, her words transport me into some pretty spectacular worlds. She has always painted a very clear and concise picture that adds an element of world-building that I truly appreciate. When I found out that Dance of Thieves was a continuation of this world, I was beyond excited.

Dance of Thieves is story told through a dual point-of-view. We meet Kazi, a legendary thief and a Rahtan for the Queen., and Jase, the new Patrei of the Ballenger empire. In a moment of time, they are brought together in unforseen circumstances. There are emotions and a closeness that they never expected. But once they are brought back to the rest of the world changes everything.

Kazi is a strong-willed and independent heroine. She is a flawed heroine, and I love that about her. I feel very connected to Kazi, including her personality, her thoughts, and her gumption. Throughout this book, I became to understand her with every action and conversation. Kazi became a real character, and I appreciated that so much.

Jase is more of an enigma, at least to me. While he may seem more of an open book, I found his character to be so complex that I felt I was dissecting him throughout the book. I enjoyed getting to know him. I felt it was like a challenge.

As always, Mary’s writing is superb. The pacing of the details revealed is always spot on. I never once got bored, or found my mind wandering. The prose was so lovely, and I was captivated from the first page until the last. There were many moments that brought me on an emotional roller coaster, and I loved every minute of it.

I cannot wait for more of Kazi and Jase. I highly urge you to read Dance of Thieves. No, you do not need to read or finish The Remnant Chronicles. There are a few spoilery things and a few things that are referenced from the books.

Happy reading!

I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.

Apparently this book is close to 500 pages, and I devoured them ALLLLLLLLL in two days. An admission: I am a sucker for a well-written romance, especially when it's in a fantasy adventure/mystery setting. Having read a lot of YA/NA fantasy romance lately, and being disappointed in pretty much most of them, I was expecting this book to be a dud.

It was not a dud.

It was nowhere near a dud.

I loved every freaking minute of this book and I want more!

The characters are well-developed. They all have backstories, histories that make them who they are. The world is rich with tradition and origin stories. The plot is convoluted in the right ways, and while I did guess at several of the "twists," I didn't feel let down that I was right. The romance is even believable, which isn't true for most of the crap I've read lately. I think my only real gripe about the romance is that these two are so in love with each other and make out all the time but they never actually "do it," as Synove likes to say. Not that people need to have sex to get a romance going (I like when they don't, TBH), but there was a loooooot of heat between these two people and it's kind of hard to imagine that nothing but kissing was going on.

Anyway, I'll be clearing my schedule for book two when it comes out, because I really need to know what happens next. And apparently this is set in a world the author has written about before? Looks like I have a whole new stack of books to add to my ever-increasing TBR pile...

Fabulous! It was a wonderful surprise to return to Pearson’s world of the Remnant Chronicles and she did not disappoint. The characters were just as rich and mature. The plot was nice and twisty. And...the best (or the worst) part was the unanswered questions at the end letting the reader know there was more on the way! I love this series!

2.5 Stars

This series had the same issue for me as her previous - it's too long. I stopped reading multiple times because nothing was happening and I was bored. I finished two other books while still reading this. So why did I round it up to 3 stars?

First, the characters. For the most part I really enjoyed the new cast Pearson introduced. Kazi was tough and smart but also still that scared 6 year old who watched her mother being taken away by slavers. She always put on a front but we got to see the inner workings of her mind and her cunningness is unbound. Then there's Jase, the new king so to speak of his territory after the sudden death of his father (was it really illness??). Here's a character who was so set in his ways that considering other kingdom's lives never crossed his mind. But he was a fierce protector and loved his kingdom and his family thoroughly. His dedication was admirable but his compassion was his strength.

Second, when Pearson finally gets around to revealing the plot and all of the twists - it's actually very interesting (even if it takes forever to get there). She also has a knack for cliffhangers, which I find slightly annoying because my mind always wants the answers and Pearson never really gives you any.

However, she really needs to work on her pacing. The entire first 30% or so was boring. I almost stopped reading. Then something would happen and then nothing. The flow of this book was nonexistent and there were so many passages that could have been cut out to help move it along. And this is my biggest complaint with her books. It's not a slow burn, it just drags. It got to the point where I honestly didn't care what happened as long as something did.

You don't need to read the Remnant Chronicles to read this, although it would probably give you a better understanding of the world and it's history. There are also crossover characters (yay Rafe!) who we get to see and see what happened to them. I know other people loved this one and the previous series, but for me, it was lacking.

Set in the young adult fantasy world of Mary. E. Pearson's best-selling Remnant series, "Dance of Thieves" tells the story of Kazimyrah, a former thief and current member of the queen's guard, and Jase, the young leader of an outlaw family ruling at the edge of the queen's realm.

Appearances from some Remnant series characters will please fans of the original books. Otherwise, "Dance of Thieves" doesn't quite hold its own.

When Kazi and her companions come to Jase's territory on a mission for the queen, Jase and Kazi are thrust together in an unexpected way and forced to see the world through the other's eyes. The closer they get, the more the secrets they keep from each other threaten to tear them apart. In the end, they will have to decide where their true loyalties lie.

The romance between Jase and Kazi is the strongest point of the book, but loses its tension early on as Kazi basically pretends to become a part of Jase's family. The reader knows the pair are keeping secrets from one another, but the plot drags on as they avoid inevitably revealing them and not much else really happens.

Towards the end the story finally picks up, even signing off with a gut-wrenching teaser for a sequel. But the sagging middle makes it hard for a reader to get there.

Fans of the Remnant series will likely enjoy returning to a world and characters they love, and others might do better to start with the original series before picking this one up. "Dance of Thieves" seems to do more for those who already enjoy Pearson's books and doesn't stand very well on its own.

So here goes the moment that I admit something terrible, I haven't read the series that this is a spin-off of. It's on my TBR, been on my TBR for ages, but it just keeps getting pushed aside. Why is this important? Two reasons:

First and foremost I think is that in my opinion though this is a spin-off and you should be able to read it as a standalone separate series, I was missing a lot of background. There is an entire world that was built in those first three books and not a whole lot of explanation going into this ew series to make it understandable. I really felt like I had missed some important information that would have made this ultimately a five star read for me. Now the question is of course, who's fault is that? Is it mine for not having read that first series, or is it the authors for making a spin-off that is SO closely tied to the original series that it's less a spin off and more fourth book in the same series? Yes, the main characters are different, but characters from that first series have quite a role in this book as well as just the world in general. I think perhaps a prologue giving us a little history would have been the perfect way to bring new readers into this world. Also, and I don't know for sure that it would have made a difference in my enjoyment of the book because I am uncertain if having read the first series would have made it more understandable, but I was confused for the longest time on the header quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Yes, it does eventually get explained but not until well over half way into the book. Having that prologue with some background might have also alleviated that confusion on my part.

Second, I will be going back and finally getting those first three books from the Remnant Chronicles off my shelves and dusted. I am completely enthralled with this world and need to know everything there is about it. It is clear that the world building that occurred in those first three stories must have been magical if what Mary E. Person gave me in this book is any indication. This is one of those stories that you want to see come alive on the big screen because it's depth and richness hold a beauty that goes beyond the imagination. I can feel the dirty, the ugly, the beauty, the majestic, the wealth, and the poverty dripping off the pages and want to rich out and feel it. It's all right there in my grasp, I just need someone to make it come alive. It reminded me of almost a tribal version of Leigh Bardugo's Ketterdamn and Rave and if you know me at all you know how much of a fan I am of the Grishaverse, this book brought me back to that feeling so reading those first three books is a must for me now.

What did I absolutely love about this book besides the world building, (which was a little love/hate) the characters. I adored the Ballenger's for their faith, tenacity, loyalty, and family ties. I love that in the end everything they do is about protecting those they love and those they serve. Does that mean they always make the right choices, no, as you will see in this story, but in everything they do they do it with good faith and with the belief and desire to protect those in their care. Jase Ballenger, is the perfect YA Fantasy hero. Is he good, is he bad, is he a little of both? He's handsomely rugged, devoted to his family and role as leader (Patrei), he's a young man thrust into an almost impossible situation but determined to continue his families legacy.

Kazi, she's an amazing heroine. She's fierce and independent. She's bold, daring, beautiful, courageous, righteous in her goals, (not always a good thing) determined, compassionate, caring, and though she won't admit it a little bit broken and lost. It makes for a heroine that you will absolutely adore and want to cosplay as soon as you can, lol. She's the girl who takes back her life the only way she can and she makes a meaningful life for herself and though that others by using her abilities to protect and care for them. She and Jase are so much alike that it leads them through ore than a few difficulties but it makes them even more wonderful as a team. I loved these two together. They are just a sweet young couple, both trying to find their way in the world and make their own mark while protecting those in their care. I loved how quiet they were when they were together, when the outside world wasn't barging in-between them. How peaceful and loving they can be. Sadly Mary E. Pearson couldn't just give us that could she, no there has to be suspicion, intrigue, lies, truths, and a whole lot of chemistry thrown in that just makes you swoon and fall for these characters hard.

All the characters were amazing, the evil ones either smarmy and inept or conniving and nefarious. You won't love to hate these characters, you'll just hate them and I love a good villain that is simply a villain, one you know is just plain awful and deserves everything they have coming to them. The other secondary characters, the family of Ballengers, the other Rahtan that are members of Kazi's team, I loved them all. They are all well written with character descriptions that don't leave them in the shadows, but as true players within the story. Though Kazi and Jase are the main characters the others play a vital role in almost every aspect of this story. I am hopeful that with the end of this first book and the way it ended we won't be missing out on seeing more of each of those charters in the future. Clearly we will get more Ballengers, but I don't want to lose out on the rest of the Rahtan either, they were all wonderful members of the story and I need more of them.

If you are a fan of the Remnant Chronicles than I think it is easy for me to say that Dance of Thieves is a must read for you. You will throughly enjoy this book! If you have never read the first series, you can pick up this one and dive in but, as I mentioned earlier there is a lot of backstory about the world that you will be missing out on and I highly suggest reading those previous books first, just to make your enjoyment of this book and series all the better. Also, why do I note 14 as the starting age on this one (remember this is all subjective) it is simply due to a little bit of "Did they do it" talk. If you've had 'the talk' with your younger readers than I think this would be great for an even younger pre-teen, but if not just know it's in there and comes up a few times.

This book is very big and very daunting right now, and I plan on devoting much more time to it at a later date. I’m leaving for vacation the day it’s released and I have been so busy, I haven’t been able to give it the time it deserves.

So far, I can say that I love the characters. Jase and Kazi are both quite smart and I really like their banter. I sense an enemies to friends to lovers thing going on, so I can’t wait to come back to this and see how that plays out.

The first 50 pages have been a little slow, which is another reason why I haven’t been able to spend much time with this one yet, but I can feel it’s starting to gain a little momentum, and hopefully when I pick this up again, I’ll fly through the remaining 400 plus eBook pages.

No rating right now, but I am really liking where this is heading as far as character development, and I hope the action, adventure, and plot pick up and develop just as nicely.

*Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.*