Rune is a young jewel thief, motivated by the high-stakes payout, and I loved taking a journey to places I’ve always wanted to visit, including Singapore, NYC and Bangkok. When she almost gets caught on her latest job, she discovers secrets while trying to do the job to free her boyfriend.

I loved the narration so much which really even added another star to my overall rating. Great performance!

*many thanks to Mysterious Press and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Blood Rubies by Mailan Doquang was a fantastic tale that crossed into many countries. The storyline is fast-paced yet easy to follow, making my daily commute more enjoyable.

A hugely fun heist novel and a perfect summer read.

I love a heist gone wrong plot, and this one starts off exactly that way. A mid-tier jewel thief rips off the wrong man, and from their her world unravels.

This is a terrific blend of action and plot, and though parts of it do require a slight suspension of disbelief (there were quite a few moments where I heard myself say aloud “what are the chances?”), I found I didn’t actually mind this at all, and very much enjoyed the adventure of this, however improbable some of its moments may be.

It’s exciting without ever being upsettingly stressful, and I always appreciate lighter reads like this that feel intense and exciting without feeling in the least bit heavy.

This was a fast read and suspenseful. Was slow in parts tho. I struggled with the audio. I felt like the narrator was whispering or something the whole time.

Blood Rubies is a thrilling, fast-paced novel. Rune is a jewel thief who gets in way over her head and has to survive new, dangerous predicaments to save herself and her loved ones. I enjoyed this book, but found parts of Rune’s story to be too dark, while other parts felt anticlimactic. The story was exciting though, and I couldn’t put it down!

Wow, this was a wild ride! It did not take long for Rune's life to vere completely and irrevocably out of control! I was totally here for this and can't wait t to read more books by Mailan Doquang!

#BloodRubies
#NetGalley

Blood Rubies by Mailan Doquang is the author's debut novel that leaves you wanting more of Rune Sarasin and her abilty to get out of extremely tight spots and sticky situations. Rune and her boyfriend Kit, start off the action pact book by stealing Blood Rubies from Charles Lemaire, a man you should never mess with. That was their first mistake. Rune and Kit are soon finding out that the teen center is not what they thought it would be when Kit's sister is now missing along with the rubies. Kit is being held by Charles Lemaire so that Rune can return the stolen rubies which are lost. Now it is up to Rune alone to find Madee and the rubies with no time on her side. This is a very fast paced book with Rune doing everything she can do to save the people that she loves the most. I want to think both NetGalley and Highbridge for letting me listen to this wonderful audio book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC audiobook.

In Blood Rubies, Mailan Doquang takes readers on a heart-pounding journey through the bustling streets of Bangkok, where danger lurks around every corner. This gripping audiobook, narrated by Cindy Kay, weaves together suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists.

Rune Sarasin, a skilled jewel thief, finds herself entangled in a web of crime when a seemingly routine heist goes awry. After stealing a pouch of precious rubies from wealthy smuggler Charles Lemaire’s Bangkok hotel room, Rune’s life takes a dark turn. Her boyfriend, Kit, reveals that his teenage sister, Madee, has gone missing, and Rune’s anxiety mounts as she realizes she lost the gems while searching for the girl in the dangerous Khlong Toei slum.

But Charles Lemaire is no ordinary adversary. A perfectionist with a penchant for violence, he gives Rune an ultimatum: return the rubies or lose Kit forever. Now, Rune must race against time to recover the stolen gems or find something even more valuable to ransom Kit back. As she delves deeper into the shadows of Bangkok, she uncovers a sinister underworld with consequences far beyond a missing girl and a handful of rubies.

Blood Rubies is a rollercoaster ride of suspense, adrenaline, and unexpected alliances. Doquang’s vivid descriptions transport listeners from the glittering streets of Bangkok to the glamorous auction houses of New York City. The author’s familiarity with Bangkok’s nuances shines through, painting a rich tapestry of the city’s contrasts—from opulence to poverty.

Cindy Kay’s narration adds depth to the characters, capturing Rune’s determination and vulnerability. Her pacing keeps listeners on the edge of their seats, especially during high-stakes moments. The audiobook’s length is perfect for binge-listening, and I found myself unable to hit pause as the tension escalated.

However, the novel occasionally veers off course, introducing loose threads that remain unresolved. Rune’s backstory as a jewel thief lacks depth, leaving readers wanting more insight into her motivations. Despite this, the fast-paced plot compensates for any shortcomings.

Blood Rubies is a thrilling ride that combines the allure of precious gems with the urgency of a missing girl. If you enjoy heist stories, intricate plots, and exotic settings, this audiobook is a gem worth discovering. Just be prepared for heart-pounding twists and turns that will keep you guessing.

I appreciated the unique blend of suspense and exotic locales in “Blood Rubies.” While some character development could be stronger, the overall experience is captivating.

I didn't finish the whole book because I just couldn't get behind a jewel thief as the main character. Maybe it works if we want a heist to work or if it is just an unlikeable person, but a criminal solving crimes didn't cut it for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Highbridge Audio & Mailan Doquang for an audio arc of Blood Rubies in exchange for an honest review. I requested an audio arc because I love a heist novel. A jewelry heist, even better.! The settings also seemed appealing.

Unfortunately, like other reviewers, I had a really tough time getting into the story and staying engaged with it. I'm still not sure if that's because of the pacing of the plot, the character development, or the narration itself. Based on other reviews, probably the former two reasons more than the latter.

Rune is a jewel thief. She's just stolen a bunch of rubies when the unthinkable happens. Her boyfriend's fifteen year old sister, Madee, is missing. Since Madee is the only family Kit has left, finding her becomes Rune's priority too. But her recent theft has put her in the sights of an infamous smuggler, Lemaire. Now it's not only a race to find Madee, but also one to outrun Lemaire.

This book has a good premise, and the writing is good, but the story is kind of all over the place. It requires a lot of suspension of disbelief here. Also, I felt like Rune wasn't fully fleshed out until it was too late. We learn the most about her at the end of the book, and by that time it's too late to sympathize with her. I didn't hate this book, but I didn't particularly love it either.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Cindy Kay is my favorite narrator of all time, and once again, she does not disappoint.

In the book Blood Rubies, author Mailan Doquang follows Rune Sarasin who is a thief that steals the wrong persons jewels. Now she is on the run for her life as the owner is a powerful jewel smuggler. Will Sarasin survive? And when her partner is taken as leverage, will she be able to save him? This was a good story idea, but the story seemed to lack focus at times. And the ending left it open to start a series but the ending left a lot of holes in the story line. I would recommend this book. The audio-book narration was ok. The reader act4ed like she was whispering most of the time. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was excellent. The storyline was interesting but parts of it felt so slow. Overall, it was an ok read but probably not one that I would recommend. I’m sure others will love it but it’s just not for me.

How do you typically find your next read? I've developed a range of techniques to discover the next book that will capture my interest. Whether it's browsing bookstore shelves, listening to book review podcasts, or relying on trusted recommendations from fellow readers, each method has led me to some of my favorite reads. Recently, I've added TikTok to my repertoire. It took longer than expected for book-related content to appear on my "For You" page amidst the flood of puppy videos and cooking tutorials. But finally, it's there. One of my favorite creators on the platform offers an insider's look into book cover design, showcasing how he brings publishers' visions to life. His captivating process, particularly evident in a video where he designs the cover for Mailan Doquang's debut thriller Blood Rubies, inspired me to pick up the book.

Rune Sarasin has always understood the risks of her chosen lifestyle as a thief, but nothing could prepare her for the whirlwind of trouble that ensues in just seven days. It all begins with a daring heist of rubies from the luxurious confines of a Bangkok hotel room owned by the affluent smuggler Charles Lemaire. With the help of her boyfriend Kit, Rune narrowly evades Lemaire's relentless pursuit. However, their triumph is short-lived when they receive distressing news: Kit's sister, Madee, has vanished without a trace. Tracking Madee's cell phone leads them to the perilous Khlong Toei slum, where Rune's own mishap compounds their troubles – she inadvertently loses the stolen rubies while searching for Madee.

Charles Lemaire has set his sights on recovering his prized rubies and won't hesitate to resort to violence to achieve his goal. He captures Kit, holding him hostage until Rune returns his stolen jewels. If she fails, Kit will be killed. Now, Rune is thrust into a race against time, torn between reclaiming the lost rubies and rescuing Kit from Lemaire's clutches. Yet, amidst the chaos, Rune cannot ignore the pressing need to uncover the truth behind Madee's disappearance. Delving deeper into the shadows of the Khlong Toei slum, Rune soon discovers a sinister underworld of crime, where the stakes are far higher than a mere collection of stolen jewels or the fate of one missing girl.

I judged Blood Rubies by its cover, and I'm happy to say that the story within was just as captivating as its visually striking exterior. Mailan Doquang immerses readers in a world rife with crime, deception, and high-stakes action, crafting a narrative that unfolds with relentless momentum. This thrilling, globe-spanning tale expertly balances the allure of a daring heist with a protagonist whose personal stakes add depth and resonance to the narrative. Despite some moments of exaggerated action as the plot unfolded, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story, enjoying every twist and turn it had to offer. Blood Rubies is a delightful, pulse-pounding heist adventure that is sure to satisfy any fan of the thriller genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting and intricate book. I enjoyed the heart pounding beginning and felt on the edge throughout the whole book.

2.75 ⭐ ARC from Netgalley, these are my own thoughts and opinions. I get that it was a thriller, but it was an incredibly unrealistic thriller. It was difficult to follow all of the characters that were introduced, and there were so many plotlines happening at once that it was just confusing. The concept of time was nonexistent? I could not tell you the timeframe this book happens in if my life depended on it. Maybe it just wasn't for me, but I wasn't a fan.

Great thriller, a solid 4 stars.

Mystery Thrillers are not my usual cup of tea but I had to make an exception for Blood Rubies because the premise sounded too interesting (and who doesn't love a heist book). Let me tell you I was not dissapointed.

From New York to Bangkok, the book progresses at a pace so fast, I couldn’t put it down. It felt very much like a classic 2010s thriller movie, keeping me on my toes for the entire adventure. The writing style fits the plot perfectly, and the audiobook narrator really does justice to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 rounded up for solid writing and excellent narration. This is the story of a female jewel thief who is almost caught at her latest job, whose boyfriend's sister is missing, and who must pull off the heist of her life to free her boyfriend, but stumbles across a dark secret.... In other words, it's quite a bit messy! Some story lines are hinted at but not resolved. Nevertheless, it's full of unrelenting tension and high-stakes action that take us around Bangkok, to Singapore, and New York City.

The main character is delightfully quirky - self-assured in her safecracking abilities, always hungry, persistent, unafraid. She's a thief, and she stole my heart! I look forward to reading more of this author's books.

2.5 ⭐️ didn’t love this one. The progression of the story was slow with what seemed like unnecessary parts, the book didn’t flow and seemed clunky.

I just couldn’t get into this audio. I soft DNFd it for now and may try to pick up the physical book in the future!