Exciting new fantasy!

Among Thieves by M.J. Kuhn          

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A familiar trope executed in a ‘eyes wide open’ way. You know, where the Bad Ass female lead, crime lord Callum Glen’s executioner / assassin ends up on a quest, with not a ship full of fools, but a ship full of lethal allies, each in their own way an expert, and indebted to seek an artefact that will destroy even more of the freedoms of those not part of acceptable society. A society at the mercy of the Guildmaster and his Disciples. The enemy! Then there’s the Guildmaster’s Adepts, part of a frightening army, dehumanised talented entities who become unthinking slaves bound to the Guildmaster. When I say talented I mean those with extra sensory type gifts, who are ripped away from their families and subjugated through horrific means.

Ryia Cautella, dubbed the Butcher of Carrowick, is a deadly blade and along with this rather fascinating group of riffraffs sets sail to take on an unwinnable challenge, each for different reasons.  Their destination? The Guildmaster’s stronghold. Ryia holds a deeply held secret pushed down into the dark recesses of her mind. This journey may well be her last! I really enjoyed each of the crew.

Among Thieves is a rollicking, fast paced tale, where a reluctant hero and her equally reluctant companions are in a race against time searching for the key to a powerful artefact whilst being met by the dreaded forces of an evil overlord. But the ending hangs on a shocking note. All these tropes combine for a rapid read.

A Gallery Books / Saga Press ARC via NetGalley