Well, that was a ride. First, this book is absolutely fantastic and a must-read. I was hooked from the beginning (who doesn’t love a long con? And that cover is gorgeous.) and things just kept getting more interesting from there. For nearly 700 pages I was completely enthralled and on the edge of my seat. There were some plot twists I definitely didn’t see coming and such richness and depth to the world and characters that it felt real. I can’t wait to read the next one.
There is a lot of exploration of morally grey characters here (I mean, our main POV is a street rat pulling a long con on the nobility by worming her way into their lives) – but what she finds is not what she expected. And as the political sands shift around her, and she struggles to keep her assumed identities separate, she finds herself struggling with who she can trust.
The magic system is based on pattern – Tarot cards, essentially – and is complex and the cards are woven into the story beautifully.
Also! There is no difference between how same sex and opposite sex relationships are approached and I found it very refreshing.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit books for providing an e-arc to review.
Whimsical Dragonette 