Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson is a fantasy/romance Young-Adult novel. The book goes through dual narration, presenting the points of view of the two main antagonists. The first character introduced is Zazimyrah (Zazi). She is presented as an orphan and skilled thief who serves as a soldier (Rahtan) in the Vendan Queen’s elite guard. She receives a mission to arrest a fugitive hidden in the Ballenger Kingdom. Under Kazi’s lead, Wren and Synove were the other Rahtan soldiers entrusted to help apprehend the fugitive. The Ballengers have ruled Tor’s watch, though it is not a real kingdom. Jase Ballenger, the other protagonist, inherited the territory after his father’s death. He protects the people and presents fierce loyalty towards his family. Throughout the story, he realizes how his title as Patrie (leader) is an honor and a curse. The two characters (despite their distrust) create an alliance through unexpected circumstances. They were chained by labor hunters, causing them to be vulnerable. Jase and Kazi realized the feeling they had for each other as they overcame each obstacle. Though their connection grew deeper, both hid secrets that would affect them later. They knew this was not ideal as they came from different worlds that could not meet. Each was waiting for a moment one would betray the other.
The novel connects the concepts of loyalty, political influence, power, and betrayal. It portrays the connection between trust and survival through unexpected challenges. This novel presents a sense of anticipation as one conflict leads to another. The novel bends romance with action and suspense to emphasize their survival. Kazi’s struggle between duty and desire illustrates the conflicts between following one’s heart or fulfilling obligations and promises. She yearned to prove herself to her kingdom and queen. Similarly, Jase wanted to show how he could balance the struggles of leadership while maintaining his family’s power.
I did not have much expectations for this novel, but after reading it I couldn’t put it down. Readers can look forward to a nail-biting sensation as each twist leads to a more significant part of the story. Though the story starts slow, the action picks up with the encounter between the antagonists. It presents a classic enemies-to-lovers trope as the story goes along. This novel is an excellent addition for readers who enjoy fantasy romance or are willing to try a new genre. Nonetheless, it was an exciting read that captured the effects of love and responsibility.
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