I preordered this book – I’d enjoyed the first two books in the series enough that I knew I wanted to read this sooner rather than later. I did enjoy it, but, it’s my least favorite of the three.
This is the eldest sister – Arabessa’s – story. They are the daughters of the Thief King – a seemingly immortal figure. But their father is mortal, and it’s clear that there must be some sort of succession, and in this book, we find out what that is. And Arabessa is invited to the trials to be the new king.
This story also features her romance with Zimri – who we’ve met before. He was an orphan brought into the household as a child, and even though he and Arabessa have tried to keep their relationship under wraps, everyone in the family knows what’s going on. Which does make that part of the storyline a little irritating – I just don’t buy it. I mean, it’s terribly romantic, but I think I’m a little too old to deal with that kind of thing without a way better backstory.
So, I did enjoy this book, and I do think it nicely finished out the trilogy, but the first two are my favorites.