(Did anyone catch the brief nod to Arrow in that synopsis? Was not intentional, I assure you.) It seems to suggest a doorknocker, though perhaps that was intentional and it is the door to Kyra’s destiny? Like Kyra, what differences could we make if we choose to do the right thing, rather than by staying silent or taking the easy route? Also, I don’t think the cover did this book enough justice though it certainly was intriguing. As things get worse and worse for her, Kyra discovers she has the potential to change everything. Her deal with James changes all that, but like many glittering possibilities, it is too good to be true. And despite seeming harmless and beneficial to herself, Kyra’s actions have consequences and have the power to change lives, a truth we all would do well to remember. She is poor, orphaned, and the only thing she can cling to is her skills and her two friends, even her home might be taken away from her at any moment. She was mysterious, but also hard to connect with, perhaps because Kyra herself doesn’t fully have a grip on her own sense of self. While I’m not going to give any of Kyra’s secrets away here, it did seem like she was hard to grasp for the reader at the beginning. When Kyra faces a tough decision, kill for James or her friends will be killed, she finds her fate wrapped up in Tristram’s, and discovers secrets about guild she has been working for, leading to an irreversible knowledge about who she is and what she must do to fight for her own truths.įans of Tamora Pierce and possibly the Warriors series will like this book. Kyra is that thief, and as she’s been working with James for a while now, she is growing deeply unhappy at his methods. Something is forewarning them, and he must catch the thief.

Tristram is trying to avenge his friend, but somehow the Demon Riders are ahead of his every step. They call them Demon Riders for their people ride large cats and have been terrorizing the outer city for months. Meanwhile, Tristram, a young knight at the Palace, is determined to stop the attacks on his city. Kyra, who is always struggling to make ends meet, accepts in spite of feeling uneasy about the deal and turns her talents to filching information for James. Kyra, an orphan turned talented thief, is approached by the head of the Assassin’s Guild, James, to infiltrate the Palace in exchange for coin and teaching. I have two really great fantasies for you today that I am very excited about! Both have strong female main characters and are full of adventure, romance, danger, and a bit of magic.

Daughter of Dusk by Livia Blackburne