Growing up on Forge's streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that's not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs.
But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she's not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he is persistent-and darkly attractive-and Kyra can't quite resist his pull.
Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by the Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepens, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with uncanny ease.
When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival-and vengeance-might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra's past that threatens to reshape both their lives.
In her arresting debut novel, Livia Blackburne creates a captivating world where intrigue prowls around every corner-and danger is a way of life. Praise for Midnight Thief "Blackburne's fast-paced fantasy will please fans of Leigh Bardugo and Tamora Pierce."
-School Library Journal
Industry Reviews
A debut fantasy spins standard tropes into a dark, morally complex adventure. Fearless former "gutter rat" Kyra gleefully steals from the wealthy, while the upright knight Tristam pledges to defend the city of Forge against the marauding Demon Riders. When the charismatic James persuades Kyra to aid the Assassins Guild in their effort to undermine the corrupt aristocracy, the ensuing plots and counterplots strain loyalties and threaten the entire city. Hoary genre clich s are refreshed by nuanced portrayal: Forge appears a typical medieval-ish fantasy city, but it's rife with oppression and festering resentments; the Demon Riders' wildcats, the only magical element, feel convincingly alien. Kyra, at first seeming a tiresome rehash of the "thief with a heart of gold" type, has her na vet ripped away with a shockingly brutal choice that sends repercussions reverberating throughout the story. James, introduced as a charmingly seductive bad boy, loses his romantic appeal with his cynical manipulations. Even Tristam, the most conventionally virtuous protagonist, finds that base methods in pursuit of laudable ends have tragic consequences. Each character must choose between bad and worse options, and not all make the "right" decision. While both Kyra and Tristam achieve redemption (of a sort) by the end, they pay a cruel price-and neither is altogether certain it was worth the cost. While this volume comes to a satisfying conclusion, thoughtful readers will keep pondering the future of Forge and its people. (Fantasy. 12-18) Kirkus"
A lifetime of thieving to make ends meet on the streets of Forge has left seventeen-year-old Kyra a bit morally flexible, so when she's approached by the leader of the Assassins Guild to put her sneaking skills to use fighting the "fatpurse" nobles, she accepts. Her first kill, however, sends her into a guilt-ridden tailspin and she flees. When she's eventually captured by the Palace Guard, she realizes (along with the help of a handsome young knight) that her activities with the Guild were actually assisting the advancement of the Demon Riders, a group of rebel barbarians responsible for brutal attacks in the countryside. Blackburne offers up a complex world where no one is entirely evil or good, and even those wrestling for power through less than civil means are inspired by noble intentions. Kyra is an appealing heroine, confident in her physical prowess but insecure in her identity, and teenagers in particular may relate to her increasing frustration as her attempts to establish her independence and her own beliefs are constantly thwarted by the powers that be. The romance between Kyra and Tristam, the knight, unfolds sweetly, but it's Kyra's journey toward self-discovery, especially as her childhood connection to the Demon Riders is revealed, that takes precedence. There are plenty of narrow escapes, thrilling chases, and tender kisses to accompany the more thoughtful elements here, too, and readers will be pleased with a satisfactory conclusion that leaves room for a sequel or two. KQG BCCB"
Gr 7 Up Seventeen and long orphaned, Kyra has grown up using her natural speed and stealth to thieve her way through life on Forge's streets. James, the Assassins Guild's attractive and politically minded young leader, recruits Kyra with handsome rewards for herself and her friends, but at what cost? Kyra's dangerous new job turns deadly, and she finds her mission entangled with that of a Palace knight, Tristam, who seeks vengeance for his friend killed by Demon Riders, barbarians who ride on the backs of vicious wildcats. Third-person alternating narratives between Kyra and Tristam effectively set the pace and tension leading up to their unlikely alliance and thrilling discovery of Kyra's heritage. External conflict among the assassins, nobles, and Demon Riders is balanced by Kyra's internal conflict as she faces harrowing moral decisions that make her question her true nature and the measures she will take to protect loved ones. While earlier chapters read more like medieval-era historical fiction and may not appeal to the most reluctant readers, Blackburne's fast-paced fantasy will please fans of Leigh Bardugo and Tamora Pierce. This page-turning debut answers immediate questions and provides satisfying character development, while leaving ample room for additional installments. Hannah Farmer, Austin Public Library, TX SLJ"
Kyra, a daring and stealthy thief from the poor part of the city, is smarty, quick on her feet, and a bit of a wisecracker. Tristam, a noble squire and soon-to-be-knight, wants nothing than to ride on road patrols and live in his family's manor in the forest. As Kyra is trying to sneak into the palace while working for the Assassin's Guild, Tristam catches her and puts her in prison. Their paths cross again when Tristam seeks out the mysterious Demon Riders who killed his friend, and this time Kyra is the one with the power. The two couldn't be more different, but as they unite to fight a common enemy, they realize how much they need each other. Alternating between Kyra's and Tristam's stories, debut author Blackburne's high fantasy is expansive, with entertaining characters and a well-constructed world. While the slow-burn pace may be off-putting for some, fans of Tamora Pierce and other classic fantasy authors will appreciate this solid example of the genre. Stacey Comfort Booklist"
3Q 4P J S Independent and self-assured Kyra is happy to continue her life as a thief, creeping catlike around the city of Forge, but her silence and strength have captured the attention of the Assassin's Guild. The relationship, which includes penetrating the city's innermost circles, will involve more risk, but it will also afford her greater security and the ability to care for Lettie and Idalee, sisters who attempt to eke out a living even further down Forge's economic strata. Similarly, an attack by the Demon Riders-magical beings that enjoy the strength and protection of fierce, enormous cats-impels Tristam to take on a more dangerous position in the Ministry of Defense. Inevitably, Tristam and Kyra's worlds collide, and both are forced to re-examine their alliances-a journey ripe with danger, intrigue, and hidden history. Much of Blackburne's story is not new; however, it is well executed. Kyra and Tristam, as well as most of the essential secondary characters, are effectively drawn, if not terribly original. The characters' language reads unevenly; the occasional "milady" and "make way" do not mix well with the more colloquial "Tell you what," "Really?" and "Wow." Blackburne's strong suit is her plotting, which moves along quickly. She does not waste time weaving Tristam and Kyra's stories into one and making evident the dilemmas they face. None of the twists are especially stunning, but they are well timed and make for a compelling read. Best of all, Kyra is a strong, capable female character not in search of a rescue, and Tristam is not in search of a distressed damsel either. On the whole, this is a satisfying read with the promise of a sequel. Put this in the hands of fans of Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth.-Lauri J. Vaughan VOYA"
