Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I enjoy his writing style. This book develops more slowly than I normally enjoy, but the narrator did such a great job that I found myself just going with it. Initially the book focuses more on character development, worldbuilding, and political intrigue rather than the typical fantasy elements, but the author eventually gets there. I appreciated the author incorporating the world building through conversations and observation throughout the book rather than a big info dump. It made it much easier understanding the world and how the various characters fit into it.

The MC Lukan is a hot mess. He’s spent the last several years stumbling through life drunk and cheating at cards as the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. He finds out that his estranged father has been murdered under strange circumstances and is determined to find out who killed him. This quest takes him to Saphrona, the fabled city of merchant princes, where anything can be bought for the right price. He catches a child, Flea, trying to steal his coin purse and negotiates a bargain with her for information instead of turning her in.

Flea takes Lukan to a man who gives him the first solid information he’s received that may help lead to answers. Flea glues herself to Lukan’s side, despite his protests, and before you know it, they are on the hunt together. Flea is a street-wise girl that’s seen more than she should and is wise beyond her years. In many instances she’s more of an adult than Lukan and she’s saves his butt on more than one occasion.

Lukan is like a bull in a china shop and has a knack for stumbling into trouble. The end result always pushes the story forward, but it’s not the slick, suave way most MCs achieve their goals in other books. As additional characters are introduced to the story it’s clear that Lukan’s instincts are good regarding who to trust and what motivates them. This helps him get closer to the answers he needs. I love that Lukan surrounds himself with strong, independent, capable women and respects their abilities and opinions.

As the story progresses the stakes get much higher. Lukan’s father was definitely into something big and Lukan has trouble grasping the enormity of it all. Conspiracies abound, enemies are everywhere, and getting to the truth may cost them more than they want to pay. As Lukan goes down the rabbit hole he accumulates allies that he may or may not be able to trust.

For me, the weaknesses in the book revolve around Lukan’s lack of character growth throughout the book. Despite the multiple times Lukan’s rash actions get him into trouble, he never seems to learn from them. He continues to get drunk, mouth off, and screw things up. Rinse and repeat. He also constantly gets saved just in the nick of time just like those cheesy 80’s tv shows where the bomb countdown always stops at 2 seconds left.

I listened to this book and the narrator’s voice is smooth as silk. His ability to change his voice for the multitude of characters was amazing. I never had trouble distinguishing between them and he gets the tone just right. I’ve already started listening to book 2 and thankfully it has the same narrator.

I received a complimentary audio copy of this book from MacMillan Audio. All opinions are my own.