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Mouse: Scoundrel at Large
Mouse never dreamed he would miss his old life on the streets. Yet, here he was.
Life in the Night Fingers was nothing like he had expected or had been promised. The untimely death of guild master Surev had brought Jardem Blacksworn into power, and this new guild master somehow knew things that could land Mouse in a dungeon. Or worse. Mouse is trapped, blackmailed, doing Jardem’s bidding for no coin, gaining no status, no allies, and no respect.
But Jardem is up to something. The strange document he had Mouse pinch from a rich merchant’s bedroom has garnered some unwelcome attention for Mouse. Most notably, from the Shadow Elite, a secretive and deadly organization working against the powers of the crown. Signs point to Jardem keeping this document for himself. If Mouse can learn what it is, it could be the leverage he needs to break free from the guild forever.
But the document is more dangerous than he realizes. Anyone connected to it winds up dead. And those hunting it are growing desperate. If Mouse is to escape from under Jardem’s heel, he needs to not only keep himself alive but also the strikingly handsome and rather naïve merchant who may be the key to the whole mystery.
Life in the Night Fingers was nothing like he had expected or had been promised. The untimely death of guild master Surev had brought Jardem Blacksworn into power, and this new guild master somehow knew things that could land Mouse in a dungeon. Or worse. Mouse is trapped, blackmailed, doing Jardem’s bidding for no coin, gaining no status, no allies, and no respect.
But Jardem is up to something. The strange document he had Mouse pinch from a rich merchant’s bedroom has garnered some unwelcome attention for Mouse. Most notably, from the Shadow Elite, a secretive and deadly organization working against the powers of the crown. Signs point to Jardem keeping this document for himself. If Mouse can learn what it is, it could be the leverage he needs to break free from the guild forever.
But the document is more dangerous than he realizes. Anyone connected to it winds up dead. And those hunting it are growing desperate. If Mouse is to escape from under Jardem’s heel, he needs to not only keep himself alive but also the strikingly handsome and rather naïve merchant who may be the key to the whole mystery.
512 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2023
11 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 31, 2023
I finally finished this before the month was out, just barely, but I did it. 🥳 No fault of the book that it took me so long. I ended up rereading Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation in a BR because there was no way I couldn't not read it, and that derailed all my reading plans for this month, but it was worth it. And now that I've shamelessly plugged another book, let's get back to our regularly scheduled review. 😁
I knew going in that this was a prequel, so I wasn't expecting anything on the romance front. If you're picking this up thinking it'll be a romance, you'll be disappointed. There is a love interest of sorts, if you can call him that, but it obviously goes nowhere since we know who Mouse ends up with in the next book, and it's not this guy.
It's a good book and I do like Mouse a lot. It was fun, and thankfully it wasn't as similar in premise to Lord Mouse as it originally appeared to be. There was a lot going on, and that kept the momentum moving at a good pace, so even when I would take several days between reading this I could still pick it up and remember what had happened before. It was interesting to see his quasi-origin story, but I'm not sure this story was really necessary. I suppose those who will get the most out of this will be the ones reading it prior to Lord Mouse.
The editing also took a nosedive around the halfway mark. Not enough to be unreadable, not by a long shot, but it was enough to annoy me.
I knew going in that this was a prequel, so I wasn't expecting anything on the romance front. If you're picking this up thinking it'll be a romance, you'll be disappointed. There is a love interest of sorts, if you can call him that, but it obviously goes nowhere since we know who Mouse ends up with in the next book, and it's not this guy.
It's a good book and I do like Mouse a lot. It was fun, and thankfully it wasn't as similar in premise to Lord Mouse as it originally appeared to be. There was a lot going on, and that kept the momentum moving at a good pace, so even when I would take several days between reading this I could still pick it up and remember what had happened before. It was interesting to see his quasi-origin story, but I'm not sure this story was really necessary. I suppose those who will get the most out of this will be the ones reading it prior to Lord Mouse.
The editing also took a nosedive around the halfway mark. Not enough to be unreadable, not by a long shot, but it was enough to annoy me.
October 17, 2023
A prequel to Lord Mouse, this is actually a better read IMO. The action-pacing, the world-building, the heightened sense of danger and malevolence from powerful city figures/league heads ... these are what the author does best. There's not much by way of romance (save nearer toward the ending) and even then not a HFN finale (since those have already read Lord Mouse will know how things would eventually go down relation-wise for Mouse and Garron).
May 11, 2025
This is a lot of fun, as a gay fantasy noir it largely delivers. The big sex scene was a little jarring. (I’m not a big fan of a foot fetish scene to begin with, but having one character suck another’s toes when that person had literally earlier been walking in a sewer was less sexy than perhaps intended). Still, the adventure and detective-ing was good fun. I had read the book. This is a prequel to, but didn’t really remember it very well.
September 23, 2023
Eight years after releasing Lord Mouse, author Mason Thomas returns to the fantasy lands of Davenia once again with a prequel about Mouse's early years, set about 20 years prior to the first book.
After being forced to flee his home due to an unfortunate incident involving a young nobleman's death, Mouse lived a hard scrabble existence on the streets of Har Teresa. Eventually he caught the eye of the thief who ran the local thieves' guild, and was inducted into service. But as all things change, leadership changes and the new leader, Jardem, is an unscrupulous leader who ruled by fear, intimidation, blackmail, and oh so much worse. Somehow, Jardem had discovered Mouse's secret and blackmailed him to be his slave. Mouse is forced to take jobs for very little money or respect. Trapped, he can't quite figure his way out. Until one night, after stealing a document with a red-wax seal from a local noble, he stumbles onto a young merchant being held prisoner underneath the thieves' guild. This is against thieves' guild policy, and Mouse figured out quickly that if Jardem is willing to do this, what else has that crook done?
I enjoyed seeing this younger side of Mouse, not quite the confident adventurer of his later years. The writing on this one felt a little clunky, and there were passages that could have been truncated or completely eliminated. The very extended sex scene at about 80% didn't really get me (though Tenric sure could.) Also losing my attention at times were some very repetitive parts.
Since this is a prequel, reading Lord Mouse is not necessary, since this does serve as a stand alone story. We do revisit the traumatic incident that sends Mouse fleeing home, so that does get explained (again.)
Hoping the author brings us a new Davenia book with Mouse!
I'd rate this not quite 4 stars, about 3.85 or so. Rounding up to 4 stars.
After being forced to flee his home due to an unfortunate incident involving a young nobleman's death, Mouse lived a hard scrabble existence on the streets of Har Teresa. Eventually he caught the eye of the thief who ran the local thieves' guild, and was inducted into service. But as all things change, leadership changes and the new leader, Jardem, is an unscrupulous leader who ruled by fear, intimidation, blackmail, and oh so much worse. Somehow, Jardem had discovered Mouse's secret and blackmailed him to be his slave. Mouse is forced to take jobs for very little money or respect. Trapped, he can't quite figure his way out. Until one night, after stealing a document with a red-wax seal from a local noble, he stumbles onto a young merchant being held prisoner underneath the thieves' guild. This is against thieves' guild policy, and Mouse figured out quickly that if Jardem is willing to do this, what else has that crook done?
I enjoyed seeing this younger side of Mouse, not quite the confident adventurer of his later years. The writing on this one felt a little clunky, and there were passages that could have been truncated or completely eliminated. The very extended sex scene at about 80% didn't really get me (though Tenric sure could.) Also losing my attention at times were some very repetitive parts.
Since this is a prequel, reading Lord Mouse is not necessary, since this does serve as a stand alone story. We do revisit the traumatic incident that sends Mouse fleeing home, so that does get explained (again.)
Hoping the author brings us a new Davenia book with Mouse!
I'd rate this not quite 4 stars, about 3.85 or so. Rounding up to 4 stars.
May 15, 2023
Mouse: Scoundrel At Large is a delightfully perfect prequel to Lord Mouse!
I had an ARC of this book and saying I screeched with excitement when the file came through would be an understatement. Lord Mouse is one of my all-time favorite fantasy books and I was over the moon to read a prequel. Backstories are one of my literary weaknesses, and this one is done with perfection. Mason Thomas did not disappoint!
Mouse is a scoundrel. A rogue. A thief. Cocky, arrogant, and very sure of himself. Or so he thinks. Mouse: Scoundrel At Large introduces the reader to Mouse in his early days, before he hones his skills, before he learns a lot of life’s lessons. That’s not to say he doesn’t already think he knows everything—and his missteps in his youth lead to a thrilling, fast-paced read. This book is Mouse at his core—but not. And that’s the most brilliant thing about it. Mouse is training, practicing. He’s young, not the veteran master we find him as in Lord Mouse. He thinks he’s experienced, but then gets knocked down a few pegs and realizes he’s still very much a novice in certain realms of life and his chosen trade. He makes mistakes—big ones. He lets his emotions get the better of him. He gets flustered. Learning on the streets and in the Guild is difficult and dangerous, and Mouse experiences his fair share of near-misses and big blunders. This is a fascinating view into who he was before he became the famous Lord Mouse.
As one would expect from Mason Thomas, this book is gritty, witty, and filled with action and adventure. Intrigue and suspense. Betrayals, revenge, and, of course, a little romance. A beautifully written fantasy tale.
I had an ARC of this book and saying I screeched with excitement when the file came through would be an understatement. Lord Mouse is one of my all-time favorite fantasy books and I was over the moon to read a prequel. Backstories are one of my literary weaknesses, and this one is done with perfection. Mason Thomas did not disappoint!
Mouse is a scoundrel. A rogue. A thief. Cocky, arrogant, and very sure of himself. Or so he thinks. Mouse: Scoundrel At Large introduces the reader to Mouse in his early days, before he hones his skills, before he learns a lot of life’s lessons. That’s not to say he doesn’t already think he knows everything—and his missteps in his youth lead to a thrilling, fast-paced read. This book is Mouse at his core—but not. And that’s the most brilliant thing about it. Mouse is training, practicing. He’s young, not the veteran master we find him as in Lord Mouse. He thinks he’s experienced, but then gets knocked down a few pegs and realizes he’s still very much a novice in certain realms of life and his chosen trade. He makes mistakes—big ones. He lets his emotions get the better of him. He gets flustered. Learning on the streets and in the Guild is difficult and dangerous, and Mouse experiences his fair share of near-misses and big blunders. This is a fascinating view into who he was before he became the famous Lord Mouse.
As one would expect from Mason Thomas, this book is gritty, witty, and filled with action and adventure. Intrigue and suspense. Betrayals, revenge, and, of course, a little romance. A beautifully written fantasy tale.
June 2, 2023
Loved the rich style, and the story.
Finally, a book which is not written following base clichés and whatever writing and genre conventions are (and mean...). Refreshing to see, as well as the sometimes one-word sentences so many authors shy from when those cadence the writing and give a great reading experience. So much can be said in just one word. The book worked for me, I enjoyed it, and needed to find out the outcome, so it was hard to put down. I don’t like being bored by world building, so it was great to discover some of the world via the characters, who are thankfully not numerous, and their names easy to remember. It was also great to have it set in one town and not have endless traveling to places you then need to look up on the map to even remember where they are, and what they are called.
Thieving scenes were great, I was there with Mouse, feeling what he felt. That passion for it pervades the whole book.
Sex scenes were great.
The ending is spot on for the story. I won’t say more not to spoil it.
Overall, a great book, with lots of “wordgasms”, finally in third person past, and with a rich vocabulary that challenges the reader in a great way. Thank you for this gem!
Finally, a book which is not written following base clichés and whatever writing and genre conventions are (and mean...). Refreshing to see, as well as the sometimes one-word sentences so many authors shy from when those cadence the writing and give a great reading experience. So much can be said in just one word. The book worked for me, I enjoyed it, and needed to find out the outcome, so it was hard to put down. I don’t like being bored by world building, so it was great to discover some of the world via the characters, who are thankfully not numerous, and their names easy to remember. It was also great to have it set in one town and not have endless traveling to places you then need to look up on the map to even remember where they are, and what they are called.
Thieving scenes were great, I was there with Mouse, feeling what he felt. That passion for it pervades the whole book.
Sex scenes were great.
The ending is spot on for the story. I won’t say more not to spoil it.
Overall, a great book, with lots of “wordgasms”, finally in third person past, and with a rich vocabulary that challenges the reader in a great way. Thank you for this gem!
July 10, 2023
Mouse: Scoundrel At Large, while categorized as an LGBTQ+ book, can easily be enjoyed by anyone in the mainstream. The author does an amazing job setting up the city of Mouse, a thief (who we have read about before) trying to make a living in a thieving guild. Mouse is endearing to the reader, anyone who’s ever played a rogue in D&D will immediately think, this is exactly what I want my thief to be like. He’s surrounded by an amazing supporting cast which the author does a fantastic job fleshing out each character that Mouse encounters. Using his thieving skills, he must figure out a mystery within his guild and the political underworld of the city. One could say he’s not just a thief, but also a detective. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat, always guessing what mess will Mouse get into and how will he use his clever wits and street savviness to escape. This is a prequel to Lord Mouse and the prequel is a bit spicier than Lord Mouse, but it doesn’t overshadow the amazing storytelling skills at hand. Looking forward to more Mouse adventures.
June 7, 2023
Fantastic story!
GREAT pacing, love the twists and turns, the ending was fantastic. I didn’t realize this was a prequel but I’m off to read everything else by Mason Thomas immediately.
GREAT pacing, love the twists and turns, the ending was fantastic. I didn’t realize this was a prequel but I’m off to read everything else by Mason Thomas immediately.
June 15, 2023
Loved it. I really like the Lords of Davenia books and this prequel to the first story gave a wonderful background to what made Mouse the thief extraordinaire, not to mention a great worldbuilding that sets the tone.
I really hope the author will provide a sequel to The Witchstone Amulet.
I really hope the author will provide a sequel to The Witchstone Amulet.
June 6, 2023
4.5*
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews