The Pirate King's Thief

Realm of Dragons and Fae #3

by Alisha Klapheke

Loosely inspired by The Princess Bride, this standalone romantasy will delight readers who love the whimsy of Holly Black, the worlds of Sarah J. Maas, and the fun of Pirates of the Carribean.

A lady thief. A Fae pirate turned bard. A dragon's hoard of secrets.

Lina spends her days as the perfect noble lady and her nights robbing the type of men her father demands she wed. She wants gold to bribe her way onto a ship and flee her gilded cage.

Zavi is cursed. To regain his wiped memories, the Fae pirate must sneak into a nobleman's ship and find a magic object. If he fails, he will never know what happened to his brother.

Lina and Zavi could attempt the heist—to cure him and free her—only if he can convince her he isn't the villain in this story.

But neither of them know the secret that will turn everything upside down...

If you love adorable dragons, banter, found family, a cozy vibe but with higher stakes, secrets, a dash of spice, tension, and tattooed males with pointy ears, this fantasy romance standalone is perfect for you.

***This novel is upper YA/NA and contains mature situations.

***The story takes place in the same world as The Fae King's Assassin, The Unseelie King's Rebel, and Bound by Dragons. You may begin with this book.

"What a fantastic story! A fiery thief, a handsome fae bard, and a group of fierce best friends you can’t help but root for. The twists and angst punched me in the heart in the best kind of way, and the romance had the perfect balance of spice, sweetness, and swoon. I heartily recommend!"

~Tessonja Odette, author of the bestselling Entangled with Fae series

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Pirates, Romance, Romantasy, Fiction, Dragons

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 14, 2023

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author Alisha Klapheke strives to write fantasy romance inspired by history and informed by her travel worldwide.

*Get a Deluxe Collector's Edition of Dragons Rising with faux leather, sprayed edges, and gold foil today https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Reviews

[Gayreth Walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Enchanting and Spellbinding"! Alisha Klapheke does an exceptional job of weaving an epic tale that draws you in immediately! The plot is strong and the pace moves well. I loved the interaction between Lina and Zavi, both characters are appealing yet flawed. I found them very engaging. Also the other characters are well developed too! I found this story to be a unique page turner and I fully enjoyed it! This is a standalone which was kind of nice for a change. (This book has a release date of Dec. 15th, 2023, so watch for it)! (I received this book as an ARC and this is my true and honest review).

[bookgirlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7⭐️

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third standalone in the Realm of Dragons and Fae series, The Pirate King's Thief, takes us to the human realm where a cursed king needs a little thief to shake up his world.


This book had a great cast of characters. MFC, Lina is rebellious, and adventurous and wants to live life to the fullest. She wants freedom not just for herself but for her found family, her sisters, and she's brave enough and quick-witted enough to get it. How could I not like her, she breathes life.


Oh, I liked Zavi from the start. He's a charmer but somehow genuine. He has this bright personality but can be just as deadly as any far. The man has a can't keep me down personality that people gravitate to, you can't help but like him. He gives off good vibes.


Where's your sense of adventure? The book was everything I wanted in a fantasy. It was one big adventure with equal parts thrill and danger. There was of course theft, a curse, a big heist, light kidnapping, major plot twists, and of course flirting all set in the background of the high seas. Honestly, I never thought I would like a pirate book, there was one exception and one exception only and wouldn't you know it, it was a fantasy. How most of the story turned out was quite unexpected, and I loved it more because of that.


The Pirate King's Thief is everything a fantasy read should be, adventurous, dangerous... exciting. That's exactly what this book was, exciting. I kept waiting for things to happen and boy did things happen. It was wild. Alisha has added another great one to the Realm series.

[Lottie1996 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lady thief. A cursed fae pirate bard. A heist that could change everything… and yes, there’s a BABY DRAGON 🐉💖

Lina spends her days as the perfect noble lady, but when the sun goes down she turns thief, robbing the very men her father would force her to wed. All she wants is enough gold to buy her freedom and escape her gilded cage.

Enter Zavi, the fae pirate turned bard whose memories have been stolen by a curse. To get them back, he needs a magical object hidden deep in enemy hands. When their paths collide, the heist of a lifetime begins, filled with secrets, danger, and a spark between them neither can deny.

And then Lina gives us the line that healed me:
✨ “My Zavi. My Bard. My Mate.” ✨

This book was EVERYTHING. Out of the trilogy, this one stole my whole heart…the stories just got better and better, and this finale was pure magic. The found family vibes (my absolute fave trope 🙌🏻), the trio of badass ladies owning every page, and Zavi… oh Zavi 😍 What a man.

And did I mention the BABY DRAGON?! 🐉💞 That alone deserves 5 stars!

If you want a cozy standalone with adventure, romance, found family, and a dash of spice, this book will sweep you away.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining pirate read! This was the first book of the series I picked up, because it had to do with pirates.

I especially like the memory stone curse that the fae pirate, Zavi, endured for years, which wiped his memory. It was a plausible way to block his memories and alter his appearance from when he was a pirate. When Lina meets him current day he's a bard, playing instruments at a bar.

I was definitely getting Wesley vibes, from The Princess Bride, with his charming yet direct statement attitude. Some of these came off a little cheeky and kind of pulled me out of the story, they didn't always fit with Zavi's personality established in this story.

The story was well constructed and progressed at a solid pace. At times, it seemed like action was happening, but nothing major was happening. Like there was a lot of preparation and then set backs. Eventually, everything met together and made for a riveting climax with an epic battle of pirate men and the guards.

In the end, all was resolved and Lina and Zavi got their HEA!

[Sarah | Retro Girl Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first picked up “The Pirate King’s Thief,” I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially since Alisha Klapheke is a new to me author.

But oh my gosh - this was an amazing read! I loved the fact that it was loosely based on The Princess Bride, but I also thought that the story was very original.

The world building was fantastic and well thought out, and I fell in love with this world that Klapheke has created.

Zavi and Lina were both likable characters, and I enjoyed reading about them. They both had good character development, as well!

I loved Zavi because he was incredibly swoony and extremely caring; he did make mistakes but overall I thought his heart was in the right place.

As for Lina, I admired her tenacity and the way she would do anything for the people she loves. She’s bold and confident, which I can admire and respect.

To sum it up, this was a wonderfully entertaining read, and I highly recommend it to fans of fantasy romance!

[Carola · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3,5*

[kay reads]

dnf at p 177

I really tried but this is not for me, i was just not curious enough to finish it!! Gorgeous cover though!

[gio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank god my hopes weren’t high for this one. It was boring.

[Ravs · Rating 2 out of 5]

I-what? Good in theory but pointless execution.

[Ilsa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that after Lina finds the truth the book goes to trash. I was very close to not finishing it. The way that all 3 females act and talk in regard to Zavi made me really mad. Like he hadn’t helped them. And he wasn’t needed for sailing. And like he wasn’t a pirate who could handle himself against them. It annoyed to an extreme.

[Beba Andric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa what an awesome start to a book! I immediately wanted to know more and the more I was reading it, the more I was sucking in each word! As if I were a parched individual in the middle of a desert! Desperate for the next line.....of words, not illegal substance, geesh! That's what Alisha does to me, I'm entirely addicted to her books, to her style of writing and to her exceptionally exciting and immersive books. But back to this book, it's one of those that will have your head in a tiz, your emotions outside your body, playing havoc with them.

First up we meet Moth, aka Lina, a woman of privilege and wealth, a woman who is an extremely proficient thief(on the sly), who's path crosses with an unusual bard, who sets her senses reeling. She's a wonderful character, she is a total non conformist, she loathes how society diminishes women and what would be expected from her. But she's desperate to escape the smothering control of this society and her parents who are forcing her into a marriage with a condescending pompous ass. Heck, if I was in this situation, I'd run a mile too. She has two awesome friends, Phoenix and Star, who are just as cool as she is, they each have their own burden and reason to get the heck out of Masdam. I love the warmth and affection they have for each other, the support they give each other and the incredible sisterhood they form. And they have a plan....3 women, 2 kids and now a bard in the mix, scheme a daring plan, a plan I fully admit to WANTING them to succeed!

Zavi, that's the bard Lina meets, has no clue who he is, where he's from or any memory at all, other than singing in taverns for the past 5 years, except by his reactions. He can fight, he's quick, so he concludes he must have once been a warrior of sorts, he know he can be deadly. Although, by the numerous tattoos he has, it would appear he was a sailor or even perhaps a pirate. Each time he tries to remember his past, each time he gets a vision, a pain in his side manifests, debilitating pain.... The build up to the discovery is full of drama and energy, and I can say with each nuance, I just loved him more. I was literally dying to find out who cursed him, how they managed and why. I DIDN'T expect what unfolded...He does make mistakes, he feels he has to, he needs to find his brother and he needs the help of Lina and her friends. He's a good sort though, that much is evident throughout, he's remorseful of these actions, although I can understand why he feels he has no option.

The attraction sparking between Zavi and Lina is electric! What a perfect March Zavi and Lina are! They're both sassy, they're both quick on the uptake, they're both incredibly smart, they're both incredibly loyal. I loved every second of their banter and interactions, I loved how they tried denying themselves, until they couldn't anymore. I was feeling all warm and fuzzy, enjoying them as much as they were enjoying each other AND THEN....about three quarters of the way into the book, I suddenly jolted upright and a "no Alisha, you didn't!" exploded from my lips. But she did, she had, OMG, what a shock! What a flipping twist! No, not a twist, it was like lightening decided to strike on a perfectly clear day and zap me good and solid!

High tension, a plot woven like a fine tapestry that unravels in parts, only to have the author go back and reinforce the threads, had me on the edge of my seat, the beautifully descriptive world and IMMENSELY enjoyable story, evoked every emotion in me. This author is phenomenal in her storytelling, in her expertly crafted storytelling, I've been an avid fan since reading my first book by her and always look forward to what's next. And if this doesn't clinch it for you, I'll add this... there's a tiny dragon....

[Marilla Kennell · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF-I reallllllllly hate to give a book I intend to finish such a low rating, but the speed at which the plot tripped along and the inane development of the characters drove me batty. Fantasy books require a certain touch to truly bring a world alive and allow it to flourish and while it's fun to introduce easy to navigate conflicts, by 30% progress in this book, I was rolling my eyes at the staccato pacing and too swiftly and too easily resolved conflicts. Why yes, kidnapping children is as easy as being the most deft thief in the world. Of course they will trust you. Of course you will outrun the dog. Of course the cook won't turn around. Though part of any book is suspending disbelief and being willing to say why yes, of course the dashing hero just happens to stumble across the villain within this set narrative, there's plausible disbelief and then OK this isn't really believable in the realm of any reality.

That aside, can I please complain about the romance. While every romance novel (OK. Yes exaggeration.) MOST romance novels trip along the path of romance at a pace no man or woman in their right mind should follow as exemplar, this one is beyond unbelievable. If a girl wants to make out with a guy in the back alley because he's hot, cool, do it. But seriously the she's drawn to him in a way she can't fathom or understand/they are fated lovers and therefore we can speed up the pace of the romance by 12 months is such an annoying trope. Let's have a LITTLE will they won't they just to give us something to look forward too. If they're hawt and heavy before 25% of the book has gone by AND the plot is mind-numbingly inane, why keep reading?

Honestly, I'm not sure why I even kept reading this book. Let's call it OCD and boredom because as much as I know it's hard and difficult to put your work out and have it critiqued by people who obviously don't know what they're talking about, there is importance to being able to grow in craft. And the small highlights of there's something there are within this book. It's a fast read, it's a mindless read, and there's no driving anxiety of oh my gawd if I don't keep reading I'll die. So a book before bed or a quick read for a few pages, it's great, but it's not standing with the greats.

Still I truly do believe everyone deserves to pursue their passion. I hope this author grows and eventually starts writing books that do leave readers on the edge of their seats, but that's going to take some serious pacing training and a willingness to let the characters suffer and grow. Stories without lasting and developing conflicts are bedtime ideas that should be heavily edited before becoming books, not just thrown on a page; and as much as I tell people I really don't want a conflict that is gut wrenching, I, like all people, do. I want to drown with the characters and suffer their emotions even if it is a roller coaster. Otherwise DNF is a high possibility.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lina knows stealing is wrong, but she does it anyway, to get away from her rich father's control and with her fellow thieves, hoping to one day escape the men who lord over them. She has had encounters with fantasy creatures like fae and tends to despise them, even hybrids. Despite her lighthandedness, she does get caught, but their banter and exhale leave her with more questions than answers.

Zavi is suffering a sort of amnesia; he can’t remember past 5 years ago, but has been blessed with a form of dark magic he sometimes can’t control. He lives playing in taverns; he seems to be fae. He was a pirate and had been piecing together his last years from his tattoos. I love the details on the abandoned castle he lives in.

So the pocket dragon absolutely catches my attention. Her friends mean the world to her, and you can tell as not only does Lina want to get away from her Gilded Cage, but she wants to take Star and Phoenix with her. I love that she is trying to make her own path, and her parents aren’t very astute to their daughter’s wants.

I get the reference to a retelling of “The Princess Bride” now, but this book is very different, and I love the way the author incorporated some aspects of that iconic movie. He has secrets, she has trust issues, they both have issues to be resolved, and find themselves needing the other's help.

Also attraction this book gets steamy. The story gets action packed but we aren’t any closer to solving the mystery or the romance. I’m enjoying the fantasy read so much that the escape to another world is fantastic.

After so much planning and a few extra days, they finally make a move, and their plan goes dangerously, but it is exhilarating as well. I like the edge-of-your-seat suspense and action-packed fights. But the intimate moment between Firefly and the Bard is lovely as well. This book is more of a fantasy adventure than romance, but there is a bit of that in here, too.

I find it intriguing that the author brings in fated mates, interspecies mating, and human mates into this story, especially with the hybrid main character. But I love the freedom they are searching for, if they don’t get caught, of course, or some other danger doesn’t befall them. The forced proximity, secrets, and curses.

Omg, this book gets twisted as we do get some truths, but they aren’t at all what I expected. How will she ever forgive him, let alone be mated? Like, I don’t know if I could be in the same room with the man, let alone the same ship.

Ah, the first taste of freedom, for all of them, but especially for Lina. However, her newfound hatred is weighing her down and anchoring her to her past.

It’s a little serendipitous that he runs into whom he is looking for so fast. The book has some not-so-unexpected surprises in this new land. I’m thrilled for Lina but still saddened by the discord between her and Zavi.

This book ends happily and steamily, but we finally get the couple we have been hoping for all along. The epilogue of this book wraps up the story nicely for a standalone book.

The journey to get there is what makes the story a unique fantasy adventure, but it is a delightful one filled with action, adventure, and secrets. I especially loved the cursed objects and mate parts, but that’s just me. Overall, the story was good. I loved that it was a retelling of one of my favorite movies, but not an exact duplicate of the story. The characters are interesting, and their backstory and drama are traumatic enough to draw you into the storyline. There were some twisted parts I didn’t see coming and some cheesy parts as well. The book is steamy but not overly done.

[Marielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a cozy read. And I did enjoyed it.

Mais je dois dire que j'ai été un peu déçu à bien des égards.

Premièrement, quand on voit le titre et la couverture (gorgeous cover by the way) on se dit que ça va quand même être une histoire de pirates. Alors que...pas du tout. Ou presque. C'est beaucoup mentionné que Zavi a été pirate et que Lina les déteste (for very obvious reasons) mais à part ça...rien.

Deuxièment, le personnage de Zavi m'a tellement déçu ! Oui, dans sa façon d'aimer Lina, c'est un big green flag mais mis à part ça. Toutes ses actions étaient ou complètement stupide ou très égoïstes.

Ce qui m'a fait rester jusqu'au bout c'est Lina, Star et Phoenix. Vraiment, ces trois filles, des bijoux. Elles sont fortes, rusés et d'excellentes voleuses. Je voulais vraiment les voir obtenir leur happy ending. This found family was everything.

Concernant la relation entre Zavi et Lina, oui elle était cute, comme cité plus haut, bourrée d'innocence et de green flags. Mais un peu trop rapide ? Zavi tombe amoureux d'elle après une interaction et elle occupe une bonne partie de ses pensées. Idem pour elle. Et pas que je ne crois pas au coup de foudre...mais je n'ai pas aimé l'exécution ici. Parfois ça me paraissait un peu vide. C'est juste mon ressentie...

Ensuite, après les révélations, tout est devenu extrêmement prévisible et la fin rappelait un peu celle d'un compte de fée.

Bref, une lecture cute mais sans plus.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this enemies to lovers romantic story with pirates and fae thrown in the mix. Lina was a noble young woman who hated the life her parents were forcing upon her, she wanted out of her gilded cage, and would be damned if she would marry the man they chose for her. Lina was a strong willed and free spirited woman who longed for adventure and romance, so she and her two friends Phoenix and Star went out in the night and robbed the rich in order to save enough money to make a break for it. Her friends too needed freedom and a new life and they were looking towards Laqqara where women were treated equally to men. Zavi was a bard, who'd once been a pirate, and who'd had his memories wiped out through a curse. He knew he had a brother he needed to save, but he didn't know how until he met Lina. Then he planned a heist which if successful would free them all, including his brother, but this heist came at great risk. Can Zavi persuade Lina and her friends to join him on his crazy plan, and can he prove to Lina that he was a changed man? This story is another riveting tale full of strong heroines and good battle scenes as well as romance with a bit of heat thrown in, making this a very exciting read!

[AsToldByOlive13 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did DNF this book about halfway through. I tried really hard to get into this book and at first it was easy and I know its a standalone book so it's going to be fast paced. But it was moving a little to quickly then dragged. She starts off meeting the MMC in the bar which was fine but then it felt like they were into each other quickly given she's suppose to be against the fae because of what happened with her childhood friend. But other than a few thoughts about not getting close to him she falls for him. When we were given his perspective it felt unconvincing, it's like he lost all of his memories but only a select few are there and of all the things to remember it's his brothers name and face and that something bad happened to his brother. But doesn't remember how a jewel was surgically placed into his body??? Then the guy sabotages her only chance of escaping including the other characters kids escaping her abusive ex-husband. That alone was the final nail that stopped me from continuing because I don't see how his character could possibly be redeemed enough for me to root for him to be with the FMC. The cover is absolutely stunning though and I really hoped I would love this book.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this story on a whim, hoping to break out of a reading slump.
It’s a fun, fast-paced read that kept me entertained during my work breaks. Zavi passion is so enjoyable ;), he’s definitely earned his spot as a book boyfriend!
That said, I did notice some areas that could benefit from a bit more refinement. The point of view shifts between first and third person were a bit hard to read at times. One chapter would have a character narrating with “I,” and the next would refer to Zavi or Lina in third person. While I love multi-POV storytelling, consistency in perspective helps my mind stay in the story better, and a final editing pass could smooth out those transitions.
There were also moments in the heist sequence and some character movements that felt rushed or weird. A bit more detail or clarification in those scenes would really elevate the tension and make the action easier to follow.
Overall, this story has fantastic potential. With a little more polish, I could easily see it becoming a standout favorite, and I’d happily purchase a revised edition to add to my shelves. Looking forward to seeing if the author reads this review.

[Abi]

Immediately no. Way too much telling rather than showing, even from the first two pages.
It goes something like:
"My fellow thieves and I pushed through the crowd to see the bard. He was hot. He grinned and I smiled back, which was surprising because usually men are my enemy. Then I realized he was fae. That's bad. I have good reason to hate fae."
That's not a direct quote. I paraphrase, but that's the essence of it. I didn't stick around to finish the first chapter. The main character gave me Celaena (spelling?) vibes, which might appeal to some but I'm not a fan of FMCs whose characterizations can be summed up as: 1) being the most badass person alive because of course, and 2) having black-and-white views of the world. If you read and liked Daughter of the Pirate King, you might enjoy this.

The positives: the cover is gorgeous. The pacing seems quick, which could be good or bad depending on the reader. And there's a map! Every fantasy book should have a map imo.

Not going to rate because I DNF'ed.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable romantasy-adventure book. I absolutely adored Lina and her fierceness. Living with pretty much abusive parents who just want to marry her off to an even worse suitor, she decides to take her life and freedom into her own hands. Along with her best friends, Star & Phoenix, they meet a half-fae bard named Zavi with no memories of his former pirate life. Together, they decide to pull off a heist to help Lina and her friends get away and help Zavi try to retrieve a relic responsible for his memory loss. I felt for Lina at some points, when things weren't going the way they should but I was there to see how the rest of her story would unfold. I would definitely read more stories with any of these characters!

Did I mention there was a pocket dragon?? Why can't this be a real thing? I loved Emerald!

(Also, if you were wondering, there are a couple of steamy scenes.)

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pirate falls for the thief …

Sounds like the beginning of a great story right? Well this is that story!

All the characters are morally grey but with their hearts set on a brighter and better future. This was almost a Robin Hood retelling but with pirates. Since the girls only set their sights on those that could afford it.

A wonderful m/f story with found family, second chances, mates and healing. Curses, magical creatures, the under belly of crime and redemption.

Prepare for some doozy betrayals and a few twists that will make you sit up and speed read through the wee hours of the morning.

Two povs, Lina’s in 1st person and Zavi’s in 3rd

Characters-
Lady Lina Casparji - aka Moth, leader of the women
Star - female soldier
Phoenix - mother to Bram and Sanne
Emerald - the women’s pocket dragon

Zavi - bard, half-fae and former pirate
Emiel - human, Zavi’s brother and crew
Wolfling - Zavi’s dog

Steam - a few hot scenes

[Kellye Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so looking forward to a Princess Brides-style book. This was NOTHING like it. Don’t let the cover fool you.

The beginning grabbed my attention, but the more I read, the more unbelievable Zavi felt. Literally NO guy is going to speak like this if he grew up as an orphan-turned-pirate. It was too ooey-gooey imo… Lina felt like a brat to me. Like, no wonder her parents were ready to get her out of the house. I would’ve liked more world building and more solid character-building. It felt very predictable. No surprise on who the bad guy was or who the green-eyed pirate from her past could be.

Lina’s chapters were first person and Zavi’s were in a strange third person point-of-view. It just felt really bizarre and inconsistent. They saw each other once or twice and lust became love. There was no foundation as they barely talked. I hate being so negative in my review, but I was not expecting something so superficial.

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘There is no escape from real life.’
Lina lives in a society that is threatened by women who even seem as knowledgeable as a man. And the women in her social circles enable it – including her own mother.
When we think there is nothing to lose, we’ll sacrifice anything and anyone to get away from toxic situations. But is the mantra ‘Freedom at any cost!’ a healthy outlook? Who gets hurt?

What kind of a marriage would one have when the engagement starts with ‘a ring made for bribing’?
Nobody has permission to limit your potential


Fave character:
The oracle (for using that feminine power of intuition)

Only a pirate can “shiver me timbers” like this:
‘I would happily take ages and ages to discover what makes you gasp the loudest.’

If you enjoy disguises, hide-outs, intrigue, masks, and plots as well as ‘a few laughs, a little dancing […] and a cup of wine’ – this book’s for you!


Next for me are ‘Bound by Dragons’ and various books in the ‘Yew Queen’, “Kingdoms of Lore’, & ‘Uncommon World’ series.

[Melinda T · Rating 5 out of 5]

A desperate thief and a mysterious fae pirate

This story had me wanting to forgo sleep in order to keep reading. I was barely stopping myself from chewing my nails down, wondering if Lina would escape her dark future and if Zavi would ever regain his memories. This story had really good characters that you love and also plenty for you to hate. The plot was woven together very well.

You can read this series in any order, though the Seelie (by name) and Unseelie rulers from the first two books are mentioned in this book. This is the best one, so far, in my opinion.

Content warnings:
- There are a couple of open door spice scenes, but with minimal descriptions.
- There are several instances of violence, blood, mentions of kidnapping (FMCs past), child abuse, domestic abuse, and death/near death.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lina is a young woman trying to escape her family’s hold before she’s married off to an abusive jerk. She meets Zavi while stealing with some friends so they can gather enough money to pay for an escape. Zavi is half fae and cursed so he doesn’t remember his past besides flashes that bring pain. Eventually he remembers he has a brother and is determined to find him. He needs Lina’s help to do it and does some pretty crappy things to make it happen.

What I liked about this story most was the female friendships and the fact that the whole time Zavi knew what he was doing was wrong and later admitted it, accepting the consequences of his behaviour in full. This is a book about chosen family, overcoming trauma and forgiveness.

My criticism mostly comes from the pace of the book which felt a bit slow. I just wanted a bit more from the story.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an epic fantasy read filled with action, adventure, danger, drama, curses and a little enemies to lovers romance and I just couldn’t get enough. Our characters are fantastic, strong, feisty and fierce and the world building is beautiful and descriptive! Lina is noble by day and a thief by night as she wants to flee her from her father. Zavi is our fae pirate who is cursed and has no memory of what has happened and he needs a magical object to retrieve them. The author does an incredible job weaving their magic and drawing us in as we join the heist to save them all in this captivating and enthralling read. Exciting, thrilling and filled with twists and turns and shocking surprises, I absolutely loved this tale from start to finish.

[erikoreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Managed to stay off social media long enough to finish my 103rd book of the year! I think that’s enough for 2023, now I’m ready for long life noodles and ignore the annual Kohaku singing competition 😂

🏴‍☠️ The Pirate King’s Thief by @ is a standalone (Book 3) in the Realm of Dragons and Fae, with a cameo from a character in Bound By Dragons (I won’t spoil who!). Definitely don’t need to have read any of the other books to enjoy this adventure to untangle a mystery & escape from an overbearing patriarchal society, with an adorable found family, lots of fun witty banter, some spicy fae scenes and a tiny little pocket dragon. So excited to read the rest of the series, and I can’t wait for Kingdom of Spirits (the first Bound by Dragons book coming in May 2024) 🐉

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever loved The Princess Bride, then you're going to adore Alisha Klapheke's The Pirate King's Thief.

A loose fantasy romance retelling, The Pirate King's Thief pays homage to the beloved cheeky fairy tale while offering a unique spin and fantastic worldbuilding. If you love the original story, but wanted more magic and a world painted in broader strokes, Klapheke is here to deliver your enemies-to-lovers needs. Only our "Dread Pirate" is a half-elven bard battling a deadly curse, and our "Buttercup" is a lord's daughter driven to thieving in the hopes of escaping her cruel fiancé.

It's pure fun and pure brilliance in one gorgeous package. And now that I realize it's part of a series, I'm excited to dive back into the Realm of Dragons and Fae!

[Vrinda's Book Nook · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 35% 🙁 1.5⭐️

This was really promising as a light romantasy adventure read, and it was actually fun to start reading this while travelling. I enjoyed the start quite a lot. It had pirates, cute dragons, Fae, a fun premise, a fantasy map, and I liked that it was a world within which multiple standalone stories were set! It had a very Pirates of the Carribean vibe. 

But.

For me personally, the constant mention and characterization of how terrible all males were in some way or another was a bit exhausting. It was woven into almost every interaction or thought, and it put me off after a while.

I picked this up on KU to fulfil a prompt for the romantasyathon reading challenge I'm participating in. Dissapointed that I couldn't finish it.

[Jessy]

DNF for now. I chose a book by this author specifically because JLA had just ruined me with her Shadow in the Embers series or whatever it’s called. It was dense, it was a lot, and I needed easy and less. Unfortunately, that is exactly why I chose to DNF this for now. The story had potential; I liked the worldbuilding and the characters, but it remained so much on the surface of every aspect of a book that I wasn’t excited to pick this up. The scaffolding of this story is great, but it needs to be fleshed out more, and better. It’s simple, and I want more, and the potential that the story offers, requires more as well.