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Ciel City
In the heart of the sprawling metropolis of Ciel City, secrets lie buried beneath the cracked concrete streets. For Angela Williams, a high school senior who returns to Ciel, it’s not just to graduate from the prestigious St. Katherine’s High School or to keep her head above water – it’s to confront the past.
Driven by a thirst for justice and revenge, Angela throws herself into the labyrinth of the city to search for her older sister Nini’s best friend. But as Angela delves deeper into Ciel’s murky waters, she finds herself ensnared in a web of deceit and violence, where loyalties shift in an instant and danger lurks behind every street corner.
As Angela’s search for answers continues, Ciel’s criminal undercurrent threatens to drag her and her new friends, Jaya and Theo, into its inky depths. In a city where trust is a rare commodity and alliances are forged in blood, Angela must choose whether to embrace the city that threatens to consume her or to find the strength to rise above it.
Driven by a thirst for justice and revenge, Angela throws herself into the labyrinth of the city to search for her older sister Nini’s best friend. But as Angela delves deeper into Ciel’s murky waters, she finds herself ensnared in a web of deceit and violence, where loyalties shift in an instant and danger lurks behind every street corner.
As Angela’s search for answers continues, Ciel’s criminal undercurrent threatens to drag her and her new friends, Jaya and Theo, into its inky depths. In a city where trust is a rare commodity and alliances are forged in blood, Angela must choose whether to embrace the city that threatens to consume her or to find the strength to rise above it.
454 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2025
7 people want to read
About the author
Mary Beshay
1 book5 followers● I am the comic relief of my own life ●
● Coptic ●
● wordsmith ● juris doctor ● storyteller ●
● Coptic ●
● wordsmith ● juris doctor ● storyteller ●
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 31, 2025
Where do I even begin? Ciel City is a gripping crime thriller set in the heart of Toronto (referred to as Ciel City), written by one of my dearest friends and rising authors, Mary Beshay. Watching Mary turn her lifelong dream of becoming an author into reality has been nothing short of inspiring—and Ciel City is proof of her talent.
As a fellow Toronto girly, I loved spotting all the local references throughout the book. Mary paints the city with such vivid, imaginative language that you can practically see the skyline and feel the pulse of each neighbourhood. Her atmospheric descriptions place you right in the heart of the story, making you feel like a silent observer watching the drama unfold in real time.
While I usually prefer stories told in the first person, I was pleasantly surprised by how effectively Mary uses multiple perspectives in this novel. Each character’s inner monologue is unique and compelling, offering a layered understanding of the events as they unravel.
That said, it’s important to note that Ciel City tackles some very heavy and sensitive topics—such as drugs, gang violence, abuse, sexual assault, grooming, and human trafficking. Mary approaches these themes with the seriousness and respect they deserve, never downplaying their gravity. Her unflinching honesty is both powerful and necessary.
At its core, Ciel City is a story about friendship, sacrifice, and resilience. It took me on an emotional rollercoaster I won’t soon forget. This is a bold, well-crafted debut, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to readers who are ready for a raw and gripping narrative.
Mary Beshay has truly arrived—and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
As a fellow Toronto girly, I loved spotting all the local references throughout the book. Mary paints the city with such vivid, imaginative language that you can practically see the skyline and feel the pulse of each neighbourhood. Her atmospheric descriptions place you right in the heart of the story, making you feel like a silent observer watching the drama unfold in real time.
While I usually prefer stories told in the first person, I was pleasantly surprised by how effectively Mary uses multiple perspectives in this novel. Each character’s inner monologue is unique and compelling, offering a layered understanding of the events as they unravel.
That said, it’s important to note that Ciel City tackles some very heavy and sensitive topics—such as drugs, gang violence, abuse, sexual assault, grooming, and human trafficking. Mary approaches these themes with the seriousness and respect they deserve, never downplaying their gravity. Her unflinching honesty is both powerful and necessary.
At its core, Ciel City is a story about friendship, sacrifice, and resilience. It took me on an emotional rollercoaster I won’t soon forget. This is a bold, well-crafted debut, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to readers who are ready for a raw and gripping narrative.
Mary Beshay has truly arrived—and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
August 29, 2025
This book singlehandedly got me out of my reading slump. It usually takes me some time to really get into a story, but I like how the world building happens slowly around the main character Angela as she's returning to Ciel City, rather than rushing all the lore in the first few chapters. It wasn't too much to digest at once, and it left me excited to learn more.
This book has many POVs, all of which are necessary to tell the full story. While it took me a second to get used to all of the perspectives, the back and forth was ultimately useful in creating a fast paced story, and got me excited to try to put all the pieces together as more is uncovered about Angela's sister and Parris' past.
Parris is one of the most intriguing characters I've read in awhile, and it was a joy to get to know her and her true motivations. This book is packed full of heros, villains and morally grey characters, so there's someone for everyone to relate to or find interesting.
I absolutely adored watching these characters grow, and their friendships blossom. This is a book I would 100% reread to see if I could catch any clues I might have missed the first time around.
This book has many POVs, all of which are necessary to tell the full story. While it took me a second to get used to all of the perspectives, the back and forth was ultimately useful in creating a fast paced story, and got me excited to try to put all the pieces together as more is uncovered about Angela's sister and Parris' past.
Parris is one of the most intriguing characters I've read in awhile, and it was a joy to get to know her and her true motivations. This book is packed full of heros, villains and morally grey characters, so there's someone for everyone to relate to or find interesting.
I absolutely adored watching these characters grow, and their friendships blossom. This is a book I would 100% reread to see if I could catch any clues I might have missed the first time around.
December 10, 2025
Ciel City is a stunning debut novel.
Fast-paced, with multifaceted characters that are easy to both love and despise, root for and bet against, Mary Beshay has created a complex world that the reader can fully immerse themselves in. The story was well-crafted and easy to follow, which is no easy feat when there are several sub storylines at play. I enjoyed Mary's rich descriptions of Ciel City life and the well-developed lessons learned by each character.
If thrillers that get your heartbeat racing is your favourite genre, or you are simply looking for a new 'must read,' Ciel City is for you!
Fast-paced, with multifaceted characters that are easy to both love and despise, root for and bet against, Mary Beshay has created a complex world that the reader can fully immerse themselves in. The story was well-crafted and easy to follow, which is no easy feat when there are several sub storylines at play. I enjoyed Mary's rich descriptions of Ciel City life and the well-developed lessons learned by each character.
If thrillers that get your heartbeat racing is your favourite genre, or you are simply looking for a new 'must read,' Ciel City is for you!
November 6, 2025
“Ciel City” is the kind of book that demands your full attention and rewards you for giving it. It’s a meditation on grief, the nature of justice, and whether redemption is possible for those who’ve done terrible things for good reasons. Mary Beshay has created a morally complex world that feels both fantastical and uncomfortably real.
This is honestly a stunning debut that showcases tremendous talent. If you love character-driven crime fiction with literary depth you need this book. This pulled me right out of my reading slump.
I cannot wait to see what Mary Beshay writes next. She’s a voice to watch in the thriller genre.
Perfect for fans of, V.E. Schwab, Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows, Holly Black, morally grey characters, crime fiction, mysteries with emotional depth, and stories about the cost of vengeance.
Happy release day! And I hope you’re going to enjoy this book as much as I did.
This is honestly a stunning debut that showcases tremendous talent. If you love character-driven crime fiction with literary depth you need this book. This pulled me right out of my reading slump.
I cannot wait to see what Mary Beshay writes next. She’s a voice to watch in the thriller genre.
Perfect for fans of, V.E. Schwab, Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows, Holly Black, morally grey characters, crime fiction, mysteries with emotional depth, and stories about the cost of vengeance.
Happy release day! And I hope you’re going to enjoy this book as much as I did.
September 28, 2025
**ARC READ**
When Angela transfers to STK in the heart of Ciel City, she's intent on finding the friend of her deceased sister in order to obtain answers on what really happened to Janine. The more she digs for answers, the more she learns about how Ciel City operates. She and her new friends work together with the new officer and an unlikely ally to bring the current order down to start a new and peaceful city.
What a solid book!! I thoroughly enjoyed it so much, full of plot and suspense. It really dug into how easy it is to get sucked into the life of drugs and organized crime without even realizing it's happening. I also thoroughly the immensely satisfying ending. This book does contain some heavy themes like gang violence, so I do recommend going in reading any trigger warnings. 10/10 story overall and a definite reread.
When Angela transfers to STK in the heart of Ciel City, she's intent on finding the friend of her deceased sister in order to obtain answers on what really happened to Janine. The more she digs for answers, the more she learns about how Ciel City operates. She and her new friends work together with the new officer and an unlikely ally to bring the current order down to start a new and peaceful city.
What a solid book!! I thoroughly enjoyed it so much, full of plot and suspense. It really dug into how easy it is to get sucked into the life of drugs and organized crime without even realizing it's happening. I also thoroughly the immensely satisfying ending. This book does contain some heavy themes like gang violence, so I do recommend going in reading any trigger warnings. 10/10 story overall and a definite reread.
November 24, 2025
“Ciel City” is a powerhouse thriller that detonates from page one and never loosens its grip. Mary Beshay crafts a world so vividly dangerous and emotionally charged that you don’t just read it you inhabit it. The city becomes a living predator, stalking Angela Williams as she claws through layers of corruption, grief, and betrayal in her hunt for the truth behind Nini’s disappearance.
Angela is one of the most compelling YA thriller protagonists in recent memory fierce, raw, and heartbreakingly real. Every decision she makes feels earned, and every risk she takes hits like a punch to the ribs. The dynamic between Angela, Jaya, and Theo injects humanity into a story built on concrete and blood, and the suspense tightens with expert precision. Not a page is wasted; every scene pushes deeper into the darkness.
Angela is one of the most compelling YA thriller protagonists in recent memory fierce, raw, and heartbreakingly real. Every decision she makes feels earned, and every risk she takes hits like a punch to the ribs. The dynamic between Angela, Jaya, and Theo injects humanity into a story built on concrete and blood, and the suspense tightens with expert precision. Not a page is wasted; every scene pushes deeper into the darkness.
September 9, 2025
Suuch a fun thriller with so many unique characters
The attention to detail in the book was amazing, one of my favourite things was the setting of the gloomy city
Overall this pulled on my emotions! It left me feeling heavy. Which was appropriate given the context of the book. You could feel the somber in the air but with a chance of hope and healing. Leaving it all to come full circle in the end. If you’re looking for a suspenseful found family read I would definitely pick this one up
Well done !!
The attention to detail in the book was amazing, one of my favourite things was the setting of the gloomy city
Overall this pulled on my emotions! It left me feeling heavy. Which was appropriate given the context of the book. You could feel the somber in the air but with a chance of hope and healing. Leaving it all to come full circle in the end. If you’re looking for a suspenseful found family read I would definitely pick this one up
Well done !!
September 9, 2025
This is an incredible read, as a Canadian living in a city like Ciel it was amazing to experience and read.
Each character is well written and explored beautifully, they are not perfect but each is unique and wonderful to learn about.
Love it, honestly wish I could read it again because I enjoyed it so much!!
Each character is well written and explored beautifully, they are not perfect but each is unique and wonderful to learn about.
Love it, honestly wish I could read it again because I enjoyed it so much!!
September 19, 2025
I loved this book - anything set in Canada I am a sucker for because it can be hard to find, but this was so much more than that. Absolutely hooked me as a thriller and the multiple found families overlapping made a whole lot of violence and murder kind of heartwarming. The ending was satisfying without being unrealistic but I found myself hoping for more loose ends that would suggest a sequel.
October 7, 2025
**ARC review**
This book had a good story line. However, it was very slow for me. It wasn’t until the last 150 pages that I really started to get into the book. Thriller, loss, friendship. Some trigger warnings such as suicide. Ended as a good read.
This book had a good story line. However, it was very slow for me. It wasn’t until the last 150 pages that I really started to get into the book. Thriller, loss, friendship. Some trigger warnings such as suicide. Ended as a good read.
November 18, 2025
This was absolutely amazing 🤩 the plot was incredible and the characters were written so perfectly. It has everything you can think of when it comes to a crime/thriller book absolutely incredible
October 14, 2025
This was a great debut novel by new author Mary Beshay. Ciel City shows a lot of promise, and I'll be keeping my eye out for future works by her.
It took a bit of reading for me to get into the book, but I'm happy I stuck it out. The pacing felt slow even though there was a decent amount going on, almost like the book wasn't sure where exactly it was going until about the halfway point when it all really picked up. There were several interesting themes going on in the book, and I do think they were all handled pretty well and had fairly satisfying resolutions. That said, the progression felt little cumbersome. I think one more revision to plant seeds a little earlier, and to cut out a little more unnecessary content would have made it at least a four-star novel. The characters were endearing, and once I finally got into the story I was very much rooting for them to get to the bottom of Ciel City’s underbelly and find the justice they were looking for. Their plights feel genuine, they all have their own motivations, and they all have their own wars to wage.
Overall this was a great way to pass a long car ride, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to receive this ARC.
NOTE: There were a couple scenes that were hard to read, so make sure you check out trigger warnings before embarking on this book. Especially regarding physical violence (sometimes torture) and attempted sexual violence.
It took a bit of reading for me to get into the book, but I'm happy I stuck it out. The pacing felt slow even though there was a decent amount going on, almost like the book wasn't sure where exactly it was going until about the halfway point when it all really picked up. There were several interesting themes going on in the book, and I do think they were all handled pretty well and had fairly satisfying resolutions. That said, the progression felt little cumbersome. I think one more revision to plant seeds a little earlier, and to cut out a little more unnecessary content would have made it at least a four-star novel. The characters were endearing, and once I finally got into the story I was very much rooting for them to get to the bottom of Ciel City’s underbelly and find the justice they were looking for. Their plights feel genuine, they all have their own motivations, and they all have their own wars to wage.
Overall this was a great way to pass a long car ride, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to receive this ARC.
NOTE: There were a couple scenes that were hard to read, so make sure you check out trigger warnings before embarking on this book. Especially regarding physical violence (sometimes torture) and attempted sexual violence.
October 17, 2025
**ARC review**
Ciel City is a dark, twisty tale of secrets, crime and a young girl's search for answers in a city that is unforgiving and cruel. Ciel City is based on Toronto, ON and as a local to the area, I was immediately intrigued. Beshay does not disappoint in her descriptions of the city, with Ciel feeling like it's a character in the story.
The pacing is moderate- possibly a bit slower than most thrillers- but I found it perfect for the type of story being told, and for how many characters are involved. The story is told through multiple POV's, which is definitely needed to get the full scope of Ciel and the web of organized crime that corrupts the city.
While the main character and her friends are highschoolers, I didn't feel that the dialogue or the plot points were immature or shallow. These kids have a lot of heart and experience some real danger! You never really know who you can trust outside of the trio, and everyone's storylines converge into an explosive ending.
A sharp and compelling read that doesn't flinch when discussing the dark underbelly of city life- this is a fantastic first novel!
Ciel City is a dark, twisty tale of secrets, crime and a young girl's search for answers in a city that is unforgiving and cruel. Ciel City is based on Toronto, ON and as a local to the area, I was immediately intrigued. Beshay does not disappoint in her descriptions of the city, with Ciel feeling like it's a character in the story.
The pacing is moderate- possibly a bit slower than most thrillers- but I found it perfect for the type of story being told, and for how many characters are involved. The story is told through multiple POV's, which is definitely needed to get the full scope of Ciel and the web of organized crime that corrupts the city.
While the main character and her friends are highschoolers, I didn't feel that the dialogue or the plot points were immature or shallow. These kids have a lot of heart and experience some real danger! You never really know who you can trust outside of the trio, and everyone's storylines converge into an explosive ending.
A sharp and compelling read that doesn't flinch when discussing the dark underbelly of city life- this is a fantastic first novel!
October 23, 2025
My heart is still echoing with this story. From the first page, I was pulled into a world that held me fast until the very last word, and I know I’ll be carrying its reverberations for days to come.
This book is extraordinary. The characters feel startlingly real, layered, intelligent, and deeply human. Their intersecting stories unfold with a precision that’s both breathtaking and organic, revealing truths that land with emotional force. The author’s worldbuilding is vivid and alive, every detail rendered with care and purpose.
The prose crackles with electricity….smart, grounded, and effortlessly immersive. Facts and emotion are woven together so seamlessly that the mind and heart move in tandem, each sentence a current pulling you deeper in. It’s been a long time since a novel held me so wholly present.
There’s wisdom in every line, and a rare tenderness in how the author captures human connection, even in the face of struggle. This isn’t just a story you read; it’s one you feel reverberating through your body long after you’ve turned the final page.
Haunting, masterful, and full of heart, Ciel is a work of remarkable power.
This book is extraordinary. The characters feel startlingly real, layered, intelligent, and deeply human. Their intersecting stories unfold with a precision that’s both breathtaking and organic, revealing truths that land with emotional force. The author’s worldbuilding is vivid and alive, every detail rendered with care and purpose.
The prose crackles with electricity….smart, grounded, and effortlessly immersive. Facts and emotion are woven together so seamlessly that the mind and heart move in tandem, each sentence a current pulling you deeper in. It’s been a long time since a novel held me so wholly present.
There’s wisdom in every line, and a rare tenderness in how the author captures human connection, even in the face of struggle. This isn’t just a story you read; it’s one you feel reverberating through your body long after you’ve turned the final page.
Haunting, masterful, and full of heart, Ciel is a work of remarkable power.
September 7, 2025
I cannot wait to read more from this author! This book is the perfect Autumn read.
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- The book is written in third person which I personally am not a huge fan of.
- I also found it hard to know who was who at first, there were a lot of characters and names being thrown around and I kept getting confused.
However, these criticisms are probably just personal preferences.
++
- The city was described so well, I feel like this book took me on a whole journey. I could just close my eyes and see a whole other world. I felt like I knew Ciel City inside and out.
- Very interesting storyline. I could NOT put this book down.
- The first thriller I have ever read and now I cannot wait to read more thrillers.
- It is so interesting to see the characters have their own storylines, but then when the storylines overlap, oh my God, I was on the edge of my seat.
- Chapter 7 is 100% my favourite chapter, cannot wait for everyone to read it.
- The characters were all so layered and well written.
- Reading this book was like watching a movie.
--
- The book is written in third person which I personally am not a huge fan of.
- I also found it hard to know who was who at first, there were a lot of characters and names being thrown around and I kept getting confused.
However, these criticisms are probably just personal preferences.
++
- The city was described so well, I feel like this book took me on a whole journey. I could just close my eyes and see a whole other world. I felt like I knew Ciel City inside and out.
- Very interesting storyline. I could NOT put this book down.
- The first thriller I have ever read and now I cannot wait to read more thrillers.
- It is so interesting to see the characters have their own storylines, but then when the storylines overlap, oh my God, I was on the edge of my seat.
- Chapter 7 is 100% my favourite chapter, cannot wait for everyone to read it.
- The characters were all so layered and well written.
- Reading this book was like watching a movie.
October 23, 2025
I really really enjoyed this book. What a ride.
At no point here, could I predict what was going to happen next. This plot was full of suspense and tension that had me leaning forward in my chair from the start.
These characters are detailed, multi-layered beings. So well done that I was screaming for more. I could not get enough backstage to satisfy my needs because I KNEW more could be simmering.
I love this world. Fantastic world building, detail woven into that story in such a way that it adds body and richness without drying out the progression. Huge fan of Mary's writing style and a round of applause for her ability to keep an incredible pace while keeping us on our toes.
I refuse to believe this is a debut, and im all in for more!
At no point here, could I predict what was going to happen next. This plot was full of suspense and tension that had me leaning forward in my chair from the start.
These characters are detailed, multi-layered beings. So well done that I was screaming for more. I could not get enough backstage to satisfy my needs because I KNEW more could be simmering.
I love this world. Fantastic world building, detail woven into that story in such a way that it adds body and richness without drying out the progression. Huge fan of Mary's writing style and a round of applause for her ability to keep an incredible pace while keeping us on our toes.
I refuse to believe this is a debut, and im all in for more!
September 8, 2025
This was a truly fanominal book! The way the the world grows asthe character does is what I truly liked, the worldbuilding was not rushed, and it came at its own timing, I thought that was great. The way the author depicted the scenes and Ciel City itself truly made me able to imagine that I was there. I have never had the chance to travel, but I was able to through her book. I honestly did not know what to expect going in,but It did not disappoint and exactly exceeded my expectations. I cannot wait to read more from her, it was truly amazing.
January 1, 2026
I had so much fun following every character. My personal favourite is Parris, but I have a soft spot for Theo as well. Angela really grew on me as she discovered more about the city and her sister's past. I'm not big into thrillers, so if you are, you'll like this even more.
November 6, 2025
This book was incredibly well written. I really did enjoy it. The beginning was a bit slow but it does pick up a bit. Great for a debut novel. One of the best books, I've read in a while.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews