A Complement of Scoundrels

by S.V. Lockwood

There are many ways to bring down the man who betrayed you—and Myria Cadessa has thought of them all.




Cracking the Elysius Vault should’ve made Myria the richest thief in all Carintheum. Instead, it shattered her crew and left her rotting in jail while her double-crossing master walked away with everything that should’ve been hers.




But now she’s out, and it’s time to settle the score. Reunite her crew? A pleasure. Steal back everything her erstwhile leader took? And then some. She’ll just need to trick the king of all tricksters, with the law on her heels, and a troublesome new ally whose loyalties seem as conflicted as his feelings for Myria. It’s the most audacious heist she’s ever attempted, but she failed her crew once. This time, she’ll make it right—at any cost.




A Complement of Scoundrels is a bold, raucous journey through the underbelly of an empire where the devil’s rules reign, and morality, loyalty, and friendship are values few can afford. But where there’s a wit, there’s a way—and Myria has plenty of that.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 22, 2026

Reviews

[Kist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might be biased (it's the first book from my publishing imprint with Bindery, Kist Reads), check that, I'm definitely biased.. but I fell in love with this fantasy heist story from jump and it kept me hooked all the way through. The prose, characters, dialogue, plot, worldbuilding, pacing etc etc were all so beautifully well done. Can't wait for this to be available so the world can experience what I did while reading this banger.

[Kyle Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley for an unbiased and honest review.

Um, what a freaking banger??? I was hooked from the start, and I never wanted to put this down. I plan on re-reading it again before the official release, that's how much I enjoyed this. Heists, beautiful character work, insane world building. What's not to love?

[CJ Alberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for work, Myria, I’d rob any bank with you old girl!!!!

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a romping good time! I thoroughly enjoyed this story, my first in the "fantasy heist" but certainly not my last! I thought the author did a wonderful job of creating some characters with unique personalities and voices. The interplay and banter both between the main character group as well as their relationships with external parties was really fun to read and I found myself chuckling many times at the various quips and one-liners. The world Lockwood built is unique and well thought out, and I found it very easy to imagine myself in that world. The plot was well paced and I was on the edge of my seat more than I anticipated. I loved how everything was wrapped up and overall this was a fantastic tale that I would recommend to anyone looking for a thrilling, fast-paced heist with fun, playful banter and excellent characters.

[Nancy ☾.⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot begin to scratch the surface of A Complement of Scoundrels without gushing and spoiling it for everyone else. One of my best fantasy reads this year, and I can't wait to read more from this author. It has been far too long since I've liked a group of characters as much as these scoundrels. The story was told in dual POVs and featured two characters who were strong leads in their own right. They underestimated each other from the start, which made it fun as one character uncovered deceptions of the other. Over time, they became reluctant allies. They had great banter with each other and with other characters.

I wasn't familiar with arcane magic, so it was difficult for me to grasp the workings of the magic system. Still, the author did a splendid job of setting physical limitations and boundaries of certain magic abilities. The presence of magic was central to the world and swayed politics, economics, infrastructure, and more.

An outstanding book! I would recommend.

[Greta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to S.V. Lockwood, NetGalley & Bindery Books for providing me this ARC!!!

Story
Oh. This one hurt. And not in a good way. I wanted to love this book so bad, but…

A Complement of Scoundrels is a fantasy, heist, teams of villains, and revenge tale. It follows a group of thieves after a life changing event as they pick up the pieces if their lives and take their revenge. It’s reminiscent of Six of Crows, but it falters in pacing.

This book was the most confusing and boring thing I’ve read in a long time. The beginning jumps RIGHT in. No preamble. No introduction. Just rapid character names and settings and magic thrown at you at light speed. I like fast paced stories, but this wasn’t fast paced.

The bulk of the work is dialogue and narration is largely done through explication. The author frequently names and self-references magic, the system, and other elements that pulled me out of the story. I also had a hard time gathering early on what the stakes or goal of the characters would be.

This was like jumping into a sequel without having read the first book. Even now, I couldn’t tell you all the character names. Or…the plot. I think our FMC wants revenge because her heist was ruined and she was sold out? Does she get that revenge? I don’t know. I started skimming at the 60% mark because I was so bored. A whole lot of NOTHING happened. Actually it was really hard for me to pay attention to everything…

Overall, this book wasn’t for me. I hope other people are going to like it more than I have!

Release Date: September 22, 2026

Disclaimer: This book was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-biased, honest review.

[Sunhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had literally no expectations of this book. I received it quickly from NetGalley and I couldn't see much about it but the cover was stunning and the description intriguing. I was literally worried I'd hate it.

Two days in, I finished the book. I could not put it down. It took over my life. Sure, there are flaws, but they fell by the wayside. The heists and tricks and plot had a chokehold on me.

Myria and her crew were fun though I wish I had gotten to know Cass and Leo better. Felix and Myria run this story, almost to the point of pushing other characters off the story and page, even though I found them delightful.

My biggest complaint is that Felix stays stupidly loyal much longer than feels comfortable to his intelligent character. I also wish we could have seen more of the world. When we get clear glimpses of it, I fall in love.

I highly recommend this for anyone who likes a fantasy heist or found families.

[Michelle Parent · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this being S.V. Lockwood's debut novel, I'd say well done. The story follows Myria and her team of thieves after they're double crossed and they set out for revenge. I really enjoyed the book's unique magic system and the world the author created. It explores themes of friendship and loyalty, with a fun dose of hijinks and tomfoolery along the way. While the pacing felt uneven in parts, it still kept me entertained overall, and I'm glad I picked it up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for my ARC copy and my honest review.

Expected Publishing date: September 22, 2026.

[Holly Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all — the atmosphere. You can feel the salt in the air. The ships, the political maneuvering, the underlying danger humming beneath every conversation… it all creates this delicious tension that never fully lets you relax. It’s romantic, yes — but it’s romantic in that storm-on-the-horizon way. The kind where love feels risky and a little bit reckless.

Myria is such a compelling heroine. She isn’t naïve, and she certainly isn’t fragile. What I loved most is how aware she is of the danger around her — and yet she steps forward anyway. There’s a moment where she essentially acknowledges that loving a scoundrel means accepting the shadows that follow him, and that quiet resolve says so much about her. She’s not trying to fix anyone. She’s choosing with open eyes.

And then we have our leading man — charming, strategic, and absolutely aware of the power he holds. He has that classic dark-romance edge: protective but possessive, confident but just vulnerable enough when it comes to Myria. There are several exchanges where he makes it clear that she unsettles him in ways no enemy ever has. Those moments? Chef’s kiss. The shift from calculated manipulation to genuine emotional exposure is subtle but beautifully done.

The finer details are what elevate this story. The way alliances are hinted at through small gestures. The coded language in conversations. The tension in scenes that don’t rely on physical intimacy but instead on proximity — the brush of fingers over a map, a whispered warning in a dim corridor, a look held just a second too long. It’s intimate without always being overt, which makes the eventual romantic payoff feel earned.

I also appreciated that the story doesn’t shy away from moral ambiguity. Choices have consequences. Loyalties are complicated. Love doesn’t magically erase the darker aspects of a person — it just asks whether you can live with them. As someone who loves both romantic sea adventures and a touch of darkness in my love stories, that balance really worked for me.

Why four stars instead of five? There were a few moments where I wanted just a little more emotional depth or an extra scene to fully sit in the aftermath of certain revelations. But overall, it was immersive, swoony, and deliciously tense.

If you’re a fellow grown woman who still believes in epic love stories — but prefers them with a blade hidden beneath the cloak and salt spray in the air — this one absolutely deserves a spot on your shelf.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating: 1.5 stars.

Oh. This one hurt. And not in a good way. I wanted to love this book so bad. I’ve seen people compare it to Six of Crows and I LOVE SOC. But honestly I feel like that comparison is a little insulting to SOC…

This book was the most confusing and boring thing I’ve read in a long time. The beginning jumps RIGHT in. Zero preamble. Zero introduction. Just rapid character names and settings and magic thrown at you at light speed. I like fast paced stories, but this wasn’t fast paced. This was like jumping into a sequel without having read the first book. Even now, I couldn’t tell you all the character names. Or…the plot. I THINK our FMC wants revenge because her heist was ruined and she was sold out? Does she get that revenge? I dunno. I started skimming at the 60% mark because I was so bored. A whole lotta NOTHING happened.

THE GOOD
- In theory, this would be a fun read! Maybe with a bit more editing and rewriting and polishing. As it stands, though, I have nothing good to say.

THE BAD
- The pacing. Imaging the slowest paced book ever. Then stretch it out so it’s the same pace, just longer. Like taffy. That’s this book. It was horrendous. I can’t even tell you how much time lapsed.
- The meat of the plot. The bones were cool. But I can’t tell you what happened. And not just because I skimmed at the end, but because I genuinely do not know. There’s a war? Our FMC has been in prison for three years? A heist? I. Don’t. Know.
- The characters. All I’ll say is that a piece of paper has more dimension than these characters. NONE of them were explored. Their wants and desires and fears and motivations… Even their basic descriptions! We got none of it! Was there supposed to be romance between Myria and Felix? Was Felix supposed to betray them? Because none of that was conveyed.

This book reads like a first draft that hasn’t hit the editing process. I’m sure a bit of work and some beta readers could help turn this into something good.

[Stina Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very beginning, this story pulls you into a whirlwind of adventure that never really lets up. Every chapter carries a sense of momentum, the kind that keeps you turning pages without realizing how much time has passed. The world itself feels richly layered and thoughtfully constructed, drawing you in until it becomes easy to forget anything outside of it. There’s always something unfolding just beneath the surface, making the experience feel immersive and consuming in the best way.

What truly stood out to me were the characters. They feel vivid and alive, each one bringing something unique to the story. I especially appreciated the dynamic between them, the tension, the loyalty, and the unspoken history that shapes their interactions. At the center of it all is a female lead who refuses to shrink herself or back down, and that alone makes the journey deeply satisfying. Watching her navigate impossible choices, simmering rage, and the promise of revenge is compelling in a way that’s hard to look away from. There’s something powerful about seeing a woman claim what she’s owed, and this story understands that perfectly.

The stakes remain high throughout, with just enough mystery to keep you guessing and questioning what might come next. Every revelation seems to open the door to even more uncertainty, creating a constant sense of anticipation. It’s the kind of book that leaves you pausing after chapters, just to process everything before diving right back in.

Interestingly enough, I stumbled upon this book completely by accident while learning a new platform, and once I started, there was no turning back. What began as a chance discovery turned into a genuinely rewarding reading experience. Sometimes the best stories find you when you least expect them, and this was one of those rare, fortunate moments.

[Gie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.45/5

It has everything I normally love. A revenge plot, found family, morally gray characters, clever heists gone wrong…the whole package. It also gives off strong “Six of Crows” vibes, though I didn’t end up loving it quite as much as “Six of Crows”.

Overall, I do think this is a solid debut fantasy novel, but there were a few things that didn’t fully work for me. As a non-native English speaker, I sometimes find certain fantasy novels harder to read, and the prose here made that even more challenging. I was constantly stopping to look up words, only to realize that some weren’t real words or were so unusual that they felt out of place compared to other fantasy books I’ve read. That really interrupted my immersion early on.

The good news is that I gradually adjusted to the writing style, and reading became easier. However, around the middle of the book, the pacing of the main plot slowed down quite a bit. During that bit, I found myself wishing the story leaned more into the character dynamics. Even though I usually appreciate fantasy that doesn’t prioritize romance, it’s clear there’s chemistry between Myria and Felix. I didn’t need a full-blown romance arc, but a bit more flirting and banter between them in the middle would have helped maintain the momentum for me.

My favorite part was the later chapters, when everything became more intense. I love a good revenge story, and the ending was quite satisfying. I also grew really fond of both main characters, Myria’s crew, and found myself rooting for them to succeed.

Overall, this was an enjoyable debut with a solid plot and likable morally gray characters, but the prose and some parts of the pacing kept it from becoming a top read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Journey Bloomfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a good long while since I've read a book this good, especially a new book. I was utterly DELIGHTED with A Complement of Scoundrels, I didn't want it to end!
First of all, the characters were brilliant. Myria was a heroine I was rooting for all the way through, a thief who made hard decisions but truly cared about her crew and never crossed the hard lines. She was brave and clever and yet realistically flawed and didn't fall into any of the usual main character pitfalls.

Felix made a good counter to Myria, with his nobleness and honor and general decency, but also a naivety that made the two of them play off of each other beautifully. Can we also take a moment to appreciate the fact that there were two POVs, male and female AND YET THERE ISN'T A STUPID POINTLESS ROMANCE SUBPLOT REJOICE! There are, however, some absolutely gorgeous friendships that develop marvelously, (both old friendships and new ones), a bit of brother-sister time, a fascinating relationship between Myria and the man who betrayed her and that glorious sort of found family that only comes from crews of scoundrels with hearts of gold.

The pacing was lovely, never lagging or meandering into meaningless subplots, and it kept me hooked all the way through, (and up past my bedtime!) I'm actually very sad that it doesn't come out until September because I want to shove this book into the hands of everyone I know and force them to read it so I can gush about it further. (And also because I need a hard copy. I am in LOVE with the thought of holding a physical version in my hands). I already want to reread it and I haven't even been finished for a full hour. Impatiently waiting for the day when I can preorder this.

I am 100% going to read anything else this author comes out with, thank you SO much to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the review copy!

[Betsy Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a very fun time reading A Complement of Scoundrels. It gave a lot of "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo vibes (which I'm a huge fan of, so that was a win for me). I loved that we started right in it with Myria and her crew. I love arcane magic (I've read a few stories lately with that type, so I felt up to date from the start) as well. The supporting cast of characters (after being betrayed) were a good time. Also, I can be ALL about a revenge plot if done well. Which personally, I think can make or break a story at times. Ultimately it had a fun cast, humor (I did laugh out loud at some parts) and the FMC was strong and well thought out. Which is important to me as a reader. I will say it took me a little longer to finish it than I usually do with other books... it wasn't an up till 2am read for me, but that's okay!

I rarely give 5 stars, but this was definitely a good time and right up my alley so a strong four!


Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Dadreadsanreviews (james) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Complement of Scoundels is a fantasy, heist, teams of villains, and revenge tale. It follows a group of thieves after a life changing event as they pick up the pieces if their lives and take their revenge. It’s reminiscent of Six of Crows, but it falters in pacing. The bulk of the work is dialogue and narration is largely done through explication. The author frequently names and self references magic, the system, and other elements that pulled me out of the story. I also had a hard time gathering early on what the stakes or goal of the characters would be. There was also a drag in the middles as most of the plot movement was speech and changes in location. The author has a very subtle touch with plot and dialogue that is lovely, but it lost some emotional or action punch. Overall, it is a lovely debut novel that links multiple characters into a revenge story as well as creates a unique magic system.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not normally a fantasy reader, but this story grabbed me from the first line. Myria was a brilliant main character, clever and lots of fun to read. The more honourable Felix was a perfect set-off for her. I loved the relationships, banter and unspoken affection between the crew. I also very much enjoyed the villains and the slow revelation of their real nature over the course of the book. The plot jumps right into the action, so there’s a bit to get to grips with at the beginning, but it all came together when I read on, and was soon very hard to put down. The worldbuilding was great, and the author has a real way with words. I am really looking forward to being able to buy a physical copy of this book so I can read it again!

(I read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

[Chevonnika · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like 'Six of Crows' then you will definitely enjoy 'A Complement of Scoundrels'.

I managed to finish this book within the day as it kept my attention the entire time. The main character was super interesting, a female lead who is head strong but not to the point were she makes dumb decisions.

The side characters are also interesting but I think there could've have been a bit more depth for the other crew members.

The second POV character is an interesting character arc, I really enjoyed his story as well.

Unfortunately, the ending seemed a little lack luster, it happened quickly and just kind of wrapped up quickly. I would've liked a bigger climax at the end but I am not fully disappointed.


Would recommend to those who are fans os 'a six of crows'.

[Viking Jam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: The beginning of this novel is fairly confusing with regard to the characters. They eventually work out their individuality so you can parse based on personality. You know the drill. The characters build with the movement which resides within an interesting storyline.

Relentless movement within an expanding world with just a touch of Steampunk. The magic is so varied and down to earth that it wears the users personality. You constantly root for the band of Graysiders and the lone Prefect.

This is the writers first novel from down under which is pretty amazing. Really, watch for this writer as she is astounding in talent.

I received this ARC for an honest review.

4.7/5

[Nikolett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myria grew up on the shady side and unapologetically embraces her circumstances, trying to be the best. When her former boss sold out her and her friends she spent three years of prison planning his demise and now she’s ready.
The first chapters not always made sense to me and I admit that it took me a while to immerse in the story, but by the time the group reassembled I was hooked. We all love a good old revenge, but the plotting, the camaraderie, the witty dialogues, the twists and turns made this one really enjoyable. There’s no romance in this book, but there’s a possibility and I liked this better too.
Thank you NetGalley and Bindary Books for the arc.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this 6 stars I would. Everything I wanted in a fantasy heist novel - heroine with a wicked clever mind, an intricate plot that keeps you guessing, fantastic magic system, extremely likable side characters, and multi-layered baddies. The pacing was excellent, the writing was witty and humorous, and the heist was excellently executed. I loved it. I really, really hope for a sequel.

[Keeley Ribchester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced, witty, and highly enjoyable, A Complement of Scoundrels delivers memorable characters and a story full of momentum. The writing is sharp and easy to sink into.

Readers who enjoy playful, character-focused adventures will find this a rewarding read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC