What do you think?
Rate this book
Thieves' Honor
Thomas Dalton, Earl of Westfield, is the heir to a duke and a talented wizard. But he’s always hidden in his library, too shy to emerge into society from the shadow of his larger-than-life friends and family. When he’s asked to investigate a crime, he seizes the chance to prove that he’s as cunning and brave as anybody. But he’s quickly out of his depth in London’s underground; especially when he’s confronted with the prettiest thief he’s ever seen.
Em Stackpole lives an in-between life; she grew up on the streets, but preys on the Ton by using her skills at illusion to fit in among them at elegant Mayfair events. When Lord Westfield asks for her help finding a missing jewel, she strikes a bargain: she’ll help him learn to think like a criminal if he’ll teach her the magic she needs to get off the streets for good.
Falling in love was never part of the deal. But as Em and Thomas navigate magic, Mayfair, and Thomas’ charmingly interfering family, she’ll discover secrets she never knew she had, and the wizard and the thief will have to decide if they can ever be more than just partners-in-crime.
Em Stackpole lives an in-between life; she grew up on the streets, but preys on the Ton by using her skills at illusion to fit in among them at elegant Mayfair events. When Lord Westfield asks for her help finding a missing jewel, she strikes a bargain: she’ll help him learn to think like a criminal if he’ll teach her the magic she needs to get off the streets for good.
Falling in love was never part of the deal. But as Em and Thomas navigate magic, Mayfair, and Thomas’ charmingly interfering family, she’ll discover secrets she never knew she had, and the wizard and the thief will have to decide if they can ever be more than just partners-in-crime.
126 pages, ebook
First published May 4, 2016
47 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 2, 2017
Simple and light - romance and magic. It was a pleasure to read from beginning to end.
May 9, 2017
Quite a good read.
Very enjoyable romantic book. Two people from to different worlds have some quite unique experiences together and fall in love. This book is definitely worth reading it's a bit different from the usual romance book and also holds your attention completely. Get ready for a little magic.
Very enjoyable romantic book. Two people from to different worlds have some quite unique experiences together and fall in love. This book is definitely worth reading it's a bit different from the usual romance book and also holds your attention completely. Get ready for a little magic.
June 2, 2016
This was light, very light, but an enjoyable read. The true draw, by far, is Em and Thomas. Thomas is simply endearing as the slightly awkward nerd using his talent for practical purposes, but straining a bit to do so. And Em is the tough but still caring street girl with confidence and skills who is thrown out of her milieu (finding that she might, possibly, like it if she can work out how to continue). Their growing relationship was fun and Brinkley's big win is making the book enjoyable.
The rest of the moving parts of the novel are a bit perfunctory. The setting is the most obvious example. It's Regency-lite with only just enough to have balls and debutants and non-silly nobility. Brinkley feels free to jettison a lot of the mores and expectations, though, so you have non-impoverished nobles with government jobs (and a chain of command) and a duchess who has zero concern for societal norms and a lot of goodwill that extends across boundaries of class and station in ways that probably should have been much more shocking. And magic, of course...
The plot was pretty straight-forward and the main reason this skirted with a three-star rating. The mystery really isn't and much of the action of the main characters doesn't accomplish anything. And when key information is found, it turns out that the actual resolution is undertaken by third parties doing things they were in the midst of doing already. In other words, the action of the main characters had no practical effect on the outcome of the story.
Which sounds like a lot of criticism for a book I eventually decided to give four stars. The thing is that I liked the characters and the magic and setting were enough to support my interest in them. Not terribly much more than that, but it was enough. It helps, of course, that I knew going in that it was going to be just this kind of light read, so I was pleasantly surprised by the great parts and already knew to expect the not-so-great.
The rest of the moving parts of the novel are a bit perfunctory. The setting is the most obvious example. It's Regency-lite with only just enough to have balls and debutants and non-silly nobility. Brinkley feels free to jettison a lot of the mores and expectations, though, so you have non-impoverished nobles with government jobs (and a chain of command) and a duchess who has zero concern for societal norms and a lot of goodwill that extends across boundaries of class and station in ways that probably should have been much more shocking. And magic, of course...
The plot was pretty straight-forward and the main reason this skirted with a three-star rating. The mystery really isn't and much of the action of the main characters doesn't accomplish anything. And when key information is found, it turns out that the actual resolution is undertaken by third parties doing things they were in the midst of doing already. In other words, the action of the main characters had no practical effect on the outcome of the story.
Which sounds like a lot of criticism for a book I eventually decided to give four stars. The thing is that I liked the characters and the magic and setting were enough to support my interest in them. Not terribly much more than that, but it was enough. It helps, of course, that I knew going in that it was going to be just this kind of light read, so I was pleasantly surprised by the great parts and already knew to expect the not-so-great.
March 29, 2018
I definitely love Ms. Brinkley's writing style. Almost lyrical at times. I love this about historical novels, this feel that you're celebrating the English language, not just using it. And the author gives you that in her books. And I loved Em and Thomas so much! I wanted more stories with them!!
May 7, 2016
This story is so up my alley! I love slightly awkward heroes with a tendency to get lost in thought. And I really love feisty, capable heroines who are a little bit dangerous.
The worldbuilding here was both fresh and familiar. Perhaps the classism of the period is downplayed to unrealistic levels, but then...magic! I really loved the world and the fact that the characters from major to minor are all well drawn. I was totally reeled in by both Em and Thomas and am looking forward to stories featuring the other members of Thomas's family.
The prologue sets a bit of a creepy tone, but the story overall is light and engaging. A highly recommended and fairly quick read!
The worldbuilding here was both fresh and familiar. Perhaps the classism of the period is downplayed to unrealistic levels, but then...magic! I really loved the world and the fact that the characters from major to minor are all well drawn. I was totally reeled in by both Em and Thomas and am looking forward to stories featuring the other members of Thomas's family.
The prologue sets a bit of a creepy tone, but the story overall is light and engaging. A highly recommended and fairly quick read!
May 18, 2016
This has cute moments - but the second half lagged for me.
And while there is a HEA at the end, there is hardly any romance between the hero and heroine. Hardly any build-up at all - no courting or anything. That was disappointing.
Review to come
And while there is a HEA at the end, there is hardly any romance between the hero and heroine. Hardly any build-up at all - no courting or anything. That was disappointing.
Review to come
August 8, 2017
This tale seems to try to do too many things in the size of book - a novella. We get crime and magic and some romance and historical London, all in one go. I admire the concept but I think a longer version would fill in more detail.
A young woman works with a gang of thieves and she is hired as an assassin occasionally. She kills a despicable man of wealth, and the fact that he collected magical artefacts makes this case of interest to a society that dabbles in magic, which sends a handsome unattached young man wizard to investigate. He is sure there must be more to the demure magically cloaked assassin than meets the eye. See what I mean? When we have to learn how the magic works and who is likely to inherit capabilities, that's a lot to cram in with all the explanations, training, etc.
One point I disliked. Someone is revealed as not being from a working class line after all and this changes how others treat that person and what their likely future will be. So it's Oliver Twist again. It's superiority of the Norman rulers and the richest being the fittest. Can we please have a follow-on story in which a person descended from Saxon or Celt stock is proven to be as adept, fit and smart as the overlords, able to change their life for the better. Remember, these were the people who actually did the work and invented and made the tools and goods, while most of the wealthy partied, gambled and ran up immense debts.
Have fun with this Regency urban fantasy. I spotted a few Americanisms in the conversations.
This is an unbiased review.
A young woman works with a gang of thieves and she is hired as an assassin occasionally. She kills a despicable man of wealth, and the fact that he collected magical artefacts makes this case of interest to a society that dabbles in magic, which sends a handsome unattached young man wizard to investigate. He is sure there must be more to the demure magically cloaked assassin than meets the eye. See what I mean? When we have to learn how the magic works and who is likely to inherit capabilities, that's a lot to cram in with all the explanations, training, etc.
One point I disliked. Someone is revealed as not being from a working class line after all and this changes how others treat that person and what their likely future will be. So it's Oliver Twist again. It's superiority of the Norman rulers and the richest being the fittest. Can we please have a follow-on story in which a person descended from Saxon or Celt stock is proven to be as adept, fit and smart as the overlords, able to change their life for the better. Remember, these were the people who actually did the work and invented and made the tools and goods, while most of the wealthy partied, gambled and ran up immense debts.
Have fun with this Regency urban fantasy. I spotted a few Americanisms in the conversations.
This is an unbiased review.
September 15, 2017
This was a cute story about Thomas and Em, and their magic. They met when Thomas was hired by Whitehall to get back some magical artifacts that were stolen, then the thief himself was killed so Thomas went to the Kingpin who had the guy killed and took his possessions. That was an interesting conversation, to say the least. Uncle Gordon not only admitted to sending his thieves out to kill and rob Lord Garmin but introduced the beautiful Em to Thomas, who admitted to killing and robbing Lord Garmin AND having a complete list of everything stolen from the dead man.
Thomas was not the only one magical, Em had the skills of illusions so she always made herself plain, if not ugly, but Thomas sees it for what it is and asks her to drop her “mask” and when she does he falls in love immediately.
Thomas’s father is a talented wizard and his step-mother in a witchy-healer. AND Harry, the killer and thief, is the one who always does Em’s hair. Ya’ gotta love that.
A cute and short story. No sex, no swearing, but still good.
December 16, 2019
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I purchased this ebook for full price.
I devoured this book so quickly, and with such enjoyment, that I forgot to take any notes for my review! Brinkley’s debut novel features romance, magic, and mystery set in historical London. She weaves together the tropes from multiple genres without ever falling into stereotype. And despite the large cast of supporting characters, all are unique and well-drawn.
Though the romance is inevitable due to genre expectations, Thomas and Em’s evolving relationship never feels contrived or inevitable. I believed in their growing attraction, grieved during the requisite dark moment, and cheered for their reconciliation and happily ever after. The mystery aspect of the novel featured a delightful plot twist that added to the story as a whole.
I’m looking forward to the other two books in this series. Brinkley’s take on magical London is sure to delight historical fantasy and and historical romance readers alike.
I devoured this book so quickly, and with such enjoyment, that I forgot to take any notes for my review! Brinkley’s debut novel features romance, magic, and mystery set in historical London. She weaves together the tropes from multiple genres without ever falling into stereotype. And despite the large cast of supporting characters, all are unique and well-drawn.
Though the romance is inevitable due to genre expectations, Thomas and Em’s evolving relationship never feels contrived or inevitable. I believed in their growing attraction, grieved during the requisite dark moment, and cheered for their reconciliation and happily ever after. The mystery aspect of the novel featured a delightful plot twist that added to the story as a whole.
I’m looking forward to the other two books in this series. Brinkley’s take on magical London is sure to delight historical fantasy and and historical romance readers alike.
May 7, 2017
What an opener this had and a thrill ride for the remainder of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed this and the suspense since there wasn't really a bad guy to contend with except in the very beginning. From there putting Em and Thomas together (thief and gentry) with magic to build on and a mystery to unravel was more than enough to keep me turning the page. Spoilers! Nothing more than what I've already said. The characters are vivid, the outcome isn't given till close to the end, and it makes me hope there will be more that include Duncan, Jack, and the girls in Thomas' family. Kudos to Brinkley....my first read from her, but definitely not my last.
February 27, 2018
I was looking forward to reading this book by a new-to-me author. I don't usually read books with magic and it took me a while to get into the story. It might have been easier if I had read the previous books. The story was good and had enough character development for a short story. There was, however, very little romance. I actually enjoyed some of the secondary characters more than the hero and heroine. I would have given this book four stars but the fact that the author practically approved of murder turned me off. *Disclaimer* I received this book without any expectations and the decision to review it is my own.
March 23, 2021
Charming!
This was an utterly charming story, a sweet romantic tale with a lovely HEA. It’s a pretty quick and easy read, perfect for an afternoon. It’s a clean book, just kissing.
I just love Jamaila Brinkley’s books and have bought the other ones in this series.
If you haven’t already, be sure to read her series about Anastasia Gillip, which occurs about 2 years prior to this book. There are several cross over characters in that series.
This was an utterly charming story, a sweet romantic tale with a lovely HEA. It’s a pretty quick and easy read, perfect for an afternoon. It’s a clean book, just kissing.
I just love Jamaila Brinkley’s books and have bought the other ones in this series.
If you haven’t already, be sure to read her series about Anastasia Gillip, which occurs about 2 years prior to this book. There are several cross over characters in that series.
August 10, 2017
Refreshingly well-written. I'd like to read more by this author. I wish there were more exploits with the two main characters. They only had the one escapade together. I wanted more story but assume there is more in following books as I believe this is part of a series. The setting was well-done, original story line.
February 3, 2017
Magic and romance
I liked this book because a little magic and common sense became a delightful romance. The complex relationships among the family and their love for each other was great. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes magic and romance.
I liked this book because a little magic and common sense became a delightful romance. The complex relationships among the family and their love for each other was great. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes magic and romance.
June 5, 2017
Very light and a bit shorter than I would have liked, but a fun setting and interesting characters. I would have loved more depth on how magic worked in the world, and more build up to the romance, it went very quickly, but overall very enjoyable!
September 13, 2017
Victorian Magic
I wasn't too sure about this book when I saw it but since it was free, I gave it a chance. I am SO glad I did! It was well written mixing the Victorian era with magic and mystery. Can't wait to read the next one!
I wasn't too sure about this book when I saw it but since it was free, I gave it a chance. I am SO glad I did! It was well written mixing the Victorian era with magic and mystery. Can't wait to read the next one!
March 3, 2018
I finished Thieves Honor last night and went searching for the next two. I found them and downloaded them without a second thought. I’ve started #2 and it is as good as I anticipated.
The mix of pre Victorian England and magic as a fact of life, make this an interesting story/series.
Thomas is a series academic who is pulled into an investigation that requires some practical skills. Em is a master of these skills. The two of them begin to create a great team and also fall in love. They are stronger together than apart.
Combine them and a great cast of secondary characters and you have a family you just want to know more about. It’s not often you come across an author that can create this level of interest in both the main characters and the ‘extras’.
This story is somewhere between novella and novel in length. You should give this series a go.
The mix of pre Victorian England and magic as a fact of life, make this an interesting story/series.
Thomas is a series academic who is pulled into an investigation that requires some practical skills. Em is a master of these skills. The two of them begin to create a great team and also fall in love. They are stronger together than apart.
Combine them and a great cast of secondary characters and you have a family you just want to know more about. It’s not often you come across an author that can create this level of interest in both the main characters and the ‘extras’.
This story is somewhere between novella and novel in length. You should give this series a go.
June 18, 2017
3.5 stars
March 14, 2018
3.5 stars. This could have been an excellent novel 2 - 3 times the length. Some world building would be nice.
August 22, 2018
A good read
A very good story and walk through the past. I would like to see how this book follows on. More magic maybe.
A very good story and walk through the past. I would like to see how this book follows on. More magic maybe.
March 11, 2019
Not bad.
March 1, 2017
3.5 stars, actually.
This is a lovely little historical romance (with a bit of magic) with the particular flavor of "bookish" gentleman meets lady-like thief and they set out to learn magic from each other and solve a mystery.
The gentleman has two really, good friends who are definitely Alpha-heroes-in-waiting for their own books.
It might just not have been to my taste. Firstly, the steam level is rather low. I do like low-steam romances (Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer) but then I want a bit more society-banter than was present here. I also have high expectation for my magic-infused romances, I want the magic to have consequences for the main characters, either creating difficulties for a woman wielding magic, or having the relationship impacted because of it.
Em and Thomas have a lovely, mutually admiring relationship. Which is great. However, it's not my personal taste in romances. I love tension, and Em seemed to have a decided lack of tension in her life, even her ne'er-do-well thief compadres and uncle seem to support her intention to leave them and also seem to face no societal consequences for her association with them.
So, as I said, a lovely little historical romance, but the amount of tension and steam wasn't to my personal taste.
This is a lovely little historical romance (with a bit of magic) with the particular flavor of "bookish" gentleman meets lady-like thief and they set out to learn magic from each other and solve a mystery.
The gentleman has two really, good friends who are definitely Alpha-heroes-in-waiting for their own books.
It might just not have been to my taste. Firstly, the steam level is rather low. I do like low-steam romances (Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer) but then I want a bit more society-banter than was present here. I also have high expectation for my magic-infused romances, I want the magic to have consequences for the main characters, either creating difficulties for a woman wielding magic, or having the relationship impacted because of it.
Em and Thomas have a lovely, mutually admiring relationship. Which is great. However, it's not my personal taste in romances. I love tension, and Em seemed to have a decided lack of tension in her life, even her ne'er-do-well thief compadres and uncle seem to support her intention to leave them and also seem to face no societal consequences for her association with them.
So, as I said, a lovely little historical romance, but the amount of tension and steam wasn't to my personal taste.
February 27, 2017
Em and Thomas's story is intriguing, mysterious, and romantic. A thief and a royal, from two different sides of town, join their magics together to solve a mystery. The story is well written, though short, with several twists and turns that keep the readers attention. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more by the author.
February 18, 2017
Thomas has been assigned to a very strange case. Some important magical items have turned up missing when a noblemen was murdered. During his investigation, he finds an unlikely teammate in a theif named Em. Can they work together in harmony and find the missing items?
I really adored this book! The characters were very easy to connect to! I can't tell you how many times I just busted out laughing at parts in this book. It's rare for me to be able to connect to every single character in the book, but I was able to in this one. They all had a very amazing character that fit in very well with the book. I want more! Let me keep reading about these amazing characters and their lives!
There's very little that I didn't like about this book. I feel that some of the characters should have had a bit bigger of a role. They were kind of overshadowed when they were referenced as being in the scene. It felt like they were more background props than anything. I also feel that the book could have been more drawn out and longer than it was.
This was an amazing book. I'm surprised I've never heard of this book or the author before! I can't wait to read more books by this author! I hope that she writes more books for this one. Make it a series so to speak! I fully recommend it! It's so cute and magical! I could go on and on, but I'd just ruin it for potential readers!
I really adored this book! The characters were very easy to connect to! I can't tell you how many times I just busted out laughing at parts in this book. It's rare for me to be able to connect to every single character in the book, but I was able to in this one. They all had a very amazing character that fit in very well with the book. I want more! Let me keep reading about these amazing characters and their lives!
There's very little that I didn't like about this book. I feel that some of the characters should have had a bit bigger of a role. They were kind of overshadowed when they were referenced as being in the scene. It felt like they were more background props than anything. I also feel that the book could have been more drawn out and longer than it was.
This was an amazing book. I'm surprised I've never heard of this book or the author before! I can't wait to read more books by this author! I hope that she writes more books for this one. Make it a series so to speak! I fully recommend it! It's so cute and magical! I could go on and on, but I'd just ruin it for potential readers!
October 21, 2016
What an interesting story! From the first chapter I was intrigued with the magic, the mystery, the thieves and the Ton characters. First time that I read a book by this author and I liked it very much. Very entertaining with descriptions that made me imagine the scenes. Liked the plot development with the suspense, the not so obvious romance and the end piqued my curiosity for more. Well written story.
August 24, 2017
Delightful
Do read these Edgebourne Chronicles in order. They can be read as stand a.one, but each enriches the other. I love the Regency mashed with magic, the delightful characters, each very individual, and the warmth of the extended family. They are a rather idealised family, but the family it would be such fun to belong to.
Do read these Edgebourne Chronicles in order. They can be read as stand a.one, but each enriches the other. I love the Regency mashed with magic, the delightful characters, each very individual, and the warmth of the extended family. They are a rather idealised family, but the family it would be such fun to belong to.
October 18, 2016
4.5/5.0
The opening scene of this book is absolutely fantastic!
Read full review in the 2016 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
The opening scene of this book is absolutely fantastic!
Read full review in the 2016 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
April 29, 2017
Jamaila Brinkley does not disappoint!
February 1, 2018
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book.**
Historical romance...with magic?
A new assignment has landed on Thomas' desk and he's not sure he is cut out for this mission. To retrieve the stolen magical artifacts from a recently deceased man, Thomas has to question a notorious crime family. He just doesn't expect to find a lovely woman in the middle of it. When it's discovered that items are still missing, Thomas knows he will have to get inside the man's home to search it. With no knowledge of breaking and entering, he asks the professional criminals for help.
Em's skill with picking locks isn't her only ability. She's an illusionist who can change her appearance to make people forget they ever saw her. It has made stealing from rich society a much easier task over the years. But when a handsome gentleman comes asking for assistance, she finds herself quickly volunteering. And falling for him just as fast.
I loved this! I actually wish it had been longer so we would have gotten more of Thomas and his terrible attempts at learning thievery. I also wanted to see more of our couple getting to know one another because once Em learns the truth about herself, everything goes quickly and our pair don't really get any alone time together. But that is a complaint born out of love for the story. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted more of it.
Thomas was so adorable. He is usually more of a reclusive bookworm, but he was excited to try something new and take a page out of Jack's handbook. The poor guy was sorely in over his head, though. His interactions with Em were cute. I smiled a lot while reading this book. The family scenes were heartwarming as well.
The romance is tame, even more so than I expected. Our couple develop more of a friendship here than a romantic one. I'm okay with that. I think relationships based on friendship are more stable anyway. I do wish we'd have gotten to see a little more intimacy between the pair, but the scenes we did get were enough to convince me of this couple's chemistry.
In closing...
I'm about to start reading Duncan's story. I wonder what's in store for him. Five suns!
Full review on blog: https://uptildawnbookblog.blogspot.com/2018/01/review-thieves-honor-by-jamaila-brinkley.html
February 24, 2018
I loved it! From the opening prologue, I was hooked and couldn't put it down, finished it in an evening!!💙💙
Thomas at first believes it is only because of his title that anyone would seek his help, he is insecure in his inabilities...but when he meets Em, who is equally impressed by his magic as he is by hers, who asks him to TEACH her...she draws him out slowly by seeing him for the man he is, loving Thomas.
Em at first sees herself as a thief, as well as a killer, always on the edge of society but never quite belonging...then when she meets Lord and Lady Bradley she gets a taste of what that feeling of being a member of society is, what they want her to be, yet she still feels like she doesn't belong...she feels like she has become her illusion, forgettable. Until Thomas sees through it, both the magical illusion and the one she puts on, she realizes Thomas loves who she is, the thief, the woman who can disappear, and the one who captured his heart.
Thomas wants to prove he can solve this without falling back on his connections, like his father, he wants to prove he is as good as his cohorts, that just because he is a Lord, he is still capable.
And Em wants time off from the pressures and nightmares of her life as a thief after killing a man. But she is also drawn to Thomas, his magic and what he can do, she wants to learn from him.
I loved Harry and Fergus!! As well as the Duchess, she was fascinating to me, and oddly Uncle Gordon.
I am really looking forward to the next books in the series!!♡♡♡
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews