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Joythief
They stole what she loved most about herself. Now she’ll do anything to get it back.
Mariq is a trophy—the princess of Kuriza, valued only for her worth as a pawn in her father’s court. Or so everyone thinks. Mariq has cultivated worth of her own in the Star-Blades, a guild of thieves and assassins. Trained by the best, Mariq can get into anywhere and steal anything.
But then she’s blackmailed into murder and poisoned with Joythief—a magical poison that kills the part of a person they love the most. With her thieving skills dwindling and her own guild to blame, Mariq joins her would-be target to take down the Star-Blades.
Aided by a no-name slave and a woman who refers to her magic as a monster, Mariq must travel halfway across the Scorched Lands, into deserts mad with magic, and pray her soon-to-be-gone skills are enough to succeed. If not, she’ll have to find some other way–some other worth within herself—to win the day.
Mariq is a trophy—the princess of Kuriza, valued only for her worth as a pawn in her father’s court. Or so everyone thinks. Mariq has cultivated worth of her own in the Star-Blades, a guild of thieves and assassins. Trained by the best, Mariq can get into anywhere and steal anything.
But then she’s blackmailed into murder and poisoned with Joythief—a magical poison that kills the part of a person they love the most. With her thieving skills dwindling and her own guild to blame, Mariq joins her would-be target to take down the Star-Blades.
Aided by a no-name slave and a woman who refers to her magic as a monster, Mariq must travel halfway across the Scorched Lands, into deserts mad with magic, and pray her soon-to-be-gone skills are enough to succeed. If not, she’ll have to find some other way–some other worth within herself—to win the day.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2016
19 people want to read
About the author
Brenda J. Pierson
10 books9 followersBrenda J. Pierson is just a nerd living her dream. Inspired by Brandon Sanderson and R.A. Salvatore, she writes teen-friendly fantasy novels brimming with magic, monsters, and epic quests to save the world. In addition to writing she’s a crafter, dedicated bookworm, avid gamer, lover of tacos, and crazy cat lady. She’s living the good life with her husband and kitties in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona.
You can find Brenda skulking around Twitter (@bjpwrites), as long as you don’t mind seeing her cats as well as her books.
You can find Brenda skulking around Twitter (@bjpwrites), as long as you don’t mind seeing her cats as well as her books.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 2, 2017
This is an absolutely charming book, and the more I think back on it the more I like it.
At first it presents as a whimsical Arabian fantasy, a gender flipped Sands of Time, with colours and silken scarves and towers and deserts and assassins and poison and all the good stuff. Underneath it all, though, there are serious reflections on the politics of authenticity and reflections on consequence, and far deeper ethical questions than I expected from such a fun little book.
Reflecting on it, it's not a four star book, it's amazing and I love it.
Edit: It also gets (theoretical) bonus points for not being <$series>, Book 1. Trilogies and things are fine, I love them, but not every single story needs to be part of a larger work* and this stands just fine alone.
*not that you'd know that looking at Amazon, mind.
At first it presents as a whimsical Arabian fantasy, a gender flipped Sands of Time, with colours and silken scarves and towers and deserts and assassins and poison and all the good stuff. Underneath it all, though, there are serious reflections on the politics of authenticity and reflections on consequence, and far deeper ethical questions than I expected from such a fun little book.
Reflecting on it, it's not a four star book, it's amazing and I love it.
Edit: It also gets (theoretical) bonus points for not being <$series>, Book 1. Trilogies and things are fine, I love them, but not every single story needs to be part of a larger work* and this stands just fine alone.
*not that you'd know that looking at Amazon, mind.
June 22, 2023
The cover drew me in while perusing the shelves of the Denver Public Library, the premise kept me intrigued, and the story kept me turning the pages - what else could I ask for?
It's clear that Pierson poured her heart into this story. She asks her readers to consider what it means to be alive -- what IS magic? --, what it means to be a woman in a place that treats her like property, and what it means to lean away from shame and into friendship that accepts you the way you are, special abilities excluded.
I'm looking forward to reading more stories from Pierson in the future!
It's clear that Pierson poured her heart into this story. She asks her readers to consider what it means to be alive -- what IS magic? --, what it means to be a woman in a place that treats her like property, and what it means to lean away from shame and into friendship that accepts you the way you are, special abilities excluded.
I'm looking forward to reading more stories from Pierson in the future!
February 5, 2023
A wonderful story of fantasy that will take you away to another dimension for awhile. Mariq is a Princess with a special ability. If someone is poisoned by Joythief they lose that special skill. How will this all turn out. Ready for more by this outstanding author.
May 5, 2016
First, the premise, shall we? JOYTHIEF revolves around a poison that steals what is most precious to yourself. How cool and terrifying is that? How many wildly different but intense story could we tell from it?
For Mariq, this invaluable part of herself is her spider-thief skills. And here JOYTHIEF brings us not only a story full of intense adventure, magic, and intrigue, but also weaves in a deeper theme: how much of ourselves we tie to our skills. What part of our identity is connected to what we can do? Are we worth less if we lose them? And if we have horrible powers, does that make us a monster? What of men with skills, but no identity? Can they use their strengths to break free and build themselves?
JOYTHIEF has all you want in good fantasy: a thrilling storyline, powerful and dangerous magic, complex characters, and a powerful theme gluing it all together.
(Also it has Cendim, my Good Slytherin baby, whom I will always love. Every novel needs a Cendim!)
For Mariq, this invaluable part of herself is her spider-thief skills. And here JOYTHIEF brings us not only a story full of intense adventure, magic, and intrigue, but also weaves in a deeper theme: how much of ourselves we tie to our skills. What part of our identity is connected to what we can do? Are we worth less if we lose them? And if we have horrible powers, does that make us a monster? What of men with skills, but no identity? Can they use their strengths to break free and build themselves?
JOYTHIEF has all you want in good fantasy: a thrilling storyline, powerful and dangerous magic, complex characters, and a powerful theme gluing it all together.
(Also it has Cendim, my Good Slytherin baby, whom I will always love. Every novel needs a Cendim!)
July 11, 2016
Joythief is the 2nd book I've read by Brenda J Pierson. ..and I have not been disappointed! Colorful, in depth, world building brings you into the tale. Characters you can connect with, fall in love with or come to despise. What a great read! Full of suspense, intrigue, betrayal...I couldn't wait to turn the page!
We are drawn into a world of sheiks, princesses, and desert cities torn between magic and non-magic. A secret society with the agenda of ridding the world of all magic armed with a potion to steal away people's passions. How will it end...will this society prevail or will those who embrace magic be standing at the end?
We are drawn into a world of sheiks, princesses, and desert cities torn between magic and non-magic. A secret society with the agenda of ridding the world of all magic armed with a potion to steal away people's passions. How will it end...will this society prevail or will those who embrace magic be standing at the end?
April 18, 2016
Disclaimer: I proofread this one. But that was my first time seeing the manuscript (so I had nothing to do with its story content) and trust me, it really is this good. Brenda makes you care about the protagonists and despise the antagonists, not to mention the fabulous worldbuilding. If you're a fantasy fan, definitely put Joythief on your to-read list!
June 2, 2016
Enjoyable.
I liked the concept of the princess as secret thief, and the rather nasty idea of the Joythief itself. The magic rules were interesting and new to me. I look forward to more from this author.
I liked the concept of the princess as secret thief, and the rather nasty idea of the Joythief itself. The magic rules were interesting and new to me. I look forward to more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews