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His entire life Ahvram Goldfinch has tried to prove he’s useful, but in the Syndicate family of The Shimmering City that’s not easy to do. It doesn’t help that Ahvram is a null, a mage with a venomous aura that steals magic from whatever he touches. Making it as a pickpocket has proved to be impossible, and recently just walking the streets of the City is a danger, seeing as the new Child Queen has changed every rule since the Revolution. There is no way a powerful Wildlander mage like the Queen would tolerate a null mage like Ahvram. For his and the Syndicate’s safety, Ahvram is left to either play guard at the Old Battlements or, on special occasions, go as extra insurance for collections missions with his brother, Dominic. When the opportunity comes for him to prove himself, Ahvram is quick to jump to the task. It was supposed to be a simple intimidate a PeaceKeeper for a smuggler. But when the deal goes wrong, he finds himself captured by the PeaceKeepers and handed over to the vicious Child Queen. However, after meeting her he finds that his world is not exactly what he’s been led to believe.
399 pages, Paperback
First published October 21, 2021
26 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 4, 2022
Engrossing and interesting
First book I've read by this author, hopefully not the last. The worldbuilding seems well done, with an interesting magic system. The protagonist wasn't too annoying and OMG someone Actually answered his questions when he asked them. Which is a rarity in books. And the answers helped the plot progress. Much appreciated, I enjoyed that the main character was able to grow and change as new information was given to him.
First book I've read by this author, hopefully not the last. The worldbuilding seems well done, with an interesting magic system. The protagonist wasn't too annoying and OMG someone Actually answered his questions when he asked them. Which is a rarity in books. And the answers helped the plot progress. Much appreciated, I enjoyed that the main character was able to grow and change as new information was given to him.
March 7, 2022
I've been in quite the reading slump recently and have had a hard time finding anything that keeps me immersed. Until I stumbled across this one! I loved the world building and everything unfolded quite nicely, I can't wait for the next book!
December 27, 2021
Greatly written. A surprise to read
The character is a classic trope but his growth is respectable in that it’s not too cliche yet he slowly peels it back. I would like to know more of Goldfinch’s growth in the upcoming books.
The character is a classic trope but his growth is respectable in that it’s not too cliche yet he slowly peels it back. I would like to know more of Goldfinch’s growth in the upcoming books.
February 5, 2022
A fascinating world! Characters are interesting and endearing. Couldn’t put it down!
November 20, 2021
Loved it
I usually don't enjoy fantasy books but I fell in love with this book. It was easy to read, easy to understand and the story is fascinating. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next in the series.
I usually don't enjoy fantasy books but I fell in love with this book. It was easy to read, easy to understand and the story is fascinating. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next in the series.
February 8, 2022
Fun read, grabbed me right away
Everyone loves the unlikely hero; the down-trodden child who comes into themself through circumstance and opportunity. This book ticks those boxes, starts off quickly (don’t need to read a third of the book to get into it), and keeps you turning pages until there are no more pages left to turn.
Everyone loves the unlikely hero; the down-trodden child who comes into themself through circumstance and opportunity. This book ticks those boxes, starts off quickly (don’t need to read a third of the book to get into it), and keeps you turning pages until there are no more pages left to turn.
November 7, 2021
An engaging book by a promising new author. Original story. World building unfolds with the story and there is good character development and growth. I throughly enjoyed the story and found it hard to put down. I’m looking forward to seeing more in this series.
April 16, 2025
Worth a read
I mostly really enjoyed this. The world is interesting, and the characters are fun. I thought much of it was very original and consistently engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book.
There are a few typos throughout, but not enough to be distracting. I think the MC acts consistently with his faults, which is understandable but can be annoying. Such are faults I suppose. I thought some of the big reveals near the end didn’t land for me, and I found myself just shrugging a bit. And there was an ending trope that is one of my least favorite, I’ll address it at the end with a spoiler tag. It felt very close to five stars for me, and I think this is the authors first book(?) so I think that’s really impressive. I would certainly recommend this, the characters are thoughtfully crafted, and it addresses fascinating topics of disillusionment and trauma, in a world that feels unique and lived in. I look forward to the next book!
Spoilers!!!!!
Why, oh why, does the MC and two other people go alone to catch the big bad who’s too dangerous to expect to catch? They’re not rushed, they take a whole night before going. They could have just gone and grabbed Cyrus! And I think it could have been dealt with by putting some time constraint on it, or some concern about the guard being corrupt and then not wanting to tip off the bad guy. But none of that happens, and their main plan is just insanely silly. This is a common thing that happens in books to up the tension, which I get, but it felt particularly annoying in this instance.
I mostly really enjoyed this. The world is interesting, and the characters are fun. I thought much of it was very original and consistently engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book.
There are a few typos throughout, but not enough to be distracting. I think the MC acts consistently with his faults, which is understandable but can be annoying. Such are faults I suppose. I thought some of the big reveals near the end didn’t land for me, and I found myself just shrugging a bit. And there was an ending trope that is one of my least favorite, I’ll address it at the end with a spoiler tag. It felt very close to five stars for me, and I think this is the authors first book(?) so I think that’s really impressive. I would certainly recommend this, the characters are thoughtfully crafted, and it addresses fascinating topics of disillusionment and trauma, in a world that feels unique and lived in. I look forward to the next book!
Spoilers!!!!!
Why, oh why, does the MC and two other people go alone to catch the big bad who’s too dangerous to expect to catch? They’re not rushed, they take a whole night before going. They could have just gone and grabbed Cyrus! And I think it could have been dealt with by putting some time constraint on it, or some concern about the guard being corrupt and then not wanting to tip off the bad guy. But none of that happens, and their main plan is just insanely silly. This is a common thing that happens in books to up the tension, which I get, but it felt particularly annoying in this instance.
March 11, 2023
This was a really enjoyable read with wonderful world building and history. I feel like this book in particular was very heavy on the world building and rather light on the plot. We get to know Avhram really well but not the other characters who are mentioned, and the long history bits didn't add to the plot as much as I would've liked. I'm hoping this is all just because it's the first book in a series and the following books will have more depth and a more complex plot. As a standalone it's a good read but falls a little short.
As a side note, there is no romance in this book at all, and despite the clearly Jewish naming, Judaism isn't a thing that exists in this book either.
As a side note, there is no romance in this book at all, and despite the clearly Jewish naming, Judaism isn't a thing that exists in this book either.
January 21, 2022
Well done worth the read
MC is super annoying for someone who can't stand week people. I get he had some terrible upbringing but at some point any rational person would have never really let anyone treat them that way or live that way.
MC is super annoying for someone who can't stand week people. I get he had some terrible upbringing but at some point any rational person would have never really let anyone treat them that way or live that way.
August 22, 2023
The beginning with the worldbuilding was a tad difficult to get thru, but that's always been a personal issue and absolutely nothing to do with the book itself. It was a great book overall!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews