Champions of the Fox

Thieves of Shadow #3

by Kevin Sands

In this conclusion to the thrilling Thieves of Shadow series, bestselling author Kevin Sands delivers a jaw-dropping heist that sees five young thieves masterminding a prison break from the empire’s most impenetrable island fortress. Fans of The False Prince and Ocean’s Eleven will be mesmerized by this page-turning series filled with twists and turns.

“Follow my instructions, and when our task is done, I will release you.”

Commanded by the magical artifact known as the Dragon’s Eye, junior con artist Callan and his friends are eagerly reaching the end of the epic quest that will finally free him from the Eye’s sinister hold. But their final task is their most ambitious: sneaking into the emperor’s private island prison and rescuing a man from a jail cell that has been locked tight for forty years. This impossible heist will strain the gang’s unique abilities to thieve and deceive everyone from the guards, the city elite, the warden, and even the nefarious local crime boss who warns them to stay away.

As the friends plan out their last and most difficult con job, Callan begins to question what they’re helping the Eye to achieve. Aided by magical hints and fitful dreams, Callan slowly uncovers the Eye’s true desires. To his horror, he realizes that he may be the one being conned all this time . . . and his mistake could cost the world’s entire existence.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery, Adventure, Audiobook

464 pages, Hardcover

First published November 7, 2023

About the author

Since escaping from university with a pair of degrees in theoretical physics, Kevin Sands has worked as a researcher, a business consultant, and a teacher. He is the author of the bestselling The Blackthorn Key series. His brand new fantasy adventure, Children of the Fox, is out now.

Reviews

[Audrey]

omg the coverrr!!!

Since Blackthorn finished I’ve been needing some Kevin sands in my life but I also don’t want children of the fox to end 😭

[Natalya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a perfect way to end such a great series. More people need to pick this one up!

[Taylor G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed HOWEVER
The first part of the book was a perfect continuation of the second book
But then towards the end it sped up and threw the pacing off so that the ending felt a bit rushed
And the ending was a bit odd as well and didn’t feel like it belonged in the series
I did really enjoy the book though
Would recommend it.

[christine ✩]

I am genuinely so, SO SO sad to leave these kids and this world. Kevin Sands, you've done it again! and I don't even get more Blackthorn Key books now! :(
The long con, all this time!! I am in awe. But of course - what else could it be? This is exactly how it was meant to be. Mentally I'm lying on the floor trying to recover from all that. Cal and Meriel and Lachlan and Gareth and Foxtail and the Spirits ... see I'm of the opinion that this is still in a way unfinished. Meriel and her birthright! What about that?? me when I feel insane about middle grade fantasy novels like a normal person THE GAFF!!!! i love these kids so much it is absolutely wild to me that they are 14. this is like SoC in the whole Heist Con thing and also the fact that the characters read way older than they are to me but of course nothing like the Crows lolol
anyway i cannot BELIEVE the amount of insanity we got in the last like. 5% of the book like WHAT was going ON devious plots! i meant to go to bed an hour and a half ago but i realized i needed to finish reading this so once again i can blame my sleep deprivation on mg novels and also pure homework procrastination but it do be likeTHAT SOMETIMES aaaaaaa Kevin Sands


--

(upon the original release of this book on goodreads) NO WAY

edited nov 8 23: this came out yesterday and ofc i was like HELLO! and went looking for it. fun fact: i have library cards to four libraries. unfortunately for me, i found this book in print at my home library, which i am 200 miles away from, and online at nypl except my card expired there and i cannot renew it because i am, in fact, 200 miles away. and not at any other library i actually have access to right now. -_-. resorting to emoticons i used as 12 year old to express my mild annoyance. i miss these kids man :( it's fine i'll just read it as fast as possible on thanksgiving

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Sands, I need another book (series) of yours, now! Thank you for these wild, fantastic adventures with characters that are now my friends.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT ending to a pretty cool story. Leaves you feeling really warm and fuzzy inside. And, as far as I can tell, there are no lose ends, which is a feat in itself because this was a much more complex story than it originally appeared. Really looking forward to more books by Mr. Sands.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cal really would like to be free of the Dragon's Eye stuck to his head. It demands that he go to Sligach and find the Hollow Man for one final job and then promises he'll be free. There's just a few hangups. First, the underworld in Sligach is very strict and the group has to promise the head guy a cut of their jobs plus Gareth at the end. (Cal has no plans to honor that agreement.) Second, they find out that the Hollow Man is in an imperial prison that is pretty much impregnable and they need to free him. It'll take all Cal's con know-how, Foxtail's stealth, Meriel's knife skills, Gareth's knowledge, and Lachlan's charm to pull off this job. Let's just hope the payoff is worth the risk.

This was a lot more fun than the 2nd book in that they are planning a heist and all the steps that they need to pull off to make the heist possible for much of the book. We get to see all the team's various skills shine, and their ability to outwit and outmaneuver all obstacles is very entertaining. The climax draws a whole lot more together than I had even expected. Sands ties in the Fox and Bear mythology that has been going on, all the kids/teens' backstories, and answers questions about the formation of their world and where the Dragon's Eye and Teeth came from. It was a stunning piece of plotting. It takes skill to pull strings together that readers weren't even aware were possible to be pulled together. Sands obviously spent some time thinking through all this stuff from the beginning of the series. It was impressive. And a very satisfying conclusion. Because of the ages of the main characters bridging both middle grade and YA (some can pass themselves off as adults even) and because of how serious things get in all the books, the series does seem to ride that line between middle grade and YA. A good bridge series for those who like heist stories, made up mythology/magic systems, and found family stories.

Notes on content:
Language: Maybe 1 or 2 minor swears. I don't remember for sure.
Sexual content: There's a budding romance between a guy and girl but nothing beyond a little kiss.
Violence: There are some fights and one very serious confrontation with the big bad guy who's been behind the scenes that involves stabbings and such. It gets heavy and serious at the climax. The Hollow Man eats raw meat and is a bit gross.
Ethnic diversity: The 5 are from different areas of the imagined world.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: Stinky dungeon descriptions. And prisoners permanently manacled to the walls.

[Amara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't quite as good as I expected it to be, but I think I set my expectations too high. Still, this book, just like the rest of the series, has amazing characters and worldbuilding. My only complaint is that there are some loose ends and things that were never explained. 9/10

As for the series as a whole, it is one of the best I've ever read. It's extremely underrated and more people should read it.

[esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

"no way Kevin sands just wrote The Raven's Revenge and then went and wrote ANOTHER series finale where the large black bird was orchestrating everything behind the scenes"

I LOVED THIS BOOK BEST OF ALL. The team really came together and I became so attached to each of them!!1! 🥹 The plot reveals at the end took me by surprise as always. Kevin Sands has a format but he does it so well

[Robin Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's definitely got a middle school 'Six of Crows' vibe that others have mentioned. I don't think it's quite as good, but it does have an awesome cast of characters and lots of tense scheming heists. Pretty amazing trilogy. And a satisfying conclusion. Highly recommend.

[OpenedBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Champions of the Fox," the thrilling conclusion to Kevin Sands' series, masterfully addresses and surpasses the expectations set by its predecessors. This final installment brings back everything that was missed in the second book, showcasing the unique qualities of each character and highlighting their teamwork and unbreakable friendships.

From the very beginning, the plot captivates with its unexpected twists and turns, making the journey through the world of heists and prison breaks an extraordinary ride. Sands weaves a story that not only thrills adventurously but also touches the heart. The emotional depth is profound, especially as the backgrounds of the characters are revealed, bringing clarity and making the overall narrative more compelling. The biggest deception in the story is a jaw-dropping moment that surprises both Callan and the readers, adding to the intensity of the experience.

This series, with its impeccable writing, intricate plot, and outstanding character development, has earned a well-deserved spot in my top five. Sands' ingenious storytelling is so convincing that it almost makes you believe he could be a skilled con artist, but fortunately, he chose to channel his talents into writing instead.

"Champions of the Fox" stands out as the best book in the series, delivering on every front. While it's hard to say goodbye to this diverse and endearing cast of characters, there is a sense of satisfaction in the way everything concludes. The friends find their forever family within each other—a place they can truly call home. This sense of belonging is the ultimate resolution they needed to survive and thrive.

In summary, "Champions of the Fox" is an exceptional conclusion to an incredible series. It is a testament to the power of friendship, teamwork, and the journey toward finding a place where one truly belongs. Kevin Sands has crafted a masterpiece that will be cherished by readers, and I cannot recommend this series highly enough.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book of the trilogy. It had the best gaffs. I loved how everything tied together from the whole trilogy. I loved all the reveals and I was satisfied with the ending. I love how loyal this group of friends are to one another. They pull the funniest pranks and tease, but they don’t have drama. They uplift and are caring and loving. I liked the new city they visited with the trains and industry. This series makes me want to read other books by this author as well as search out books read by this narrator! This series is light hearted with a fast pace plot and very likable characters.

SPOILERS and book notes:
I love that Lachlan, Mariel, and foxtail play pranks on each other. And when Mariel catches Lachlan after he pranks her, she puts him over her knee and spanks him! Lol Lachlan got some cool rings from the vault: “One of them had turned out to be useful: it healed the wearer of minor cuts and scrapes, at the expense of making them ravenously hungry while they wore it. The rest of the rings just created bizarre illusions. One turned your skin blue. One gave you the shadow of a giant bird. And one made you look like you were infected with the weeping sickness.” Lachlan always says this and I lcoe it: ““Artha’s blessed bum.” Other magical items they collected: Mariel got gold statues to trade for money, Garth got three orbs: one showed ruins , one made you fire proof and one breathe underwater. And then a cloth mask that copies faces: The note claimed that if one person put the mask on, the next person to wear it would take on the face of the previous bearer." It could help with foxtail being in public. They went to a city with a train line! Trains and airship companies are rivals. Bc the weavers make the airships go and it’s the company and trains are normal humans in industry. So weavers weren’t allowed in this city. These steel inventions are a threat to the weavers power. There will be war. The dragon cultists were what started the weavers. They harvests power from the primeval and from human life force. But a branch of people didn’t like that so they called themselves weavers and aligned themselves with the first emperor and got rid of the dragon cults. There are seven spirits!! Not just two!! ““The Seven Sisters,” Keane said. “Fox. Bear. Sheep. Deer. Leopard. Wolf. And Rabbit.”” Just like the seven volcanos. The spirits used the eye to create the world and the adversary aka the dragon wants to use it to destroy it. There is also crow spirit named bran. But he is a mystery. Could he be the dragon? The shadow is the realm between realms where the spirits can go. Callan goes there when he realizes he isn’t dreaming. The burn mark on his finger is the mark of the seven sisters. The breakers use the sewers to travel in the city. They got thieving gear from a pawn shop. But since they are free lancers and don’t help no to the head guild they have to check in to the breakers (aka Mr fox) before they do any thieving. The guild of course takes a cut of their earnings. The shadow lands are showing Callan Merilel training when she was little! I love how much they defend each other!! They fight and tease each other but the second an outsider dares to threaten or insult they are SO PROTECTIVE. The hollow man is a 200yo prisoner in the emperors own prison. And the Mr fox said if they go after him, he will kill them all. To get to the island prison the only way is the railway. They will break out a kid named cormick too. A brother of a little girl. I loved this moment between Mariel and Callan! ““You were right, though,” I said, thinking of her father—by now, surely dead. “Family does matter.” I looked at her. “No matter how you come by it.” She nodded, understanding. “No matter how.” Now they have to pretend to be total idiots at thieving so Mr fox will get off their backs. Callan had to take a beating and all the others fussed over him after. They found out that Meriel is a Duchess of the neighboring kingdom. Her dad died by going insane and her uncle took over and tried to kill her. She felt so good to unburden that and felt so happy when Callan said her beloved sword teacher could be alive. ““Artha’s fuzzy bum,” he said. Meriel laughed and kissed him on the cheek. Then she gave me a lingering glance and went back to her room. Lachlan stared at me, mouth open. “Did ya see that? She kissed me!” I laughed, too. “She sure did.” I’m so happy they saved the girls brother from the prison too!! Along with the hollow man! He sent the brother and sister duo to gray at the clock shop to help him there! The prime evil magic is the dragons blood!! The life it stole from other worlds! Awww!! The EYE is the dragon!! The destroyer!! All it wants is its body back! All it needs is its heart! And then it will consume their world! Awwwww Mariel give Callan a special knife and he puts it on his belt for all to see then he holds her while they watch the stars! “She looked pleased—and relieved. I could only guess what this gesture meant for a girl from Torgal, but I thought I’d got it right. She nodded, blushing, then turned to go. “I was going to stay awhile,” I said, “and look at the sky.” She sat at the edge of the cliff. I sat, too, and put my arm around her. She leaned against me, head on my shoulder, and together, we watched the stars.” And they talk about what happens after they die: “To live in warmth and peace. To make a better place for everyone we—” She paused. “Everyone we care about.” That sounded pretty good to me. “I hope he’s right.” She bit her lip. “If there is another life . . . after,” she said. “Will you come look for me?” I met her gaze. “For however long it takes,” I said. She flushed and looked away.” The old man was the crow the whole time! He was a spirit!!! And he pulled the ultimate gaff that was over thousands of years to defeat the dragon!! He was the mysterious librarian that helped garath and the dart driver that helped Mariel! And he is also the seven sister spirits dad! Foxtail is actually a fox!!! The mask came off and she is a FOX. But she will stay with them bc she still has her mind! Callan get completely healed both his scars and his eye! The old man got them an airship for a present! Called the crows heart! ““Wait,” Meriel said, incredulous. “This airship is yours now?” The Crow’s Heart, the man had called it. “No,” I said. “It’s ours.” “Shuna’s snout,” Lachlan said, kneeling in the grass, his arm around Foxtail. “Can we go somewhere, then?” “Sure,” I said, and I couldn’t stop smiling. “We can go anywhere you like.” I liked that through the whole series callsn is talking to the old man in his mind. And the old man had really been able to do it! He was there the whole time!

[Michelle the Magical · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a word for authors like Kevin Sands.
Authors who have planned and built out every detail of their book(s) to the fullest and finest. Who have built characters, world, and most importantly plot into a perfect story.
Architect.
No author has ever deserved this title more than Sands.

Bring this series out of obscurity! It deserves all the accolades and recommends we can give!

[Jaimie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s the final instalment of Cal and his motley crew of misfits’ adventures, and this book is one wild ride to finish things off! As Cal follows the ever-cryptic directions of the Dragon’s Eye in the hopes of getting it out of his life and bringing an end to the magical mystery quest that the artifact seems bent on completing it takes them to the other side of the empire and the city of Sligach. Unlike the rest of the empire, which seems to have a certain affinity for magic, Sligach has more of a steampunk vibe - giving Cal and his friends a taste of the opposite of the magic they’re used to, and letting us explore another unique corner of the magical world that author Kevin Sands has built. Here, the crew must find a way to break into the most secure prison in the empire and jailbreak a mysterious captive whom an emperor from aeons past imprisoned. As per usual, the Eye gives no reasons for these directions to Cal, but along the way our wily protagonist begins to question more and more the veracity and potential outcomes for this quest he’s on. In typical magical world fashion, he begins to have cryptic dreams, be plagued by a sentient crow, and has more encounters with the Spirits whom his people worship - all of which builds on the lore begun in the previous books and makes for an excellent magical counterpoint to the heist story that drives much of the narrative. Cal and crew, of course, find a way to complete the impossible task of breaking the Hollow Man out of prison (and even manage to take along an extra prisoner as a favour to a new friend), but the real drama comes when the Hollow Man finally reveals the motives that have been driving the Eye (and Cal) the entire time. Sands lets drop a whole bunch of new lore - which is a bit of an overload to pack into one book - but which wraps all of the plot lines, characters, and motivations up and culminates into an epic battle for the fate of Ayreth - and the universe as they know it. By the end things move extremely quickly, even after all of the action that’s come before, but Sands does a pretty decent job of making sure that the ending is satisfactory, our characters all get what they want, and the mysteries are revealed without making readers feel like they missed things along the way. Overall, a quality ending to a pretty solid fantasy trilogy!

[Lyndsey L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel series or I riot!

Or at least that's what I was thinking as I was reading this. I thought there was no way that the plot threads would be wrapped up! And though there's a few things that are open enough for you to daydream about, it was a fairly satisfying conclusion to a fantastic AMAZING series. (I still would happily snatch up any continuation should the muse strike though! ...And I'm def reminding myself that I have too many other projects to write a fanfic for this one too.)

One of my favorite things about this series are the complex layers of the story. And I actually recommended this to a friend based on the development of how we learn about the folk stories and semi religion of the Fox and the Bear.

Now excuse me while I go reread the last two books with the knowledge I now have allowing me to pick out moments of foreshadowing. Thanks!

I'm definitely on an "end of good book/series" high that's making me less eloquent and probably should have waited after my reread to write a review. Whoops.



Now there is one thing about a particular revelation that I can't quite contain, so that's going under spoilers.
Okay, I'm just going to say it. Are Gareth and Cal now officially unofficial siblings? More importantly, does this mean they are siblings with the spirits? I def was chanting "Spirit siblings!" when I was reading it. (And I know that Gareth was less raised by him, but he still has vibes like he was, okay!) I'd kind of theorized about the Crow being a spirit parent but I wasn't expecting it to happen! And yes, for the record. This is what I want to write fanfic on. Spirit siblings getting into trouble with their annoying little human siblings and said human siblings' friends.

Also, the last chapters had me seriously laughing. I don't know if it was the high of the end of the series or that the Crow just had some very, very good one liners. Maybe a bit of both.

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Thieves of Shadow series centers on a ragtag group of kids that join forces among unexpected circumstances. The first book, Children of the Fox, follows five young criminals as they work to steal a heavily guarded magical treasure. In Seekers of the Fox the group searches for a pair of magical swords.

All three books build on each other and should be read in order. And they are worth checking out, especially now, since you can read the trilogy in its entirety.

Once again, the story unfolds through Callan’s eyes. Callan is a gaffer — aka a con artist — who knows his way around a good gaff. He’s clever and is always thinking a few steps ahead. He’s matured since the first book, and is no longer in this adventure for himself. And while his snark has died down a bit, he’s become a more compelling character, and his connection to his friends is what’s at the heart of the story.

In Champions of the Fox, author Kevin Sands stays true to the world he’s created. The kids are still thieves, the world is still dangerous and the magic is fantastical. And there’s lots of mystery and plot twists that readers won’t see coming. Sands is great at giving you just enough information to keep you turning the pages without guessing the outcome or getting tired of the story.

Champions of the Fox is an excellent series finale. I highly recommend the entire series for kids who love adventure, mystery and magic. Though the books are thick — between 400 and 450 pages each — they move quickly. They’re fairly cinematic reads sure to keep readers engaged.

[Paula Dyches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible Conclusion to a Fantastic Trilogy - No Spoilers

Parents- PG- older elementary kids and up
Language- None
Violence- PG13- normal to genre nothing too graphic
Sexual Content- none

Wow, just wow! My review is going to mimic my other two a bit because I don't want to give anything away. This is a fantasy/magic story mixed with Ocean’s Eleven style heist and characters made up of a team of 5 kids, each with their own distinct talent. It’s geared toward kids but adults can completely get into this one too. I love the writing style, world-building, and relatable characters. These stories have plenty of action and comic relief in just the right places. In this book the stakes are higher and the stress of the world is on these kids' shoulders, and a satisfying conclusion that doesn't leave me fuming at the author. I recommend this series/trilogy.

Narrator- 5 stars- Has wonderful differentiations between characters, acting skills were great, he was simply fun to listen to, and there was no need to speed up the playback!

[Livvi Hasel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect wrap up to a perfect series. I love how developed the character relationship is in this book because it's so fun to see them working together now that they are all such good friends. I love how the characters are still the characters they were in book one, while still having some development, because it feels like the end of a series, not random characters stealing the names and history of the characters. I love the romance at the end. It was a perfect amount for a middle grade audience, and it made me feel very happy. Note, though, if you're looking for a book with an epic battle scene, don't choose this one. That is my only problem with it. Other than that it is a top notch A plus book.

[John O'connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this last week. My kids and I listened to this whole series in the car over the past year. It is great. I loved it, and so did the kids.

I rate everything 5 stars these days because I kind of disliked reducing my experience with a book to one data point, and fiddling with is a book 3.5 stars or 4 stars? I ain’t got time for that. That said, this is absolutely a 5 star series, especially if you have kids in the 8-12 range (who can handle a little scariness).

It’s like a fantasy version of oceans 11, with a dash of Prison Break, and a smattering of talking animals . Well paced, surprising twists, excellent conclusion.

The narrator on the audible audiobook version is awesome. Great character voices and pacing.

I am sad that we are done with the series, I want to spend some more time in this world. I honestly can’t tell you the last time I felt that way about a book!

There’s some unfinished business, maybe there will be a sequel series at some point, but as it stands it is a great series and well worth your time.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic conclusion to a beloved series for my whole family - and getting all of us on board with one story can be a challenge.

This book exceeded our expectations for the finale of this trilogy and I have to say, I was stunned by the conclusion - even my kids were guessing the whole time and we were all in awe.

The plot and world-building is one of the most masterful I have ever read and builds such depth beyond the first book - beyond what I could have ever imagined. When the reveals were explained, you could have heard a pin drop in the car (we were listening to the audiobook while on road trips, hence the length of time it took to finish) - we were all enchanted and riveted by the Bear's final story reveal.

Simply brilliant - and possibly one of our most favorite series ever.

[Books_cats&Tea♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read the first and second book of this series, I was like no way will the third and final book be as good. Spoiler alert : It totally was !!!


I love love loved this novel, it was so amazing and kept me wanting for more. I’m so sad to leave this amazing band of kids behind, they are sooo cute ( Cal + Meriel forever!!!!) and I love all of them. Also a prequel about Meriel’s past life could be really interesting. Just saying…
The plot was also breathtaking. How did Kevin Sands do this? I will never know, but it sure is great!

I highly recommend this book!

[Robyn Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I have LOVED this series!!!! The magic is really fun without getting into anything too dark. We loved the audiobook, although the voice of the bad guy was EXTREMELY CREEPY!! I loved how one of the characters who has made multiple bad choices over her life is redeemed at the end when she realizes how far her choices have taken her and actually becomes the one to save the day! So far, we are big Kevin Sands fans!!! 🤩 Looking forward to his next series!!

[Jen Nishi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness!!! This series is by far one of the best middle grade series I’ve read in a while. So richly built and plotted with excellent cliffhangers and developed character. This series closer was intense and full to suspense and had me staying awake for far too long to read it. No plot holes or questions left unanswered. Seriously a great series.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this series! This last book is probably my favorite out of all of them! It is so well written and so intricate. Solid five stars.

There is again, a major plot line that deals with the soul and how it can be captured by magic, but no one died and was brought back to life like in the other books. No lines were crossed in the guidelines.

Found in L4M OT Volume 104.

[Quinn Dahlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible finale to this book series! The plot twists were so amazing, and no loose ends were left untied. It was perfectly paced, exciting, and it picked up right where the previous book left off. The climax was jaw-dropping, and the end was heartwarming and complete. This was an amazing book!

[Natalie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD! The reveal at the end was perfect. Have of the revelations I'd guessed and I was so happy to finally see them play out, but half of them blew my mind. I loved the characters and loved the gaffs. The tiny touch of romance was completely well done.

Also, I listened to the audiobook and the reader did such a good job!

Go read this book series!

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Copy...Other then one of the fastest times to finish an ARc due to being that motivated and excited to see how the "Thieves of Shadow" ends and will things like "what is the eye up to?" + "who is Foxtail exactly?" be settled? I wasn't disappointed at all!

[Kailee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, WOW.

A colorful band of characters fill a heist tale interwoven with a complex magical landscape. Cal is back, and this time he's in for his biggest challenge yet. The race is on for Cal and his crew to complete the bidding of the mysterious Dragon's Eye, thwart a deviously intelligent crime boss, and discover the answer to the most pressing question: Who is gaffing them? Genres mesh beautifully as layers of secrets and magic unfold to reveal bigger stakes than ever before.

This is one of those rare gems in which all characters are lovable. Cal is a solid protagonist, wickedly cunning and pragmatic but with a soft (though hardened) heart underneath. His perspective proves fresh as he uses his "gaffer" mind to cut to the heart of others' motivations. Yet he is loyal and strong-willed himself, a capable leader despite his criminal upbringing. Cal's found family (Gareth, Lachlan, Meriel, and Foxtail) bring their own unique skills to the table, creating a patchwork of personalities that complement each other and illustrate the necessity of each character. Conflicts between central characters are kept to a minimum, except when utilized for fun or character-building, to avoid unnecessary (and annoying) strife. It is surprisingly refreshing to have a nonmagical, nonviolent main character in a fantasy world who gets by on his intelligence alone. I love magic in books, but this one contains just the right balance of magical artifacts and intrigue that Cal does not need the ability to wield it to still be interesting.

I read the ebook version, so I could not tell how its size compared to its predecessors, but this felt like a LONG book. This was actually a welcome surprise, especially after the relatively short first book in the series. Unfortunately, this length seemed mostly due to the sheer number of loose ends that needed to be dealt with. Personally, I would have liked to see this series go on longer to grant more time to fully discover and resolve all the amazing background elements and conflicts set up in this world and allow for tension to build more before the climax. For example, Meriel's backstory is revealed but not addressed. Another example is the contention between the Weavers and the Emperor, which never comes to a head. Basically, what I'm saying is, PLEASE MAKE MORE BOOKS!

Despite some wasted potential requiring more time spent in this world, this is simply a phenomenal book. Read this series!

[Michele Edgley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing series with a wonderful ending. Kevin Sands is a master of world building. And he does an amazing job of creating characters you care about I love the Blackthorne Key series. This was just as awesome.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! I just love the characters and the author's style. For me, there was a message that only God could send. I am going to read more of your books!! Definitely recommend to any age, I'm 56 and loved every minute of this series. I'm going to miss them all.