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The Thieves of Arkrindon #1
The Guild of Thieves
“Being a thief is easy, but getting caught…now, that’s when it gets tricky.”
Dice is a street boy in the poor district of Raheren, forced to be what he must to survive. A liar, a cheat, and a thief. But just like all thieves in Arkrindon he abides by the rules of thieves, stick with your unit, stay in your district, and don’t get caught.
When Dice is jumped by another group of thieves trespassing in pickpocket territory, things quickly escalate. These aren’t just any thieves, this is a whole new breed of thieves, ones who don’t play by the rules. Rogues, burglars, and pickpockets have come together, abandoning districts and uniting under one man, Azic, the master of The Guild of Thieves.
For his freedom and the lives of his unit, the Guild presents a deal: Steal the King’s Jewel or watch everyone in his unit die. If Dice steals the jewel he’s dooming the kingdom but if he doesn’t everyone he cares about will pay the price.
Dice is a street boy in the poor district of Raheren, forced to be what he must to survive. A liar, a cheat, and a thief. But just like all thieves in Arkrindon he abides by the rules of thieves, stick with your unit, stay in your district, and don’t get caught.
When Dice is jumped by another group of thieves trespassing in pickpocket territory, things quickly escalate. These aren’t just any thieves, this is a whole new breed of thieves, ones who don’t play by the rules. Rogues, burglars, and pickpockets have come together, abandoning districts and uniting under one man, Azic, the master of The Guild of Thieves.
For his freedom and the lives of his unit, the Guild presents a deal: Steal the King’s Jewel or watch everyone in his unit die. If Dice steals the jewel he’s dooming the kingdom but if he doesn’t everyone he cares about will pay the price.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2023
1 person is currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Jaiden Phillips
11 books142 followersJaiden Phillips is a Christian author and artist from Western North Carolina. She's the youngest kid in her family of nine (counting her parents). Often you'll find her bringing a crazy idea to life with her art supplies, or fiercely typing away on her tablet because she refuses to use a laptop. When not lost to the world of her imagination, you can find Jaidie (as her friends call her) hiking with her family, fangirling over LotR and HTTYD, or goofing off with friends.
Jaiden is also part of a writing trio known as Sisters Three, which consists of her and her sisters Kaytlin and Marisa. To learn more about Jaiden, and her books, visit www.sisters-three.com
Jaiden is also part of a writing trio known as Sisters Three, which consists of her and her sisters Kaytlin and Marisa. To learn more about Jaiden, and her books, visit www.sisters-three.com
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 17, 2025
Review by the author:
'Being a thief is easy, but getting caught... now that's when it gets tricky.'
One line that I scribbled at the bottom of a random thief I drew while practicing portraits. Who knew what it would turn into? I sure never imagined it would turn into my debut novel, and I didn't believe it could ever get this far!!💖
I'd started writing books before this one but never finished. With my dyslexia writing can be challenging sometimes, but there was just something about writing about Dice and the mysterious Guild of Thieves that just felt right to me. It was exciting and I loved every minute (even the slightly frustrating ones), and I am more then thankful to all the people who have supported this project! I never thought it'd get this far, and I'm just so thankful to all of you for all your amazing reviews and support💖🥰
Content Warnings:
Language: N/A. Mentions of some of the characters cursing but not what they said, simply that they cursed.
Violence: Lots of action and fight scenes. Characters get hurt and some characters die by gunshot wounds and swords, but it's not overly described because I am a very sensitive person when it comes to blood as well. But I do warn you, there is a lot of fighting and shooting and threats that go on among these thieves😉
Dice also has nightmares about his childhood abuser, but again I try not to be overly descriptive in that department.
Magic: N/A. GT is a non-magical fantasy!!
Other: These are thieves so they drink wine and other alcohol quite a lot, but our MC does not take part in this.
Things you will NOT find in The Guild of Thieves:
Foul language.
Smut of any kind.
Overly descriptive gore.
Magic.
Things you WILL find in The Guild of Thieves:
A non-magical fantasy kingdom with victorian era vibes.
Strong Christian themes.
Clean non-stop action...and tons of thieves!
Recommend Age: 12+
You can get The Guild of Thieves on Amazon here:👇
https://www.amazon.com/Guild-Thieves-...
'Being a thief is easy, but getting caught... now that's when it gets tricky.'
One line that I scribbled at the bottom of a random thief I drew while practicing portraits. Who knew what it would turn into? I sure never imagined it would turn into my debut novel, and I didn't believe it could ever get this far!!💖
I'd started writing books before this one but never finished. With my dyslexia writing can be challenging sometimes, but there was just something about writing about Dice and the mysterious Guild of Thieves that just felt right to me. It was exciting and I loved every minute (even the slightly frustrating ones), and I am more then thankful to all the people who have supported this project! I never thought it'd get this far, and I'm just so thankful to all of you for all your amazing reviews and support💖🥰
Content Warnings:
Language: N/A. Mentions of some of the characters cursing but not what they said, simply that they cursed.
Violence: Lots of action and fight scenes. Characters get hurt and some characters die by gunshot wounds and swords, but it's not overly described because I am a very sensitive person when it comes to blood as well. But I do warn you, there is a lot of fighting and shooting and threats that go on among these thieves😉
Dice also has nightmares about his childhood abuser, but again I try not to be overly descriptive in that department.
Magic: N/A. GT is a non-magical fantasy!!
Other: These are thieves so they drink wine and other alcohol quite a lot, but our MC does not take part in this.
Things you will NOT find in The Guild of Thieves:
Foul language.
Smut of any kind.
Overly descriptive gore.
Magic.
Things you WILL find in The Guild of Thieves:
A non-magical fantasy kingdom with victorian era vibes.
Strong Christian themes.
Clean non-stop action...and tons of thieves!
Recommend Age: 12+
You can get The Guild of Thieves on Amazon here:👇
https://www.amazon.com/Guild-Thieves-...
November 2, 2023
An epic Young Adult Fantasy full of thieves, redemption, and treason!
Characters:
Dice is the MC and he's an epic one! His conflict and the reasons for why he does what he does are fantastic! His motivation is spot on and his sense of humor fantastic! I love this guy so much! Stole my heart from the first page!
Azic is the most epic villain! He's both devious and witty and sure to make you laugh and then question your own sanity.
Side characters were also great! So many that played their own unique parts in the story! Some of my favorites include Addi, Havoc, Shadow, Renn, and Loriel!
Themes:
The redemption theme in this story is beautiful! Spot on and delivered in such a graceful and beautiful way! That we all have a purpose and that no matter what we've done or how useless and alone we feel, God loves us. No matter the crime. No matter the reason. He loves. He has always loved us. Beautiful! *dashes away tears*
Magic:
N/A
Language:
N/A
Romance:
Just a dash...just enough to make us want more. *glares at author* I want more!
Overall:
This is an amazing fantasy with Victorian flare! Awesome world building and system building and just amazing! Little things like Lizargons and Sun Cats...and then the changes in climate from Raheren to Darrenton! *mind blows up* It's such a cool setting and story!
Then the thieves! Don't forget the overall Aladdin vibes! Yes, please! But with a dash of Robin Hood! And maybe a touch of Zorro! It's an awesome overall setting!
Ages 12+ Dice's backstory is horribly sad and there are several mentions of drinking and rum. ;)
(And for those who are looking from my name to the author's, yes, she's my sister. I might be biased. But...I don't think so because this is an amazing fantasy!)
Characters:
Dice is the MC and he's an epic one! His conflict and the reasons for why he does what he does are fantastic! His motivation is spot on and his sense of humor fantastic! I love this guy so much! Stole my heart from the first page!
Azic is the most epic villain! He's both devious and witty and sure to make you laugh and then question your own sanity.
Side characters were also great! So many that played their own unique parts in the story! Some of my favorites include Addi, Havoc, Shadow, Renn, and Loriel!
Themes:
The redemption theme in this story is beautiful! Spot on and delivered in such a graceful and beautiful way! That we all have a purpose and that no matter what we've done or how useless and alone we feel, God loves us. No matter the crime. No matter the reason. He loves. He has always loved us. Beautiful! *dashes away tears*
Magic:
N/A
Language:
N/A
Romance:
Just a dash...just enough to make us want more. *glares at author* I want more!
Overall:
This is an amazing fantasy with Victorian flare! Awesome world building and system building and just amazing! Little things like Lizargons and Sun Cats...and then the changes in climate from Raheren to Darrenton! *mind blows up* It's such a cool setting and story!
Then the thieves! Don't forget the overall Aladdin vibes! Yes, please! But with a dash of Robin Hood! And maybe a touch of Zorro! It's an awesome overall setting!
Ages 12+ Dice's backstory is horribly sad and there are several mentions of drinking and rum. ;)
(And for those who are looking from my name to the author's, yes, she's my sister. I might be biased. But...I don't think so because this is an amazing fantasy!)
Want to read
February 8, 2025CANT WAIT TO READ THISSSSSSSSS
November 25, 2025
Wowee, that was amazing!! I had no idea Jaiden Phillips was so talented at writing epic plots! The plot was engaging, and the worldbuilding was so fascinating! I loved how unique the worldbuilding was with the different environments and landscapes in a single country, the thieving groups, and the different people that make up this fictional kingdom. The characters were amazing! I loved Dice, and discovering his past made me want to cry for him. I also loved the concept of the main character having to pretend to be a nobleman, specifically one who was betrothed. That was fun, and I enjoyed seeing how that particular aspect played out in the story! Other characters I loved were Havok, Shadow, Renn, Addi, Dr. Farro, Loriel, and Duke Rinald.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the Christian theme. It was pulled off amazingly well and turned out to be very touching. I especially loved the scene where one particular character received Christ (or Creator as He was referred to in this book). (I won’t say which character so I don’t spoil anything. 😉) That scene was so precious and pulled at my heartstrings!
I am so glad I got the chance to read The Guild of Thieves! It most certainly will not be the last thing I read from Jaiden Phillips. I also really really hope there will be a sequel!!! The story does not end on a cliffhanger (in case you were getting worried, lol), but the world and characters were so interesting that I would love to see them return for another adventure!
Language:
Uses of “blast” and “idiot,.” Mentions of characters cursing.
Romance:
Almost nonexistent. Two characters like each other, and they embrace at the end.
Violence:
Mention of a character being whipped. Several times a knife was held to characters’ throats. Mention of a character using a knife to pry a bullet out of his foot. A character threatens to cut off another character’s head.
Other:
Mentions of gambling tables, rum bottles/wine/drinking.
*I received a free ARC e-copy of this book. This is my honest review.*
One of my favorite parts of this book was the Christian theme. It was pulled off amazingly well and turned out to be very touching. I especially loved the scene where one particular character received Christ (or Creator as He was referred to in this book). (I won’t say which character so I don’t spoil anything. 😉) That scene was so precious and pulled at my heartstrings!
I am so glad I got the chance to read The Guild of Thieves! It most certainly will not be the last thing I read from Jaiden Phillips. I also really really hope there will be a sequel!!! The story does not end on a cliffhanger (in case you were getting worried, lol), but the world and characters were so interesting that I would love to see them return for another adventure!
Language:
Uses of “blast” and “idiot,.” Mentions of characters cursing.
Romance:
Almost nonexistent. Two characters like each other, and they embrace at the end.
Violence:
Mention of a character being whipped. Several times a knife was held to characters’ throats. Mention of a character using a knife to pry a bullet out of his foot. A character threatens to cut off another character’s head.
Other:
Mentions of gambling tables, rum bottles/wine/drinking.
*I received a free ARC e-copy of this book. This is my honest review.*
Read
February 12, 2026In anticipation of The Code of Pirates coming out, I wanted to brush up on TGOT and realized I never reviewed it! This is a rollercoaster of a story with fast-paced action, delightful worldbuilding, and characters that will steal your heart.
Dice is a complex MC—could be called a morally gray hero, at least at the start—and I couldn’t help but love him. His arc was so good, and seeing the consequences of his decisions haunt him was so realistic. And bless his heart, I just wanted to take him away from all the fighting and wounds and let him nap for days on end! He deserves a rest 😭
Addi is lovely, and Shadow and Renn were some of favorites 🥹 Azic is the kind of villain I’d want to see a sequel (or even a prequel) for because of his backstory! He’s not mindlessly evil simply for the sake of it, and that adds so many layers to his character.
The betrayals in this story hurt more than anything else, they shook me to my core, and that’s all I’ll say about that.
As mentioned, this is a fast-paced novel, action snowballing on nearly every page. This kept me on the edge of my seat (muttering to myself at each plot twist 😂), but sometimes I got lost in the whirlwind of what was happening. Just don’t ask me to give a detailed explanation of the plot (alas, I am notorious for forgetting what happened in books) and we’ll be good xd
The themes in this story are the cherry on top! Seriously the fact that faith is present in the story makes it that much more powerful. The slow progression of Dice’s arc feels natural, and the threads of redemption and forgiveness will tug at your heartstrings as much as they did on mine, I’m sure. 🤍
(And did I mention worldbuilding? It was one of my favorite aspects of TGOT. I loved how the world came alive for me.)
I’m so excited for Book 2! I’M ROOTING FOR YOU DICE 🎲⚔️💎
Dice is a complex MC—could be called a morally gray hero, at least at the start—and I couldn’t help but love him. His arc was so good, and seeing the consequences of his decisions haunt him was so realistic. And bless his heart, I just wanted to take him away from all the fighting and wounds and let him nap for days on end! He deserves a rest 😭
Addi is lovely, and Shadow and Renn were some of favorites 🥹 Azic is the kind of villain I’d want to see a sequel (or even a prequel) for because of his backstory! He’s not mindlessly evil simply for the sake of it, and that adds so many layers to his character.
The betrayals in this story hurt more than anything else, they shook me to my core, and that’s all I’ll say about that.
As mentioned, this is a fast-paced novel, action snowballing on nearly every page. This kept me on the edge of my seat (muttering to myself at each plot twist 😂), but sometimes I got lost in the whirlwind of what was happening. Just don’t ask me to give a detailed explanation of the plot (alas, I am notorious for forgetting what happened in books) and we’ll be good xd
The themes in this story are the cherry on top! Seriously the fact that faith is present in the story makes it that much more powerful. The slow progression of Dice’s arc feels natural, and the threads of redemption and forgiveness will tug at your heartstrings as much as they did on mine, I’m sure. 🤍
(And did I mention worldbuilding? It was one of my favorite aspects of TGOT. I loved how the world came alive for me.)
I’m so excited for Book 2! I’M ROOTING FOR YOU DICE 🎲⚔️💎
November 5, 2023
4 stars. Have I ever mentioned I really like kingdom adventure? I enjoy getting to know unique lands/worlds with their own different cultures and history and habits. And Jaiden Phillips is someone whose books I will definitely be keeping track of—especially her kingdom adventure. This was really a very good debut novel. The writing style isn’t the strongest, but time will cure that, and already there were some bits that really took me by surprise because of how strong and original they were.
I wasn’t enamoured with Dice but I really liked how he realized his problems so strongly—and not too quickly!—and worked actively to fix them. He had a good solid redemption arc. And the mistaken identity/imposter trope was a lot of fun. It was a little too easy on Dice—I mean, a street boy just can’t replace a prince that easily. I would have really enjoyed more problems for Dice in that way, and more suspicions and all that… I mean, anyone else love The Prince & the Pauper ? But anyways, it was a very fun addition to the plot. A. was awful but so much fun—I haven’t enjoyed a villain’s onscreen presence so much since Gill from Cabin Girl —seriously, I would LOVE to see more of A. Really. He is so much fun. Even if he’s perfectly awful.Maybe we can even have him redeemed. L. and her father and the Captain were also really enjoyable characters—I would love to have more of the Duke and the Captain as well! And H. made a great 180°—his backstory played into the themes of the book SO well. The doctor and A. were a bit more wooden/stereotypical Christian characters, but I did like them. M.L. was a perfectly horrible twist I did NOT expect—what’s with all the crushing betrayal in fiction right now??—and Dice’s friends were really cute/endearing characters.
The characters and plot were reminiscent of late 1800s adventure novels along the style of G.A. Henty. There was plenty of—almost constant—injuries… particularly reminiscent of Henty in their short-lived or nonexistent consequences... and hairbreadth escapes, and perilous sword fights. I really liked the Peter Pan vibes of rooftops… I don’t know how I made that connection, but I liked it anyways… and Oliver Twist/Victorian street life, and the Wild West feel of the ambush, and the castle/palace aesthetic… which was more 1700s in aesthetic… really, this book felt to me like several different genres/tropes at once, and I loved it. Did I mention I really liked the Zorro/Scarlet Pimpernel feel of the mask and thief-hidden-in-plain-sight and all that aspect? It was hard to remember Dice was the one in the wrong sometimes. Anyways, back to the plot. It was suspenseful, but it didn’t have me writhing over the characters’ positions too much, which I appreciated. I felt it was well done. It was also very unpredictable, which, again, I really liked.Loriel deserved more romance though. #petitionforasequel
My favourite part was the themes. It’s a common thing right now to mention rich people living it up with sumptuous feasts and houses while the poor starve, and I was very happy to see this author actually look over the topic instead of just dropping in a “look at how stuck-up and selfish they are.” It wasn’t explored in depth (again, I protest the Duke deserves a sequel explaining his actions towards the two beggarchildren) but it was a good start—more of a “think about this yourself” than a “I’ll spell it out for you,” and I liked that. There was a lot to think about in regards to the poor vs the nobles of the country, and how the various members of the Guild of Thieves went into it from mere survival. I’m not doing a good job explaining it but it was good, anyways. But my favourite theme was Dice learning about his traumas and triggers and realizing how he had made the bad choice of sacrificing the country for his friends (CAN I JUST SAY I AM SO HAPPY THAT SOMEONE FINALLY REALIZED IT BECAUSE THAT IS SUUUUUCH A COMMON TROPE AND I HATE IT SO MUCH) and learns about true love and worth. Some of it was a bit dumped in/wooden but for the most part it was good and well done. And the ending was really good. <33
In short, this is a really solid young author novel, definitely to be read if you’re looking for a modern Henty replacement, and just a good kingdom adventure in general. I really enjoyed this and I look forwards to more by this author (like maybe a sequel??).
Content: mentions of drinking & gambling; mild violence (murder, fights, etc). I was bothered by the descriptions of Dice’s PTSD dreams about whippings, which were more graphic (for me anyways), and the scene where he is almost beaten/tortured to confess was also a bit upsetting to me.
A Favourite Quote: There would always be evil in the world, people who only sought power, but there was always joy, too. Though it was often hidden behind the storm clouds of our worst fears or shrouded by the things we thought we needed or wanted. It was always there waiting to be found, waiting for us to break, because sometimes we needed to break to be able to see the truth.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Yes, I do believe the boy usually does, but since you don’t know the way, that might be difficult to do.” …
“You’re right. We’d probably end up in the dungeon or something if I led the way.” …
“Well, we'd really be in trouble with your escorting skills then because the dungeon is in the opposite direction as the dining hall.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
I wasn’t enamoured with Dice but I really liked how he realized his problems so strongly—and not too quickly!—and worked actively to fix them. He had a good solid redemption arc. And the mistaken identity/imposter trope was a lot of fun. It was a little too easy on Dice—I mean, a street boy just can’t replace a prince that easily. I would have really enjoyed more problems for Dice in that way, and more suspicions and all that… I mean, anyone else love The Prince & the Pauper ? But anyways, it was a very fun addition to the plot. A. was awful but so much fun—I haven’t enjoyed a villain’s onscreen presence so much since Gill from Cabin Girl —seriously, I would LOVE to see more of A. Really. He is so much fun. Even if he’s perfectly awful.
The characters and plot were reminiscent of late 1800s adventure novels along the style of G.A. Henty. There was plenty of—almost constant—injuries… particularly reminiscent of Henty in their short-lived or nonexistent consequences... and hairbreadth escapes, and perilous sword fights. I really liked the Peter Pan vibes of rooftops… I don’t know how I made that connection, but I liked it anyways… and Oliver Twist/Victorian street life, and the Wild West feel of the ambush, and the castle/palace aesthetic… which was more 1700s in aesthetic… really, this book felt to me like several different genres/tropes at once, and I loved it. Did I mention I really liked the Zorro/Scarlet Pimpernel feel of the mask and thief-hidden-in-plain-sight and all that aspect? It was hard to remember Dice was the one in the wrong sometimes. Anyways, back to the plot. It was suspenseful, but it didn’t have me writhing over the characters’ positions too much, which I appreciated. I felt it was well done. It was also very unpredictable, which, again, I really liked.
My favourite part was the themes. It’s a common thing right now to mention rich people living it up with sumptuous feasts and houses while the poor starve, and I was very happy to see this author actually look over the topic instead of just dropping in a “look at how stuck-up and selfish they are.” It wasn’t explored in depth (again, I protest the Duke deserves a sequel explaining his actions towards the two beggarchildren) but it was a good start—more of a “think about this yourself” than a “I’ll spell it out for you,” and I liked that. There was a lot to think about in regards to the poor vs the nobles of the country, and how the various members of the Guild of Thieves went into it from mere survival. I’m not doing a good job explaining it but it was good, anyways. But my favourite theme was Dice learning about his traumas and triggers and realizing how he had made the bad choice of sacrificing the country for his friends (CAN I JUST SAY I AM SO HAPPY THAT SOMEONE FINALLY REALIZED IT BECAUSE THAT IS SUUUUUCH A COMMON TROPE AND I HATE IT SO MUCH) and learns about true love and worth. Some of it was a bit dumped in/wooden but for the most part it was good and well done. And the ending was really good. <33
In short, this is a really solid young author novel, definitely to be read if you’re looking for a modern Henty replacement, and just a good kingdom adventure in general. I really enjoyed this and I look forwards to more by this author (like maybe a sequel??).
Content: mentions of drinking & gambling; mild violence (murder, fights, etc). I was bothered by the descriptions of Dice’s PTSD dreams about whippings, which were more graphic (for me anyways), and the scene where he is almost beaten/tortured to confess was also a bit upsetting to me.
A Favourite Quote: There would always be evil in the world, people who only sought power, but there was always joy, too. Though it was often hidden behind the storm clouds of our worst fears or shrouded by the things we thought we needed or wanted. It was always there waiting to be found, waiting for us to break, because sometimes we needed to break to be able to see the truth.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Yes, I do believe the boy usually does, but since you don’t know the way, that might be difficult to do.” …
“You’re right. We’d probably end up in the dungeon or something if I led the way.” …
“Well, we'd really be in trouble with your escorting skills then because the dungeon is in the opposite direction as the dining hall.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
January 26, 2025
The Guild of Thieves by Jayden Phillips
Rating: Four point five stars.
Language/Profanity: Curses mentioned.
Faith: Creator, the whole Gosple message!, being convicted, repenting, amazing!
Romance/Sex: A slow growing romance, that only has a kiss at the end.
Violence ect.: Killing (past and present), beatings, whipping (dream), scars, injuries, blood (not too described), pain.
Other: A child is basically gambled away (past), starving.
Part of a Series: Sadly no.
Synopsis: “Being a thief is easy, but getting caught…now, that’s when it gets tricky.”
Dice is a street boy in the poor district of Raheren, forced to be what he must to survive. A liar, a cheat, and a thief. But just like all thieves in Arkrindon he abides by the rules of thieves, stick with your unit, stay in your district, and don’t get caught.
When Dice is jumped by another group of thieves trespassing in pickpocket territory, things quickly escalate. These aren’t just any thieves, this is a whole new breed of thieves, ones who don’t play by the rules. Rogues, burglars, and pickpockets have come together, abandoning districts and uniting under one man, Azic, the master of The Guild of Thieves.
For his freedom and the lives of his unit, the Guild presents a deal: Steal the King’s Jewel or watch everyone in his unit die. If Dice steals the jewel he’s dooming the kingdom but if he doesn’t everyone he cares about will pay the price.
Thoughts: Jayden Phillips definitely can write stories that draw the reader in and hold them. The world building is very well done, the descriptions are very well done (Having seen places that look close to the descriptions made it all the more real. Good job on that part!) The characters were very well done (Let me just say I didn't expect for some of the characters to do what they did) And I actually thought this would be a book that ended very, very, differently. I loved the story! The only thing was it seemed to have a tad bit too much violence in it. I felt so sorry for Dice!
Rating: Four point five stars.
Language/Profanity: Curses mentioned.
Faith: Creator, the whole Gosple message!, being convicted, repenting, amazing!
Romance/Sex: A slow growing romance, that only has a kiss at the end.
Violence ect.: Killing (past and present), beatings, whipping (dream), scars, injuries, blood (not too described), pain.
Other: A child is basically gambled away (past), starving.
Part of a Series: Sadly no.
Synopsis: “Being a thief is easy, but getting caught…now, that’s when it gets tricky.”
Dice is a street boy in the poor district of Raheren, forced to be what he must to survive. A liar, a cheat, and a thief. But just like all thieves in Arkrindon he abides by the rules of thieves, stick with your unit, stay in your district, and don’t get caught.
When Dice is jumped by another group of thieves trespassing in pickpocket territory, things quickly escalate. These aren’t just any thieves, this is a whole new breed of thieves, ones who don’t play by the rules. Rogues, burglars, and pickpockets have come together, abandoning districts and uniting under one man, Azic, the master of The Guild of Thieves.
For his freedom and the lives of his unit, the Guild presents a deal: Steal the King’s Jewel or watch everyone in his unit die. If Dice steals the jewel he’s dooming the kingdom but if he doesn’t everyone he cares about will pay the price.
Thoughts: Jayden Phillips definitely can write stories that draw the reader in and hold them. The world building is very well done, the descriptions are very well done (Having seen places that look close to the descriptions made it all the more real. Good job on that part!) The characters were very well done (Let me just say I didn't expect for some of the characters to do what they did) And I actually thought this would be a book that ended very, very, differently. I loved the story! The only thing was it seemed to have a tad bit too much violence in it. I felt so sorry for Dice!
October 28, 2023
(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Helloooooooooo people! Are you reading this review to help you decide wether or not to read this book, since that's kinda what reviews are for? You're in luck! I'm, as you may have noticed, reviewing it. Let us dive in, shall we?
Mushy Mushiness: Nope. Romance-free, completely.
Ye Olde Magicks: None!
Blood, Blood, Blood, and Death: A... lot. It seemed almost... excessive. Be warned that this is a fairly violent book. Nothing horribly gory, but the characters seem to never be whole and healthy XD
Character Lineup: First we've got Dice. MC, very thief-y. Nickle, Scamp, Shadow, etc. were all wonderful. Though that one character, the scoundrel, made me very very mad... Actually, that character plus the main antagonist BOTH drove me crazy... very villainous...
Mouth-washable Words: All clear!
In the end, this is a good book if you're looking for an action packed fantasy. Would I recommend it? Yes, I would recommend it to anyone looking for the above stated. Also... THE COVER. I'D BUY THE PAPERBACK JUST FOR THE COVER. JADIE, YOU'RE AWESOMMMMEEEE!!! This book is 100% worth 4 stars!!
Helloooooooooo people! Are you reading this review to help you decide wether or not to read this book, since that's kinda what reviews are for? You're in luck! I'm, as you may have noticed, reviewing it. Let us dive in, shall we?
Mushy Mushiness: Nope. Romance-free, completely.
Ye Olde Magicks: None!
Blood, Blood, Blood, and Death: A... lot. It seemed almost... excessive. Be warned that this is a fairly violent book. Nothing horribly gory, but the characters seem to never be whole and healthy XD
Character Lineup: First we've got Dice. MC, very thief-y. Nickle, Scamp, Shadow, etc. were all wonderful. Though that one character, the scoundrel, made me very very mad... Actually, that character plus the main antagonist BOTH drove me crazy... very villainous...
Mouth-washable Words: All clear!
In the end, this is a good book if you're looking for an action packed fantasy. Would I recommend it? Yes, I would recommend it to anyone looking for the above stated. Also... THE COVER. I'D BUY THE PAPERBACK JUST FOR THE COVER. JADIE, YOU'RE AWESOMMMMEEEE!!! This book is 100% worth 4 stars!!
November 17, 2025
5+ ★ // 6❤︎ – Loved It
Am I crazy for trying to write a coherent, spoiler free review on the same day I finished this book?
....maybe.
I am going to try anyway! :)
This is a fast-paced, heart-stopping debut novel with themes of redemption, brokenness, and good vs bad choices when it comes down to the wire. AHHH!
BOOKISH YAYS:
*THE COVER! Okay I know I am being Miss Predictable, but how can you not love this cover? It is stunning! (and also done by the author 😍)
*Robin Hood x Oliver Twist vibes - not something I knew I needed until I picked up this book and discovered that I do, in fact, need this very much, thank you. It's an intriguing combination because a lot of the setting, the thieves, and the leader character with a group of kids reminded me of Oliver Twist - but then you have the "take from the rich to give to the poor" themes of Robin Hood.
*Dice. Wow, he went on an up and down journey through this plot, and I felt so bad for him with some of the things that happened to him. I may have even teared up at a few points... His character development, his turbulent past, his fighting abilities, and his dry humor at times all made him such a three-dimensional character to me! One of the main things I appreciated reading from his perspective was how thievery and stealing were treated. I admit I was a teeny tiny bit hesitant when I first saw the plot being mainly about thieves. As we see the story through Dice's eyes, yes, he does a lot of bad things. But they are never glorified or even promoted as "good" in many circumstances. Dice wrestles with a lot of the choices he's made and struggles to come to terms with things like stealing when it means food for people who are starving. I thought that was very well-handled and well-written in a way which was realistic yet presented truth without being "preachy."
*Azic. I know, I know, you're reading this like seriously, Sydney, a villain made it to your BOOKISH YAYS? He did...because villains (especially in the fantasy world) can be tricky to write without falling into a cliched stereotype. I loathed him from his first appearance. I wasn't able to guess any of the things he'd do next. He was one of those bad guys you love to hate.
*Havoc
*Addie was really sweet! Her faith was so refreshing, and her firm belief in the Creator Who can love us even when we're broken.
*All the plot twists! My land, Guild of Thieves kept me on my toes, going in several unexpected directions - and none of them what I expected. Be warned - start this book only if you have the time to keep reading...also keep a box of tissues and some kind of comfort treat like cookies near at hand - especially near the end.
*BETRAYAL LURKETH AT EVERY CORNER. I'm not elaborating even with a spoiler tag because I would hate to give away the biggest plot twist because you are nosy and clicked on my spoiler. But you won't be expecting anything at all, innocent reader. 😂
*Characters getting hurt/injured and paying the consequences for it. I always appreciate realistic injuries which sideline characters. Not for the characters, of course. But in the name of accuracy.
*Immersive settings and descriptions. I love the writing style used in this book. I felt like I was right there in Arkrindon with the characters!
*I have a soft spot for bittersweet endings :)
BOOKISH OKAYS:
*Nothing too major here! There are a couple times characters say "he cursed/I cursed" but no language is shown, which I am fine with. I actually can appreciate this - we live in a fallen world. A lot of these characters haven't been saved yet. They are going to use //words// that come to mind in a tight or frustrating situation. But no profanities mentioned and this is only a couple times (2-3 max I think?)
*There are a lot of fight scenes in this book and a lot of the deaths which was a bit more than I typically read. No gruesome details or extensive gore here, I just don't usually read books where a lot of people get stabbed. It never made me stop reading, and it fits with the genre/plot as these are rough and tumble characters living in a world where there's a lot of death, fighting, and injuries. It's honestly more of a "reader's personal preference" thing. :) But if you're a sensitive reader, that is something to note.
BOOKISH NAYS:
*Absolutely none!
QUOTES!! (sorry this is running long but I had too much to say!)
They saw the thief on the outside, and they didn’t even look twice at the shattered boy underneath.
I was helping the poor, saving children’s lives from starvation, but was stealing from the more fortunate really the only way to do the right thing? Was there a better way to help people like me, other than being a thief myself?
The rain thrummed steadily against the cobbled streets as thunder roiled in the dark sky like a hungry dragon.
“Like we always say, being a thief is easy, but getting caught…now, that’s when it gets tricky."
In conclusion, this is a book you should highly considering adding to your TBR and reading! There is also a sequel coming out in March which I am so excited for! This is the pre-order link: https://www.amazon.com/Code-Pirates-T...
Am I crazy for trying to write a coherent, spoiler free review on the same day I finished this book?
....maybe.
I am going to try anyway! :)
This is a fast-paced, heart-stopping debut novel with themes of redemption, brokenness, and good vs bad choices when it comes down to the wire. AHHH!
BOOKISH YAYS:
*THE COVER! Okay I know I am being Miss Predictable, but how can you not love this cover? It is stunning! (and also done by the author 😍)
*Robin Hood x Oliver Twist vibes - not something I knew I needed until I picked up this book and discovered that I do, in fact, need this very much, thank you. It's an intriguing combination because a lot of the setting, the thieves, and the leader character with a group of kids reminded me of Oliver Twist - but then you have the "take from the rich to give to the poor" themes of Robin Hood.
*Dice. Wow, he went on an up and down journey through this plot, and I felt so bad for him with some of the things that happened to him. I may have even teared up at a few points... His character development, his turbulent past, his fighting abilities, and his dry humor at times all made him such a three-dimensional character to me! One of the main things I appreciated reading from his perspective was how thievery and stealing were treated. I admit I was a teeny tiny bit hesitant when I first saw the plot being mainly about thieves. As we see the story through Dice's eyes, yes, he does a lot of bad things. But they are never glorified or even promoted as "good" in many circumstances. Dice wrestles with a lot of the choices he's made and struggles to come to terms with things like stealing when it means food for people who are starving. I thought that was very well-handled and well-written in a way which was realistic yet presented truth without being "preachy."
*Azic. I know, I know, you're reading this like seriously, Sydney, a villain made it to your BOOKISH YAYS? He did...because villains (especially in the fantasy world) can be tricky to write without falling into a cliched stereotype. I loathed him from his first appearance. I wasn't able to guess any of the things he'd do next. He was one of those bad guys you love to hate.
*Havoc
*Addie was really sweet! Her faith was so refreshing, and her firm belief in the Creator Who can love us even when we're broken.
*All the plot twists! My land, Guild of Thieves kept me on my toes, going in several unexpected directions - and none of them what I expected. Be warned - start this book only if you have the time to keep reading...also keep a box of tissues and some kind of comfort treat like cookies near at hand - especially near the end.
*BETRAYAL LURKETH AT EVERY CORNER. I'm not elaborating even with a spoiler tag because I would hate to give away the biggest plot twist because you are nosy and clicked on my spoiler. But you won't be expecting anything at all, innocent reader. 😂
*Characters getting hurt/injured and paying the consequences for it. I always appreciate realistic injuries which sideline characters. Not for the characters, of course. But in the name of accuracy.
*Immersive settings and descriptions. I love the writing style used in this book. I felt like I was right there in Arkrindon with the characters!
*I have a soft spot for bittersweet endings :)
BOOKISH OKAYS:
*Nothing too major here! There are a couple times characters say "he cursed/I cursed" but no language is shown, which I am fine with. I actually can appreciate this - we live in a fallen world. A lot of these characters haven't been saved yet. They are going to use //words// that come to mind in a tight or frustrating situation. But no profanities mentioned and this is only a couple times (2-3 max I think?)
*There are a lot of fight scenes in this book and a lot of the deaths which was a bit more than I typically read. No gruesome details or extensive gore here, I just don't usually read books where a lot of people get stabbed. It never made me stop reading, and it fits with the genre/plot as these are rough and tumble characters living in a world where there's a lot of death, fighting, and injuries. It's honestly more of a "reader's personal preference" thing. :) But if you're a sensitive reader, that is something to note.
BOOKISH NAYS:
*Absolutely none!
QUOTES!! (sorry this is running long but I had too much to say!)
They saw the thief on the outside, and they didn’t even look twice at the shattered boy underneath.
I was helping the poor, saving children’s lives from starvation, but was stealing from the more fortunate really the only way to do the right thing? Was there a better way to help people like me, other than being a thief myself?
The rain thrummed steadily against the cobbled streets as thunder roiled in the dark sky like a hungry dragon.
“Like we always say, being a thief is easy, but getting caught…now, that’s when it gets tricky."
In conclusion, this is a book you should highly considering adding to your TBR and reading! There is also a sequel coming out in March which I am so excited for! This is the pre-order link: https://www.amazon.com/Code-Pirates-T...
December 20, 2023
It was amazing! I felt with Dice! It was unfair, but his pst was used to bring him to the Creator! I totally would recommend this book!!!! 💯 percent!
April 19, 2024
I am IMPRESSED!!
This was an amazing story of loyalty, bravery, redemption, and friendship. Throw in the fantastic world-building, and A+ cast of characters and you've got yourself a 5-star book. I think one of my favorite aspects was being sucked into the world and following along as Dice (oh, poor Dice) tries to navigate between right and wrong and survive the dangerous life of a pickpocket.
Maybe the only dislike was some overused phrasing, but this was minor.
If you like lots of action, dastardly villains, and plots to destroy a kingdom then you've got to read this.
This was an amazing story of loyalty, bravery, redemption, and friendship. Throw in the fantastic world-building, and A+ cast of characters and you've got yourself a 5-star book. I think one of my favorite aspects was being sucked into the world and following along as Dice (oh, poor Dice) tries to navigate between right and wrong and survive the dangerous life of a pickpocket.
Maybe the only dislike was some overused phrasing, but this was minor.
If you like lots of action, dastardly villains, and plots to destroy a kingdom then you've got to read this.
December 9, 2024
In some ways this novel really had a big impact on me,
because like Dice, I also was 'given' away child.
Actually, for me, I was even younger than Dice the main character.
But I think, many foster children, feel extremely 'unwanted'....
Well, after all
No matter that the (perhaps not planned for)
giving away
of your child...
broke your heart...
but from the child's perspective and to be life of a given away being....
The fact is.....
Nevertheless, they are IN FACT, given away!
And foster children,
are often passed on
and on
and on,
from one family,
to the next,
and the next.
Is it surprising then,
they get the feeling that something is terribly wrong with them,
that nobody wants them?
So yeah, I could really really identify with Dice on that level.
But also, I identified with him on a more spiritual level.
Even some true'Christians' ,
may not always quickly catch on...
to the fact,
they are 'still' ( at times),
trying to 'EARN' their way into Heaven!
But especially, if they believe from their most formative years,
that they are 'worth-less',
and useless,
and nobody wants them....
( or they would not continue to be given away!)
The tendency to have something 'worthwhile' to give,
creeps in their thought process
and of course,
the devil, Satan,
and his demonic crew,
are more than happy, to remind the 'given away' person,
that nobody wanted them from infancy,
nor their early childhood,
not even up to their young adult life...
And so, they may in fact,
then DO, whatever action or sacrifice
they are convicted and convinced...... is:
a noble, loyal, worthwhile deed, and sacrifice.
Forgetting, that only God can save,
and that God loves them..
period!
God loves them,
and NOT for what they 'think' will be worthy of God's love!!!
So that and other Christian truths that the author so beautifully portrayed
and were so well done!
But if I had any 'less than praise worthy' 'issues'
they would be:
I was NOT over fond of the endless fight scenes!
Good grief after just one, Dice should have been in the hospital
for MONTHS...maybe a year to recover!!!
But NOOOOO he keep getting up,
half dead,
and on to the next battle royal,
and the next,
and the next!
Those parts were not my favorite ones!
But still, there were so many good and godly parts,
that they kept me from giving this a 4.
And, I would have liked more details
concerning, which girl would he end up eventually marrying.
Not more kisses, but more cute repartees etc.
But this IS her first novel!
Well done chumley!!!
So now you join the ranks of 'authors'
I constantly harass them with:
how SLOW they are to write
the sequels!!!
Don't they know, readers
want to read the sequel next week?
What are they doing...
sitting around twiddling their thumbs
and drinking tea????!!!!
Hurry hurry!
Sigh!
because like Dice, I also was 'given' away child.
Actually, for me, I was even younger than Dice the main character.
But I think, many foster children, feel extremely 'unwanted'....
Well, after all
No matter that the (perhaps not planned for)
giving away
of your child...
broke your heart...
but from the child's perspective and to be life of a given away being....
The fact is.....
Nevertheless, they are IN FACT, given away!
And foster children,
are often passed on
and on
and on,
from one family,
to the next,
and the next.
Is it surprising then,
they get the feeling that something is terribly wrong with them,
that nobody wants them?
So yeah, I could really really identify with Dice on that level.
But also, I identified with him on a more spiritual level.
Even some true'Christians' ,
may not always quickly catch on...
to the fact,
they are 'still' ( at times),
trying to 'EARN' their way into Heaven!
But especially, if they believe from their most formative years,
that they are 'worth-less',
and useless,
and nobody wants them....
( or they would not continue to be given away!)
The tendency to have something 'worthwhile' to give,
creeps in their thought process
and of course,
the devil, Satan,
and his demonic crew,
are more than happy, to remind the 'given away' person,
that nobody wanted them from infancy,
nor their early childhood,
not even up to their young adult life...
And so, they may in fact,
then DO, whatever action or sacrifice
they are convicted and convinced...... is:
a noble, loyal, worthwhile deed, and sacrifice.
Forgetting, that only God can save,
and that God loves them..
period!
God loves them,
and NOT for what they 'think' will be worthy of God's love!!!
So that and other Christian truths that the author so beautifully portrayed
and were so well done!
But if I had any 'less than praise worthy' 'issues'
they would be:
I was NOT over fond of the endless fight scenes!
Good grief after just one, Dice should have been in the hospital
for MONTHS...maybe a year to recover!!!
But NOOOOO he keep getting up,
half dead,
and on to the next battle royal,
and the next,
and the next!
Those parts were not my favorite ones!
But still, there were so many good and godly parts,
that they kept me from giving this a 4.
And, I would have liked more details
concerning, which girl would he end up eventually marrying.
Not more kisses, but more cute repartees etc.
But this IS her first novel!
Well done chumley!!!
So now you join the ranks of 'authors'
I constantly harass them with:
how SLOW they are to write
the sequels!!!
Don't they know, readers
want to read the sequel next week?
What are they doing...
sitting around twiddling their thumbs
and drinking tea????!!!!
Hurry hurry!
Sigh!
July 1, 2024
This was one of those books that drops you into the middle of the action and then just keeps ramping up the tension, again and again and again! Also, I don't remember the last book that had me rooting so hard for the main character and just as hard against his plan succeeding. :P I felt for Dice so much, and the impossible situation he was placed in, but at the same time, I could tell how badly it was going to go if the bad guys who were controlling them got their way. I wasn't quite prepared for just how brutal said bad guys were going to be, either, and although things weren't especially graphic, having the stark realities of death so present knocks the rating down just a little for me personally. Not that it's not realistic, but it's not my favorite thing to read about, and I did cry a bit at the end. <\3 But I liked the inclusion of the gospel message and the way that Dice's eventual redemption came through realizing his need for help and forgiveness, not from his not being an entirely bad person on his own. Oh, and random note--I thought the dream/memory sequences were so well done! It was hard to sort out what was real vs. imagination until it was actually spelled out--so much more like dreams in real life than most fictional dream sequences. :D I definitely look forward to reading more from this author!
November 27, 2023
This book was awesome! It took me awhile to get into but after I hit the 30% mark or so it sucked me in and was so hard to put down!! I loved Dice so much and felt so bad for him. Some of the plot twists caused crazy verbal reactions, and I also loved the allegory thread. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for ages 12+.
November 4, 2025
Dice is a smol cinnamon roll and I love him 🥹
Love the Robin Hood sorta vibes and the exploration of how tricky it gets when you're trying to do the wrong things for the right reason.
Poor Dice. Oof. 😭
At one point it was giving me False Prince vibes but ngl I like Dice WAYYYY better than Sage/Jaron.
I teared up over the salvation message. And that's not something I ever do, because I've heard it (and written it) so many times, but I did here. Just beautiful 🥹
Love the Robin Hood sorta vibes and the exploration of how tricky it gets when you're trying to do the wrong things for the right reason.
Poor Dice. Oof. 😭
At one point it was giving me False Prince vibes but ngl I like Dice WAYYYY better than Sage/Jaron.
I teared up over the salvation message. And that's not something I ever do, because I've heard it (and written it) so many times, but I did here. Just beautiful 🥹
December 10, 2023
I was not prepared to cry, but this was such a good read!
I am so glad I jumped on the cyber Monday discount. Worth so much more than $1. This novel follows a thief as he struggles to protect his friends as he forced to join an evil guild of thieves to steal the King’s Jewel.
Story: 4.5/5
Worldview: 5/5
First of all, the story was great. It took a few chapters to really get into it and the writing style, but I couldn’t believe it when I reached half of the book and there was so much more left to come! Love and betrayal and redemption—of the greatest kind, redemption of accepting Jesus. Amazing! Some hiccups with the style that felt a bit repetitive at times or confusing world building but otherwise great.
Worldview is 5/5 because I LOVE Christian books that actually share a message of salvation—and show a person’s transformation. I shared my favorite quote in the next pic!! I’m so excited to read the other books I have. 💕
Overall score: 5. Ready to keep reading!!
I am so glad I jumped on the cyber Monday discount. Worth so much more than $1. This novel follows a thief as he struggles to protect his friends as he forced to join an evil guild of thieves to steal the King’s Jewel.
Story: 4.5/5
Worldview: 5/5
First of all, the story was great. It took a few chapters to really get into it and the writing style, but I couldn’t believe it when I reached half of the book and there was so much more left to come! Love and betrayal and redemption—of the greatest kind, redemption of accepting Jesus. Amazing! Some hiccups with the style that felt a bit repetitive at times or confusing world building but otherwise great.
Worldview is 5/5 because I LOVE Christian books that actually share a message of salvation—and show a person’s transformation. I shared my favorite quote in the next pic!! I’m so excited to read the other books I have. 💕
Overall score: 5. Ready to keep reading!!
November 3, 2023
FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
It had me at "Robin Hood vibes."
I love a good story about street thieves with noble hearts, and this one was no exception! This is an amazing debut novel, filled with fun characters, a twisting plot, and high stakes. There's so much to enjoy here!
Characters: Dice is a great protagonist (with an equally great name, I must add!), flawed but still lovable. He wants so hard to do the right thing, even though he really has no idea what that is, and that's such a relatable trait. Bless him.
I really liked Addi! She's sweet and kind and eager to stand for the truth.
The villain is quite well-written, too. He felt kind of like Inigo Montoya if he ever went to the dark side. I can't really explain it better than that...
Content: There's a good bit of stabbing and slashing and shooting. Characters are wounded, and several are killed in rather violent ways. Injuries and deaths are described, though nothing's graphic.
Characters are said to curse, but we don't hear the actual words.
There's a hint of an adorable romance.
A character's father was a gambler.
Writing: Phillips has woven an amazing story that kept me interested all the way through! She's especially strong in descriptions. I could easily visualize the settings, and she's done a great job of creating an otherworld that still feels familiar enough to our own to be real. I'm also impressed with how well she communicated the gospel without it coming across as preachy.
Parts of the plot do seem a little contrived. Things are resolved a bit too easily. I was also never quite certain why the King's Jewel was so important. But it's still a fantastic, intriguing story!
Summary: I quite enjoyed this book. It has all the Robin Hood and Aladdin vibes that made my heart happy, and the ending left me eager for a sequel. I'm excited to see where the author's writing journey takes her! I would recommend this book to fantasy fans aged 10+.
It had me at "Robin Hood vibes."
I love a good story about street thieves with noble hearts, and this one was no exception! This is an amazing debut novel, filled with fun characters, a twisting plot, and high stakes. There's so much to enjoy here!
Characters: Dice is a great protagonist (with an equally great name, I must add!), flawed but still lovable. He wants so hard to do the right thing, even though he really has no idea what that is, and that's such a relatable trait. Bless him.
I really liked Addi! She's sweet and kind and eager to stand for the truth.
The villain is quite well-written, too. He felt kind of like Inigo Montoya if he ever went to the dark side. I can't really explain it better than that...
Content: There's a good bit of stabbing and slashing and shooting. Characters are wounded, and several are killed in rather violent ways. Injuries and deaths are described, though nothing's graphic.
Characters are said to curse, but we don't hear the actual words.
There's a hint of an adorable romance.
A character's father was a gambler.
Writing: Phillips has woven an amazing story that kept me interested all the way through! She's especially strong in descriptions. I could easily visualize the settings, and she's done a great job of creating an otherworld that still feels familiar enough to our own to be real. I'm also impressed with how well she communicated the gospel without it coming across as preachy.
Parts of the plot do seem a little contrived. Things are resolved a bit too easily. I was also never quite certain why the King's Jewel was so important. But it's still a fantastic, intriguing story!
Summary: I quite enjoyed this book. It has all the Robin Hood and Aladdin vibes that made my heart happy, and the ending left me eager for a sequel. I'm excited to see where the author's writing journey takes her! I would recommend this book to fantasy fans aged 10+.
February 10, 2024
I should probably start this review by stating that I don’t usually read stories in this genre. YA adventure fantasy just isn’t something I’m normally interested in. Thus, I wasn’t overly impressed by this story, though I did still like it. Those who do read in this genre frequently will probably greatly enjoy it.
There were a lot of errors and some strange sentence fragments that really bothered me. There were also some plot and worldbuilding things that also didn’t make sense to me. If thieves were in danger of being hanged, why did they all wear distinctive feathers that make their identity clear? Why did Azic and the Guild of Thieves not give Dice any training before sending him to imitate a young lord?
What I did like about this book was the protagonist and the Christian content. Dice was a good main character, a pretty believable thief with plenty of inner conflict. The other characters were less interesting for the most part, but that didn't bother me, instead emphasizing Dice’s character.
In the first part of the book, I didn’t think it was going to have much of a theme. However, as I continued reading, it proved to be surprisingly beautiful. I felt Dice’s conversion was quite realistic and the story led up to it well, something I seldom to rarely find. The message of God’s love to even the most marginalized and unloveable was probably my favorite part of The Guild of Thieves.
I would like to thank the author for giving me a free ARC to honestly review.
There were a lot of errors and some strange sentence fragments that really bothered me. There were also some plot and worldbuilding things that also didn’t make sense to me. If thieves were in danger of being hanged, why did they all wear distinctive feathers that make their identity clear? Why did Azic and the Guild of Thieves not give Dice any training before sending him to imitate a young lord?
What I did like about this book was the protagonist and the Christian content. Dice was a good main character, a pretty believable thief with plenty of inner conflict. The other characters were less interesting for the most part, but that didn't bother me, instead emphasizing Dice’s character.
In the first part of the book, I didn’t think it was going to have much of a theme. However, as I continued reading, it proved to be surprisingly beautiful. I felt Dice’s conversion was quite realistic and the story led up to it well, something I seldom to rarely find. The message of God’s love to even the most marginalized and unloveable was probably my favorite part of The Guild of Thieves.
I would like to thank the author for giving me a free ARC to honestly review.
April 30, 2024
This book was so amazing! I loved the story and the characters. I highly recommend it!!
December 15, 2023
I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All opinions are mine.
I went into this not exactly sure what to expect, but excited. And I was plunged straightway into a fantastic and sometimes terrifying adventure! It awakened a hunger within me for more.
This author is doing a great job. In the spirit of Chuck Black and LOTR, she leaves you feeling stronger and encouraged.
This book will make you cry, it will make your heart beat faster, and it will leave you feeling breathless. Two thumbs up for The Guild of Thieves!
I'd love to name off my favorite characters, but I'm afraid of saying too much-however-Addi!!!! And Dice! And Shadow! And... okay, a lot of people. :)
I went into this not exactly sure what to expect, but excited. And I was plunged straightway into a fantastic and sometimes terrifying adventure! It awakened a hunger within me for more.
This author is doing a great job. In the spirit of Chuck Black and LOTR, she leaves you feeling stronger and encouraged.
This book will make you cry, it will make your heart beat faster, and it will leave you feeling breathless. Two thumbs up for The Guild of Thieves!
I'd love to name off my favorite characters, but I'm afraid of saying too much-however-Addi!!!! And Dice! And Shadow! And... okay, a lot of people. :)
November 22, 2025
Let me see if I can find any criticism for this book, but first, we'll start with the things about it that I love the most :)
It took a while for the book to arrive, which pretty much drove me crazy but gave me time to obsess over it before I read it! Lol. I absolutely love the cover, blurb, and title, and I expected a not-so-good story inside. (I mean, how often do you find a book that doesn't have some kind of drawback?) But Dice is awesome and the world was well-developed. I tend to prefer series but this is probably my favorite stand-alone book.
One thing that I noticed (just a little nitpicking here) is that the phrase "all too familiar" is used a lot.
Now, for the spoilers section, where I explain what I felt about the plot twists:
Way to go, Jaiden! I can't wait to read any other books you write!!!
It took a while for the book to arrive, which pretty much drove me crazy but gave me time to obsess over it before I read it! Lol. I absolutely love the cover, blurb, and title, and I expected a not-so-good story inside. (I mean, how often do you find a book that doesn't have some kind of drawback?) But Dice is awesome and the world was well-developed. I tend to prefer series but this is probably my favorite stand-alone book.
One thing that I noticed (just a little nitpicking here) is that the phrase "all too familiar" is used a lot.
Now, for the spoilers section, where I explain what I felt about the plot twists:
Way to go, Jaiden! I can't wait to read any other books you write!!!
December 1, 2023
All is at stake for Dice when he is faced with answering the question what is truly right. Is doing wrong to achieve a good end justified?
A wonderful read set in a unique and colourful fantasy realm with western-like vibes among the thieves with their shootouts, hats, and masks. Mixed with a more proper European feel among the nobility.
There were many colourful characters that I truly enjoyed. Dice had a great character Arc that I enjoyed unfolding. I also loved Renn’s character though at the end it was many tears😭
I want to see more of Dice & Addie. As well as Loriel and her father. Additionally character wise, Azic, the villain, was so… truly villainous! I always enjoy a well written villain who has a story and a motive no matter how twisted it has become.
The main themes I saw in this book are ones of forgiveness, justice, truth, and redemption. God is our Creator He made each individual with worth and purpose no one is meaningless or unloved because their Creator loved them first and last, no matter how man may fail.
(**I received an ARC copy from the author for free in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review all thoughts and opinions are my own)
A wonderful read set in a unique and colourful fantasy realm with western-like vibes among the thieves with their shootouts, hats, and masks. Mixed with a more proper European feel among the nobility.
There were many colourful characters that I truly enjoyed. Dice had a great character Arc that I enjoyed unfolding. I also loved Renn’s character though at the end it was many tears😭
I want to see more of Dice & Addie. As well as Loriel and her father. Additionally character wise, Azic, the villain, was so… truly villainous! I always enjoy a well written villain who has a story and a motive no matter how twisted it has become.
The main themes I saw in this book are ones of forgiveness, justice, truth, and redemption. God is our Creator He made each individual with worth and purpose no one is meaningless or unloved because their Creator loved them first and last, no matter how man may fail.
(**I received an ARC copy from the author for free in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review all thoughts and opinions are my own)
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