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Counterfeit Contessa #1
A Thief & A Gentlewoman
In a game where lies keep her alive, can a jewel thief prove the truth?
She might have been born in poverty, but now Quin poses as an aristocrat to lure in wealthy targets and help her city’s slums. She lives by three rules: rob from the rich, give to the poor and never get caught. Because for her crimes, the penalty is death.
Royal, charming, and handsome, Atesh is her latest mark, but he’s no fool. When he starts seeing through her disguise, Quin must balance lie upon truth, teetering dangerously close to spilling her secrets and losing her heart. Even worse, wherever Atesh goes, attention follows – for him and anyone at his side. With a string of crimes in her wake, a sick mother hidden away, and a whole district’s people relying on her, Quin can’t afford such close scrutiny.
After a shocking murder strikes at the heart of the palace, Atesh is wrongly accused. Quin must choose between saving an innocent man from the gallows and keeping the noose from her own neck. When that innocent man might expose her lies, and hidden enemies control the game, one wrong move could destroy her and everyone she loves.
Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, this new adult fantasy adventure full of action, intrigue, and a dash of romance will grab you and not let go.
Read A Thief & a Gentlewoman today to discover a world where cards control magic, the past won't stay buried, and no one is what they seem ...
She might have been born in poverty, but now Quin poses as an aristocrat to lure in wealthy targets and help her city’s slums. She lives by three rules: rob from the rich, give to the poor and never get caught. Because for her crimes, the penalty is death.
Royal, charming, and handsome, Atesh is her latest mark, but he’s no fool. When he starts seeing through her disguise, Quin must balance lie upon truth, teetering dangerously close to spilling her secrets and losing her heart. Even worse, wherever Atesh goes, attention follows – for him and anyone at his side. With a string of crimes in her wake, a sick mother hidden away, and a whole district’s people relying on her, Quin can’t afford such close scrutiny.
After a shocking murder strikes at the heart of the palace, Atesh is wrongly accused. Quin must choose between saving an innocent man from the gallows and keeping the noose from her own neck. When that innocent man might expose her lies, and hidden enemies control the game, one wrong move could destroy her and everyone she loves.
Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, this new adult fantasy adventure full of action, intrigue, and a dash of romance will grab you and not let go.
Read A Thief & a Gentlewoman today to discover a world where cards control magic, the past won't stay buried, and no one is what they seem ...
462 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2018
76 people are currently reading
797 people want to read
About the author
Clare Sager
23 books1,933 followersClare Sager writes darkly addictive romantasy full of slow-burn steam, gut-wrenching conflict, and morally grey *everybody*. Dubbed the Queen of Edging by readers, she takes no responsibility for lost sleep or therapy bills.
When she’s not breaking hearts with her Shadows of the Tenebris Court series, Clare can usually be found drinking coffee, lifting weights, or impulse-buying stationery.
She lives in Nottingham, Robin Hood country, so it’s no surprise she writes about characters who don’t always play by the rules.
When she’s not breaking hearts with her Shadows of the Tenebris Court series, Clare can usually be found drinking coffee, lifting weights, or impulse-buying stationery.
She lives in Nottingham, Robin Hood country, so it’s no surprise she writes about characters who don’t always play by the rules.
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March 1, 2026
I used to be the great pretender / For the very first time I'm for real / You've got me listening to my heart now / You gotta believe, how I feel (Who Do You Love – Bernard Wright).
Superstar Bruno Mars has just released his highly anticipated new album titled The Romantic and the whole thing is filled with boring ass ballads. Now, I love a ballad as much as the next guy, “'Cause I'm your la~ady, And you are my man” and all that, but Bruno Mars has never been good with them, I’m afraid. You can sing Con Funk Shun with a pre hair plug Anderson Paak wearing his fuck ass Rick James wig all you want, my guy, that doesn’t change the fact that your best songs are the ones that don’t focus too hard on the lyrical quality. And it’s funny because Bruno stans (they do exist, apparently) are defending his shit with the same intense desperation as The Battle of Helm’s Deep, talking about how “fans have been clamoring for Bruno to release more ballads, more serious type songs for a while now, and now that he actually has, everybody’s complaining! You really can't win!” and I’m sorry, but who the hell was asking for more slow songs from Bruno Mars!? Certainly not me! We all remember "The Other Side", don't we? That song is straight ass. And it sucks because even the criticism on the other side of things, the folks who didn't like The Romantic, focus on the wrong things because they're thinking it’s some kind of read to call the album “quintessentially Bruno” and thus, boring. But that’s just it, there’s no such thing as a quintessential Bruno Mars to lament the loss of. Bruno Mars is already the J.J. Abrams of music; forever chasing after a redundant homage to a bygone era full of real artists who actually had something to say. Trying to claim that something is “classic Bruno" is the same as saying a song is emulating “classic Prince”, “classic Michael Jackson”, or any of the other real trendsetters he’s taking notes from. The problem with his new album isn’t so much that it’s “too Bruno Mars”, because Bruno Mars doesn’t exist to be too much of, the issue here is that if this dude isn’t even going to put out the kind of music I can play when I’m given the aux at Thanksgiving dinner (because these new ones are all boring ass ballads), then why is he even releasing new music? Sometimes being a wave rider is all you can hope to be, and that's okay. Have I made my point yet? Because I guess we’ve arrived at the running theme for today; that if you’re dabbling in a genre without actually doing anything new, then the least you can do is make it fun. On that note, let’s talk about A Thief & A Gentlewoman, a book that goes for nice blend between Six of Crows and My Cousin Vinny (weird, right?) and in pursuit of the perfect combination, ends up achieving neither! How fun. And because of A Thief & A Gentlewoman’s failure to live up to either premise, I’m left just sitting here wishing it had just been exactly what I was originally expecting of it; just a fun time.
Anyway, A Thief & A Gentlewoman is a story about a master thief named Quin who’s finally ready for her biggest job yet; seducing and robbing the crown prince himself, Atesh. Her first step is already well on its way as she slowly becomes an indispensable part of high society Talented Mr. Ripley style, but her plans soon go awry when she quickly realizes that she’s falling in love with the prince. Actually, too quick if I'm being honest. You mean to tell me you've been planning this heist for your entire life and you fold at the first sight of the man!? But you see, he’s different than the rest of them, he gets Quin, don’t you get it!? Yeah, it’s a very common story, and while I don’t mind the whole “thief grows a heart over the course of their biggest job yet” trope, I think part of the entertainment in these kinds of stories is that they usually keep the readers guessing up until the very end. Sure, we know that they’ll do the right thing in the end, but the whole point of a morally ambiguous character is that the narration doesn’t give away their true allegiance to the audience right away! No but really, I think the biggest problem I have with this book is that it wants all the excitement of all the classic heist stories and the enticing sexual tension had between diametrically opposed opposites à la Batman and Catwoman, but never commits hard enough to make any aspect of it compelling. We’re told Quin is a master thief and spy who has apparently cat-fished many a rich loser before, yet as soon as she sees Atesh, her mark, we're all of a sudden in swoon-city? Don't get me wrong, my man was simping just as hard, because even when he learns of her deception, he still stands by her through and through without a second though!? Explain it to me, please, because how much of a sucker can you actually be, dude. No question mark, because that was rhetorical. I’m just saying, part of the fun in a Leon Kennedy & Ada Wong pairing is the “will they, won’t they”, "whose side is she actually on" aspect of their relationship, and if you take that away, then what’s the point in even setting it up in the first place? Question mark because I’m actually asking here, I want to know! Even the fact that she steals for a living is given an immediate Robin Hood narrative excuse from the jump by the exposition going to great lengths showing her ailing mother and the fact that she gives away most of her earnings to others in more need of it than her. I don’t know, it just feels like somewhere along the way these characters became a little too precious to the author, as any potential character flaw is immediately snuffed out by excessive explanations of their good reason.
“Help him?” Derry paused with her cup halfway to her lips. “You do recall we’re meant to be robbing him, don’t you?”
That’s just the thing though, if I’m reading a story about thieves and killers, then I want these characters to be in the wrong, to be wrong about things, and act morally ambiguous in morally ambiguous situations. What is this Aladdin, diamond in the rough bullshit? One of the best examples of a deconstruction of this genre is explored in Red Dead Redemption 2, where the main gang are a group of “noble thieves” that pride themselves as Robin Hood types as well, but as the game goes on and the encroaching threat of law enforcement grows more and more overwhelming, it quickly comes to light just how much bullshit every one of them were feeding each other in order to justify stealing from innocent folk. Otherwise, I’m generally a big fan of multiple point-of-view chapters, and to a certain extent, it’s almost needed for any good heist story (like Ocean’s Eleven or, again, Six of Crows) and yet I couldn’t help but feel like this book was crowded beyond control despite only having three narrators (Quin, her bestie Derry, and the prince, Atesh). It’s like when Katseye were performing at the Grammys where they sang that garbage song “Gnarly”, and even though there are, like, twenty members of the band already, they still thought it would be a good idea to bring out even more background dancers!? Make it make sense, because they’ve already got the Fellowship of the Ring up there on stage, but now they need to add even more clutter to distract from their weak vocals and K-Pop Demon Hunters ass dance choreography that'd look more at home with Jackie Chan and Jet Lee’s battling it out in The Forbidden Kingdom than a musical performance. I guess maybe that’s what happened with this book as well, huh? That because there wasn’t a complicated enough political intrigue plot or a high octane thief missions to keep the story going at a fun pace, the author instead doubled down on the lackluster romance and action oriented scenes to show how badass Quin was at every opportunity. It’s just sad because multiple point-of-view chapters give me the opportunity to check in every now and then on a love-interest who’s super smitten, but with A Thief & A Gentlewoman, I was bored out of my mind every time we'd switch back to reading Atesh’s thoughts. Like, all this dude was ever on about was how smitten he was over Quin, and that’s great or whatever, but remember, she was literally in the midst of robbing him throughout the entire book, so it’s wild that the narration even tried to convince us of how different he was than all the other guys she's dealt with in the past when we can clearly see firsthand his thoughts on the matter; of which there aren’t many.
Sorry, but a man being head-over-heels whipped just isn’t enough to make him an interesting character or a proper dramatic foil to Quin's Carmen Sandiego ass considering puppy love really isn't such a unique personality trait out in the wild. Like, there are dudes out there who fall in love with women just for their customer service voice, so Atesh is hardly alone in that regard. I just think it's really funny how he's treated like some beacon of what a “nice guy” should be simply because he’s not a total dick to every woman in his life, and to underline this fact, the author had to write it so literally every other dude was super shitty in comparison. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m well aware that there are a lot of men whose "girlfriend credentials" make them sound like they'd rather have a hospice nurse than a partner, but I think more effort should have went into making Atesh the dreamboat that he’s apparently supposed to be rather than just being better by comparison. Who is he? Sure, he's an artist like Leo DiCaprio in The Titanic, gazing at horizons and all that, but he barely gets to showcase his artsy fartsy side because he spends half the book in a jail cell thinking about Quin! Otherwise, it’s really cool how Thief & A Gentlewoman also didn’t make sense as a fantasy world. Hey, consistency is key, right? Really though, I was confused because words like “china” referring to people’s dishes would be used frequently, and it was weird to me because… does China exist in this book’s world? Is there a whole other linguistic explanation for why this term is used for this world's special silverware? I'm open to being corrected here, let me know! Where are we? What’s happening!? I need answers! It doesn’t help that a lot of the social commentary on race relations here basically just boiled down to “hey, what if light skin folks dealt with colorism instead!?” and it’s like, I didn’t realize we were at the school of reverse racism, with our teacher DaniLeigh. Anyway, I liked this book a lot at the start and then slowly started to lose my mind like The Yellow Wallpaper the longer it dragged on and on. And even though I knew exactly how the story would play out going into A Thief & A Gentlewoman, it’s hard not to feel a bit bamboozled at how uninterested the book seemed to be on its own premise. I felt tricked, you know? Kind of like how Bruno Mars’ first released single on his newest hit album The Romantic was this “return to form" bop called “I Just Might”, but then when the actual album released, it was full of boring ass ballads. Where are the bops!? But of course, you already know this, you've heard the album! We were at that listening party together, right? Nonetheless, one of these days I’m going to read a “rich noble prince guy gets robbed by the tricky main character” book that actually goes through with it rather than slinking out at the last minute. I’ll find it, I swear! Put that on my soul.
I am ready to be become the giver / Now that I realized it's give and take / Oo~oh your love has broken my defenses / This time I'm not just on the make.
Superstar Bruno Mars has just released his highly anticipated new album titled The Romantic and the whole thing is filled with boring ass ballads. Now, I love a ballad as much as the next guy, “'Cause I'm your la~ady, And you are my man” and all that, but Bruno Mars has never been good with them, I’m afraid. You can sing Con Funk Shun with a pre hair plug Anderson Paak wearing his fuck ass Rick James wig all you want, my guy, that doesn’t change the fact that your best songs are the ones that don’t focus too hard on the lyrical quality. And it’s funny because Bruno stans (they do exist, apparently) are defending his shit with the same intense desperation as The Battle of Helm’s Deep, talking about how “fans have been clamoring for Bruno to release more ballads, more serious type songs for a while now, and now that he actually has, everybody’s complaining! You really can't win!” and I’m sorry, but who the hell was asking for more slow songs from Bruno Mars!? Certainly not me! We all remember "The Other Side", don't we? That song is straight ass. And it sucks because even the criticism on the other side of things, the folks who didn't like The Romantic, focus on the wrong things because they're thinking it’s some kind of read to call the album “quintessentially Bruno” and thus, boring. But that’s just it, there’s no such thing as a quintessential Bruno Mars to lament the loss of. Bruno Mars is already the J.J. Abrams of music; forever chasing after a redundant homage to a bygone era full of real artists who actually had something to say. Trying to claim that something is “classic Bruno" is the same as saying a song is emulating “classic Prince”, “classic Michael Jackson”, or any of the other real trendsetters he’s taking notes from. The problem with his new album isn’t so much that it’s “too Bruno Mars”, because Bruno Mars doesn’t exist to be too much of, the issue here is that if this dude isn’t even going to put out the kind of music I can play when I’m given the aux at Thanksgiving dinner (because these new ones are all boring ass ballads), then why is he even releasing new music? Sometimes being a wave rider is all you can hope to be, and that's okay. Have I made my point yet? Because I guess we’ve arrived at the running theme for today; that if you’re dabbling in a genre without actually doing anything new, then the least you can do is make it fun. On that note, let’s talk about A Thief & A Gentlewoman, a book that goes for nice blend between Six of Crows and My Cousin Vinny (weird, right?) and in pursuit of the perfect combination, ends up achieving neither! How fun. And because of A Thief & A Gentlewoman’s failure to live up to either premise, I’m left just sitting here wishing it had just been exactly what I was originally expecting of it; just a fun time.
Anyway, A Thief & A Gentlewoman is a story about a master thief named Quin who’s finally ready for her biggest job yet; seducing and robbing the crown prince himself, Atesh. Her first step is already well on its way as she slowly becomes an indispensable part of high society Talented Mr. Ripley style, but her plans soon go awry when she quickly realizes that she’s falling in love with the prince. Actually, too quick if I'm being honest. You mean to tell me you've been planning this heist for your entire life and you fold at the first sight of the man!? But you see, he’s different than the rest of them, he gets Quin, don’t you get it!? Yeah, it’s a very common story, and while I don’t mind the whole “thief grows a heart over the course of their biggest job yet” trope, I think part of the entertainment in these kinds of stories is that they usually keep the readers guessing up until the very end. Sure, we know that they’ll do the right thing in the end, but the whole point of a morally ambiguous character is that the narration doesn’t give away their true allegiance to the audience right away! No but really, I think the biggest problem I have with this book is that it wants all the excitement of all the classic heist stories and the enticing sexual tension had between diametrically opposed opposites à la Batman and Catwoman, but never commits hard enough to make any aspect of it compelling. We’re told Quin is a master thief and spy who has apparently cat-fished many a rich loser before, yet as soon as she sees Atesh, her mark, we're all of a sudden in swoon-city? Don't get me wrong, my man was simping just as hard, because even when he learns of her deception, he still stands by her through and through without a second though!? Explain it to me, please, because how much of a sucker can you actually be, dude. No question mark, because that was rhetorical. I’m just saying, part of the fun in a Leon Kennedy & Ada Wong pairing is the “will they, won’t they”, "whose side is she actually on" aspect of their relationship, and if you take that away, then what’s the point in even setting it up in the first place? Question mark because I’m actually asking here, I want to know! Even the fact that she steals for a living is given an immediate Robin Hood narrative excuse from the jump by the exposition going to great lengths showing her ailing mother and the fact that she gives away most of her earnings to others in more need of it than her. I don’t know, it just feels like somewhere along the way these characters became a little too precious to the author, as any potential character flaw is immediately snuffed out by excessive explanations of their good reason.
“Help him?” Derry paused with her cup halfway to her lips. “You do recall we’re meant to be robbing him, don’t you?”
That’s just the thing though, if I’m reading a story about thieves and killers, then I want these characters to be in the wrong, to be wrong about things, and act morally ambiguous in morally ambiguous situations. What is this Aladdin, diamond in the rough bullshit? One of the best examples of a deconstruction of this genre is explored in Red Dead Redemption 2, where the main gang are a group of “noble thieves” that pride themselves as Robin Hood types as well, but as the game goes on and the encroaching threat of law enforcement grows more and more overwhelming, it quickly comes to light just how much bullshit every one of them were feeding each other in order to justify stealing from innocent folk. Otherwise, I’m generally a big fan of multiple point-of-view chapters, and to a certain extent, it’s almost needed for any good heist story (like Ocean’s Eleven or, again, Six of Crows) and yet I couldn’t help but feel like this book was crowded beyond control despite only having three narrators (Quin, her bestie Derry, and the prince, Atesh). It’s like when Katseye were performing at the Grammys where they sang that garbage song “Gnarly”, and even though there are, like, twenty members of the band already, they still thought it would be a good idea to bring out even more background dancers!? Make it make sense, because they’ve already got the Fellowship of the Ring up there on stage, but now they need to add even more clutter to distract from their weak vocals and K-Pop Demon Hunters ass dance choreography that'd look more at home with Jackie Chan and Jet Lee’s battling it out in The Forbidden Kingdom than a musical performance. I guess maybe that’s what happened with this book as well, huh? That because there wasn’t a complicated enough political intrigue plot or a high octane thief missions to keep the story going at a fun pace, the author instead doubled down on the lackluster romance and action oriented scenes to show how badass Quin was at every opportunity. It’s just sad because multiple point-of-view chapters give me the opportunity to check in every now and then on a love-interest who’s super smitten, but with A Thief & A Gentlewoman, I was bored out of my mind every time we'd switch back to reading Atesh’s thoughts. Like, all this dude was ever on about was how smitten he was over Quin, and that’s great or whatever, but remember, she was literally in the midst of robbing him throughout the entire book, so it’s wild that the narration even tried to convince us of how different he was than all the other guys she's dealt with in the past when we can clearly see firsthand his thoughts on the matter; of which there aren’t many.
Sorry, but a man being head-over-heels whipped just isn’t enough to make him an interesting character or a proper dramatic foil to Quin's Carmen Sandiego ass considering puppy love really isn't such a unique personality trait out in the wild. Like, there are dudes out there who fall in love with women just for their customer service voice, so Atesh is hardly alone in that regard. I just think it's really funny how he's treated like some beacon of what a “nice guy” should be simply because he’s not a total dick to every woman in his life, and to underline this fact, the author had to write it so literally every other dude was super shitty in comparison. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m well aware that there are a lot of men whose "girlfriend credentials" make them sound like they'd rather have a hospice nurse than a partner, but I think more effort should have went into making Atesh the dreamboat that he’s apparently supposed to be rather than just being better by comparison. Who is he? Sure, he's an artist like Leo DiCaprio in The Titanic, gazing at horizons and all that, but he barely gets to showcase his artsy fartsy side because he spends half the book in a jail cell thinking about Quin! Otherwise, it’s really cool how Thief & A Gentlewoman also didn’t make sense as a fantasy world. Hey, consistency is key, right? Really though, I was confused because words like “china” referring to people’s dishes would be used frequently, and it was weird to me because… does China exist in this book’s world? Is there a whole other linguistic explanation for why this term is used for this world's special silverware? I'm open to being corrected here, let me know! Where are we? What’s happening!? I need answers! It doesn’t help that a lot of the social commentary on race relations here basically just boiled down to “hey, what if light skin folks dealt with colorism instead!?” and it’s like, I didn’t realize we were at the school of reverse racism, with our teacher DaniLeigh. Anyway, I liked this book a lot at the start and then slowly started to lose my mind like The Yellow Wallpaper the longer it dragged on and on. And even though I knew exactly how the story would play out going into A Thief & A Gentlewoman, it’s hard not to feel a bit bamboozled at how uninterested the book seemed to be on its own premise. I felt tricked, you know? Kind of like how Bruno Mars’ first released single on his newest hit album The Romantic was this “return to form" bop called “I Just Might”, but then when the actual album released, it was full of boring ass ballads. Where are the bops!? But of course, you already know this, you've heard the album! We were at that listening party together, right? Nonetheless, one of these days I’m going to read a “rich noble prince guy gets robbed by the tricky main character” book that actually goes through with it rather than slinking out at the last minute. I’ll find it, I swear! Put that on my soul.
I am ready to be become the giver / Now that I realized it's give and take / Oo~oh your love has broken my defenses / This time I'm not just on the make.
September 25, 2018
I read this amazing book as part of my Lady Thieves September Feature. If you'd like a chance to win this book or one of the other amazing titles in the image above, be sure to sign up for my reader group!
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This book reminded me of what I think Robin Hood would be like if Tamora Pierce had written it. Except, if I’m honest, I think I liked the writing style of this story even better than Pierce (am I allowed to say that???).
A Thief & a Gentlewoman plunges you immediately into the drama and high stakes of Quin’s world. She is a classic “rob from the rich and give to the poor” sort of heroine, with a vast array of talents and developed-skills to utilize in this ongoing quest. When we meet her, she has set her eyes on a new mark, whom she intends to make fall in love with her “gentlewoman” persona . . . before she robs him blind.
Problem is . . . her intended victim is kind of amazing. Kind, insightful, well-bred in the truest sense of the word. And he has a remarkable knack for seeing through Quin’s artifices and finding the real woman underneath. A woman he finds completely intriguing.
The romance is strong in this tale, but it’s all beautifully balanced with action, magic, and an ever-unfolding mystery. No spoilers here, but every scene was ultimately a page-turner, and I blazed through the story much faster than I would have thought possible.
The writing is wonderful, by the way. This book is a debut, but you’d never know it! The vivid world-building, the confidence and even beauty of the prose, all makes for a compelling read that I would expect from an established novelist. I know for a fact that I’ll eagerly be watching for more Clare Sager books to come!
Read
August 7, 2019I enjoyed the strong historically-inspired worldbuilding in this story set in a fantasy version of Ottoman Constantinople, and the central romance was satisfying (our heroine has helpless femininity down to a fine art - what will she do when she meets someone who likes the real Quin, who is clever and capable?). I might have wished for tighter pacing, but otherwise this was a strong debut from an author who knows her stuff.
June 27, 2021
The beginning and bones were great. I just keep feeling like it was going on and on. Maybe it was the mood I was in. I know part of it was that the love interest never spent much time together and I don't know how they fell in love. A lot of action at the end that I ended up skimming over.
March 9, 2019
I straight-up loved this book. The lush fantasy worldbuilding that isn't even vaguely reminiscent of Tolkien, deep characters you alternately want to yell at or hug, a really interesting and subtle magic system unlike any I've seen before, gorgeous, clean prose. And of course, a really killer cover certainly helps.
December 26, 2018
What a great read! Superb writing and great world building! A sort of Robin Hood tale- if Robin was a beautiful woman using her skills to imitate a gentlewoman and rob rich young men to give to the poor. Except she’s falling for her latest mark. There’s adventure, mystery, murder, a dash of romance, and I can’t wait to read the next book!
November 16, 2019
Fun and clever, con-focused fantasy. The characters all had fantastic interactions and chemistry, and there were some genuinely puzzling problems they had to get through. Definitely a good read for fans of Eli Monpress and Locke Lamora.
March 28, 2019
You know those books that get praised with "I couldn't put it down"? A Thief & A Gentlewoman is one of those. I had to put it down, but dang, I didn't want to.
How do I describe it? It's like some kind of Lady Locke Lamora tossed up with the world building and romance skills of Trudi Canavan, only less magic-orientated. It is the "I never meant to actually love you" trope done in such a way it's fun and exciting despite it's epic length - 600 pages is a daunting prospect but the pacing means everything is so well timed that not one moment of it drags. There's murder, there's mystery, there's action, secrets, mayhem, a love that's not over the top and all-consuming even if it does drive the story. It's also a first in series AND a self-contained story. No cliff-hangers here, but plenty of room for follow up. All in all, one epic read worthy of the time you'll put into reading it.
It's the story of Quinta, a well-trained thief playing the role of a gentlewoman to get close to her marks. She's returned to her home city, Arianople, which is a beautiful mess of Mediterranean cultures laced with the softest undertone of magic. Her next target isn't just some lordling, oh no, it's the cousin of the Sultana herself. Snaring the fortune of Atesh, the Pasha with green eyes and an artistic flare, will be her crowning achievement. She'll take his marriage proposal much as she's done with others, take the ring and vanish into the night... But not before giving a little back to those who come from the same lowly background as her. She never planned to actually fall in love. She has her friend Derry and mentor Ariston to care for amoungst other things... But it turns out forbidden, impossible love isn't the only thing she needs to worry about. The City of Cities has a long and grim history, and now the tangles of the past are coming back to ensnare everyone be they royal or not.
Quin isn't just one of those "strong female characters" - she's complex, compelling, cunning, clever, not to mention as quick with a rapier as she is with her wit. Far from being a swooning maiden even when romance does come into play, her softer side is still tempered with steely resolve. Atesh gets his own chapters as well, giving us an insight into his situation without giving too much away. Side characters such as Derry and Ariston have their own dramas and secrets that make them so much more than just convenient extras. Even the villains are far more interesting than they deserve to be (boo, hiss!)
There's the tiniest hint of naive awkwardness about the language used early on in the "does she/does he..?" romance sections, but it's not one of those indie books that promises a grown up relationship but ends up with characters in the twenties acting like lovesick tweens. The writing gets more confident as it goes along (not that, for the most part, it needed to).
The setting is gorgeous. It's very obviously inspired by Turkey and Greece with a heavy Renaissance flavour. A tiny gripe would be not explaining some things quite quick enough, like what a sabrecat was until Quin was actually riding one (aha, they're horse-substitutes!) or why Quin mentioned Cards (the world's inventive Tarotish magic system is beautifully light-touch - it exists but isn't the be-all and end-all of the world's charm). Descriptions of the costumes and setting are just as much as they need to be to evoke the feel of a world not quite our own but still familiar. Those little touches, like the smell and texture of various foodstuffs, are enough to spark the imagination.
I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did, given it's so long and billed as a romance. But by the time the mystery aspect came into play, I could barely put the Kindle down. I had to know the who, the how, the why... And that's the mark of a really epic story teller. I cared so much for the characters and how they were going to resolve everything (because come on, you knew they would). I am so pleased to find a book that told such a great story with closure and yet promises that there's so much more to discover about the world and the characters...
Very much looking forward to answering a few more of those hows and whys with this series. I can't recommend this one highly enough.
How do I describe it? It's like some kind of Lady Locke Lamora tossed up with the world building and romance skills of Trudi Canavan, only less magic-orientated. It is the "I never meant to actually love you" trope done in such a way it's fun and exciting despite it's epic length - 600 pages is a daunting prospect but the pacing means everything is so well timed that not one moment of it drags. There's murder, there's mystery, there's action, secrets, mayhem, a love that's not over the top and all-consuming even if it does drive the story. It's also a first in series AND a self-contained story. No cliff-hangers here, but plenty of room for follow up. All in all, one epic read worthy of the time you'll put into reading it.
It's the story of Quinta, a well-trained thief playing the role of a gentlewoman to get close to her marks. She's returned to her home city, Arianople, which is a beautiful mess of Mediterranean cultures laced with the softest undertone of magic. Her next target isn't just some lordling, oh no, it's the cousin of the Sultana herself. Snaring the fortune of Atesh, the Pasha with green eyes and an artistic flare, will be her crowning achievement. She'll take his marriage proposal much as she's done with others, take the ring and vanish into the night... But not before giving a little back to those who come from the same lowly background as her. She never planned to actually fall in love. She has her friend Derry and mentor Ariston to care for amoungst other things... But it turns out forbidden, impossible love isn't the only thing she needs to worry about. The City of Cities has a long and grim history, and now the tangles of the past are coming back to ensnare everyone be they royal or not.
Quin isn't just one of those "strong female characters" - she's complex, compelling, cunning, clever, not to mention as quick with a rapier as she is with her wit. Far from being a swooning maiden even when romance does come into play, her softer side is still tempered with steely resolve. Atesh gets his own chapters as well, giving us an insight into his situation without giving too much away. Side characters such as Derry and Ariston have their own dramas and secrets that make them so much more than just convenient extras. Even the villains are far more interesting than they deserve to be (boo, hiss!)
There's the tiniest hint of naive awkwardness about the language used early on in the "does she/does he..?" romance sections, but it's not one of those indie books that promises a grown up relationship but ends up with characters in the twenties acting like lovesick tweens. The writing gets more confident as it goes along (not that, for the most part, it needed to).
The setting is gorgeous. It's very obviously inspired by Turkey and Greece with a heavy Renaissance flavour. A tiny gripe would be not explaining some things quite quick enough, like what a sabrecat was until Quin was actually riding one (aha, they're horse-substitutes!) or why Quin mentioned Cards (the world's inventive Tarotish magic system is beautifully light-touch - it exists but isn't the be-all and end-all of the world's charm). Descriptions of the costumes and setting are just as much as they need to be to evoke the feel of a world not quite our own but still familiar. Those little touches, like the smell and texture of various foodstuffs, are enough to spark the imagination.
I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did, given it's so long and billed as a romance. But by the time the mystery aspect came into play, I could barely put the Kindle down. I had to know the who, the how, the why... And that's the mark of a really epic story teller. I cared so much for the characters and how they were going to resolve everything (because come on, you knew they would). I am so pleased to find a book that told such a great story with closure and yet promises that there's so much more to discover about the world and the characters...
Very much looking forward to answering a few more of those hows and whys with this series. I can't recommend this one highly enough.
December 17, 2019
I have to admit that this was a complete cover pick, I just totally fell in love when I saw it and it was a stand out in a room full of books that I was considering at the time. What was inside was all that the cover promised it would be!
Quin is a fantastic character, smart, sassy, totally kick ass but a little morally grey too. She is a Robin Hood for the residents of the stories Arinapole, which has a sumptuous Constantinople feel to it. A product of the Gutter Streets, she has risen above to fleece the hoi Polloi under the expert tutalage of an ex hareem darling who is also handily, her mother. She is one of several amazing female characters in this story, Derry, her friend and trainee apothacary holds her own wonderfully and can I just say that I am desperate for more Tacita! I actually think that Tacita is my favourite side character, she’s the antithesis of Quin in that she appears to be at the other end of the social spectrum but with a similar outlook for adventure. For anyone familiar with the new She-Ra, she is giving me total Scorpia vibes and I really hope she appears in future books in the series! The guys don’t hold up too badly either, the stalwart Ariston is a delight and although it took me a while, I did warm to Atesh as Quin melted through his initially aloof exterior. They’re not quite the full rag tag team that is becoming a YA staple (which I personally love) but there are enough for some fledgling #squadgoals to surface.
I absolutely adored the magic system, contained within tarot style cards each deck is unique to its creator and grows slowly over time, each card created and mastered to either disguise, distract, locate and seemingly get up to no good with, for the most part. I really liked how it wasn’t overly relied on as a means to an end though, there is a tithe to pay for it’s use and did give more scope for genuine skill and cunning to be used, which we had in a glorious abundance. I have to say I wasn’t clear on whether everyone could have a deck or whether it was a select few who could use these magics, but they did seem to be popping up more and more as the story progressed although more at the higher end of the social spectrum. I’m a total world building girl with books and the amount of care and attention to detail in creating such a gorgeous world is outstanding. A true picture was painted and I rarely felt that I didn’t have a clear vision of where the characters were or the situations they were in, which totally pulled me into the story and wrapped me in a big world building sized blanket of goodness.
Whilst it is a long read, there is really so much packed into its pages with a little something to please everyone, as it encompassed murder mystery, courtroom drama, romance, action and giant sabrecats all wrapped up in a glorious fantasy bow. Honestly Sabrecats are my new favourite animal sidekick and the author gives a totally plausible and astute reasoning as to why they are vastly superior to horses in this context! A Thief and a Gentlewoman rose to meet all my expectations, I loved it. From its languid opening to it fast paced ending, it had me guessing and hoping all the way to the end. Its also a story that brings closure on itself but open ended enough to have me excited for what comes next without relying on a gimicky cliffhanger to drawn me back in. I’m just glad the next book in the series is already out!
Quin is a fantastic character, smart, sassy, totally kick ass but a little morally grey too. She is a Robin Hood for the residents of the stories Arinapole, which has a sumptuous Constantinople feel to it. A product of the Gutter Streets, she has risen above to fleece the hoi Polloi under the expert tutalage of an ex hareem darling who is also handily, her mother. She is one of several amazing female characters in this story, Derry, her friend and trainee apothacary holds her own wonderfully and can I just say that I am desperate for more Tacita! I actually think that Tacita is my favourite side character, she’s the antithesis of Quin in that she appears to be at the other end of the social spectrum but with a similar outlook for adventure. For anyone familiar with the new She-Ra, she is giving me total Scorpia vibes and I really hope she appears in future books in the series! The guys don’t hold up too badly either, the stalwart Ariston is a delight and although it took me a while, I did warm to Atesh as Quin melted through his initially aloof exterior. They’re not quite the full rag tag team that is becoming a YA staple (which I personally love) but there are enough for some fledgling #squadgoals to surface.
I absolutely adored the magic system, contained within tarot style cards each deck is unique to its creator and grows slowly over time, each card created and mastered to either disguise, distract, locate and seemingly get up to no good with, for the most part. I really liked how it wasn’t overly relied on as a means to an end though, there is a tithe to pay for it’s use and did give more scope for genuine skill and cunning to be used, which we had in a glorious abundance. I have to say I wasn’t clear on whether everyone could have a deck or whether it was a select few who could use these magics, but they did seem to be popping up more and more as the story progressed although more at the higher end of the social spectrum. I’m a total world building girl with books and the amount of care and attention to detail in creating such a gorgeous world is outstanding. A true picture was painted and I rarely felt that I didn’t have a clear vision of where the characters were or the situations they were in, which totally pulled me into the story and wrapped me in a big world building sized blanket of goodness.
Whilst it is a long read, there is really so much packed into its pages with a little something to please everyone, as it encompassed murder mystery, courtroom drama, romance, action and giant sabrecats all wrapped up in a glorious fantasy bow. Honestly Sabrecats are my new favourite animal sidekick and the author gives a totally plausible and astute reasoning as to why they are vastly superior to horses in this context! A Thief and a Gentlewoman rose to meet all my expectations, I loved it. From its languid opening to it fast paced ending, it had me guessing and hoping all the way to the end. Its also a story that brings closure on itself but open ended enough to have me excited for what comes next without relying on a gimicky cliffhanger to drawn me back in. I’m just glad the next book in the series is already out!
August 29, 2021
First off, I’m a huge fan of Clare Sager’s Beneath Black Sails series, and if you haven’t picked it up yet, you’re in for a real treat!
When I realized she had written another series, I couldn’t wait to pick it up, and I wasn’t disappointed.
With Sager, you know you’re going to get a fantastic slow burn romance, epic action, and a touch of mystery. A Thief and a Gentlewoman has it all in spades, and then some.
Quin is a top-tier con artist. She travels from city to city, taking on a new persona in each one. Her goal? Charm a pig-headed aristocrat into falling in love with her, then rob him and give her loot to the poor.
Her new mark is Altesh, cousin to the sultana. The biggest, and riskiest job she’s ever done.
She didn’t expect to fall in love with him.
For me, this felt like two books smashed into one, and I really wish it had been broken into two. The first half deals with her getting to know/falling in love with him. The second half begins with a murder for which Altesh is framed, and Quin must prove his innocence.
As a result, the pace was very slow at times.
The characters, magic, and supreme world building more than made up for it! I couldn't help but get sucked into the story as my mind raced to piece together the clues that were masterfully woven throughout the book. Plus, the magic was unique (card magic? Yes, please!)
I immediately downloaded the sequel, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
When I realized she had written another series, I couldn’t wait to pick it up, and I wasn’t disappointed.
With Sager, you know you’re going to get a fantastic slow burn romance, epic action, and a touch of mystery. A Thief and a Gentlewoman has it all in spades, and then some.
Quin is a top-tier con artist. She travels from city to city, taking on a new persona in each one. Her goal? Charm a pig-headed aristocrat into falling in love with her, then rob him and give her loot to the poor.
Her new mark is Altesh, cousin to the sultana. The biggest, and riskiest job she’s ever done.
She didn’t expect to fall in love with him.
For me, this felt like two books smashed into one, and I really wish it had been broken into two. The first half deals with her getting to know/falling in love with him. The second half begins with a murder for which Altesh is framed, and Quin must prove his innocence.
As a result, the pace was very slow at times.
The characters, magic, and supreme world building more than made up for it! I couldn't help but get sucked into the story as my mind raced to piece together the clues that were masterfully woven throughout the book. Plus, the magic was unique (card magic? Yes, please!)
I immediately downloaded the sequel, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
September 7, 2018
A Thief & a Gentlewoman is one of those books that grabs you and never lets go.
It's the whole package: excellent writing and pacing from an author who knows her craft, an engaging story with characters you care about, a slowly developing romance, plus lots of action and a bit of magic in a richly developed world.
I loved Quin and Atesh and the organic way their relationship grew. Atesh slowly pokes holes in Quin's persona, while Quin struggles with enjoying being her real self and protecting everything that she has built and worked for. I really enjoyed the dynamic between them. Quin also has other very important people in her life that she cares for, making her face some tough choices while literally balancing all of their lives in her hands.
The magic system is unique and quite cool. Magic is accessible to anyone via Tarot-like cards that one creates over time, growing their personal deck. Each one grants a different power or augmentation (e.g. increased hearing abilities or ability to mask your appearance). Of course, these cards all come into play in the story, both to aid and work against Quin and Atesh. I liked how the characters did not have to be predisposed to magic, making it feel very accessible and real.
A great story and great characters. I can't recommend it enough!
It's the whole package: excellent writing and pacing from an author who knows her craft, an engaging story with characters you care about, a slowly developing romance, plus lots of action and a bit of magic in a richly developed world.
I loved Quin and Atesh and the organic way their relationship grew. Atesh slowly pokes holes in Quin's persona, while Quin struggles with enjoying being her real self and protecting everything that she has built and worked for. I really enjoyed the dynamic between them. Quin also has other very important people in her life that she cares for, making her face some tough choices while literally balancing all of their lives in her hands.
The magic system is unique and quite cool. Magic is accessible to anyone via Tarot-like cards that one creates over time, growing their personal deck. Each one grants a different power or augmentation (e.g. increased hearing abilities or ability to mask your appearance). Of course, these cards all come into play in the story, both to aid and work against Quin and Atesh. I liked how the characters did not have to be predisposed to magic, making it feel very accessible and real.
A great story and great characters. I can't recommend it enough!
January 17, 2025
I loved this book. It had everything that I was looking for: adventure, history, magic, a little bit of romance and ….. a strong female lead. Quin is smart, sassy, beautiful and can kick someone’s butt. She actually reminded me a little bit of Elizabeth Bennett. A character that I absolutely love!
Quin is the daughter of a former haram wife in Arianpole who grew up in the Gutter Streets. A place of poverty, violence and little hope for improvement for those who live there. Quin does what she can for these people by conning “aristos” and sharing her bounty. Sound familiar?It should. Clare Sager happens to live in Nottingham where she was influenced by the story of Robin Hood. I really enjoyed her take on this classic story.
I had some gripes over some stereotypical character flaws but I’m hoping that will be sorted out as the series and characters grow. Will Quin actually ask for help and stop thinking she has to solve everyone’s problems on her own? Will Derry finally realize she can be her own woman? I believe they will and I’m sure the story will be fabulous when it happens.
I’m looking forward to reading Clare’s next novel in the series and getting to know Quin and her gang a little better.
All I have to say is …..READ THIS BOOK!
Quin is the daughter of a former haram wife in Arianpole who grew up in the Gutter Streets. A place of poverty, violence and little hope for improvement for those who live there. Quin does what she can for these people by conning “aristos” and sharing her bounty. Sound familiar?It should. Clare Sager happens to live in Nottingham where she was influenced by the story of Robin Hood. I really enjoyed her take on this classic story.
I had some gripes over some stereotypical character flaws but I’m hoping that will be sorted out as the series and characters grow. Will Quin actually ask for help and stop thinking she has to solve everyone’s problems on her own? Will Derry finally realize she can be her own woman? I believe they will and I’m sure the story will be fabulous when it happens.
I’m looking forward to reading Clare’s next novel in the series and getting to know Quin and her gang a little better.
All I have to say is …..READ THIS BOOK!
January 20, 2019
This book was utterly exceptional. There's so much to admire; the ever-twisting, crazy, unpredictable plot, the multifaceted, intelligent, varying characters, and the incredible heft to this book. I would definitely consider it a LONG book. With such length, I expected to get bored by long, meandering paragraphs of exposition that were entirely unrelated to the plot, which did not happen. I expected a book that I would dip in and out of, if it was good, and eventually finish after a few weeks. I certainly didn't expect myself to become so engrossed, my nose could have literally been glued to my phone. I didn't expect to be so enamoured and animated by a story, that took me days to read (try as I might responsibilities did hinder my reading progress). The biggest surprise was definitely that this was part of a series, however. At 650 pages, I honestly expected a stand alone novel. That there is a sequel is a lovely surprise but that it isn't already in my grubby little mitts is an utter shame.
I'd recommend this to anyone who truly loves literature, period pieces, crime thrillers, or just reading. For me, this was an instant classic.
I'd recommend this to anyone who truly loves literature, period pieces, crime thrillers, or just reading. For me, this was an instant classic.
February 28, 2019
What an unexpected surprise! This book showed up as recommended, and very rarely do I see a book, read its summary, buy and read it instantly. (I'm a book hoarder with too much to read!) The premise was so fun and intriguing and I loved the high society facade and secret double life.
The pacing was a bit on the slow side, and the middle section left me missing the interactions between the protagonist and other important character, I do wish there was more of it given thatvits 600+ pages and a great portion was missing what I loved most. However, that also proves how easily I fell in love with certain characters.
One gripe I do have is with the antagonist, I would have liked more set up and context for the their motives, but I have a feeling more will be revealed in the future!
All in all, it was super enjoyable, and I'll definitely be waiting to read the next one!
The pacing was a bit on the slow side, and the middle section left me missing the interactions between the protagonist and other important character, I do wish there was more of it given thatvits 600+ pages and a great portion was missing what I loved most. However, that also proves how easily I fell in love with certain characters.
One gripe I do have is with the antagonist, I would have liked more set up and context for the their motives, but I have a feeling more will be revealed in the future!
All in all, it was super enjoyable, and I'll definitely be waiting to read the next one!
March 28, 2019
If some books are like a tango and others a tarantella, then A Thief and a Gentlewoman is a waltz, lyrical and lilting as it carries you along. The world-building is intriguing and evocative, the romance warm and engaging, and the plot weaves together light and dark, becoming richer and deeper as the story progresses.
It's obvious the author loves her world and characters, and I very much enjoyed spending time with them. Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
It's obvious the author loves her world and characters, and I very much enjoyed spending time with them. Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
October 18, 2018
Fabulous
Beautifully written, enthralling, and moving! I was pulled into the tale from the first sentence and dragged giddily through Quinta’s adventures to the thrilling end. A must read.
Beautifully written, enthralling, and moving! I was pulled into the tale from the first sentence and dragged giddily through Quinta’s adventures to the thrilling end. A must read.
November 4, 2018
An intriguing world and breathtaking action
Hooked from page one, I couldn’t put this book down. Clare has created a fantastical world so rich and detailed it’s wholly believable alongside characters to love and hate. I can’t wait for book two to find out their fates...
Hooked from page one, I couldn’t put this book down. Clare has created a fantastical world so rich and detailed it’s wholly believable alongside characters to love and hate. I can’t wait for book two to find out their fates...
September 10, 2018
Entertaining to the end
Genuinely enjoyed every page. A little romance, a little mystery, a little action. Had everything I wanted. Can’t wait for the next one.
Genuinely enjoyed every page. A little romance, a little mystery, a little action. Had everything I wanted. Can’t wait for the next one.
January 2, 2021
I can’t wait for the next book!
January 9, 2019
High action and unpredictable with strong character
Loved this! The plot pulled me in from the beginning and never let go, even now I'm excited for book 2.
Loved this! The plot pulled me in from the beginning and never let go, even now I'm excited for book 2.
August 4, 2019
Good read
An entertaining romp of a book. Kept me interested until the end. Looking forward to the continuing saga of this family
An entertaining romp of a book. Kept me interested until the end. Looking forward to the continuing saga of this family
December 30, 2019
Once I started this book, I couldn't stop. I love the strong, female characters, the subtle queerness, the speed, the sudden twists, the magic system. Very much looking forward to book 2.
July 16, 2019
Quin Guldan is the daughter of a former favourite of the Sultan in the harem, but after the former Sultan died the first concubine assumed the throne as regent for her daughter and ruled harems outlawed. The child of the first concubine was declared legitimate and all children by lesser concubines were deemed illegitimate, the concubines fled and Quin's mother Livia went from wealth and luxury to living from hand to mouth on the streets.
Quin is a master of the long con, although she isn't averse to picking pockets and stealing trinkets from the rich, she favours fake engagements to wealthy lordlings who then are happy to pay non-existent blackmailers or other scams before she and her crew disappear into the night.
After years travelling she has returned to her home of Arianople under the name of Countess Quinta Sabia for her biggest con ever, she wants to trap one of the wealthiest Pasha's Atesh Shahin, cousin to the Queen into an engagement. But what starts as a standard seduction soon becomes real, Atesh seems immune to Quin's practised flirtation techniques but reacts positively when she shows him her true personality. Soon the lines between love and a con have become blurred, until a horrific murder and Atesh seems guilty - can Quin prove his innocence or will she save her own neck?
I enjoyed the world-building in this novel, the use of magic through playing cards that people hand-paint themselves to enhance attributes like stealth or hearing, the political machinations the detective plot and the exotic sabrecats which people use instead of horses.
In terms of plot, I felt the novel lagged a bit in the middle, there was a lot of investigation and fighting which was interrupted by dips into Quin's (and Atesh's) backstory, or by an explanation of the history of the playing cards which slowed the pace and distracted from the sense of urgency. I also felt the identity of the plotters was obvious from early on and couldn't believe that Quin and her friend/servant Derry didn't piece it together sooner.
But overall, this was an exciting swords, sorcery and magic story set in a fictional land similar to Turkey with concubines, slaves, Sultans and Pashas. I look forward to reading the continuing adventures of Quin and Atesh and their loyal servants.
Quin is a master of the long con, although she isn't averse to picking pockets and stealing trinkets from the rich, she favours fake engagements to wealthy lordlings who then are happy to pay non-existent blackmailers or other scams before she and her crew disappear into the night.
After years travelling she has returned to her home of Arianople under the name of Countess Quinta Sabia for her biggest con ever, she wants to trap one of the wealthiest Pasha's Atesh Shahin, cousin to the Queen into an engagement. But what starts as a standard seduction soon becomes real, Atesh seems immune to Quin's practised flirtation techniques but reacts positively when she shows him her true personality. Soon the lines between love and a con have become blurred, until a horrific murder and Atesh seems guilty - can Quin prove his innocence or will she save her own neck?
I enjoyed the world-building in this novel, the use of magic through playing cards that people hand-paint themselves to enhance attributes like stealth or hearing, the political machinations the detective plot and the exotic sabrecats which people use instead of horses.
In terms of plot, I felt the novel lagged a bit in the middle, there was a lot of investigation and fighting which was interrupted by dips into Quin's (and Atesh's) backstory, or by an explanation of the history of the playing cards which slowed the pace and distracted from the sense of urgency. I also felt the identity of the plotters was obvious from early on and couldn't believe that Quin and her friend/servant Derry didn't piece it together sooner.
But overall, this was an exciting swords, sorcery and magic story set in a fictional land similar to Turkey with concubines, slaves, Sultans and Pashas. I look forward to reading the continuing adventures of Quin and Atesh and their loyal servants.
March 26, 2020
It is a truth universally acknowledged that if you decide to pick this book up, you will become so emotionally invested in it's characters that all life happening around you will become insignificant, as you delve into the life of Quin chameleon extraordinaire.
April 13, 2020
A cunning thief, a naive yet witty nobleman and a dizzying race to save an innocent from the gallows.
The narrative follows Quin, a successful con woman and her clever crew as they set to take down their next ‘mark’. This was a highly enjoyable and surprising ride. We had battles with sabrecats and elephants, ballroom subterfuge and disguises, and sweet ‘will-they-won’t-they’ romance.
The witty banter and cleverness of Quin was a delight to read.
Quin and her crew’s ‘robin hood’ type heists felt realistic and smart. Similarly, the chemistry between Quin and Atesh was well developed and entertaining. And, as the mystery of a murder enters the story - boy, does the pace pick up.
The only issue I had was around the world building. We have a delightful Ottoman Empire kinda vibe with gentleman and gentlewomen, but the magic system while interesting - a tarot card based system where users can access a ‘gods’ power - wasn’t fleshed out enough. It never felt really embedded into the world and instead felt tacked on in places. I was unsure as to its necessity until towards the second half of the book where it starts to become important.
All that being said, this was a highly readable book filled with interesting characters that you can’t help but root for. Definitely a great lazy iso-day read.
The narrative follows Quin, a successful con woman and her clever crew as they set to take down their next ‘mark’. This was a highly enjoyable and surprising ride. We had battles with sabrecats and elephants, ballroom subterfuge and disguises, and sweet ‘will-they-won’t-they’ romance.
The witty banter and cleverness of Quin was a delight to read.
Quin and her crew’s ‘robin hood’ type heists felt realistic and smart. Similarly, the chemistry between Quin and Atesh was well developed and entertaining. And, as the mystery of a murder enters the story - boy, does the pace pick up.
The only issue I had was around the world building. We have a delightful Ottoman Empire kinda vibe with gentleman and gentlewomen, but the magic system while interesting - a tarot card based system where users can access a ‘gods’ power - wasn’t fleshed out enough. It never felt really embedded into the world and instead felt tacked on in places. I was unsure as to its necessity until towards the second half of the book where it starts to become important.
All that being said, this was a highly readable book filled with interesting characters that you can’t help but root for. Definitely a great lazy iso-day read.
Read
May 7, 2021What a surprise! I really enjoyed this book.
The only problem I had was the plot for the second half. I feel like it started out so so well. Quin is a thief, rob from the rich give to the poor type, but she also is confident and badass. The best combo. She meets Atesh and its got all the workings of forbidden love.
The banter and chemistry between the two is so good, the beginning part of the book I could not stop reading, I loved it.
Then there is the murder... and someone is framed for murder and honestly I just despise this type of storyline. I feel like you miss out on alot of stuff between the main characters because of this storyline. I'll be honest I skimmed most the second half. Anytime anyone is framed for anything, there is so much tension and anxiety I usually skip the story entirely.
Now this book was very engaging and I'll definitely read the second, I really love the concept of this book and I wish it was more popular! Its great.
As far as romance this book was tame but there was a 'behind closed doors' things happening aspect. I usually like my romance novels more explicit and steamy but I really enjoyed this writing and concept so much I gave it a try. I'm glad I did.
I'm hoping the second we will see more interaction between the characters and maybe some more steamy moments? But either way I recommend this!
The only problem I had was the plot for the second half. I feel like it started out so so well. Quin is a thief, rob from the rich give to the poor type, but she also is confident and badass. The best combo. She meets Atesh and its got all the workings of forbidden love.
The banter and chemistry between the two is so good, the beginning part of the book I could not stop reading, I loved it.
Then there is the murder... and someone is framed for murder and honestly I just despise this type of storyline. I feel like you miss out on alot of stuff between the main characters because of this storyline. I'll be honest I skimmed most the second half. Anytime anyone is framed for anything, there is so much tension and anxiety I usually skip the story entirely.
Now this book was very engaging and I'll definitely read the second, I really love the concept of this book and I wish it was more popular! Its great.
As far as romance this book was tame but there was a 'behind closed doors' things happening aspect. I usually like my romance novels more explicit and steamy but I really enjoyed this writing and concept so much I gave it a try. I'm glad I did.
I'm hoping the second we will see more interaction between the characters and maybe some more steamy moments? But either way I recommend this!
January 4, 2019
Quin acts as a gentlewoman who robs the rich and gives to the poor - a badass one; a robinhood tale with sabrecats and a twist.
This book was different to any of the YA fantasy books I've read before. A good different.
The crime solving element left me wanting to know how things will unfold. There was indeed a romance, one that had meaning and actually took pleasure reading. But what I enjoyed the most was definitely the action & adventure that took place when I least expected it. Sager beautifully combined all of these components and more.
However there were a few times where it took some time to get into the chapter due to the depth and history behind the characters which indeed further builds the understanding the reader needs but also lead to many unanswered questions. I read the prequel (Mudlark) hoping to get these questions answered but didn't get much luck in doing so.
A Thief and Gentlewoman is Sagers debut novel which definitely has a lot of potential for growth in the series. Can't wait for the rest of her works!
This book was different to any of the YA fantasy books I've read before. A good different.
The crime solving element left me wanting to know how things will unfold. There was indeed a romance, one that had meaning and actually took pleasure reading. But what I enjoyed the most was definitely the action & adventure that took place when I least expected it. Sager beautifully combined all of these components and more.
However there were a few times where it took some time to get into the chapter due to the depth and history behind the characters which indeed further builds the understanding the reader needs but also lead to many unanswered questions. I read the prequel (Mudlark) hoping to get these questions answered but didn't get much luck in doing so.
A Thief and Gentlewoman is Sagers debut novel which definitely has a lot of potential for growth in the series. Can't wait for the rest of her works!
October 24, 2020
Mixed feelings about this one.
The world building was fantastic - what a unique set up! I liked the characters and the slow burn romance and the writing was pretty bloody good for what appears to be a self-pub... BUT the culprits of the crime were laughably obvious (or was that just me?) making the looong book an exercise in frustration as the main characters dashed around trying to solve the crime in time.
This book is compared to Locke Lamore - let me just say that if you are looking for the intricate cons of Locke and his crew you’ll be disappointed. The only similarities is that the main characters dabble in cons and give to the poor. This is primarily a mystery/crime, fantasy and romance. So far as cons go - Quin merely repeats the same con over and over again - seduce a noble, extort as much money as she can and run - and in this book she doesn’t even do that.
This book could do with significant pruning so that it feels pacey, and a touch more mystery so I’m hanging on in there more and enjoy a surprise at the end.
The world building was fantastic - what a unique set up! I liked the characters and the slow burn romance and the writing was pretty bloody good for what appears to be a self-pub... BUT the culprits of the crime were laughably obvious (or was that just me?) making the looong book an exercise in frustration as the main characters dashed around trying to solve the crime in time.
This book is compared to Locke Lamore - let me just say that if you are looking for the intricate cons of Locke and his crew you’ll be disappointed. The only similarities is that the main characters dabble in cons and give to the poor. This is primarily a mystery/crime, fantasy and romance. So far as cons go - Quin merely repeats the same con over and over again - seduce a noble, extort as much money as she can and run - and in this book she doesn’t even do that.
This book could do with significant pruning so that it feels pacey, and a touch more mystery so I’m hanging on in there more and enjoy a surprise at the end.
May 22, 2020
Well, this is the second book I've read by Clare Sager and admittedly the last.
While I will certainly give Ms. Sager her props for writing a compelling story, the stories are much too littered with profanity for my liking. And all this talk of 100 gods and cards was quite confusing at times.
This one was free of the sex scene from Beneath Black Sails, the fade-to-black sex at the end of the book didn't leave much to the imagination. No on-page sex though. A secondary storyline hints to a homosexual relationship.
There were quite a few twists and turns. However, there were times of heavy sighing with some of the content and situations.
I will admit to smiling at some of the happenings, however about half the way through the book I called the "Robin Hood" style rescue! While I wasn't 100% correct, 85% works for me.
Give it a try if you are looking for an adventure with a strong woman. However, I found Quin too much like Lady Vice from the above-mentioned book!
While I will certainly give Ms. Sager her props for writing a compelling story, the stories are much too littered with profanity for my liking. And all this talk of 100 gods and cards was quite confusing at times.
This one was free of the sex scene from Beneath Black Sails, the fade-to-black sex at the end of the book didn't leave much to the imagination. No on-page sex though. A secondary storyline hints to a homosexual relationship.
There were quite a few twists and turns. However, there were times of heavy sighing with some of the content and situations.
I will admit to smiling at some of the happenings, however about half the way through the book I called the "Robin Hood" style rescue! While I wasn't 100% correct, 85% works for me.
Give it a try if you are looking for an adventure with a strong woman. However, I found Quin too much like Lady Vice from the above-mentioned book!
March 24, 2019
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this story even though I felt that there were too many questions left unanswered during the narrative (not the ending). I did like most of the characters but both Derry and Quin felt like they changed attitudes to fit the narrative rather than the other way around.
Spoilers Below
A couple of the questions I have...The Decks are an interesting magic concept but there were too many questions that were not answered like: were the Decks only used/usable by certain people? If not, why don't the Gutter Streets people use them? If they DO use them why wasn't it even mentioned in the narrative? Why, if gentle women don't use rapiers, did nobody question Quin's pulling out a rapier several times through her skirts?
I enjoyed this story even though I felt that there were too many questions left unanswered during the narrative (not the ending). I did like most of the characters but both Derry and Quin felt like they changed attitudes to fit the narrative rather than the other way around.
Spoilers Below
A couple of the questions I have...The Decks are an interesting magic concept but there were too many questions that were not answered like: were the Decks only used/usable by certain people? If not, why don't the Gutter Streets people use them? If they DO use them why wasn't it even mentioned in the narrative? Why, if gentle women don't use rapiers, did nobody question Quin's pulling out a rapier several times through her skirts?
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