Tension is guaranteed in this fast-paced tale about a heist, unjust rule, and magic.

Arian and Liam are twins and one of the most talented pair of thieves in the resistance. By stealing magical artifacts, they hope to someday end Imperial rule, but they also are more than happy to take up jobs, when a little money is involved. When they are approached by Cavar, a once royal guard gone traitor, to steal a certain artifact, things shift into high-gear.

This is a fun read with quite a few surprises and exciting moments. The world building is very well done as Leithon becomes a rich city, which pops from the page. Even the political background, culture, and life is described enough to make the surroundings understandable and vibrant. This created a wonderful backdrop for the magic, fight scenes, and chases, which kept the plot moving and the read entertaining. Plus, a heist with all of its difficulties and tension is always a treat.

The four main characters each share their own points of view as the chapters switch between each one. The name is presented at the beginning to help keep confusion at a minimum, but it still took a bit to get into the flow of all four of them. Arian and Cavar both held quite a bit of personality, making them easy to connect with right away, while the other two, although also fun to root for, just never hooked me quite as much. Each of them had their own problems to overcome, though, and added richness to the tale. It will be fun to see where the next book in the series goes from here. ( )