About the book:

Bolen is a thief, plying his trade under the spires of an ancient and sprawling city. Worried that he’s growing too old, Bolen has lined up a risky job, just to prove that he can still pull one off.

Tonight, he’s going to break into a nobleman’s vault and help himself to its contents. What he doesn’t know is that inside is the key to a secret as old as the city itself.

Kings have killed for it, demons have coveted it, priests have prayed for it, and in a few moments it will be in his hands. And when it is, the adventure of his life will begin.

Review:

I was really quite impressed by the contemplative nature of this novella. It’s a little repetitive, I’ll admit. But I really appreciated seeing men long accustomed to atrocities learn what it means to face their own inner light, even if they have to fight the physical embodiment of their darkness first—well written, with engaging characters and HEA of sorts. This isn’t tweeny, sparkly fantasy. I’d recommend it for fans of eerie, thought-provoking fantasy instead.