Joythief

Joythief. The most feared weapon of the elite thieves' and assassin's guild known as the Star-Blades. The magical poison that doesn't kill its victim, but kills the most prized aspect of themselves. Star-Blades rarely use this terrible poison, and never against their own.

Except Mariq Ashai Meidani, Princess of Kuriza and Star-Blade spider-thief, has been poisoned. She knows exactly what the Joythief will take from her-her thieving skills, the one thing that makes her more than a simple pawn in her father's court.

Trying to discover who poisoned her, and why, leads Mariq to discover plots far more intricate than the blackmail of a single spider-thief. The Star-Blades would use her as a tool in their war against magic, a war that would leave thousands dead and the land devastated. A war Mariq cannot allow to happen.

Battling the Joythief is futile. Battling the Star-Blades seems even more so. Yet if Mariq wants to be anything besides a delicate, useless princess or a catalyst of destruction, she'll have to fight both -- and, somehow, win.

2023 Foreword INDIES Finalist: Fantasy (Adult Fiction)

"The plot twists will keep readers on edge as Mariq and her allies face unexpected difficulties and explore the depths of abilities to resolve them." Booklist

"Perfect and satisfying in its final moments, JOYTHIEF is a stunning magical story about people who find their true places in the world, freeing themselves from emotional chains." Foreword Reviews, starred review

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