Name: Sofie I's review of Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
Item: Vow of Thieves
Rating: 4.5
Author: Sofie I

Mary E. Pearson

Kazi and Jase have survived, stronger and more in love than ever. Their new life now lies before them—the Ballengers will be outlaws no longer, Tor's Watch will be a kingdom, and the two of them will meet all challenges side by side, together at last. But an ominous warning mars their journey back, and they soon find themselves thrown into an unexpected world among their greatest enemies and unlikeliest allies, a world where betrayals run deeper and more deadly than either had thought possible, and timeless ambitions threaten to destroy them both.

Vow of Thieves

Ana Belén

He knows how to be quiet and take orders, a much under appreciated quality. 

Becoming part of a family would be perhaps one of the hardest things I had ever done. 

whoever had once wandered these halls probably thought it would be perfect forever. 

Leen

“You have not stolen my heart, but I give it to you freely” 

I swear if they don't see each other soon😭😭

Sophia

They knew that people we loved died, and like Caemus had said, no amount of wanting or anger or bargaining with the gods could change that, or bring them back.

And yet, I still bargained with the gods every mile we traveled.

Please don't take her away from me. I will do anything.

"You can do it, Kazi. Go with the current."

"Not without you, Jase." I whispered. "Not without you."

Jase's arms wrap around me, holding me tight, righting me every time I dip below the surface.

"I got you, Kazi. Feet forward. Just a little farther. You can do it."

I feel myself sink, go deeper, not caring, not wanting to breathe. Letting go. It is easier to let go, give in, everything about me numb and heavy.

alexys <3

"A thousand times over, Kazi," I whispered. "I would marry you more than a thousand times."

"Or what, Jase? What are you going to do? I am your brother!" 

Levi-Mae 

“I have a surprise for you when we get home.” 

“Jase Ballenger, every day with you is a surprise.” 

“Tell me the riddle again, Jase,” I whispered. 

“You just want to make wrong guesses so you can kiss me.” 

I clicked my tongue. “You’re onto me, Patrei.” 

He pulled me closer. “Happy to oblige, Ambassador,” he said, and then he whispered the riddle, his voice soft like a warm blanket around my shoulder. I was lost in it’s magic. 

“I want to grow old with you, Jase.” 

“You have not stolen my heart, but I give it freely” 

What I wish I could have done eleven years ago. 

“I warned you,” I said, as I pulled my sword free, “that one day he would kill you.” 

There is magic in everything, only you must for it. It does not come from spells or potions or the sky, nor by special delivery of the gods. It is all around you. 

You must find the magic that curls in your gut with fierce power and will not let you give up. 

Hear the language that isn’t spoke, Kazi, the breaths, the pauses, the fisted hands, the vacant stares, the twitches and tears . . . 

For everyone can hear spoken words, but only a few can hear the heart that beats behind them.

“Go back with the rear guard," Jase said to me."Make sure they—“

“Nice try,” I replied, remaining in step with him. 

“You're a stubborn-ass ambassador,” he grumbled, looking straight ahead as he scanned the street for threats. 

“I’m in the wrong place, aren’t I?” She whispered, like they all shared a secret. 

Rahman, Ten, Shadowmaker, no title you hold is going to make me change my mind on this one

 he had growled to me under his breath as we got our gear together. 

And only today does an ambassador trump a Patrei,

 he added, and then kissed me, long and hard. 

“I love you, Jase Ballenger, and I will for all of my days.” 

“Right now my only plan is to kiss my wife. And I am fairly certain not even the gods can derail that.” 

Jocelyn Smith

I actually liked this book more than the first one. The plot is so intricate and i absolutely loved it. Jase and Kazi’s love is just soooo good and had me tearing up a few times. Such an amazing book.

Sofie I

i thought it was rlly good just not as good as the first book 

Stella

I really enjoyed this, I think it was a great ending to the duology! I think my favorite part of this second series was the changing dual perspectives, I think it did this much better than the first series. this was much better executed and paced than the first series too. it was nice to see some of the returning characters again too! I liked this!

fris🐝

I loved this book ! It is so rare to see a romance where you follow the protagonists after they have committed to each other. Kazi and Jade are truly united for a common dream. They work together and look out for each other and each others dreams. A beautiful book 

Sarah

big ab

i really enjoyed this book, like a lot. it’s much stronger than the first book in my opinion. and i love that it’s just a simple duology and not a million other books after this. but most importantly, i loved kazi. i usually think the FMC in fantasy books lack common sense, but she was so smart and real.

Selin Igten

** spoiler alert **
           words cant suffice… this was amazing
i dont even know what to say, i finished both books in one day and holy.
it reminded me a bit of throne of glass, of aelin and rowan actually
the wife part and the torture part really took me back

The perfect way to finish this duology. Every little detail was carefully thought out; there were sad moments, funny moments, intense moments and plenty of surprises. Pearson tied up every loose end neatly. The characterisation in Vow of Thieves was clever, revealing more hidden depths to new and old characters alike. I loved every second of Vow of Thieves.

Charlotte Squire

"Waiting for someone else to write your history was no way to live. Sometimes it was only a certain way to die."

That was a really good read, and a fantastic way to end this duology. I actually think I liked this book better because it was darker, grittier and had less romance than in Dance of Thieves. DoT was sweet and pure, it was all about Jase and Kazi literally 'dancing' around each other with their deceptions and their hypocrisy of who was more justified in keeping secrets from each other and their deepening, forbidden feelings for each other. Vow of Thieves on the other hand saw them separated for the majority of the book and having to fight their way back to each other through really horrible trials, that purity and sweetness was almost swept out the window by the violence and trauma experienced in this book. I found DoT almost too insta-lovey and the ending too easily wrapped up with Kazi and Jase forgiving each other very fast and immediately jumping back into love. So I actually really enjoyed that this book was more about their longing for each other from afar, and more about the politics of the kingdoms and outsmarting a force who seems to always be one step ahead of them.

The little snippets we get of Kazi and Jase remembering each other's words to get them through really tough times is so poetic and beautifully done, the riddles were a fun touch, and their vows and promises are so heart warming and touching. The twist about their relationship to each other was fun, and very reminiscent of the end of Empire of Storms by SJM. I also really, really liked the references to Death watching over Kazi, I think this really added to the story and made it fascinating, although my main gripe from all of this series is that the 'gift' they all refer to still isn't really explained in any of these books. Kazi was such a badass in this book, her sneaking around and tricking everyone was a lot of fun to read, the way she was on the run and captured and mistreated was also very dark and added another layer of interest to this story, the action in this book really felt like a step up from the first book. I liked the complexity of all the intertwined stories finally falling into place and making sense as we figure out who everyone really is and how they played a part in the deception. But I do have two minor things about this book that I didn't love.

One is that Montegue was an interesting villain, I liked the way his disguise of a bumbling farmer was ripped off and we finally got to see the conniving, narcissistic man he truly is. But it did feel a little bit like his 'evilness' was a too stereotypical at parts, his reasoning for why he wanted to take over the world felt a little too flimsy for me. At his base he is truly a weak and insecure man who is jealous of Jase and angry at his father for being walked over so easily by the Ballengers, which makes some of his anger understandable. But this is a man who is meant to be in his mid 20's, a man who has dutifully played the bumbling fool for over eleven years since his first meeting with Jase and allowed himself to be the laughing stock of Hell's Mouth and Eislandia. In this book we also find out he's meant to be this incredibly conceited man, who wants everyone to fall in love with him and when you compare those two side by side it is a bit hard to reconcile that a man who is so vain could allow himself to be the joke of the land for so long. I get that he was biding his time for the exact right moment to unveil who he truly is and take over, but it just felt like this part of his character didn't really add up for me.

I also removed half a star from this book because it just seemed too easy. The Ballengers are meant to be this lawless, morally grey family who beat up and kill people who don't fall in line with their rules, who torture men for information and are working on ballistic weapons to protect their merchandise and people from raiding parties and labour hunters. They're meant to be infighting with their cousins and other league leaders, but at the end of the day everyone in Hell's Mouth is so loyal and loves the family so much they would lay down their lives to fight against an outside force. I just don't really think the world works that way. I almost wish someone on their inside circle, or close to that circle, like Gunner, Paxton or Truko, had more of a hand in the betrayal. At the end of DoT I actually though Gunner was going to be the bad guy. And while it was nice to see they were on their side all along I think it would've created more angst and heart break if the bad guys hadn't only been mercenaries motivated by a pay check. Also the way that almost every plan Kazi and Jase had together or separately works out even after a few road bumps, I think it would've been a bit more realistic to me if they'd struggled a lot more to come up with plans that weren't so perfect all the time.

Overall, this is an incredibly entertaining duology, the romance is so adorable if a little bit juvenile at points, but that doesn't ruin the story. The real stand out of this story is the complex twists and turns and how Pearson manages to keep things hidden from the reader until just the right moment to reveal something shocking, how she keeps all of the threads hanging and then ties them all up really satisfyingly at the end. I definitely recommend these books to those who enjoyed the likes of Shadow and Bone but want a little bit more depth and interest around the main characters.

Genevieve 

"Waiting for someone else to write your history was no way to live. Sometimes it was only a certain way to die."

4.5 ⭐s

That was a really good read, and a fantastic way to end this duology. I actually think I liked this book better because it was darker, grittier and had less romance than in Dance of Thieves. DoT was sweet and pure, it was all about Jase and Kazi literally 'dancing' around each other with their deceptions and their hypocrisy of who was more justified in keeping secrets from each other and their deepening, forbidden feelings for each other. Vow of Thieves on the other hand saw them separated for the majority of the book and having to fight their way back to each other through really horrible trials, that purity and sweetness was almost swept out the window by the violence and trauma experienced in this book. I found DoT almost too insta-lovey and the ending too easily wrapped up with Kazi and Jase forgiving each other very fast and immediately jumping back into love. So I actually really enjoyed that this book was more about their longing for each other from afar, and more about the politics of the kingdoms and outsmarting a force who seems to always be one step ahead of them.

The little snippets we get of Kazi and Jase remembering each other's words to get them through really tough times is so poetic and beautifully done, the riddles were a fun touch, and their vows and promises are so heart warming and touching. The twist about their relationship to each other was fun, and very reminiscent of the end of Empire of Storms by SJM. I also really, really liked the references to Death watching over Kazi, I think this really added to the story and made it fascinating, although my main gripe from all of this series is that the 'gift' they all refer to still isn't really explained in any of these books. Kazi was such a badass in this book, her sneaking around and tricking everyone was a lot of fun to read, the way she was on the run and captured and mistreated was also very dark and added another layer of interest to this story, the action in this book really felt like a step up from the first book. I liked the complexity of all the intertwined stories finally falling into place and making sense as we figure out who everyone really is and how they played a part in the deception. But I do have two minor things about this book that I didn't love.

One is that Montegue was an interesting villain, I liked the way his disguise of a bumbling farmer was ripped off and we finally got to see the conniving, narcissistic man he truly is. But it did feel a little bit like his 'evilness' was a too stereotypical at parts, his reasoning for why he wanted to take over the world felt a little too flimsy for me. At his base he is truly a weak and insecure man who is jealous of Jase and angry at his father for being walked over so easily by the Ballengers, which makes some of his anger understandable. But this is a man who is meant to be in his mid 20's, a man who has dutifully played the bumbling fool for over eleven years since his first meeting with Jase and allowed himself to be the laughing stock of Hell's Mouth and Eislandia. In this book we also find out he's meant to be this incredibly conceited man, who wants everyone to fall in love with him and when you compare those two side by side it is a bit hard to reconcile that a man who is so vain could allow himself to be the joke of the land for so long. I get that he was biding his time for the exact right moment to unveil who he truly is and take over, but it just felt like this part of his character didn't really add up for me.

I also removed half a star from this book because it just seemed too easy. The Ballengers are meant to be this lawless, morally grey family who beat up and kill people who don't fall in line with their rules, who torture men for information and are working on ballistic weapons to protect their merchandise and people from raiding parties and labour hunters. They're meant to be infighting with their cousins and other league leaders, but at the end of the day everyone in Hell's Mouth is so loyal and loves the family so much they would lay down their lives to fight against an outside force. I just don't really think the world works that way. I almost wish someone on their inside circle, or close to that circle, like Gunner, Paxton or Truko, had more of a hand in the betrayal. At the end of DoT I actually though Gunner was going to be the bad guy. And while it was nice to see they were on their side all along I think it would've created more angst and heart break if the bad guys hadn't only been mercenaries motivated by a pay check. Also the way that almost every plan Kazi and Jase had together or separately works out even after a few road bumps, I think it would've been a bit more realistic to me if they'd struggled a lot more to come up with plans that weren't so perfect all the time.

Overall, this is an incredibly entertaining duology, the romance is so adorable if a little bit juvenile at points, but that doesn't ruin the story. The real stand out of this story is the complex twists and turns and how Pearson manages to keep things hidden from the reader until just the right moment to reveal something shocking, how she keeps all of the threads hanging and then ties them all up really satisfyingly at the end. I definitely recommend these books to those who enjoyed the likes of Shadow and Bone but want a little bit more depth and interest around the main characters.

nuélle

[3.5/5] 
this was such a beautiful end to the duology, literally couldn't put it down till I finished it, I don't wanna let go of kazi and jase just yet

revesjrnal

wish it’s a trilogy instead of two book but anyway yeah I’m so glad the fact that this book is my first read of the year and I’m really satisfied with it !! it have everything that I want to read in a fantasy book, the romance & political plot also balanced too so yeah and i love them SM ?!! 🫶🏻💗‼️

Vow of Thieves is the thrilling sequel to Dance of Thieves, set in the same world as Mary E. Pearson's New York Times-bestselling Remnant Chronicles. Kazi and Jase have survived, stronger and more in love than ever. Their new life now lies before them—the Ballengers will be outlaws no longer, Tor's Watch will be a kingdom, and Kazi and Jase will meet all challenges side by side, together at last. But an ominous warning mars their journey back, and they soon find themselves captured in a tangled web of deceit woven by their greatest enemies and unlikeliest allies, a place where betrayals run deeper and more deadly than either had thought possible, and where timeless ambitions threaten to destroy them both.

praline

this book came out swinging from page one. the stakes were so high from the very beginning and the suspense had me sweating like i was one of the characters. mary e pearson has a gift for delivering excellent characters with compelling backstories. a lot of authors give all the attention to main characters while leaving the supporting ones in the dirt. mrs pearson is NOT one of them. fantastic writing, world building, characters, plot, found family AND romance. mary e pearson put it all into this book and delivered it in a pretty red cover.
definitely way up there with the giants of ya fantasy, i will never not recommend!


it’s been a week and i just wanted to come back here and say i’m in a reading slump because i’m not over his book. it was so well done i can’t even.

grayson gruber

“You have brought me fullness where there was only hunger, You have given me a universe of stars and stories where there was emptiness.” 

THE VOWS killed me

It was a struggle to get through the middle because it made me so anxious but the end was worth it.

I started this almost a year ago and stopped half way, picked it up and skimmed the rest and thankfully I didn’t spend time on reading the rest. Huge disappointment, it wasn’t exciting, plot and dialogue were mediocre close to boring:( bummed I didn’t like it b/c I was excited since it was so hyped up.

Gabriela Kondratyuk

This book was insanely addictive, just like Dance of Thieves. I found myself almost skimming the words because of how eager I was to find out what was going to happen next, what was going to happen to a particular character, etc. I do wish there would have been a bit more romance/banter in this one, as it did feel like it was very action heavy overall. I absolutely love Jase and Kazi and wish we could've gotten even more of them in this book.

lavneet

Daymaris Arca

Honestly didn’t think I’d enjoy this bc I hate when the two protagonists are separated throughout the whole book. But the tension was just so high I read it so quick it didn’t feel long even if it was 40 chapters of divide.

For some reason fantasy books are more difficult for me to get into. Like the first 100 ish pages I feel are really slow and I’m not that into the book, but then after that, I get so into the book so suddenly and I can’t put it down. It was the same with this book. After about 150 pages, I could not put it down. Would recommend for sure. I thought it was a great continuation of A Dance of Thieves and I loved most of everything in the book (except Montague. Well written character but also fuck you). 

Alice Perelta

Vow of thieves felt amazing to read and I wish I could read it for the first time again

This was everything I could ever want in a book and more. Vow of thieves was an epic high fantasy book that had everything I love

The writing was amazing and effortless to read. The world building was layered and the characters felt really special to me. Jase and Kazi were amazing in the book and I loved how hard they fought for each other and their relationship grew. I loved how alot of the other characters grew into more important roles. Wren and Synove were some of my favorites beside Kazi and Jase. The politics and fight scenes were written well and kept you waiting to see what would happen

There were high stakes and lots of conflict but I was glad for the happy ending

June

Vow of thieves felt amazing to read and I wish I could read it for the first time again

This was everything I could ever want in a book and more. Vow of thieves was an epic high fantasy book that had everything I love

The writing was amazing and effortless to read. The world building was layered and the characters felt really special to me. Jase and Kazi were amazing in the book and I loved how hard they fought for each other and their relationship grew. I loved how alot of the other characters grew into more important roles. Wren and Synove were some of my favorites beside Kazi and Jase. The politics and fight scenes were written well and kept you waiting to see what would happen

There were high stakes and lots of conflict but I was glad for the happy ending

I loved the plot it carried on perfectly from the first book and it's so sad how jase and kazi don't search each other most of the book. 

Hana 

amelia <3

I’m not sure I’m reading the same book as others cause everyone seems to be rating this 5 stars and I just can’t seem to care about the story? I remember loving Dance of Thieves when I read it but I can barely remember anything from it so getting into Vow of Thieves was hard. I might have to re read DoT and get back to this one but for now I’m putting it down.

Christine

The one writer that delivers complexity with ease. I think I might love this book more than heart of betrayal, I gave that a 5 star rating.

Ilham Usman

This book was a fantastic sequel to Dance of Thieves, and was possibly even better than the first. I loved the turns this book took and the way it wrapped up in the end. The banter and world-building is something to be admired in Vow of Thieves, and the language used is sofisticated. The attachment I felt for these characters was so strong and the tone of the ending of this book was perfect. I would recommend to anyone who likes fantasy or romance! 

Jocelyn Smith &
Vow of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson

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