about the book
Kyra may be the most accomplished thief of the city of Forge, sneaking around silent as a cat, able to penetrate the city’s wealthiest houses. She thieves not only for her own benefit, but also for the benefit of Lettie and Idalee, two sisters who are even lower than Kyra on the city’s social ladder.
Her abilities draw the attention of Forge’s Assassin’s Guild, and while Kyra has determined to stay independent—and she is very, very capable of taking care of herself—she feels herself drawn to the leader of the Assassin’s and his offer—and his looks.
Tristam of Brancel’s life has been almost the complete opposite of Kyra’s, having become a Palace knight at a young age. When his best friend is killed by the brutal Demon Riders, feral warriors who ride wildcats into war, Tristam makes an oath to kill them or bring them to justice. His investigation into the Demon Riders is met with resistance, though, by a very talented thief, who seems able to get past any of the Palace defenses that Tristam puts into place…
The next raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, first as adversaries, then as reluctant allies, then as the only chance either of them has of surviving and getting vengeance on their enemies. As Tristam and Kyra join forces, they learn a startling secret from Kyra’s past. One that could change everything.
about the author
Livia Blackburne was born in Taiwan, but was raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her twenties were spent in Boston, Massachusetts. She attended Harvard and MIT—Harvard for a B.A. in Biochemical Sciences, MIT for a PhD in cognitive neuroscience.
Her debut novel, Midnight Thief, began in high school as a way for Livia to escape a mandatory camping credit. She got 60 pages into it, and they were garbage. She picked up the story twelve years later, this time as a way to keep her sanity while doing research for her doctoral degree. She reached 370 pages this time around, and they weren’t so bad. In fact, much of them got published!
“Like every good Asian kid,” says Livia, she can play the piano, having been made to learn it as a child. She doesn’t do it much anymore, but the singing and dancing that came with playing piano she never lost, and still does for fun sometimes. When not writing novels, Livia keeps up with a blog about psychology and neuroscience aimed at writers.
Source:
Author website
Also by Livia Blackburne:
Daughter of Dusk (Midnight Thief, Book 2). Disney-Hyperion. 2015.
read more!
Daughter of Dusk (Midnight Thief, Book 2) by Livia Blackburne
Learning that she has Demon Rider blood in her, Kyra begins to feel like a monster. Her identity must be kept secret, or else she will be hunted. The only people who know are Tristam, whose own secrets make him untrustworthy, and the imprisoned assassin James, who may reveal Kyra’s secret to save himself. Demon Rider attacks continue on the Palace, and Kyra determines to use her newfound heritage to protect the city she loves—If only she is not betrayed first.
The Magic Thief (Book 1) by Sarah Prineas
A young thief is drawn into a life of magic and adventure after picking the pocket of the powerful wizard Nevery Flinglas, who has returned from exile to attempt to reverse the troubling decline of magic in Wellmet City.
The Thief (Attolia, Book 1) by Megan Whalen Turner
Spending his days in prison, Gen, a talented young thief, is offered a chance to gain his freedom. The king orders him to steal a precious stone. If he fails, he will be killed. Accompanied by the king’s assistant, Gen sets out on the perilous journey, ultimately hoping to clear his name.