Poison Dance (Midnight Thief Novella) by Livia Blackburne

Publication: September 24, 2013

Publisher: Lion’s Quill Press

James is skilled, efficient, and deadly, a hired blade navigating the shifting alliances of a deteriorating Assassin’s Guild. Then he meets Thalia, an alluring but troubled dancing girl who offers him a way out—if he’ll help her kill a powerful nobleman. With the Guild falling apart, it just might be worth the risk. But when you live, breathe, and love in a world that’s forever flirting with death, the slightest misstep can be poison.

James is a character from Livia Blackburne’s book Midnight Thief, which releases on July 8^th. In Poison Dance we get to see what James was like and what shaped his decisions years before the events in Midnight Thief took place. This is a short story, but one I had trouble putting down once I began reading it. The story starts out with James being approached by a Thalia, a dancing girl at the local tavern that he and his friends always visit. He is both cautious and curious as to why she sought him out, until she tells him of her plans in wanting to murder a nobleman.

James laughed . The girl was either stupid or suicidal. “Not just enough to hire an assassin, is it? You want to kill a nobleman.”

With things changing within the Assassin’s Guild, James wants to keep his options open. But some things might be worth the danger…

Even though this read was short, I really enjoyed it. The author has such a way with words that I could picture the scenes unfolding in my head as I read them. Secrets, plots, vengeance, and poison all come together rather nicely in this unique novella.There wasn’t much world building in the story, but the characters and descriptions of everything were done well. It was very easy for me to get caught up in James and Thalia’s world. The only downside for me is that I wish the ending showed more of what happened. But the author takes care of that by posting a deleted scene on her website. Which should NOT be read until after you read Poison Dance first.

Check out Livia’s website.

RATING: 4 out of 5.

**I received this book on behalf of the Author in exchange for nothing but my honest opinion. Thank you**

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Waiting on Wednesday # 22

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. The goal is to spotlight upcoming books that I am super excited for.

This week I am waiting on Midnight Thief  by Livia Blackburne.

Expected Publication: July 8, 2014

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Growing up on Forge’s streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that’s not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs.  But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she’s not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he’s persistent—and darkly attractive—and Kyra can’t quite resist his pull. Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepens, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with uncanny ease. When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival—and vengeance—might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra’s past that threatens to reshape both their lives. In her arresting debut novel, Livia Blackburne creates a captivating world where intrigue prowls around every corner—and danger is a way of life.

Midnight Thief sounds like a great adventure story with a tough heroine. Right up my alley. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I end up liking it and it will live up to my expectations.

So this is what I am currently waiting on for the moment. What book are you looking forward to this week??