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Demon Thief #1
The Trow of Duncaster
Duncaster is ruled by a king who despises magic. Anyone with latent talent is consigned to the Brotherhood of Righteous Light, where they are raised to be weapons for the kingdom. Freedom isn’t an option for mages. After discovering his first wife–and, by extension, the crown prince–harbored magical talent, King Sten sent the church to eradicate any House with a trace of magic–human, fae, demon, or otherwise.
Connor Reed–once Prince Riven–faked his own death to escape the church. Upon discovering the fate of both his mother and their House, he swore vengeance against his father. Connor has spent every moment of the last twelve years building contacts, orchestrating events, honing his magic and setting his plans in motion–all with little concern for his own well-being. Now, he resides in Duncaster as a carefree lesser noble. But beneath this facade lies a sharp mind fixated on the ruination of the king.
Valentine, the Trow of Duncaster, has spent his life on the streets following the destruction of the royal demon House Sandoval. Though raised to rule his people, he has learned to accept his circumstances and revels in his notoriety as an accomplished thief and assassin. Filling his nights with illicit jobs and feeding the magic-hungry beast under his skin, his only problem is the tie he still has to the human gang leader, Hess.
When Connor maneuvers Valentine into accepting a contract to discredit the Brotherhood, their lives become indelibly linked. Connor finds himself drawn to Valentine in ways even he couldn’t have foreseen. Lured by his own innate curiosity, Valentine can’t help but want to unravel the mystery of the mage who seems hells-bent on provoking him at every turn.
Magic, attraction, and a quest for revenge bind them together–saints preserve anyone who stands in their way.
Connor Reed–once Prince Riven–faked his own death to escape the church. Upon discovering the fate of both his mother and their House, he swore vengeance against his father. Connor has spent every moment of the last twelve years building contacts, orchestrating events, honing his magic and setting his plans in motion–all with little concern for his own well-being. Now, he resides in Duncaster as a carefree lesser noble. But beneath this facade lies a sharp mind fixated on the ruination of the king.
Valentine, the Trow of Duncaster, has spent his life on the streets following the destruction of the royal demon House Sandoval. Though raised to rule his people, he has learned to accept his circumstances and revels in his notoriety as an accomplished thief and assassin. Filling his nights with illicit jobs and feeding the magic-hungry beast under his skin, his only problem is the tie he still has to the human gang leader, Hess.
When Connor maneuvers Valentine into accepting a contract to discredit the Brotherhood, their lives become indelibly linked. Connor finds himself drawn to Valentine in ways even he couldn’t have foreseen. Lured by his own innate curiosity, Valentine can’t help but want to unravel the mystery of the mage who seems hells-bent on provoking him at every turn.
Magic, attraction, and a quest for revenge bind them together–saints preserve anyone who stands in their way.
388 pages, ebook
First published July 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 26, 2023
this was so good I’m in love with everyone
December 27, 2023
For a long-ass book it was really missing some worldbuilding elements. Some of the steamy scenes (really, so many, and not even between the MCs) or even the thieving scenes could have been swapped for some more introduction.
I loved both MCs: dark, driven and deadly. But by God I was confused. I still am to be honest. From the moment we met Connor it was clear he had an endgame, but what that was, or if he even achieved it by the end, I don't really know. I actually think he had two goals: one was to catch himself a hot demon, but he went about it in a very roundabout way, it was kind of unnecessary. The other I think is still in progress.
I love mysterious MCs but this was too much and I think that was my main problem. Connor had so many secrets, that the storyline suffered for it.
We'll see if I have the courage for book 2.
I loved both MCs: dark, driven and deadly. But by God I was confused. I still am to be honest. From the moment we met Connor it was clear he had an endgame, but what that was, or if he even achieved it by the end, I don't really know. I actually think he had two goals: one was to catch himself a hot demon, but he went about it in a very roundabout way, it was kind of unnecessary. The other I think is still in progress.
I love mysterious MCs but this was too much and I think that was my main problem. Connor had so many secrets, that the storyline suffered for it.
We'll see if I have the courage for book 2.
July 24, 2022
I've been a fan of Polk's romantic fantasy both for the intensity of the emotional connections and for the easy immersion of the fantasy worldbuilding. This book does not disappoint.
One thing I hugely enjoyed was that both main characters are morally grey at best, if not outright amoral, and yet both are artfully written. They both know who and what they are. It's not excused, but it's dealt with in a way that allows the reader to connect and simply enjoy this dark fantasy tale of love and revenge. Also well-captured is that feeling of spiraling out of control when someone you just can't seem to forget crosses your path. Lastly, I enjoyed the heist elements woven through the plot, which add a fun and digestible complexity without burdening the pace.
Another solid story from Polk. I look forward to the next one.
I received an advance copy for the purpose of writing an honest review.
One thing I hugely enjoyed was that both main characters are morally grey at best, if not outright amoral, and yet both are artfully written. They both know who and what they are. It's not excused, but it's dealt with in a way that allows the reader to connect and simply enjoy this dark fantasy tale of love and revenge. Also well-captured is that feeling of spiraling out of control when someone you just can't seem to forget crosses your path. Lastly, I enjoyed the heist elements woven through the plot, which add a fun and digestible complexity without burdening the pace.
Another solid story from Polk. I look forward to the next one.
I received an advance copy for the purpose of writing an honest review.
August 25, 2023
3.5 stars. Interesting characters and dynamics, nice premise, and beautiful writing but worldbuilding was almost nonexistent. I also wish the characters were a bit more fleshed out and that the plot was a bigger part of the story. It’s a relatively straightforward story but for some reason it took me longer than expected to read which I think had to do with the overall lackluster pacing and stakes. I’m being a bit generous with rating though so I hope the second book brings a bit more meat to the story
June 27, 2022
Um, I had the pleasure of beta reading this book and let me tell you, this was the first moment I knew Melissa had a gift. You're going to LOVE Valentine who holds a place on my list for book boyfriends. There's romance and intrigue and beautiful writing and need I say more? Get it. Get it now!
April 3, 2023
A rare thing this one - a stunning cover that caught my eye somewhere in the labyrinth of Instagram matched by an equally stunning and seductive story. Loved this one because of two reasons - the writing was absolutely sublime and Valentine is such a delicious character (and Connor is just the right kind of opposite for him). Am definitely reading the second book in this duology.
March 31, 2023
Too much sex scenes to the point where the pace of the novel is slowed down by it. They make no progress because they are always having sex or thinking about it ... It's too bad because the story and the characters are cool. And now I want to know what happens in the sequel but I don't know if I have the patience for it. If you want smutty fantasy though I guess it's perfect, go for it!
February 16, 2023
I loved this! It was well paced and engaging the whole way through, and was just the right mix of dark and sexy! I loved the characters and can't wait to read book 2!
October 9, 2023
this is a 2.5 at best 🥲🥲 it started off good and had potential but then the whole plot and characters got buried under all the scenes of debauchery and sex. the sex scenes were so repetitive that you couldn’t distinguish who was doing them (valentine and connor act like one and the same person). we get it, you’re both alpha males who like sm and fuck rough and be cruel, and you’re also secretly into degradation (which they never do. cowards.). i read and enjoy pwp as the next person but when it’s written like this…straight up cringe and vulgar descriptions, everyone’s so horny to the point that it’s exhausting. the chapter with nessa in the sanatorium was straight up gross and her whole relationship with valentine could have been omitted. it would have made more sense for anousk to do the things nessa did in the end, instead of having a whole new character to do this. would have also added to the betrayal and be a good plot twist. but i digress.
i did like the magic system, whatever little of it was described. wish there was more of the demons, fae, lore and world building. the church being the bad guys who go “magic bad, getting your shit kicked by the church good” is a cliche and i’m okay with it as long as you explain what’s the church’s problem. we don’t find out why they’re after people with magic and why they killed off demons. why is the king a fanatic? if this is explained in the second book, ain’t no way i’m reading more of this 💀💀💀
i did like the magic system, whatever little of it was described. wish there was more of the demons, fae, lore and world building. the church being the bad guys who go “magic bad, getting your shit kicked by the church good” is a cliche and i’m okay with it as long as you explain what’s the church’s problem. we don’t find out why they’re after people with magic and why they killed off demons. why is the king a fanatic? if this is explained in the second book, ain’t no way i’m reading more of this 💀💀💀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2023
I can’t help but float between 3.5 and 4 star rating for this book. I suspect how the story continues to develop in book 2 will probably impact where my thoughts finally land.
It was certainly an entertaining and easily consumable read. Both the story and the characters hold a lot of potential, I find this specifically in Conner as a character and his story arc, but I can’t help but feel like they aren’t developed and utilized to the fullest extent they could be.
I enjoy dark stories and rarely shy away from questionable content but it has to be justifiable in context and in service to the story as a whole and some scenes just felt a bit unnecessary.
All that being said, ultimately I did enjoy this book and found it a quick read and I’ll be invested in reading the next book.
It was certainly an entertaining and easily consumable read. Both the story and the characters hold a lot of potential, I find this specifically in Conner as a character and his story arc, but I can’t help but feel like they aren’t developed and utilized to the fullest extent they could be.
I enjoy dark stories and rarely shy away from questionable content but it has to be justifiable in context and in service to the story as a whole and some scenes just felt a bit unnecessary.
All that being said, ultimately I did enjoy this book and found it a quick read and I’ll be invested in reading the next book.
March 3, 2024
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. I loved the fact that both of our main characters straddle that line between morally grey and just plain bad. The writing is quite good, it reminds me of ST Gibson’s writing, and the premise was intriguing. However, as the book went on I feel like the author lost the plot, literally and metaphorically. It became really repetitive and the two characters lost their distinctiveness. I was really bored by the end with all the debauchery and the lack of forward movement with the story. This is the first book in a duology, but I don’t think I’ll be finishing it
March 10, 2024
I enjoyed The Trow of Duncaster so much more than I could have hoped. It did take me a while to get into the story but as soon as I was hooked I could not put it down.
The real selling point is the relationship between Valentine and Connor, there push and pull is addictive and I feel as though the story only really gets going in the later chapters so excited to see where book two takes their story.
Overall highly recommend if you want a fast-paced deliciously dark story that keeps you on tenterhooks.
The real selling point is the relationship between Valentine and Connor, there push and pull is addictive and I feel as though the story only really gets going in the later chapters so excited to see where book two takes their story.
Overall highly recommend if you want a fast-paced deliciously dark story that keeps you on tenterhooks.
Read
October 3, 2023DNF @ 30% (Will come back.)
Not going to rate this book since I didn’t get far enough to give this a proper rating.
I will return to this book when I’m in the right mood since the premise was interesting and I liked the start of it. The pacing fell slow as I progress and I found myself skimming through the paragraphs.
Not going to rate this book since I didn’t get far enough to give this a proper rating.
I will return to this book when I’m in the right mood since the premise was interesting and I liked the start of it. The pacing fell slow as I progress and I found myself skimming through the paragraphs.
Read
September 15, 2022Darkly political and deliciously sexy. I'm eager to find out what kind of messes Valentine and Connor have made for themselves in the sequel!
I am not leaving a star rating, as I know the author through the Mighty Pens writing group.
I am not leaving a star rating, as I know the author through the Mighty Pens writing group.
May 14, 2023
Polk's books always leave me with the best kind of hangover, and the ending?! So ready to read the next one!
July 25, 2023
While quite well-crafted, this book does not prompt me to want to re-read it at all. One and done.
March 13, 2024
This book was fun, but it felt like everything was done to the extreme. I also though the storyline was highly confusing and I was lost at many points throughout the book.
June 1, 2023
Who let me forget to write a review for this?? Who??? Valentine is a f'in delight. That's all I have to say.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews