Realm of Thieves

Halle (Darkhouse) launches her Thieves of Dragemor series with this fun if familiar romantasy starring an enterprising heroine caught between two powerful crime syndicates. Lavender-haired thief Brynla Aihr, the daughter of political rebels, is driven by rage against the ruling religious sect the Daughters of Silence, which hanged her father, sacrificed her mother to dragons, and confined her in a convent at age 12. Brynla escaped and, now an adult, she steals precious dragon eggs for the formidable House Dalgaard. These eggs provide suen, or magical power, to those that possess them, though they mysteriously do not affect Brynla. On a mission with her teleporting black hound, Lemi, Brynla is kidnapped by dashing Andor of the opposing House Kolbeck and brought to his estate. Andor promises Brynla he will rescue her beloved aunt from exile in return for her switching sides to work for House Kolbeck. As the pair confront Dalgaards, Daughters of Silence, and fierce dragons, they go from enemies to lovers, with Andor falling for Brynla’s tenacity, spite, and pride. Though the plot is predictable and somewhat slow-moving, there’s fun to be had as Halle constructs a rich mythology full of dragon lore and political intrigue. The author’s fans will not be disappointed. Agent: Taylor Haggerty, Root Literary. (June)