It’s been a long time since I was excited over a book and this book was what I was looking for. I just flew through the book; the characters, the plot and world-building just kept my attention the whole weekend. I thought the idea of obtaining magic through ‘osteomantic’ creatures like a riddle sphinx and griffins was such a good concept and at some times kind of gross. I mean, some characters in this book are imagining how you (and your magic, or essence) would taste like. Daniel’s father was eaten for the power in his bones. For all of Daniel’s life, betrayal and survival are the absolutes, which makes the emphasis on his friends/crew that much more an important theme. Sometimes his guilt over what he has to do gets a bit tiresome, but in the end, ‘once a thief, always a thief’. The author did a good job balancing the fun of a heist adventure and the underlying dark and horror of the characters and this Venitian-like, U.S. split L.A. (The hounds, the hounds).

Ugh, I would leave a passage and/or a quote, but my boyfriend has my copy. For those who are looking for something a bit different in their urban fantasy, can stand a little squeamishness and want a fantasy book with good ol’ heist fun, then this is a book you cannot miss. I’m halfway through the sequel, Pacific Fire and though I felt the momentum kind of slipped a bit (I love Daniel and his crew and I’m a bit sad they’re not center stage) I’m glad I’m still in this world that Van Eekhout created.

Man, I really feel bad for not leaving a passage from the book or something, so I’ll leave something below. And I only just realized the animals in the background are very fitting. If anyone can recommend any heist/caper books, especially caper books in sci-fi fantasy, please let me know!