Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Remnant Chronicles spin-off high in romance and adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 21 kid reviews
Kids say this book is a captivating read with a well-developed plot, strong characters, and a blend of romance and action, making it more suitable for older teens. While many readers appreciate its themes of love and loyalty, some find it confusing or slow, suggesting a mature audience due to occasional violence and romance.
- engaging plot
- strong characters
- suitable for teens
- romance themes
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In DANCE OF THIEVES, Kazi sets off with two other soldiers in the queen's guard for the town of Hell's Mouth to find a fugitive. She believes that the family who runs the town, the Ballengers, are housing him in their stronghold. Just before they arrive, the Ballenger Patrei, or head of the family, dies suddenly, leaving his son Jase in charge. Kazi finds Jase on the streets of Hell's Mouth hungover from a night of grief-drinking with his friends and brothers. After a less than cordial meeting -- a knife to the throat, clever threats -- Kazi chases Jase away from his friends and right into the arms of a band of slavers. They're both knocked out, captured, and dragged off on a wagon. This was not how Kazi's mission was supposed to go at all. Luckily, after years as a street thief, Kazi has special skills she uses to dupe the slavers and escape. Now Kazi and Jase are chained together days from any town, forced to get along enough to survive.
Is It Any Good?
This Remnant Chronicles spin-off series gets off to a promising start with a strong female hero, dangerous travel adventures, and an absorbing romantic storyline. Kazi, former street thief, now valued member of the queen's elite guard, is fun to root for when she encounters the proud Ballengers and navigates a tricky relationship with its new head of the family, Jase. There's plenty of tension as both Kazi and Jase guard their secrets from each other, but not well enough.
Though the romance sometimes threatens to take over entirely, the political intrigue in the town of Hell's Mouth will also hold readers' attention. It's hard to know who to watch out for: the conniving Ballenger cousin, black market traders, or the fugitive Kazi is sent to find in secret. Maybe everyone. It's what makes Jase always suspicious -- even of Kazi, as he should be. In the end, her loyalties have to be to the queen.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Jase and Kazi in Dance of Thieves. What makes them both thieves? Would they ever have understood each other if they hadn't been forced together?
How does Kazi use the lessons she learned from her rough childhood to be a better soldier?
Will you read the next story from the Remnant kingdoms? What's your favorite so far?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
- Publication date : August 7, 2018
- Number of pages : 512
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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