Synopsis:
Legend says there was once a labyrinth where the city of Sangarie now stands. Each year on the Night of Shadows the populace stays inside while gateways to the labyrinth appear in the streets, and shadows wait to devour the brave, or the foolish. Gray was both, and it still haunts him.
He deals with his nightmares through sarcasm and overconfidence, and has risen in the ranks of the criminal guild to wrangle the most unruly district in the city: Old Town. He cheats at dice, drinks too much, and flirts as naturally as he breathes. When he finds the body of a fellow guild member, rumors spread that he’s the killer and he does what he does best—ignores authority and tries to handle it himself.
His investigations leave him on the run from both the guild and the guards, and he’s blackmailed into one last heist. One that will plunge him into the bowels of urban legend and force him to face his own traumatic past. The city’s future depends on the wit and bluster of the greatest thief ever to run across its rooftops, but can he survive the labyrinth a second time?
Review:
Shadows of Old Town is a blend of high-stakes heist fantasy, portal magic, and monster-slaying, with a dash of Indiana Jones-style traps thrown in. It was a whole lot of fun!
The main character, Gray, is a career thief who works as an enforcer for Sangarie’s guild of criminals. He’s good at his job, but not so great with relationships. He has a penchant for cheating at cards, likes to drink, and flirts with pretty much anyone who crosses his path. But he also cares deeply for those he considers friends, and he’ll do just about anything to ensure they’re safe, even if it means breaking the guild’s rules. He’s not afraid of taking risks, but he’s downright terrified of what happens on the Night of Shadows.
And with good reason. There are many stories regarding the Night of Shadows and the monsters that emerge from the portals that appear around Sangarie on that night. Gray has more experience with them than most, but his method of “dealing” with those traumatic memories are to ignore them and never speak of them again. He’d much rather go about his life thieving and gambling than dwell on his past.
The magic in this world is innate to the elves, though humans can use it through objects or by having magically-infused ink tattooed onto their skin. Some forms of magic can cause harm, others can heal, and Gray is exposed to both types. Then there’s the magic tied to Sangarie that opens portals to the labyrinth on the Night of Shadows. It only occurs once a year, and there are dangerous things beyond the portals that most people wouldn’t be willing to face, like the shadowkraken.
But what I liked most about this book was the complexity of the plot. There was a lot more to it than one big heist, but I don’t want to go into that too much, because I think it will give things away. Gray’s story has many layers and some unexpected turns, and I loved every minute of it.
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