Review: Dance of Thieves

Mary E. Pearson’s Dance of Thieves attempts to blend political intrigue, romance, and high-stakes deception, but does it succeed? While it introduces a new cast of characters within The Remnant Chronicles universe, its execution is a mixed bag—ambitious in scope but frustrating in delivery.

The story follows Kazi, a former street thief turned elite soldier, who is tasked with capturing a fugitive hiding within the Ballenger empire. Meanwhile, Jase Ballenger, the newly crowned leader of his family’s kingdom, is determined to protect his legacy. When the two are kidnapped by slavers, they are forced into an uneasy alliance that naturally turns into romantic tension.

While this premise promises intrigue, the pacing undercuts the excitement. Instead of actively driving the plot, the characters spend a significant amount of time brooding, reminiscing, and exchanging dramatic one-liners. The story leans heavily on political backstories and exposition, making it feel like a history lesson rather than an engaging fantasy adventure. By the time the real action unfolds, readers may feel exhausted rather than immersed.

Kazi is positioned as a cunning and resourceful protagonist, but her characterization feels inconsistent. She’s introduced as a hardened thief, yet her transition to an elite guard loyal to the queen lacks depth. Jase, on the other hand, plays the role of the brooding yet honorable love interest, though his motivations remain predictable.

Their romance follows a classic enemies-to-lovers trajectory but lacks the emotional development needed to make it convincing. Their dynamic is built more on misunderstandings than meaningful moments, and while their verbal sparring tries to be playful, it often feels forced. The supporting cast, including Jase’s family and Kazi’s fellow Rahtan soldiers, adds some richness to the world, but many feel like background figures rather than fully realized characters.

Pearson is known for detailed worldbuilding, and Dance of Thieves is no exception. The novel introduces the Ballenger empire as a lawless but structured society that challenges the rule of the established monarchies. This expansion of The Remnant Chronicles universe adds political layers, but the sheer volume of names, locations, and alliances thrown at the reader can be overwhelming. Instead of immersing readers in the world, the exposition bogs down the narrative, making it difficult to fully engage with the setting.

Dance of Thieves has all the elements of a compelling fantasy—intrigue, romance, and betrayal—but its slow pacing, inconsistent character development, and reliance on exposition weaken its impact. While fans of The Remnant Chronicles may enjoy the expanded lore, new readers might struggle to connect. If you’re looking for a romance-driven fantasy with rich worldbuilding and don’t mind a slow burn (and I mean slow), this might still be worth a try. But if you prefer tightly woven plots and dynamic character arcs, you might find yourself wishing this dance would move a little faster.