Child of the Night Guild

By: Andy Peloquin

Narrated by: Rebecca McKernan

Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

"They killed my parents. They took my name. They imprisoned me in darkness. I would not be broken."

Viola, a child sold to pay her father's debts, has lost everything: her mother, her home, and her identity. Thrown into a life among criminals, she has no time for grief as she endures the brutal training of an apprentice thief. The Night Guild molds an innocent waif into a cunning, agile outlaw skilled in the thieves' trade. She has only one choice: steal enough to pay her debts.

The cutthroat streets of Praamis will test her mettle, and she must learn to dodge the City Guards or swing from a hangman's rope. But a more dangerous foe lurks within the guild walls. A sadistic rival apprentice, threatened by her strength, is out for blood.

What hope does one girl have in a world of ruthless men?

©2017 Dragonblade Publishing (P)2018 Andy Peloquin

Fast Paced! Wonderfully Narrated! A Must Listen!

Any additional comments?

It's been a while since I've remained in my car outside my house because I just couldn't stop the book! There are no slow moments and the character development is superb. Never a dull moment with the plot. If you like Brent Weeks then you will love this book! Peloquin has done it again!

3 people found this helpful

Heart wrenching

A truly masterful tale written with the most gut wrenching scenarios. Life in the guild is by no means pleasant, and these characters face horrid abuse. Definitely not a read for anyone easily triggered.it is a dark seedy life in the underbelly of the elite yet these characters strive to not succumb too deeply into the darkness. The narration is spot on and allowed me to still feel every bit of the drama as it unfolds. All my reviews are always voluntarily written.

1 person found this helpful

Its darker than you expect

So, the positives...its better than average writing. The storyline is interesting for awhile, but breaks down quickly to move the plot along. Usually, I would give high marks just for those two items, but the constant whining makes you want to bang your head against the wall. Honestly, I wanted the main character to fall from the tower and die and then pick up with some other kid. The darker situations of rape, brutality, robbery, murder, unwanted pregnancy, abandonment...I am sure I missed a couple, but its pretty much the full spectrum of dark-etude.

If you can handle the whine, its probably not an awful book. I don't want my credit back, but I also have no intention of getting the sequel.

NOTE: I had some distortion(~8bit audio) in the audio during some of the early chapters....I tried different speakers, so I am fairly sure it was in the source I downloaded.

1 person found this helpful

Great begininning

This book takes you on crazy ride of how life will throw all sorts situations your way, and how you will deal with them. All in all, I hope that people will take a listen to this book because its enjoyable, and I look forward to seeing where the series will take the listener.

1 person found this helpful

You have to read this book!!!

All I can say is wow! Amazing! Fantastic! This novel grabbed my heart and soul and did not let go. I found myself listening at every spare moment. The characters are wonderfully developed and the story line is nothing less than unique and captivating. The characters have such depth and detail that you will simply just forget about everything else when you listen. What really got me was the emotion conveyed in the writing. Anger, sadness, fear, heartbreak, love. These powerful characters and emotions really hit you where it counts. Although my review may not do this book the justice it deserves, I can say this: This book is a masterpiece and I believe that future readers will look back and see this as one of the truly great classics. Spend the credit, pay full price, do what you have too but don’t pass this by. Andy Peloquin’s writing and Rebecca McKernan’s narration is the perfect marriage of writing and voice! I can’t wait till the next book is out on Audible so I may just have to buy the rest in paperback.

Even though this book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review, my review is honest and from the heart!

2 people found this helpful

Queen of Thieves 1

Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel

Summary:
I want to note up front that this story in not for the faint of heart. The story contains many graphically violent situations. The story evolves around the Night guild who obtain, reorient, and train children to become members of the guild who steal, manipulate and kill individuals at the order of the guild so the violent situations fit within the plot of the story.

Number 7 knows noting of her past save for dreams of her life before she started her training to become an apprentice. Number 7 is the only girl and forced to keep up with the boys without any exceptions. She and the others spend six months of barbaric training and it is only her refusal to give up that keeps her going. Number7’s clashes with the largest and violent member of the group sets into motion conflicts that will continue to escalate as the years go by. All but one are accepted into a house leaving one boy to an unspeakable end.

This is the first book in a new series that takes the reader on a roller coaster ride as Seven struggles in a world where, as the only woman, she must prove her worth beyond others abilities.

The audio-book brought the story alive in ways that reading it would not. This is just the beginning of seven’s story.

Powerful Story!

The life of a child who ends up in the Night Guild is not easy. Ilanna barely survives the hardships she must endure after her father gives her to the Night Guild to settle his debts. But with the support of good friends, she not only survives...she thrives. I read the Hero of Darkness & Heirs of Destiny series before this book, and it is interesting to see how characters and organizations I am familiar with came to be who & what I know.

great story

This book was really great! I've always really enjoyed books that feature the guild, and this one did not disappoint! I love the idea of a group that's mafia-esc from a Medieval time. The story had a lot going for it, including an inspired setting, and great characters. The story has a lot of darkness in it, and a lot happens to seven that just crushes your soul, but despite the circumstances, the book is inspiring in that she achieves so much, and fights instead of just laying down and giving up. It's a wonderful story full of redemption and discovering self worth. I loved the strong female characters. The author's writing was beautiful and never felt off or choppy. The narration was spectacular are totally added to the story. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Captivating start to a dark fantasy series...

Prepare to lose some sleep with this one. This story will ensnare your imagination and take you on a wild journey as experienced by a young girl, Viola, who must overcome unthinkable challenges at her tender young age or literally die trying. There are characters to love, characters to loathe, plenty of action, drama, suspense and some amazing world-building. It is hard to find a stopping place in this story because you just want to finish one more chapter, then another, then another… There are some very intense situations, so be forewarned that you may experience the full gamut of emotional responses as you become immersed in the Night Guild lifestyle. Despite being raw, dark, and gritty, this story is ultimately about the strength of one young girl and her resolve to overcome whatever she must in order to survive and prove her worth. For those choosing to listen to the audio version, the narrator, Rebecca McKernan, did a great job (though at times, I was tempted to speed up the playback a bit but I think that was just my impatience to see what would happen next). I am definitely looking forward to the next installment.

I was provided with an audio copy of this book by the author and I am voluntarily offering my honest and unbiased review.

I want to read the next one

I felt this book was drawn out more than it should be. Overall the story-line was good and I can't wait to find out what happens next. There are parts in the audio that sounded a bit like she was underwater or in a tunnel. I did enjoy the characters, but did not fall in love with them.

Gripping, emotional nail-biter - start to finish!

The ‘Child of the Night Guild (Queen of Thieves Book 1)’ audiobook was my introduction to Andy Peloquin’s writing and I’m impressed. This is powerful stuff – a gripping nail-biter from start to finish – and it really does run the full gamut of emotions. Andy Peloquin’s wonderfully descriptive writing has created an amazing world with well-drawn characters. Adding Rebecca McKernan’s superb narration to the mix really nails it.

I was hooked from the start, drawn deep into the world of the Night Guild which we experience through the eyes of Viola (designated number Seven by the really creepy and cruel Master Velvet and subsequently she becomes IIanna when she is allowed to take a name again). The feelings of sorrow, anxiety, heartache, anger, fear and joy that she experiences in her struggle through her apprenticeship (from age eight to eighteen) to survive and prove her worth to the guild as a successful thief are so palpable. This is one of those Audiobooks where you feel compelled to keep listening to find out what happens next and are sad when it finishes. The remedy for this is to go straight to ‘Thief of the Night Guild (Queen of Thieves Book 2)’ for the continuation of the story.

Aimed at young adults

Made an effort to try and get into this book and did finish. I do have a few issues with the book. Overall an good premise and interesting genre. My first problem is with the narration, maybe just me, but I found it difficult to enjoy and wish I had previewed before buying. Second issue is the style of writing. I feel the style is more suited to a young adult and definitively a female audience. However in parts the swearing maybe too much for a younger audience, which is odd as it occurs infrequently, and almost unnecessarily. Finally the story is a little predictable, slow and therefore I found it a bit frustrating in parts. I won't be doing the sequels Not for me, but maybe more suited to young adults.

An interesting Story of Thieves

Although a little slow this is a great story told with plenty of emotion and skill.
It did take me a while to get used to the narration but the engrossing tale soon draws you into it and the world building is all to real. Definitely on my to follow list now