Child of the Night Guild

A Grimdark Sword and Sorcery Fantasy Thief Adventure

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

Against all odds, but entertaining

If you can accept that the main character, a child, will survive a thousand impossible situations it’s an entertaining read. A bit more realism would have been nice but all in all it was a nice listen, nice enough that book 2-4 will end up in my library.

will she live?

I really enjoyed this book. i went along on the journey and coming to the end I know I have to read/hear what is next.

A Well Crafted Story and a Superb Performance

Once I started, I quickly found myself having to ration my listening time in order to prolong the enjoyment of the experience. Peloqiun created a well-built universe populated by fully fleshed characters and the story gripped me to the very end. As for the narration, Ms. McKernan's performance was perfect, and I was amazed at her range, and her ability to bring the characters to life. I earnestly hope that these two talented artists will come together again and bring us the next installment of this saga.

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.

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!

Do what it takes to survive or crumble and die.

A wild emotional roller coaster of young(8 year old) Viola. They killed her family then was sold to them to pay off a debt. Small and a girl shoved against her will to train to become a thief.
Over and over they try to break her but they cannot. Each time she was shoved down from one situation to the next she got back up and fought for herself.
That cliffhanger ending left me beside myself that I instantly took up the next book.

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.

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.

Fine

Great audiobook I've enjoyed twice now. Viola, (age 8 when the tale begins), who becomes "7," and who then becomes [I'm not telling] has a lot of agency combines with almost paralyzing self-doubt aka fear.
This coming of age tale of a young thief in training has more travails than any of Fagan's (think Dickens) youngsters must overcome. Lots of perils.
Well plotted and certainly good world building in that portion of the novel that focuses on the thieves' beyond-expansive den.

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.