The Blacktongue Thief (2021) is narrated by a young thief named Kinch Na Shannack. Kinch owes The Takers Guild for training him in his profession. In order to pay his debt, the Guild offers Kinch a mission filled with danger. Kinch agrees and finds himself paired with Galva, a woman skilled in the fighting arts who is on a mission of her own.
Christopher Buehlman doesn’t hesitate to threaten Kinch and Galva with Goblins, giants, assassins, krakens, and magic. This fantasy novel takes the reader on a wild ride with surprises on almost every page. And, of course, Buehlman leaves the door open for a sequel. I’ll read it! GRADE: A-
Sounds like someone who has read his Fritz Leiber, Jack Vance, Joanna Russ and perhaps even his C(atherine). L. Moore…which is a Very Good Idea, I might add.
Todd, you hit the nail on the head! There are flashes of Leiber, Vance, Russ, and Moore in Beuhlman’s novel. What a fun read!