From the author of The Disasters, this genre-bending YA fantasy heist story is perfect for fans of Marie Lu and Amie Kaufman.
In Kyrkarta, magic—known as maz—was once a freely available natural resource. Then an earthquake released a magical plague, killing thousands and opening the door for a greedy corporation to make maz a commodity that’s tightly controlled—and, of course, outrageously expensive.
Which is why Diz and her three best friends run a highly lucrative, highly illegal maz siphoning gig on the side. Their next job is supposed to be their last heist ever.
But when their plan turns up a powerful new strain of maz that (literally) blows up in their faces, they’re driven to unravel a conspiracy at the very center of the spellplague—and possibly save the world.
No pressure.
Pretty good read with spellbinding world building... sorry, I couldn't resist. 😅 But I wanted more of everything - more heist planning, more banter, more romance. It just felt like something was missing.
It's quick, it's fun, it's queer, it's teens saving the world and each other. I fucking love it. I want more of it. NEED more of it. It's truth in fiction for those who need to feel it.
Ania: Yeah, but we don't inspire murdery feelings in everyone we meet.
"Whatever you say, Awesome Strongman McDad Friend," I say around his finger.
Much of it glows with neon, with maz, with money and desperate forward-looking optimism. The parts that don't aren't parts you want to visit anyway.
Sleep and I aren't on speaking terms.
I've always known, of course, but there's a difference between knowing and seeing.
Two swears from Ania in less than a week. This is a day just full of unicorns.
I've never been more aware of my feet in my life, and I jump off buildings on the regular.
Ania holds up her hands. "Hey, I know my limits. I'm the math, you're the poetry."
"As sure as I ever am about anything," I say. "Which is, you know. Moderately?"
Internally, this morning felt like cresting the peak of the mountain, and I can finally see the gorgeous terrain sweeping before me, glorious valleys of rich greens and blue sky and the infinite possibility of horizons.
When in doubt, make your own door.
