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.

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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.

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A well written & enjoyable read/listen

Child of the Night Guild: A Grimdark Epic Fantasy Thief Adventure (Queen of Thieves Book 1), my first read from prolific author Andy Peloquin. With more than 60 books published, it’s hard to believe I’ve not read him before, I need to get going & read more Andy Peloquin books. I look forward to reading more from this author. Rebecca McKernan’s narration added to the enjoyment of the well-written work. 13-hours 20-minutes/399 pages. “I received a free Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

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Stunning and Haunting! You won't be able to stop!

Let me start off by this review took me 2 days just to write. This was such an amazing book I had to really really think about what I wanted to say to really give credit to such a work of art. This book will catch you and keep you begging for more. I was captivated from the first few words and that never stopped throughout the whole story.

Andy Peloquin has created the most amazing world. By far it has quickly reached the top of my favorite books I have ever had the pleasure to read/listen to and one of my favorite authors. And what makes this even more absolutely stunning is the reader! Rebecca McKernan did an amazing job! Her accent really brought out the characters and added so much to this book by putting you in a different world and really bringing it to life.

This precious little girl, Viola, only 8 years old, is thrown into a world where they take her memories, her very existence and changes it all into a number. She is now number Seven. She is among several other young children being brutally trained for apprenticeship in the Night Guild. Because she is just a small thing and the only girl, she has to work that much harder and be smarter and faster than the rest. We see Viola/Seven at her weakest but see her rise to great heights (pun intended) and see her fall, struggle and become even better than before! The heartbreak and brutality Viola endures is amazing but it makes her who she is. We watch her grow into a young woman determined to be the best, determined to survive everything life throws at her. She has a new name now. A new home, a new world than when she started her journey. She has come a long way and made some great friends. To see how devastating this place is and all its beauty and secrets takes a genius and I am so glad Andy created such a masterpiece. I can’t stop thinking about everything in this story.
This is not your average story whatsoever. I honestly didn’t know what to expect reading this because the main character was so young in the description that I thought it may be a bit childish or not my type of book. GOSH WAS I WRONG. This is everything. Viola has a mind of her own and you are always guessing what she will do next or what will happen. And each time her name changes you can see her character grow. I wont say what her last name is because that is for you to find out. The ending to book two really got me, I cried and had to stop listening for a few hours but then I HAD TO KNOW what happens next. I was utterly invested in this story. I felt her pain, I felt her strength and determination. This is beyond words to describe that you NEED to get this. When I find a book I absolutely love I always buy the actual book to it so if I'm ever on a hike or out hunting or just have a moment where I can pick up a real book I have one of my favorites to turn to.
I listened to this every moment I got, getting ready for work, actually at work (I’m a Sales Manager at a hotel and I may or may not have left a few phone calls go to voicemail during some moments – I did call them back after!) and I couldn’t get enough!
I will anxiously await the next audiobook for book 2 and 3! This was one wild ride I can’t wait to continue! This is worth so much more than 5 stars. Out of all the books I've listened to over the past 2 years this is by far the best!

I requested and was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review with my honest opinion.

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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!

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2 people found this helpful

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.

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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.

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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.

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1 person found this helpful

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.

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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.

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