The Thief's Gamble by Juliet McKenna

Remember playing at swashbuckling, going on quests and the like as a child? Well, The Thief's Gamble is a pretty good amalgam of all those games, omitting only the pirate bit. "Romp" is the word that comes to mind.

The main protagonist is the shady, yet decent ex-thief turned professional gambler, Livak. Separated from her hustling partner, Livak has to find some way of making enough money to keep going until they can be reunited. Returning to her old ways for long enough to steal a much-sought-after antique, she reluctantly finds herself caught up in a business deal with a posse of questing wizards.

Together they search for the remaining relics of a secret history that can explain the fall of an ancient empire...

The author slips from objective to subjective angles rather well. It's pleasing to find a female lead who's properly representative rather than the usual tepid mix of heroine and victim.

The Thief's Gamble is fun and comparatively light and presents an enjoyable introduction to characters who look set to develop intriguingly as the saga matures.

This is the first of three released books by Juliet E McKenna. I picked it up as a gamble, and pardon the pun, it paid off. I love her characters and style of writing, it's fresh witty and original. The main characters are strong and vibrant. Her wizadry and magic is original and impressive. The world she has created is fully comprehendable and fascinating. This is a definite must for any fantasy fan. Enjoy! The Swordsman's Oath and the Gambler's Fortune are the next two installments of this so far 5 part series and are also not to be missed.