This is a medium-paced, mid-ish fantasy romance that’s very laidback and easygoing. 

This story follows three magically gifted sisters, Arabessa, Niya, and Larkyra, with this first book focusing on the youngest, Larkyra. She has just come of age (19) and her powers seem to be the most dangerous and more difficult to control as they come from her voice. I love the quick wit and quips between the sisters. They’re very funny and witty and odd in the best way. Though other characters like their father, or Clara, or Zimri are just kinda there without substance. The trio have gifts based in music, Lark’s is her voice, Niya is her dance, and Arabessa is from playing an instrument. Together, they’re extremely powerful, deadly, and intoxicating. They’re the daughters of Count Dolion Bassette, and their house is one of the most powerful in Jabari. Magic is scarce and their abilities are hidden except when they enter the Thief Kingdom, where all sorts of debauchery and magic run amuck. 

The sisters are trained in all matters of magic, deception, and combat as they work for the Thief King to squash gross injustices across the land. This is when Lark is assigned to feign an engagement with Hayzar, Duke of Lachlan, stepfather to Lord Darius. Hayzar has been taking phorria, which is a drug made of stolen magic that is highly addictive and it gives non-magic people the ability to wield temporary magic. This drug is illegal outside of the Thief Kingdom so Lark is tasked to discover his supplier. While there she discovers other horrors and injustices, leading to a change in her plans. 

Also, if you’re looking for spice, there’s like one PG-13 scene that doesn’t fade to black.

There were a lot of interesting things like the magic system and world building, that weren’t given enough attention or explanation. The book does brush over a lot and it goes back in time a lot (memory flashbacks) though thankfully these scenes are in italics so you know it’s a memory. It tries to get you emotionally attached to the characters too quickly. Like you can feel it in the writing instead of it just happening naturally (which by the end I did care for the characters). I also feel like the relationship between Lark and Darius could’ve had more development to really sell that they have chemistry and have feelings for one another. Also, their father’s identity is strange and isn’t really explained. 

I don’t know if I’ll read the other books. It took until I got halfway through this one to really be engaged. I’d hope the other ones are more developed. It was mostly a nice, easy fantasy to kickback, relax, and enjoy.