Their significance feels overshadowed in an already tightly packed story. More could have been added about the magical elements, however. When Jase works it out much later in his narrated chapters, it's redundant for the reader. Once Kazi is captured, she learns about the source of violent upheaval in Hell's Mouth pretty quickly. Pearson weaves a thrilling tale, but could have trimmed it a little. If he doesn't, his whole family hiding in the mountains could starve or be crushed. But after that, Jase still has to face the ruler he foolishly underestimated and his army of mercenaries and their massive stash of weapons. By the time Kazi endures imprisonment a second time, readers will think that the couple's trauma must be nearly over.

This duology finale excites until the last with so many obstacles for Jase and Kazi to face that they are the very definition of star-crossed lovers.

She never loses sight of her mission to save Jase's family, even when she thinks Jase is dead, even when she's sure she's dying, and even when she thinks his family will not accept her no matter what she does for them. Kazi is in near-constant danger in Vow of Thieves as a captive. Kazi (probably 18 years old by this book) is offered hard liquor. There's a little more swearing as well, but it doesn't go beyond 'horses-t,' and shouting 'a-hole' at horrible criminals. A woman's kidnapping leads to threat of sexual assault by two men who wield their power over her - two young children are threatened if she doesn't comply with their demands. A reaction to poisonous bite is nearly fatal, with pain, fever, convulsions, and hallucinations described. Decomposing bodies hanging in a square are briefly described, along with a severed hand and stab and arrow injuries that are slow to heal. Many are killed in explosions and fights with swords, arrows, and knives with some decapitations - but there's not much gore considering the carnage. The violence ratchets up from the first book, Dance of Thieves. By this book, a committed couple has had sex, though only kissing and undressing are described. Like the other series, these fantasy adventures are heavy on the romance. Parents need to know that Vow of Thieves is the second in a duology set in the same group of kingdoms as the Remnant Chronicles trilogy.

Vow of thieves mary e pearson