Gripping, emotional nail-biter - start to finish!

The ‘Child of the Night Guild (Queen of Thieves Book 1)’ audiobook was my introduction to Andy Peloquin’s writing and I’m impressed. This is powerful stuff – a gripping nail-biter from start to finish – and it really does run the full gamut of emotions. Andy Peloquin’s wonderfully descriptive writing has created an amazing world with well-drawn characters. Adding Rebecca McKernan’s superb narration to the mix really nails it.

I was hooked from the start, drawn deep into the world of the Night Guild which we experience through the eyes of Viola (designated number Seven by the really creepy and cruel Master Velvet and subsequently she becomes IIanna when she is allowed to take a name again). The feelings of sorrow, anxiety, heartache, anger, fear and joy that she experiences in her struggle through her apprenticeship (from age eight to eighteen) to survive and prove her worth to the guild as a successful thief are so palpable. This is one of those Audiobooks where you feel compelled to keep listening to find out what happens next and are sad when it finishes. The remedy for this is to go straight to ‘Thief of the Night Guild (Queen of Thieves Book 2)’ for the continuation of the story.

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Dark, gritty, and heartwrenching!

Child of the Night Guild is the first book of the Queen of Thieves series by Andy Peloquin. It's dark, it's gritty, and it doesn't ever let up.

Ilanna is a young girl when she is first sold to the Night Guild by her father. She has a past filled with abuse, but her new life in the Night Guild is certainly no better. Time and time again, she faces more darkness and death, where seemingly anyone to come near her ends up injured or dead.

This book depicts how Ilanna, through relentless training, grows up within the Night Guild. There, she makes both friends and enemies, whereas the latter has a major impact on her life as it progresses (especially by the end of the book). I won't spoil it, but needless to say, this is one dark story.

It took a while for me to get into the story and become acquainted with Ilanna enough to understand her reasoning. The plot thickened towards the end, but early on, it felt like the book was more setting up Ilanna's character for later novels, rather than already in this one. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this book with its vivid depictions of the thieves, their craft, and how they navigate the city. The training sessions and action were great, and the writing was faultless. I also liked the world-building and the host of supporting characters. The Night Guild itself was intriguing with the many houses.

All in all, a great read, and I will definitely move on to the next!

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An interesting Story of Thieves

Although a little slow this is a great story told with plenty of emotion and skill.
It did take me a while to get used to the narration but the engrossing tale soon draws you into it and the world building is all to real. Definitely on my to follow list now

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Narration awful

I’m giving up on this because the production sounds like it was recorded in someone’s garage and the narrator sounds like an eleven year old child reading out an essay in school.

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Struggled with Narration - ruined the book for me

Sorry to say that I really struggled with the narration on this book. I tried to listen but it seemed so expressionless and monotone I found it impossible to listen to. First book I've ever given up on!

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Aimed at young adults

Made an effort to try and get into this book and did finish. I do have a few issues with the book. Overall an good premise and interesting genre. My first problem is with the narration, maybe just me, but I found it difficult to enjoy and wish I had previewed before buying. Second issue is the style of writing. I feel the style is more suited to a young adult and definitively a female audience. However in parts the swearing maybe too much for a younger audience, which is odd as it occurs infrequently, and almost unnecessarily. Finally the story is a little predictable, slow and therefore I found it a bit frustrating in parts. I won't be doing the sequels Not for me, but maybe more suited to young adults.

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