Silver Queendom

by Dan Koboldt Narrated by Michael Page

Overview

Service at the Red Rooster Inn isn't what you'd call "good," or even "adequate." Darin would be the first to say so, and he owns the place. Evie isn't much of a barmaid; Kat's home brewed ale seems to grow less palatable with each new batch; and Seraphina's service at the bar leaves much to be desired. As for the bouncer, Big Tom, well, everyone learns right quick to stay on his good side.



They may be bad at running an inn, but they're the best team of con artists in the Old Queendom. When a prospective client approaches Darin with a high-paying job, he knows he should refuse. But the job is boosting a shipment of priceless imperial dream wine, the most coveted and expensive drink in the world. And, thanks to a stretch of bad luck, he's in deep to The Dame, who oversees criminal enterprises in this part of the Queendom.



If they fail, they're as good as dead, but if they succeed . . . well, it's enough money to get square with the Dame and make all of their dreams come true. Plus, it's an option for Darin to stick it to the empress, who he has good reason to despise.



Then again, there's a very good reason no one has ever stolen imperial dream wine . . .



Contains mature themes.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

06/20/2022

Koboldt (Domesticating Dragons) introduces a roguish band of protagonists in this equally lighthearted and action-packed high fantasy. Readers meet Darin, the owner of the Red Rooster Inn, and his employee Evie while the duo are crashing a duchess’s gala, targeting the valuables of the attending nobles. Darin’s efforts to lift as many coins and jewels as possible are foiled when he accidentally steps on the boot of a noble who responds by challenging Darin to a duel. He uses his gift for metallurgy to fake infection with a plague and so avoid being killed, but peril increases when his efforts to make a clean getaway are thwarted. Evie, along with another partner in crime, Big Tom, come to the rescue, but soon the trio are enmeshed in more trouble. They’re offered a big payday if they steal a shipment of the queen’s dreamwine, a drink that has addicted many of the residents of the Queendom and is the realm’s most valuable substance. Koboldt keeps the pace flying through the ensuing daring heist. Readers will hope to see more of Darin and company in future installments. (Sept.)

From the Publisher

"This epic fantasy about a crew of misfits with just a touch of magic and heartbreaking backstories is a rollicking good time of a read. Readers who fell for Christopher Buehlman’s The Blacktongue Thief are going to be head over heels for Koboldt’s latest."
– Library Journal

"Equally lighthearted and action-packed high fantasy.… Koboldt keeps the pace flying through the ensuing daring heist. Readers will hope to see more of Darin and company in future installments."
– Publishers Weekly

Library Journal

★ 07/01/2022

In Koboldt's (Domesticating Dragons) latest, times are lean, and Darin and his crew are in hock up to their necks when a big payday lands in their laps. The only problem is that it's attached to an impossible job that will probably leave them all with a price on their heads—if those heads are still attached. All they have to do is steal the queen's caravan of priceless dream wine from the deadliest guards in the world. They can't resist the challenge or the payday and plan the heist of a lifetime. The story is a quest and a heist and a poke in the kidney with a switchblade to the rich and powerful who think they're safe behind their walls and guards but are easily fooled by their greed—and Darin and his crew are just the ones to make them feel it. VERDICT This epic fantasy about a crew of misfits with just a touch of magic and heartbreaking backstories is a rollicking good time of a read. Readers who fell for Christopher Buehlman's The Blacktongue Thief are going to be head over heels for Koboldt's latest.—Marlene Harris

Product Details

BN ID:	2940175408486
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	08/23/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged

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