The Thieves’ Carousel by Briana Chen was thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. The structure alone made it nearly impossible to put down, and the story had me hooked with every turn.

The novel follows Lyo Morandi and Jasper Bray, two thieves who take on the near-impossible task of reforming their guild in honor of their late friend Milo. Their dream isn’t just about survival—it’s about reshaping Aspizia into a place with fairer opportunities for its people. When the legend of the Mago, a time-bending creature of myth, becomes entwined with their quest, the stakes skyrocket. Suddenly, Lyo and Jasper face not only the chance to achieve their mission but the dangerous temptation of undoing death itself—at a price they may not be able to bear.

What stood out most to me was how Chen balanced world-building and pacing. Unlike many fantasy novels that lean heavily on lore, this one is driven primarily by character relationships and the city’s intricate social fabric. The fantasy elements are sharp, sinister, and perfectly measured—adding weight without overwhelming the narrative. The result is a world that feels vivid and lived-in, with tension simmering in every alley and catacomb.

I was thrilled, terrified, and constantly eager for more. The book’s atmosphere is both menacing and exhilarating, and the emotional stakes never let up. Chen has crafted a story that is equal parts fast-paced adventure and thoughtful exploration of grief, loyalty, and the price of second chances.

The only reason I gave this four stars instead of five was the dialogue. At times, character voices blurred together, and without tags, I occasionally struggled to tell who was speaking. A bit more variation here would have elevated already strong characterizations and kept the momentum even smoother.

Overall, The Thieves’ Carousel is a triumph. It’s a gripping, gorgeously crafted fantasy that blends action, emotion, and danger in equal measure. Fans of fast-paced fantasy with heart and grit will not want to miss it.

This book was thoroughly entertaining from start to finish, and structured in a way that forbade me from putting it down. The story follows a pair of thieves, Lyo and Jasper, as they attempt to fulfil their late friend’s dream of reforming their guild and, in doing so, create fairer and more prosperous opportunities for the people of Aspizia. The emergence of the ‘Mago’, an ominous creature of legend with the ability to manipulate time, presents them the opportunity to not only accomplish their goal but to bring their friend back from the dead - but at a potentially terrible cost.

Unlike many books in this genre, ‘The Thieves’ Carousel’ does not lean too heavily on its fantasy elements and is instead driven primarily by its protagonist’s relationship with the complex world they call home. Chen has accomplished a remarkable amount of world-building without sacrificing the fast pace and deep immersion that make this book a real triumph. The fantasy itself is menacing and carefully crafted, fitting in well with the story’s setting and narrative. I found myself thrilled, terrified, and ravenous for more.

My reason for giving 4 stars rather than 5 is that I felt a little was lacking from the dialogue. At times I found it difficult to differentiate between characters; where dialogue tags were not present, I could not always ascertain who was speaking. I feel some variation in the dialogue would add another level of depth to the characterisation which was otherwise exceptional, and would help maintain the story’s fluidity.

Overall, ‘The Thieves’ Carousel’ was a joy to read and an absolute must for fans of fast-paced fantasy.