We love a good historical fantasy and To Deal with Kings delivers! This one has even more subterfuge and plotting and it’s such a phenomenal sequel. Keep reading this book review of To Deal with Kings for my full thoughts.
Summary
Zaria Mendoza doesn’t think she’ll ever see Kane Durante again. In fact, she thinks he’s dead, burned up in the flames that destroyed the pawn shop where she lived with her best friend Jules. All Zaria has left is the necklace they stole from the Crystal valuable not just for its jewels, but for the magic it holds within as a rare primateria source. Yet why did Kane slip it into her pocket right before everything went up in smoke? Why did he give her what she needs most, after she betrayed him?
With the previous kingpin dead, Kane feels adrift, even though he’s the one who pulled the trigger. He may be the natural successor as kingpin of Devil’s Acre, London’s worst slum, but not everyone in his crew respects him as leader. Yet Kane has bigger fish to fry. Inspector Price knocks on his door and demands his help in discovering the identity of a mystery man calling himself the Curator, who has installed an unidentifiable alchemological device in the Crystal Palace—the location of the heist Kane pulled off with Zaria. He has ten days to find the Curator. Otherwise, he and his estranged best friend Fletcher end up in jail, Zaria alongside them.
Trouble faces Zaria and Kane from every side as they’re forced to team up once again, to save themselves, and maybe even all of London. Because Zaria’s being manipulated by Vaughan, a faceless man calling himself the new kingpin of the Seven Dials slum, and he’s hiding more secrets than anyone bargained for…
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
To Deal with Kings is an action packed historical fantasy. There’s this thrumming beat of historical fiction. We can feel the wonders of both magic, but also technology. It’s also combined with a glittering magic which keeps you guessing. Dealing with the betrayal of To Steal from Thieves, To Deal with Kings hits the ground running. In many ways it’s about dealing with these larger than life figures and ambition. But it’s not only externally, but also internally and our own ghosts of fears. If we intend to be the best, to be famous, to be powerful, what will we do to get there? And who will we become?
(Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information you can look at the Policy page. If you’re uncomfortable with that, know you can look up the book on any of the sites below to avoid the link)
To Deal with Kings is about all the ways family can hurt us. These sacrifices, manipulations, and miscommunications. It’s about sharing the responsibility of power and the weight off our shoulders. Often when we achieve success, we are fighting against the shadows of our own fears. The insecurities of our past which linger like whispering ghosts. To Deal with Kings is a fantastic sequel. The wrap up is a bit quick, but I loved this mix of historical fantasy here and M.K. Lobb is always a win! Find To Deal with Kings on Goodreads, Storygraph, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.