A Dance of Cloaks- ♥♥♥♥♥

I used the word incredible to describe this book, but I don’t think it’s quite strong enough. There was just so much to it, and while the world wasn’t talked about in depth… I still feel like I could fall into it.

Aaron was one of the most interesting to me. He came across as so timid, but at eight he committed fratricide. He idolized his father. He wanted to be his father. There was so much talk about how feared and powerful his father is, it really wasn’t all that surprising. Although after Kayla rescued him something was definitely different. We didn’t get to see much before that, but it was enough. He was well trained, but not well loved. It seems Thren couldn’t bother with actual affection. Aaron wasn’t interesting because of that though, well not on its own, he was interesting because of his transition into Haern. I’ll get into that later though.

Thren was just an all-around bastard. In the beginning I wanted to like him. It seemed like I should. We are talking about thieves and all. It’s not like they are normally warm and cuddly. As the story went on he just seemed colder and colder. Rescuing his son over and over wasn’t about loving his son. It wasn’t about protecting his son, at least not how most parents look at it. Aaron wasn’t a person to Thren. He was an object to be molded into Thren’s legacy. The longer the story went on the colder he got. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, some reason to come along to make sense of it all, and that never came. His plans were grandiose, and doomed to fail. His over inflated ego made him feel too much like a god. His reputation didn’t do him any favors. Being known as the best and most feared just makes you a target. He didn’t look at it that way. While he didn’t die in this book, that sense of infallibility will be his downfall.

Kayla was harder for me to read for a while. I liked her immediately, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about her role in the Spider Guild. It didn’t seem like a good love choice for her. She was an information gatherer, not a thug. She was lured in by the power of Thren’s name, and that was a mistake for her. It didn’t take long for like to turn to love for me. Instead of killing Aaron’s spirit in true form, she warned him. She encouraged his transition into Haern. What I loved about her throughout this book was her desire and will to stay true to who she is and what she wants. There were a few bumps along the way, but she’s human. In the end she paid the ultimate price for her compassion toward Haern. Her death hit me pretty hard, and I think that will be the final piece that will eventually lead to Thren’s death. She had too much heart, and too many morals for her induction into the guilds to work.

Alyssa took some time to warm up to. Her initial appearance made me want to love her. The attitude she threw around, owning her womanhood, the wit and sarcasm. I felt bad for her in the tombs. It didn’t take long after that though for me to resent her. She was whiny and full of self-pity. I don’t hold being conned against her. It happens, especially to those that have been starved for true affection. It was her reaction to being conned. She did steal the dagger, which was a plus, but she spent a long time just being a victim and throwing pity parties. Judging her feels strange though. If this were real life I might see strength in her for not breaking entirely, but I just can’t right now. She took great steps to redeeming herself. It wasn’t in time to save her father, but she is well on her way to being a character I can truly stand behind. Strong, humble, compassionate, and determined. Only time will tell. I can’t say I approve of the methods of the Trifect, but maybe Alyssa will still turn into a favorite.

The Faceless I want to understand more. By the end of the book their origins are clear, but there are so many questions I have. It seemed like the banishment was just used as a punishment, like a way to repent. The more I read though, the less it looked like they would be actually forgiven and taken back into the church in proper fashion. Karak is another unknown. It seems as if he turned his back on Zusa and her sisters. I didn’t see an issue with their path, however the priest, Pelarak, seems to be easily bought. His orders to Ethric should hold no weight with the gods. It also seems Pelarak’s torture of Aaron would diminish his standing. None of this endears me to Karak, and if I’m picking gods… I’d go with Ashhur.

Delysia will play a huge role in the future, in my opinion. She was a safe place for Haern and Thren tried to take her away. Not to mention he death of her father. That will leave a mark that will not soon fade. Since Kayla was able to save her life, I feel like she will come into play in a very big way in the not so distant future. I just can’t say how exactly. Her start seems like an excellent way to create a ruthless leader, it could also make her one of the most compassionate. We’ll see!

The Trifect is a sore spot with me. Maybe it’s because I have never really had money. Maybe it’s the way I view the world. The Trifect throw around their wealth in a perverse manor while other suffer. They are the embodiment of greed. I wanted to see them fall so badly. Thren was bound to fail, he did manage to leave quite the mark on them though. I guess I’m a fan of Robin Hood, but who isn’t? Thren just makes a terrible Robin Hood.

This all brings me to Haern. When h first comes out he is kind and compassionate. After Kayla had to give back the earrings, he seemed to harden. He tried to maintain that sweetness, but he just couldn’t. I get that. While he wanted to stop his father, he walked right in his footsteps. The number of lives he took after Aaron died in the Karak temple was extreme. He had much better intentions, but you know what hell is lined with. I’m very interested in his future. He wants to pray to Ashhur, but he isn’t showing much compassion as of yet. He is hardening quickly, and I hope it doesn’t become complete.

There are so many other people I could call out individually, but I’m not going to do that now. Maybe after another book. I just feel like that didn’t play a big enough role, or they weren’t the true focus. Senke will be one I keep my eyes open for.

I like the way this book umped around to show you more than one perspective. It allowed you to see so much more of the world and how it is built. The future looks rather bleak. There was an extreme amount of damage done to the city, guild were pitted against each other, and the king is getting even more nervous. Things are going to get a hell of a lot worse before they get better.