"The Thieves’ Carousel" Review: A Heist with Heart, But Missing the Hustle
- Kim Bartosch
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
If you love stories with complex friendships, underground rebellion, and magical intrigue, The Thieves’ Carousel by Briana Chen might catch your eye. Published by Z-Choice International and featured on a tour sponsored by iRead Book Tours, this fantasy adventure has the bones of something great—but unfortunately, it stumbles when it comes to momentum and clarity.
Set in a richly imagined city ruled by a web of power-hungry elites, The Thieves’ Carousel introduces us to Lyo and Jasper—two street-smart teens who’ve been thrust into a dangerous scheme involving a mysterious artifact known as the Mago’s ring. Their bond is the emotional core of the story, and honestly? It's the best part of the book.
Thank you to the author for the book and my honest review. Be sure to scroll down to learn more and enter the giveaway!
🤝 A Duo Worth Rooting For
Lyo is bold, daring, and full of schemes, while Jasper is more introspective, preferring books over street-level politics. Their personalities clash and complement each other in ways that feel authentic and endearing. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and their banter keeps the story afloat during slower sections. The fact that each chapter begins with an excerpt from Jasper’s journal is a particularly brilliant touch—it adds emotional depth and gives readers a dual lens into their relationship and the world around them.
🌍 World-Building Overload?
That said, the world of The Thieves’ Carousel is intricate—maybe too intricate for its own good. Briana Chen clearly put thought into the political structure and societal hierarchies, but as a reader, it was hard to keep up. There were too many factions, too much unexplained lore, and not enough grounding. For a story that's supposed to revolve around a high-stakes heist, I found myself constantly trying to piece together how the world functioned rather than enjoying the plot.
🐌 A Slow Burn (Too Slow?)
This book promised fast-paced thrills and daring escapades, but the pacing didn’t deliver. While I appreciated the attempt to build tension and suspense, a large chunk of the book felt like buildup without payoff. Much of the narrative is dedicated to Lyo and Jasper navigating high society, gathering information, and learning about their enemies—but it drags. The climactic “heist” happens so late and is resolved so quickly, it left me feeling underwhelmed. In fact, the whole novel reads more like a prequel than a standalone adventure.
✨ What Worked
The Lyo–Jasper friendship is incredibly strong and layered.
The journal entries add a fresh narrative touch.
The central premise (two young men forced to work for corrupt elites to survive) is genuinely compelling.
The world has potential—I can see a lot of readers enjoying the detail if they’re in it for a long-haul series.
😕 What Didn’t
The pacing—especially for a heist-centered book—was a major letdown.
Political systems and city structure were confusing.
The plot involving the Mago’s ring barely develops in this volume.
Action sequences, when they finally appear, are brief and lack impact.
🎭 Final Thoughts
The Thieves’ Carousel is a book that feels like it's setting the stage for a much bigger story—unfortunately, it spends so much time laying groundwork that it forgets to entertain along the way. If you’re someone who enjoys deep world-building and character-driven storytelling, you may still find plenty to appreciate here. But if you're looking for edge-of-your-seat heists and fast-paced thrills, this one might test your patience.
Still, I’m curious to see where Briana Chen takes the series from here. With a tighter plot and more action, Lyo and Jasper’s next adventure could really shine.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐
About the Book:
Publisher: Z-Choice International
Pub. Date: August 2025
Genre: Fantasy, magic
Synopsis:
What price would you pay to undo a death?
In the shadowed streets of Aspizia, two thieves—Lyo Morandi and Jasper Bray—risk everything to rewrite the past. Haunted by the death of their friend Milo, they set their sights on a forbidden prize: a ring reputed to alter time.
To steal it, they must infiltrate the Thieves’ Carousel, a ruthless exhibition where the city’s most dangerous criminals flaunt their treasures—and fight to keep them. But as Lyo and Jasper descend deeper into the catacombs beneath Aspizia, they uncover a truth far more dangerous than they imagined: the ring’s power comes at a devastating cost.
Loyalties splinter. Betrayal lurks around every corner. Loyalties splinter. As the game turns deadly, they must ask themselves: How far will they go to rescue the past and save the future—and how much of themselves are they willing to lose?
The Thieves’ Carousel is a gripping tale of ambition, sacrifice, and the haunting price of second chances.
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Meet the Author:
BRIANA CHEN is an award-winning fantasy author and repeat offender when it comes to falling headfirst into fandoms. She loves morally gray characters, unpredictable plot twists, and books that make her stare at a wall for hours afterward.
She is also a digital artist, gamer, and graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. She currently spends her time battling artist’s and writer’s block—sometimes simultaneously—and pursuing more adventures to add to her hoard of treasure.
Giveaway:
Author-signed copy of The Thieves’ Carousel plus merchandise, courtesy of author Briana Chen. (one winner) (USA only) (ends Dec 13)
