By Hook & Crook

by S. G. Karam

Overview

Lars Harrow thrives in Azoria, where dynamo-powered innovation fuels the dazzling spectacle of sanctioned heists. As one of the city's most celebrated thieves, he's turned daring thefts into electrifying performances. Yet beneath the thrill of each score, a restless ambition burns-Lars dreams of pulling off a heist so audacious it will change the game forever and make him the master of his own destiny.

His chance comes when a mysterious patron offers him the key to infiltrating the secret warehouse of Cecil Thume, the ruthless mastermind who profits from every heist in Azoria. As Lars chases the promise of new technology that could rewrite the city's future, a brutal murder sends a clear message: Thume will stop at nothing to protect his secrets.

Navigating a labyrinth of intrigue, double-crosses, and the risk of betraying everything he holds dear, Lars discovers Thume's influence runs far deeper than he ever imagined. With each daring move, he gambles not just with Azoria's fate but with his own humanity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798991599511
Publisher:	Chymist Press
Publication date:	11/15/2024
Series:	Kings of Copper Trilogy , #1
Pages:	420
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.86(d)

About the Author

S.G. Karam is a software professional, lifelong geek, reader, educator, cook, traveler, tinkerer, blogger, amateur guitar maker, tech book writer, and now, a sci-fi/fantasy novelist.

Reading fantasy has been a huge part of his life, starting with Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman, Robert Asprin, Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, Tolkein, and continuing into authors like Brandon Sanderson and George R. R. Martin.

Editorial Reviews

2024-12-24
A group of thieves, regulated by the government, go up against one of the world’s most powerful men in Karam’s debut SF/fantasy novel.

Lars Harrow and his crew of thieves’ latest haul is impressive—and, because they weren’t caught stealing it, perfectly legal. The nation of Ithris’ Gaming Commission permits theft, provided that thieves abide by certain stipulations. A quarter of the profits, for example, must go to the Commission, and the city’s general welfare fund must also get its share. This regulatory scheme has caused a significant decrease in violent crime, which is why news of the fatal stabbing of someone from another crew comes as a shock to everyone. Around the same time, a mysterious woman, Vivienne, hiresLars’ crew for a heist. Although she’s cryptic about details, the apparent target is a “secret warehouse” belonging to affluent Lord Cecil Thume, the founder and head of the Gaming Commission. The mission may also be connected to a crystal that Lars’ engineer Liora Banz discovered at the murder scene; dynamo-based energy powers the nation, but this crystal, unlike any other, holds a charge ofits own. Karam’s tale, which kicks off a planned trilogy, sketches a vibrant steampunk world. Dynamo power was discovered a few decades ago, but many machines and vessels still run on steam; Liora invents wonderful devices, including a “squawk” for communication and a way to record sounds. The characters are compelling: Lars and rival crew leader Darius Adalan are shown to be headline-making celebrities, Vivienne and her objectives are delightfully mysterious, and Lars’ crew scores an unlikely ally. However, the murder mystery running through the narrative is somewhat lacking, as it relies on assumptions regarding the culprit and the motive. Still, the final act impresses with genuine surprises and an excellent setup for the next installment. Karam’s confident prose depicts marvelous sights, such as capital city Azoria’s bustling market district, and sounds: “the rumble of carriages, the distant clang of a foundry bell, the laughter spilling from a nearby tavern.”

Sublime characters fuel an energetic and worthy series launch.

Kirkus Reviews