Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

I have a bad habit of reading book previews, and then afterwards forgetting what book they were from. I figured with so many prolific fantasy readers here, perhaps someone might know and could help out.

I read this preview within the past year, and I feel it's a fairly recent book, written within the past 5-10 years. Could even be self-published, but not sure. Featuring thieves.

It opens in the main character's apartment, decorated with fancy baubles and luxurious items. She's somehow involved in the black market trade I think. A old friend, a thief, comes to visit - he's surprised at how feminine the place is, considering her hard reputation. She offers him something to drink- tea or wine since there is some comment on the quality. He's gotten himself into something bigger and more dangerous than he can handle, agreeing to do a job he shouldn't have. I think it was to steal something sacred, from the gods, or temples? There is a large organization he should know better than to deal with. He's begging for her help. I think he wants her to hold onto the goods for him. She acknowledges their history, but thinks it was a foolish job to take. Past that I can't remember. I don't know whether she accepted or not.

It's only my impression from months ago, but let me know if it sounds familiar. In all likelihood I read the preview because someone here mentioned it, after all. :)

Based on the description... The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble's Braids.

EDIT: Went and downloaded the free excerpt. That's the book :)
And now, I want to read it. Damn it :p

Virginie wrote: "Based on the description... The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble's Braids.

EDIT: Went and downloaded the free excerpt. That's the book :)
And now, I want to read it. Damn it :p"

Yay, thank you Virginie! And wow, that was fast. さすが。I shouldn't be surprised with this group, but that was some skilled sleuthing, considering you haven't read the book either. Perhaps it can be a future buddy read. Thanks again! ^_^

They seem to be available on audio... and I think they're omnibuses... there's 2 audiobooks which add up to 30hrs of audio, but each story is only 200-300 pages, which should only take 6-8hrs to read...

https://www.audible.com/search?keywor...

Melissa wrote: "Yay, thank you Virginie! And wow, that was fast. さすが。"

You're welcome. And yeah, I'm that good... *smug smile*

I periodically go through my TBR to take out books I'm not interested in anymore/don't even remember putting there. Just happened to read the synopsis of that particular book 2 days ago :p

I probably shouuuld do that... my TBR keeps growing and eventually will outstrip my "read" books. As it is it'll take me 10 years to get through them all.

I stopped adding anything to my TBR years ago, with few exceptions other than unreleased books... it's a mixed blessing, when looking for things to read... now I just look through friends' shelves instead... in general, I figure time I spent adding things to my TBR is time better spent listening to books :)

Timelord Iain wrote: "I stopped adding anything to my TBR years ago, with few exceptions other than unreleased books... it's a mixed blessing, when looking for things to read... now I just look through friends' shelves ..."

Well, the whole point is curating your own list of what you're interested in, right? It's not so much finding the books, since they are out there on lists and such, but a way of marking "this one yes," "this one no." I can forget sometimes, as you can see above. So if someone mentions a vaguely familiar title, I can click and see: oh yeah, that was one I also wanted to read. Or no, that one sounds too dark.

When comparing books, want-to-reads also pop up and I like to see what friends rated them. I can imagine it's different when you're such a prolific reader, but if you're not, choosing what not to read is equally important.

I have another mystery. Someone asked for my help identifying a trilogy they read in the 90s. I’ve never read it based on what she can recall, but maybe someone here has. Her recollection contains series spoilers so open at your own risk. Thanks in advance! (view spoiler)[ I can't recall much and all these years later, I can't promise I haven't conflated some of the details with those of some other long forgotten book I once read. I read the books in the late '90s, but I don't know when they were first published. What I remember: the protagonist of the fantasy series (I think 3 books) is the only survivor of his people. The rest of his people are killed in the beginning of the series. He's blond with startlingly blue eyes (I distinctly remember his physical features were considered remarkable in the books and part of his unique heritage). He's a master swordsman and his skill is legendary. He's undefeated in battle. He seems long-lived (or maybe it's that he seems invulnerable...I forget). I think he eventually gets injured (either losing an arm, or something), but I'm not sure. At the end (or near the end) of the series, we learn his father is a god, which explains his prowess in battle. That's just about all I can remember. Not much, I know. (hide spoiler)]

@Niki Hawkes I think this series is The Renshai chronicles (6-7 books) written by Mickey Zucker Reichert and published in 90's. Main character is blond swordsman, only one survived from his tribe, and Thor is his father.