“I’m home,” she announced, bearing a bouquet of flowers in one arm and Jock the fat Papillon in the other. “Madame Elle, what a delight it is to welcome you home,” Burke said, bowing extravagantly. “You must be famished after your journey. Shall I send for refreshments and your favorite tea as well as a vase for your flowers?”“I would much appreciate it. Thank you, Burke, you are a noble man,” Elle said, plopping down on the sofa Severin had acquired in his study since marrying Elle.Severin looked up from the book he was reading. “Where have you been?” he asked Elle after Burke left the study......

    Yet that fateful decision changes everything and launches an epic story that includes sarcastic rogues, heroes with hidden pasts, shady assassins, cruel guildmasters, and a litany of other interesting characters. Behind it all is the fascinating world of Ness, which is slowly seen to be teetering on the edge of invasion and civil war. Full of political intrigue, a secret past, and layers that are revealed bit by tantalizing bit, The Guildmaster Thief is a tour de force of worldbuilding, storytelling, and colorful characters.The first book in an epic fantasy series by Nebula-nominated author Jake Kerr, The Guildmaster Thief is the story of Ralan, a street rat who rises to become the guildmaster of Ness' underworld.

    There, he hopes to find a miracle. As the Brotherhood of Beggars informed him that a Thaumaturge may live there, in the form of the true Magietrois. However, Smoke's quest for his friends' resurrection is on constrained time. Duke Burmistrz of Centzo City plans to attack Verbrannt within a year's time.

    The premise is simple — stay in one room with basic provisions for two weeks and walk away with $50,000. Can’t make it? Press the buzzer and walk out with nothing.Sounds easy, doesn’t it? That’s what they thought before going in. But two weeks is a long time, and something goes very, very wrong. Only, by the time they figure it out, they’re already locked inside.