A Song of Thieves

Book Review: A Song of Thieves by Jacqlin Guernsey

“A Song of Thieves” by Jacqlin Guernsey had the potential to be a captivating fantasy full of action, magic, and intrigue, but unfortunately, it misses the mark in several key areas most notably in its romance, which feels forced, underdeveloped, and completely unconvincing.

The story centers around Isolde, a skilled thief with a tragic past, and Ari, a mysterious, brooding figure with his own dark secrets. At its core, A Song of Thieves tries to weave a tale of trust, betrayal, and emotional healing between these two characters as they navigate the dangers of a volatile world filled with magic and political conflict. However, the central romance between Isolde and Ari feels like one of the weakest aspects of the novel, and it detracts from what could have been a much more compelling plot.

The Romance:

From the very beginning, the romance feels rushed and unnatural. Isolde and Ari’s connection is supposed to be central to the emotional weight of the story, but instead of building gradually, it comes across as more of a forced subplot. The “enemies to lovers” trope is certainly one that can be powerful when executed well, but in this case, it feels hollow. The emotional depth that should define their relationship simply isn’t there. Instead of feeling like a slow burn or a gradual shift, their interactions often seem like mere plot devices to create tension and drama, rather than being motivated by any real, organic connection.

There’s a distinct lack of chemistry between Isolde and Ari. The attraction between them feels superficial at best built on fleeting moments of tension and dramatic glances rather than any authentic emotional connection. Their dialogue, which is supposed to be full of banter and sharp exchanges, often falls flat. Isolde comes across as too passive, while Ari’s brooding nature becomes tedious rather than compelling. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the romance was shoehorned into the narrative, trying too hard to keep readers invested in a relationship that simply didn’t earn its emotional weight.

One of the major issues with the romance is that it hinges on the classic trope of “two emotionally broken people finding each other,” but rather than exploring the complexities of their trauma and the growth that comes from healing together, the story instead gives us rushed moments of intimacy that feel more like a checkbox to tick off than a meaningful progression. There’s no real exploration of their relationship or what it means for each of them to open up and trust someone else. The book tells us they’re falling for each other, but it never really shows us why they should.

Character Development and Romance:

Isolde is written as a tough, independent character with a tragic past, but she rarely feels like she grows in meaningful ways throughout the book. Her relationship with Ari should be a catalyst for personal development, but instead, it feels like she’s defined by her romantic entanglement rather than her individual journey. Her internal struggles often take a backseat to the romance, and as a result, her character feels less dynamic than she could have been. Ari fares no better—he’s presented as a brooding, tortured hero, but his character arc is predictable and uninspired, with his emotional walls coming down far too easily to make any of his relationship development feel earned.

There’s also a general lack of communication between Isolde and Ari, which would be fine if it was a deliberate plot choice to build tension, but it just feels like lazy writing. The lack of clarity in their feelings and the constant back-and-forth between them without addressing the root causes of their conflict makes their relationship feel frustratingly stagnant. Their constant misunderstandings don’t create suspense, they just feel like a missed opportunity to deepen their connection.

The Larger Plot:

While the fantasy elements of the world are interesting and the political intrigue has potential, the romance constantly takes center stage, undermining the more engaging aspects of the story. The novel would have benefited from a stronger focus on the action and the development of the world itself. As it is, the romance dominates the narrative to the point where it feels like the plot is moving around it, rather than the other way around.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, A Song of Thieves fails to deliver a compelling romance that could have elevated the entire story. The relationship between Isolde and Ari is flat, underdeveloped, and frustrating to read. Their lack of chemistry, coupled with their rushed emotional arcs, left me feeling disconnected from the characters, and rather than being invested in their love story, I found myself hoping the plot would move on from their melodrama to something more interesting. While the world-building has potential and the premise is intriguing, the romance is simply not strong enough to carry the emotional weight of the story. It’s a book that could have been so much more, but instead, it falls short in one of its most crucial areas. For readers looking for a rich, engaging romance with depth and real chemistry, A Song of Thieves is likely to leave you disappointed.