To Deal with Kings

This thrilling young adult fantasy plunges readers into a gritty, magical London where alchemist Zaria and con man Kane, protagonists from the 'Thieves & Kings' series, find themselves entangled in a high-stakes mystery. Following the events of the first book, Zaria possesses a powerful magical artifact, while Kane grapples with new leadership responsibilities in the criminal underworld. When an inspector forces Kane to investigate a mysterious alchemological device and a new villain, the Curator, Zaria and Kane must put aside their fraught history and work together. The story explores themes of trust, loyalty, leadership, and the blurred lines between good and evil, all set against a backdrop of urban slums and hidden magic. Ideal for readers aged 12-18 who enjoy fast-paced adventure, complex characters, and a blend of fantasy and crime.

Zaria and Kane, alchemologist and con man, are a match made in hell--yet they'll have to team up again to stay out of jail, as new threats arise and rival kingpins clash throughout London's slums. Zaria Mendoza doesn't think she'll ever see Kane Durante again. In fact, she thinks he's dead, burned up in the flames that destroyed the pawn shop where she lived with her best friend Jules. All Zaria has left is the necklace they stole from the Crystal Palace: valuable not just for its jewels, but for the magic it holds within as a rare primateria source. Yet why did Kane slip it into her pocket right before everything went up in smoke? Why did he give her what she needs most, after she betrayed him? With the previous kingpin dead, Kane feels adrift, even though he's the one who pulled the trigger. He may be the natural successor as kingpin of Devil's Acre, London's worst slum, but not everyone in his crew respects him as leader. Yet Kane has bigger fish to fry. Inspector Price knocks on his door and demands his help in discovering the identity of a mystery man calling himself the Curator, who has installed an unidentifiable alchemological device in the Crystal Palace--the location of the heist Kane pulled off with Zaria. He has ten days to find the Curator. Otherwise, he and his estranged best friend Fletcher end up in jail, Zaria alongside them. Trouble faces Zaria and Kane from every side as they're forced to team up once again, to save themselves, and maybe even all of London. Because Zaria's being manipulated by Vaughan, a faceless man calling himself the new kingpin of the Seven Dials slum, and he's hiding more secrets than anyone bargained for... Don't miss the heist that started it all: To Steal from Thieves