The Order of Grimm by Shiromi Arserio is a tale set in a land once governed by three magical queens—White, Zellandine, and Cenerentola. Presently, authentic magic seems to be a faded thing of the past. Samara, a former assassin of the House de Mörde, is now the feared Hisada enforcer for Tormod Lyons, the ruthless king of thieves. Samara and her hired heist crew are secretly employed by the Matron of the House de Mörde to break into the safe of Chetwin Humphreys, the man who sold Samara to the assassins' guild as a child. Unexpectedly, their heist job transforms into a rescue mission as Samara and her team are tasked with retrieving Eloise, a possible descendant of Queen White, from one of Humphreys' magical auctions. Will Tormod and Humphreys get wind of their plan? Can Samara and her team pull off this daredevil mission?

The Order of Grimm offers readers an enthralling adventure and the perfect escape from the mundane. The novel skillfully merges fantasy, action, and drama, creating a captivating and wholesome page-turner. Fans of Ocean Eleven and classic fairytales—like Snow White and Cinderella—will love it. Shiromi Arserio has populated this tale with colorful and fascinating characters. Samara is a strong-willed female protagonist whose resilient spirit drives the plot forward. I thoroughly enjoyed the recruitment process between Samara and her team. Their exceptional skills add an element of charm and excitement to the storyline. Arserio's world-building is detailed and robust. The story refers to several well-known fairytale characters and settings, evoking a sense of nostalgia and sentiment. Readers will become immersed in a unique world, filled with intrigue and suspenseful twists. I highly recommend it to fantasy aficionados.

Shiromi Arserio explores the dark world of human trafficking in her fantasy adventure The Order of Grimm. The story revolves around a sinister training center known as House de Mörde that draws its inmates from the ranks of abductees, who were sold into slavery to be trained as assassins. It is based in Märchen, an old-world city that holds many secrets and is home to rich and poor, crime lords, petty criminals, and opportunists. It is from this macabre institution that Samara (Sam) escapes, leaving behind her friend Callista (Callie), who took over the leadership after the previous matron died. To Sam, Callie was like a sister and they had intended to escape together, but became estranged when Callie withdrew. As a former abductee, Sam has vowed to quit her line of work and devote her considerable skills to ending the slave trade. In the interim, she did freelance work as Hisada, an enforcer or reaper, for a gang boss. She enlists the help of a team with diverse skills for a final mission to recover documents relating to those kidnapped. This leads to even more intrigue involving an auction of rare supernatural artifacts, including the mysterious Eloise, who is reputed to have descended from royalty and possesses magical powers. A showdown ensues with the sinister trafficker Chetwin Humphreys, crossing Callie's path in the process. Reconciliation seems possible, but can Callie be trusted?

The Order of Grimm is a fast-moving tale, with a plot that becomes more convoluted as the story unfolds. Plans have to be adapted. Shiromi Arserio creates a variety of interesting protagonists, drawn together by a longing for freedom, reclaiming their power, a quest for identity, and finding meaning in their lives. It is about the ability to escape from bondage, whether financial, social, or enforced servitude. The writing style has an enchanting quality that matches the storyline perfectly. The role players are well drawn and readers are treated to a deep and personal look into the background, mindset, and motivation of both rich and poor, from ordinary people to those operating on both ends of the fringes of society. The novel highlights the evil of human trafficking and explores the psyche of the assassin. It also explores issues such as loyalty, relationships, friendship, trust, and resilience under duress. It is an enchanting and gripping account, and a sequel is planned. This is a good escapist read that will both entertain and keep you guessing. It is highly recommended.