Briana Chen delivers a fantasy riddled with misdirection and secrecy in The Thieves’ Carousel: The Carousel Series. For the citizens of Aspizia, stories about the Mago have always been an integral part of their lives. Whether serving as a warning to children to behave or a tale of hope to cling to, these were simply stories. When Lyo and Jasper discover that the trials of the Mago might be real, they set in motion a daring heist during the Thieves’ Carousel, where two warring factions trade their treasures in the catacombs of Teradizi. Should they succeed and be granted the ability to manipulate time, Lyo and Jasper could bring Milo back. But not everyone is willing to pay the price that the Mago demands for such immense power.

Author Briana Chen is a master storyteller. I was thoroughly swept up and immersed in the Serpent City. The characters surrounding me were full of depth, and it was impossible not to fall in love with them. Descriptions will excite your senses and leave you reeling as the rules of the game are revealed. Action scenes are choreographed with precision and elegance. This first book of The Carousel Series has laid a strong foundation for a brilliant fantasy, and I am eager to see it through to the end. Despite the violence depicted in some scenes, The Thieves’ Carousel is suitable for young adult readers. It ticks all the right boxes for action, intrigue, and dangerous games played to reach the top. I eagerly look forward to the next book.

The Thieves’ Carousel by Briana Chen is a fantasy novel and book one in The Carousel series. The story begins in the canals of Aspizia, where theft is survival and skill is everything. Lyo Morandi and Jasper Bray, two sicuros working under the Cimmerian Order, showcase their mastered skill and clever con that demonstrate both their artistry and bond. They report to the Enforcer Santini, whose contempt is matched only by his need for results. As they unload their haul, they receive an unexpected task. The Order’s higher-ups have chosen them for a mission both thrilling and suicidal: to spy on Grandmaster Seraphina Bellanti of the rival Vesper Syndicate. The job could elevate their rank, but it also threatens their lives. But beneath the danger lies a deeper motivation—the memory of Milo, their lost companion, whose absence drives their choices and fuels their hunger for something more. As whispers of a forbidden ring emerge, said to bend time itself, the assignment expands into a perilous task for something more. But how far will Lyo and Jasper go to outwit their enemies, reclaim what they lost, and survive the Carousel that awaits?

Briana Chen’s writing style in The Thieves’ Carousel has an immersive and cinematic feel; it blends vivid descriptions with tense, fast-paced action. Supporting characters enhance this effect. Enforcer Lazaro Santini stands out as a mentor and subtle threat, his calm authority highlighting the stakes of Lyo and Jasper’s missions. Milo’s presence, though tragically brief, drives their determination and adds emotional resonance, while figures like Vittoria and Grandmaster Seraphina Bellanti provide cunning, unpredictable opposition. Even minor allies and guild members contribute to enriching the world, creating this complex social and criminal ecosystem. The Thieves’ Carousel is reminiscent of the ensemble-driven narratives that come to mind: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Definitely well worth the read.

What would you do to right a wrong, to get an opportunity to change the past? The Thieves’ Carousel by Briana Chen successfully explores the possible answers to this question. Lyo Morandi and Jasper Bray, two thieves trying to survive on the cruel and dark streets of Aspizia, get a chance to change the outcomes of the past and to make their town and the world a better and safer place by procuring a simple yet powerful ring that can manipulate the past, present, and future. But Lyo and Jasper realize that the trials connected to gaining this kind of power are devastatingly destructive and require a price that the two close friends are not willing to pay...yet. Allying with the ones who are set to destroy them, Lyo and Jasper boldly decide to do whatever they can to play this game of life and death and win.

Briana Chen's The Thieves’ Carousel is elegantly written, a perfectly paced and clear story. Each page reveals a new, immersive layer of storytelling that readers will follow with ease, while slowly being enchanted by the characters, who each leave a lasting impression from the moment that they appear. The characterization of Lyo, Jasper, Giada, Vittoria, and other equally important characters shows both their delightful and cruel traits, their strengths and weaknesses, and their true nature through actions, thoughts, and decisions they make to change the dark world they live in. This makes them highly relatable and highlights the emotional aspects that Chen masterfully navigates. The bond the author creates with readers through her storytelling and with her characters elevates this book and makes it an enjoyable and exciting read.

The Thieves’ Carousel: The Carousel Series by Briana Chen is a thrilling look into the criminal underworld of an intriguing fantasy world. Lyo Morandi and Jasper Bray are hardened criminals, but they have a soft spot for those close to them. They live with the guilt of having let their childhood friend, Milo, undertake a lethal mission. Hence, when the opportunity arises to take possession of a ring that can alter time, they are initially willing to take on some risks. However, it soon becomes apparent that this power costs way more than they are willing to pay. This is not a decision that they should rush to take, but they are not at liberty to take their time. They have powerful enemies. What will Lyo and Jasper decide?

I really enjoyed The Thieves’ Carousel by Briana Chen. I love how it starts with Lyo and Jasper doing a simple pickpocketing job, and quickly escalates to them taking on more dangerous tasks. The story is very well-paced. Chen does an excellent job of writing exciting action scenes. However, I was even more enthralled by how realistic the characters felt. Lyo and Jasper are very well-fleshed out characters. I am also emotionally invested in what will happen to Giada. I am glad that this is just the first entry into what will surely be an exciting fantasy series. The themes of friendship, found family, and betrayal were explored in a very thought-provoking manner. I highly recommend The Thieves’ Carousel to all fantasy lovers.