When you have an exceptional talent, you’re gonna attract the wrong people.First of all, I don’t consider myself a thief. I’m a finder. I find things people have lost, things people have had stolen from them. The only problem is, some people don’t appreciate the distinction; especially once I’ve broken past their protective wards and… stolen from them. Enter, Asmodius. I may have stolen from … Asmodius. I may have stolen from him recently, and he may have found out it was me. When his henchmen catch up to me and bring me before him, he gives me a choice. I can face the consequences of having stolen from one of the most powerful magical families in New York City, or I can work for him. It turns out I have a gift he’s pretty keen on exploiting, and as long as I play ball, I get to keep my head.
But there’s another problem with that: this guy is a legit crime boss, and what he wants me to do for him is suicide at best. The worst part? He puts his infuriatingly attractive son on babysitting duty to make sure I’m keeping up my end of the deal.
Despite the arrogant, controlling shadow hanging over me, I have to put together a team to help me pull off the most dangerous heist in history.
Either way, I’m probably dead, so I may as well have a little fun while I’m at it.
The Wardbreaker Series is a fast paced urban fantasy by an author constantly praised for bringing a touch of freshness to the genre. If you’re looking for great action, fantastic characters, and a twisting story that’s not without it’s romance, scroll up and buy this book now!
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This book started a little slow for me but once it got going I was definitely hooked on the storyline and captivated by the interesting array of characters introduced. Izzy and Axel have definitely piqued my curiosity. I enjoyed the banter, the suspense, the drama, the magic, the whole shebang and I loved Izzy’s personality. From the way she was raised and what she had to do to survive, she was a loner by past circumstances and had a fun, snarky attitude, a rebellious nature, was strongminded and had a tough exterior she presented to others and a quiet vulnerability she hid.
This first book basically sets up the characters and storyline with a touch of romantic interest on the side. I am sure there will be more as the series progresses and characters develop further and bonds strengthen. It was a fun tale from beginning to end and I look forward to reading more of Izzy’s adventures. Katerina Martinez is a new author for me, but one I will definitely add to my reading list.
I got sucked into this from the first chapter. Where do I start without spoiling anything….? First off, she is NOT a thief, she merely finds things. Please keep that in mind when you start reading (I say firmly tongue in cheek). Secondly, enter tall dark and handsome (swoon!). A little bit of a twist here, some magic there; a job that can go seriously wrong and lives are at stake. Think Mission Impossible combined with Logan Lucky, a dash of The Italian Job and maybe add a little Inception – and you have the makings of a series that will leave you craving the next book rather desperately.
You absolutely need to read this. Like-able characters with some brilliant comedic moments, I can’t wait to see what happens next.
This book was such a joy! Great magic system, a badass MC who used to be a stripper and owns that with the kind of positivity that fills my heart with joy, and a storyline that kept me flipping those pages right to the very end. Needless to say, I’m already reading the next in the series!
Good ‘heist’ story with magic thrown in. The story started with a bang, then got a bit slow, setting up the characters and main premise. Then picked up again. It has a bit of romance, tension, and lots of action with interesting characters. It ended up a good story. It’s on KU so I’ll go on to the next one, I want to see what happens!
The cover caught my eyes, the story held all my attention. This story is very interesting and i loved to follow Izzy around…..she is snarky and speak without a filter too often but she is deeply loyal and protective of her friends. She has morals too…..she finds things she doesn’t steal or at least that what she is telling and believing.
The story has some twists and we discover quite a lot about the universe it set in but we are still left with a lot of question which makes it even more interesting. I loved to see how she selected those she wants to work with and her reasons behind it, it sure makes them important in my eyes and i would love to know more about RJ and Cassidy ( ok even Karim) they are powerful each of them but together they could be unstoppable if they trust each other that’s it. The rhythm is rapid so it’s become a page turner easily.
This is a really good urban fantasy i will love to continue the series if the quality stays the same.
This story had everything you could want. Lots pf cheeky banter, action, suspense, and romance. The author did a Wonderful job building a world that you will become immersed in.
Thoroughly exciting, supernatural romp filled with loads of suspense, action and treachery! Izzy is a modern day Robin Hood taking back items already stolen from their rightful owner. She’s also unique in that she can magically hear how to break any ward placed on something. Her entire life changed the night send was retrieving a certain key for one of her clients. Somehow she fumbled her way *cough* was forced into another job for the magical mob boss of the city. His only son was now her guard dog and in charge of making sure the job is done. Except this job is breaking into the most magically safe place in the city owned by one of the highest government officials. What else could Possibly go wrong? Famous last words…for Izzy isn’t aware of done rather important facts the mob boss informed his son. To say this night was pivotal is an understatement, but it’s certain to be the start of an exciting adventure!
Oh I just loved this! Off to a flying start this series is promising to be addictive as I was glued to the pages and just could not put this Down! I absolutely love Izzy and her snark and she makes a fantastic kick ass heroine. Fast paced, action packed this is a thrilling and suspenseful story and I cannot wait to read the next book!
Where has this author been all my life!? lol This story was awesome from start to finish! i was hooked instantly!! Beautiful Cover! its what got me to read the blurb and then just like that i was hooked! This was like Ocean Eleven but better! The biggest Heist in paranormal history! Add a good amount-of humor that will have you laughing non stop! Unique friends and not so friends band together under “pressure circumstances “ to perfect and nail this heist. In the process shenanigans and romance are inevitable loved it! cant wait for book two! #magic#mages#callmeGirlOnemoreTime
Heart of the Thief is a new series by Katerina Martinez. This book is an intense high stakes urban fantasy novel that follows Izzy, a mage with a unique and rare talent. She can crack wards and recover the treasures kept behind them. Most immediately think “thief” but she views herself differently. She simply recovers what was taken from another wrongly. After taking on a job in a house that would probably call to the Warren family, Izzy finds herself out “gunned” and hauled in to have an audience with a crime lord of the city. He has a particular job for her, his son will watch her, and when the job is done…one way or another…his son is to fulfill one FINAL job for him to earn his place at his side.
Heart of the Thief is engaging and quite thrilling from start to finish. Izzy is a unique and engaging character. She has unique “friends” and I love the dynamics of all of them. I have to say that Danvers is my favorite as she knows how to work the system when she finds her business in a pinch. Izzy has a jaded past, but she’s worked hard to get above it. Her home life wasn’t ideal, but she didn’t let it define who she is. I absolutely love how she almost has an alter ego as well. The author has her pull on that in certain moments in order to take her character to another level.
There isn’t much that I don’t like about this book. While I do admit that the pace slows down a bit in places, the author more than makes up for it with engaging characters. The surprises that the author throws into this story hooked me in and had me page-turning for more. Izzy finds herself in some truly intense situations which kept me riveted. I will admit that the author leaves readers with a few questions at the end of this story, but I’m hopeful that we’ll get some answers with the next book.
I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. This is an engaging story, and it doesn’t have a major cliffhanger. So if you are one of those readers who hate insane cliffhangers…you’re spared the angst this time. LOL! You are left with questions about a handful of situations, but with another book coming I think it’s safe to say that we can anticipate answers to come. I love the hints of romance in this book and look forward to seeing where things go between Axel and Izzy.
I have several books by this author, but like any bibliophile, I haven’t read them. This new book seemed like something I’d like, so I dived right in. Now, I’m very angry at myself. Why, you ask? Well, this book drew me in right away, and I loved the book from start to finish; why did I wait so long to read this author?!? This book didn’t even really suffer from the series starter slow book that some can suffer from. Yes, it did take a little bit to get used to the language, but even that intrigued me. I loved this book, I think I may have a new author to love (like I need more!! LOL!), and I can’t wait to read the next one to find out what Izzy, Axel, and friends (especially the new on at the end of the book) will get up to next. Highly recommend!
I really enjoy books by this author. She never disappoints. Heart of the Thief was no exception. Axel and Izzy have a steamy love/hate relationship that drives you to root for them to succeed. And you’re kept in suspense. Wills Axel do as his father demands, or will he finally choose to be who he wants to be ? An action-packed must read!
An amazing start to what promises to be a compelling series! The story starts off right away and is action packed from beginning to end! I am very curious as to what is in Qyhena Ophine’s scroll. Wonderfully written and draws the reader in until they are as vested in what happens as Izzy. I can’t wait to read the next book!
Every time I read one of Katerina Martinez’s books, I am sent on an adventure of the mind. I become so engrossed with the story and characters that she weaves that I feel as though I am part of it. This story is no different. I was engaged from the beginning and when the ending came, I couldn’t believe it. I want more, I need more. I want to be part of Izzy’s crew. You need to read this book, seriously go read it
This book draws you in slowly at first but then captures your imagination and the spark of interest becomes a flame about 1/8th of the way through the book so that you really cant put it down until you know how things end. Its almost the UF version of oceans 11 but with less people.
I love Izzy as she has a toughness that she portrays which is almost a defence mechanism from the way she was brought up and survived , but inside she is vulnerable and although she has lived life alone i think she is realising that she needs others around her.
Axel is the son of a crime boss trying to live up to what he father thinks he should be but struggling as he has a heart and good sense of wright and Wrong although he needs to realise this and admit it to himself
Throw in 3 other wonderful strong characters and a couple of not so nice evil crime boss and nasty Crow Shifters and you have an absolutely wonderful mix of personalities which is a delight.
The storey line is key to this book and the romance is secondary although i am sure that there will be more heat as the series develops.
I loved everything about this book and cant wait for the next instalment – This should be a must read for any one that loves a really good UF storey with a little romance.
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating; “Nooooooo!!!!!!” she wails into the night like a dying banshee. “You can’t leave me there.” I was sucked into the story, immersed in Izzy’s world, and desperate to learn more about what’s going on. There’s a fairy tale kind of feel to this book, I just can’t put my finger on exactly which tale this reminds of the most. I get a sense of Aladdin about it, a bit of Cinderella, some Robin Hood, and even a trace of Rumplestiltskin out of the book. This story also feeds my love of a good heist story, especially when it includes some wicked double-crosses. I adore being able to cheer for a “good” bad guy. I’m fascinated by this unique group of characters, and I’m already counting down the minutes until book 2 is released, (a little less than 70,000 I believe,) I’m that excited to see what happens next.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.