A Review by pharaoh Ramesses II ​Rating: 𓆌𓆌𓆌𓆌𓆌 (Five out of Five Crocodiles) Verdict: If I had a crew like this in 1274 BC, the Hittites wouldn’t just have lost; they would have handed over their swords and apologized for the inconvenience.

​I have spent my life surrounded by "perfect" statues of myself - flawless, towering, and admittedly, a bit stiff. Bardugo’s characters are the opposite. They are broken, scarred, and morally... flexible. I found myself strangely fond of them, for they reminded me of a family despite their actions of crime. ​I must pause to command respect for the portrayal of Kaz’s "touch-aversion". The way Bardugo describes his phobia is masterful. It is not a weakness to be "cured" by the final chapter; it is a weight he carries, as heavy as a sarcophagus lid. It added a layer of humanity to the "Bastard of the Barrel" that even I, a living god of the sun, found profoundly moving. And by the barque of Ra, the pacing! Some scrolls take three chapters to describe a single feast, but this? This is a chariot race. The balance between the intricate plot - a heist that would make the tomb robbers of the Valley of the Kings weep with envy - and the deep character growth is exquisite. Just when I thought I had the plan figured out, Kaz would reveal another layer. I haven't been this surprised since I woke up in a museum in Paris and realized people were paying five euros to look at my teeth. In fact, I stayed up past the third watch of the night to finish it. My servants think I am meditating on the afterlife, but in reality, I was just desperate to know if Inej made it off that ship.

​And lastly, my favorite Quote: "No mourners. No funerals." A bit grim, isn't it? I personally prefer seventy days of mourning and a massive pyramid, but I suppose for street rats, it has a certain 'efficiency' I can admire.