Thief of Night: The Charlatan #2    by Holly Black Order:  USA  Can Tor, 2025 (2025) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Thief of Night follows Book of Night as the conclusion to Holly Black's Charlatan duology, set in a world of shadow magic. Its protagonist is antiheroine Charlie Hall, a pickpocket and liar who's been trying to reform and finds herself caring more and more for her shadowless boyfriend Vince. As the first episode ended, Charlie had defeated a billionaire villain (Salt) and stolen Vince (now a shadow) from the powerful Cabal. She had to agree to become the Hierophant, to hunt down rogue shadows, and to have Vince tethered to her as shadow Red, to save him. Unfortunately, tethering took Vince's memories of their good times together and Red doesn't like Charlie, who really needs his help in the hunt. She's promised not to use Red as a tool but how can she regain his trust, and will she even survive to do so? An untrustworthy puppeteer named Mr. Punch, a Cabal leader, demands that Charlie kill the Blight responsible for a Church massacre in return for freedom for herself and Red. She has help from a dubious source, as well as from her sister Posey, and eventually Red as well. Matters come to a head at the Umbral Elevation Retreat, where monsters congregate and feed - and Charlie embarks on a final con. They conclude with a New Year celebration when Charlie finally meets her match. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews