The Knave of Secrets

A twisty tale of card sharps and con artists, in a world of magic where secrets are traded and gambled like coin. The Lies of LockeLamora meets Casino Royale

When gambler and failed magician Valen Quinol is invited to the Forbearance Game—where players gamble with secrets—he can’t resist. Or refuse, as it turns out… Powerful forces are bearing down on his home on the isle of Valtiffe, and soon Valen and his misfit crew are caught up in a game where lives are as easily discarded as playing cards.

Never stake more than you can afford to lose.

When failed magician turned cardsharp Valen Quinol is given the chance to play in the Forbearance Game—the invitation-only tournament where players gamble with secrets—he can’t resist. Or refuse, for that matter, according to the petty gangster sponsoring his seat at the table. Valen beats the man he was sent to play, and wins the most valuable secret ever staked in the history of the tournament.

Now Valen and his motley crew are being hunted by thieves, gangsters, spies and wizards, all with their own reasons for wanting what’s in that envelope. It’s a game of nations where Valen doesn’t know all the rules or who all the players are, and can’t see all the moves. But he does know if the secret falls into the wrong hands, it could plunge the whole world into war…