The Book of Gold is the first instalment in the historical inspired fantasy series The Feral Gods, written by Ruth Frances Long, published by Hodderscape. The heist of a magical book would act as the main conductor of a plot full of adventure, intrigue, and romance, set in a Renaissance Amberes and featuring an intriguing pantheon of gods that will inevitably become part of the story.

Lyta loves to steal, but there's nothing she loves more than her brother Kit. After Kit is arrested for printing pamphlets against the king, Lyta strikes a deal with the king to steal a legendary book from the location where her husband disappeared in exchange for her brother's life; for that she will be forced to join efforts with her former lover and now enemy captain Sylvian. A heist that will not only put their lives at risk, but which also will end revealing more about the old gods that are being silenced by the Church.

There isn't a heist without a team, and this is probably the best aspect of The Book Of Gold, as the rest of characters that end being part of Lyta's plan are memorable. Not only we have the hotheaded, but audacious Lyta, but her banter and past with Sylvian makes the enemies to lovers part of the romance really enjoyable, as you can understand why they took those decisions on the past; Kit tries to be a model citizen in contraposition with Lyta's job, but at the end, he's still part of the same family, and Ben, a shy scholar that hides more behind his flesh than would like to reveal.

The historical setting is simply delicious, a Flandes under the control of the Spaniard crown, full immersed in the Renaissance; the attention to detail makes you able to walk on its streets. You can feel how much the author appreciates books, putting them in a reverent spot. The pacing is excellent, making of this a really smooth read, despite I would have preferred to have a bit more of focus on the heist itself instead of the part where the team is gathered.

The Book of Gold is a great historical inspired fantasy novel, a really smooth reading experience, perfect if you are looking for a well researched inspired fantasy with an interesting cast of characters. Can't wait to see how the Feral Gods series continue in the next instalments.