Let me start by saying that Foundryside completely blew me away. The magic system, called 'scriving,' is unlike anything I've encountered before. Instead of wands or spells, it's about convincing objects to defy reality—like making a lock believe it's already open. It sounds complex, but the way Robert Jackson Bennett unfolds it feels natural, almost like solving a puzzle alongside the characters.

Sancia, the sarcastic thief with a mysterious past, is an instant favorite. Her grit and dark humor make her relatable, even when she’s pulling off impossible heists. The way her abilities evolve—and the very real drawbacks they come with—kept me hooked. One scene where she uses her powers to outsmart a heavily guarded vault had me holding my breath!

The pacing is *chef’s kiss*. It starts with a small-scale theft but snowballs into this high-stakes conspiracy involving ancient artifacts and corporate warfare. There’s a stretch in the middle where things slow down to build the world, but trust me—it pays off. The last 200 pages? Unputdownable. I stayed up way too late finishing it.

Minor gripes? The villains aren’t as nuanced as I’d like (though they improve by the end), and Sancia’s power progression feels slightly rushed. But these are tiny quibbles in what’s otherwise a near-perfect blend of fantasy and heist thriller.

Content note: It tackles heavy themes like slavery and PTSD with care, but if those are triggers for you, tread carefully.

Verdict: If you love fantasy but crave something fresh—think *Mistborn* meets *Locke Lamora* with a tech twist—this is your next obsession. I’ve already preordered Book 2.