Book Details:
THE THIEVES’ CAROUSEL
by Briana Chen
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 300 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Z-Choice International
Release date: August 2025
Content Rating: PG-13 +M: Some bad language, violence, and dark themes (implied abuse, self-harm)
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Book Description:
What price would you pay to undo a death?
In the shadowed streets of Aspizia, two thieves—Lyo Morandi and Jasper Bray—risk everything to rewrite the past. Haunted by the death of their friend Milo, they set their sights on a forbidden prize: a ring reputed to alter time.
To steal it, they must infiltrate the Thieves’ Carousel, a ruthless exhibition where the city’s most dangerous criminals flaunt their treasures—and fight to keep them. But as Lyo and Jasper descend deeper into the catacombs beneath Aspizia, they uncover a truth far more dangerous than they imagined: the ring’s power comes at a devastating cost.
Loyalties splinter. Betrayal lurks around every corner. Loyalties splinter. As the game turns deadly, they must ask themselves: How far will they go to rescue the past and save the future—and how much of themselves are they willing to lose?
The Thieves’ Carousel is a gripping tale of ambition, sacrifice, and the haunting price of second chances.
You began drafting this story during your undergraduate years. What was it like balancing academic life and writing a novel?
It was a great escape mechanism. Carnegie Mellon can be an intense place, especially balancing an additional major in the School of Computer Science. It took a lot of trial and error, but I eventually learned to carve out small spaces in my day just for creativity. I made a simple rule for myself: ten minutes of writing before bed, no matter what.
To make that possible, I got into the habit of finishing assignments and work responsibilities early. A lot of my friends and I had to become efficient with our time just to stay afloat there. But for me, writing was the part of the day I looked forward to most. It wasn’t just another task—it was a place to log out of the real world and log into the Carousel.
You illustrated your own cover. How has being an artist affected your career as an author?
Being both an artist and a writer means I experience the story through images just as much as words. The lighting, the color palette, the negative space between characters—it’s all there before I write a single sentence. Designing the cover myself felt like completing a full circle. Art taught me patience, attention to detail, and that silence can be part of storytelling too.
Which character was the hardest for you to write—and which one came the easiest?
Hardest: Lyo. He’s charismatic, witty, reckless, and sharp—and it took me some time to think up the verbal comebacks he liked to throw at his opponents.
Easiest: Jasper. We’re the same personality type (INFJ) and I appreciate his love for writing and observing the world. It’s a quiet energy that lends itself to a lot of overthinking.
Do you have any writing rituals or habits that help you stay focused?
I use FocusWriter, which sets me up with a calming background and no distractions. If I’m experiencing writer’s block, I like to draw and paint. Sometimes, switching mediums can help keep the inspiration flowing.
What are your main characters’ bad habits?
Lyo smokes. He’s also a messy guy, and maybe gambles a little more than he should.
Jasper likes to keep his emotions bottled up until they explode. He copes through liquor.
They’re doing so well!
What’s next for you?
Book Two of the Carousel series is coming out soon, and then after that, Book Three. I have a few other stories that I want to refine, but for now I’m focusing on this one. All I can say is that there’s a lot of content coming!
Meet Author Briana Chen:
BRIANA CHEN is an award-winning fantasy author and repeat offender when it comes to falling headfirst into fandoms. She loves morally gray characters, unpredictable plot twists, and books that make her stare at a wall for hours afterward.
She is also a digital artist, gamer, and graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. She currently spends her time battling artist’s and writer’s block—sometimes simultaneously—and pursuing more adventures to add to her hoard of treasure.
THE THIEVES’ CAROUSEL Book Tour Giveaway
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Captivating, creative and compelling story.
Illustrations are breathtaking.