What dark secrets are held in the castle that sits at the edge of the world?

Before becoming embroiled in an infamous conspiracy that changed the course of history and reshaped nations, the Red Wolf and his crew took on an impossible job. In the frozen tundra of the Far North, the reclusive and mysterious mages of the Coldwater Magician’s College practice their strange magics far from the prying eye of civilization.

Hired by a mysterious benefactor known to them only as the Wizard, the crew has been tasked with conning their way into the castle for a job only the infamous band of thieves could handle. But even their limits will be tested as each member of the team is pushed passed their breaking points. As they discover just how strange the eldritch institution is, it soon becomes clear it will take everything they have to escape with their prize, their lives, and their sanity in tact.

The Coldwater Job is a novella set before the events of The Scion Conspiracy, delving into one of the most remote and dangerous corners of the Crucible of Legacy universe.

Loved this short, fast-paced novella - a dark, thrilling adventure where dangers lurk in every corner. The story hits the ground running with pulse-pounding action early on and keeps the pacing tight throughout.

We follow a crew of thieves who take on an assignment that is way more dangerous than they were led to believe. Quests and heists are generally fun concepts to build around, more so when there is dark sorcery involved. The author keeps you on your toes throughout with strange, unexpected complications popping up on every turn. The depictions of action are brutal, and I also loved the mysterious, magical academy setting. I did find myself wishing to dive into the perspective of someone who lived/studied there in addition to the outsiders, but given how much I enjoyed the story, I’m not complaining too loud.

Besides the solid action, there is a surprising amount of very well-executed world-building packed in, with quite a few unexpected delights. It never felt rushed, and never felt overwhelming. I am very curious about the eldritch creatures behind the wall of ice, and I hope we’d see more of them in Scion Conspiracy.

I’d applaud the author for crafting such an enjoyable story chiseled with a razor-sharp focus. It brings together many themes I love, and if you enjoy fast-paced narratives and dark eldritch worldbuilding, Mike Cahoon’s books should be in your TBR. I’ll definitively be reading more of his works.