Confidence Game is the first book in the Five Countries fantasy series by Michelle M. Welch.
Elzith Kar is a gifted spy with tremendous magical powers and a troubled past. After being harmed on a dangerous mission, Elzith is forced to pose as a civilian for awhile. During her downtime, she meets Tod Redtanner—a book-binding specialist who has lots of his own secrets. Elzith decides to confide in Tod about her past, which means it’s time for her to once again play her “confidence game.”
In these books, a “confidence game” is basically where you earn someone’s trust before ultimately deceiving them. There’s actually nothing fantasy-oriented or unique about the confidence game at all. I was in disbelief after learning what it meant in the book.
You know what—there’s actually nothing very original or engrossing about this book as a whole, I’m sorry to say. The political chapters that discuss the Justices and their studies are about as exciting as watching paint dry.
I do like how the chapters in Confidence Game are short and fast-paced, which helps. The story easily pulls you in at the beginning, but it’s just not that great.
If you’re interested in this book’s plot, I’d like to recommend Poison Study, which is the 1st book in the Chronicles of Ixia series by Maria V. Snyder. It’s about a young woman in prison on death row named Yelena who’s offered to become the king’s food taster to ensure nobody tries to poison him. That series is fantastic, and much better than Confidence Game.
Michelle M. Welch has also written these books:
- The Bright and the Dark (2004)
- Chasing Fire (2005)
What did you think about Confidence Game?
Last Updated on February 6, 2026 by Sarah Ann
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