Fantasy · Science fiction · Young adult
Foundryside
Sancia is a thief in a city where objects can be written with commands that convince them reality works differently. When she steals a strange artefact from a merchant house, she is hunted, and her theft threatens the city's balance.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2018
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 512
- Format
- Book 1 of 3 in The Founders Trilogy
Read this if you like fast, inventive fantasy with a thief heroine and a magic system that feels almost like engineering.
Skip this if you want a quiet, slow-building fantasy or dislike stories with heavy action.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Foundryside
- What is Foundryside about?
- Sancia is a thief in a city where objects can be written with commands that convince them reality works differently. When she steals a strange artefact from a merchant house, she is hunted, and her theft threatens the city's balance.
- Who should read Foundryside?
- Read it if you like fast, inventive fantasy with a thief heroine and a magic system that feels almost like engineering. Skip it if you want a quiet, slow-building fantasy or dislike stories with heavy action.
- How long and how fast is Foundryside?
- It is a fast-paced, long read of about 512 pages, first published in 2018.
- Does Foundryside have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow Foundryside for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Foundryside; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Foundryside?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Lies of Locke Lamora, Six of Crows, Mistborn: The Final Empire.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Foundryside
-
The Lies of Locke Lamora
Another clever con-and-theft story set in a vivid city run by wealthy interests.
-
Six of Crows A crew of skilled misfits pulling off an impossible job in a rich fantasy city.
-
Mistborn: The Final Empire
A heist, a rebellion and a carefully designed magic system, on an epic scale.
Fantasy
