The Thief: a book recommendation
5 out of 5 stars.
I’ve been on a fantasy kick lately (as I’m sure you can tell from my recent recommendations), and amazingly, every book I’ve picked up in the past weeks has been stellar. I had high hopes for Megan Whalen Turner’s The Thief, and I am pleased to say it did not disappoint
The most powerful advisor to the King of Sounis is the magus. He’s not a wizard, he’s a scholar, an aging solider, not a thief. When he needs something stolen, he pulls a young thief from the King’s prison to do the job for him.
Gen is a thief and proud of it. When his bragging lands him behind bars he has one chance to win his freedom– journey to a neighboring kingdom with the magus, find a legendary stone called Hamiathes’s Gift and steal it.
The magus has plans for his King and his country. Gen has plans of his own.
To be perfectly frank, it’s a slow-moving story. Not a whole lot happens outside of world-building and character development in the first half of the book…BUT, I wasn’t bored. And the reason was all that world-building and character development was fascinating.
The world is Greek-based with politics and culture and myths galore. I could imagine it all so vividly–the olive trees, the mountains, the canyon river…Not to mention the GODS and GODDESSES. And the temples! At the risk of giving too much away, one of the temples in which A Great Many Things Happen had my jaw hanging–it was exciting, creepy, and oozing with story goodness. I wish I had put that temple in my book. 😉
But even better than the world are the characters. Gen–our protagonist–is arrogant, clever, and absolutely endearing. But he’s also a slightly unreliable narrator, so be forewarned! Of course, if he were totally reliable, then Turner couldn’t have set up the Super Shocking Twists that come later in the book. I love how Gen grows, and how, as we get to know the secondary characters, our opinions of them change right along with Gen’s.
Also, can I just say how much I love this cover? And the sequels–even more stunning.
So, if you like strong fantasy worlds, clever plot twists, or adventurous criminals, then be sure to pick up The Thief.
You tell me: have you read this book or the rest of the series? I’m already zooming through the sequel, Queen of Attolia, and loving it!
♥
April 16, 2012 @ 12:28 pm
I think I’m just going to trust all your book recommendations from now on, no questions asked! I just read TORN and TANGLED by Erica O’Rourke over the weekend (based on your raving) and OMG loved them! Ditto UNEARTHLY, HALLOWED and RUBY RED. If I saw this in the bookstore it probably wouldn’t capture my attention, but it’s going to the top of the TBR list right now!
April 16, 2012 @ 5:13 pm
Oh YAY! I am so, so glad you 1) enjoy all the books I love, and 2) trust me enough to pick up more of my recs!! 😉 I met Erica last week, and I went total FANGIRL on her. Like, I think she must think I’m psycho. And creepy. But honestly, BOUND is one of the books I’m most excited for this year!
April 16, 2012 @ 2:54 pm
I’m so glad you reviewed this series! I remember reading it when I was younger and I loved it! It wasn’t until much later that I read the next two. I still haven’t read the last one though. Thanks for bringing back fond memories! (And the need to read them again…)
April 16, 2012 @ 5:13 pm
I am SO glad I don’t have to wait between books…they were published 4 years apart, and I don’t think I could have managed that!
April 17, 2012 @ 10:34 pm
It was hard! The story was stuck in my mind for months and I had many a dream about being a thief. Then I think I started reading The Golden Compass and then had to wait for the next book in that series. It was a never-ending cycle!
April 17, 2012 @ 2:13 am
These books are some of my favorite! I have reread them so many times!
April 20, 2012 @ 8:23 pm
I’m halfway through QUEEN now–OMG, I am madly in love with Gen. And the world. And how WELL Turner writes!!
April 17, 2012 @ 12:31 pm
The third book in the series, King of Attolia, is one of my favorite books EVER….I’m a bit jealous that you’ll be getting to read it for the first time! There’s a lively live journal discussion group called Sounis, where you’d be welcome to ask questions, share insights, and generally squee.
April 20, 2012 @ 8:24 pm
I’m so glad I finally picked up these books. I am basically in AWE as I read. They are just SO well-done. Why aren’t they more famous?!
April 17, 2012 @ 5:30 pm
Sounds like a great read, have popped it down on my wishlist, thank you for sharing.
April 20, 2012 @ 8:24 pm
I hope you like it! Let me know what you think!
April 17, 2012 @ 7:04 pm
I love love LOVE The Thief! Oh, my gosh. It’s my most favorite series EVER. And The King of Attolia? Pretty close to the most perfect book ever as far as I’m concerned. Ahh! I love them!
April 20, 2012 @ 8:24 pm
GAH, you’re the second commenter to say that! I’m halfway through QUEEN, and I can’t WAIT to reach KING!
January 27, 2015 @ 7:39 am
This series has been my favorite since I was 9! I am almost 20 now, and one of my prized possessions is a copy of The Queen of Attolia signed by Turner! She also wrote a collection of short stories called Instead of Three Wishes that is just as magical and entrancing as the books!