Helpful Score: 5
This was a really good book. A very good young adult fantasy book. So far there are three books in this series that I have seen called "The Queen's Thief" series. This is the first of the three.
In this book Gen is languishing in prison after bragging about stealing an important item from the king and getting caught. The King's magus comes to promise that he will free Gen if Gen can find and steal the magus a very important item.
This book is well-written and is written in a very straight forward, easy-to-read, style. It is definitely a fantasy adventure; the world the story is set in will remind of the middle ages a little bit with the exception of some additional bits of technology thrown in (guns, clocks, etc). This book is just a good book until you get to the end. The twists thrown at the reader at the end of the book are very well done and make this an exceptional book.
I was disappointed when the book ended...I really want to read more about Gen's adventures. Luckily there are two more books out there that I can read!
In this book Gen is languishing in prison after bragging about stealing an important item from the king and getting caught. The King's magus comes to promise that he will free Gen if Gen can find and steal the magus a very important item.
This book is well-written and is written in a very straight forward, easy-to-read, style. It is definitely a fantasy adventure; the world the story is set in will remind of the middle ages a little bit with the exception of some additional bits of technology thrown in (guns, clocks, etc). This book is just a good book until you get to the end. The twists thrown at the reader at the end of the book are very well done and make this an exceptional book.
I was disappointed when the book ended...I really want to read more about Gen's adventures. Luckily there are two more books out there that I can read!
Helpful Score: 2
This was suggested strongly to me and I'm so glad I took the advice! Gen is so hilarious and honest you can't help but fall in love with him through this entire book. The book has some historical attributes, but most contain no more than a small kernel of truth within an elaborate story. I think that this just adds to the believability of the story and charm. The characters other than Gen aren't described in detail, but this is in first person and almost makes the story easier to read rather than keeping track of facts. It is important to read the bits where there's a history lesson from the Magus about the countries and why they are that way as it plays a huge part later in the story. Fantastic book, with a bewildering (in a good way!!) twist at the end! Definitely worth the read and worth the full price purchase I made (too impatient to wait for it here on paperbackswap!). I suggest this book to anyone! Not so much fantasy, as no magic is involved, but captivating nonetheless! Full stars!
Helpful Score: 2
I had high expectations for this book after all the high reviews. Unfortunately it did not live up them. I didn't hate the book but it didn't sweep me away either. The characters and the last part of the story is what I enjoyed best. I least enjoyed the monotonous journey that they took. It seemed to take forever for them to get from point A to point B. The only reason (it seemed) for this long journey was for character development. But nothing much really seemed to happen around this time and I found myself very bored.
Not sure if I'll read the 2nd book or not. I might but it will probably be a while before I do.
Not sure if I'll read the 2nd book or not. I might but it will probably be a while before I do.
Helpful Score: 2
Epic read with a fun ending.
Helpful Score: 1
First book in a trilogy of 3. Very entertaining, well written, and interesting plot twists.
Anonymous reviewed The Thief (Queen's Thief, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 1
Enjoyable read with a great twist at the end!
Helpful Score: 1
This book is easy to read. Five people in search of a stone. One magus, one soldier, 2 apprentices and one thief. The thief is the storyteller, however you don't get much info about him....not his age, which made it a bit confusing to understand if he is being a lazy hindrance or just immature. The whole story wraps up better in the last chapter. I liked this book, and I will read the second, because now I am curious to read the Thief's back story.
Helpful Score: 1
Got this for my son but decided to read it, it was a great read, interesting story with some twists you might not see coming.
A good young adult fantasy novel.
Helpful Score: 1
A well-written book about a thief. Many twists and surprises
Helpful Score: 1
Enjoyable read with a great twist at the end!
Engaging, exciting adventure for young readers. Gen (short for Eugenides) is an expert thief. At the beginning of the book, he is rescued from prison by the King's Magus to undertake a dangerous theft of a mythical object. Very exciting story, with a great twist at the end.
It was a great book! All based with a Greek theme, with gods and goddesses. Be sure to read the other books Queen of Attolia and King of Attolia!
Somehow I missed this wonderful YA fantasy when it came out in 1996. It won a Newberry Award! Really nice world-building, some snappy dialogue, a few great vocabulary words, and a very likable but unreliable narrator. The first part is just the group traveling to the action, but I didn't feel it was slow. Gen's snarky attitude made me wonder just how old he is and I thought the stories that were told would come into play later on. As for the rest of the group, the Magus is pretty much the only standout - I felt the two young men and Pol the soldier don't have much behind them. If I were a YA reading this, I'd probably have been delightedly shocked by the twist at the end, but as a well-read adult I figured I knew what was coming - it's practically telegraphed there in the book description. All in all, a very enjoyable and very quick read, and I will definitely be looking for the others in the series.
I first read this book back in high school. I'm not in the habit of rereading leisure books, but I've reread this one at least three times in the years since. Megan Whalen Turner's characters are delightful, her plot lines are intriguing, and her books and just overall memorable and worth rereading. The Thief (and the subsequent books in the series) is one of my absolute favorite books of all time, in a list that is dominated by nonfiction. Very much worth the read!
This is a wonderful adventure story for 'young' readers of ALL ages.
Every time I think of this series, I kick myself for not having started it when I was younger. Not exactly because Id enjoy it more as a younger reader, but because I would have had more years to crush on Eugenides and the masterful storytelling that Megan Whalen Turner is capable of.
To be honest, in the beginning I wasnt very impressed with THE THIEF. The story starts in prison, and Gen is sick and scrawny and cranky. Not quite the most endearing character at this point. Even when Gen, the magus, the magus two apprentices, and their guard set off on their journey to steal Hamiathes Gift, I was less than pleased by Gen and the apprentices constantly ragging on each other.
But gradually, my vision expanded beyond Gens pettiness and immaturity and began to appreciate the, shall we say, surroundings. The majority of THE THIEF is a quest, and I cant pinpoint when I began to fall in love with these quarrelsome characters, but fall in love I did. As their personalities became clearer to me, I was often forced to revise my previous judgments on their character and even like themor, in some characters case, feel more suspicious of them. Turner draws heavily upon the setting and stories of Ancient Greece for her story, and I could imagine the rolling landscapes, the endless olive trees, and the sunshine as I read.
THE THIEF proves extraordinary in the last third or so, as Gen attempts to figure out how to steal Hamiathes Gift. I have heard that Megan Whalen Turner is a master of surprising plot twists, and was so delighted at what was revealed to me in the end. (Which Ill not spoil for you, no way.) There are few things in books as exciting as a well-executed plot twistbut they also run the risk of being unbelievable. Thankfully, in retrospect, you realize that Turner sets up her revelations excellently, subtly yet memorably.
THE THIEF is a fantasy adventure that should appeal to readers both young and old. Rich with Mediterranean influences, stories-within-stories, and characters whose hair you really, really want to ruffle, it is no wonder that this book has withstood the test of time. I will be returning to you, Gen, when I need another dose of your cleverness and snark!
To be honest, in the beginning I wasnt very impressed with THE THIEF. The story starts in prison, and Gen is sick and scrawny and cranky. Not quite the most endearing character at this point. Even when Gen, the magus, the magus two apprentices, and their guard set off on their journey to steal Hamiathes Gift, I was less than pleased by Gen and the apprentices constantly ragging on each other.
But gradually, my vision expanded beyond Gens pettiness and immaturity and began to appreciate the, shall we say, surroundings. The majority of THE THIEF is a quest, and I cant pinpoint when I began to fall in love with these quarrelsome characters, but fall in love I did. As their personalities became clearer to me, I was often forced to revise my previous judgments on their character and even like themor, in some characters case, feel more suspicious of them. Turner draws heavily upon the setting and stories of Ancient Greece for her story, and I could imagine the rolling landscapes, the endless olive trees, and the sunshine as I read.
THE THIEF proves extraordinary in the last third or so, as Gen attempts to figure out how to steal Hamiathes Gift. I have heard that Megan Whalen Turner is a master of surprising plot twists, and was so delighted at what was revealed to me in the end. (Which Ill not spoil for you, no way.) There are few things in books as exciting as a well-executed plot twistbut they also run the risk of being unbelievable. Thankfully, in retrospect, you realize that Turner sets up her revelations excellently, subtly yet memorably.
THE THIEF is a fantasy adventure that should appeal to readers both young and old. Rich with Mediterranean influences, stories-within-stories, and characters whose hair you really, really want to ruffle, it is no wonder that this book has withstood the test of time. I will be returning to you, Gen, when I need another dose of your cleverness and snark!
this is the same book as the newer printing by Megan Whalen Turner. Its a fun book about a thief sent to steal a very important artifact from a temple god. Its very well written and the voice of Gen, the thief, is unique.
However, I feel I was the wrong age group for this book. This book appears to be appropriate for grades 5-8 and isn't really one of those YA novels that are enjoyed by the older masses. It takes about 150 pages (its only 214 pgs) for any action to even begin and even after that you still haven't really figured out where the story is going. Wasn't my cup of tea.
However, I feel I was the wrong age group for this book. This book appears to be appropriate for grades 5-8 and isn't really one of those YA novels that are enjoyed by the older masses. It takes about 150 pages (its only 214 pgs) for any action to even begin and even after that you still haven't really figured out where the story is going. Wasn't my cup of tea.
Very amusing and engaging tale of a young thief who uses his wits to escape from all sorts of perils.
A very fun read! I really enjoyed the exciting story with all its twists and turns. It was not a hard read, but it was a hard book to put down. My 10 year old son enjoyed it very much, it was right up his alley with magic, action, suspense, fights, and intrigue.
Love it! A favorite in our family and extended family for all ages teen and up
Most entertaining read. Great for children old enough to understand the pain of prison. The novel opens with the hero imprisoned. Yes, he is a thief, a most talented one blessed with these skills by the gods. When he is released he has to help a man find a treasure. Only this man knows where it is and the group must travel through enemy country to find it and return to their own. The thief is a talented liar who brags that he can steal anything. One who speaks before he thinks he finds himself in trouble again and again but somehow manages to get out of it. The reader can't help but like this engaging character as he goes about his trade and tricks others as he does. As one nears the end, one realizes that he is more than he seems to be.
So many times you see reviews that describe a particular book as "delightful" or "fascinating" or "a joy to read" or my favorite a "page turner". But am I the only one who wonders if that's really true? Surely not every book could be deserving of the same kind of praise! But in the case of The Thief, it is deserving of that praise and so much more. This is the story of Gen, short for Eugenides, named after the patron God of Thieves. We first meet him when he's in prison for bragging just a bit too much about his skills as a thief. One day in prison he is visited by the Magus, chief advisor to the king, and is asked for help in a seemingly impossible task. They will travel to a far land and attempt to steal a mythical treasure that many believe exists but since no one has ever laid eyes on it, it is impossible to be sure. The Magus seeing Gen merely as a means to an end and has no problem treating him that way. But Gen sees this venture as a tool to achieve his own secret means.
All throughout I found the tale of this thief intriguing. The author leaves you with no choice but to absolutely fall for Gen. He is engaging, interesting, intelligent, and has a great sense of humor. You absolutely love this young man from the very first page. Some of the other characters were a bit thin in my opinion, Ambiades being one. He was a rather major character and yet I had only a surface idea of what his character was all about. The Magus is another example of a character that you only get a shallow understanding of despite being a main character. Other characters however are truly unique and a delight to read, like Gen. Pol and Sophos are as interesting as they are entertaining and I found myself wanted to know more about them both.
Certain areas of the story seemed to drag and I was dismayed by this fact. The rest of the narrative was so engaging and moved at such a good pace that I was disoriented and dizzy when it came to a halt for a handful of pages. One of the best parts was the retelling of the stories of the Gods. It was unique and interesting to read and yet you got the sense that these stories would be important later on, and they were.
Ultimately what clinched this book's four star rating for me was the last two chapters. I was completely stunned and my jaw quite literally dropped at several points. I consider myself a pretty good predictor of plot twists but this one got me hook, line, and sinker. A great tale of an enchanting thief! I cannot wait to find out what happens for Gen next.
All reviews also posted to my Goodreads profile.
All throughout I found the tale of this thief intriguing. The author leaves you with no choice but to absolutely fall for Gen. He is engaging, interesting, intelligent, and has a great sense of humor. You absolutely love this young man from the very first page. Some of the other characters were a bit thin in my opinion, Ambiades being one. He was a rather major character and yet I had only a surface idea of what his character was all about. The Magus is another example of a character that you only get a shallow understanding of despite being a main character. Other characters however are truly unique and a delight to read, like Gen. Pol and Sophos are as interesting as they are entertaining and I found myself wanted to know more about them both.
Certain areas of the story seemed to drag and I was dismayed by this fact. The rest of the narrative was so engaging and moved at such a good pace that I was disoriented and dizzy when it came to a halt for a handful of pages. One of the best parts was the retelling of the stories of the Gods. It was unique and interesting to read and yet you got the sense that these stories would be important later on, and they were.
Ultimately what clinched this book's four star rating for me was the last two chapters. I was completely stunned and my jaw quite literally dropped at several points. I consider myself a pretty good predictor of plot twists but this one got me hook, line, and sinker. A great tale of an enchanting thief! I cannot wait to find out what happens for Gen next.
All reviews also posted to my Goodreads profile.
