The Thief

By: Megan Whalen Turner

Narrated by: Steve West

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Discover and rediscover the world of the Queen's Thief, from the acclaimed series launch The Thief to the thrilling, 20-years-in-the-making conclusion, The Return of the Thief.

New York Times best-selling author Megan Whalen Turner’s entrancing and award-winning Queen’s Thief novels bring to life the world of the epics. This first book in series introduces one of the most charismatic and incorrigible characters of fiction, Eugenides the thief. The Queen’s Thief novels are rich with political machinations and intrigue, battles lost and won, dangerous journeys, divine intervention, power, passion, revenge, and deception. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, Patrick Rothfuss, and George R. R. Martin.

Eugenides, the queen's thief, can steal anything - or so he says. When his boasting lands him in prison and the king's magus invites him on a quest to steal a legendary object, he's in no position to refuse. The magus thinks he has the right tool for the job, but Gen has plans of his own.

The Queen's Thief novels have been praised by writers, critics, reviewers, and fans, and have been honored with glowing reviews, "best of" citations, and numerous awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, a Newbery Honor, the Andre Norton Award shortlist, and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award.

A Newbery Honor Book

An ALA Notable Book

A YALSA Best Book for Young Adults

A Horn Book Fanfare Book

A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

A Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Blue Ribbon Book

A Junior Library Guild Selection

“The Queen’s Thief books awe and inspire me. They have the feel of a secret, discovered history of real but forgotten lands. The plot-craft is peerless, the revelations stunning, and the characters flawed, cunning, heartbreaking, exceptional. Megan Whalen Turner’s books have a permanent spot on my favorites shelf, with space waiting for more books to come.” (Laini Taylor, New York Times best-selling author of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone novels and Strange the Dreamer)

"Unforgettable characters, plot twists that will make your head spin, a world rendered in elegant detail - you will fall in love with every page of these stories. Megan Whalen Turner writes vivid, immersive, heartbreaking fantasy that will leave you desperate to return to Attolia again and again.” (Leigh Bardugo, number-one New York Times best-selling author of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom)

©1996 Megan Whalen Turner (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"In addition to its charismatic hero, this story possesses one of the most valuable treasures of all - a twinkling jewel of a surprise ending." ( Publishers Weekly)

"A literary journey that enriches both its characters and readers before it is over." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"A tantalizing, suspenseful, exceptionally clever novel." ( The Horn Book)

Loved the Story & Narrator

It's rare for me to stumble upon a book that I really love, but this is one of them! Action, adventure, mystery all rolled into one story. The characters and plot movement took priority over stereotypical pitfalls that most books fall into. At first I really disliked Magnus' style of voice, but it got his first-impression character across quickly. Then I grew to like him as Gen did as well. Plus, a couple plot twists at the end! Very well done and can stand on it's own feet! I was confused as to the narrator's very aristocratic style for the first-person POV, but I think it all comes together in the end. :) Worth a credit or a purchase!

High marks for worldbuilding, light on plot

Reviews for the subsequent books indicate that the series improves with the sequels, so there is possibility that this is just the set-up to a great series. I have not finished the sequels though, so as it stands, this is an okay start. I'm not sure whether I will dive into the sequels (it isn't a high priority for me based on this one).

The worldbuilding is good and created a distinct mythos and culture for this universe. It did come at the cost of plot though. It is not a long book, so more could have been added without making the book overlong. In the last couple hours more does happen and it gets more interesting. However, the first half is so focused on mythology (even at the expense of character work) that I did not feel a vested interest in what happened to these characters.

I used a credit on this book because I read a different review that positively compared it to the Ascendance Trilogy (a.k.a. The False Prince) which I adore. This book is not at that level for me. This is fine, just nothing that blew me away. The narrator is a bit monotonous, but not awful. The book is a little slow, but not awful. That's basically the entire book for me. It's decent, but I'm not sure if I like it.

Voice actor skewed impression of characters

Everyone I told that I was reading this book raved about it, but the longer I listened the more I thought, "What's the fuss about?" I ended up liking it by the end, but I realized that I was getting the wrong impression from several of the characters because of how the narrator voiced them. One in particular came off as perpetually pompous and condescending when really he should be seen as a friend and confidant. I've listened to one other book with this voice actor and experienced a similar thing. His narration just isn't my style. But I would still recommend this story! If only to get to know the characters and better enjoy the next books in the series.

Great book with an awesome ending!

1. How would you rate this book from 0 to 10?
I would rate this book a 9 out of 10 as I really enjoyed the main character and its narration as well as the ending really sold this book for me.

2. What made the experience of listening/reading to The Thief the most enjoyable?
I believe what made the experience most enjoyable was the main character and his narration, also the really interesting use of politics and mythology. The ending of this book really was the cherry on top and improved my enjoyment (already high) a lot.

3. Something you didn't like about it?
I feel it could have a better world building about the kingdoms and explanation about the kings/queens and the hierarchy and more thievery, there is but I wanted more, even though I understand why it doesn't have and went in expecting it by the synopsis. I also didn't like Ambiedes that much, but I will explain later in the spoilers section.

4. Who was your favorite character? What about the others?
My favorite character is, of course, Gen! The main character is really what I would expect from a thief! Quick-witted, smart, arrogant and small is what I expected and it works so well mainly with its first person Pov that makes it all amazing.
Sophos, Magus and Pol were great characters and they were really well portrayed, having awesome interactions between each other that you can gather info about them.
Ambiedes was a nice character but one that I didn't enjoy that much, but I will talk more about him in the spoilers section.

5. Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I didn't have any extreme reaction but I giggled during the audiobook some times and there were plenty of surprises.

6. Have read/listened anything by Megan Whalen Turner before? How does it compare to them and to other writers?
I have not, but I totally will check her other works. I really enjoyed her writing style even though I am not that into YA, as I said I wanted more world building and character depth but it was a short book and well worth a read!

7. Have you listened to any of Steve West’s other performances before? How does this one compare to them and to other narrators?
I have not, but I really enjoyed his narration. The fact it was in first person and a fast YA book probably made it easier but I didn't find any characters confusing or needed to relisten any part. Some people claim he wasn't a good narrator for voicing a teen I agree but I could understand they were teenagers and his narration didn't took away from that, so not a perfect narration but pretty good (listened a little bit faster too, so that might have helped!)

8. Would it be better as an audiobook or book?
I didn't read it but I feel both are equally good. If you enjoy the narration this audiobook really is worth a listen, as the only thing I missed was how to write the name of the main characters for this review.

9. Any additional comments?
You should not read this book expecting something and looking for something, it is a really great short book better enjoyed without knowing what is coming, then you can re-read (still need to do it) to see what it was hinted upon and be amazed at it (as other reviews on goodreads show) as you can do to many other books!

SPOILERS

10. Any additional comments with spoilers?
This book was great in portraying its characters, I felt Eugenides really captured how a thief should be and having faulty narration was excellent! How he talks about his companions trying to pry info out of them while holding info from them and even from us was really well done. The twists and ending were awesome adding a lot of depth to the book. I wanted more explanation about the kingdoms, the land, kings and queens, scholars and thieves of these kingdoms, but it is acceptable as this is a short book. Also really wanted more thievery! This has thief in the title but there is so little of it more wouldn't hurt it, would it?!
Last but not least is Eugenides, I didn't dislike the character, just thought Magus wouldn't bring him to the party without the trust and being so easily fooled by him but I understand how he was needed.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and I plan on listening to the next ones!

loved this series as a teen

great start to a fun series!!! I enjoyed it when the book first came out and I enjoyed listening to it now.

wonderful

I read this book a long time ago and was glad to see the audiobook. After listening to the first I had to buy the whole series. Great story and narration.

lived up to expectations

I don't think I've seen a negative review - and I won't be giving one either.
I found the story engaging. Gen is a great character - I have already downloaded the next book because I cannot wait to see where he leads us next. I hope to see more of the magus. His character was not what I expected. I won't go further so as not to say too much.
The story will keep you guessing - all is never add it seems.

Boring and Slow…Until the Last Hour

The book is a very slow going travel tale, until the last hour. Then all these twists and turns are revealed without any foreshadowing. The ending was entertaining, but I’m not sure the hours leading up to it are worth it.

Childhood

I picked up this book at a book Fair when I was in the 5th or 6th grade if I remember correctly and I'm 29 now. I've read this book at the very least once a month since then. I really enjoy the story but the narrator doesn't seem to pull you into it. Other than that you'll enjoy it and I'm glad The Thief books are on audible.

Took me half the book to fall in love

I struggled to get into this book but it grew on me and now it feels like family. I want a leather bound version now.