Book Review: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

After bragging that he could steal anything from anyone, master thief Gen is sprung from prison to assist the king’s advisor in bringing back a treasure hidden away by the gods themselves. As their party of five travels into enemy territory, tensions mount and surprising alliances are discovered.

This 1997 Newberry Honor Book gets off to slow start perhaps, but its second half, with its various twists and turns more than makes up for it. Gen may not be the most likeable of characters – he’s a braggart, a thief and he *gasp* chews with his mouth open – but he’s not to be underestimated and his plucky nature grows on you. I also appreciated the complex interpersonal relationships between the characters and how Author Turner drops little clues throughout the narrative that things may not be all that they seem.

THE THIEF is the first in a trilogy, and although I am definitely interested in reading the rest of the series, I am thankful that it didn’t end on a cliffhanger and can also be read as a standalone. Find out more about it at the author's website.