Review: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

Book: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (Newbery Honor 1997)
Genre: YA (even maybe MG) Fantasy
Rating: A
For: Once Upon a Time Challenge
From: the library
Note on the cover: I've posted the cover of the version I read, which I think is extremely ugly compared to the newer covers I see on everyone else's posts!

Finally! After so many people saying "you need to read this!" I can now say, I've read it! Well, this first book anyway. Three more in the series to go! And if I understand correctly, they just get better and better.

I must say though, at first, I was a little underwhelmed with this book. It took me awhile to get into it. It seemed a lot of telling, not showing. And hardly any conversation, or something. I'm not sure what it was. Another funny thing was that I thought the main character was a girl, I don't know why, so it was a little weird when several pages in someone called her a him and I had to rethink all those first few pages! Love it when that happens.

Another funny thing was that I had just finished Bel Canto, where the main guy is named Gen... and the next book I pick up is this one, so totally and completely different, and the main guy is Gen again. And how common is the name Gen? Not really I'm thinking. So I thought that was interesting.

For those who haven't read it, and I'm not sure there's very many of you, this book is about a boy who's been in prison for awhile because of his thieving prowess and the fact that he has a compulsion to brag about it. One day, he's taken out and hauled off on a journey for the sole purpose of stealing a special treasure for the king's advisor who hopes to make good with the king because this mythical icon will gain him much power. On the way, this small party of guys, all with their own issues, learn much about each other. They also spend a lot of time telling stories about the creation of the world and the mythology behind their society. Soon, the thief Gen, feels less like a prisoner and more like a part of the group and completely takes ownership of the mission they are on.

The best thing about this book is the voice of our main character. He is wonderful! He's quite insolent and feisty and unconcerned about his situation. Or, at least, he appears to be. All he really seems to care about is eating and sleeping and then maybe hopefully being set free after the job is over. I loved getting to know him and can't wait to find out what's in store for him in the next books.

And the ending? Well, let's just say you probably won't see it coming!

Learn more about the author Megan Whalen Turner, and her books, at this site.
Read The Thief online here.

Other Reviews:

The Reading Zone
Angieville
My Favourite Books
Presenting Lenore