This is a charming fantasy first published in 1996 - and it still holds up. It follows Gen, a thief who was caught performing some ambitious thievery, and is released from prison in return for aiding in a fools-errand that will put his skills to use.
My favourite thing about this book is Gen’s distinct voice. His personality and world-view suffuses every page. And I deeply relate to his constant need for naps and his refusal to ever go hungry.
The first half is slow-paced in the sense that it’s a long journey from one place to another, but I have a distinct fondness for grumpy people bickering on horseback so really enjoyed it. The pacing really ramps up in the second half, with some marvellous twists and turns.
The worldbuilding is clearly influenced by classical Greek mythology, with a pantheon of Gods which feature heavily (some of the in-novel creation legends are told), and the landscape seems to be Mediterranean-inspired, with lots of olive and fig trees and impressive geography.
The prose is solid but does not linger - the focus is on the action and (at times to a lesser extent) the character development, and so sometimes the story doesn’t quite have the room to breathe. But this also makes it a page-turner, and a quick read. I look forward to reading the sequel.
This was written before the YA market was established, so I don’t know where it could fall in current classification - YA typically requires a protagonist between 15-18, and I’m not sure of Gen’s age (he might be in his late teens, I think he’s probably in his twenties). But it has the energy of a novel suitable for adults and teenagers alike.

This was a little meh for me. The way it’s written made me feel a little removed from the characters, especially as we are told everything going on with them rather than shown.

That being said - I rather liked Gen. I was curious to see how he would top the Magus and get out of his situation. I also really liked Pol and wanted more of him. I didn’t like the Magus in the beginning and I had mixed feelings about him at the end. The mythology and storytelling of the gods was quite interesting and added to the world building.

Overall it was fairly interesting. A little slow paced but I was curious enough about how Gen would survive to keep reading.

A tale of quests, adventures, kingdoms, old gods and legends.
I enjoyed the setting and descriptions immensely, as well as the gradual world
-building, with little references here and there to old gods which I found exciting and kept me hooked.
The main character, Gen, was intriguing from the start. I couldn't figure him out (right up until the end actually!) which kept me invested in the story. I liked that he was quite moody and sour - often times in stories, really horrific things happen to characters yet they recover so quickly that it is completely unrealistic. This wasn't the case with Gen, who was weak and ill from his time in prison, and who struggled to recover and regain his strength. I kept cracking up that after a day of travelling, they would reach an inn and Gen would eat and fall asleep at the table, only to wake the next morning having been carried to bed. Every time. That would definitely be me if I had to travel all day!
The group dynamic was interesting and I enjoyed the changing shifts in relationships as the story progressed.
The second half of the book was certainly more action packed and had some nice little twists at the end that I didn't see coming.
The main reason I didn't rate it higher was there was simply too much travelling and at times I lost interest. Overall though it was a fun and well written story and I think the world and characters have a lot of potential if this were to be a series.

A truly delightful read. There is plenty of fun, mystery, and adventure with fantastic characters that bring the story to life. And another striking aspect of this book is the writing because it is stunning and adds to the joy of reading this.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, which I have read is even better.

I'm sorry this review is shorter than usual I have a chaotic personal life at the moment (training and starting a new job), so my time is limited, but I will add to my review as and when time allows me.

This book is the first installment of 'The Queen's Thief' series. I picked it up without knowing that it was part of a series, tbh.

It's a short book with much description about the journey Gen makes with the magus and his team. I finished the book in one sitting! The first and major part of the book was very slow paced for it solely describes their extremely long journey to the site of the object that Gen has to steal. At one point I even felt like I was losing interest in the whole book. But thankfully the second half picks up pace! The scenes of the heist and rest is written so well, you just can't wait to know what happens next!

The twist in the end is undoubtedly my favourite part of the book. I did not see that coming! I didn't even think of that possibility!! I love and am happy with how the book ended. That last conversation between Gen and the queen 💛🥺 I might actually even check out the next book, and that's something because I generally don't read book series'.

If you love mythology and heists, you should pick this one up! It's been a favourite of the world for such a long time for a good reason :)

This book was so so so good! It was amazing. I don't think I could pick a fault other than it felt like it was hard to get into! I loved everything about the characters, the plot and the setting!

Gen is the greatest thief alive. Gen can steal *anything*. But, so far, he hasn't managed to steal himself from the King's prison.

The King's magus needs a thief skilled enough to steal a mythical treasure, someone who is entirely disposable.

And us? We're just along for the ride!

The Thief is a slow burning novel that is definitely worth persevering with. The first half of the story may be a slow journey but the charismatic thief, his struggles and the insight into his past keep the reader moving forward into the action packed second half.

Gen is the life and soul of this story: he is funny, sarcastic and entirely untrustworthy but his first adventure is laced with intrigue and is a really entertaining read.

I read this book a number of years ago and am delighted to see it is being promoted again and that there are talks of a tv show which is very exciting.

Quite simply this is the most wonderful series I have read in recent years. It's full of clever twists and turns, unexpected events and a rich, deeply imagined Greek inspired world. I love it, it's perfect and everyone should read it.

"The Thief" tells (in first person) the story of a young but efficient thief who has his priorities sorted - food and naps. This book is exceptionally well written. Granted, the first half is very slow but I enjoyed every moment of it because of how well written the character of Gen the thief is. He is forced into an adventure by the King where he would have to steal a mythical object. He agrees because apparently this is the only way out of the prison. And then chaos ensues. Cannot wait to read the sequel!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of "The Thief" by Megan Whalen Turner.

Sadly, this wasn't my cup of tea. Although the cover is absolutely gorgeous, the slow plot and world building just made me feel like I was missing important areas. However, you could tell that this story was important to Whalen Turner.

I definitely know people out there who will devour this book, so I will recommend it out there. But again, this wasn't a book for me.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in return for my honest review. Thank you to Megan Whaler Turner and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me the opportunity to read The Thief before it’s re-release.

The Thief is a fantasy that is full of twists and turns, I spent a Large portion of the book frustrated with the main character Gen; a thief who is taken from his jail cell in order to steal an item for the Magus; who plans to give this to his King to make an alliance between two kingdoms.

At the start I found Gen to be whiney, annoying and self centred; happy with the thought of others missing out on resources in order to better his own situation. However, I found myself rooting for him when the time came for him to make the most of his thief skills.

It was around this time that I truly got invested in the book and I was swept along by the fast paced action as I was kept guessing on what would happen to the group next. I had no idea what to expect and the second half of this book definitely did not disappoint, highlighting that there is far more to many of the characters than first appears.

The Thief is a very cleverly written and planned story. I started it and thought it was good but as I read on and on, it picked up momentum and had such a surprising twist and a great ending that I decided it was going to have the five stars. It truly deserves it!! It is also the first of a series which I will really enjoy reading too!!
Gen is the Queen's thief who, at the start of the story is lounging in a cell at His Majesty's pleasure and seems to be there for many years. He is approached by the King's Mage who asks him to help to recover something of great importance. He helps if only to leave the prison!!. He rides out with the mage and three other men, their identities and stories become known as they travel on together. Gen discovers as they reach their destination that the item he is to steal is legendary and possibly not real. He can't believe this but he goes on to seek it out....
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free arc book for an honest review.
#Nwtgallwy, #hodderbooks, #m.w.turner

I'm sorry but nothing had happened except eating, washing and riding by the end of chapter three. I struggled and gave up.

Such a shame as the writing was lovely, just very slow with little plot. Sorry. I really wanted to like it. Thank you for the copy and I would try this author again.

I didn't realise that The Thief had first been published back in the 90's before I started reading it. This is the first book in the 'Queen's thief' series and it did have the feel of a rather long prologue, though I did enjoy it.

Gen is freed from prison by the Magus, who wants to use his skills as a thief to steal a legendary relic to help his kingdom. The first half of this book was taken up by descriptions of the journey. Normally this would be a DNF for me, however, there was something very enigmatic and endearing about Gen's narration that kept me interested in the story. Gen truly is a brilliant character. The plot really picks up in the second half, which is fast paced and filled with adventure.

I really want to continue this series after finishing this one. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an E-Arc in return for an honest review.

*“I can steal anything.”*
*“Except myself out of the king’s prison.”*

Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce the narrator, Gen, I fell in love with him from the first page!

There are two stories, Gen and the other, Earth’s Creation and the Birth of the Gods, a myth in this fantasy world.

</i>This may contain spoilers, not much, but if you want everything completely new, may not want to read this.<i>

Earth and the Sky's children, Hephestia the oldest, Hamiathes, and they have more!
Though we come from the Earth, we must thank the Sky for our creation, because it was the Sky that made man. But he was impatient and did not do such a job as the Earth would have done.
The man came out small and weak and without the gifts of the gods.
“Why have you made these?” And the Sky was ashamed.
But no matter what gifts she gave them the humans were ungrateful.

Eugenides (the god of thieves) was a son of Earth but not the Sky. He accidentally killed his brother, Hamiathes saved him, and then Hephestia gave Hamiathes his gift to reward him because she was fond of her brother.
Hamiathes’s Gift is for the king, his right to rule Eddis.

*Now, Gen story*

Gen is a prisoner of the king of Sounis. He bet a man that you could steal the king’s seal and then show it as proof the next day in a wine shop. Talented but in prison, so pitty!

One of the king’s most powerful advisors. the king’s magus wants Gen to steal something in exchange for his freedom and lots of gold, they are off on a secret mission to Eddis.

Eddis was ruled by a queen and a court of eleven ministers, if the king of Sounis has the Hamiathes’s Gift, he can rule two kingdoms.

Gen with magus and three others are on an adventure, many things happen, unexpectedly, they start to know each other, and everyone has a story, a secret!

I love this book, very well built characters, a great new world, creative and interesting. The story is so engaging and enjoyable, to the next!

"Let the gods into your life and you rapidly lose faith in the natural laws. The little birds stopped pecking, and they all fell over dead. I had a stomach full of dead birds..."

My huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley to give me a chance to read The Thief, The first book in the Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner, I have given my honest review.
Pub Date: 05 May 2022

This book wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would! Gen is a rather cocksure youth, but perhaps justifiably so and he certainly had that air of infallibility that so often comes with being a teenager. His "voice" is incredibly entertaining and I very much enjoyed seeing the story directly through his eyes.


The Thief managed to surprise me plenty, even when I'd guessed one thing ((view spoiler)) the plot twisted off in another totally unexpected way. The prose and plot had me riveted, desperately needing to know what would happen next and being unable to put the book down. The moment I rather sadly turned the last page, because goodness me I was not ready to leave the world just yet, I wanted to immediately jump into the next book.


I loved the world MWT created, had it been artwork it would perhaps have been more Claude Monet than Michelangelo, but it included everything I need to know to understand the characters, the quest, the dangers, the politics and the people. All of that detail was cleverly woven throughout the story, absorbing it almost without realising it was present.


I would write more but the longer I'm here the longer I'm NOT out adventuring with Gen, and I know where I'd rather be and what I'd rather be doing!

This was a quick an easy read and a good starter to someone with fantasy.

It wasn’t a favourite but I did like it none the less. I was not aware that it was out in 1996!

Thank you to netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review

It took some time for me to really get into this book - the first half is a very long journey where there doesn’t seem to be a great deal happening, aside from some brilliant tales about the gods of old.
However, once things pick up, they don’t stop and I raced through the second half!
I want to avoid spoilers, but can comfortably say that it’s a cleverly written POV - Gen manages to keep secrets from the reader just as well as the other characters he travels with.
I now feel thoroughly involved in Gen’s world and will look forward to picking up the next book in the series.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for inviting me to read this eARC prior to republication. Here is my honest review!

Eugenides, 'Gen', finds himself in the Kings prison after loudly proclaiming he can steal anything, even the King's seal. However, despite his skillset, he cannot escape from the prison alone, and finds himself coerced into an impossible quest in return for a chance at freedom.

What I liked:
- I had a lot of fun with this one. Set in a world inspired heavily by Ancient Greece, I felt right at home. This had all the hallmarks of a mythical retelling and whilst this is on the younger side of YA, it was still hard to believe that this wasn't one of the classical Greek tales.
- Loved Gen. He's a cheeky, sarcastic, unreliable narrator and he was great fun to read about. His dynamic with each of his fellow travellers was so brilliantly varied. I had a blast with our secondary characters, in particular Sophos and Pol
- The adventure aspect; there's a really nice balance between character development and plot, something that I think some YA suffers with.

What I wasn't too keen on:
- I think there's a section towards the middle that seemed to drag a little; a little bit too much filler. But I pushed through and it was grand!
- I do think it suffers from a lack of female rep, in hindsight, but I have a feeling we have more in the second book...

Read if you like
- Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, etc
- Unreliable narrators
- Mythology/folklore
- Ancient Greece/Rome

**With thanks to the publisher for access to this **

I am so so sorry but why oh why is this book being republished! There are so many amazing fantasy debuts in 2022 and this book unfortunately does not hold up. The book was dry, repetitive and the main character Gen was completely unlikeable in every way. I wanted to love this, and the synopsis had me hooked but the execution let me down, with the majority of the book lacking plot.

With all that being said, I have heard the next book is better so will continue with the series *reluctantly*