reviews
Dec 24, 2011
Ruth
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 01, 2010
Liviu
rated it: 
Set in the same universe as the author's Dragon novels but in a land far away and connected with the previous books only by the mysterious traders appearing in both, this novel is a series beginning which ostensibly features a young orphan and his mentor an exiled prince moonlighting as an "official" private eye or "unofficial" cop - thief-taker - in the local jargon. But there are hints of much more, so who knows where the series will go.
Almost to the end i enjoy More...
Almost to the end i enjoy More...
4 comments
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Sep 15, 2011
Becky
rated it: 
The Thief-Taker’s Apprentice is a tale of bounty-hunters and thieves set in a historic fantasy world. It’s not your fantastical creatures or special power type of fantasy, more an alternate world with temples, priests and the occasional witch doctor.
Berren is a teenage dung-sweeper and pickpocket. He is one of Hatchet’s boys and lives a miserable life in Shipwrights by the docks. He shares a rotten floor with a lot of other unwashed boys, eats scraps of stale bread and basically More...
Berren is a teenage dung-sweeper and pickpocket. He is one of Hatchet’s boys and lives a miserable life in Shipwrights by the docks. He shares a rotten floor with a lot of other unwashed boys, eats scraps of stale bread and basically More...
Apr 11, 2011
Lucienne
rated it:
Look. I know I gave it two stars. I know.
But I think this damn thing has potential! Reminds me of an extended version (SORT OF, please don't rain your fury down on me) of Brent Weeks, Way of The Shadows book. The early part though, like whatshisnames childhood.
It does get a bit boring. I definitely wanted Berren to be more kickass, I wanted Syannis to be more... restrained? Masterly? Flawless? I dunno, better I suppose. The nicknames (for eg. Master Sy) did get on my nerves More...
But I think this damn thing has potential! Reminds me of an extended version (SORT OF, please don't rain your fury down on me) of Brent Weeks, Way of The Shadows book. The early part though, like whatshisnames childhood.
It does get a bit boring. I definitely wanted Berren to be more kickass, I wanted Syannis to be more... restrained? Masterly? Flawless? I dunno, better I suppose. The nicknames (for eg. Master Sy) did get on my nerves More...
3 comments
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(2 people liked it)
May 06, 2011
Blodeuedd
rated it: 
My thoughts:
I don't know if I would have know this was YA if I hadn't read it somewhere, and because of that it works just as well for a young reader as for an adult reader.
The main character is a thief named Berren, he is somewhere between 12 and 15, an orphan and a tough young boy that has seen the city at its worst. I did like him, one have to, he steals to survive and he is smart enough to realize (after a while) that being an apprentice to a thief-taker c More...
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(1 person liked it)
Apr 23, 2011
Mieneke
rated it:
The Thief-Taker's Apprentice is Stephen Deas' first YA novel. It's is set in the same world as his A Memory of Flames trilogy and is the first in a trilogy of its own. The book, as mentioned, is YA, but Master Syannis, the titular thief-taker, offers adults a great connection and a way into the novel. The story never gets boring or too telegraphed and while the writing and length of the chapters are bite-size, Deas doesn't talk down to his younger readers.
I really liked the protagonist More...
I really liked the protagonist More...
Feb 21, 2012
Sarah
rated it:
The Thief-Taker's Apprentice is a dark novel starring an ex-thief in a medieval style world that is frighteningly realistic. I'm going to say up front that if you aren't alright with the realities of public executions, bloody sword fights and back alley beatings, this isn't the book for you. If that sound's like it's up your alley, carry on.
In some ways, this book goes with a lot of the ordinary tropes; there's an orphan boy that's more than what he seems; the dour assassin(thief-taker More...
In some ways, this book goes with a lot of the ordinary tropes; there's an orphan boy that's more than what he seems; the dour assassin(thief-taker More...
Aug 14, 2011
Paula
rated it:
Having read Deas' other books ('The Adamantine Palace' and 'The King of the Crags') quite recently, I was pleased to pick this one up in my local charity shop.
There's a tiny bit of crossover between the world of 'The Thief-Taker's Apprentice' and those others, but not sufficient that it can't be read regardless - the basic premise is that it's the story of Berren, who is a thief and a pretty good one, ekeing out a living in a city where theft can often be punished by execution. Watch More...
There's a tiny bit of crossover between the world of 'The Thief-Taker's Apprentice' and those others, but not sufficient that it can't be read regardless - the basic premise is that it's the story of Berren, who is a thief and a pretty good one, ekeing out a living in a city where theft can often be punished by execution. Watch More...
Jun 27, 2011
Dan
rated it:
Quite a short book, Thief Taker’s Apprentice plunges readers without delay into a very human world of beggars and fish merchants, slavers and bodyguards, the spray-soaked salty ports of Deephaven. As the opening to a stark new fantasy series from Stephen Deas, the book is set in a land far away, only connected to his debut Memory of Flame series through the mysterious traders that appear in both. However, it takes on a flavor all of its own, focusing itself to a dirtier and more mundane lens of
More...
Feb 05, 2012
Emma
rated it:
A good, short, entertaining read. The apprenticeship part of the story works very well, and is quite interesting enough in its own right. But the main mcguffin plot about finding the pirates seems a bit thin, and almost tacked on. The world-building is nicely done in small accretions, without any huge info-dumps. The main characters are well drawn. Only the token female remains a closed book, but I'm going to generously hope that she comes into her own more in subsequent books, which I will be r
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Jul 14, 2011
James
rated it:
Simply, I enjoyed this book.
It wasn't a blow me down spectacular book, but for what it was it was fantastic; a great start to a hopefully great fantasy series.
I would like to write more, but I read this over two weeks ago and have read four books since so any recollection I have is bare and not worthy or writing.
However, I will say that if you enjoy fantasy then this is a great book to read.
Have fun reading.
It wasn't a blow me down spectacular book, but for what it was it was fantastic; a great start to a hopefully great fantasy series.
I would like to write more, but I read this over two weeks ago and have read four books since so any recollection I have is bare and not worthy or writing.
However, I will say that if you enjoy fantasy then this is a great book to read.
Have fun reading.
Oct 04, 2011
Sin
rated it:
Its nice to be able to read some grown up fantasy novels of late, George R R Martin led the way and then stuck his gnarled old mans big middle finger up at his legion of devout followers and into the void amongst a couple of select others picking up the slack for an engrossing read. Goodbye George no more of my money will you receive. but Deas Abercrombie Hulick all have new avid fan.
Sin
Sin
Feb 10, 2012
Darth
rated it:
Solid first novel in a brand new fantasy series. A young thief called Berren is caught by the infamous thief-taker, Master Sy, but instead of being punished, becomes his apprentice and enters a world of crime in a medieval city. The book is very readable and the main characters are vivid and don't leave the reader uncaring. The book lacks magic and strong villain to become a match for classics like "Ill Met in Lankhmar" or "Hawk & Fisher", but is still a quick and satisfying
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Jun 30, 2011
Lee
rated it:
Solid, unpretentious YA fantasy that doesn't try to outreach itself. Cheats slightly by leaving the majority POV on a couple of occasions without adequate set up, but can be forgiven through the sheer readability of the work. Engaging, likeable, and with enough of the exotic side of the standard 2nd world medieval city setting to keep the reader galloping along until the end.
May 22, 2011
Thoraiya
rated it:
A decent read with a Cup-A-Soup in bed on a sick day! (part 3)
EDIT: I've looked at the other reviews, now, and gone, "YA?? THAT MAKES SENSE!" Because even though it was a teensy bit formulaic, it was fun, and if I could send it back to my YA self, who only wanted to read different versions of "Magician" and "Sorcere's Apprentice" for about 5 years straight, I totally would, and she would be gushingly grateful.
EDIT: I've looked at the other reviews, now, and gone, "YA?? THAT MAKES SENSE!" Because even though it was a teensy bit formulaic, it was fun, and if I could send it back to my YA self, who only wanted to read different versions of "Magician" and "Sorcere's Apprentice" for about 5 years straight, I totally would, and she would be gushingly grateful.
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Aug 04, 2011
Sasha
rated it:
Not bad but not great. It was so slow I had to force myself to read it. But once things got started it wasn't so bad. I like the fact that Berren wasn't led around by his hormones. He liked this girl but he had his priorities - be dangerous, learn swords. I'm pretty sure they will end up together in a later book, if this is a series. But for the moment the boy has his head on straight-ish. There were too many unanswered questions in the end though. I wasn't satisfied. But for a book I struggled
More...
May 12, 2011
Surya
rated it:
Sometimes things become a rage, a name, a plot, a character type. remember the vampire rage. In this case, the name of the book. Another apprentice series.
Very average plots, poorly fleshed out characters plague this book.
Very small as these books go, it can be finished in a day.
Very average plots, poorly fleshed out characters plague this book.
Very small as these books go, it can be finished in a day.
Aug 14, 2010
Nicky
rated it:
This was a brilliant read within a few chapters i was wandering the streest of Deephaven, seeing the sight and smells of the place. The story was discriptive and engaging, the charaters are skillfully brought to life. the book isn't due for publishing until September/October but I am already eagerly awaiting the next enstallment
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Feb 04, 2011
Kay
rated it:
The first few chapters really pulled me in because I really wanted to find out more about The Thief Taker, about Berren and generally about his world. But...as the novel progresses, it started loosing its "pull" factor. Then...perhaps leaning towards the end (say chapter 35 onwards) things started getting a bit more interesting again especially the fight off with the shipwright boys.
Overall...beautiful description, made me felt like I was actually experiencing all the sights, sme More...
Overall...beautiful description, made me felt like I was actually experiencing all the sights, sme More...
Jan 10, 2012
Brightfeather
rated it:
I couldnt put this down , totally my cup of tea, i love the idea of such a sprawling city i want to go and explore it myself,What a wonderful story ! Poor boy to be dragged into such a world, but what an adventure.
Jan 12, 2011
Stargazer
rated it:
Just not my cup o tea, was given it by friend of my daughter's in a trio of books she couldn't return to a book club. Lost interest after a few chapters.
Jan 24, 2012
Only read sample so far. Like the writing; not standout original but will likely buy and see (author new to me)
Nov 07, 2011
Thomas
rated it:
This was a pretty good book. it wasn't amazing but it certinaly cut through the boredom. The large amount of killing surprised me, but I guess that it could have been like that a long time ago.
Feb 03, 2012
Gem
rated it:
This was quite dull - I felt like it was somebody telling me about their weekend. It never got going.
Sep 24, 2011
Shona
rated it:
I enjoyed the intrigue surrounding Berren and the thief taker, but I struggled to connect with the characters until about halfway through. So I was reading to find out what was going—but it kept me reading and I’m glad I stuck with it.
Feb 21, 2012
