Goodreads Mobile | see what your friends are reading

Sep 12, 2011

Tatiana rated it:

Update 6/2011. Let me just say, if you feel so-so about this book (like I did), please give its sequel - The Queen of Attolia - a try. It made me forever and ever a dedicated fan of the series.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed it, but I think I spoiled the experience for myself a little bit.

The reviewers like to point to a huge twist at the end of the story as the biggest reason for enjoying this book. But if you know in advance that you should expe More...

15 comments like (25 people liked it)

Mar 14, 2010

Keith rated it:

This was another book my wife insisted that I read. It was our before-bed read aloud book last month.

Reading 10-15 pages a night, the first half of the book was enjoyable, but unfolded rather slowly. I was a bit puzzled about why my wife was so enthusiastic about the book. Then, about half way through, the excitement and tempo increased a few notches, and it become a real page-turner.

This is a fantasy novel, but it is not your typical swords and sorcery adventure. There More...

0 comments like (25 people liked it)

Jan 20, 2012

Warnie B. rated it:

I'm giving up on this one. It's not BAD, just...excruciatingly BORING. To me, anyway. I found the main character obnoxious and all the other characters underdeveloped and uninteresting, and over half way through the book, nothing's really happened--they've started their journey, and then traveled, and traveled, and traveled, and traveled, and traveled, and...you get the picture. I've heard really good things about this series, and maybe at some point in the future I'll give it another try. But I More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Oct 04, 2007

Amber rated it:

Over the years I have become a bit of a book snob, especially when it comes to YA lit. Such was my attitude whrn I started this first book in a seies. However, by the time I reached the end of the book, I was a gibbering mess. The author has managed to make a simple action/adventure book into a wonderful lesson about assumptions. And boy did I make a you know what out of myself.

Fun, funny, and deep, this book is a must read for anyone who needs an attitude adjustment concerning More...

0 comments like (18 people liked it)

Mar 30, 2010

Peep (Pop! Pop!) rated it:

I have to admit that I started out with low ratings for this book. I had no idea what is was about and had no idea where it was going. I have to say that the author did an excellent job with this book. Gen has got to be one of the most likable lead characters that I have ever come across. He has some of the best comebacks and mostly says whatever is on his mind. He's stubborn most of the time too. I found myself laughing a few times when he displayed how stubborn he can be.

The suppor More...

8 comments like (6 people liked it)

Oct 31, 2011

AnEyeSpy rated it:

"The Thief" (#1 series) by Megan Turner is Eugenides, named for the God of Thieves in a Greece-inspired realm of guns and swords. He is arrogant, expert, forthright, tactless, smart in mouth and brain, almost unlikable; as are everyone, nearly forgivable considering he narrates all. He whines repeatedly of hunger and fatigue. The style is smooth, flowing, clever, almost supercilious. We admire from safe afar, smile amused, yet soldiers chase only footsteps behind without our hearts pou More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Mar 25, 2008

Jean rated it:

A thief sprung from jail to help a Magnus steal an ancient treasure, warring kingdoms, political intrigue, sword fights, narrow escapes,a mythology invented especially for this fictional place, and a quest--everything, it would seem, to keep me reading. So I am wondering why I so disliked this book that I had to force myself to keep reading to the end. I think I hit upon the answer spoken by one of Turner's characters near the last weary lap of the book: "Oh, fine," I told him...but More...

1 comment like (14 people liked it)

Apr 11, 2008

Annie rated it:

The main character of this story is mesmerizing. Turner has fleshed him out so fully, he's stepped right off the pages to join the ranks of characters the likes of Uriah Heep and Bertie Wooster. Gen is more likeable than either of them, though.

This is fantasy that doesn't feel like fantasy. From the moment you meet him in the king's prison, Gen effortlessly holds your attention as he slowly reveals himself without ever giving himself entirely away. He tells his own story and his obs More...

0 comments like (8 people liked it)

Aug 14, 2011

C rated it:

One of my favorite young adult books lately. Great story--lots of action and suspense and surprises. Some fantasy, but one of the most interesting things to me was that she made up this historical world, complete with countries, conflicts, religions,histories. Re-read with kid #2 and loved it all over again.

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Jun 30, 2011

Cait rated it:

Pleasing and clever, especially with the use of the first-person to hide information, but probably not something I would have picked up on its own merits; what's been recommended to me is the series as a whole.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Feb 27, 2009

Angie rated it:

This book has been sitting on my shelf for several (we won't go into how many exactly) years. I even *gasp* had both sequels sitting on the shelf next to it. And in the interest of full disclosure, I even started The Thief a couple of years ago, got 25 pages in, and stopped. For reasons I no longer recall. The fault, whatever it was, was clearly mine because this book is the beginning of something truly special. I completely understand why it won the Newbery Honor and am very glad it did.
More...

13 comments like (6 people liked it)

Mar 30, 2011

Flitterkit rated it:

I almost didn't actually pick this book up to start reading, the cover art and inner jacket blurb are pretty horrid. I had gotten it from the library on the recomendation of liking a short story of her's, and it has been sitting, neglected int he pile for 3 weeks.
Surprisingly enough, I really, really enjoyed this book. It was well written and interesting throughout, though it got a bit clunky at the end, I still enjoyed the story and the characters.

Oh, and the cover showing nex More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 07, 2009

Beanbag rated it:

This is one of my favorite book series. It was one of those odd things where a book cover just grabs you and you just have to buy it. I'm so glad I did.

I read The Thief a couple of years ago and I'm not exaggerating when I say that I always leave all three books in this trilogy out and accessible for a quick fix. They sit on my desk and they don't get moved unless I pick them up to read them. I'm so thrilled they've come out in e-book form because I miss them when I travel.
More...

2 comments like (6 people liked it)

Sep 21, 2010

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" rated it:

What do you do when you want to gain possession of something that's nearly impossible to obtain? You hire a thief who can steal just about anything.

Gen has no disillusions about his abilities as a thief. He's actually named after the god of thieves, Eugenides, as a matter of fact. While his father wanted him to be a soldier, he knew that was not the life for him. Instead, he honed his skills at stealing, until he was one of the best in the land. Too bad he did a little too much bra More...

12 comments like (19 people liked it)

May 19, 2008

Kirsti rated it:

"Intelligently surprising," posts Kirsti Meyer from the Meyer Sporadic Times. If I were a reviewer with clout and authors/publishers cared about my words enough to print them on the cover (or inside pages) of books, that's what my contribution would be, "intelligently surprising".

At first I was put off by the book. It took me a few days to get into the story and characters and I almost stopped reading it altogether, but decided to press forward because it was so More...

4 comments like (3 people liked it)

Feb 06, 2008

KJ rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Feb 08, 2008

Vicki rated it:

". . . I had bragged without shame about my skills in every wine store in the city. I had wanted everyone to know that I was the finest thief since mortal men were made, and I must have come close to accomplishing the goal. Huge crowds had gathered for my trial. Most of the guards in the prison had turned out to see me after my arrest,and I was endlessly chained to my bed when other prisoners were sometimes allowed the freedom and sunshine of the prison's courtyard."
You wi More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 02, 2008

Shaya rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

0 comments like (10 people liked it)

Jul 17, 2011

Cinnamon rated it:

This review may also be found on A Thousand Little Pages.

4.5/5

Rant/Mini Review:

The Thief started out as nothing special. The plot seemed mediocre, and I had trouble creating a mental image of Gen -- the main character, narrator, and thief -- in my head. But after the first few chapters, I found myself suddenly very engrossed in the novel and couldn't for the life of me put the book down to eat, sleep, or perform any of life's necessary functions...

Oh, Ms. More...

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 04, 2012

Bonnie rated it:

I thought long and hard about what I wanted to say in my review of this but after a full 24 hours I still don't have much. I've heard wonderful reviews about this 'series', not this book in particular, so I was always interested in finally reading it and seeing what my personal thoughts were. Truthfully, I was pretty disappointed with this book and would have given it 2 stars if the writing wasn't so engaging and continued to keep me interested.

Luckily, I'd say about 2/3 of the way t More...

10 comments like (4 people liked it)

Jun 26, 2011

Valerie rated it:

If you haven't read the book yet (however many of you there are out there) I suggest you not read too many reviews. If you're anything like me it won't ruin the book because it is a great book but it will make it less special. Some reviewers kind of spoiled the book without meaning to. If the blurb sounds interesting enough just take the book and read it.

I'll just say that I thought the character Gen was funny and the remaining characters that go on the quest are great too. The mag More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

May 26, 2011

Rachael rated it:

I enjoyed this book so much I'm reading the 2nd in the series right now.

Gen is imprisoned for stealing the King's seal and bragging all over town that he is the best thief in the world. One day he is brought before the Magus and the King and told he must go on a journey to steal a secret object. What follows is Gen's account of his travels with the Magus, 2 boys, and a guard on a secret quest for a king Gen holds no loyalty to. Being the best thief in the land, Gen has other plans.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 26, 2008

Susan rated it:

I think Turner has crafted a perfect story here. You get just enough clues to keep you ahead of some of the characters but not enough to give away the whole thing. Gen is enormously likable, proud of his skills, worried about getting his self-appointed task right, occasionally lapsing in his portrayal of an ignorant and self-serving gutter thief. I've seen some reviews mention the odd details that may or may not turn out to be important, but I liked them. Having spotted the major plot twist whe More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 06, 2008

Jenny rated it:

I adore this book to death! I heard it on tape, then listened to it again a few days later, and then again a few weeks ago. I love how it's set in a place very similar to Greece or Italy, and how it could almost really happen. I love Eugenides' ego, and am jealous of his talents.(Though if I had them I woud not use them for evil ends) It's a great book because you HAVE to read it again after you read the end, and see it in a different light. I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so no more on the More...

4 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jun 19, 2011

Keri rated it:

This YA novel was a quick read, but required thought. In fact, after I finished, I found myself continuing to think about the story and understanding more about the ending the more I thought about it. I love when a book makes me do that. Turner has done a great job creating her own world and time by coming up with an original religious system of gods, a history of the land, and lots of words unique to the setting she created. Her characters are not transparent and I liked them much better at the More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jul 11, 2010

Rachael rated it:

The Thief had a slow take off for me, but by the ending I was hooked and clamoring to read the sequel The Queen. I love the idea of spinning off of the ancient myth of Greece, but I think as a former classics minor I would've loved it even more if she had incorporated her researched version of ACTUAL recorded myth as if it were true. One note--those of us who are claustrophobic definitely suffer through most of the end. It's hard to close your eyes and keep on reading at the same time!!! I had t More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 05, 2010

Anne rated it:

Gen is a thief. And a prisoner with a sense of humor, which is rather remarkable for someone chained to the wall in the king’s prison. And when the king assigns Gen to steal for him, well, that’s when the story gets going.

All you need to know about a Megan Whalen Turner book is that you don’t know. You don’t have a clue what is happening. Until she, and Gen, choose to tell you. So strap yourself in. This book has one of the longest climaxes you will ever read. And this is only the b More...

4 comments like (7 people liked it)

Dec 31, 2008

Abby rated it:

I freaking LOVED this book. :) It was great.

3 comments like (3 people liked it)

Feb 02, 2012

Elentarien rated it:

I actually rather enjoyed this one. I had no idea what to expect when I picked it up - just started reading and while it was a bit slow to get started - I mean, lets face it, a history lesson about the prison and the area surrounding it is not exactly the greatest hook in the whole wide world - it soon picked up the pace and I had trouble putting it down.

The twist at the ending was not only unexpected, but rather gratifying. It was obvious on retrospect, but on the first read it was More...

0 comments like

Jan 27, 2012

Clee rated it:

„Der Dieb“ hat mich die ersten 100 Seite wahrhaftig meiner Leselust beraubt. Erst danach konnte ich den Elan finden, dieses Buch fortzuführen.
Leider war es schlussendlich so, dass richtig Spannung erst auf den letzten Seiten aufgekommen ist. Der Rest war viel Herumgereise und hier und da ein anderes Ereignis, aber nichts Berauschendes, das mich ans Buch hätte fesseln können.
Das Ende war zwar in der Tat großartig, offenbart es doch, dass wir es die ganze Zeit mit einem gewieften Geni More...

0 comments like