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Thief of Hope

by Cindy Young-Turner (Goodreads Author)

4.24 of 5 stars 4.24 · rating details · 54 ratings · 25 reviews

Sydney, a street urchin and pickpocket in the town of Last Hope, has managed to evade the oppressive Guild for years, but there is no escaping fate when she's sentenced to death for associating with the resistance.

After she's rescued by a wizard, Sydney is forced to accept that magic-long outlawed throughout the Kingdom of Thanumor-still exists, and the Tuatha, a powerful...more

Kindle Edition, 318 pages

Published May 16th 2011 by Crescent Moon Press (first published May 7th 2011)

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Apr 22, 2012 Kristiane rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: _series

Thief of Hope is the debut work by Cindy Young-Turner and her first book in the Kingdom of Thanumor Series. She is already writing on the sequel "Thief of Destiny", the continuation of Sydney's and Willem's Story.
I believe, the Story is for mature youths, because of some adult content and the graphic descriptions of death. But both is very well written and blends perfectly in the storyline. I would say, those descriptions are even need since they create determinedly the atmosphere for the book,...more Thief of Hope is the debut work by Cindy Young-Turner and her first book in the Kingdom of Thanumor Series. She is already writing on the sequel "Thief of Destiny", the continuation of Sydney's and Willem's Story.
I believe, the Story is for mature youths, because of some adult content and the graphic descriptions of death. But both is very well written and blends perfectly in the storyline. I would say, those descriptions are even need since they create determinedly the atmosphere for the book, the medieval setting helps as well.

19-year-old Sydney lives in Last Hope, where life is anything but hopeful.
Last Hope is personalised like a living person who stands on the utterly wrong side of life. It stands for everything that is and went awry in the Kingdom of Thanumor. But at the same time, it is the last outpost where the Guild was not able to take full control. Furthermore, Last Hope is protecting an ancient secret which conceals incredible possibilities and is linked to Sydney's birth. Not worth mentioning, what would happen to Thanumor, if this knowledge and power falls into evil hands.
Oryn, the wise and old magician, knows all about this and that is why he assembles a group of fugitive from various social stations. There would be the dishonored knight Gregor, who only wants to follow the rightful king, Oryn's own granddaughter Vadnae as the last magician, the monk Erik, who questioned his elders and wants change in the order and finally Sydney, the Thief of Last Hope. Later, Rolf, the messenger and Willem, the bastard son of the king also join this little group. All characters get sufficient attention, we get to know them in detail and see changes in them through their journey. Nevertheless, the narrative stays always focused on Sydney's and Willem's welfare. So, they are obviously pictured as the main protagonists. The story evolves around them with all its side-characters getting their scene at the right moment, even the bad ones like Schrammig.

Especially for Sydney, her involvement in this group is hard since she is still reeling from a loss four years ago, when her mentor and father figure Edgar was hanged by the Guild. Since then, her social standing changed drastically. In order to survive, she became a thief. Not something Edgar would have liked, she knows. And it is this knowledge and guilt which hinders her to fully explore her possibilities as a true leader of the Rebellion. She needs to overcome those to become "the Hope" in an otherwise bleak surrounding. But the change does not happen until she meets Willem, his personality and fighting spirit impress her. He is as young as Sydney, but is already steadfast in his believes and goals.

Together, they need to unveil the mystery of Last Hope, lead a rebellion and figure out their feelings for each other. That is a guaranty for fast-paced action, sinister people and lots of magic with a bit of romance thrown in.

This book is easily read without worrying for the end, because it has not a cliffhanger and finishes the main problems in a satisfying way. Still, it leaves enough uncompleted threads for further sequels, so e.g. the mystery of the Tapestry is not revealed, yet.
I am eagerly anticipating the next installment.(less)

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Jan 12, 2013 Katy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: people who enjoy a good story

Recommended to Katy by: Cindy Young-Turner

Shelves: ebook

Please note: Originally read in October 2011; updating the formatting and adding disclosure.

Book Info: Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Older Young Adult
Recommended for: Anyone who enjoys a good story
Trigger Warnings: Violence, sex

Disclosure: I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Synopsis: When her guardian, Edgar, is murdered by the Guild when she is 15, Sydney is left to survive however she can in Last Hope, a city at the edges of the ki...more Please note: Originally read in October 2011; updating the formatting and adding disclosure.

Book Info: Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Older Young Adult
Recommended for: Anyone who enjoys a good story
Trigger Warnings: Violence, sex

Disclosure: I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Synopsis: When her guardian, Edgar, is murdered by the Guild when she is 15, Sydney is left to survive however she can in Last Hope, a city at the edges of the kingdom of Thanumor. The Guild has been strangling all independent businesses, and Edgar was trying to organize people to put up a fight against them – he was caught and hung by Schrammig, the executioner and assassin of the Guild. Sydney ends up stealing and occasionally working as a prostitute in order to survive – she also must always be alert for Guild officials, as she believes Schrammig is still after her. However, one night she is unable to resist stealing a couple silver pieces from a Guild official that came into the tavern she was at, and he discovered the theft and came after her. When she is taken to the forest and left to die, she meets Oryn – a wizard – who says he has been watching her, and now he wants her to join in to fight against the Guild, and help the illegitimate son of the deceased king, named Willem, to take the throne of Thanumor and get rid of the influence of the Guild. Will she have the courage to stand for what is right, rather than taking the path of what is easy? What part could she possibly play in this game of princes, soldiers and wizards? And will she be able to stay that one step ahead of the Guild if she joins in with the rebels?

My Further Thoughts: I really enjoyed Thief of Hope. It is fast-paced while still giving good character and plot development, and was a lot of fun to read. It is pretty dark in places, and I wouldn’t recommend it for young readers without a parent’s vetting it because it has some pretty violent scenes, but I was impressed with its realism and clear-eyed vision of how things would really be in that sort of situation. A lot of fantasies sort of gloss over some of the more unpleasant truths, but Thief of Hope told it like it really could be, and provided a great adventure in the process. There are a lot of hidden depths in the characters – some are only hinted at, some are explored fairly thoroughly. The story is told exclusively from Sydney’s point-of-view, so we don’t know anything until she learns it, which I liked. Nothing against multiple points of view, but it is easier to keep track of things in a complicated plot when you don’t have to remember who knows what at any given moment. This is definitely a book I highly recommend to people who like a good story – pick it up and read it right away!(less)

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Jul 31, 2012 Louann Carroll rated it 5 of 5 stars

In the middle of a civil war a young urchin, Sydney, suffers a life filled with poverty and pain. She's never known her mother or father, and the only man that loved her was murdered by Schramming, leader of the Guild. The Guild has the city of Last Hope by the throat. Business' can't survive and the people suffer.

In the streets of Last Hope, Sydney wanders the back alleys in search of herself. She turns to theft and prostitution as a means of survival. Betrayed by a con-man, she enters into the...more

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Oct 13, 2011 Lillie Roberts rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Sydney has lost everyone who was important in her life. She never knew her mother, and the only father she has ever known, Edgar, was taken by the Guild and hung for his actions against the authority. She's grown up in a world where she can't depend on anyone but herself.

When the Guild comes looking for her, she knows she'll be put to death. She's a pickpocket who has the misfortune of nixing a few coins from a Guild official, and they're merciless. Sydney feels almost without worth, no one has...more Sydney has lost everyone who was important in her life. She never knew her mother, and the only father she has ever known, Edgar, was taken by the Guild and hung for his actions against the authority. She's grown up in a world where she can't depend on anyone but herself.

When the Guild comes looking for her, she knows she'll be put to death. She's a pickpocket who has the misfortune of nixing a few coins from a Guild official, and they're merciless. Sydney feels almost without worth, no one has valued her since Edgar's death. Love has been almost nonexistent in her young life, a life full of strife.

Oryn finds Sydney left to die in the forest outside Last Hope, and brings her across the magical boundary. He brings a little hope back into her life, and though she doesn't know it yet, she's one of the keys for the hope of the realm. At Oryn's home, she meets other exiles, in preparation for a revolt against the Guild. The bastard son of the King is ready to take his place on the throne, all Willem needs is the help of the people of Last Hope. For Sydney, it means learning to trust someone other than herself. For Willem, it means trusting Sydney's senses, her ability to see what others cannot, to know what has been forgotten.

Thief of Hope by Cindy Young-Turner is a tale told through the twists and turns of a place where the Guild controls lives, brings death, and most of society under it's boot heel. The Guild has taken over this realm, outlawed magic, and forgotten that the fae ever existed, nothing more than myths and fairytales. Willem offers a chance to bring change, to give freedoms and safety, to crawl out of the shadow of the oppressive Guild. Sydney hasn't trusted anyone in a long time, but in Willem she sees a possible future, the possibility of a free life. Willem sees in her the possibility of hope, if she can change, have faith, then others can as well. It brings new meaning to the tireless battle before him. Each is drawn to the other like moths to a flame, Willem to the hope that Sydney can give, and as well as the hope he can give. Each is what the other needs, but it is a love that can't exist. Or can it? The bastard King and the one-time pickpocket have to learn if love can exist where you want it, where you need it.

Thief of Hope exists in a place where magic has been bled out of the land, and the people are suffering for it. Not all magic comes in the form of wands or spells (though that can be found in this story as well), but in the ability of the land to renew itself, heal, for the people to have hope, and for the oppression to be alleviated. Willem and Sydney can help make this happen, but through their time together, love and need blossom. But, will it survive? Is it meant to be? I wish I had the answer to these questions, and it's my hope to find them in the next book in the series. I would like to see Willem and Sydney together, but can the bastard King take a former pickpocket as his bride and queen? Can Sydney accept something else? I'll be waiting to see what's in store for this pair. There are excellent secondary characters in this book as well, so I'll also be looking for some of their continuing story. Lovers of paranormal romance will find a sweet romance at the core of this book, and magic lovers will want to take a peek as well. There's a mysterious world waiting to be discovered. 5 out of 5 fairy kisses for this reader. Most excellent tale, and I'll be looking for more from this author.
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Apr 21, 2012 TC rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi

Sydney knows a thing or two about life on the streets. After her guardian Edgar is killed for his work with the resistance she flees her former home, living on the streets and relying on her own wits and people like her dubious on/off lover Zared to survive. When she is captured and sentenced to death she is saved by a wizard who opens her eyes to a world of magic she thought no longer existed in Thanumor. She also becomes aware of her own connection with faery folk the Tuatha and the bastard Pr...more Sydney knows a thing or two about life on the streets. After her guardian Edgar is killed for his work with the resistance she flees her former home, living on the streets and relying on her own wits and people like her dubious on/off lover Zared to survive. When she is captured and sentenced to death she is saved by a wizard who opens her eyes to a world of magic she thought no longer existed in Thanumor. She also becomes aware of her own connection with faery folk the Tuatha and the bastard Prince Willem. He seeks to claim the throne of his deceased father and bring the reign of the oppressive Guild to an end. She struggles to see her value among a group of wizards, warriors and monks but her association with Edgar means more than she ever thought.

The book starts by setting up Sydney's past, then moves to the present and her perspective. She's a young woman who has had to do things she's not proud of to survive. Last Hope is a tough place that is only kind to the privileged few. As the story progresses she is judged by others who haven't lived a life like hers, and connects strongly with those who have. She also finds that a lot of what she had believed about her past was not true and has to reassess her own image of herself. I found her likeable and was also drawn to other major characters in the group supporting the would-be king. I thought even the villain of the piece was well developed, and avoided becoming a caricature with just a hint of what might have shaped him.

The tale moves at a good pace, with lulls in the actions as the group stop briefly to plan and regather their thoughts. This contrasts with the moments of peril, and the battles and killings raging around them. The tone is dark but with definite moments of hope. They face Schrammig, a fearsome individual who has caused untold misery but Syd finds herself having to decide whether she lowers herself to his level to avenge the deaths of so many.

This is a novel that has heaps of potential for a sequel or sequels. However unlike some fantasy sagas there is a very definite end to this book and it feels like a complete story, rather than in need of a second volume. I would love to see the development of certain relationships, see more of a focus on some of the characters in this book and find out more about Sydney's heritage and abilities. Thanumor is a world that isn't all that different to our own, although with a historical feel to it. While magic and the supernatural have an important role to play in the story it isn't too fantastical and a lot of tale depends on very human relationships and struggles. Perhaps that is why I enjoyed this fantasy novel so much. (less)

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Apr 02, 2013 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Cindy Young-Turner has written a book that is catnip to the fantasy lover. I found Thief of Hope intriguing on multiple levels. We follow along with a young woman, Sydney, who is the heroine of the story. She doesn't know who her parents are and has been on her own since Edgar was killed. Edgar is a man who took her in as an infant and raised her as his own. Sydney lives in Last Hope in the Kingdom of Thanumor. Last Hope is where the lowest of the low reside. They are ruthlessly controlled by Th...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Christina Boulard rated it 5 of 5 stars

You know, I get so excited when I get to write a good review for a debut author! And this one right here? This is going to be a GOOD review! ;)

Thief of Hope is the first book in a series about our main character, Sydney, our champion, Prince Willem, and the Fae folk, the Tuatha.

This is the part where I geek out a bit and tell you that I LOVE anything to do with the Tuatha. You see, in two MMO's I've played (one I currently play!), my main character has been Irish and has had Fae blood.
The Tuatha...more

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Apr 15, 2012 Paperback Dolls rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adv-readers-copy, reviewed-by-mona, 3-stars, reviewed-2012, young-adult

Originally posted at PaperbackDolls.com

Imaginative world building, unlikely allies, and the hint of a love story keep this novel moving at a brisk pace. Sydney’s rough around the edges and hovers just outside of respectability, and her on again-off again lover, Zared, makes the reader wonder if he’s to be trusted.

Arrested for stealing from a Guild official, she’s sentenced to hang, but at the last minute, she’s taken to the edge of the forest and tied to the Wizard Tree where, in years past, sco...more

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Sep 29, 2011 Tara rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, review-copy, thieves

It’s not often I give out 5* reviews, but for this book, it’s necessary. The story follows Sydney, a commoner living in the city of Last Hope, working as a pickpocket and basically doing whatever it takes to survive. The oppressive Guild – the group running the city and the rest of the realm of Thanumor in lieu of a King – eventually catches up with Sydney – partly due to her own criminal merit and partly due to her association with her adoptive father, Edgar, who caused them plenty of problems...more It’s not often I give out 5* reviews, but for this book, it’s necessary. The story follows Sydney, a commoner living in the city of Last Hope, working as a pickpocket and basically doing whatever it takes to survive. The oppressive Guild – the group running the city and the rest of the realm of Thanumor in lieu of a King – eventually catches up with Sydney – partly due to her own criminal merit and partly due to her association with her adoptive father, Edgar, who caused them plenty of problems by leading a resistance to their forces.

When this happens, Sydney is sentenced to death – only surviving by being saved by a wizard, who leads her out onto an adventure in the company of Willem – the dead King’s bastard son, and rightful heir to the throne of Thanumor.

I have to admit, at first, I wasn’t keen on Sydney as a character. However, she develops well throughout the book, and by the end, I was very much behind her. The thing is that as a reader, you eventually begin to understand how Sydney has lived, and that this is the reason she does things, and acts as she does. Especially by the end of the book, I felt very much that Sydney should get some form of justice – and what she ultimately wants (I won’t give away more here for fear of spoilers!)

The other characters were also all believable, and even Willem, who is clearly meant to be very just and good has some flaws, which I enjoyed – I find that I can’t enjoy fully ‘perfect’ characters. Another firm favorite was Erik, the cleric, as was Vadnae, though I felt that Gregor could have been mentioned more – however, it feels as though this book may become a part of a series, and this would be an avenue I would be interested in reading about.

Basically, this book was a brilliant read, and I just lapped it up. There was very little worth criticizing, and that’s definitely refreshing! The characters really seemed to take a life of their own, and the villains were nasty enough for the reader to seriously dislike them. The book had a very upbeat feel, despite some very dark moments, and the character progression leads the reader to really feel for the characters.

I’d definitely recommend this, to both fantasy lovers and those just starting the genre. In fact, even if you don’t like fantasy, I’d recommend this book.
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Jan 30, 2013 Jonathan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Thief of Hope continues a trend that I’ve noticed of late: a female protagonist as something of a “chosen one”, with a mysterious past that lends her to great things. Hard to criticize the trope when I’ve written my own take on it, and honestly I think the idea is still fresh enough to offer interesting takes on it. Thief of Hope is one such book. While superficially the character of Sydney bears a resemblance to Vin from Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series, Syd is a very different person; where...more Thief of Hope continues a trend that I’ve noticed of late: a female protagonist as something of a “chosen one”, with a mysterious past that lends her to great things. Hard to criticize the trope when I’ve written my own take on it, and honestly I think the idea is still fresh enough to offer interesting takes on it. Thief of Hope is one such book. While superficially the character of Sydney bears a resemblance to Vin from Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series, Syd is a very different person; where Vin finds a side of herself that she never expected in courtly society, Syd doesn’t seem nearly as comfortable in it, which makes a whole lot more sense to me than Vin suddenly taking to a highly superficial, fake atmosphere with very little trouble.

Of course, I’m not here to talk about the two characters in comparison, simply to state that Young-Turner’s character, story, and world are very much their own thing. Since we’ve discussed Sydney some, let’s dig into plot first. Sydney starts the story as a common street thief, albeit one raised by a man with a strict code of ethics, one who became something of a hero to the people. Sydney fears that she’s strayed far from Edgar’s principles and betrayed his method of raising her, even as we see that she has her own code of ethics driving her onward. Syd’s journey truly begins when she robs a representative of The Guild, something of a socialist worker collective that has seized control of the government and run amok, its original goals twisted by the top party members. This brush with the Guild leads to her discovering that magic is still alive and well in the world, that there is an active resistance to the Guild, and that her own mysterious heritage will push her onto the central stage of the coming conflict. The story is a good one, and I especially enjoyed the peeks at the lives of the Tuatha, or “Fairy Folk”. More of their culture and story would be appreciated in the sequel, along with the story of the Shadow Folk, but I feel that Young-Turner gives us just enough here to whet our appetite; I’m quite satisfied with what I received on them, for now.

For better or worse, Young-Turner devotedly sticks to Sydney’s point of view through the events that follow. I found myself a little bummed at points, wishing that I could witness some of the other events that were going on (maybe some of these could make interesting short stories), and while the pacing slowed a bit here and there, it was never enough to keep me from reading onward.

Young-Turner’s strength lies in her characters and their interactions, and they shine through here. Even the subtlest of interactions is laced with meaning and feeling; these characters hesitate and stumble, they feel awkward in the presence of others and don’t know how to deal with certain situations. There’s a particularly poignant moment toward the end of the book that I’d love to share with you, but unfortunately it would be too big of a spoiler.

All in all, I found the book very enjoyable and have already started the prequel novella, Journey to Hope, which I hope to review soon.(less)

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Jan 16, 2013 Dani rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ka-female-heroines

The first thing I would like to say is that this is a fantastic debut. This is an engaging, fast paced story. I will definitely be on the look out for the sequel.

Now on to the aspects of the book.

At first I was a little put off by a few cliches that were interspersed throughout the story such as a old wizard with a long white beard, faery folk with musical voices, a handsome prince, and lots of talk about piercing gazes that see straight to the soul. However, despite this, I found myself ignori...more

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Apr 11, 2013 PaulineMRoss rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-fantasy, price-cheap, 3-star

Fantasy Review Barn

Sydney is a nineteen year old orphan of unknown parentage, but she was brought up by Edgar who had the misfortune to be hanged four years before for working against the all-powerful Guild. She makes a living by picking pockets in the town of Last Hope. As always in these cases, I wonder why Edgar, who seemed like a nice enough chap, made no better provision for her, and how it is that there are no respectable jobs she could be doing, and how come she appears to have no other f...more Fantasy Review Barn

Sydney is a nineteen year old orphan of unknown parentage, but she was brought up by Edgar who had the misfortune to be hanged four years before for working against the all-powerful Guild. She makes a living by picking pockets in the town of Last Hope. As always in these cases, I wonder why Edgar, who seemed like a nice enough chap, made no better provision for her, and how it is that there are no respectable jobs she could be doing, and how come she appears to have no other friends apart from a prostitute and a boyfriend who’d like to pimp her out. Luckily, just as she’s about to be hanged herself, she’s mysteriously taken off to the Wizard Tree and rescued by - surprise! - a wizard. And from there on, the story becomes a race to vanquish the evil Guild and their even more evil overlord Schrammig in order to put the king’s bastard son on the throne.

This is the fantasy equivalent of easy-listening music - charming, comfortable and conventional. Wizards are nice people (apart from the evil wizard, of course) who can do pretty much anything the plot requires without apparent effort, while not being able to do anything which would make life too easy. The bad guy is an appropriately nasty character (we know this because he has a scar; oh yes, and he drags people off to be hanged, as well). There's the Guild which has monopolised all business and is, it seems, very unpleasant. There’s a nice friendly ex-knight and a grumpy monk and a surprisingly ladylike wizardess, who is determined to go off to war, but cries as soon as anyone gets hurt. There's a hereditary monarchy with male primogeniture. There's an organised religion which has a single capitalised god, churches, abbeys and monks who wear brown robes. There are towns which appear to be almost entirely populated by thieves and prostitutes, and are filled with markets and taverns. Vast amounts of stew are consumed. So far, so traditional.

Our heroine, Sydney, is an odd mixture of feistiness and timidity, who seems to go along with the vanquishing scheme because that way at least she gets fed regularly. Well, I can see how that might be an attraction if you’ve lived on the streets. Her only problem is that she's easily distracted. No sooner is she given a task to do by her new friends than she finds some other urgent errand to do first, and then another, and then... A bit of a loose cannon, really. Willem, the king's bastard son, is exactly the sort of strong, upright character you'd expect. He strides around making promises of treating everyone fairly when he’s king, and says 'I give you my word' or 'Trust me' and people believe him. There are a lot of things taken on trust here. The most interesting character to me was Vadnae, the rather prissy wizardess, constantly dismayed by mud and rain. I was also interested in the mysterious Tuatha (elves, basically), who were a small but important part of the story.

As the plot gets going, Sydney and pals are chased hither and thither, escaping by the skin of their teeth from the bad guys always half a step behind (I wasn’t quite sure how they managed to do that, but never mind). Each time they escape, they stop and talk things through. Whenever they meet potential allies, they stop and talk things through again, explaining just how nasty the bad guy is, and how awful life is under the Guild, without ever filling in the details of what, exactly, they do that's so bad (apart from randomly hanging people, that is). But it must be pretty bad, because people are starving as a result and living in vermin-infested hovels and so on.

I had some logic issues. Why exactly is Willem trying to kickstart his revolution by rousing the downtrodden hovel residents of Last Hope anyway? Wouldn't it be simpler and easier just to drum up an army from his supporters? This is, after all, the traditional way to get yourself onto a disputed throne. And if you manage to drum up a bigger army than your rival, yay, you win! Plus, aspiring kings don't go off alone with pick-pockets, they tend to have hefty bodyguards around them at all times, as a precaution against assassins. So I had trouble with the whole idea of Willem crawling through the tunnels below Last Hope in the first place. All it needed was one startled local to put a dagger through him and - game over. And why exactly was Anaria making stew in the middle of the night? And why the agonising over the risks of trekking through the Wastes, when Rolf had obviously just made that journey safely? Confusing.

The writing style is clean to the point of terseness. I would have preferred just a little more description here and there, to flesh out the scenery a little more. One thing that I found irritating: the author rarely uses 'he said', 'she said'. Instead, characters do something - tap a finger, toss their hair, quirk an eyebrow - and then speak. I understand the logic of not overusing 'said', but I find it less intrusive than all this restless action. These comments are not criticisms, rather personal preferences that occasionally intruded on my enjoyment of the story.

Eventually we meet the mysterious Tuatha and from then onwards the book becomes a bit of a page-turner. Whenever magic is involved - the strange marble, the very spooky shadow creatures, Sydney’s dreams - I found myself totally engrossed. I never quite understood why Sydney was so important to everyone, but I guess it doesn’t really matter. The magic was very convenient at times, so that whenever Sydney got into trouble (which she did quite often, usually after saying airily ‘Don’t worry, I can deal with X’), a helpful wizard or magic marble or some such would miraculously rescue her. Sometimes she got other people into trouble, too (usually after saying airily ‘Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe’). But despite all that it was good, exciting stuff.

I find this a very difficult review to write. On the one hand, I understand what the author was trying to achieve, and the book is technically impeccable. It pushes all the right buttons. But somehow I never quite felt the sort of emotional engagement that I’m sure was intended. Willem strides about making promises but we never see him in truly king-like mode, apart from a brief swordfight. Sydney herself too often makes bad decisions and ends up needing to be rescued. The question of who to trust was a major theme, yet everyone trusts Willem unreservedly, and Sydney too, for that matter. The children seemed to be there purely to create artificial tension and tug at the heartstrings. There were some great moments, and the ending was note-perfect, but all too often characters spoke in platitudes: ‘We can’t allow this to happen, we owe it to X to do this, I promise you he’ll pay for his crimes.’ Or this:“Willem gives me confidence, Erik. We should believe in him. And ourselves. It’s the only way we’re going to win.” Honestly, if I were a Last Hope resident, I’d need more than that to persuade me to take up my pitchfork against armed and trained soldiers.

For all that certain aspects didn’t quite work for me, this is an entertaining and fast-paced read, which I enjoyed a great deal, especially the Tuatha and the strange shadow beings. Recommended for those who like very traditional and uncomplicated fantasy. Three stars.(less)

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Dec 13, 2011 Flora Bateman rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I apprciate the opportunity to read such a wonderful book.

This book is set in a world that is in the midst of a civil war in a land ruled by the Guild. They are a tyranical organization that uses violence to rule the people. Sydney is a troubled young woman who has grown up in poverty using any means to cope and survive. She is drawn into the world of wizards, the fae, and the people figting for their freedom. This book is f...more

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May 02, 2013 Mommasaysread rated it 4 of 5 stars

Thief of Hope by Cindy Young Turner – Review
By MommaG on May 2, 2013

When I started Thief of Hope, I thought it was going to be typical fantasy genre as the adventuring group quickly shaped up to be fighter, mage, thief, and cleric. The author, Cindy Young – Turner, kept the story from being stale or too cookie – cutter with the character development. Readers discover that the main characters are not predictably one- sided individuals motivated only by virtue or for the greater good.

The heroine,...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Ron rated it 4 of 5 stars

Epic fantasy is a genre that’s seen almost everything. But, from time to time, you find a title where it’s been done right.

Thief of Hope is one of those titles. It’s not visionary; it’s a classic. And, in that line, it’s a breath of fresh air because it delivers everything we love about the genre, while staying well clear of any of its usual faults.

This is perhaps most obvious with the characters themselves. They all are flawed, but not in the “it’s trendy way”. They’re flawed in the “has potent...more Epic fantasy is a genre that’s seen almost everything. But, from time to time, you find a title where it’s been done right.

Thief of Hope is one of those titles. It’s not visionary; it’s a classic. And, in that line, it’s a breath of fresh air because it delivers everything we love about the genre, while staying well clear of any of its usual faults.

This is perhaps most obvious with the characters themselves. They all are flawed, but not in the “it’s trendy way”. They’re flawed in the “has potential to develop” sense. So, through the story, they react to events and adapt and, yes, grow. That alone is a massively positive point, more so when taking into account that we’re not talking about the main characters, but about the whole cast.

The scale is another thing I fell in love with. Yes, this is an epic story. Yeah, the kingdom’s destiny’s on the line, but... one step at a time. No one-man war machines, no fancy tricks to suit the plot in detriment of the story. The events take place in a different world, but I could believe them. Because of that, I got invested, I really worried about the main character’s success, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Worldbuilding is another superb aspect that helped to the believability factor, and which made read the book in two massive sittings. It’s medieval and celtic and one-hundred-percent original all at the same time, so organic that it was difficult to come out of the story at the end.

The storyline had at least two layers, and that’s something that I loved – and that epic fantasy doesn’t usually deliver like this. One the one hand, there’s the quest to help Willem claim the throne, which was full of action and tension and very well balanced. And on the other hand, there’s the inner quest of the character growth I mentioned before. Sydney in particular, as she’s our POV character, faces her past and her pain and fights to get over it, to be someone she can be proud of.

And yes, in that personal fight, there’s a little bit of romance. Another aspect where Thief of Hope shines: the characters fell in love slowly, I could see why they would. Also, there are consequences to their feelings. That’s something that wins me over every time, and this story was no exception.

To be honest, I can’t wait for the sequel to Thief of Hope. I think it’s one of the best classic epic fantasy I’ve read in a while, and if you like the genre or are pondering giving it a shot, this is the perfect choice. (less)

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Feb 09, 2012 Kimba (Caffeinated Book Reviewer) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Thief of Hope, Cindy Young-Turner’s debut novel is pure delightful fantasy. The tale takes place in the city of Last Hope in the kingdom of Thanumor. The King rules in name only as the Guild, a greedy army has been strong arming the businesses and people of the kingdom. Despite conditions the people of Last Hope dream of a new king and overcoming the Guild. At one time magic was an integral part of Thanumor, but it has been banned, driving the wizards and fae to leave this realm. When the king d...more Thief of Hope, Cindy Young-Turner’s debut novel is pure delightful fantasy. The tale takes place in the city of Last Hope in the kingdom of Thanumor. The King rules in name only as the Guild, a greedy army has been strong arming the businesses and people of the kingdom. Despite conditions the people of Last Hope dream of a new king and overcoming the Guild. At one time magic was an integral part of Thanumor, but it has been banned, driving the wizards and fae to leave this realm. When the king dies, the Guild appoints one of their own to rule. Willem the bastard son of the king, must come forth, battle and reclaim the throne which is rightful his. The tale is enchanting and the characters believable.

The protagonist is a young woman named Sydney. She has never known her mother and was raised by a man named Edgar. He taught her everything she knows and she loved him like a child loves her father. Edgar worked to resist the Guild and was hanged by their evil leader, a man called Schramming. He is a ruthless evil man who is the executioner and assassin for the Guild. At fifteen Sydney watched him take and hang Edgar. Since that time, Sydney has lived on the streets. She has been a thief and a whore to survive. She takes a couple of coins from an official and is sentenced to be hanged. A promise made to Edgar and a wizard save Sydney from the hang man’s noose. The wizard takes her into his realm, where she learns that those in the magic realm are ready to assist Willem in reclaiming the throne and that magic will return. She meets others who will play a part; a monk, an ex-knight, the wizard’s daughter and a messenger. The wizard asks Sydney to help. The tale that unfolds is suspenseful and dark as this small group work to regain the city of Lost Hope and eventually the throne.

The romance that develops between Sydney and Willem is believable and the journey they face a difficult one. The monks and townsfolk of Last Hope are brilliantly portrayed and you get caught up in their fears and emotions. The wizards good and evil are both frustrating and delightful as they speak in riddles and truths. Sydney is more vital to their success, then anyone realizes. She thinks she is nothing more than a thief and a whore…but she will soon discover that she is so much more.
I want to thank the author for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.(less)

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Jun 12, 2012 Kayla Eklund rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews-completed

Thief of Hope was absolutely wonderful. The story had me captivated from beginning to end. The prologue was a little rocky for me, but it was over fairly quickly. There was one or two minor grammar errors throughout the story. As soon as I began reading the book, I felt a deep connection with Sydney, the main character. The author makes the reader feel as if they were in Sydney's shoes, experiencing everything she is going through. The plot was very creative and flows smoothly. The author writes...more

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Jul 23, 2011 CJ Cooper rated it 5 of 5 stars

Thief of Hope offers the reader superb character development and employs believable character relationships to reveal a tale of of political and sociological intrique. The fantasy context advances a clever metaphor for timeless concepts that are readily adaptable to the challenges of 21st-century life.

Kudos to Cindy Young-Turner for effectively illuminating an emotional dimension of reality via an insightful fantasy world.

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Jun 21, 2011 Donald Mclean rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Magic, action, romance - this book has it all. The main character is a young woman who, prior to the beginning of the story, has done whatever she was necessary to survive (including theft - thus the title). When things go horribly wrong, she expects to meet a horrific end, only to have fate step in and send her in a direction that she could not have imagined.

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Dec 21, 2011 Wendy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

This was an amazing, fast paced story. I like the combination of fantasy, revolution, and hope with a hint of romance that the story entails. The story tells of a young woman's progression from a hopeless, just surviving day to day life to a life with hope for the future and moving on past the grief of loosing her father. Adding magic, wizards, and faery folk makes the story more unique and appealing. I can't wait for the sequel to see how Sydney's journey will continue.

I received this book thro...more

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Jan 01, 2012 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked it but.... it felt like a bigger story that was rushed along. It could have used more background info, character development, just more. I felt like I was hurried through to the end. The story could have been worked into a book twice as long.

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Oct 05, 2011 Jean Murray rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

FABULOUS BOOK! A must Read.

This was my first fantasy based book and I am so glad I selected Ms. Young-Turner's story. I traveled back in time to a world of wizards, magic and faes. The heroine, Sydney, has suffered a life of pain and poverty, which I felt right along with the character. She survives in a world that cares nothing for her. Her death sentence can end her suffering or give her a second chance at better life with a handsome King, Willem, who needs her help to save his people and rise...more

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Aug 28, 2011 James Crawford rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Cindy's twist on the nature of the relationship between fairy folk and mankind is interesting. I also found the main characters well-drawn and easy to relate to. Her interplay between hope and squalor is delightful, too.

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Jan 01, 2013 Maer rated it 5 of 5 stars

The first book in a new fantasy series by debut author Cindy Young-Turner is a great read that makes you more than ready for the next book. Thief is tightly written and fast-paced. Sydney, engaging and unusual, is a thief of the streets, who throws her lot in with rebels fighting against the out-of-control and power-hungry Guild.

The world Young-Turner creates is gritty and believable. The characters are well-drawn, interesting and draw you into caring about them quickly. The plot moves along at...more

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Jun 18, 2012 Janine Spendlove rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Fast paced, and hooks you in right from the get go! I loved the world Cindy created here and her fantastic characters. I can't wait to read what happens next!

Write faster Cindy, please!

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Jun 14, 2011 Alan Zendell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Beautifully written fantasy quest with lovable characters.

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Jul 25, 2011 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Written by a friend of Derek's! Very fun read.

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May 19, 2013 Liz:) marked it as to-read

May 19, 2013 Shurouqideis marked it as to-read · review of another edition

May 18, 2013 Lauren marked it as to-read

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About Cindy Young-Turner

Cindy Young-Turner has always been an avid reader and became fascinated by mythology and Arthurian legends at an early age. She quickly decided she enjoyed creating her own worlds and characters and set to work writing her own stories. She won her first writing contest at age twelve, a local contest calling for stories written in the style of Edgar Allan Poe.

Cindy believes genre fiction can be jus...more

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