The latest YA fantasy book from Bones of Faerie author Janni Lee Simner!
After her mother mysteriously disappears, sixteen-year-old H... read full description
After her mother mysteriously disappears, sixteen-year-old H... read full description
reviews
Jun 02, 2011
~Tina~
rated it: 
(2.5-3stars)
Thief Eyes leads us to the unstable geological planes of Iceland where Haley tries to uncover the truth of her mothers disappearance. When she finds out that sorcery is the reason her family is broken and she is also in danger of the same doom her mother had faced, Haley has to break the pattern that was set over thirty generations ago...
While I absolutely love the concept of legends, magic and madness I'm afraid this was poorly delivered in terms of writing More...
Thief Eyes leads us to the unstable geological planes of Iceland where Haley tries to uncover the truth of her mothers disappearance. When she finds out that sorcery is the reason her family is broken and she is also in danger of the same doom her mother had faced, Haley has to break the pattern that was set over thirty generations ago...
While I absolutely love the concept of legends, magic and madness I'm afraid this was poorly delivered in terms of writing More...
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Sep 03, 2010
K.
rated it: 
Thief Eyes starts out in a rift valley in Iceland. Haley has accompanied her father on a research trip, but truly she's there to see for herself the spot where her mother disappeared a year ago.
Haley is a genetic descendant of Halgerd, a girl who learned sorcery from her Uncle and used it to cast a spell on a coin to exchange places with a future descendent so she wouldn't have to marry against her will in her own time.
Haley's mother picked up the coin, but dropped it, messing up th More...
Haley is a genetic descendant of Halgerd, a girl who learned sorcery from her Uncle and used it to cast a spell on a coin to exchange places with a future descendent so she wouldn't have to marry against her will in her own time.
Haley's mother picked up the coin, but dropped it, messing up th More...
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Oct 25, 2011
Carol
rated it: 
Icelandic lore and mystery collide with a very-modern day girl for an epic adventure. Haley travels to Iceland with her father to see the last place her mother was seen before she disappeared last year. Innocently picking up a coin on the side of the path throws Haley's life into total chaos. Luckily handsome Ari is there to save the day, or at least try to.
This was a good book, not my favorite, but worth reading. The Icelandic legends were intriguing. The characters were a bit annoying. Ov More...
This was a good book, not my favorite, but worth reading. The Icelandic legends were intriguing. The characters were a bit annoying. Ov More...
Jun 18, 2010
Rachael
rated it:
When her mother mysteriously disappears in Iceland, Haley and her father are shocked and confused. Somehow Haley convinces her father to take her to Iceland. Hoping for some closure, Haley instead finds herself entangled in what she thought was only Norse mythology and Icelandic sagas. Her possession of an ancient silver coin, a gift from her ancestors, ties her inexplicable to a powerful spell cast long ago by her maternal ancestor Hallgerd, a woman and sorceress who would do anything to escape
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Jun 13, 2010
Kari
rated it:
A magnificently weaved tale of magic and lore, Thief Eyes spins a new twist on sorcery. Pulling in several elements in unexpected ways, Simner has created a piece that is both refreshing and engaging. Set in Iceland and heavy on the culture and land, there are numerous unique aspects of this book.
Starting with a prologue that will capture the reader’s attention and spark many questions, the book spends only a small amount of time settling in before the action picks up and the p More...
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May 09, 2010
Kater
rated it:
Thief Eyes is a YA adventure novel steeped in Icelandic culture. Haley, an American teenager, persuades her father to take her to Iceland on his research trip. Both of them are haunted by the mysterious disappearance of Haley's mother a year earlier. Haley's father thinks her mom just ran away and had an accident, but his colleage, Katrin, thinks that Haley's mother was the victim of sorcery. As it turns out, Katrin is right.
Simner ties in Haley's adventures with Norse mythology and Njall More...
Simner ties in Haley's adventures with Norse mythology and Njall More...
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Jul 05, 2011
Beth
rated it:
Haley’s mother disappeared while on a trip in Iceland with her father. Haley gets him to take her to Iceland to discover what happened to her mother. With the help of Ari, a young boy around her age, they uncover not only what happened to her mother, but the truth of an ancient spell.
Haley’s ancestor, Hallgerd, made a spell to switch lives with a daughter of her own line, to thwart an unwanted marriage. Hallgerd’s daughter gave her daughter’s line keys to keep them from having to sw More...
Haley’s ancestor, Hallgerd, made a spell to switch lives with a daughter of her own line, to thwart an unwanted marriage. Hallgerd’s daughter gave her daughter’s line keys to keep them from having to sw More...
Jul 11, 2011
TheBookSmugglers
rated it:
Original review posted on The Book Smugglers HERE
Thief Eyes opens as a young woman called Hallgerd casts a spell, raging against her father and a broken promise. The spell – cast with fire and coin – takes Hallgerd through time as she searches down the line of her female descendants, trying to find someone who would trade places with her. But each and every one of her daughter’s daughters, knowing the effects of such a magic spell too well, turn their backs to Hallgerd. Until a th More...
Thief Eyes opens as a young woman called Hallgerd casts a spell, raging against her father and a broken promise. The spell – cast with fire and coin – takes Hallgerd through time as she searches down the line of her female descendants, trying to find someone who would trade places with her. But each and every one of her daughter’s daughters, knowing the effects of such a magic spell too well, turn their backs to Hallgerd. Until a th More...
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Jul 03, 2010
Cindy
rated it:
After having such a great debut novel it can be hard to top it. Sadly Thief Eyes doesn't really have the innocence, wow factor, or plot element that Simner's first novel did.
For those that don't know Icelandic lore (and I'm guessing that the MAJORITY of the US Teens don't). This book is going to be confusing and a bit hard to understand. I had some knowledge of lores but not enough that it was an easy read.
With that said, it was a unique choice Icelandic lore and that More...
For those that don't know Icelandic lore (and I'm guessing that the MAJORITY of the US Teens don't). This book is going to be confusing and a bit hard to understand. I had some knowledge of lores but not enough that it was an easy read.
With that said, it was a unique choice Icelandic lore and that More...
Feb 24, 2010
Jake
rated it: 
I loved this book so much that I read it in one day. I'm always impressed when a book inspires a burning desire to read another book...in this case, it's the Icelandic saga Njal's Saga. Thief Eyes is about a sixteen-year-old girl, Haley, who follows her father to Iceland so she can see the place where her mother disappeared a year previously. There she finds a strange coin that brings her nothing but trouble. Soon she discovers that her mother was caught in an ancient magic--and, by picking up t
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Sep 07, 2010
Victoria
rated it:
I really enjoyed this. Like BONES OF FAERIE it's very different from most material out there right now.
This is basically the tie up of a 1000 yr old Icelandic saga.
Over 1000 yrs ago a young girl's (Hallgerd) father promised her she could choose her own destiny. When she became of age though he married her off to someone she didn't love. She casts a spell to get one of the daughters on her line to switch places with her.
A 1000 yrs later a husband and wife More...
This is basically the tie up of a 1000 yr old Icelandic saga.
Over 1000 yrs ago a young girl's (Hallgerd) father promised her she could choose her own destiny. When she became of age though he married her off to someone she didn't love. She casts a spell to get one of the daughters on her line to switch places with her.
A 1000 yrs later a husband and wife More...
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Jun 19, 2010
Peppers
rated it:
To be honest, this book scared me a bit to pick up and read. I really like the author's book before this, "Bones of Faerie," and I was wondering what she was going to do with this one.
At first, I thought it was just going to be a retread of the other story: girl hero, missing mom, daddy issues. But, as I got reading, this actually turned out to be much more original and different than I expected. There ended up being quite a few things about this book that I loved.
More...
At first, I thought it was just going to be a retread of the other story: girl hero, missing mom, daddy issues. But, as I got reading, this actually turned out to be much more original and different than I expected. There ended up being quite a few things about this book that I loved.
More...
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(1 person liked it)
May 24, 2010
Miz Lizzie
rated it:
This novel finds its inspiration from one of the Icelandic sagas and the account of a woman who denied 3 locks of her hair to her husband and thus assured his death. When Haley's mother disappears after an argument with her father during a working vacation in Iceland, Haley is obsessed with retracing her mother's steps. Haley is disinclined to believe that ancient sorcery is behind her mother's disappearance until Odin's raven Munin carries her off to his mountain for safekeeping. As Haley un
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Jul 03, 2011
Wendy
rated it:
I've actually been fascinated by Iceland for a couple years, but Thief Eyes is my first fictional encounter with it. Icelandic sagas and Norse mythology come to life in this well-crafted novel about choices. The teen romance/adventure was entertaining, and I loved the vivid geologic backdrop. Simner's appreciation for ambiguity is what I'm still thinking about, however.
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Oct 19, 2011
coffclass
rated it: 
I found this book confusing. About Haley's ancestors and everything--was it because I have no background on the Iceland legend this was based on? If that's the case, then it's a huge drawback for readers. There were so many things that were not normal, and they weren't explained, and Haley wasn't even that surprised about them. I mean, if I was Haley and I was suddenly in this weird situation, I'd be shocked. Haley wasn't.
I'm not sure if it was the pacing, but even until the end, I w More...
I'm not sure if it was the pacing, but even until the end, I w More...
Jul 19, 2011
Veronica
rated it:
Age of Readership:
12 years and up
Genre:
Fantasy
Diversity:
Icelandic sagas/southwestern perspective in Iceland
Personal Response:
I've been wanting to read this book since I saw Janni lee Simner at the Tucson Festival of Book the year I discovered the SIRLS program at the University of Arizona. It did not disappoint. The main character was definitely on the road to learning a much needed lesson. Which was had. It More...
12 years and up
Genre:
Fantasy
Diversity:
Icelandic sagas/southwestern perspective in Iceland
Personal Response:
I've been wanting to read this book since I saw Janni lee Simner at the Tucson Festival of Book the year I discovered the SIRLS program at the University of Arizona. It did not disappoint. The main character was definitely on the road to learning a much needed lesson. Which was had. It More...
Jan 10, 2011
Kindle-aholic
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book. The characters felt very real, and it was easy for me to get into the book. I also liked how the Icelandic/Norse mytholgy was incorporated - it made sense, didn't feel forced, and the conclusion wasn't a copout either. The mythology was a nice change from other YA fantasy books (no vampires or faeries in this one).
The description on the book talks about passion between the characters, and one of the criticisms I read is that the reader didn't feel any gre More...
The description on the book talks about passion between the characters, and one of the criticisms I read is that the reader didn't feel any gre More...
Oct 25, 2011
linedwaters
rated it:
I started reading this book without expecting too much. The plot sounded okay, but other than that, I didn't even think I'd like it.
The book's pretty good. The storyline focused more on the plot itself, which is a relief, otherwise I'd be closing this book and placing it under "dropped" rather than reading through so many romantic scenes. Not much swearing, either. Maybe about three to five times only.
Simner also did a good job with maintaining the characters with t More...
The book's pretty good. The storyline focused more on the plot itself, which is a relief, otherwise I'd be closing this book and placing it under "dropped" rather than reading through so many romantic scenes. Not much swearing, either. Maybe about three to five times only.
Simner also did a good job with maintaining the characters with t More...
Sep 17, 2010
Erin
rated it:
I was surprised at how much I didn't like this book. When a book is based on culture/history/fables/etc. from the past of that country, I usually find myself completely intrigued. That just wasn't the case here. It wasn't the writing, although I found the female lead character a bit immature and weird, but it was more the story. It just didn't suit for me. I ended up skipping chunks and was not at all thrilled with the ending. "I'm not breaking up with my boyfriend and I am still going to d
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Jan 15, 2011
Christin
rated it:
I found this book to be spellbinding and thrilling. Teens and `tweens will enjoy this fabulous fantasy about a young girl who is coming out of her shell and trying to discover the secret to her mother's disappearance. As the story weaves from current reality into another dimension, Norse mythology and magic interlace to create a well transitioned move from reality to fantasy. Vivid descriptions and simplistic conversation allow the reader to follow the thoughts and growth of the young heroine. T
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May 23, 2010
Christina (Reading Extensively)
rated it:
I've always enjoyed fairy tale retellings. In this case Thief Eyes is a modern take on Njal's Saga, one of the Icelandic sagas. I know nothing about Icelandic myth and very little about Norse mythology but neither does the narrator, Haley. She is descended from Hallgerd, a real character in Njal's Saga, on her mother's side. The story starts out with Hallgerd casting a spell so that she won't have to marry someone she doesn't love. The results of this spell echo through the book and affect Haley
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May 19, 2010
This book shares a lot in common with the basic structure of Bones of Faerie: an angry but powerless dad, a daughter who doesn't communicate with him, a runaway (magical) mom, the daughter has to go find her. How the first person she meets is the possible boyfriend.
That said, Simner addresses the issue of a broken family from a different angle, always with the eye on the teen view. Haley and Ari are both from broken homes, something they talk about on their adventure, as they try to More...
That said, Simner addresses the issue of a broken family from a different angle, always with the eye on the teen view. Haley and Ari are both from broken homes, something they talk about on their adventure, as they try to More...
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Nov 30, 2011
Victoria
rated it:
I struggled mightily with this book. Books that blend 'real life' and fantasy typically aren't my cup of tea, but I was willing to give this one a chance because it took place in Iceland. I was hoping that there would be a good blend of Norse mythology/Icelandic sagas.
The author attempted to blend these elements and the results were...not good. The author butchered the saga elements and themes to within an inch of its life (the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" pops to More...
The author attempted to blend these elements and the results were...not good. The author butchered the saga elements and themes to within an inch of its life (the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" pops to More...
May 06, 2010
Teri
rated it:
I really enjoyed Bones of Faerie so I was interested to see how this book was.
While some similarities in the "idea" with her 2 books, the 2 are not easily compareable.
Not really a strong 4 star booke, I did like Bones of Faerie better, but better than a 3 star book IMO.
This author really has a great developement of characters, they are solid and real and act thier age.
I found the whole Iceland setting history and myths pretty intriguing. This was a pretty qu More...
While some similarities in the "idea" with her 2 books, the 2 are not easily compareable.
Not really a strong 4 star booke, I did like Bones of Faerie better, but better than a 3 star book IMO.
This author really has a great developement of characters, they are solid and real and act thier age.
I found the whole Iceland setting history and myths pretty intriguing. This was a pretty qu More...
Jul 17, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
Janni Lee Simner takes us into a world like none you can imagine. Thief Eyes starts many generations ago with a young girl being forced to marry the first guy who asks for her hand. She creates a curse that affects her daughter's daughters and travels down the line until it finds Haley.
The main character, Haley, is a fierce and determined young women. She is heart-broken over her mothers disappearance and wants some answers from her silent and resistant father. This part of Thie More...
The main character, Haley, is a fierce and determined young women. She is heart-broken over her mothers disappearance and wants some answers from her silent and resistant father. This part of Thie More...
Sep 20, 2010
Tabitha
rated it:
The retelling of Icelandic sagas and Scandinavian mythology is what drew me to this story. There are hardly any of these retellings, which is a shame because there’s so much great material there. So I eagerly awaited my copy of Thief Eyes.
Overall, it was interesting. The author’s spin on Hallgerd’s story is clever and intriguing, and shows Hallgerd as more than the evil, selfish girl painted by history/lore. The magical aspect of the story, however, is a bit too confusing. I coul More...
Overall, it was interesting. The author’s spin on Hallgerd’s story is clever and intriguing, and shows Hallgerd as more than the evil, selfish girl painted by history/lore. The magical aspect of the story, however, is a bit too confusing. I coul More...
Sep 10, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
(4.5 stars) Thief Eyes begins with a spine-tingling scene of sorcery, in which Hallgerd, a young girl in ancient Iceland, calls upon dangerous powers in order to avoid an unwanted marriage. With this scene, Janni Lee Simner sets an ominous mood, gives us some background information, and provides a few tantalizing hints about what might unfold later.
We move then to Haley, a young American girl of today who has just arrived in Iceland with her geologist father. A year ago, Haley’s moth More...
We move then to Haley, a young American girl of today who has just arrived in Iceland with her geologist father. A year ago, Haley’s moth More...
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May 05, 2010
Katie M.
rated it:
I probably spent more time glaring at this books and telling it how much I hated it that I did actually reading it.
I'm pretty sure it took me about... three months(??) to read it, and I regret every page of it. Worst. book. Ever.
The plot was slow and severely dull, the characters didn't do a whole lot for me, and for a 256 page book is seemed to drag on for a lifetime. Amazingly enough, the only character I didn't hate was Halgerd, the antagonist, because she seemed to actually h More...
I'm pretty sure it took me about... three months(??) to read it, and I regret every page of it. Worst. book. Ever.
The plot was slow and severely dull, the characters didn't do a whole lot for me, and for a 256 page book is seemed to drag on for a lifetime. Amazingly enough, the only character I didn't hate was Halgerd, the antagonist, because she seemed to actually h More...
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Apr 26, 2010
Sara
rated it:
Though I've never read Janni Lee Simner's debut novel BONES OF FAERIE, I had heard wonderful things about it and jumped at the chance to read her second novel, THIEF EYES. Much to my dismay, I failed to fall in love with Haley's story and found it difficult to finish.
First off, I did enjoy parts of the novel, most notably Haley's attraction to Ari. Even a hint of romance can catch my attention, so this is no surprise. However, the novel is not particularly long, which caused their st More...
First off, I did enjoy parts of the novel, most notably Haley's attraction to Ari. Even a hint of romance can catch my attention, so this is no surprise. However, the novel is not particularly long, which caused their st More...
Feb 27, 2010
Claire
rated it:
Jannie Lee Simner retells Najal's Saga an Icelandic tale of sorcery. When a young sorceress is betrothed to a man she does not want she casts a spell and travels a long path to the future seeking among her eons of granddaughters a girl to trade into her place.
In this retelling Haley's mom is tangled in the spell and disappears during a trip to Iceland with Haley's dad.
A tale of magic, betrayal, earth shattering power, deceit, honesty, loss, love and forgiveness.
In this retelling Haley's mom is tangled in the spell and disappears during a trip to Iceland with Haley's dad.
A tale of magic, betrayal, earth shattering power, deceit, honesty, loss, love and forgiveness.
