Tower of Treasure

Three Thieves #1

by Scott Chantler

As an acrobat in a traveling circus, 14-year-old orphan Dessa Redd flies through the air with ease. Still, she is weighed down by troubling memories. But when her ragtag circus troupe pulls into the city of Kingsbridge, Dessa feels a tickle of hope. Maybe here in the royal city she will finally find her twin brother--or the mysterious man who snatched him away when they were just children.

Meanwhile, Topper, the circus juggler, is obsessed with proving his reputation as the world's greatest thief... by robbing the royal treasury! Topper recruits Dessa and the circus strongman, Fisk, for the job. Hungry and desperate, both agree, setting off a series of adventures that will take the three thieves from one end of the world to the other in search of Dessa's long-lost brother.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Adventure, Comics, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Scott Chantler is the acclaimed cartoonist of the graphic novels SQUIRE& KNIGHT, BIX, TWO GENERALS (which was long-listed for CBC’s CANADA READS: TRUE STORIES, named one of Chapters-Indigo’s Best Books of 2010, and selected for BEST AMERICAN COMICS 2012), NORTHWEST PASSAGE (which was nominated for Eisner, Harvey, Shuster, and Doug Wright Awards), and the THREE THIEVES series (the first book of which, TOWER OF TREASURE, won the Joe Shuster Award for Best Comic for Kids).

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teenage devotee of Dungeon and Dragons, I have to say I was pretty instantly charmed by this first book in the "Three Thieves" series. It's largely setting the table for what's the come, but in a medievalish kingdom, we meet a teenage orphan acrobat and her two nonhuman companions (one ettin, one goblinlike dude), who arrive the capital city of Kingsbridge as part of a travelling circus. Soon enough, they are trying to break into the queen's treasure tower in an extended sequence rich in detail and cool little traps. Chases, capture, escape, and more ensue, all well paced, well drawn and colored, and totally engaging. The backstory of her dead parents and missing brother are quickly introduced, along with the villain who's to blame and a one-eyed knight who seems like he's going to eventually be an ally. Pretty basic story, but well told and with art that combines rich action with detailed backgrounds -- good fun for kids and adults.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Sentence Review: This was awesome, so my sole objection is that it didn't tie up any loose ends and instead leaves the reader on edge by the end.

[Skye Kilaen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting all-ages fantasy adventure series, complete in seven volumes, with a kick-butt girl protagonist. Dessa is an acrobat in a show that travels the kingdoms. Its members make more money pickpocketing then entertaining at the castles and villages they visit. When her colleague proposes they rob the Queen's treasure chamber, though, that takes things to a whole new level. And how is the mysterious man in uniform related to the disappearance of Dessa's brother when she was a child? This is a darker and more powerful book than some fantasy romps, especially in the flashbacks to Dessa's childhood. (My son is not easily scared, and we read it with him at four and five years old, no problem.) I loved the combination of adventure, political conspiracy, and friendship.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this series at our library and picked it up. Both me and my 10 year old son enjoy middle grade fantasy graphic novels so this looked interesting. It ended up being a well done and entertaining fantasy graphic novel.

The characters are decently developed and Dessa has a lot of history that is presented in this novel . Dessa was fun to read about and full of determination to find her brother. She is helped along by a couple of goofy non-human characters named Topper and Fisk.

There is a lot of action in here as well as entertaining acrobatic stunts and thievery. Although the story is pretty straight-forward it does have some depth to it as well; there is unrest in the kingdom and you can tell the Captain of the Guard is a noble man who is troubled by the kingdoms larger scale issues.

The illustration is pretty typical cartoon style and is well done. It’s easy to follow what’s going on in the story and the illustration adds a lot to the story as well.

Overall I enjoyed this, it was a fun classic fantasy style graphic novel. The characters and story are entertaining the illustration is decently done and easy to follow. I would recommend to fans of middle grade fantasy graphic novels.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featuring a spunky, independent, and brave young lady as the main character, this graphic novel is sure to entertain young readers. The narrative is engaging and the ending leaves the reader wanting to know more.

Luckily, there are several books out in the Three Thieves series, so our curiosity will be satisfied as soon as we can get the next books at our local library. We all really enjoyed this book.

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good good good and did I mentions it's very very good?

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good plot-line, interesting characters, and colourful art - quite excellent, in fact. Great graphic novel for kids especially, and adults too.

[Madeline J. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was awesome!
I really felt dragged into the story and I couldn't escape.
My only problem is it was to short! I want more.
5/5.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as much fun as Squire & Knight. Definitely in the tradition of Dungeons & Dragons and in the flavor of Bone: The Complete Edition.

[Aina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best book so far. So sweet and cute.

[Snapdragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

.More reviews like this one on my blog Snapdragon Alcove

This book is one long setup for a series. Nothing else is added to the story. The characters are somewhat interesting. Adventure Zone, which I just read and , has a setup for a series at the end. That way, the world and character are introduced to the reader, making them more invested in the story.

The art style is good. Nothing that stands out or is too unique. Light and dark are used to tell if it is night or daytime. Little detail of shadows is used to indicate with the light source is.

However, there is a pet peeve I have with graphic novels that are present in this one. I don’t like when the panels are repeated with the same picture. Sorry, I can’t find a good picture of the graphic novel to better explain it. So you have to bear with me here.

In some parts, the repeated panels show the character’s movement well. Other times, it hinders it. There are two pages that show the narrow panel of a knight standing at a window and the picture is repeated with little movement. I get the author doesn’t want to show the inside of the room. For is something that finds out by the main character later in the story.

Instead, what can be improved is to show one large picture and then change the angle a little as the knight looks at the door.

For the most part, Tower of Treasure sits on the bar of average. It is not bad, but it is not great. Kids might like it for that who it is for. You're going has to rush out and get the second volume because the kid might feel rob get a small portion of a story.

[Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced adventure story about three traveling side show preformers. One has a mission to rob the the queen's treasury and another wants to find the man who kidnapped her brother and murdered her mother when she was a child. All three have various talents that not get them into trouble but also get them out. The first in a the graphic novel "Three Thieves" series. I can't wait to read the next two installments with number four on the way. Geared for late elementary and middle school readers.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Read it on the strong recommendation of a 9-year-old, who loved it. Good pace, good art, interesting story, decent characters. Suffers from a common problem in these kinds of books, a few frames that aren't drawn well enough to clearly delineate some complicated action, resulting in a little confusion about what's happening in the physical space. Made me want to read the next one, though. After a trip to the library, books 2-5 are waiting at home...

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adventure! Intrigue! Familial bonds! Heists! Fugitives! Friendship! Quick read, probably best for 6-12ish years old. But I enjoyed it! Plot's solid, and I like the characters. Would like to know more about Captain Drake. But that's probably because I'm an adult.

[Andrew Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished it in one day, less than an hour. I’m one who loves thiccc books but I decided I need something for a change and just grabbed this one. It’s my first graphic novel I have ever read and it was awesome. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the Captain character but it felt like the art was rather lazy in some scenes (e.g. duplication scenes with different speech bubbles for no reason). I do want to read more though.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Royal intrigue, mysterious inventors, betrayal and friendship in a fantasy setting? This book, I like it.

ANOTHER.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great first entry of the series. Plot threads are set up, characters are well-defined and the art is consistent and doesn't miss a beat.

[Stacey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dessa is a circus performer along with her friends Topper and Fisk. She remembers a man who abducted her brother but doesn't know where to find him. When the circus gets to Kingsbridge she hopes to find clues to where he may be. Topper is obsessed with the king's treasure and goads Dessa and Fisk into helping him steal it. It doesn't go well and the trio ends up running for their lives. They decide to stick together....Dessa hopes they can help her find her lost brother as they head out on their adventure.
Well written, thought provoking and interesting read. Beautiful graphics.

[Myles Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun beginning to a longer story. Three people with varying talents attempt to rob a monarch. It's got funny and tense moments. The drawing is toonish but it did not detract from the narrative for me. The characters are interesting and have obvious differences making their conversations amusing and funny at times. A really enjoyable start to a series. This would be fine for kids ages 9-12.

[Jim Leesch]

A fantastic mystery/adventure that somehow reminds me of Bone (even though there’s no real similarities to plot or art). A girl is seeking her lost brother and mother, but gets embroiled in a scheme to rob the Queen’s treasury. She and her partners are caught, locked up, and sentenced to die, but not before she sees the man responsible for her family’s break up. Swashbuckling escapes ensue, and she’s off to find where this mystery man has taken her brother.

[Christiane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very quick read that drops you in medias res, Dessa is on the hunt for whomever stole her brother and killed her mother. Using the acrobatic skills she's honed from the traveling circus she lives with, she and her two friends Fisk and Topper find themselves on the wrong side of the law, barely escaping with their lives. Will they find Dessa's brother or the man who took him? Will they stay out of the reach of the honorable Captain Drake? You'll have to read to find out!

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Review is for all seven volumes in the series, read in a single sitting.

Good, old-fashioned clean entertainment that the world needs more of.
The art isn't stylized or intrusive, the script isn't excessive or needlessly strange.
The worst yuo could say is all of the structural pieces are standard, much of the plot is homage (even down to one of the locations being called Guilder), yet it is done so well that it doesn't matter. The sum total exceeds that of the parts.

[Abigail Pankau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dessa is an acrobat in a traveling circus, hoping to find her twin brother who was kidnapped years before. A fellow circus performer convinces her to join him and the strong man in stealing from the queen’s treasury. Dessa agrees to join, because she thinks she has spotted her brother’s kidnapper at the palace. This is just the start of the three thieves adventures together.

Very fun mid-grade fantasy-heist, action-adventure graphic novel.

[Christina Potter Bieloh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great juvenile graphic novel. It's an exciting fun read that has Davey hooked. I'm always looking for something that will engage him enough to choose reading over other activities. This book did it! Fortunately there are 7 in the series and he's reading the second now. I enjoyed it a lot too!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 1 in a graphic series that will be perfect for Amulet readers who are growing up. Acrobat Dessa, along with strongman Fisk and juggler Topper, work for pennies in a traveling circus, but dream of riches. They put their skills to the test breaking into the queen's tower, but are caught and end up on the run. I can't wait to read what happens next.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because I loved Squire & Knight. It's a decent start to the series, and the artwork is great, especially the panels with Dessa's acrobatics. It's not as funny as Squire & Knight, but the art has a similar sense of movement and comedic timing. I'm curious to see what happens next in Dessa's search for her brother.

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would love to read this book to a future grandchild. My kids are young women who are still too young to even think about wanting children, but when they do, I will definitely recommend it to them. Nice size, love the drawings, and the text is easy to read as the type is clear and well defined.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really liked the book because i liked the characters because they were brave they looked up to each other, i would recommend this book to people that like adventures, i liked how Dess a did a lot of adventures and fought threw a lot of obstacles to try to find her brother.

[Thomm Quackenbush · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an introduction to a story, barely a story itself. The art is cute and evocative. The plot is by-the-books. There is the implication of a mystery to come but there is not enough of it here.

I'm sure, if I had access to the rest, I would enjoy them more.