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Legends of Dimmingwood #3
Circle of Thieves
In the wake of a painful betrayal, Ilan abandons her friends among the river people to return to the peace of shadowy Dimmingwood. But things in the forest are not as she left them. A deadly new enemy is attacking the local villagers, threatening the very existence of the forest outlaws. When Ilan mounts a rebellion against Rideon the Red Hand, the brigand camp is divided between those loyal to their old captain and those prepared to follow Ilan in a war against the mysterious magical raiders.
Once again, Ilan’s powerful bow interferes with fate as the loyalties of her circle of companions and her own allegiances are put to the test. While the magic-wielding invaders terrorize the province, Ilan’s lifelong enemy, the Praetor, and her one-time friend Terrac lay a trap fit for a thief. Can Ilan sacrifice old hatreds to protect everything she values from the raiders?
Once again, Ilan’s powerful bow interferes with fate as the loyalties of her circle of companions and her own allegiances are put to the test. While the magic-wielding invaders terrorize the province, Ilan’s lifelong enemy, the Praetor, and her one-time friend Terrac lay a trap fit for a thief. Can Ilan sacrifice old hatreds to protect everything she values from the raiders?
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2013
217 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
February 6, 2020
I won't read another book in these series. These books are just a chain of things that happen one after another with so many lost chances to put in interesting twists. I only finished the book in the hope that some things might finally be explained but the end does not even count as a cliffhanger.
February 13, 2019
The third instalment of Ilan’s adventures picks up the pace a bit as well as the level of threat from a new enemy as well as the Praetor. This time there’s some action and urgency, which could have done with a more developed treatment than another short novella, but this is an improvement on the previous instalment. So much more could have been done with this material.
Interestingly, the elves in this world are bloodthirsty savages rather than Tolkien’s angelic superheroes, and Ilan is confronted with the unpleasant origins of her blood and of her bow, as well as coping with the presence of another elf-girl in the outlaw band.
This novella continues to be as gently written as the two previous ones, but the storyline continues to be built on huge implausibilities. Hadrian lets Ilan leave his apprenticeship without protest despite his investment in her (and later welcomes her back without comment). Ilan is welcomed back into the outlaw band without suspicion, despite her previous disappearance and her having been in the enemy’s town for over a year. She can then lead a secret rebellion against the band’s leader and cooperate with the evil Praetor without her underlings questioning her, despite the catastrophic consequences of her meddling. And when the supposedly ruthless and fearsome brigand leader unmasks the conspiracy, he merely banishes Ilan and pardons all her underlings. What a nice bandit.
All too convenient, but hey the story rattles along at a good pace and is very readable. Onwards and upwards.
Interestingly, the elves in this world are bloodthirsty savages rather than Tolkien’s angelic superheroes, and Ilan is confronted with the unpleasant origins of her blood and of her bow, as well as coping with the presence of another elf-girl in the outlaw band.
This novella continues to be as gently written as the two previous ones, but the storyline continues to be built on huge implausibilities. Hadrian lets Ilan leave his apprenticeship without protest despite his investment in her (and later welcomes her back without comment). Ilan is welcomed back into the outlaw band without suspicion, despite her previous disappearance and her having been in the enemy’s town for over a year. She can then lead a secret rebellion against the band’s leader and cooperate with the evil Praetor without her underlings questioning her, despite the catastrophic consequences of her meddling. And when the supposedly ruthless and fearsome brigand leader unmasks the conspiracy, he merely banishes Ilan and pardons all her underlings. What a nice bandit.
All too convenient, but hey the story rattles along at a good pace and is very readable. Onwards and upwards.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2025
Elone finds her way back to Dimmingwood and The Red Hand. On her way home, she encounters an attack on a town she stopped at by some unknown magical group of people. When she arrives to the Red Hand and tells him about the attack, He doesn't want anything to do with it. Elone goes behind his back and rally her other thieving friends to help the villagers defense against these magical people. Once the Red Hand finds out she has done this, she is thrown out of the Red Hand's group and thrown out of Dimmingwood forever. And the story goes on. As I am writing reviews and more aware of how short these books are, it does remind me of authors who drag you along with small cliffhanger books for revenue. I already own all of these audio books and enjoy this story all at one time and I enjoy the story line. But as I realize the short books that keep going - I would be very frustrated as a new buyer of this series.
November 9, 2017
Circle o Thieves: Legends of Dimmingwood, Book 3)
Island face a new enemy, they use magic to kill all around them. She a and her circle of friends give the Praetor's men information to help they fight. The Red Hand find out what they are doing and kick ilan out of Dimmingwood. Will she be take back or will all be lost? Great story.
Island face a new enemy, they use magic to kill all around them. She a and her circle of friends give the Praetor's men information to help they fight. The Red Hand find out what they are doing and kick ilan out of Dimmingwood. Will she be take back or will all be lost? Great story.
December 23, 2016
Decent books
The books are short but well-written. Ilan's journey is interesting and her personal growth is captivating. A cast of interesting characters keeps me coming back for the next book.
The books are short but well-written. Ilan's journey is interesting and her personal growth is captivating. A cast of interesting characters keeps me coming back for the next book.
May 11, 2020
It's great guys. Well worth the read since it gets your heart really racing !
The ending will knock you off of your feet if you aren't sitting. The second book was pretty calm and chill and had its moments but this will get you out of your seat frfr.
The ending will knock you off of your feet if you aren't sitting. The second book was pretty calm and chill and had its moments but this will get you out of your seat frfr.
January 8, 2018
Nice book. I am interested in where this book will be going. Short but good.
January 25, 2018
Nice continuation of the story.
January 27, 2018
Just ok. Characters are not fully fleshed out. Perhaps trying too hard to keep things mysterious. None of the characters seem very memorable. No one to especially love or hate.
January 10, 2019
Still a bit slow
in a lot of spots, and the fight scenes are quite muted. I am still enjoying the series so far though.
in a lot of spots, and the fight scenes are quite muted. I am still enjoying the series so far though.
February 4, 2019
I didn't care for the length of this book... only 2 hours or so.. so short. She could have combined 2 or 3 of the books into one. I'm liking the story though.
August 21, 2019
Good story, conclusion of the series was disappointing.
April 23, 2020
C Greenwood circle of thieves
I have just finished reading book 3 and I am going to read the rest off the series,really enjoying the story,it’s holding my interest. Jim Paterson
I have just finished reading book 3 and I am going to read the rest off the series,really enjoying the story,it’s holding my interest. Jim Paterson
August 10, 2014
I wanted to like this book, and I did in at least a few ways: the writing (better than a lot I have read), the character (for the most part), and the setting (well described).
What I did not like: the character has magical powers but they are not used or described very well, the character has a bow (in the vein of "black blade" of Elric) but doesn't use it much, and the character is mercurial so that I can't predict what she'll do (good) but I don't know her well (bad).
I could forgive many of these failings if the books were longer, and I did for books 1 and 2, but they are too short, and after reading one I don't feel like much has happened. I also don't feel they typically end at a good stopping point. That's just my two cents.
What I did not like: the character has magical powers but they are not used or described very well, the character has a bow (in the vein of "black blade" of Elric) but doesn't use it much, and the character is mercurial so that I can't predict what she'll do (good) but I don't know her well (bad).
I could forgive many of these failings if the books were longer, and I did for books 1 and 2, but they are too short, and after reading one I don't feel like much has happened. I also don't feel they typically end at a good stopping point. That's just my two cents.
May 3, 2015
Ilan is truly at home in The Dimmingwood and hasn't really adjusted to life in the city as Hadrian hoped she would. Ilan is still suffering from deep betrayal by Terrac which she refuses to talk about. Ilan's growth as magiciker has really progressed over the last year. Someone or something is turning The Dimmingwood into a hunting ground. Ilan's return to the band is met with ridicule and disdain. Will Ilan trust the band? Why is The Dimmingwood a hunting ground? Has Ilan changed? Your answers await you in Circle of Thieves.
I'm really enjoying this series. Fantasy continues to be a favorite genre for me. The characters and story are compelling, intriguing, down to earth, honest, and raw. I look forward to my next adventure in this series.
I'm really enjoying this series. Fantasy continues to be a favorite genre for me. The characters and story are compelling, intriguing, down to earth, honest, and raw. I look forward to my next adventure in this series.
April 30, 2013
I actually really enjoy these books. I'm eagerly awaiting number 4 and can't wait to see how things play out with Terrac.
Ilan is such a strong, independent character. She's sort of the anti-hero hero. She has faults and can be somewhat heartless or uncaring but can also be the complete opposite. She WAS raised by thieves. I also really enjoy that there isn't really any romance. By the end of book 3, she's starting to let on to some possible feelings towards someone but it isn't the story. Love it. Will be recommending them! Please hurry with the next one!!
Ilan is such a strong, independent character. She's sort of the anti-hero hero. She has faults and can be somewhat heartless or uncaring but can also be the complete opposite. She WAS raised by thieves. I also really enjoy that there isn't really any romance. By the end of book 3, she's starting to let on to some possible feelings towards someone but it isn't the story. Love it. Will be recommending them! Please hurry with the next one!!
May 13, 2013
Well written book (best so far of all three), enjoyed the main character's development as the story progresses and just reading this makes me itch for Baldurs Gate and Icewind Dale!
The only issue I have would be the low page count, you get equally well written books for the same price, dealing (more or less) with the same subject matter, but with a greater page count. Honestly I think they should combine one and two into a single book. Anyway, still not a bad read and I recommend it for fantasy fans.
The only issue I have would be the low page count, you get equally well written books for the same price, dealing (more or less) with the same subject matter, but with a greater page count. Honestly I think they should combine one and two into a single book. Anyway, still not a bad read and I recommend it for fantasy fans.
July 1, 2016
Ilan's journey continues with many twists and turns, adventure and sorrow.
The easy writing style makes this an enjoyable read and character development builds alongside snippets of answers and yet more questions about Ilan's past. I have guessed upon possible scenarios but will have to wait and see if I am right.
Various themes, such as betrayal and loyalty make for interesting reading, and the threat of an unusual and clever new enemy bring about all kinds of possibilities...I look forward to finding out the outcome.
This series is highly recommended for all ages and lovers of fantasy.
The easy writing style makes this an enjoyable read and character development builds alongside snippets of answers and yet more questions about Ilan's past. I have guessed upon possible scenarios but will have to wait and see if I am right.
Various themes, such as betrayal and loyalty make for interesting reading, and the threat of an unusual and clever new enemy bring about all kinds of possibilities...I look forward to finding out the outcome.
This series is highly recommended for all ages and lovers of fantasy.
January 4, 2014
Much better and faster paced than book 2. Still waiting on book 4 of the series and was actually shocked to see it isn't out yet. As I said in the review of book 2, cut some fluff and make book 2 part of 1 and 3. I was also disappointed that I could finish this book in less than 8 hours at my real job and I was busy. Just too short.
June 6, 2015
Great story!!! Now I will read book 3!!
Book 3 is now finished. .....also a great story .......now for the next book
cathy P. Onward and upward
To a new book!!!!!###
Book 3 is now finished. .....also a great story .......now for the next book
cathy P. Onward and upward
To a new book!!!!!###
January 8, 2017
Not bad, but the main character has just become too childish and the plot a little too predictable for me. Stopped a third of the way in.
I may come back to read this series, but it won't be for a while.
I may come back to read this series, but it won't be for a while.
June 13, 2013
Liking Milan somewhat more in this book. Again a fast read. Good story line.
July 26, 2013
I have literally updated this book like five times and time it says that I'm still reading it. It was alright, I guess, but at least now I am able to SOMEWHAT tolerate Ilan.
December 16, 2013
Great read
This was a fun book series. fun characters and even a bit of a mmo/video game feel to it. enjoy.
This was a fun book series. fun characters and even a bit of a mmo/video game feel to it. enjoy.
March 12, 2014
It was good
April 23, 2014
Book4
I was really taken by book 3 in this series, I am looking f o reward to book 4 to read.
I was really taken by book 3 in this series, I am looking f o reward to book 4 to read.
July 16, 2014
Again a fun and interesting story, looking forward the last book in this series.
May 25, 2014
This book is a vast improvement over the first two. Character development is much better and the story finally doesn't seem full of gaps.
May 27, 2014
Continuing to enjoy this series - glad I have all 4 books to read so I don't have to wait to see what happens next.
February 6, 2015
Another one down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews