SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
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The Thief
Group Reads Discussions 2023
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"Thief" Discuss Everything *Spoilers*
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I am enjoying it too, especially knowing the ending and seeing all the little clues. However, I am also finding it very description heavy. I’m thinking now that I’ve been refreshed I’ll go back through the next two books and finally finish out the series.
I have read this series many times. It's become a favorite! I remember that I couldn't stand Gen at first and set it aside twice. The third time was the charm, and I read it all the way through and continued the series.
Why the Pilgrimage Tales? And why were they then discontinued?
I listened to the audiobook a couple years ago and really loved it. I followed up with the next three books in the series.I did like the MC in his initial guise, but later on, I didn't care for him as much. However, I was invested in the story by then and wanted to see what happened.
I did NOT guess the twist, although I expected one. I usually don't try to analyze plots and ruin surprises.
Many of the recommendations I read for this series are cautious about the first book, so I knew going in it was going to be weird, and I tempered my expectations. Even so, I was not expecting so much Travel.The structure of the book is basically Travel, Travel, Travel, Try to Do a Thing in a not-very-interesting-place, Try Again, Try Again, Travel, Travel, Travel, Surprise Reveal.
I didn't think the reveal was that interesting or worth the effort, but the book was fine, I guess, and at least it was short. I have the whole series so I'm planning to continue slowly - it better be amazing! :)
Ori wrote: "Many of the recommendations I read for this series are cautious about the first book, so I knew going in it was going to be weird, and I tempered my expectations. Even so, I was not expecting so mu..."The second book is better than the first, Ori!
I just finished reading it today! I really enjoyed it, especially the parts about the mythology :) I agree, it does seem very descriptive heavy and kinda drags on a bit…but if you can get past that, it reminded me a bit of The Hobbit and their journey to steal a stone in that book too. I really enjoyed it and am actually going to start reading the second one too!
I surprised even myself for liking the travelling and storytelling parts best. There was something calming about it that really worked for me. Overall, I don't have very strong opinions about this book, but I think I'll continue with the series at some point.
I still feel very ambivalent about this series. I very much disliked the whining MC. Also, nothing happened for a very long time until finally that genius twist. Somehow, I feel cheated by that, not sure why... In any case, I gave the second book a try, but it did not convince me either.
I listened to this in audiobook back in 2017, and I remember enjoying it, but finding it quite YA/middle grade. I did really love Gen, though, as I am generally a huge fun of smart, trickster-type characters.
I remember not being super surprised by the twist, possibly because I knew that there was a twist (if not what it was), so I was on the lookout for hints early on.
Even though I liked it I didn't get around to continuing the series for the longest time, for some reason, even though I had the audiobooks for books 2 and 3. I only listened to then a few weeks ago and adored them.
I liked it better this time. In part because I discussed with my son, a big fan. I will be discussing it in a Newbery group in several months and rereading it then, at which point I will try the sequel.I too knew there was going to be a twist, but I couldn't guess what it would be and was surprised. I still don't know enough about who's who in the royalty, but that's supposed to be developed in the next book.
I did like Gen's sarcastic sense of humor. I love how he actually told everyone that he's not gutter scum, but nobody believed him.
I like that the characters aren't flat icons. Useless the Elder is particularly interesting; I look forward to the reread to better understand why he seems nicer sometimes, and even meaner other times.
I did think the entire travel was a bit boring at times. It's kind of funny, but when my brain started to zone out at those times, the book would zap me right back in during the worldbuilding parts. So... I guess in a way, it's paced well?? Gen's personality made the traveling parts so much more bearableThe twist completely caught me off guard! The twist was a pleasant surprise and I continued reading the series. And oh my god?? The second book is sooooo much better!
1. What did you think of the main character?I liked Gen from the start. I’m usually not a big fan of first perspective narration but here it worked nicely. It was far more interesting to read about the travel from his perspective. And he tricked me!
2. What did you think of the world?
I’ve read two retelling books based on Greek literature and I’m pretty sure that’s it. But Ancient Greece inspired fantasy world? That’s refreshing. Loved the stories about gods.
3. Did you guess the twist?
I’ve guessed part of the twist. I knew Eugenides stole the rock again, because he didn’t die. It was quite easy to find out how he did it and where he hid it. But I have totally missed the clues that he is THE Queens Thief. I thought he will get into the position in time.
4. What worked or didn't for you?
The beginning was a little slow but it was a great summer read. So much fun and I love a good plot twist in my fantasy adventure.
Aga wrote: "I’ve read two retelling books based on Greek literature and I’m pretty sure that’s it. But Ancient Greece inspired fantasy world? That’s refreshing."Slightly off-topic, but if you're looking for a fantastical retelling set in a strange near-future Greece, try Nina Allan's Spin.
Ori wrote: "Aga wrote: Slightly off-topic, but if you're l..."Looks interesting. Thank you for the recommendation!
I had fun reading this. I was a little wary of it because at work it's shelved with the middle grade fiction and I didn't know if I was in that kind of a reading mood. I guessed about the stone double cross I did not guess about the whole Ocean's 11 type set up to the whole heist. So it was really fun when all that was revealed.
What a fun way to read it, not so much a quest as a heist. Thank you for that perspective!
I liked this one ok. I agree that the ancient Greece-like world was a bit refreshing. I do love a snarky thief and Gen fit the bill, but I wish I hadn't figured out most of the twist. I did think at one point that maybe Gen was the original Eugenides and thus quite old, but I'm not sorry that he turned out like my second guess. I would go on to read the next in the series.
Ori, I agree with you completely and your phraseology is perfect! That's exactly how I felt. It seemed like we just went on and one and I kept wondering what the point of this story was going to be. So it was an OK read for me, but I won't read any more. I just didn't care for Gen enough.
Cheryl wrote: "I like that the characters aren't flat icons. Useless the Elder is particularly interesting; I look forward to the reread to better understand why he seems nicer sometimes, and even meaner other times."Did you figure it out? I thought there would be something more to it, Ambiades' personality.
Fun. Yes, a good summer read.
No, I'll reread when it comes up for discussion in the Newbery Club in the Children's Books group.
A few questions to get us started:
1. What did you think of the main character?
2. What did you think of the world?
3. Did you guess the twist?
4. What worked or didn't for you?
Non-spoiler thread here: First impressions