The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Thief
Book Review: A Teacher's Take on The Thief
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book for a young adult literature class I teach and couldn't put it down. It has an exotic setting, intriguing characters, and a well-crafted plot. I think teens who like adventure and fantasy would enjoy this book.Book Review: A book that stole my time!
Summary: 5 Stars
Have you ever read a book that seemed to steal your time from other things? I have, it was "The Thief" by: Megan Whalen Turner. "The Thief" is a Historical Fiction and Adventure book combined. "The Thief" has won 3 awards; it was a '97 Newbery Honor Book, an ALA notable book, and an ALA best book for young adults. I rate "The Thief" 9 out of 10, because it was a great book with good description, characters, and setting. Eugenides (Gen) named after the Eddisian god of thieves is the main character in this story. Gen is shorter than the average man. He has long black hair that he keeps tied in a leather thong or a piece of twine in the back of his head. He has brown eyes and black eyebrows as well. Gen is fairly cocky and proud. "I can steal anything" Gen boasted He also isn't very patient. Gens importance in the story is that he is chosen by the king's magus to go on a quest to steal Hamiathes's Gift. The gift is said to make its holder immortal. Also, the bearer of it is king/queen of Eddis. In this book the setting is completely fantasy, except that it is similar to ancient Greece. Mainly the setting in this book is in the area around Sounis, Eddis, and Attolia, three countries. The time in which the book takes place is 1400-1500. The importance of the setting is that Sounis is trying to get Hamiathes's gift so that it and Eddis will become one large and powerful empire. In the book a plague swept through Sounis and Attolia killing thousands around 20 years before Gen and the Magus traveled through the countries. In actuality the Bubonic plague spread through Greece in 1342. Also, just as they were leaving Sounis the pocket watch had begun production. In actuality the pocket watch was invented in 1500. I think that Megan Whalen Turner did a good job on the setting because she created a fantasy area specifically for this book. In this story the moods change quite frequently. "I rolled my hand over and opened the fist so that he [the magus] could see the gift, resting on my palm His knees seemed to weaken, and he squatted beside me with his mouth open. I smiled in wonder and my own delight." In this instance the mood is joy because Gen had succeeded in stealing Hamiathes's Gift. Mostly the joy is in the Magus in this excerpt because he would be able to make the countries of Eddis and Sounis one. "I opened my mouth to point out that I had no sword to defend myself with, nor that I wouldn't have climbed the tree anyway, but instead I pointed to his shirt. He lifted one hand instinctively to check for a wound, before he realized. Hamiathes's Gift was gone. He looked down at the neatly sliced leather thong lying over his shoulder. He ran his hands over it in disbelief, the felt franticly through the folds of his clothes. He checked the folds of his clothes. He checked the ridges of his saddle and saddle bags before he jumped off of his horse and walked into the stream cursing." Panic was the mood in this instance because they had lost what they came so far for and worked so hard for had been lost. Again in this excerpt the panic is mostly in the magus because he had lost his chance to be famous. " "Gen," he said under his breath "you viper" " The magus is mad in this instance because Gen had betrayed him and stolen Hamiathes's Gift from him. Then he gave it to his queen. Overall, the mood in this book changed just about twice each chapter giving the book constant twists. In the end I recommend this book because it is a very descriptive and unique book. I think it is a great book for teenagers and adults. Also, it is a great book for a person that enjoys LOTS of twists in a book. Finally I recommend this book for anyone that likes Adventure books in the present or future because this one is in the past unlike most other adventure books. Definitely, a great read.Book Review: A book to make your breath catch and your heart to leap
Summary: 4 Stars
The Thief is one of those books you can't leave at home to patiently wait for you, I had to bring it into work and sneak pages here and there. It's one of those rare books that whispers beautiful secrets to you. the lively story it has to tell is age-old, and speaks of an earlier time. The grecian history that is borrowed as a background for the book, while being told in the first person sets the stage for a book of discovery and refreshing excitment. The world Ms.Turner creates awakens what we learned in grade school about the ancient greeks, but when told in a devilish and feeling manner, it makes all the old statues and boring God and goddess org charts come to life! I definatly recommend this to adults that are looking to dive into a place that is beautiful, secret, and a little wicked.
Book Review: A fun read
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great book. The main character, Gen, is very likeable, very real, and very funny. The fantasy world the author created is very rich and believable, and filled with realistic history. I disliked the way the authors kept skipping over action scenes and telling them after the fact. (The main character often goes unconscious or falls asleep, and the action scene is retold to him later by the side characters -- not nearly as exciting as reading the scene first hand.) And I hated the way the main character kept secrets from the reader just so there could be a surprise ending. Blah. Let the reader be part of the fun. I felt like I'd missed the party (and been lied to). Otherwise, well worth reading, and I'll definitely read the follow-up books.Book Review: A great adventure for kkids of all ages!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Gen is a prisoner in the King's Prison.The magus needs him for a dangerous job.Gen has to steal Hamaithes Gift and it has never been done before.Gen finds the secret door and gets Hamiathes gift he even meets Euginedes.After he gets the gift the magus loses it! It turns out Ambiades,one of the maguses aprintice, has told the Attolions their trail! Then the Queen of Attolia wants Gen to be her thief! It might be a way out but, he lies and says that he promised his sweetheart he would return. For the rest you must read the book.