The Thief (Turner novel)
 | |
| Author | Megan Whalen Turner |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Walter Gaffney-Kessell[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Series | Queen's Thief[1] |
| Genre | Young-adult fantasy |
| Publisher | Greenwillow Books[1][2] |
Publication date | October 1, 1996 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover), audiobook |
| Pages | 219 pp.[1] |
| ISBN | 0-688-14627-9 |
| OCLC | 33209215 |
| LC Class | PZ7.T85565 Th 1996[2] |
| Followed by | The Queen of Attolia |
The Thief is a young adult fantasy novel by Megan Whalen Turner published in 1996 by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of William Morrow (later, of HarperCollins). It is the first in a series whose fourth book was published in 2010.[1][3]
It was a runner-up for the 1997 Newbery Medal, a Newbery Honor Book.[4]
In 2012 The Thief was ranked number 13 among all-time best children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal, a monthly with primarily U.S. audience.[5]
Plot summary
The main character, Gen, is released from prison by the magus who is the King of Sounis's powerful scholar. The magus, whose name is not revealed, finds Gen to be filthy, uncouth, and insolent, but he values Gen's skills as a thief. Without telling Gen where they are going, he takes him out of the city. They are joined by the magus's two apprentices, Sophos and Ambiades, and by Pol, a soldier.
The journey isn't dangerous, and the travelers get on each other's nerves. The magus reveals that the object he wants Gen to steal is a precious stone called Hamaithes's Gift in the country of Attolia. The magus' plan is to use the long lost tradition embedded within the stone in order to claim the country of Eddis for his king. In exchange, the magus offers Gen fame and additionally threatens him with a bounty if he chooses to escape. Agreeing, Gen risks death in a daring attempt to steal the stone from an almost inaccessible temple, while the entire party is pursued by the Guard of Attolia. If Gen is not able to steal the stone he will be sent back to prison for the rest of his life. However, none of the main characters are exactly what they appear to be.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Thief title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Retrieved 2015-11-01. Select a particular edition (title) for more data at that level, such as a front cover image or linked contents.
- 1 2 The thief" (first edition). LC Online Catalog. Library of Congress (lccn.loc.gov). Retrieved 2015-11-01.
- ↑ Megan Whalen turner at Fantastic Fiction.
- ↑ ALSC: Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922–Present.
- ↑ Bird, Elizabeth (July 7, 2012). "Top 100 Chapter Book Poll Results". A Fuse #8 Production. Blog. School Library Journal (blog.schoollibraryjournal.com). Retrieved 2015-11-01.
External links
- Megan Whalen Turner (official)
- Megan Whalen Turner at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database