A boy named Gen, short for Eugenides (a mouthful), is in prison for stealing the King’s seal, and ironically, snuck out of prison by the King’s overseer to steal an object of great interest. The task could end all their lives. Will Gen succeed? Could the retrieval of the stone bring peace to the three mountain countries?

I really loved the interplay of the characters. I could really feel them, their blushing, scowls and tantrum fights. I also found the story intriguing.

I didn’t like the descriptions of the setting and locations. I kept mixing up the two city names, Eddis and Attolia, and getting somewhat lost.

I would love to be able to orchestrate a plot so creatively to imply things that didn’t happen at all and are deliberately, but not obviously misleading. Thinking you understand what’s going on and then the next second all mystified again. I also loved the bits of humor and comic relief that the main character provides, his immaturity and stubbornness.

The descriptive writing was unclear, but the dialogue was well-done.

Enjoyment Level: 5/5 stars
Beginning: 2/5 – I was totally lost for 2 chapters.
Middle: 4/5
Ending: 5/5

Sophie asked “was it really not so bad?” “Was what?” “Prison.” … “That prison,” I said with heartfelt sincerity “was absolutely the most awful thing that has happened to me in my entire life.” I could tell by the way he looked at me that he thought my life must’ve been filled with one awful thing after another.

Kate

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
© 1996, Puffin books
Reading Level: Young Adult
ISBN: 0-14-038834-6
219 Pages