 | |
| Author | Mercedes Lackey |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Jody Lee |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy |
Publication date | 2001 |
| Media type | |
Take a Thief: A Novel of Valdemar is a 2001 young-adult novel by American writer Mercedes Lackey. It is the third in the Heralds of Valdemar series, and introduces Skif, an orphaned pickpocket who finds a magical horse and who later appears in the subsequent Valdemar book Arrows of the Queen . [1]
Skif's parents are dead, and he lives with his horrible uncle, who does not make much of an attempt to take care of him. Because of this, Skif turns to thievery so that he can obtain food. One day, after dressing up like a page and stealing food from Lord Orthallen's table, he hides in the laundry room. There he inadvertently meets with a fellow and more experienced thief, and begs to be trained in the art. The boy gives in, and Skif finds himself living permanently with him, other boys and Bazie (their teacher).
Eventually Skif becomes a master at the trade, and is glad for good food and clothes. One night after a successful theft, Skif comes home to find his house in flames and his comrades dead.
In need of money and a home, Skif steals a beautiful white horse, only to find out she is a Companion and he is her Chosen. This means that the two are linked for life, and must work together to aid Valdemar. Skif figures that being a Herald is better than nothing, and travels with his new Companion, Cymry, to the Herald's Collegium. There the circumstances of his life improve, and Skif finds friends, books, a comfortable bed, and good education. However, he still feels that one thing is missing from his life: revenge for the lives of his friends and beloved mentor Bazie. In the end Skif helps Herald Alberich, the weaponsmaster, take the criminal down, and earns his name as a hero of Valdemar. [2]
Mercedes Ritchie Lackey is an American writer of fantasy novels. Many of her novels and trilogies are interlinked and set in the world of Velgarth, mostly in and around the country of Valdemar. Her Valdemar novels include interaction between human and non-human protagonists with many different cultures and social mores.
Holes is a 1998 young adult novel written by Louis Sachar and first published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. The book centers on Stanley Yelnats, who is sent to Camp Green Lake, a correctional boot camp in a desert in Texas, after being falsely accused of theft. The plot explores the history of the area and how the actions of several characters in the past have affected Stanley's life in the present. These interconnecting stories touch on themes such as labor, boyhood and masculinity, friendship, meaning of names, illiteracy, and elements of fairy tales.
Tortilla Flat (1935) is an early John Steinbeck novel set in Monterey, California. The novel was the author's first clear critical and commercial success.
The Thief of Always is a 1992 novel written and illustrated by Clive Barker. The plot concerns an 11-year-old boy who journeys to a magical house, only to discover its master uses the home to attract children and steal their youth to ensure his own immortality.
By the Sword is the name of a 1991 fantasy novel by Mercedes Lackey. This is a stand-alone novel which connects the Vows & Honor series to the Valdemar Saga; it introduces the character Kerowyn and fills in what had been some gaps in the series.
Arrow's Fall is a 1988 fantasy novel by American writer Mercedes Lackey. It is the third of the original Heralds of Valdemar trilogy.
The Halfblood Chronicles is a series of four fantasy books written by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey. The series is set in a mystical world of elves, wizards and dragons. The series is released by Tor Books, and comprises Elvenbane (1991), Elvenblood (1995), Elvenborn (2002), and Elvenbred. Elvenbred, the fourth book in the series, has not yet been released. Due to the death of co-author Andre Norton it is stated that the series 4th book has been handed over to Mercedes Lackey, and has yet to be published as of December 2022.
Storm Warning is a 1994 fantasy novel by American author Mercedes Lackey. Storm Warning tracks three characters as a major disaster looms over the world of Valdemar.
The Thief Lord is a children's novel written by Cornelia Funke. It was published in Germany in 2000 and translated into English by Oliver Latsch in 2002 for The Chicken House, a division of Scholastic publishing company. It was Funke's first novel published in the United States and was adapted into a film in 2006.
Winds of Fury is a 1993 fantasy novel by American writer Mercedes Lackey, the concluding book of the Mage Winds trilogy. It resolves the story told in the first two books; additionally, it settles several plot threads which originated in the previous trilogy, Arrows of the Queen.
The Last Herald-Mage is a trilogy of fantasy novels by American author Mercedes Lackey, published from 1989 to 1990. The story centers around a mage named Vanyel Ashkevron who lives in the fictional kingdom of Valdemar. It was the first high fantasy series with a gay protagonist from a mainstream publisher, and was well-received by critics, many of whom regard it as Lackey's best work.
The Lightning Thief is a 2005 American fantasy-adventure novel based on Greek mythology, the first young adult novel by Rick Riordan. The opening installment in the series Percy Jackson & the Olympians, the book was recognized among the year's best for young adults. Riordan followed the novel with various books and spin-off series, spawning the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles media franchise.
The Crimson Shadow series is a fantasy novel series created by R. A. Salvatore. It consists of three books:
The Book Thief is a historical fiction novel by the Australian author Markus Zusak, set in Nazi Germany during World War II. Published in 2006, The Book Thief became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and sold 17 million copies. It was adapted into the 2013 feature film, The Book Thief.
Kit Williamson is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for creating, writing, directing, and starring in the dark comedy web series EastSiders. For his work on the series, he has been nominated for several Indie Series Awards and Daytime Emmy Awards.
Storm Rising is a 1995 fantasy novel by American writer Mercedes Lackey, the second in her Mage Storms trilogy.
This is a list of books by Mercedes Lackey, arranged by collection.
Bridge of Clay is a 2018 novel by Australian author Markus Zusak. It revolves around five brothers coming to terms with the disappearance of their father.
Finnikin of the Rock is a 2009 young adult fantasy novel by Melina Marchetta. It follows the story of Finnikin of the Rock and his guardian who have been away from home for ten years, since the royal family was killed. But when he is told that the heir to the throne is still alive they must follow a young woman, Evanjalin, in order to reach the prince.
Foundation is a fantasy novel by American writer Mercedes Lackey, published in 2008. It is the first book in The Collegium Chronicles (followed by Intrigues, Changes, Redoubt, and Bastion. It is a depiction of the early history of Valdemar and its timeline is between The Last Herald Mage and Brightly Burning. The book details a change in the training of Heralds from essentially an apprenticeship such as experienced by Tylendel and Vanyel, to a school based system such as the one in Arrows of The Queen and Brightly Burning. Not all Heralds are in favor of this mainly citing lack of supervision as an objection.
 | This article about a 2000s fantasy novel is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. See guidelines for writing about novels. Further suggestions might be found on the article's talk page. |