The Thief (Turner novel)

Last updated
The Thief
TheThief2nd.jpg
First edition
Author Megan Whalen Turner
Cover artistWalter Gaffney-Kessell [1]
SeriesQueen's Thief [1]
Genre Young-adult fantasy
PublisherGreenwillow Books [1] [2]
Publication date
October 1, 1996
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardcover), audiobook
Pages219 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 the Queen's Thief series, the sixth book of which was published in 2020. [1] [3]

Contents

It was a runner-up for the 1997 Newbery Medal and a Newbery Honor Book. [4]

In 2012, The Thief was ranked number 13 among the Top 100 Chapter Books in a survey published by School Library Journal , a monthly with a primarily U.S. audience. [5]

Plot summary

The main character, a boy named Gen (short for Eugenides), is released from prison by the magus of the King of Sounis. Gen had been imprisoned for stealing the King's seal. 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 a soldier, Pol.

The travelers are strained by personal conflict, as well as the dangers present due to the political and secret nature of their mission. The magus reveals that the object he wants Gen to steal is a precious stone called Hamiathes'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 threatens him with a bounty on his head if he tries 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. After Gen steals the stone, the temple is washed away by a river. While traveling back, the party is captured by the Attolian guard. Ambiades turns out to be a traitor, but is later killed by Pol, who pushes him off a cliff and then jumps after him holding two Attolian soldiers, killing them, but dying himself. After being questioned by the queen of Attolia, Gen, Sophos and the Magus escape and go to Eddis. There they are taken to the palace and Gen gives the stone to the queen. It is revealed that Gen is the Queen's Thief and Sophos is the heir to the kingdom of Sounis.

Queen's Thief series

Related Research Articles

<i>Bridge to Terabithia</i> (novel) 1977 childrens novel by Katherine Paterson

Bridge to Terabithia is a children's novel written by Katherine Paterson; it is about two children named Leslie and Jesse who create a magical forest kingdom in their imaginations. The book was originally published in 1977 by Thomas Crowell, and in 1978, it won the Newbery Medal. Paterson drew inspiration for the novel from a real event that occurred in August 1974 when her son's friend was struck and killed by lightning.

<i>The Grey King</i> 1975 fantasy novel by Susan Cooper

The Grey King is a contemporary fantasy novel by Susan Cooper, published almost simultaneously by Chatto & Windus and Atheneum in 1975. It is the fourth of five books in her Arthurian fantasy series The Dark is Rising.

<i>The Dark Is Rising Sequence</i> Series of fantasy novels for children by Susan Cooper

The Dark Is Rising Sequence is a series of five contemporary fantasy novels for older children and young adults that were written by the British author Susan Cooper and published from 1965 to 1977. The first book in the series, Over Sea, Under Stone, was originally conceived as a stand-alone novel, and the sequence gets its name from the second novel in the series, The Dark Is Rising. The Dark Is Rising Sequence is used as an overarching title in several omnibus, boxed-set, and coordinated editions; but the title of The Dark Is Rising is also used for the whole series.

<i>Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH</i> 1971 novel by Robert C. OBrien

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is a 1971 children's science fiction/fantasy book by Robert C. O'Brien, with illustrations by Zena Bernstein. The novel was published by the Los Angeles publishing house Atheneum Books.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holly Black</span> American author (born 1971)

Holly Black is an American writer and editor best known for her children's and young adult fiction. Her most recent work is the New York Times bestselling young adult Folk of the Air series. She is also well known for The Spiderwick Chronicles, a series of children's fantasy books she created with writer and illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi, and her debut trilogy of young adult novels officially called the Modern Faerie Tales. Black has won a Lodestar Award, a Nebula Award, and a Newbery Honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megan Whalen Turner</span> American childrens writer

Megan Whalen Turner is an American writer of fantasy fiction for young adults. She is best known for her novel The Thief and its five sequels. In 1997, The Thief was named a Newbery Honor book.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Firebird Books</span> Imprint of the Penguin Group USA since 2002

Firebird Books is an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., publishing mainly paperback reprint editions of science fiction and fantasy for teenagers and adults.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candlewick Press</span> Publishing company

Candlewick Press, established in 1992 and located in Somerville, Massachusetts, is part of the Walker Books group. The logo depicting a bear carrying a candle is based on Walker Books's original logo.

Nancy Willard was an American writer: novelist, poet, author and occasional illustrator of children's books. She won the 1982 Newbery Medal for A Visit to William Blake's Inn.

David M. Cornish is an illustrator and fantasy writer from Adelaide, South Australia.

<i>The Lightning Thief</i> 2005 novel by Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief is a 2005 American fantasy-adventure novel based on Greek mythology, the first children's novel by Rick Riordan. The opening installment in the series Percy Jackson & the Olympians, the book was recognized among the year's best for children. Riordan followed the novel with various books and spin-off series, spawning the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles media franchise.

<i>Firebirds</i> (anthology) 2003 short story collection

Firebirds: An Anthology of Original Fantasy and Science Fiction is a 2003 collection of short stories for young adults written by authors associated with Firebird Books. The anthology is edited by American writer Sharyn November. The American Library Association included Firebirds on their 2004 list of the Best Fiction for Young Adults.

<i>The Queen of Attolia</i> 2000 young-adult historical fantasy novel

The Queen of Attolia is a young adult fantasy novel by Megan Whalen Turner, published by the Greenwillow Books imprint of William Morrow in 2000. It is the second novel in the Queen's Thief series that Turner inaugurated with The Thief in 1996.

<i>The King of Attolia</i> 2006 young adult fantasy novel by Megan Whalen Turner

The King of Attolia is a young adult fantasy novel by Megan Whalen Turner, published by the Greenwillow Books imprint of HarperCollins in 2006. It is the third novel in The Queen's Thief series, which Turner began with The Thief in 1996.

<i>Dear Mr. Henshaw</i> 1983 juvenile epistolary novel by Beverly Cleary

Dear Mr. Henshaw is a juvenile epistolary novel by Beverly Cleary and illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky that was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1984. Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association listed the book as one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children".

<i>A Conspiracy of Kings</i> 2010 novel by Megan Whalen Turner

A Conspiracy of Kings is a young adult fantasy novel by Megan Whalen Turner, published by the Greenwillow Books imprint of HarperCollins in 2010. It is the fourth novel in the Queen's Thief series that Turner inaugurated with The Thief in 1996.

Rebecca Stead is an American writer of fiction for children and teens. She won the American Newbery Medal in 2010, the oldest award in children's literature, for her second novel When You Reach Me.

<i>Percy Jacksons Greek Gods</i> Collection of short stories by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods is a collection of short stories about Greek mythology as narrated by Percy Jackson. It was written by Rick Riordan and was released on August 19, 2014. It features Percy Jackson giving his own take on the Greek myths in a humorous way.

<i>Thick as Thieves</i> (Turner novel) Book by Megan Whalen Turner

Thick as Thieves is a 2017 young adult fantasy novel by Megan Whalen Turner, published by Greenwillow Books. It is the fifth novel in the Queen's Thief series that Turner began with The Thief in 1996.

<i>Liar & Spy</i> Book by Rebecca Stead

Liar & Spy is a children's novel written by Rebecca Stead published in 2012 that is set in Brooklyn and describes the adventures of Georges and Safer, two middle school students who are working to unmask a suspected spy in their building. At the same time, Georges is experiencing a casual bullying that adults in his life seem to minimize. Stead was the first American author to win the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize for Liar & Spy, in 2013.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  2. 1 2 The thief" (first edition). LC Online Catalog. Library of Congress (lccn.loc.gov). Retrieved 2015-11-01.
  3. Megan Whalen turner at Fantastic Fiction.
  4. ALSC: Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922–Present.
  5. 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.