Thief's Covenant

January 1, 2012
Marmell, known for RPG manuals and tie-ins as well as adult fantasy novels, here ventures into the teen market. In a narrative that jumps between "now" and the recent past, readers meet feisty teen thief Widdershins and her companion Olgun, a god not recognized by the church as one of the 147 deities worshipped in Widdershins' world. Four years ago, Widdershins was Adrienne, a scampy street thief adopted into the nobility. Two years ago she was the sole survivor of a massacre (aftermath described in gory detail) that left the rest of Olgun's worshippers dead and Adrienne wanted for the murders. Now, everyone is after her: the thieves' guild, a surprisingly sympathetic City Guard and a mysterious figure called The Apostle who commands a truly demonic creature. This is classic fantasy, both embracing and mocking the genre. Some humor goes astray: Belabored quips and overwrought descriptions can read more like bad writing than skewered tropes ("…ambient sound thick enough to ladle into soup bowls and serve as a soup course…"), but the plot is relentless and the characters likable enough. And Widdershins' journey from acted-upon victim to acting-upon protagonist is a classic adolescent journey. For teens already reading adult fantasy but wanting something a bit more on their level, this hits the spot perfectly, flaws and all. (Fantasy. 13 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2012) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

March 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-Adrienne Satti, an orphaned thief turned "adopted" upper-class darling, witnesses the murders of her closest friends at the hands of an indescribable beast. Unable to explain her survival from the slaughter, Adrienne goes on the run, becoming master thief Widdershins. With a minor god invisibly perched on her shoulder to guide her, she accomplishes heists that the others in the Finder's Guild can only dream of undertaking. Now, with the Guild's second in command out to get her and the City Guard looking to imprison her, Widdershins once again faces the evil demon that she tried to forget from years before. Who is controlling the beast and why do they seek to kill Widdershins? Marmell's debut YA novel is a dark, brutal fantasy set in a complex and engaging world. It's not for the faint of heart. The citizens of Davillon seem to die often and in gruesome ways. Widdershins is an intriguing heroine, able to handle herself on the streets, though her naivete shows at endearing moments. Readers seeking out a strong heroine in a well-crafted fantasy world will enjoy this title and look forward to the second.-Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.