Rules for Thieves

April 15, 2017
Rule No. 1: "Stealing is necessary to survive."Alli Rosco has spent most of her life in an orphanage. Her hostile, aggressive, and sarcastic personality precedes her, and she's given up hope of ever being adopted. She'll be 13 soon, when she'll age out of the home and be sent into the world to fend for herself. Why wait? When Alli (noncommittally described as "tan" with black hair) sees the chance to escape, she takes it. Almost immediately, she's nearly captured by a magic-wielding law-enforcing protector who blasts her arm with a spell. Next, she botches her first theft attempt but is saved from arrest by Beck, a mysterious boy about her age (described as "darker tan"). What's this boy hiding? Alli will have to trust him. The protector marked her with a curse, one that will kill her in a matter of days if she doesn't get to the Healing Springs. Blocking her way: money. Beck is a member of the legendary Thieves Guild, and if Alli joins, the Guild can help her get the money that will save her life. Stealing truly is necessary if she's to avoid an early death. Alli's southern European-inflected fantasy world is built carefully and tightly, complete with class structures, customs, and a patron saint-centered culture. The ending isn't squeaky clean but provides a sense of closure as Alli makes a meaningful discovery about her heritage. A smooth debut. (Fantasy. 8-14)

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June 1, 2017

Gr 4-6-Alli Rosco escapes from her orphanage, but during her first day of freedom, she is hit by a curse. The cure is expensive, so she teams up with a boy named Beck to try to pass the trial to join the Thieves Guild and earn the money she needs. As Beck teaches Alli the rules of being a thief, she will have to decide what she is willing to do and what conflicts with her own set of values. This debut novel introduces readers to a fantastic world of orphans, thieves, magic, and adventure. Characters are well developed and balanced, though some of the secondary players are a little flat. While the world is well imagined, the background details are scarce. The plot is fast-paced and addresses ethical dilemmas. There are enough remaining loose ends to spawn a sequel, though this title can stand alone. VERDICT This compelling debut fantasy novel with complex themes, lots of action, and a good cast of characters will appeal to fantasy readers across the spectrum.-Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage Public Library, AK

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