Lily the Thief

October 1, 2019
It might be a man's world, but one young thief wants to change that. In this graphic offering from Finnish author/illustrator Kukkonen, Lily, a small, parentless girl with choppy dark hair is an extremely talented thief who bounds about her seemingly medieval village, picking pockets with panache. She works with elderly, gray-bearded Seamus, who treats her kindly, serving as her parental figure. Lily is determined to prove herself and secure a spot in the male-only thieves' guild. When the Guildmaster laughs off any chance of entry because of her age and gender, she steals one of the scrolls that act as the guild's job assignments out of spite. Lily soon finds herself facing corrupt nobility, the shadowy Brotherhood, and a mysterious legend as she dashes through dungeons and rushes among relics. Lily must now decide exactly how far she will go to get what she wants. A headstrong character, often blinded by her own impetuousness, Lily is a joy to follow as she wends her way through a male-dominated world (Lily is, in fact, nearly the only female character). Her sass, swords, and soaring arrows keep the pages flying and eyes racing over tidy panels colored by Bazot with a palette of cool blues countered by warm brown tones. Lily's adventures feel familiar and a bit well trodden, but they are as cozy and comfortable as a warm blanket on a cold day. All characters present white. A fun page-turner sure to steal readers' attention. (Graphic fantasy. 7-12)

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November 4, 2019
Tired of being underestimated by the master of the Guild of Thieves and trying to avoid a forced marriage, Lily, determined to prove her worth, steals information about a high-level job: the theft of a mysterious relic. Successfully swiping the ancient object, she ends up at odds with the guild, the powerful noble who owned the relic, and the sinister cult who has just bought it from him. To secure her life and freedom, Lily must steal two more relics, but the price of success may be steeper than the cost of failure. Kukkonen’s world leans heavily on high fantasy tropes (swords, sorcery, clever thieves) but distinguishes itself in the details, mostly courtesy of the cinematic art that blends grimy, creepy set pieces with layered characters. Lily, the youngest and only female character, stands out as a likeable, impetuous heroine whose somewhat flexible moral compass, skill, and quick thinking serve her well throughout increasingly difficult enterprises that leave impressive amounts of destruction and a surprisingly high body count in their wake. Lily’s adventures may feel familiar, but they amount to an enjoyable fantasy adventure. Ages 10–14.

November 22, 2019

Gr 5-8-Novice thief Lily may be a reckless smart-mouth, but she knows how to get the job done. Unfortunately, the Guildmaster of Thieves doesn't agree and assigns Lily only the dullest of tasks. After pilfering a plum assignment to prove her worth, Lily sets off to steal a royal relic from Earl Enard's castle. But the earl catches her and forces her to help him unlock a mysterious cavern vault. Stealing the required keys will put our intrepid thief on a collision course with a nefarious cult, the Brotherhood of the Fire. Lily's success may save her skin but doom the world. Originally published in Finland, this medieval adventure is gripping, though some readers will see the ending coming. Action and intrigue abound as Lily leaps and skulks across a variety of different sized panels that deftly move the story along. Realistic use of shading and light within the earth-tone palette, coupled with bold lettering, results in an immersive visual experience. Despite a sluggish start, meticulous world-building paired with thrilling escapades will make readers crave future volumes. However, depictions of stabbing, sword fights, and deaths, along with some inappropriate language and sexual content (the members of the guild chuckle over Lily's bosom, or lack thereof), are at odds with the gentle tone of the artwork. VERDICT Collections willing to overlook the title's mature themes will find this an engaging, humorous adventure that doesn't skimp on conflict.-Pearl Derlaga, York County Public Library, VA

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