Midnight Thief

May 15, 2014
A debut fantasy spins standard tropes into a dark, morally complex adventure.Fearless former "gutter rat" Kyra gleefully steals from the wealthy, while the upright knight Tristam pledges to defend the city of Forge against the marauding Demon Riders. When the charismatic James persuades Kyra to aid the Assassins Guild in their effort to undermine the corrupt aristocracy, the ensuing plots and counterplots strain loyalties and threaten the entire city. Hoary genre cliches are refreshed by nuanced portrayal: Forge appears a typical medieval-ish fantasy city, but it's rife with oppression and festering resentments; the Demon Riders' wildcats, the only magical element, feel convincingly alien. Kyra, at first seeming a tiresome rehash of the "thief with a heart of gold" type, has her naivete ripped away with a shockingly brutal choice that sends repercussions reverberating throughout the story. James, introduced as a charmingly seductive bad boy, loses his romantic appeal with his cynical manipulations. Even Tristam, the most conventionally virtuous protagonist, finds that base methods in pursuit of laudable ends have tragic consequences. Each character must choose between bad and worse options, and not all make the "right" decision. While both Kyra and Tristam achieve redemption (of a sort) by the end, they pay a cruel price-and neither is altogether certain it was worth the cost.While this volume comes to a satisfying conclusion, thoughtful readers will keep pondering the future of Forge and its people. (Fantasy. 12-18)

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May 1, 2014

Gr 7 Up-Seventeen and long orphaned, Kyra has grown up using her natural speed and stealth to thieve her way through life on Forge's streets. James, the Assassins Guild's attractive and politically minded young leader, recruits Kyra with handsome rewards for herself and her friends, but at what cost? Kyra's dangerous new job turns deadly, and she finds her mission entangled with that of a Palace knight, Tristam, who seeks vengeance for his friend killed by Demon Riders, barbarians who ride on the backs of vicious wildcats. Third-person alternating narratives between Kyra and Tristam effectively set the pace and tension leading up to their unlikely alliance and thrilling discovery of Kyra's heritage. External conflict among the assassins, nobles, and Demon Riders is balanced by Kyra's internal conflict as she faces harrowing moral decisions that make her question her true nature and the measures she will take to protect loved ones. While earlier chapters read more like medieval-era historical fiction and may not appeal to the most reluctant readers, Blackburne's fast-paced fantasy will please fans of Leigh Bardugo and Tamora Pierce. This page-turning debut answers immediate questions and provides satisfying character development, while leaving ample room for additional installments.-Hannah Farmer, Austin Public Library, TX

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2014
Grades 7-10 Kyra, a daring and stealthy thief from the poor part of the city, is smart, quick on her feet, and a bit of a wisecracker. Tristam, a noble squire and soon-to-be knight, wants nothing more than to ride on road patrols and live in his family's manor in the forest. As Kyra is trying to sneak into the palace while working for the Assassin's Guild, Tristam catches her and puts her in prison. Their paths cross again when Tristam seeks out the mysterious Demon Riders who killed his friend, and this time Kyra is the one with the power. The two couldn't be more different, but as they unite to fight a common enemy, they realize how much they need each other. Alternating between Kyra's and Tristam's stories, debut author Blackburne's high fantasy is expansive, with entertaining characters and a well-constructed world. While the slow-burn pace may be off-putting for some, fans of Tamora Pierce and other classic fantasy authors will appreciate this solid example of the genre.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2015
Cat-burglar Kyra joins the Assassins Guild to protect her street "family"; Sir Tristram seeks to avenge his friend's death at the hands of the Demon Riders--humans working with monstrous cats. When Kyra discovers she is one of the shape-shifting Demon Riders, her partnership with Tristram becomes tangled. Double-crosses and shifting alliances keep the action moving, while Kyra's preternatural abilities keep readers intrigued.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from June 1, 2015
Gr 6 Up-This debut novel, sure to be the first in a series, is filled with adventure and intrigue. Kyra is a young woman with an unknown past who grew up on the streets. She survives on her skills and talents as a thief. Kind and good-hearted Kyra finds herself in a quandary when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers her a lucrative job. Her uncanny ability to scale walls and pick locks allows her to gain entrance into the city's fortified palace where she copies maps and other important documents for the guild to use in planning attacks on palace guards. One of the palace's newest knights is Tristam of Brancel. He and Kyra are soon intertwined in a conspiracy involving the guild and a clan of shape-shifting forest dwellers who can transform themselves into monstrous demon cats. Surprisingly, Kyra finds that her past is tied to this clan. The plot breathlessly unfolds as Kyra and Tristam work together to save their home city. They must also account for-and make amends for-their participation in lawlessness, thievery, disobeying orders, murders, and betraying of solemn oaths. Bianca Amato capably voices the host of characters, both good and bad. Her exquisite use of vocal tones and speech dialects is outstanding. VERDICT The book's conclusion will leaves listeners wanting to know what happens next.-"Patricia Ann Owens, formerly with Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, Mt. Carmel"

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.