abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good and interesting read - there is plenty of action and mystery and a very good pace through out the novel - and I love how there is not a love story or a Damsel in Distress - it is a guy that is in the middle of a huge mystery and as he tries to find clues, he gets in deeper until he finds - well, no spoiler here, but the fact is that this is a fun read for me and the magic system is a very good one, and the characters are fun - my biggest complaint I feel is that some of the names are a bit simple and silly, though the nicknames are fine and understandable - all in all this was a fun read and I would recommend this for anyone that enjoys Anti Hero story in a Medieval type setting - actually, I get more of an Arabian type setting, but no gunpowder and no guns - just swords, magic, and mysteries.
scrollsofdragons's review against another edition
4.0
So amazing. I wasn't completely in love so I couldn't give it a full five and thats my only reason, also I didn't have quite a clear head on the world, espically in terms of how some things worked and what is beyond the empire and geography. The magic, the non sexist society, the focus on the criminal side was bloodly brilliant though.
I have a up and down relationship with high fantasy, and adult novels in this genre I often find drag and be long winded but this wasn't, it cut to the punch and it keeps your interest from the first page. Its about criminals and doing the right thing in the dirtiest way and loyalty and betrayal and promises and friendship. It was dark and gritty and no one is truly a good man but its being the best you can be on your terms and there is enough humour and light to balance it out.
And the ending only speaks of even greater things to come.
I have a up and down relationship with high fantasy, and adult novels in this genre I often find drag and be long winded but this wasn't, it cut to the punch and it keeps your interest from the first page. Its about criminals and doing the right thing in the dirtiest way and loyalty and betrayal and promises and friendship. It was dark and gritty and no one is truly a good man but its being the best you can be on your terms and there is enough humour and light to balance it out.
And the ending only speaks of even greater things to come.
its_tara's review against another edition
5.0
This was a book that I probably wouldn't have chosen for myself, but my boyfriend suggested I read after he had. Normally, he has fairly good taste in books, and therefore, after finishing the book I was on, I did read it, and I'm so glad I did!
The main reason this book didn't seem like it would be for me is that it centres around thieves, and the last couple of books I've read on the subject have been less than fascinating, and generally focussed more on fight sequences than the actual storyline. However, this was completely different.
The testimonials on the cover promise fast paced action, and the book being a real page turner, and this is exactly what is delivered. The story is of Drothe, a thief who's speciality it is to gather information. However, Drothe isn't having the best time recently, and he begins to find himself emassed in a rather complicated web of goings on. There are twists and turns enough for all, and whilst it's easy enough to dip in and out of during a break at work, it's complex enough to keep the reader turning the pages.
I'd reccomend this to anyone who likes books about thieves, general fantasy, magic and those who just want to remember why they enjoy reading :)
The main reason this book didn't seem like it would be for me is that it centres around thieves, and the last couple of books I've read on the subject have been less than fascinating, and generally focussed more on fight sequences than the actual storyline. However, this was completely different.
The testimonials on the cover promise fast paced action, and the book being a real page turner, and this is exactly what is delivered. The story is of Drothe, a thief who's speciality it is to gather information. However, Drothe isn't having the best time recently, and he begins to find himself emassed in a rather complicated web of goings on. There are twists and turns enough for all, and whilst it's easy enough to dip in and out of during a break at work, it's complex enough to keep the reader turning the pages.
I'd reccomend this to anyone who likes books about thieves, general fantasy, magic and those who just want to remember why they enjoy reading :)
cajeck's review against another edition
5.0
Among Thieves was an impulse buy one day when I was at Borders looking for some other books. I'd seen it on the "New Sci/Fi-Fantasy" shelf, and was intrigued by the cover. A quick read of the back enticed my curiosity further, but I still wasn't sold yet. Juggling this book along with the books I'd originally been looking for, I sat down in a corner and began my usual process of elimination. When I'm in the market for a new book, I usually have three or four in mind. I compare them against each other, weighing such details as cost, length, writing style, and genre. In this case, Among Thieves was competing with three heavy-hitters: Two books from a favorite author of mine, and one based on my much-loved topic of pirates.
But upon reading the first thirteen pages, I was struck by how awesome the story was. With little effort it seemed, Douglas Hulick established a great protagonist, Drothe, and a fascinating setting, Ildrecca. The language feels authentic, and has an almost "noir" quality to it that you don't often find in a fantasy adventure. There's magic, there's sword fighting, there's intrigue, there's true grit...Really, what doesn't this story have?
To briefly summarize things, Drothe is a Nose--a name for a man who "noses" up delicate information and tricky artifacts--who is looking for a particular relic of value. The story literally opens up on a torture scene, though Drothe isn't the one doing the torturing. (He doesn't like it, but seems to have found himself needing to hire an "Agony Man" for this particular job.) Drothe is one of the Kin, an underworld of thieves, assassins, and other shady professionals. They are widespread throughout Ildrecca, a large and dangerous city under the rule of an emperor whose soul is split into three and has reincarnated perpetually for centuries. Any imperial relics from any of the emperor's past incarnations is worth quite a bit on the street, and that's what Drothe is trying to hunt down. Only things didn't go as planned, thus where we come in.
Athel the Grinner, the man being tortured, eventually lets slip a single name, "Ioclaudia." Drothe is confused by the name, but goes looking for answers, and what he finds instead leads to a struggle for his life and the fate of the Kin--possibly the entire empire.
There's enough twists and turns in this book to keep your interest up throughout, and as I've stated, the characters and the setting are all superb. The action keeps an even pace, there's the occasional humor, and plenty of suspense and drama. Yet it's all well-balanced, all well-timed, and you are never made disappointed by the ride.
Though the book ended on a well-rounded note, it appears this is a part of a series (the series itself being called "Tales of the Kin"). I haven't heard of a new book from Hulick, nor am I entirely certain if the series is meant to be continuing the adventures of Drothe, or if it's a collection of loosely related adventures with different protagonists based in more or less the same setting. Either way, I wouldn't mind more.
So...my verdict?
If you like fantasy adventures, noir crime stories, and conspiracy tales, then PLEASE read this book. Just read it. Now.
But upon reading the first thirteen pages, I was struck by how awesome the story was. With little effort it seemed, Douglas Hulick established a great protagonist, Drothe, and a fascinating setting, Ildrecca. The language feels authentic, and has an almost "noir" quality to it that you don't often find in a fantasy adventure. There's magic, there's sword fighting, there's intrigue, there's true grit...Really, what doesn't this story have?
To briefly summarize things, Drothe is a Nose--a name for a man who "noses" up delicate information and tricky artifacts--who is looking for a particular relic of value. The story literally opens up on a torture scene, though Drothe isn't the one doing the torturing. (He doesn't like it, but seems to have found himself needing to hire an "Agony Man" for this particular job.) Drothe is one of the Kin, an underworld of thieves, assassins, and other shady professionals. They are widespread throughout Ildrecca, a large and dangerous city under the rule of an emperor whose soul is split into three and has reincarnated perpetually for centuries. Any imperial relics from any of the emperor's past incarnations is worth quite a bit on the street, and that's what Drothe is trying to hunt down. Only things didn't go as planned, thus where we come in.
Athel the Grinner, the man being tortured, eventually lets slip a single name, "Ioclaudia." Drothe is confused by the name, but goes looking for answers, and what he finds instead leads to a struggle for his life and the fate of the Kin--possibly the entire empire.
There's enough twists and turns in this book to keep your interest up throughout, and as I've stated, the characters and the setting are all superb. The action keeps an even pace, there's the occasional humor, and plenty of suspense and drama. Yet it's all well-balanced, all well-timed, and you are never made disappointed by the ride.
Though the book ended on a well-rounded note, it appears this is a part of a series (the series itself being called "Tales of the Kin"). I haven't heard of a new book from Hulick, nor am I entirely certain if the series is meant to be continuing the adventures of Drothe, or if it's a collection of loosely related adventures with different protagonists based in more or less the same setting. Either way, I wouldn't mind more.
So...my verdict?
If you like fantasy adventures, noir crime stories, and conspiracy tales, then PLEASE read this book. Just read it. Now.
jaymeks's review against another edition
3.0
Well that was a hell of a ride, and something I enjoyed far more than I thought I was going to enjoy.
The book itself started strong, remained strong, and ended with a bang. I saw some of the twists coming about halfway through the book, but that didn't make them that less enjoyable.
Loved the last little twist at the end though, and made me want the next book that much more.
The book itself started strong, remained strong, and ended with a bang. I saw some of the twists coming about halfway through the book, but that didn't make them that less enjoyable.
Loved the last little twist at the end though, and made me want the next book that much more.
kris7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
t_jenkins's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
annelyle's review against another edition
4.0
Among Thieves is the story of Drothe (no surname – he’s too cool for that!), a “Nose” or informant in the pay of one of the crimelords of Ildrecca, the capital of a Renaissance-like empire. There are hints of a wider world outside, but the action of the book is confined to the city itself, particularly the seedier quarters where a “shadow empire” of organised crime holds sway. Drothe works for an Upright Man, one of the lower-level bosses who have carved up the city between them but who are themselves pawns in a larger game played by the Gray Princes, near-legendary figures known only by epithets such as “Longreach” or “The Piper’s Son”. Hulick’s use of historical thieves’ cant, supplemented by invented slang, gives shape to what could otherwise be a bewildering array of forgers, fences and hired muscle, as Drothe investigates what seems to be a minor mystery (an undecipherable code found on a smuggler) and finds himself way in over his head.
This is certainly the most action-packed book I’ve read since The Swords of Albion – poor Drothe rarely escapes a chapter without another chase or fight (and a good deal of resultant pain and injury). The pace develops gently at first, allowing the reader time to get to know the world, but by the halfway mark the plot revelations and action set-pieces are coming thick and fast. The fight scenes in particular are very detailed – Hulick is an aficionado of renaissance swordsmanship – indeed almost a little too detailed and blow-by-blow, but this is first-person narrative so I’m willing to cut Drothe a little slack for being hyperaware in combat. I know from firsthand experience (not fighting, I must add) how time really does seem to slow down when your adrenaline spikes!
It’s not all swordplay, however; this is a world of magic too, from minor charms used by the criminal fraternity to spells of earth-shattering power forbidden to all but the emperor. Mostly, though, magic seems to cause more problems than it solves – an approach I heartily endorse.
Overall, a cracking debut, and I’m really looking forward to reading the sequel, Sworn in Steel, which is due out summer 2012.
This is certainly the most action-packed book I’ve read since The Swords of Albion – poor Drothe rarely escapes a chapter without another chase or fight (and a good deal of resultant pain and injury). The pace develops gently at first, allowing the reader time to get to know the world, but by the halfway mark the plot revelations and action set-pieces are coming thick and fast. The fight scenes in particular are very detailed – Hulick is an aficionado of renaissance swordsmanship – indeed almost a little too detailed and blow-by-blow, but this is first-person narrative so I’m willing to cut Drothe a little slack for being hyperaware in combat. I know from firsthand experience (not fighting, I must add) how time really does seem to slow down when your adrenaline spikes!
It’s not all swordplay, however; this is a world of magic too, from minor charms used by the criminal fraternity to spells of earth-shattering power forbidden to all but the emperor. Mostly, though, magic seems to cause more problems than it solves – an approach I heartily endorse.
Overall, a cracking debut, and I’m really looking forward to reading the sequel, Sworn in Steel, which is due out summer 2012.