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Take a Thief
a novel of Valdemar
448 pages
A scrappy, comforting tale of a street-smart survivor finding his true home and a magical destiny.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like slipping into a well-worn, beloved sweater. It offers the deeply satisfying, classic fantasy trajectory of a scrappy, cynical street survivor who is unexpectedly swept up into a world of magical purpose and profound belonging. The pace is brisk and engaging, carrying you through the gritty realities of pickpocketing and gang survival before blossoming into a warm, hopeful atmosphere of found family and telepathic animal bonds. The prose is straightforward and earnestly focused on character growth, making the emotional journey from lonely orphan to chosen hero feel both triumphant and deeply comforting. It is a perfect read for anyone who delights in the thief with a heart of gold trope and craves a story where the ultimate reward isn't just power, but a true home.
- Mood
- comforting
- triumphant
- cozy-yet-dangerous
- Tone
- earnest
- adventurous
- hopeful
- wry
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- found family · survival to purpose · magical bonds · overcoming neglect · redemption
- The writing
- Accessible and character-focused, prioritizing emotional resonance and straightforward storytelling over lyrical complexity.
- The arc
- Moves from the lonely, scrappy survivalism of the streets to the warm, purposeful embrace of a magical destiny and found family.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love classic, comforting fantasy featuring a 'thief with a heart of gold' and deeply bonded magical animal companions.
Content notes
- child neglect
- poverty
- bullying
- minor violence
About the book
Mercedes Lackey's triumphant return to the best-selling world of Valdemar, Takes a Thief reveals the untold story of Skif-a popular character from Lackey's first published novel, Arrows of the Queen. Skif is a homeless orphan who lives with a gang of juvenile pickpockets...until he is "Chosen" by one of Valdemar's magical horses and becomes a Herald serving the Queen.
Description from Open Library.
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