Overhyped or what? - Rated 
Haven't read the book, but I've just watched the movie. What an absolute load of rubbish. Don't get me wrong...I enjoy fantasy, but I have just spent the past 90 minutes waiting for something exciting to happen...and it never arrived. I just can't understand how such a feeble story made it to the film stage.
Interesting ideas but over-long - Rated 
Prosper and Bo are orphaned brothers who run away from their aunt to Venice and meet a group of street kids. Quickly accepted, they become part of the group, surviving on the profits made by goods stolen by a mysterious Thief Lord. However, the aunt has hired a private detective who is hot on the trail of the runaways, and soon he, the aunt, the kids, the Thief Lord and a magical roundabout are all tangled together in an exciting adventure.
This book was originally written in German, and there are some slightly strange phrases in the translated English. Perhaps that explains why it took me a while to finish this book - the chapters are short and I found it rather too easy to put down. I also counted well over twenty missing speech marks, which annoyed me! (this may have been corrected since my copy was published) I do feel that the book is rather too long - the plot seems to meander around before settling into the main theme. Having said all of that, the characters are excellently drawn and very vivid, and there are some really great sections, particularly the ones involving Victor, the detective. I wanted to be gripped by the book but I wasn't. I have a copy of the even larger 'Inkspell' by the same author to read, and I have to say I'm putting it off for the moment.
THE THIEF LORD - Rated 
As an adult i still enjoy reading childrens books and this one did not disappoint me. a little slow to start (but perhaps that is me being impatient) but once i got in to it i found it very difficult to put down. An interesting adventure with lots of twists and turns.I also like the way she sumarises at the end. Im not the kind of reader who likes long discriptive sentences about setting the scene - get on with the story - which she does so well. I have also thoroughly enjoyed her inkheart trioloigy and dragon rider.
Two words; Pure magic!!!! - Rated
The plot: two children have run away from their aunt and have been befriended by a gang of street kids and their leader, the Thief Lord, also known as Scipio. A detective, who has been hired by the aunt, is looking for the children. However, a mysterious comte asks them to steal something for him, something that can help to spin time!
When I read the book, the plot seemed to me to be a little bit like Oliver Twist, as Scipio is like Fagin and the Dodger rolled into one, and Prosper and Bo are like two Olivers.
If you like reading about drama, fantasy and magic, then this book is for you.
An enjoyable ride. - Rated 
My introduction to Cornelia Funke was "Inkheart" which I enjoyed. I looked forward to the sequel, "Inkspell", but wasn't so quick to pick up and read the already published "Thief Lord". For a fantasy lover like me, the book looked "too ordinary" with not enough promises of enchanted adventures. However, when I finally bought my copy of the book, it hooked me from the very first chapter.
"The Thief Lord" is often compared to the Harry Potter series but I'd advise potential readers to be wary of this comparison. While there are certainly similarities (like the main characters being children), "The Thief Lord" is also a very different book. Those who expect to read about wizards, magical creatures and enchanted objects will be disappointed. Apart from the magic roundabout that does not appear until towards the end, "The Thief Lord" deals with more earthly themes that children in the real world deal with such as family conflicts, loyalty and friendship, and wanting to grow up too soon.
That said, those who appreciate a fast-paced story with daring escapades will find much to enjoy in this book. "The Thief Lord" is every bit as exciting as the Harry Potter books. Children will enjoy reading about adults being outwitted by kids and adults will be drawn into the Venetian setting with its dark alleyways and alluring rivers that all seem to lead to adventures.
Any regrets about this book? I regret ever hesitating to read it and I regret the fact that Funke seems to have no plans to write a sequel despite the fact that the ending cries out for one. So grab your copy and prepare for an enjoyable ride.
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