Gen, the young thief, spends his time pacing restlessly in the king's prison. Chains on his arms and legs don't permit him to move very far. If only he hadn't bragged about stealing the monarch's ring, he wouldn't be here now! When the royal scholar summons Gen to his office, he has a surprising proposal for the prisoner—steal a marvelous treasure for the kingdom and earn his freedom—but fail, and pay with his life. Escorted by four hostile guards, Gen sets off on a thrilling journey so filled with adventure and intrigue that the gods themselves must be involved. With colorful characters and a light sprinkling of gritty language, critically-acclaimed author for young adults Megan Whalen Turner creates an original pantheon of gods and goddesses and deftly weaves tales of their exploits into Gen's own exciting story. Jeff Woodman's dramatic narration will transport young adults to a world filled with heart-stopping suspense and enchanting splendor.
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
September 11, 2015 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781461806691
- File size: 206701 KB
- Duration: 07:10:37
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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December 29, 1997
A king orders a young thief to carry out a near-impossible heist under threat of death. "In addition to its charismatic hero, this story possesses one of the most valuable treasures of all--a twinkling jewel of a surprise ending," said PW of this 1997 Newbery Honor book. Ages 10-14. -
Gen, convicted thief, is released from prison on the condition that he steal a treasure for the kingdom. The action-packed quest is filled with heros and villains. Gen's character develops and matures as the story progresses, and Woodman does a fine job of portraying this growth by changing his tone appropriately, from a brash, sarcastic and arrogant youth to a wiser, more patient, and thoughtful person. There is some modest character differentiation in the voices, but one has no problem figuring out who is speaking. Good variety in tempo and pacing moves the action along briskly. Set in an imaginary ancient world with multiple gods and goddesses, filled with intrigue, danger and unexpected plot twists, this Newbery Honor Book will be enjoyed in audio format. S.S.R. (c) AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine -
Narrator Steve West's steady pacing and rich dialogue bring this classic adventure story to life. The tale begins when one of the greatest thieves in the land, Gen, is released from the king's prison and enlisted to help a band of men steal a legendary stone with mystical powers. West creates unique voices for each of the adventurers and adds whimsy by establishing a different tone when sharing the folklore tales that are sprinkled throughout the story. Fantasy fans will immediately be drawn in by the dramatic opening music and entranced by this action-packed quest full of daring characters and challenging obstacles. M.D. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
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January 16, 2006
A king orders a young thief to carry out a near-impossible heist under threat of death. "In addition to its charismatic hero, this story possesses one of the most valuable treasures of all—a twinkling jewel of a surprise ending," said PW
's starred review of this 1997 Newbery Honor book. Ages 10-up. -
October 28, 1996
The bragging thief Gen is sprung from prison by the king in order to carry out a mission-steal the precious stone Hamiathes's Gift from an impossible hiding place. If he succeeds, he'll be rewarded. If he fails, he will be killed. If he runs away, he will be hunted down. Half prisoner, half outlaw legend, Gen goes along with the king's assistant in the risky plan. Set in a semi-Mediterranean realm of old and new gods and goddesses, this compelling adventure propels readers along through the enemy lands of Sounis, Eddis and Attolia. Gen, a beguiling narrator, is afraid of horses but not of entering a locked labyrinth; he comes from a long line of thieves but puts honor first. Turner's (Instead of Three Wishes) device of having Gen and others tell god and goddess stories around the campfire bumpily draws the reader away from the main story, yet the plot is strong enough to survive the wanderings. In addition to its charismatic hero, this story possesses one of the most valuable treasures of all-a twinkling jewel of a surprise ending . Ages 10-up.
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