"The Thief Lord"

This is perhaps one of the best books I have read in a LONG time! (And I read a lot of books!) I won't lie, I had a hard time getting into this novel but once the action started, the pages began to flip!

As I read the novel, I tried to think about passages to highlight and make notes on. I found myself doing this on EVERY PAGE! This novel was so wonderful. I felt like I was drawn into the world of these children and got to know each and every one of them so well.

"Good books expand awareness." This novel definitely taught me more about Venice. I have looked up so many different sites just so I can connect pictures with words.

"Good books provide an enjoyable read that doesn't over teach." This book was definitely an enjoyable read. Getting caught up in the whirlwind of thievery and magical realism was amazing! I did not feel like I was being "preached" to, but in the end I did get a warm, fuzzy feeling!

"Good books tell the truth." This book did not candy coat anything. Victor used the word, "darn," children were homeless, and characters like Morosina felt no pity. Readers were immersed in a REAL world, not a fake one.

"Good books embody quality." The Thief Lord was the embodiment of quality. Interloping plots, foreshadowing, perfectly precise details, and rounded characters made this novel so interesting!

"Good books have integrity." This book had the upmost integrity. It could definitely hold its own to say, JK Rowling or Ronald Dahl.

"Good books show originality." I have never read a book like this before, nor will I probably ever again. This book took me to a whole new world, full of so many different things. I loved getting caught up in a mystery, adventure, and a type of biography. This book was so wonderful!

There were a few unexpected plot twists that I was not expecting. One of course, was Scipio's all telling "true" story. I would have never guessed that he lied to his friends and that his family was rich and famous. Another plot twist is that of Barbarossa. He was a very kniving character. I never thought that he would actually go to Esther's. I also loved the idea of Bo being at Ida's, and Prosper looking for him!! How unexpected!

By the end of this novel I knew all of the characters very well. However, I felt like I knew a few better than others. Prosper, Bo, Hornet, Victor, and Scipio had more characterization than the others. All in all, Bo was my favorite character. I can imagine him being a small, naive, happy child that just wants to be with his big brother. I felt so sorry for him when he mad his Aunt mad. I know that he wasn't happy with her, but it couldn't have made him feel good when she said she didn't want him back.

I feel like there are several themes throughout this novel. I feel like one of the most prevalent is family. These kids barely knew each other. They learned Scipio had lied to them, and that their enemy (Victor, the detective) may not be so much of an enemy anyway. These characters came to love each other. They cared for each other. One of my favorite quotes, from the novel and perhaps ever, came from Victor near the end of the novel, "Being related is not a guarantee of love" p. 331.This quote related directly to the situation between Prosper, Bo, and their Aunt. But also between the whole group. This quote relates directly to my life, because my legal dad is not my blood father. But, he raised me. Being related has nothing to do with the love me and my dad have for each other. Therefore, I feel like I have a deeper understanding for what Victor is saying.

The imagery in the book was astounding! The whole time I was saying to myself, "I can see this being a movie." Little did I know that a movie is in the making! The imagery of the characters, the kittens :), and the city is tell all. I have a vivid image in my mind of the "dilapidated" theater with a torn down curtain and scurrying rats.

I do not feel like it was hard for Funke to incorporate fantastical elements into her story. Venice is know as such a magical place that I feel like those things SHOULD happen. The idea of going to a mystical island is genius in itself. The island is used as a way to set apart "magical" from the "realistic" world. Shakespeare does this in many of his plays, such as "The Merchant of Venice." Belmont is this place that is made to feel "magical and mysterious." I feel that Isola Segreta is the same way. I mean, the Secret Island!

This book, as I have said, is so amazing on so many different levels. While I read, I connected to things I am familiar with. Since I love to cook, and Venice is so much a city of food, I thought about one of my favorite chefs, Giada de Laurentiis, and some of my favorite Italian foods, such as hazelnuts and chocolates, gelato, and pasta!

Now, I can go to sleep with visions of Venice, golden winged lions, and gelato in my head! You should too! Go read "The Thief Lord" By Cornelia Funke, if you haven't already!!

--Ciao! Jeana