Monday 27 February 2012

Review: Thief's Covenant - Ari Marmell

Once she was Adrienne Satti. An orphan of Davillon, she had somehow escaped destitution and climbed to the ranks of the city’s aristocracy in a rags-to-riches story straight from an ancient fairy tale. Until one horrid night, when a conspiracy of forces—human and other—stole it all away in a flurry of blood and murder. 


Today she is Widdershins, a thief making her way through Davillon’s underbelly with a sharp blade, a sharper wit, and the mystical aid of Olgun, a foreign god with no other worshippers but Widdershins herself. It’s not a great life, certainly nothing compared to the one she once had, but it’s hers. 


But now, in the midst of Davillon’s political turmoil, an array of hands are once again rising up against her, prepared to tear down all that she’s built. The City Guard wants her in prison. Members of her own Guild want her dead. And something horrid, something dark, something ancient is reaching out for her, a past that refuses to let her go. Widdershins and Olgun are going to find answers, and justice, for what happened to her—but only if those who almost destroyed her in those years gone by don’t finish the job first.

Series: Widdershins #1, Genre: Fantasy/ YA, Pages: 240, Published: Feb 21, 2012, Publisher: PYR, Source: For review


My thoughts:
I have read other books by Marmell, and even though this one is YA it's still bloody, but not that violent. How to explain, people die, a lot, but it's not shown as it would be in an adult book. Still, poor Widdershins.

At first I was not sure if I would like how it jumped in time, but it worked perfectly. Because each flashback showed me something new. First we got Widdershins as she is now, a young thief with few friends. Then there is poor Adrienne, alone on the streets, a pick-pocket among others. Then there is Adrienne, a young woman of means (and it sure made me wonder how she got there, but I found out.) Things that happened two years ago made Adrienne stop being Adrienne, and Widdershins was born. I liked her, she was tough and she has the best sidekick. A God who she can hear, but that the reader can't hear. But I could still see him in my mind and he was too funny.

The story is about a lot of people hunting Widdershins, for different reasons. But it is all connected, even if I will not say how and why. The story worked so well and there was even a surprise gasp from me, oh I loved that surprise. Bravo. But I am being  tease now since I will not tell you what that was.

Being the girl I am I am hoping for a romance to blossom, how it would work I do not know, but it is there ;) I am looking forward to book 2 to see if anything happens.

Conclusion:
The ever so cool Widdershins made this my fav Marmell book to date. I liked that the book was dark, yet light and it did not end with a cliffie either which is always appreciated. But still I do want to know what happens next, because things are far from over. I would recommend this one to fantasy lovers, young and old.

Cover:
I really like it.


40 comments:

  1. Cool cover! I'm not familiar with Ari Marmell, but reading your review I was thinking that maybe it's time to change that!

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  2. This sounds like a cool series. I like the cover and the name Widdershins. Now I'm wondering about the surprise twist.

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  3. The cover of this book is awesome! I really enjoy YA fantasy and this sounds like it might be right up my street! Thanks for the review.

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  4. It sounded so good until I read it's YA. Now I just don't know...

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  5. Hm..this looks weird. Do I have a new comment page..?

    Anyway back to business


    Mirjam
    I read this book of his that had this awesome anti-hero :)


    Naida
    well it was a tiny one but I really enjoyed it


    Small Blonde
    Then it sure sounds like the book for you :D


    Elysium
    Do not let it scare you. The whole thing starts with a massacre, so it is very un ya like

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  6. I love the cover! She looks bad ass hanging upside down like that!

    Your review was most excellent and I think I'm adding my 2nd book today to my Kindle (I'm so hoping this is in Kindle format!)

    Can't wait to start it!

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  7. It is a nice cover!!

    What the heck happened to the subscribe to comments button?! I don't want to subscribe to the comments feed...

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  8. Chris
    Do not ask me, this is how it suddenly looked o_O

    Maybe I could try threaded again...perhaps they have changed something

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  9. Kristi
    I am sure there is :)
    And yes she looks so bad ass

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  10. Oh good, I'm glad you enjoyed this one! I have it on my shelf for review, so I'm looking forward to it. I always want a romance to blossom as well, so I'll be holding out hope for one right along with you:)

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  11. I've wanted to read this when I first heard about it and good to know that it didn't disappoint.

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  12. Oh this sounds like a fun new series!

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  13. I really dislike these random google "improvements"...

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  14. Ooo, I like the sound of this one! :)

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  15. Okay, you have me at no cliffie and I have to say I do love that cover. Plus I always am a sucker for a fantasy romance.

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  16. You see! There is a way to end a book without a cliffy yet leave readers wanting more! I wish all authors could learn this.

    LOL

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  17. You sure know how to pick a series. This one sounds great! And I love the name Adrienne - only I spelled my daughter's name Adrianne.

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  18. No way! You got this one! I really want to get it. So glad to see you enjoyed it. Now I do need too! :D

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  19. I actually know of some people who would love this series!!

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  20. ...I really like the cover. I found myself tipping my head to the side. haha. But yeah...sounds like a good beginning to a new series. :3

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  21. The whole thing starts with a massacre? Might be too violent for me.

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  22. Nice review B, you sure made me curious. Widdershins is a wiccan word, and means counterclockwise. Is there some magic in this book?

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  23. Your favorite Marmell to date? hmmmm I will have to check it out then. I would be missing the romance but honestly I might like YA that isn't romance centered more than I YA that is.

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  24. It sounds pretty good, I might have to check this one out. I'm banning myself from buying new books just now, but I'll have a look in the library.

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  25. I like the sound of this one! :)

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  26. Jenny
    I hope you will enjoy the book as much as I did then :)
    *fingers crossed for romance too later on*


    Jenny
    I do hope you give it a go then


    Amused
    It is :D



    Chris
    :( It looks weird now

    Mel
    I am sure you'd like it :)


    Melissa
    Well, there is no romance, so I do not wanna get your hopes up now. Lol

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  27. Missie
    I could not agree more! What is up with the constant cliffies? It does not make me want to buy their books more


    Dana
    I like the name too :D I always have ever since listetning to Greek myths.


    Melissa
    I sure did :D Yay for fantasy. I do love my fav genre and lately I have been reading a lot


    Staci
    Recommened it ;)


    Carole
    I did that too, it looks cool all the way around


    Steph
    Nah, I would not say too violent, death is always around

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  28. Aurian
    Not really, sure there is magic I guess. But in this book what we see is the work of Gods.


    Felicia
    I have only read 3 but hey I can say it, lol. So my fav of all those haha. Oh if this had been all fantasy YA romance then I would not have read it. That is the reason why I do not like YA. All the drama! Here I just wish for romance, that is not shown. I just want Widder too be happy one day. And since it is fantasy I do not need romance, except for a look or two. Cos no romance in my fantasy.


    AilsA
    Haha, I know that feeling (even if I reaaaaally want to buy a book)


    Roro
    Good :)

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  29. this cover is so fun!! Why does blogger's commenting look so different? Strange!!

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  30. I love the cover to this one! It definitely sounds like my type of read so I'm adding it to the TBR list :)

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  31. A favourite Marmell, high praise indeed, I haven't read any but if I was to I'd start with this one!

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  32. Carrie
    I know! So weird looking, I do not like this new blogger commenting format


    Samantha
    I am sure you would enjoy it :=)


    teddy
    LOl, well of the now 3 I have read ;) But that is still something

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  33. The cover is fantastic -- that's what grabbed my eye first!

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  34. I'm not familiar with the author but I do like the cover.

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  35. Wow, that is a really short book, at 240 pages. But it does sound good and I'm really looking forward to reading it myself.

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  36. Great review. I have been wanting this one for the cover (and the thief thing!), but wasn't sure. I think you've pushed me over.

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    Replies
    1. Lol, I love thieves too. They and assassins are a fav in fantasy books :)

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