Tag Archives: Holly Black

Speculative Fiction that will Steal Your Heart: Thief of Night and Philosophy of Thieves

1 Oct

Thief of Night
by Holly Black
This is the riveting follow up to Black’s first adult novel, Book of Night, which throws you right back in to the action of the previous story so I would recommend reading this duology in order. Thief of Night to me was even stronger than the previous book in this dark fantasy series, which I enjoyed. The world of the story is almost exactly as our own, only shadows fed on blood can be used for magical purposes and sometimes they can even split off and very rarely develop their own personality. Charlie is a complex character, a grifter who developed her skills in order to rescue her sister from an abusive household. Despite being smart and loyal, she seems to always make the worst choices including drinking more than she should and letting her temper override her common sense. I enjoyed the romantic relationship that grows throughout the story, bringing two damaged spirits solace. I also liked having the shadows’ perspective featured more than in the previous story and it was bittersweet seeing the sisters’ relationship evolve as they both grow as people.

A Philosophy of Thieves
by Fran Wilde
A Philosophy of Thieves is set in a high-tech future dystopia where valuables are hidden in human safes and the rich hire thieves who act as entertaining performance artists who steal from their guests only to then buy back the stolen goods at a mark up. But get caught and they will be punished by the law just like any other criminal. The Canarviers are the top of their field in New Washington, but even those on top sometimes fall and when King Canarvier is caught it will be up to his children, Roosa and Dax and their grandmother, Nan to take part at the Grandest of Heists in order to bring King home in the first half of the novel. After an unexpected twist the second half continues to focus on the Canarviers, but also gives more insight into what it is like being part of one of the elite families. I thought the concept was intriguing. It reminded me a bit of Repo in its division of the have and have nots and its quirky sensibilities. If you like this you may also enjoy Glitterati by Oliver K. Langmead that takes another view on the possible outcomes of overconsumption in the future.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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New and Unique Fantasies: The Dawnhounds and Book of Night

15 Jun

The Dawnhounds
by Sacha Stronach
Sascha Stronach is a Maori author from Wellington, New Zealand, but has also spent time in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, which are reflected some in the immensely creative The Dawnhounds.  The Dawnhounds is set in a post-apocalyptic world with previous technology that seems to mirror our own, but their modern technology revolves around biomechanical plant and fungus.  The story focuses on a former thief turned police officer, Yat, who has been banished to night shift due to her “delicate condition” of being bisexual.  One evening she is murdered under some shady circumstances but is brought back to life by a monkey god and aided by a pirate crew; it is then her adventures truly begin.  This might seem a lot going on, but I did not find the story difficult to follow and I still found Yat a sympathetic character despite the complex world building.  This is Stronach’s debut novel and if you are like me you will be glad to know this is the first in a series.

Book of Night
by Holly Black
Holly Black’s Book of Night features a world much like our own, save one significant detail magic, specifically shadow magic is real.  In her alternate reality people may have their shadows slightly augmented by adding horns, wings, and taking the shape of animals or shadows may be used for more devious purposes such as spying or controlling others.  The story focuses on Charlie Hall, nicknamed The Charlatan who was sucked into a life of thievery at an early age and is trying unsuccessfully to staying on the straight and narrow to help her younger sister have a better life.  Although I thought a central twist was fairly obvious, over all I enjoyed the creativity of Black’s dark fantasy world.  Black previously has been known for writing YA and Middle grade novels like the Folk of the Air Trilogy; hopefully we will see more innovative adult works from her in the future.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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