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Legends of Dimmingwood #2
Betrayal of Thieves
Ilan has narrowly escaped her last encounter with the soldiers of the evil Praetor but many of her outlaw friends have not been so fortunate. When her closest companion is dragged off to Selbius for execution, Ilan has no choice but to defy the captain of the forest brigands and journey to the stronghold of her enemies.
Risking exposure, both as an outlaw and a possessor of illegal magic, Ilan has few allies in the strange city. Worse, she has attracted the attention of an unknown mage bent on her destruction. With the help of an unpredictable warrior priest, a cunning street thief, and her powerful bow, will Ilan evade the clutches of the Praetor and the attacks of the mysterious mage long enough to complete her mission and rescue her friend?
* * * * *
When I was small, my mother taught me about the magickless—evil men who hunted our kind to destroy us. They came from across the water to steal the lands of our ancestors. Pretending to want peace, they enslaved us and sought to extinguish what they couldn’t possess, the one thing their harsh laws could never control. Our ancient powers. One day, my mother warned me, violence would shatter the safety of our home, and when that day came, we must fight. And we must win.
* * * * *
Also in the LEGENDS OF DIMMINGWOOD series:
Circle of Thieves ~ Book III (Coming Spring 2013)
Redemption of Thieves ~ Book IV (Coming Spring 2013)
Risking exposure, both as an outlaw and a possessor of illegal magic, Ilan has few allies in the strange city. Worse, she has attracted the attention of an unknown mage bent on her destruction. With the help of an unpredictable warrior priest, a cunning street thief, and her powerful bow, will Ilan evade the clutches of the Praetor and the attacks of the mysterious mage long enough to complete her mission and rescue her friend?
* * * * *
When I was small, my mother taught me about the magickless—evil men who hunted our kind to destroy us. They came from across the water to steal the lands of our ancestors. Pretending to want peace, they enslaved us and sought to extinguish what they couldn’t possess, the one thing their harsh laws could never control. Our ancient powers. One day, my mother warned me, violence would shatter the safety of our home, and when that day came, we must fight. And we must win.
* * * * *
Also in the LEGENDS OF DIMMINGWOOD series:
Circle of Thieves ~ Book III (Coming Spring 2013)
Redemption of Thieves ~ Book IV (Coming Spring 2013)
174 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2012
284 people are currently reading
655 people want to read
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September 20, 2018
Betrayal of Thieves by C. Greenwood is the second installment in the Legends of Dimmingwood series.
This story picks up where the first book, Magic of Thieves, left off. You can read my review of Magic of Thieves here: http://feeroberts64.blogspot.com/2018...
I just love Greenwood's writing, and I plan on reading the entire series.
Purchased from Amazon.
This story picks up where the first book, Magic of Thieves, left off. You can read my review of Magic of Thieves here: http://feeroberts64.blogspot.com/2018...
I just love Greenwood's writing, and I plan on reading the entire series.
Purchased from Amazon.
October 16, 2017
My Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book at the current price. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about…
Following the Fists’ raid on the band’s hideout, Ilan returns to collect her hidden stash and runs into Terrac. Terrac is there to say goodbye to Ilan. He’s finally going to continue on to become a priest as was intended before he was captured by the band. Their goodbye is interrupted by the Fists and they make a run for it.
Terrac isn’t as quick as Ilan and ends up badly wounded and taken by the Fists. Ilan has to run. She meets up with a thief named Fleet and she gets to see the underside of the Praetor’s city and meet some of its less savory residents.
Ilan and Fleet set off to locate the priest, Hadrian, with the River folk to get his help because Ilan has decided she has to rescue Terrac from the Praetor’s prison. She can’t leave him suffering in the hands of the Fists.
Ilan is a girl with big, natural magic in a man’s world that has banned magic and destroys those who have it. And somehow she is tied to the Praetor himself, something her parents never told her, something hidden.
Technical Tidbits…
The cover is done by Michael Gauss for the whole series. They are magical! Absolutely wonderful! They catch your eye, they hold your attention. They relate to the story. They are beautiful artwork. C. Greenwood has chosen very well with these covers.
The storyline was ambitious but didn’t seem to quite work out. It sort of fell apart at the end.
The characters have been developing since the first book and will continue through the whole series, I’m sure. Fleet was new and developed very quickly. He became a full-blown character in just a couple of chapters. Ms. Greenwood has a magical touch with characters.
The pace was a bit uneven, fast and frantic for awhile and then just sort of stop and totally idle.
The tension was not maintained throughout the book because the pace kept changing and you’d wonder what was going on and the story would seem to wander off a bit.
And this is where you STOP if you don’t want to see any SPOILERS…
The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰
I had to put this book down and read something else to clear my mind. This is only 181 pages, but for some reason, it seemed to go on and on. I think this series would have been better done as just a couple of larger books and just tighten some things up. This doesn’t feel like it should have been a book. It feels like a section of a book that’s been stretched to be a book.
The storyline was meant to be a grand quest of rescuing Terrac from the Fists’ prison, but he didn’t need rescuing. He was wearing fine clothes and riding around with the Praetor’s hunting party and training with the Fists themselves. No grand quest. It was a dud.
This whole book is held together by the characters. Ilan, Terrac, Fleet, Hadrian, and the Praeter are the anchors and the story just sort of bounces off them. The overarching story is the real grand quest and deserves to be done as a duology or trilogy so that it can be handled in depth and detail. Stretching it to these six short books has diluted it and distracted from the actual story. I intend to read the whole series of six books because I want to read the whole story, but I would have preferred to do it in fewer, richer books. It is available in a set of the six books, and if you decide to read it I suggest buying it this way and going through the whole thing as one story.
732 wc
I purchased a copy of this book at the current price. I am voluntarily providing an honest review in which all opinions are fully my own. I am not being compensated in any way.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
What it’s about…
Following the Fists’ raid on the band’s hideout, Ilan returns to collect her hidden stash and runs into Terrac. Terrac is there to say goodbye to Ilan. He’s finally going to continue on to become a priest as was intended before he was captured by the band. Their goodbye is interrupted by the Fists and they make a run for it.
Terrac isn’t as quick as Ilan and ends up badly wounded and taken by the Fists. Ilan has to run. She meets up with a thief named Fleet and she gets to see the underside of the Praetor’s city and meet some of its less savory residents.
Ilan and Fleet set off to locate the priest, Hadrian, with the River folk to get his help because Ilan has decided she has to rescue Terrac from the Praetor’s prison. She can’t leave him suffering in the hands of the Fists.
Ilan is a girl with big, natural magic in a man’s world that has banned magic and destroys those who have it. And somehow she is tied to the Praetor himself, something her parents never told her, something hidden.
Technical Tidbits…
The cover is done by Michael Gauss for the whole series. They are magical! Absolutely wonderful! They catch your eye, they hold your attention. They relate to the story. They are beautiful artwork. C. Greenwood has chosen very well with these covers.
The storyline was ambitious but didn’t seem to quite work out. It sort of fell apart at the end.
The characters have been developing since the first book and will continue through the whole series, I’m sure. Fleet was new and developed very quickly. He became a full-blown character in just a couple of chapters. Ms. Greenwood has a magical touch with characters.
The pace was a bit uneven, fast and frantic for awhile and then just sort of stop and totally idle.
The tension was not maintained throughout the book because the pace kept changing and you’d wonder what was going on and the story would seem to wander off a bit.
And this is where you STOP if you don’t want to see any SPOILERS…
The good, the bad, and the ugly…and how much it lit up my life… ✰✰✰
I had to put this book down and read something else to clear my mind. This is only 181 pages, but for some reason, it seemed to go on and on. I think this series would have been better done as just a couple of larger books and just tighten some things up. This doesn’t feel like it should have been a book. It feels like a section of a book that’s been stretched to be a book.
The storyline was meant to be a grand quest of rescuing Terrac from the Fists’ prison, but he didn’t need rescuing. He was wearing fine clothes and riding around with the Praetor’s hunting party and training with the Fists themselves. No grand quest. It was a dud.
This whole book is held together by the characters. Ilan, Terrac, Fleet, Hadrian, and the Praeter are the anchors and the story just sort of bounces off them. The overarching story is the real grand quest and deserves to be done as a duology or trilogy so that it can be handled in depth and detail. Stretching it to these six short books has diluted it and distracted from the actual story. I intend to read the whole series of six books because I want to read the whole story, but I would have preferred to do it in fewer, richer books. It is available in a set of the six books, and if you decide to read it I suggest buying it this way and going through the whole thing as one story.
732 wc
June 28, 2017
I read the first and second book. Both were just uneventful.
November 2, 2017
Ilan has left the bandit camp that she has called home for most of her life, the death of her mentor weighing on her. She has decided to seek after the one man who might be able to give her some answers about the powers she has within her, but soon encounters trouble after discovering that Terrac has decided to follow her. An encounter with the Praetor's Fists sees the two separated, so Ilan's journey into Selbius becomes doubly important as she hopes to learn more about herself and rescue Terrac from the forces of the Praetor.
Greenwood brings us back to the tale of Ilan and her newly found bow right after the events that transpired in Magic Of Thieves and we learn more about the world outside of the brigands' forest. The scale of the world has expanded a bit, and we meet some new characters who aid the protagonist in her mission to aid her captured friend. Overall, the action moves forward with generally good pacing and the plot makes a couple of twists and turns as most epic tales do, I find the writing style very agreeable, though this book was perhaps a bit more heavy in description than the first one.
I think the biggest thing that the reader should know...and a factor for the author to keep in mind...is that the first book is almost essential reading if any sense can be made out of the tale. While ideally all readers would have gone through that material, I know personally that I've only managed to find some series books out of order. I find it disheartening when there is no introduction or way for me to catch up. Also, while the first book ends at an organic place to pause, the events of this book felt a little more incomplete...it was obvious to me that this was just a piece of a story and not a complete story in and of itself. Its a hard task to make a story both complete AND part of a series, but one thats necessary to really grow and keep an audience. Still, these books are enjoyable and worth the time to read.
(Independent Reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock)
Greenwood brings us back to the tale of Ilan and her newly found bow right after the events that transpired in Magic Of Thieves and we learn more about the world outside of the brigands' forest. The scale of the world has expanded a bit, and we meet some new characters who aid the protagonist in her mission to aid her captured friend. Overall, the action moves forward with generally good pacing and the plot makes a couple of twists and turns as most epic tales do, I find the writing style very agreeable, though this book was perhaps a bit more heavy in description than the first one.
I think the biggest thing that the reader should know...and a factor for the author to keep in mind...is that the first book is almost essential reading if any sense can be made out of the tale. While ideally all readers would have gone through that material, I know personally that I've only managed to find some series books out of order. I find it disheartening when there is no introduction or way for me to catch up. Also, while the first book ends at an organic place to pause, the events of this book felt a little more incomplete...it was obvious to me that this was just a piece of a story and not a complete story in and of itself. Its a hard task to make a story both complete AND part of a series, but one thats necessary to really grow and keep an audience. Still, these books are enjoyable and worth the time to read.
(Independent Reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2020
Not Worth Moving Forward
I thought I’d give the 2nd book a try to see if any of the momentum picks up. It doesn’t.
The first part for a very minimal amount, does actually pick up where the last left off, but for the next 50% or greater of the book, it moves off to totally different aspects, almost as if the author became sidetracked.
She eventually rambles back to the main character and what seemed to be the original storyline of the book, but there’s new characters introduced. And if it’s anything like the first book, they’ll be dropped and new ones invented.
For as short as the first two books are, you feel as if there’s a lot said-but nothing of important value.
I’m not a fan of page-fillers, drawn out series, and distractions to begin with. Just fluff that seems to distract from what the main premise of the book was promised to be.
I really don’t see that happening, so I’d rather cut my losses and move on now.
Keep in mind the two books combined, barely add up to the equivalency of what most would have written in one book.
No wonder there’s so many book in the series.
I thought I’d give the 2nd book a try to see if any of the momentum picks up. It doesn’t.
The first part for a very minimal amount, does actually pick up where the last left off, but for the next 50% or greater of the book, it moves off to totally different aspects, almost as if the author became sidetracked.
She eventually rambles back to the main character and what seemed to be the original storyline of the book, but there’s new characters introduced. And if it’s anything like the first book, they’ll be dropped and new ones invented.
For as short as the first two books are, you feel as if there’s a lot said-but nothing of important value.
I’m not a fan of page-fillers, drawn out series, and distractions to begin with. Just fluff that seems to distract from what the main premise of the book was promised to be.
I really don’t see that happening, so I’d rather cut my losses and move on now.
Keep in mind the two books combined, barely add up to the equivalency of what most would have written in one book.
No wonder there’s so many book in the series.
February 1, 2019
This second novella continues the adventures of Ilan and, like the first in the series, it is a good undemanding read, but not really a self-contained tale. The setting continues to be a bright, happy world full of well-intentioned and well-spoken people, as well as the occasional hissable villain. Nothing much happens, plotwise, but we get to know a little more about Ilan’s magic bow and her potential mentor.
There are plenty of implausibilities, again. For example, Ilan can be waylaid in a bad part of town, and lie unconscious in the street for over a day, losing only her knives and her coin in the process. Her clothing and her main weapon, a precious bow no less, remain untouched, and she is not further molested. What a nice slum! No grimdark here. And how can Ilan fail to suspect Terrac of treachery when his fate abruptly switches from captive to favourite of the evil Praetor? She seems very naive.
A few editing issues made me think this episode was a little more rushed than the first, but it’s not enough to prevent me from following the series.
There are plenty of implausibilities, again. For example, Ilan can be waylaid in a bad part of town, and lie unconscious in the street for over a day, losing only her knives and her coin in the process. Her clothing and her main weapon, a precious bow no less, remain untouched, and she is not further molested. What a nice slum! No grimdark here. And how can Ilan fail to suspect Terrac of treachery when his fate abruptly switches from captive to favourite of the evil Praetor? She seems very naive.
A few editing issues made me think this episode was a little more rushed than the first, but it’s not enough to prevent me from following the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2020
The protagonist is lacking....
I thought my interest in Hadrian would be sufficient to compel me to read the series, but even he seems flat and uninteresting in this book. Ilan keeps revealing a lack of decent human qualities to the point that her flaws outnumber her positive traits. She lies, tries to avoid living up to her promises, cops attitudes with people who are trying to help her, mindlessly clings to an evil magical bow (and never acquires arrows...duh), doesn’t seem to care she lost her mother’s brooch, loses friends faster than she can keep them, gets abused and doesn’t seem to care, and lacks direction or motive. There are hints that something interesting might happen if I keep reading the series, but I just don’t like Ilan enough to care about her or her future. I’m kind of on Terrac’s side...better off without her.
There is also a timeline glitch in this book. How long is Ilan visiting the river folks? A few days, weeks...? Not much happens in this book, it’s rather anti-climatic, other than a long loose end is sort of unhappily tied off.
I thought my interest in Hadrian would be sufficient to compel me to read the series, but even he seems flat and uninteresting in this book. Ilan keeps revealing a lack of decent human qualities to the point that her flaws outnumber her positive traits. She lies, tries to avoid living up to her promises, cops attitudes with people who are trying to help her, mindlessly clings to an evil magical bow (and never acquires arrows...duh), doesn’t seem to care she lost her mother’s brooch, loses friends faster than she can keep them, gets abused and doesn’t seem to care, and lacks direction or motive. There are hints that something interesting might happen if I keep reading the series, but I just don’t like Ilan enough to care about her or her future. I’m kind of on Terrac’s side...better off without her.
There is also a timeline glitch in this book. How long is Ilan visiting the river folks? A few days, weeks...? Not much happens in this book, it’s rather anti-climatic, other than a long loose end is sort of unhappily tied off.
August 13, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. I really don't know what some other people are thinking when they say that nothing happens. I'm dying to know if she should have done what Hadrian told her to do or not in regards to getting rid of the bow. So far, even though it has saved her life, it seems like a bad influence. Hadrien seemed to think so as well saying that her magic was influenced by the bow. Altogether I think it's a great book, and I can't wait to read the next one. The one thing I didn't really like, was her best friend betraying her. I really hope the author revisits their lost friendship, and it all turns out to be a mistake.
January 25, 2019
I read the first book after reading a fast paced novel, and didn't think I like it all that much. But as time wore on, I found I kept thinking of Ilan and wondering how the story ebbs and flows. With this in mind, I came back for a second book and I'm glad it I did. Greenwood gives good descriptions. It is an easy read, but as you can see, I read it quickly. Time for book 3.
November 8, 2017
Betrayal of Thieves (Legends of Dimmingwood Book 2)
Ilan seen the Gray Robe to lean about her magic. She make a new some what friend , Fleet. With the help of her new friends Ilan hope to rescue Terrace. Will Ilan rescue him or will she loss everything?
Ilan seen the Gray Robe to lean about her magic. She make a new some what friend , Fleet. With the help of her new friends Ilan hope to rescue Terrace. Will Ilan rescue him or will she loss everything?
September 10, 2020
Fun, fast read!
This is the second book in a series. These books make sense only if you read them in order. Ilan risks her safety and her home to rescue a friend fallen into enemy hands. Along the way she starts learning the best use of her magic.
This is the second book in a series. These books make sense only if you read them in order. Ilan risks her safety and her home to rescue a friend fallen into enemy hands. Along the way she starts learning the best use of her magic.
August 3, 2017
Interesting
I ended up really enjoying this. I have no idea what took me so long to read it! I will definitely be continuing the series!
I ended up really enjoying this. I have no idea what took me so long to read it! I will definitely be continuing the series!
January 15, 2018
Good continuation of the story. Enjoyable.
June 7, 2018
Too short
This book is confusingly short. It seems like this and the first book together plus a few more would make a full story. It is frustrating.
This book is confusingly short. It seems like this and the first book together plus a few more would make a full story. It is frustrating.
September 14, 2018
Well Read
The book is good. Keep a very good speed with the story telling. I never feel lost or confused as to what is happening or who is taking.
The book is good. Keep a very good speed with the story telling. I never feel lost or confused as to what is happening or who is taking.
November 11, 2018
Good but a little short.
Good but much too short
Much much too too short _ I read in such a short time that I was very disappointed.
Good but much too short
Much much too too short _ I read in such a short time that I was very disappointed.
August 21, 2019
Good story, conclusion of the series was disappointing.
February 19, 2020
Book 2
The narrator has a pleasant voice but her mispronunciation of words is irritating. Loving the series though. Good storyline easy to follow.
The narrator has a pleasant voice but her mispronunciation of words is irritating. Loving the series though. Good storyline easy to follow.
Read
January 14, 2017Excellent
July 19, 2013
***My review first published on LibraryThing 7/18/13***
(Disclaimer: Received this ebook free through the LibraryThing Member Giveaway review program)
This ebook, Betrayal of Thieves, Legends of Dimmingwood, Book 2, is pretty much dialogue and narrative based, very low on action. I found this ebook enjoyable, just not quite the same level as Book 1, Magic of Thieves. I'm curious to see where Book 3 may go, someday.
I'm not alway onboard with 1st person narratives, but just like
Book 1 in the Legends of Dimmingwood, Betrayal of Thieves still moves smoothly and I really like the main character, Ilan, an orphaned magicker (race resembling drow, in my opinion) living among humans. She's a bit fiery, but loyal to all she names friend. The book's 1st person viewpoint is hers.
She must rescue a friend, Terrac, who's been taken by the forces of the Praetor, the ruler of the lands of which Dimmingwood is a part. But not all is as it seems, as Ilan finds out at the end.
I must say, again, this is a novella (my epub format was 125 pages) and I really feel that I'd love to have experienced the 4 books in the series as one epic several hundred page novel. I'm only guessing that Books 3 & 4 are both like 1 & 2, roughly 100-130 epub pages formatted. Just my belief, because the first two, at least, would have been a great action packed start and then leading into more plot development and furthering Ilan's discovery of the Praetor's secret and also strengthening her innate magical ability.
This book brings in an interesting character only briefly brought forth in Book 1, a tough fighter turned priest named Hadrian. He's a nice, solid balance to Ilan's youth and impulsive reactions. And of course, the new character Fleet, a streetwise thief, will appeal to those who like a brash rogue.
This was a good, solid, piece of light fantasy that I think is a perfectly easy read for anyone to fill an afternoon.
My pet peeves are typos; spelling, missed words, obvious grammar issues, etc. This book had just a very few little things that can be overlooked unless you're a 9th grade English teacher. : )
I'd recommend this ebook for any fantasy reader, even dabblers in the genre. No complex world-building, but perfectly likeable main characters. Just remember it's a novella and you'll probably be tempted to read all 4 books in the series so you get a full appreciation of Ilan's world.
Note: LibraryThing allows 1/2 star ratings, so once again I feel contstrained to state that there I gave it 3 1/2 stars, which I feel was more accurate, but I can live with being forced to choose 4 over 3 here.
(Disclaimer: Received this ebook free through the LibraryThing Member Giveaway review program)
This ebook, Betrayal of Thieves, Legends of Dimmingwood, Book 2, is pretty much dialogue and narrative based, very low on action. I found this ebook enjoyable, just not quite the same level as Book 1, Magic of Thieves. I'm curious to see where Book 3 may go, someday.
I'm not alway onboard with 1st person narratives, but just like
Book 1 in the Legends of Dimmingwood, Betrayal of Thieves still moves smoothly and I really like the main character, Ilan, an orphaned magicker (race resembling drow, in my opinion) living among humans. She's a bit fiery, but loyal to all she names friend. The book's 1st person viewpoint is hers.
She must rescue a friend, Terrac, who's been taken by the forces of the Praetor, the ruler of the lands of which Dimmingwood is a part. But not all is as it seems, as Ilan finds out at the end.
I must say, again, this is a novella (my epub format was 125 pages) and I really feel that I'd love to have experienced the 4 books in the series as one epic several hundred page novel. I'm only guessing that Books 3 & 4 are both like 1 & 2, roughly 100-130 epub pages formatted. Just my belief, because the first two, at least, would have been a great action packed start and then leading into more plot development and furthering Ilan's discovery of the Praetor's secret and also strengthening her innate magical ability.
This book brings in an interesting character only briefly brought forth in Book 1, a tough fighter turned priest named Hadrian. He's a nice, solid balance to Ilan's youth and impulsive reactions. And of course, the new character Fleet, a streetwise thief, will appeal to those who like a brash rogue.
This was a good, solid, piece of light fantasy that I think is a perfectly easy read for anyone to fill an afternoon.
My pet peeves are typos; spelling, missed words, obvious grammar issues, etc. This book had just a very few little things that can be overlooked unless you're a 9th grade English teacher. : )
I'd recommend this ebook for any fantasy reader, even dabblers in the genre. No complex world-building, but perfectly likeable main characters. Just remember it's a novella and you'll probably be tempted to read all 4 books in the series so you get a full appreciation of Ilan's world.
Note: LibraryThing allows 1/2 star ratings, so once again I feel contstrained to state that there I gave it 3 1/2 stars, which I feel was more accurate, but I can live with being forced to choose 4 over 3 here.
April 9, 2013
3.5/5 stars
*Please note there may be some spoilers for the first book in this review - I would suggest reading the first book before this one (although you can get by without it)*
Betrayal of Thieves if the second book in the Legend of Dimmingwood series. The story takes off right where the first book finished. In this book Ilan is going in search of Hadrian who said he would help her understand her magic. However, things don't go entirely as planned when Terrac is captured by the Fists.
Characters:
The story is written in first person following Ilan. Leaving the brigand behind, Ilan sets out to learn about her magic, but it sidetracked when her friend, Terrac is captured. No longer in her wooded haven, Ilan must go to the city to see what became of Terrac. She meets a new friend and experiences the sufferings of thieves (ironically) and the city life in this book. A new character, Fleet, is added to the mix in this story. He aids Ilan on life in the city with his vast array of knowledge and skills. Thieves are still predominant in the character, but they are no longer part of the brigand Ilan left behind. Terrac's character is slightly out of place when we see him for a second time in this book. This seems like it should be explained more deeply in the next book.
Plot:
The plot moved along fast for me—even a few months went by that I thought were day in the book. There is not as much action (i.e., fighting) as there was in the first book. More knowledge about magic was slightly added as well. I think more could have been said on the subject—especially with the bow. However, the writing (like the first book) went smoothly, and I finished the book within a day.
The Bottom Line:
Overall it was a good read. I think I liked the action of the first book better, but I did like the change of scenery and the different types of characters brought in this second volume. If you like fantasy book, you might want to try this book.
*Please note there may be some spoilers for the first book in this review - I would suggest reading the first book before this one (although you can get by without it)*
Betrayal of Thieves if the second book in the Legend of Dimmingwood series. The story takes off right where the first book finished. In this book Ilan is going in search of Hadrian who said he would help her understand her magic. However, things don't go entirely as planned when Terrac is captured by the Fists.
Characters:
The story is written in first person following Ilan. Leaving the brigand behind, Ilan sets out to learn about her magic, but it sidetracked when her friend, Terrac is captured. No longer in her wooded haven, Ilan must go to the city to see what became of Terrac. She meets a new friend and experiences the sufferings of thieves (ironically) and the city life in this book. A new character, Fleet, is added to the mix in this story. He aids Ilan on life in the city with his vast array of knowledge and skills. Thieves are still predominant in the character, but they are no longer part of the brigand Ilan left behind. Terrac's character is slightly out of place when we see him for a second time in this book. This seems like it should be explained more deeply in the next book.
Plot:
The plot moved along fast for me—even a few months went by that I thought were day in the book. There is not as much action (i.e., fighting) as there was in the first book. More knowledge about magic was slightly added as well. I think more could have been said on the subject—especially with the bow. However, the writing (like the first book) went smoothly, and I finished the book within a day.
The Bottom Line:
Overall it was a good read. I think I liked the action of the first book better, but I did like the change of scenery and the different types of characters brought in this second volume. If you like fantasy book, you might want to try this book.
March 29, 2013
As usual I paid nothing for this book but instead received it for free as part of a LibraryThing giveaway. It's also worth mentioning that I read only this second book in the series and not the first.
In a nutshell, our protagonist finds herself on a quest across the continent in search of her kidnapped friend. During her journey she finds herself increasingly under the thrall of an ancient artifact that has come into her possession (think "Precciousssss")
From a pure writing standpoint our author does fairly well. She's written a simple and readable story that is quick and easy to consume. It goes down easy. Sadly, I think it goes down almost too easily. The book is listed at 181 pages and in those pages almost nothing of real consequence happens. I realize that I'm starting in the middle and this is the second book in the series but it just seems to take a long time to go nowhere.
Typically, in any book, even a middle book in a series there's some 'hook' to keep you coming back for more. Unfortunately, there's no hook. Perhaps it's hidden in the first book. My advice to readers who want to get anything from this is to just buy the whole series. While the author does a reasonable job of 'catching up' newcomers there's not enough there to inspire me to go back and read the first. Perhaps if I'd started there things would have worked out differently.
In summary, sadly, much ado about nothing. Well written but very slow and very drawn out. Luckily it's very readable but when you arrive at the end you rather wonder what you read and why you bothered.
In a nutshell, our protagonist finds herself on a quest across the continent in search of her kidnapped friend. During her journey she finds herself increasingly under the thrall of an ancient artifact that has come into her possession (think "Precciousssss")
From a pure writing standpoint our author does fairly well. She's written a simple and readable story that is quick and easy to consume. It goes down easy. Sadly, I think it goes down almost too easily. The book is listed at 181 pages and in those pages almost nothing of real consequence happens. I realize that I'm starting in the middle and this is the second book in the series but it just seems to take a long time to go nowhere.
Typically, in any book, even a middle book in a series there's some 'hook' to keep you coming back for more. Unfortunately, there's no hook. Perhaps it's hidden in the first book. My advice to readers who want to get anything from this is to just buy the whole series. While the author does a reasonable job of 'catching up' newcomers there's not enough there to inspire me to go back and read the first. Perhaps if I'd started there things would have worked out differently.
In summary, sadly, much ado about nothing. Well written but very slow and very drawn out. Luckily it's very readable but when you arrive at the end you rather wonder what you read and why you bothered.
July 18, 2015
This was more like a 2.5 for me, as I did like it more than the first book, Magic of Thieves, but any warm feelings I had for it were tempered by a general lack of interest. Some of that disinterest faded toward the middle of the novel as the plot began to pick up. It still took longer than usual for me to get through this book, in part because it felt like a stopgap point between bigger events in the series. At least, I'm assuming some Big Shit will happen down the road.
As for what I liked more about this installment: most of it had to do with me liking the narrator and principal characters more. Ilan seems to have matured and developed past some of the extremity of her brashness, though she's still flawed (which I count as a good thing!). We get to see more of Hadrian, who I find interesting, and Fleet was also a character I'd like to see more of.
The middle and end of the plot did pick up enough for me to want to continue with this series, so hopefully it continues to improve. I'll end this with one last complaint and an observation. First, the complaint: I don't think the framing of the story (beginning with the end and ending with the beginning) is used to good effect here or in the first novel. It's not necessarily a bad narrative framing device, but it's not pulled off gracefully. And second, the observation: these books are incredibly short. I know that's how they're published so quickly, but damn!
As for what I liked more about this installment: most of it had to do with me liking the narrator and principal characters more. Ilan seems to have matured and developed past some of the extremity of her brashness, though she's still flawed (which I count as a good thing!). We get to see more of Hadrian, who I find interesting, and Fleet was also a character I'd like to see more of.
The middle and end of the plot did pick up enough for me to want to continue with this series, so hopefully it continues to improve. I'll end this with one last complaint and an observation. First, the complaint: I don't think the framing of the story (beginning with the end and ending with the beginning) is used to good effect here or in the first novel. It's not necessarily a bad narrative framing device, but it's not pulled off gracefully. And second, the observation: these books are incredibly short. I know that's how they're published so quickly, but damn!
January 4, 2015
I have this ebook waiting on my kindle for the past few weeks. I just decided to continue the series since I want to read something in a fantasy genre. However, the sequel fell short for me. It was draggingly slow and nothing much happened. Well, what can I expect for a 180 pages book? I guess this is a good example of books that are not meant to be cut down to series. I think the story will have a total of 4 books wherein it would have fit in just one or two books.
Anyway, the plot is very predictable and empty. There's nothing to rave about the sequel at all and I definitely didn't learned anything new from this world or Ilan's magical abilities. She didn't even used her magic throughout the book. No fighting scene at all; only dialogues and narratives which bored me a lot.
The book introduced more characters though but like Ilan, he's also one dimensional. Basically, the whole book is just about Ilan trying to rescue Terrac, reuniting with Hadrian, and making some new friends.
I am tempted to drop this series, honestly, but then I remembered my Series Challenge and since I was able to tolerate the second book, why not just continue it, eh? Also, the reviews on the third book looks promising and the rate went up to almost 4 stars. I guess I will give it another try and continue with the book 3.
Posted on NocturnalReader
Anyway, the plot is very predictable and empty. There's nothing to rave about the sequel at all and I definitely didn't learned anything new from this world or Ilan's magical abilities. She didn't even used her magic throughout the book. No fighting scene at all; only dialogues and narratives which bored me a lot.
The book introduced more characters though but like Ilan, he's also one dimensional. Basically, the whole book is just about Ilan trying to rescue Terrac, reuniting with Hadrian, and making some new friends.
I am tempted to drop this series, honestly, but then I remembered my Series Challenge and since I was able to tolerate the second book, why not just continue it, eh? Also, the reviews on the third book looks promising and the rate went up to almost 4 stars. I guess I will give it another try and continue with the book 3.
Posted on NocturnalReader
March 2, 2013
The story of Ilan keep unfolding in his windily way at 2nd book "Betrayal of thieves".
Greenwood keep my fascination all the way in this book too. So now I am waiting impatiently for the 3rd and the 4th.
Now you meet a little bit mature Ilan - as she learn one thing or more in life. Still she is strong headed and impatience kind but at list she developed some morality sense. She also learn somthing new about the types of magic and her שcquired "arcane bow".
Other characters:
** Terrace -(the "nerd" type) that we learn to love in the "magic of thieves" get a surprising turn.
** Hadrian - We got to know better
** and a new character - Fleet - has a potential for more complex personality, but still he is such a refreshing persona.
** The praetor - now a mystery persona, but I believe that he is going to get a major rule in the next books
** Seephinia - of the river people another strong women character.(Seephinia’s no servant but a friend. Her people are too independent to be commanded by any one person. The Praetor may think he has bought them, but the river folk don’t see themselves as owned and I think if he or the other drylanders presume otherwise for long, they will discover the truth to their hurt.”)
Greenwood keep my fascination all the way in this book too. So now I am waiting impatiently for the 3rd and the 4th.
Now you meet a little bit mature Ilan - as she learn one thing or more in life. Still she is strong headed and impatience kind but at list she developed some morality sense. She also learn somthing new about the types of magic and her שcquired "arcane bow".
Other characters:
** Terrace -(the "nerd" type) that we learn to love in the "magic of thieves" get a surprising turn.
** Hadrian - We got to know better
** and a new character - Fleet - has a potential for more complex personality, but still he is such a refreshing persona.
** The praetor - now a mystery persona, but I believe that he is going to get a major rule in the next books
** Seephinia - of the river people another strong women character.(Seephinia’s no servant but a friend. Her people are too independent to be commanded by any one person. The Praetor may think he has bought them, but the river folk don’t see themselves as owned and I think if he or the other drylanders presume otherwise for long, they will discover the truth to their hurt.”)
April 10, 2013
Ilan journeys to Selbius in the hopes of rescuing Terrac from harm. Ilan also hopes to gain some knowledge of how to control the magic within her with Hadrian's help. Ilan finds that life in Selbius is very different from life in Dimmingwood. Ilan hopes to blend in with city folks and not be robbed either. Ilan hopes to meet Hadrian during the festival but she's attacked and misses the meeting. Ilan aids a thief named Fleet in his bid to freedom from the city guards. Ilan demands that Fleet help her find Hadrian to call their debt even. Hadrian is surprised by Ilan's appearance yet pleased all the same. Hadrian plans to teach Ilan to use her magic better but is disturbed by Skeltai bow in Ilan's possession. Hadrian learns the whereabouts of Terrac that are full of disturbing news for Ilan. Will Ilan rescue Terrac? Can Hadrian teach Ilan? What disturbing news of Terrac? Your answers await you in Betrayal of Thieves.
Again another fast paced read chalk full of surprises from beginning to end. Ilan keeps surprising me as character which is wonderful. I find that Ilan to be more mature and complex in this book. I love ineractions between Fleet and Hadrian. I can't wait to see what this author will do next in this series.
Again another fast paced read chalk full of surprises from beginning to end. Ilan keeps surprising me as character which is wonderful. I find that Ilan to be more mature and complex in this book. I love ineractions between Fleet and Hadrian. I can't wait to see what this author will do next in this series.
October 21, 2016
I received Betrayal of Thieves as a free copy from the author. The gifting did not determine the review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion.
While I enjoyed this second book of the Thieves series, I don't feel there was enough forward progression of the overall story line, considering the length of the book. I worry that future installments will drag, and I also noticed the word count seems to be shorter. The magic bow, featured on the covers of books one and two, is simply something Ilan carries around and has never used-- so it's presence is irritating rather than intriguing. And what's with the broach at the end? This would have been the first thing I asked about and noticed (people will understand this context, I won't clarify as it would spoil the ending) during the final confrontation.
A good series, but in my opinion, it could move at a faster pace. This will be my last book because I like to see more plot threads resolved in each story-- for others with more patience, the pacing may be fine.
While I enjoyed this second book of the Thieves series, I don't feel there was enough forward progression of the overall story line, considering the length of the book. I worry that future installments will drag, and I also noticed the word count seems to be shorter. The magic bow, featured on the covers of books one and two, is simply something Ilan carries around and has never used-- so it's presence is irritating rather than intriguing. And what's with the broach at the end? This would have been the first thing I asked about and noticed (people will understand this context, I won't clarify as it would spoil the ending) during the final confrontation.
A good series, but in my opinion, it could move at a faster pace. This will be my last book because I like to see more plot threads resolved in each story-- for others with more patience, the pacing may be fine.
September 7, 2013
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who are looking for something new to read.
If you're looking for a heroine in a nice book series to start? Well “The Legends of Dimmingwood” series might be what you are looking for. In Betrayal of Thieves, Ilan is a young thief who, after the death of someone close, leaves her old life for something better. In this sequel, which I just recently finished reading, she journeys off to the city for a special meeting and in hopes to rescue her captured friend. With the help of a warrior priest and a mischievous city thief, she sets out on the task. After several of months hiding and worrying for the safety of her friend, she comes upon the kidnapped and to Ilan’s surprise it is not what she is expecting. Read more at my blog
If you're looking for a heroine in a nice book series to start? Well “The Legends of Dimmingwood” series might be what you are looking for. In Betrayal of Thieves, Ilan is a young thief who, after the death of someone close, leaves her old life for something better. In this sequel, which I just recently finished reading, she journeys off to the city for a special meeting and in hopes to rescue her captured friend. With the help of a warrior priest and a mischievous city thief, she sets out on the task. After several of months hiding and worrying for the safety of her friend, she comes upon the kidnapped and to Ilan’s surprise it is not what she is expecting. Read more at my blog
March 27, 2013
I won this book on LibraryThing's Member Giveaway.
Ilan starts to think for herself and tries to help out her friends while trying to reevaluate who she is and what she wants from life.
I thought the story was good fun. It elaborated nicely on the previous story, adding in back stories and whatnot. There were some things that irritated me like, Ilan's random mood swings, her bizarre loyalty to the Hand, Terrec's shift in feelings for Ilan and what caused that. But these are just minor, preference type stuff really.
Overall, a fun read! Probably really good for kids who don't like the idea of reading a long chapter book. Good stuff.
Ilan starts to think for herself and tries to help out her friends while trying to reevaluate who she is and what she wants from life.
I thought the story was good fun. It elaborated nicely on the previous story, adding in back stories and whatnot. There were some things that irritated me like, Ilan's random mood swings, her bizarre loyalty to the Hand, Terrec's shift in feelings for Ilan and what caused that. But these are just minor, preference type stuff really.
Overall, a fun read! Probably really good for kids who don't like the idea of reading a long chapter book. Good stuff.
June 29, 2016
A great book two of the series (I actually have the books one to three collection but wanted to review each one separately), which delves further into Ilan's 'journey'.
She defies the forest band to rescue Terrac and finds herself in the midst of enemies... She also befriends a thief and remembers someone who may help with her mission, however...
This part of the series may feel as if it's going nowhere, but it's important for character experience and development because events change her emotions and will probably impact on future decisions.
An enjoyable fantasy, well-written and certainly hooks you to want more.
Okay, now for book three.
She defies the forest band to rescue Terrac and finds herself in the midst of enemies... She also befriends a thief and remembers someone who may help with her mission, however...
This part of the series may feel as if it's going nowhere, but it's important for character experience and development because events change her emotions and will probably impact on future decisions.
An enjoyable fantasy, well-written and certainly hooks you to want more.
Okay, now for book three.
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