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A Good Thief
Surviving on the streets of Dockhaven took quick hands and the instincts of a gutter rat.
Schmalch was a good thief, just not a lucky one. Thanks to the rain, he hadn't even picked enough pockets to stay drunk and sleep dry. If only he could earn a spot on a crew, he wouldn't have to spend his days scrounging anymore, but every opportunity he had went keel-up.
When a simple pickpocketing goes awry, two strangers offer him another shot at a crew—if his luck doesn't sink him again. Schmalch may only want a few coins and a safe place to sleep, but a secret lab, an unwanted prophesy, and a fancy pistol will lead him to a back-alley deal that will change his life forever.
***
A prequel to the award-winning Things They Buried , A Good Thief follows Schmalch on a gritty adventure down some of the nastier byways in Dockhaven, the planet Ismae's greatest port city.
Schmalch was a good thief, just not a lucky one. Thanks to the rain, he hadn't even picked enough pockets to stay drunk and sleep dry. If only he could earn a spot on a crew, he wouldn't have to spend his days scrounging anymore, but every opportunity he had went keel-up.
When a simple pickpocketing goes awry, two strangers offer him another shot at a crew—if his luck doesn't sink him again. Schmalch may only want a few coins and a safe place to sleep, but a secret lab, an unwanted prophesy, and a fancy pistol will lead him to a back-alley deal that will change his life forever.
***
A prequel to the award-winning Things They Buried , A Good Thief follows Schmalch on a gritty adventure down some of the nastier byways in Dockhaven, the planet Ismae's greatest port city.
102 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2023
2 people want to read
About the author
Amanda K. King
3 books15 followersBoth a reporter and a communication consultant in previous lives, Amanda spent way more years than she wants to admit writing news stories and marketing drivel for other people. Her part-time fiction turned full-time when she and Michael R. Swanson wrote Things They Buried. She is a fan of words and grammar and enjoys exploring how perspectives and circumstances shape the way different people deal with the same world.
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https://linktr.ee/ismaebooks
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 22, 2024
A Good Thief by Amanda K. King and Michael R. Swanson is a prequel to the Thung Toh Jig Science Fiction/Fantasy series. It is Schmalch's story.
First, let me thank the authors, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from other books)
The Port of Dockhaven is a strange city on the planet of Ismae, filled with all manner of beings. Although the worlds of science and mythology collided, and the residents may look different, have different skin colours (really different), and have different degrees of intellect, they mingle as one. Aliara Rift is an operative in the Thung Toh, a secret organization that is paid to perform almost any task for those that will pay. She and her lover, Duke Sylandair Imythedralin, recently killed the monster Orono who had owned and abused them most of their lives. Schmalch is a thief that has worked with Aliara and Sylandair. He is a puka (small, and green-skinned).
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The year is 2085, and Smalch is barely surviving on the streets of Dockhaven. He's always hungry, always looking for a place to sleep that isn't cold or wet. Most of his money is spent on his rather greedy girlfriend Ooda.
Schmalch is a puka, a small green-skinned thief. He's good at picking pockets, but he isn't always lucky.
When two strangers offer him a job, Schmalch barely hesitates. It seems straight-forward...break into a lab, steal some keys, and get something from a safe. But the two strangers have other plans, and Schmalch may not survive this little escapade.
My Opinions:
I rarely give 5 stars to a short story, but this was wonderful....and I had been missing this crazy world.
Although this is not my normal genre I have become a big fan of this series. The authors have created a world where the norm is anything but, so it's always exciting to see what's in store! The descriptions are so vivid, that you immediately become immersed. The unfamiliar words in this tale quickly become crystal clear as you continue to read.
I loved this short story, and learning more about Schmalch, a really loveable thief, who I could easily cheer for from start to finish. It was so easy to dislike all the other characters. The plot had plenty of action, and it moved quickly.
Although I must admit to missing Rift and the Duke in this one, I am hoping for another book real soon!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
Merged review:
A Good Thief by Amanda K. King and Michael R. Swanson is a prequel to the Thung Toh Jig Science Fiction/Fantasy series. It is Schmalch's story.
First, let me thank the authors, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from other books)
The Port of Dockhaven is a strange city on the planet of Ismae, filled with all manner of beings. Although the worlds of science and mythology collided, and the residents may look different, have different skin colours (really different), and have different degrees of intellect, they mingle as one. Aliara Rift is an operative in the Thung Toh, a secret organization that is paid to perform almost any task for those that will pay. She and her lover, Duke Sylandair Imythedralin, recently killed the monster Orono who had owned and abused them most of their lives. Schmalch is a thief that has worked with Aliara and Sylandair. He is a puka (small, and green-skinned).
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The year is 2085, and Smalch is barely surviving on the streets of Dockhaven. He's always hungry, always looking for a place to sleep that isn't cold or wet. Most of his money is spent on his rather greedy girlfriend Ooda.
Schmalch is a puka, a small green-skinned thief. He's good at picking pockets, but he isn't always lucky.
When two strangers offer him a job, Schmalch barely hesitates. It seems straight-forward...break into a lab, steal some keys, and get something from a safe. But the two strangers have other plans, and Schmalch may not survive this little escapade.
My Opinions:
I rarely give 5 stars to a short story, but this was wonderful....and I had been missing this crazy world.
Although this is not my normal genre I have become a big fan of this series. The authors have created a world where the norm is anything but, so it's always exciting to see what's in store! The descriptions are so vivid, that you immediately become immersed. The unfamiliar words in this tale quickly become crystal clear as you continue to read.
I loved this short story, and learning more about Schmalch, a really loveable thief, who I could easily cheer for from start to finish. It was so easy to dislike all the other characters. The plot had plenty of action, and it moved quickly.
Although I must admit to missing Rift and the Duke in this one, I am hoping for another book real soon!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
First, let me thank the authors, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from other books)
The Port of Dockhaven is a strange city on the planet of Ismae, filled with all manner of beings. Although the worlds of science and mythology collided, and the residents may look different, have different skin colours (really different), and have different degrees of intellect, they mingle as one. Aliara Rift is an operative in the Thung Toh, a secret organization that is paid to perform almost any task for those that will pay. She and her lover, Duke Sylandair Imythedralin, recently killed the monster Orono who had owned and abused them most of their lives. Schmalch is a thief that has worked with Aliara and Sylandair. He is a puka (small, and green-skinned).
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The year is 2085, and Smalch is barely surviving on the streets of Dockhaven. He's always hungry, always looking for a place to sleep that isn't cold or wet. Most of his money is spent on his rather greedy girlfriend Ooda.
Schmalch is a puka, a small green-skinned thief. He's good at picking pockets, but he isn't always lucky.
When two strangers offer him a job, Schmalch barely hesitates. It seems straight-forward...break into a lab, steal some keys, and get something from a safe. But the two strangers have other plans, and Schmalch may not survive this little escapade.
My Opinions:
I rarely give 5 stars to a short story, but this was wonderful....and I had been missing this crazy world.
Although this is not my normal genre I have become a big fan of this series. The authors have created a world where the norm is anything but, so it's always exciting to see what's in store! The descriptions are so vivid, that you immediately become immersed. The unfamiliar words in this tale quickly become crystal clear as you continue to read.
I loved this short story, and learning more about Schmalch, a really loveable thief, who I could easily cheer for from start to finish. It was so easy to dislike all the other characters. The plot had plenty of action, and it moved quickly.
Although I must admit to missing Rift and the Duke in this one, I am hoping for another book real soon!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
Merged review:
A Good Thief by Amanda K. King and Michael R. Swanson is a prequel to the Thung Toh Jig Science Fiction/Fantasy series. It is Schmalch's story.
First, let me thank the authors, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from other books)
The Port of Dockhaven is a strange city on the planet of Ismae, filled with all manner of beings. Although the worlds of science and mythology collided, and the residents may look different, have different skin colours (really different), and have different degrees of intellect, they mingle as one. Aliara Rift is an operative in the Thung Toh, a secret organization that is paid to perform almost any task for those that will pay. She and her lover, Duke Sylandair Imythedralin, recently killed the monster Orono who had owned and abused them most of their lives. Schmalch is a thief that has worked with Aliara and Sylandair. He is a puka (small, and green-skinned).
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The year is 2085, and Smalch is barely surviving on the streets of Dockhaven. He's always hungry, always looking for a place to sleep that isn't cold or wet. Most of his money is spent on his rather greedy girlfriend Ooda.
Schmalch is a puka, a small green-skinned thief. He's good at picking pockets, but he isn't always lucky.
When two strangers offer him a job, Schmalch barely hesitates. It seems straight-forward...break into a lab, steal some keys, and get something from a safe. But the two strangers have other plans, and Schmalch may not survive this little escapade.
My Opinions:
I rarely give 5 stars to a short story, but this was wonderful....and I had been missing this crazy world.
Although this is not my normal genre I have become a big fan of this series. The authors have created a world where the norm is anything but, so it's always exciting to see what's in store! The descriptions are so vivid, that you immediately become immersed. The unfamiliar words in this tale quickly become crystal clear as you continue to read.
I loved this short story, and learning more about Schmalch, a really loveable thief, who I could easily cheer for from start to finish. It was so easy to dislike all the other characters. The plot had plenty of action, and it moved quickly.
Although I must admit to missing Rift and the Duke in this one, I am hoping for another book real soon!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
September 29, 2023
A short but stellar introduction to King and Swanson’s Thung Toh Jig series.
This is a prequel story staring Schmalch that gives the character a little more backstory and sets up what was going on in his life immediately before we meet him in “Things They Buried.” This book can be read and enjoyed no matter where you are in your journey through the Thung Toh Jig series; you can start with it, read it second, or read it third.
“They Eat Their Own” gave us fewer Schmalch scenes, so I was very excited to get a short story that expanded on this lovable, down and out, morally grey bloke. Although, there was a little scene-stealer! I love Kook and I hope we see that wiley kitty again popping up unexpectedly in future books.
These books are genuinely unique and well-worth the space on your bookshelves. Recommended especially to readers who want to be fully immersed in fictional worlds.
This is a prequel story staring Schmalch that gives the character a little more backstory and sets up what was going on in his life immediately before we meet him in “Things They Buried.” This book can be read and enjoyed no matter where you are in your journey through the Thung Toh Jig series; you can start with it, read it second, or read it third.
“They Eat Their Own” gave us fewer Schmalch scenes, so I was very excited to get a short story that expanded on this lovable, down and out, morally grey bloke. Although, there was a little scene-stealer! I love Kook and I hope we see that wiley kitty again popping up unexpectedly in future books.
These books are genuinely unique and well-worth the space on your bookshelves. Recommended especially to readers who want to be fully immersed in fictional worlds.
November 21, 2023
Poor Schmalch. I’d feed him but he’d surely thieve me out of house and home! Good thing he’s got that lucky kris or doom would surely follow, which it kinda does, in a lucky sort of way... I love what King and Swanson have done. I would read anything they write, individually or as a team. Egads, A Good Thief was gory though. I really need to read the also gory first Thung Toh Jigs again.
January 26, 2024
It feels so good to be back in Dockhaven!
This prequel takes place just before the events of “Things They Buried”, book one in the Thung Toh Jig series. It’s well written in that you can read it as an appetizer before digging into the meatier Thung Toh Jig novels, or you can read it afterwards as a satisfying dessert. With King and Swanson at the helm, you know you are in good hands.
I am a big fan of the lovable Schmalch and incapable of an unbiased opinion where he is concerned. At times he is overly optimistic, has a drinking problem, and would benefit from thinking a bit more before he acts. But you can’t help but root for this bumbling little thief with a big heart.
The grittiness to Dockhaven is palpable, and as always, the originality in world building is excellent. In comparison to the first two books, it’s less horror and more heist, but that didn’t make me enjoy it any less. As expected, this novella turned out to be pretty gloss.
P.S. I’ve been craving a Haus novel, and hope that comes next!
This prequel takes place just before the events of “Things They Buried”, book one in the Thung Toh Jig series. It’s well written in that you can read it as an appetizer before digging into the meatier Thung Toh Jig novels, or you can read it afterwards as a satisfying dessert. With King and Swanson at the helm, you know you are in good hands.
I am a big fan of the lovable Schmalch and incapable of an unbiased opinion where he is concerned. At times he is overly optimistic, has a drinking problem, and would benefit from thinking a bit more before he acts. But you can’t help but root for this bumbling little thief with a big heart.
The grittiness to Dockhaven is palpable, and as always, the originality in world building is excellent. In comparison to the first two books, it’s less horror and more heist, but that didn’t make me enjoy it any less. As expected, this novella turned out to be pretty gloss.
P.S. I’ve been craving a Haus novel, and hope that comes next!
September 24, 2023
If you’ve read the Thung Toh Jig novels by Amanda K. King and Michael R. Swanson, then you already know the fascinating world Dockhaven, and the endearing, down-on-his-luck Schmalch. If you don’t already know, this is the perfect place to start.
A Good Thief, a prequel novella to Things They Buried and They Eat Their Own, is a fun and fast paced introduction to all that King and Swanson do best: believable, intriguing worldbuilding; efficient, compelling characterizations; and visceral, twisty action heists.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, these Dockhaven stories are my favorites in indie publishing and showcase what makes indies great--originality, grit, and daring that are just too rare in traditional publishing.
A Good Thief, a prequel novella to Things They Buried and They Eat Their Own, is a fun and fast paced introduction to all that King and Swanson do best: believable, intriguing worldbuilding; efficient, compelling characterizations; and visceral, twisty action heists.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, these Dockhaven stories are my favorites in indie publishing and showcase what makes indies great--originality, grit, and daring that are just too rare in traditional publishing.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews