Half-Elven Thief

Half-Elven Thief #1

by Jonathan Moeller

There is honor among thieves…but only to a point.

Rivah Half-Elven is a master thief of the Court of the Masked King, the ruling thieves guild of the imperial city of Tar-Carmatheion. Yet her debts hang over her head like a sword that might fall at any moment.

So when a guildmaster of the Court orders her to take a job from a mysterious client, Rivah has no choice but to accept.

But the client wants her to steal the spell book of a fearsome and powerful wizard.

And when you steal from a wizard, death might be the happiest outcome…and it will take all of Rivah’s wits, skills, and courage to survive.

Genres: Fantasy

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2023

About the author

Standing over six feet tall, USA Today bestselling author Jonathan Moeller has the piercing blue eyes of a Conan of Cimmeria, the bronze-colored hair of a Visigothic warrior-king, and the stern visage of a captain of men, none of which are useful in his career as a computer repairman, alas.

He has written the DEMONSOULED series of sword-and-sorcery novels, and continues to write THE GHOSTS sequence about assassin and spy Caina Amalas, the COMPUTER BEGINNER'S GUIDE series of computer books, and numerous other works. His books have sold over one million copies worldwide.

Reviews

[Debrac2014 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good! I liked Rivah!

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

New series and it wasn’t bad. The pace was pretty steady and overall a good read

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rivah is a half elf and the best thief in Tar-Carmatheion. Due to a large debt she incurred in helping a friend and his family being sold into slavery, she is forced to take what might be an impossible job – steal a book from an immensely powerful wizard.
A lot of this book is about planning the theft, help she gets from friends and some of her background.
There is a fair amount of action, a bit grim in areas, very descriptively written. This is not a humourous or light book but it is enthralling.
I was drawn into the world and characters. As in all of Jonathan Moeller’s books this is a deep, dark world. Main characters are grey – morally ambiguous with a sense of right and wrong (except for possessions – they are ownership fluid)
I found this a fairly easy, quick read, enjoyable but serious.
This is a reread that I enjoyed just as much this time as I did the first.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the most D&Dish novel that ever D&Ded without using an actual (tm).

Another Kindle Unlimited sample, which I DNFed after one chapter. The writing was okay, but very flat and barely even YA level, more like 6th grade.

The protagonist is a half-elf thief. A master thief even! She owes debts to the thieves guild (not called that, it's the Shadow Court something-or-other), lives cheaply in a tavern run by a former thief, has a trapped chest in her room, slips on leather armor when she hears trouble, has night-vision and knows exactly three spells because her mother was an elf... yes, this book lives and breathes D&D tropes and is written for people who just love novelizations of D&D adventures. Which this very much was, as in chapter one, kobolds sneak up from the tunnels under the city (through a trapdoor in the inn's basement that the innkeeper "never got around to doing something about") and tie up everyone else, so the protagonist has to take out eight kobolds by herself. I mean, that's a reasonable challenge for 2nd or 3rd level thief/magic-user, I guess.

Anyway, this is part of a series, but man, it was like reading someone else's novelization of their D&D character's adventures. In the first few pages there was not a single original idea, so it was nothing I was interested in continuing.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)



First time read the author's work?: No

Will you be reading more?: Yes

Would you recommend?: Yes


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[Bob Ritchey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much basis in D&D

The story was pretty formulaic but pretty well done. My biggest objection was the apparent use of D&D for the magic system. The past masters of the genre either created the system of their world or simply shunned any system and made their magic do what was needed. I doubt I'll read any subsequent books in this series lest I feel like I am reading the notes from a second class campaign. Still, if one likes game based fiction, this will probably be a satisfying series.

[John Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rivah a Half-Elven thief was forced to take on a quest to obtain a powerful spell book from even a more powerful mage would could get her killed at the very worst. And the real twist was the one that wanted her to take it on the guild leader whom she owed a big money debt to that she took on to help a friend so that they wouldn't be sold into slavery. The end was way better than I thought it was and put a smile on my face.

[Robert Slocombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic And Layers of conspiracy.

What's not to love. Very well written fantasy about a young woman compelled to survive by working for a thrives guild. The prose flows effortlessly as well constructed, interesting characters add their magic to the story. I am impatient for the next episode, and want to read more by this author.

[Timothy Halliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master of his craft

This was engaging in a way it compelled you to keep going. It’s been a while since I actually finished a book in two sittings. Throughly enjoyable cannot wait for the next adventure.

[Robin Hayes Sr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

H/E Thief, Mueller, well done!

The descriptions made me feel like I was there , keeping my composure to battle my enemies. Everyone who enjoys magic with a touch of hidden intrigue is going to love this book. I just wanted it to last a little while longer..

[Bob cavender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what a book should be.

Thus was a fast read. With a great central character and potential for more.
I hope there is more to come.

[David B Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Start to a New Series

As usual with a Jonathan Moeller book, he gives you a good plot, well developed characters and an excellent read.

[Miguel Guhlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story!

Love this new storyline! Rivah is a great twist on Nadia with her Cloak spell, but in a fantasy environment. Can’t wait to see where this goes.

[Stephen Levesque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!

[Jason Goldsworthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply marvellous

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book can't wait for the next on.
Great characters and an exciting story , would highly recommend.

[Jd Mccarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start to the series. Classic Moeller with a strong main character and several interesting side characters and plot lines.

[Donald E. Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always a joy to read

His books are always a joy to read! Well written with interesting characters and a well thought out story. Can't wait for the next book!

[Ted Camer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive

I really enjoyed reading the first book of this series. It is an incredible new world that I see myself visiting quite often.

[Thea Sanchez]

Another great series by Jonathan

Anyone who has read anything by Jonathan Moeller will love this one. I can hardly wait for the next book.

[colin clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting plot, with a good mix of characters.
She should do well in subsequent books.o

[adee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story with parts from carina child of the ghosts series and creatures from demonsouled series well worth reading looking forward for future books in the series

[Christopher Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with lots of suspense and fantasy action. Can't wait to read book 2 in the series.

[꧁ Brutally Honest ꧂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good book the writing is amazing and it’s narrated well. It’s just a bit young adult for me. Wish it was more “adult” and it would’ve been a 5 star series.

[joseph ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

More from a master

Nice quick easy read that opens many avenues. I look forward to reading more chapters from this expanding saga.Thanks Again

[Quint Ashburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

I bought this book for .$99 and was very happy to find it to be an awesome read! I can’t wait for book 2!

[Kathy Brickert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

A wonderful story! Great details and a riveting plot that has a nice ending, but leaves you wanting more! Loved it!

[Nathan Woll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good. A must-read for anyone who plays D&D.

[Mark T Schultze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the action

Good plot development and enjoyed the suspense. Enjoyed the magic without too much morbidity and weird twists. Well written and entertaining