Prince Thief

Tales of Easie Damasco #3

by David Tallerman

Altapasaeda, capital of the Castoval, is about to be besieged by its own king—and where else would luckless, somewhat reformed thief Easie Damasco be but trapped within the city's walls? Faced with a war they can't win and a populace too busy fighting amongst itself to even try, the Castovalian defenders are left with one desperate option. Far in the northern lands of Shoan, rebels have set up the young prince Malekrin as a figurehead in their own quest to throw off the king's tyrannical rule. One way or another, the prince must be persuaded to join forces.



Once again, all hope lies with Damasco and his sticky-fingered approach to problem solving, along with his long suffering partner, the gentle giant Saltlick. But this time it's a human being that needs stealing, with his own desires and opinions, and events only grow more complicated as Damasco realises that he and the rebellious young prince have more in common that either would admit.

Genres: Fantasy

Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

David Tallerman is the author of the comic fantasy novel The Black River Chronicles: Level One and its first sequel The Black River Chronicles: The Ursvaal Exchange, the Tales of Easie Damasco series (Giant Thief, Crown Thief and Prince Thief), and the Tor.com novella Patchwerk. His comics work includes the absurdist steampunk graphic novel Endangered Weapon B and the Lovecraftian horror miniseries C21st Gods.

David's short science fiction, fantasy and horror has appeared in over eighty markets, including Clarkesworld, Lightspeed, Nightmare and Beneath Ceaseless Skies. A number of his dark fantasy tales have been collected as The Sign in the Moonlight and Other Stories.

He can be found online at davidtallerman.co.uk.

Reviews

[Nerine Dorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always a bit leery of jumping into a series when it’s a few books in, so I will admit to needing a bit of time to adjust to the story and its host of characters who have already shared considerable backstory. I’m glad I persevered. David Tallerman has an easy, and broadly entertaining style that drew me into his world.

From what I can gather, Easie Damasco has made it a habit to end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now he has fallen in with the ringleaders of a rebellion, and the city of Altapasaeda is besieged by the king of Castoval. Things are not looking good, and that’s putting it mildly.

Easie finds himself cast in a pivotal role to steal the Shoanish prince, a miserable youth by the name of Malekrin, from under the nose of his battleaxe mother’s nose, and bring him back to Altapasaeda. The reason: Malekrin is the bastard grandson of the king, and it’s hoped that the lad, who’s pretty much the leader of the rebel nation, will be able to turn the tide in the city’s favour.

Well, that’s the theory, at least.

Things rarely go smoothly for Easie, however, as he and his giant friend Saltlick, embark on their desperate quest.

I will totally recommend reading the books in order. I view myself as a savvy reader, so I don’t mind not knowing all the missing details, but I suspect that I missed a lot, especially the history between secondary characters Alvantes and Estrada.

Easie Damasco is likeable. Insanely so. He’s not the most adept thief in world, and his smart mouth tends to run away with him (I can compare him favourably to a roguish, slightly toned down Captain Sparrow-type character). What’s refreshing about this novel is he’s not the hero of the story. His activities don’t shake the world, but his actions are lynchpins that set the bigger events in motion, and that I appreciate. It makes a refreshing change from following around a mage or a prince.
Mostly, he’s a person. He sees the events that transpire around him from the perspective of an ordinary person. The ugly realities of war are brought home. There is no glory in death dealing. People get hurt. People are maimed. People die. They hunger, and don’t have securities for the future.

What shone through for me mostly was Tallerman’s exploration of the nature of friendship, and if I have to look for a theme that underpins Prince Thief, it’s just that: how we relate to friends. Easie realises that it’s not just every man for himself, but he’s defined also by his relationships with the people around him.

This is a fantastic story for its realism. The tale might not tie up conveniently, or with huge epic fanfare, but it *feels* authentic, and that’s what counts. Lovely characterisation, awesome dialogue and an overall solid fantasy read.

Oh, yes. And giants. Believable ones.

[Katrin von Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh dear, this is awkward. I’ve managed to pick up the last book in a series without realizing there were preceding novels. I do have an excuse! I was visiting family in the UK and saw “Prince Thief” faced out in the local Waterstones. I quickly skimmed the back, thought it looked interesting, and downloaded it to my Kindle at the first opportunity. It wasn’t until I started reading that I realized I had goofed, but I was too drawn into the story to stop. So, my little disclaimer up front is that this review is just for this book, not the trilogy. I picked up “Prince Thief” in hopes of finding a good read with fantasy elements and likable characters (and given that the last couple fantasy novels I’ve read have been pretty dark, something a little lighter in tone was also on my wish list). The book more than satisfied my expectations and then some! Spoilers follow.

A war with the crown looms, threatening to destroy the capital city Altapasaeda. With the city’s residents still divided over a recent civil conflict, the only hope of defeating the king’s army, a force that well outnumbers that of Altapasaeda, is the retrieval of Malekrin, son of the king’s bastard and last remaining heir to the throne. Easie Damasco, thief and unwilling participant in this scuffle, finds himself saddled with the task of bringing Malekrin back to Altapasaeda. Unfortunately for him, the teenage prince has his own ideas and isn’t keen on acting as a figurehead - he just wants to escape his family and make his own decisions. Faced with an uncooperative prince, a city looking to him and his friends for protection, and an army knocking at the city gates, how is Easie going to get himself out of this one?

I’ll start by noting that the story is very easy to follow. It’s obvious that there were other books before this and events in them are referenced, but the author more than adequately recaps the events. Despite having jumped in where I did, I never felt lost. I did sometimes feel like I was missing the full impact of some developments, but, again, that’s my fault for being an idiot and not checking the series order. Still, it wasn’t enough to ruin the reading experience. The novel works relatively well on its own, which is a rarity for books that are part of a series, especially when the book in question is the last of the trilogy.

I enjoyed the story largely because it’s something I don’t see every day. The scope of what’s going on important (saving the city and not starting a bloody civil war with the crown), but it doesn’t feel like yet another epic “save the world” sort of plot…which was a great relief to me because much as I enjoy novels with far-reaching stories and consequences that rock the world, it’s sometimes nice to experience a story that’s a little more intimate in scope. Again, not to diminish the importance of the events, but most of them take place in Altapasaeda or around it (and for the brief period that the characters leave the city, they’re still working with the goal of saving it in mind). This makes it extremely easy to care about fate of the capital city and its inhabitants, which in turn makes you really want the protagonists to succeed to avoid mass slaughter. So, yes, there’s a big localized threat, but it isn’t Evil with a capital E and it probably won’t destroy the world…and that really works in the novel’s favour as something a little different from the normal fare.

Actually, there are quite a few things I liked because they deviate from the normal trends and clichés of the genre. I’ll give some examples. Giants are pacifistic and easily manipulated because of this (and as an aside, the giants are a pretty darn likable bunch). None of the characters are really fighters - a couple are skilled with a blade, and most are capable enough to hold their own, but prefer to avoid combat whenever possible. The world presented is low/no magic (of course, I can’t speak for previous novels, but this one was refreshingly free of magic). The threats the characters face feel appropriately realistic and challenging because, again, many of the characters aren’t fighters, and one skilled opponent could more than adequately take them out. The realities of combat and war are brutally portrayed: people are maimed and killed – there’s no honour or glory in battle here. And finally, there’s no huge epic fight at the end – the issue is resolved diplomatically (though some may feel it to be anticlimactic, I enjoyed the more pragmatic approach). In a genre rife with clichés, it’s rare to stumble across a novel that avoids a majority of them, which makes “Prince Thief” stand out very favourably in my mind.

I really enjoyed Tallerman’s writing style. It’s snappy and full of wit, and though a lot of this may have to do with the fact that it’s told through Damasco’s point of view (which I’ll touch on in a minute), it felt like the author had a good time writing it…which in turn made it a lot of fun to read. The novel clips along at a quick, steady pace. There are very few slow spots, and even those feel necessary and are made enjoyable by the prose. While the writing can be amusing and sarcastic, Tallerman also does a fine job of conveying more serious moments. Saltlick’s brush with death, for example. Yeah, I teared up. Actually, pretty much everything to do with Saltlick prompted some sort of emotional reaction. This was probably both the most fun I’ve had reading in a while and some of the most emotional reading I’ve done in a while. The prose is full of character and it definitely makes for an enjoyable reading experience.

This is usually the point where I talk about the romance since pretty much all books feature some sort of intimate relationship. However, I happily get to sort of skip this because “Prince Thief” doesn’t have a romance. Yes, you read that right: the author didn’t feel the need to shoehorn an unnecessary romance in for the sake of checking that box. As someone who dislikes romance at the best of times, I was immensely pleased to find a book that focused on the story it wanted to tell without adding useless relationship drama. There’s some chemistry between two of the secondary characters, Estrada and Alvantes, but it’s not really explored too deeply (this is possibly one of those times where the other books provide some more info). It’s a huge breath of fresh air to not have to read through pages and pages of characters pining over one another; instead, the focus was on the important stuff.

The main character, Easie Damasco, is one of the most likable main characters I’ve come across in a long time. I generally love rogues to begin with, but his likability comes from something bigger than my own personal tastes. He’s not necessarily an amazing person, he’s not particularly skilled, and he doesn’t hold himself to a special code of morals; instead, he’s ridiculously likable simply because he’s chock full of personality. In a genre filled with Chosen Ones, talented magic users, exceptional fighters, and lost members of royal families, Damasco is just a man. He’s a thief, but not always a very good one. He himself admits that he’s not much of a fighter and prefers to either talk his way out of problems or just run. Easie has a smart mouth and a sharp, sarcastic wit, but those seem to do him more harm than good, often resulting in him being dragged into situations he’d rather have no part in. Perhaps the most unique thing about “Prince Thief’s” protagonist is that he isn’t the hero the story. Unheard of, right? While Damasco is given some important tasks, he’s not really a key player in all of this – in fact, almost every other named character has a bigger role in the book’s conflict than he does. He’s more of an observer that gets (unwillingly) roped in to assist the more significant figures. It’s a welcome change from characters that carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.

I was also thrilled to see his character grow and change even within the context of this book (having jumped in late in the series, I wasn’t expecting too much on this front). We find him at the start of the novel wondering why he’s still hanging around Altapasaeda instead of looking out for number one. He ponders this quite a few times over the course of the book: why the Hell is he continuing to help these people when it would probably be more beneficial for him to just leave? By the end, he’s questioning this less and less, likely because he’s realized that there are bigger things than himself to worry about. That’s not to say he becomes altruistic; he’s still a flawed character with a streak of selfishness, but he knows when to look past that. And really, that’s why I like Damasco so much: he feels like a real person. He’s prone to outbursts that have real consequences; he recognizes his flaws and sometimes (though not always) choses to overcome them; his ideas shift; his values change; and he’s always questioning what’s going on and why he’s involved. It all feels very realistic and pushes him beyond just being the archetypical rogue.

As an aside, Easie is also a good choice of narrator. “Prince Thief” is written in first person point of view, and if I’m going to be honest, I’ve been largely underwhelmed by novels that use this. In my opinion, first person is best utilized if the POV character either has a unique voice, a unique perspective or bias, or both…and that’s where a lot of books fall flat. But not this one! Damasco has an incredibly distinct voice that comes through in the writing very clearly. I mentioned earlier that the prose is snappy and full of wit, and I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that Damasco is a pretty witty guy. He usually has some snarky (or not – he thankfully knows when to take things seriously) comment about whatever is going on and his internal conundrums are seamlessly integrated into the more plot-focused descriptions. I reached a point where I didn’t feel like I was just reading – I felt like I was listening to Damasco tell the story, which is what the first person perspective should accomplish. So well done, Tallerman; this is possibly one of the best uses of this point of view that I’ve seen in quite a while.

The other characters are equally interesting. In fact, as I’m sitting here recalling them, I can’t think of a single one that I thought was cliché or otherwise boring (which is something of a feat in a genre known for its tropes). They all have their strengths and weaknesses, they all have a role in this conflict, and they all have something to lose. Their backgrounds aren’t really explored here, but that’s likely because “Prince Thief” is the last book of the trilogy and this information was probably covered in the previous installments. I especially liked Malekrin; he’s not quite what everyone expected and I loved the realistic portrayal of a somewhat angsty teen who just wants to escape his family’s shadow and do his own thing (and as an add-on to that, I enjoyed Damasco’s inner commentary regarding some of Mal’s actions – they provided a very realistic response to a dramatic youth).

The real treat in regards to the characters isn’t how they stand alone, but how they interact and come together. One of the big themes portrayed is friendship and Damasco’s realization that while keeping to himself may keep him safely alive, it makes for a meaningless existence since a person is defined as much by their relationships with others as they are their deeds. The character interactions are dynamic and intriguing and often speak volumes about the characters’ different relationships with one another. Sometimes the book’s protagonists butt heads or lash out at each another, but they’re always able to push their differences aside one way or another in favour of working towards something bigger. That’s what’s at the core of a lot of the interactions: building relationships with others and reconciling differences to unite over a common goal that’s more meaningful than any singular character’s interests.

“Prince Thief” is exactly what I was looking for when searching for a new read. It’s lighter and less grim than a lot of other fantasy offerings out there at the moment while still offering up a satisfying plot that feels serious in its potential consequences. I was overjoyed by how different the novel was in comparison to a lot of other fantasy and how many clichés it avoided. The snappy writing is sure to entertain and the wonderfully crafted characters give the book a very human element. I’d recommend starting at the first book to get the whole story, but the novel actually holds up pretty well on its own. In fact, I can’t think of anything I disliked – “Prince Thief” gets five stars from me.

[Katt G · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers at NetGalley for granting me access to this ARC. They gave it in faith that I will write an honest review. It is a work of opinion and should be read as such.

See this and other review on my blog, A Novel Review

Rated 2 / 5

OVERVIEW:

This book was difficult to read. I DID read the other two as a prequel to this because I felt that it deserved me to know the story leading up to it. However, I just can’t find it in me to like it. It has questing, battle-fighting, magic, monsters, unlikely heroes, unwilling leaders, evil tyrants and of course, a little love. Actually, give this to Tamora Pierce, and you’d have a seller like the Lioness series. However, Tallerman is NOT Pierce, and does not possess her abilities to make us want to cheer for the characters.

PROS:

The story had great potential. I wanted to like it. Damasco is a theif, turned unlikely hero, friend of giants and princes. He’s just a little big mouthy.

Estrada is the town mayor, turned rebellion leader and really wants to save her people.

The ‘prince’ is nothing more than a kid, in a village run by savages. It’s actually promising.

CONS:

Not a single one of the characters have any redeeming qualities. Damasco is too self-centered, Estrada is manipulative, Alvantes is a bully, Malekrin is an ungrateful brat, Kalyxis is petty. Only Saltlick, the giant, leaves you wanting to cheer for him, but only for the lack of other characters to like.

The ending is completely anticlimactic. After 3 books leading up to the big battle, it doesn’t even happen.

Overall, I won't recommend this to anyone. Go read The Realms of the Gods.

Love and commas,

Katt

[Averie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. Really wraps everything up nicely.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 2.0 of 5

Prince Thief is the third book in a trilogy and I haven't read the other two. It shouldn't be absolutely necessary to read the first two books, but as is often the case, the reader may find him or herself wondering what went on before.

Easie Damasco is a bit of a rogue. Okay...more than a bit. He's a thief and he's a bit of an ass who likes to talk. But he's being pushed in to more heroic role, taking on a king who is laying siege to his own domain. The locals hope that Easie and his giant friend, Saltlick, can use their nefarious methods to steal something precious ... a person.

I didn't know these characters at all before I started this, and I still don't feel as though I've gotten to know them after reading this book. That there is a strong bond between Easie and Saltlick is pretty obvious, and we come to like the gentle giant, but he also seems like quite a patsy - easily manipulated by just about anyone he associates with.

Damasco strikes me as the sort of character the author is hoping will be seen as the lovable rogue. Imagine Jack Sparrow, or Simon Templar, or Neal Caffrey. And now make him not likable and you have something closer to Damasco.

It's hard to go into a book three of a trilogy and hope to know the characters and the world, but it shouldn't be impossible if book publishers want to sell books. I should be able to read this and want to go back and read the other two books. Instead, I'm glad that I didn't waste my time with the other two.

This books comes from my queue of ARC books and is one of the oldest I have. At the time I requested this, I was new to the requesting and review process. I've gotten much better about not requesting a book in the middle or end of a tight series or trilogy (and by 'tight' I mean books that require the reader to read all the books to follow the story).

Looking for a good book? Prince Thief by David Tallerman is the last book in a trilogy and is not worth reading on its own. Perhaps, if it appeals to you, you might want to try the first book before going in to this.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca Lovatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally Posted on the ArchedDoorway

Prince Thief (Book 3 from The Tales of Easie Damasco) by David Tallerman is an enjoyable and fast-paced read. Continuing off where he started in Giant Thief, and built upon in Crown Thief, we return to find Damasco, Alvantes, and Estrada once again in the midst of chaos.

One thing that stood out to me in particular is how much growth and development the characters have gone through. Prince Thief has a different feel to the earlier books in the series, it being a bit more serious in tone, with the city being on the brink of war, and Damasco having matured over the course of the series. On the other hand, and perhaps due to this, I didn’t find myself getting into the book as much as I had in Giant Thief. I’m not entirely sure why it was exactly, but it didn’t make for quite as engaging of a read as the earlier ones.

As well, with the series leading up to events in this book, I couldn’t help but feel it was a bit anti-climatic after the grand-scale event that it had been building up to be. Though, despite this, Tallerman did manage to wrap up loose-ends, and provide a satisfying conclusion.

While I know the review sounds like a bit of a mixed bag, I found Prince Thief to be enjoyable, intriguing and well-written. If you’re looking for an easy and fun read, I recommend picking up this series. With action, humour, adventures, and giants, The Tales of Easie Damasco is an enjoyable series which fans of fantasy and heist stories are sure to enjoy.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ubiquitousbastard · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, I abandoned reading this when I was about eighty percent of the way through because honestly I was tired of the characters and the world, and really everything about it. Today I finally finished it off, and I'm still less than impressed. It wasn't bad enough that I never intended to finish it, and the ending proved to be alright and mediocre. I felt it was a bit of a cop-out, and kind of a letdown, but I didn't expect any better.
It felt like it was the end of the series, which I hope it was.. This is one of the series that seemed to get worse as it went, and whatever novelty I first found in it has definitely faded. After this book, which really should be the last, I have no intention of reading another Damasco book. I might try the author again, but this world and me are done.

[Tyrannosaurus regina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I definitely liked this one better than the second book in the series, though it was still a lot of moving people in circles around the country and not a whole lot of depth. I'll tell you what I did like, though—everyone professed to love Saltlick, while they all manipulated him and nobody respected him (to the point where nobody even bothered to learn his real name), and finally he did the giantish equivalent of saying "Screw you guys, I'm going home." That was fabulous. Pacifist giants are the best.

[Jemma Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book but I did feel like it was slow to get staring and didn't hold me gripped on every page . Though there were parts further on in the book that did work really well by the end it was really worth the read