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Three Thieves #7
The Iron Hand
All the pieces finally fall into place in this action-packed finale to the Three Thieves graphic novel series. Now that Dessa has learned the truth about her past, she agrees to form an alliance with the badly injured Captain Drake against Greyfalcon. The pair travel together to the royal city to rescue Dessa's twin brother, Jared, from Greyfalcon's evil clutches and put Jared in his rightful place on the throne. But their plans go awry when they arrive to find Jared already on the throne! And it's nowhere near the joyful reunion one might expect --- instead, Dessa is captured and thrown into the dungeon! It's clear her brother is in no position to come to her aid, so she needs to find another way out. The three thieves have pulled off a number of tricky escapes together, but this time Dessa's on her own ... Or is she?
The conclusion to Scott Chantler's thrilling, suspenseful and masterfully told fantasy-adventure series is sure to satisfy, as loose ends are tied and vexing questions get answered. The fast pace continues right to the end, with new twists and turns and some shocking revelations, while the characters' wit and humor continue to shine through. The high-voltage drama and bold illustrations make the books in this award-winning series popular reads, even while the complexity of the multiple plotlines enhances problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. And with so many clues cleverly revealed in the details of the artwork, these books are also terrific for developing visual literacy.
The conclusion to Scott Chantler's thrilling, suspenseful and masterfully told fantasy-adventure series is sure to satisfy, as loose ends are tied and vexing questions get answered. The fast pace continues right to the end, with new twists and turns and some shocking revelations, while the characters' wit and humor continue to shine through. The high-voltage drama and bold illustrations make the books in this award-winning series popular reads, even while the complexity of the multiple plotlines enhances problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. And with so many clues cleverly revealed in the details of the artwork, these books are also terrific for developing visual literacy.
126 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2016
8 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Scott Chantler
48 books104 followersScott Chantler is the acclaimed cartoonist of the graphic novels SQUIRE& KNIGHT, BIX, TWO GENERALS (which was long-listed for CBC’s CANADA READS: TRUE STORIES, named one of Chapters-Indigo’s Best Books of 2010, and selected for BEST AMERICAN COMICS 2012), NORTHWEST PASSAGE (which was nominated for Eisner, Harvey, Shuster, and Doug Wright Awards), and the THREE THIEVES series (the first book of which, TOWER OF TREASURE, won the Joe Shuster Award for Best Comic for Kids).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 7, 2019
Unfortunately, this is the last volume in The Three Thieves saga. Although, I am excited to be able to go back and read the series from beginning to end. This volume is every bit as good as the previous six. In this volume everything comes to a head. Fantastic art, fantastic story.
Received an advance copy from Kids Can Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Received an advance copy from Kids Can Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2017
NOOOOOOO! Don't tell me it's over!! Three Thieves is one of the best unsung kids' fantasy comics series around. It's up there with Amulet and Bone, though much less well known. This final volume has a bit too much exposition--I wish Greyfalcon's backstory story had been told in a separate volume like Captain Drake's. Overall, the whole volume feels rushed. But it's still a satisfying ending to a fantastic fantasy series.
May 3, 2022
**Review is for all seven volumes in the series, read in a single sitting.
Good, old-fashioned clean entertainment that the world needs more of.
The art isn't stylized or intrusive, the script isn't excessive or needlessly strange.
The worst you could say is all of the structural pieces are standard, much of the plot is homage (even down to one of the locations being called Guilder), yet it is done so well that it doesn't matter. The sum total exceeds that of the parts.
Good, old-fashioned clean entertainment that the world needs more of.
The art isn't stylized or intrusive, the script isn't excessive or needlessly strange.
The worst you could say is all of the structural pieces are standard, much of the plot is homage (even down to one of the locations being called Guilder), yet it is done so well that it doesn't matter. The sum total exceeds that of the parts.
February 7, 2017
'The Iron Hand' by Scott Chanter is the final volume in the Three Thieves series and it's a good finish. It got a little wordier in places as backstory was given, but it's a complete and solid series for young readers.
At this point in the story the three thieves are now only two. Dess is heading home to finally reunite with her brother and she makes some most unusual allies for the final stand. She also learns how to use a sword, which is something she hasn't had to do up to this point. There is intrigue and deception behind the throne, and an army at siege around the castle her brother is in. Dessa makes her final stand against Greyfalcon. Can she win?
I haven't read all the books in this series, but I've read the last few. What strikes me about the series is the variety of characters, the level of action, and a story that doesn't talk down to its readers. Dessa is a capable protagonist who is constantly pushed and stretched and usually lives up to what is being asked of her. Some of the flashbacks and explanations felt a bit long. They were important to explain events from a different perspective, but they drug the story down a little. Still, this is a solid story arc, and one young readers should really like.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Kids Can Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
At this point in the story the three thieves are now only two. Dess is heading home to finally reunite with her brother and she makes some most unusual allies for the final stand. She also learns how to use a sword, which is something she hasn't had to do up to this point. There is intrigue and deception behind the throne, and an army at siege around the castle her brother is in. Dessa makes her final stand against Greyfalcon. Can she win?
I haven't read all the books in this series, but I've read the last few. What strikes me about the series is the variety of characters, the level of action, and a story that doesn't talk down to its readers. Dessa is a capable protagonist who is constantly pushed and stretched and usually lives up to what is being asked of her. Some of the flashbacks and explanations felt a bit long. They were important to explain events from a different perspective, but they drug the story down a little. Still, this is a solid story arc, and one young readers should really like.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Kids Can Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
January 28, 2020
My daughter has read this series at least four times and insisted I read it too. So glad I did. A fabulous adventure with Astro great characters and intrigue.
September 17, 2024
3.5 stars
Nice ending to the series, except the part where the villain gave a long monologue explaining the history of the conspiracy. Woof. But I liked how things turned out for Jared, Dessa, Drake, and Topper.
Nice ending to the series, except the part where the villain gave a long monologue explaining the history of the conspiracy. Woof. But I liked how things turned out for Jared, Dessa, Drake, and Topper.
June 13, 2016
Pirates, that are helpful, or are they? Bad guys who turn coat, and help you out? Flying islands? What is going on?
This is a delightful middle-school graphic novel about a brother and sister who are separated and don't know why. In this, the final book, all the pieces come together, and their rightful places are set to be put to rights, if they can just survive long enough.
This book is fast paced, as was the one before. Even though I came in on the penultimate and final books, I picked up what was going on pretty quickly and loved the many different characters in the book.
I love that the people are all shapes and sizes and colors. I love how people talk naturally, and the actions have consequences, and people do die, even if they are main protagonists, good or evil.
I think this collection should be on everyones list either in for libraries, or for home collections.
Thanks to Netgallery for making this book available for an honest review.
This is a delightful middle-school graphic novel about a brother and sister who are separated and don't know why. In this, the final book, all the pieces come together, and their rightful places are set to be put to rights, if they can just survive long enough.
This book is fast paced, as was the one before. Even though I came in on the penultimate and final books, I picked up what was going on pretty quickly and loved the many different characters in the book.
I love that the people are all shapes and sizes and colors. I love how people talk naturally, and the actions have consequences, and people do die, even if they are main protagonists, good or evil.
I think this collection should be on everyones list either in for libraries, or for home collections.
Thanks to Netgallery for making this book available for an honest review.
April 3, 2017
This book is a satisfying conclusion to the series, but do NOT hand anyone this book first. It would be a terrible way to read the story, and wouldn't make sense. You MUST read this series in order. Really, no skipping ahead. The author has a great deal of respect for the audience, and assumes that they will follow the story, which is perfectly coherent if you read the whole thing.
All of the plot threads that were left dangling by the six previous books get tied up, and yet there are still surprises in this book. He took a really odd cliché and dumped it on its head, to startle the reader, and it worked!
That said, I'm almost sad that this story is over, but I am really looking forward to more books by Scott Chantler after this one.
All of the plot threads that were left dangling by the six previous books get tied up, and yet there are still surprises in this book. He took a really odd cliché and dumped it on its head, to startle the reader, and it worked!
That said, I'm almost sad that this story is over, but I am really looking forward to more books by Scott Chantler after this one.
August 3, 2017
4.5 stars
I loved this series. Loved it. But...
I loved this series. Loved it. But...
November 6, 2016
Solid end to a solid series. I'm eager to see what Chantler does next.
November 5, 2017
Awesome! I'm glad I finally finished the series.
Also:
Also:
October 25, 2017
Whoops, somehow I went almost a year without noticing this had reached its conclusion. For some reason, I felt like this was a really good story to start off, but have lost interest in it overtime, though I am happy to see it reach a conclusion. It is a little odd, since I can't point to any particular failing in the series. Possibly just that my reading was spread over a few years and I wasn't able to just read the whole story in one.
Some things that stand out in this volume: it seems a bit unfair to do something as major as remove Captain Drake's arm between scenes, though it does avoid a rather gruesome decision in an otherwise relatively light and kid-friendly work. The people of North Huntington -- especially the soldiers -- are surprisingly willing to accept changes in rulership, during a siege no less. You could argue that Magda was just so corrupt she rubbed people the wrong way, but the military seemed in on the corruption (though maybe that was just the high-level knights). Instead, it is so often mentioned that Jared is the oldest male heir that you can't help but read a bit of sexism into their willingness; his claim to the throne has no proof and switching leadership in the middle of a battle is a stupid idea.
The title is a bit odd. Though the Greyfalcon twins reveal that they worked for the Iron Hand, the group is not really central to any of the story in this volume.
Some things that stand out in this volume: it seems a bit unfair to do something as major as remove Captain Drake's arm between scenes, though it does avoid a rather gruesome decision in an otherwise relatively light and kid-friendly work. The people of North Huntington -- especially the soldiers -- are surprisingly willing to accept changes in rulership, during a siege no less. You could argue that Magda was just so corrupt she rubbed people the wrong way, but the military seemed in on the corruption (though maybe that was just the high-level knights). Instead, it is so often mentioned that Jared is the oldest male heir that you can't help but read a bit of sexism into their willingness; his claim to the throne has no proof and switching leadership in the middle of a battle is a stupid idea.
The title is a bit odd. Though the Greyfalcon twins reveal that they worked for the Iron Hand, the group is not really central to any of the story in this volume.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2017
This was a well done conclusion to The Three Thieves series. I really enjoyed how everything wrapped up.
It was nice to see Dessa and Captain Drake coming to an alliance of sorts. There are a lot of little twists and turns that make the story interesting.
As mentioned in previous reviews for this series...I think this is a series that middle grade/YA readers will enjoy more than adults. The story is pretty straight-forward and, although I enjoyed it, I personally enjoy a little more complexity.
The illustration is typical cartoon style. It is easy to follow and full color which is nice.
Overall this was a good conclusion to this middle grade adventure fantasy series. I enjoyed the series as a whole and would recommend to middle grade readers who are looking for a good adventure fantasy.
It was nice to see Dessa and Captain Drake coming to an alliance of sorts. There are a lot of little twists and turns that make the story interesting.
As mentioned in previous reviews for this series...I think this is a series that middle grade/YA readers will enjoy more than adults. The story is pretty straight-forward and, although I enjoyed it, I personally enjoy a little more complexity.
The illustration is typical cartoon style. It is easy to follow and full color which is nice.
Overall this was a good conclusion to this middle grade adventure fantasy series. I enjoyed the series as a whole and would recommend to middle grade readers who are looking for a good adventure fantasy.
June 12, 2021
The "Three Thieves" series wraps up in this seventh book, which finds our heroine Dessa heading back home with allies to thwart the plans of the nefarious Greyfalcon. There are twists and turns along the way, as potential betrayal is thwarted, various reunions occur, and Greyfalcon's backstory is shared in an extended black and white flashback. As throughout the previous six books, there is plenty of action, some comedy, and plenty of warm-hearted stuff about loyalty, etc... It concludes with a "10-15 years later" epilogue that is pretty much what you'd expect in rounding off the story. All in all this is a charming series for ages 6-12 with the right balance of action and comedy and a fierce female lead many young readers will admire.
December 16, 2023
Somewhat rushed final volume, but a mostly satisfying conclusion. 3.5 rounded up to a 4 for the whole series.
Couple criticisms:
Couple criticisms:
September 2, 2017
Excellent conclusion with a well-executed twist. Set-ups were paid off. Clearly a lot of planning went into it, and I can't imagine telling the story in any other format, which I very rarely experience when reading graphic novels. I was impressed by how high the stakes stayed and how all the characters were all forced to cope with the consequences of their actions. Wonderful series for kids, and I rather enjoyed it too!
September 26, 2023
Dessa and the other kids were saved by pirates when the floating island of Astertoth was destroyed. Trying to figure out what to do next, they find Captain Drake floating in the ocean. He tells Dessa that her brother is alive and that he will help her find him. They figure out that Greyfalcon’s next move will be against the Queen, and they hurry home to stop Greyfalcon once and for all.
A good ending to this mid-grade fantasy action adventure graphic novel series.
A good ending to this mid-grade fantasy action adventure graphic novel series.
December 14, 2023
I'm going to miss this series. Like John Bellairs or Lloyd Alexander, Scott Chantler creates a series that turns a genre to children without pandering to them or diluting things.
This last outing feels a bit rushed, which is a misstep. I think it could have gone on another book or two. Things were building in the last several books and shot ahead in this one. Still, a solid if not wholly satisfying conclusion.
This last outing feels a bit rushed, which is a misstep. I think it could have gone on another book or two. Things were building in the last several books and shot ahead in this one. Still, a solid if not wholly satisfying conclusion.
January 19, 2017
A triumphant conclusion to the excellent Three Thieves series. As always, full of action, intrigue, character depth, and marvelous illustration. Who would have guessed after the story's humble beginning that it was headed for such monumental events by its end? Now I want to re-read the entire series to watch it progress.
January 8, 2024
An absolutely wonderful conclusion. Definitely of the same quality of story as Bone: The Complete Edition. This series was truly delightful, enchanting, and entertaining.
January 29, 2025
The three thieves series ends with this book. There are a lot of surprises. Dessa has to face an evil queen, two warring brothers and find Jared. There are too many twists ....I don't want to spoil it for you....if you've read this far in the series I know you won't stop now. So enjoy the conclusion to an epic story.
October 16, 2017
A great finish to the series. Plot threads are tied up nicely and everything pays off. I also enjoyed the glimpse to the future at the end.
Would highly recommend this series to anyone who likes a good fantasy adventure.
Would highly recommend this series to anyone who likes a good fantasy adventure.
December 21, 2021
What an ending! Evil twins, a surprise king, and Captain Drake coming back to the good side! Everyone ends up happily ever after, other than the Greyfalcons and evil Queen Magda, of course. I loved it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2017
An immensely satisfying conclusion to a great series.
October 15, 2017
Absolutely splendid! Pirates...assassins...lost heirs to the throne...what more could you want?
Chandler brings his tightly plotted swashbuckling series to a close in this superb installment.
Chandler brings his tightly plotted swashbuckling series to a close in this superb installment.
December 4, 2017
Really enjoyable series the whole way through. I’m glad I read all of them
December 14, 2017
A very solid ending to the series. Not quite as full of twists and turns as the others— because it is the tying up of the twists— but I still really liked it. And the ending. :D
December 27, 2017
Everything comes together really well, into a very satisfying finale.
February 19, 2018
Rated 5 stars
Ages 12/13+
Ages 12/13+
June 28, 2018
Review by G.W. : "Great book. Very good."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews