What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sunbolt Chronicles #0.5
Shadow Thief
If a door won't open, pick the lock.
Hitomi has watched for too long from the alleyways as her adopted homeland slowly suffocates in Archmage Blackflame's tightening hold. The only group in the island sultanate able to undermine him is an underground resistance known as the Shadow League, and they have little use for an orphan and street thief like Hitomi. But when she learns the Shadow League's leader has been arrested, Hitomi knows they'll need every trick she has up her sleeve to get him back—whether they like it or not.
A 25k word prequel novella featuring everyone’s favorite scrappy street thief as she earns her place in the Shadow League. Shadow Thief can be read before or after Sunbolt, as your heart desires. Buy now and set off on a fast-paced adventure featuring found family, traitors, and tea.
Hitomi has watched for too long from the alleyways as her adopted homeland slowly suffocates in Archmage Blackflame's tightening hold. The only group in the island sultanate able to undermine him is an underground resistance known as the Shadow League, and they have little use for an orphan and street thief like Hitomi. But when she learns the Shadow League's leader has been arrested, Hitomi knows they'll need every trick she has up her sleeve to get him back—whether they like it or not.
A 25k word prequel novella featuring everyone’s favorite scrappy street thief as she earns her place in the Shadow League. Shadow Thief can be read before or after Sunbolt, as your heart desires. Buy now and set off on a fast-paced adventure featuring found family, traitors, and tea.
ebook
First published August 29, 2023
20 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Intisar Khanani
18 books2,502 followersIntisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea. She currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and two young daughters. Prior to publishing her novels, Intisar worked as a public health consultant on projects relating to infant mortality and minority health, which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy.
Intisar is the author of the Dauntless Path books (beginning with Thorn) and The Sunbolt Chronicles.
To find out about new releases, giveaways, and so forth, subscribe to Intisar's monthly author newsletter.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I'm afraid I don't accept every single friend request I receive, unless we already know each other IRL, or it looks like we have tastes broadly in common. However, please feel free to follow and interact.
Intisar is the author of the Dauntless Path books (beginning with Thorn) and The Sunbolt Chronicles.
To find out about new releases, giveaways, and so forth, subscribe to Intisar's monthly author newsletter.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I'm afraid I don't accept every single friend request I receive, unless we already know each other IRL, or it looks like we have tastes broadly in common. However, please feel free to follow and interact.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 14, 2023
A short prequel to the Sunbolt Chronicles, it is wonderful to revisit Hitomi's early adventures before she joins the Shadow League. Looking forward to the third book in this excellent series. Good stuff.
May 23, 2025
2025 Reread: Just as great as the first time I read this
***
I think this broke my reading slump.
Intisar Khanani's writing and world-building are so comforting and exactly what I needed to feel like reading again.
I haven't gotten around to reading Sunbolt, so when I got the opportunity to read the prequel I hopped on it because it seemed like a good time. There's just something so familiar about this new world. In some ways it reminds me of Dauntless Path. It's refreshing and different, but filled with the same loveable and charming characters. Prequels aren't usually my favourite books to read because they're kind of an awkward length, but Shadow Thief has the perfect build up for what I think Sunbolt will continue. It ended off so well and as a prequel I think it gives us a good background on Hitomi before jumping into her story.
I'm really looking forward to picking up Sunbolt now. I guess sometimes you have to revisit your favourite authors to get out of a reading slump.
***
I think this broke my reading slump.
Intisar Khanani's writing and world-building are so comforting and exactly what I needed to feel like reading again.
I haven't gotten around to reading Sunbolt, so when I got the opportunity to read the prequel I hopped on it because it seemed like a good time. There's just something so familiar about this new world. In some ways it reminds me of Dauntless Path. It's refreshing and different, but filled with the same loveable and charming characters. Prequels aren't usually my favourite books to read because they're kind of an awkward length, but Shadow Thief has the perfect build up for what I think Sunbolt will continue. It ended off so well and as a prequel I think it gives us a good background on Hitomi before jumping into her story.
I'm really looking forward to picking up Sunbolt now. I guess sometimes you have to revisit your favourite authors to get out of a reading slump.
August 30, 2023
I’m just always so impressed with Intisar Khanani’s economy of writing: in so few sentences, she’s able to convey such depth about a character or world.
She also has a real knack for novellas (and shorter full-length novels) - which not all author’s do! She knows how to pack in enough plot that the story feels worthwhile, without there being so much that it feels rushed or underdeveloped in such a short page count. Every scene has a purpose and adds something to the character development and worldbuilding.
Fuller review to come alongside Sunbolt in a couple of weeks!
CW: violence, homelessness, poverty, torture (off-page)
She also has a real knack for novellas (and shorter full-length novels) - which not all author’s do! She knows how to pack in enough plot that the story feels worthwhile, without there being so much that it feels rushed or underdeveloped in such a short page count. Every scene has a purpose and adds something to the character development and worldbuilding.
Fuller review to come alongside Sunbolt in a couple of weeks!
CW: violence, homelessness, poverty, torture (off-page)
August 17, 2023
Thank you to Intisar Khanani for the (updated) review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
Now that Sunbolt is getting a rerelease this month and this prequel to it was also rereleased, I decided to offer up myself to finally review this one that I neglected to do back in 2018.
The Shadow Thief shows us Hitomi at 14 years old. She is an orphan in a foreign country and lives on the street. One man once took countenance for her when he got her out of prison. It has made a link between her and The Shadow League. An orginazation that is fighting against the effects the current archmage is having on the country. She wants to join but the man would prefer to keep her safe. When he gets into trouble, she pushes herself in to help save him.
This prequel story is a good story because it answers some of the questions I had after having read Sunbolt. Why is Ghost called that and how did Hitomi really get into The Shadow League. It is not just a scene but it builds up the whole pre-story rather well. It is well thought out. The only thing I have is that I'm not sure how well this would read if you haven't read Sunbolt before this. Hitomi's name isn't mentioned until well into the third chapter and I wonder how well you'd take to the little world building without knowing what I already know from Sunbolt.
Having said that, a big plus is how this explains how Hitomi deals with her emotions. It is a very real story. An orphan that lives on the street really can't afford to break down because they see someone dead. More than likely, they've seen plenty of bodies and horrors on the street. Yet it isn't that she doesn't deal with her emotions. But she has to do it on the move and make use of them. The emotions were also specificially talked about with the characters around her and I really appreciated that.
Now that Sunbolt is getting a rerelease this month and this prequel to it was also rereleased, I decided to offer up myself to finally review this one that I neglected to do back in 2018.
The Shadow Thief shows us Hitomi at 14 years old. She is an orphan in a foreign country and lives on the street. One man once took countenance for her when he got her out of prison. It has made a link between her and The Shadow League. An orginazation that is fighting against the effects the current archmage is having on the country. She wants to join but the man would prefer to keep her safe. When he gets into trouble, she pushes herself in to help save him.
This prequel story is a good story because it answers some of the questions I had after having read Sunbolt. Why is Ghost called that and how did Hitomi really get into The Shadow League. It is not just a scene but it builds up the whole pre-story rather well. It is well thought out. The only thing I have is that I'm not sure how well this would read if you haven't read Sunbolt before this. Hitomi's name isn't mentioned until well into the third chapter and I wonder how well you'd take to the little world building without knowing what I already know from Sunbolt.
Having said that, a big plus is how this explains how Hitomi deals with her emotions. It is a very real story. An orphan that lives on the street really can't afford to break down because they see someone dead. More than likely, they've seen plenty of bodies and horrors on the street. Yet it isn't that she doesn't deal with her emotions. But she has to do it on the move and make use of them. The emotions were also specificially talked about with the characters around her and I really appreciated that.
April 20, 2025
This was fantastic!! There are so many prequel novellas out there that just feel like pointless money grabs, and I cannot stress enough the degree to which Shadow Thief does not fall into that. I was enthralled the whole time, and it made me so excited to dive right into Sunbolt.
October 26, 2023
Good start to the series. Wish I had read it as the prequel that it is but still enjoyed.
July 17, 2018
3.5 stars on the blog.
I recommend reading this directly after Sunbolt. It was interesting to see the origins of The Ghost, but I had forgotten some of the particulars of the story and certain things were hard to place; therefore I don't know how well this will read for someone who has not read Sunbolt. I am definitely planning a Sunbolt re-read at some point and will re-read this one right after, so I can enjoy the story to its fullest.
I recommend reading this directly after Sunbolt. It was interesting to see the origins of The Ghost, but I had forgotten some of the particulars of the story and certain things were hard to place; therefore I don't know how well this will read for someone who has not read Sunbolt. I am definitely planning a Sunbolt re-read at some point and will re-read this one right after, so I can enjoy the story to its fullest.
September 4, 2023
*I received an e-arc from the author for review. All thoughts are my own*
I fell in love with Intisar Khanani’s writing when I read The Dauntless Path series, so I jumped at the chance to read this novella that is a prequel to the Sunbolt Chronicles. I have not read the Sunbolt Chronicles yet, but this novella has left me wanting more!
Hitomi has been watching as her adopted homeland has slowly been suffocating under the grip of the Archmage Blackflame. The only group that that has put up any resistance is the underground group known as the Shadow League. Hitomi, a young orphan with magic and a street thief is desperate to feel as though she is doing something to help, but the Shadow League doesn’t seem to want her assistance. When the Shadow League’s leader has been arrested, Hitomi knows that they’ll need every trick that she has learned as a street thief to get him back, whether they want her help or not.
I quickly grew to love Hitomi and I can’t wait to read more about her in Sunbolt. She wants to help the League from a place of goodness, and I appreciate that about her. She is strong, brave and doesn’t take no for an answer. I was very intrigued by her magic, and I can’t wait to learn more about her powers. I love the friendships that she develops, and I am excited for growth in the next books.
An action filled prequel that kept me on the edge of my seat, I highly recommend!
I fell in love with Intisar Khanani’s writing when I read The Dauntless Path series, so I jumped at the chance to read this novella that is a prequel to the Sunbolt Chronicles. I have not read the Sunbolt Chronicles yet, but this novella has left me wanting more!
Hitomi has been watching as her adopted homeland has slowly been suffocating under the grip of the Archmage Blackflame. The only group that that has put up any resistance is the underground group known as the Shadow League. Hitomi, a young orphan with magic and a street thief is desperate to feel as though she is doing something to help, but the Shadow League doesn’t seem to want her assistance. When the Shadow League’s leader has been arrested, Hitomi knows that they’ll need every trick that she has learned as a street thief to get him back, whether they want her help or not.
I quickly grew to love Hitomi and I can’t wait to read more about her in Sunbolt. She wants to help the League from a place of goodness, and I appreciate that about her. She is strong, brave and doesn’t take no for an answer. I was very intrigued by her magic, and I can’t wait to learn more about her powers. I love the friendships that she develops, and I am excited for growth in the next books.
An action filled prequel that kept me on the edge of my seat, I highly recommend!
December 17, 2017
A well-written Hitomi story that predates Sunbolt and gives us the origins of the Ghost leading The Shadow League.
August 3, 2023
An enjoyable short story that makes the wait for the third book slightly more bearable! We learn more about the Ghost and how Hitomi came to join the Shadow League. Kenta is such a good friend!
October 5, 2023
I loved this introduction to Hitomi. She's a great main character, fierce, loyal, and scrappy. As always, the world-building and glimpses of magic are fantastic. I read this after Sunbolt #2, which felt right to me. But if you are a person that likes to know the whole backstory before beginning a book, I think you may also enjoy reading this before starting the series.
July 3, 2024
This novella is a prequel to Sunbolt, with events starting a year before the latter book. Main character Hitomi is acquainted with some members of the Shadow League, but she isn’t officially a member. Whilst doing menial jobs to get by, Hitomi looks out for the leader of the Shadow League as he had once looked after Hitomi and released her from the Sultan’s Prison. When the leader is captured by the league’s adversary and the sultan’s righthand- Blackflame- Hitomi takes it upon her to rescue the leader. This isn’t easy as the key members of the Shadow League do not like her involvement in their activities. Thus this novella introduced Hitomi, her connection to the Shadow League, and the world of Karolene.
For more details on the world, Sunbolt covers that. Shadow Thief is merely an entertaining and action-filled prequel giving just enough depth to convince the reader to try out the rest of the series. As with the rest of the Sunbolt Chronicles (so far), this book contained witty dialogues, swift action, warm friendships, and a very clear and persuasive writing style.
My thanks to Intisar Khanani and the publisher for a review copy of this novella.
- There’s really only one reason I can think of that Kenta would slip away from his duties. And while I know the Shadow League—and Tendaji specifically—won’t want me meddling, I can’t help the force that pushes me to my feet and after Kenta.
- It’s a mystery, at least, and that’s better than having to decide if I’m going to try to steal a bit of fruit, or if I can afford to wait until evening to search for a day-end errand to pay for it.
For more details on the world, Sunbolt covers that. Shadow Thief is merely an entertaining and action-filled prequel giving just enough depth to convince the reader to try out the rest of the series. As with the rest of the Sunbolt Chronicles (so far), this book contained witty dialogues, swift action, warm friendships, and a very clear and persuasive writing style.
My thanks to Intisar Khanani and the publisher for a review copy of this novella.
- There’s really only one reason I can think of that Kenta would slip away from his duties. And while I know the Shadow League—and Tendaji specifically—won’t want me meddling, I can’t help the force that pushes me to my feet and after Kenta.
- It’s a mystery, at least, and that’s better than having to decide if I’m going to try to steal a bit of fruit, or if I can afford to wait until evening to search for a day-end errand to pay for it.
January 12, 2025
Tyranny, magic, people disappearing never to return, a secret underground resistance and a street girl looking to survive after her mother never returned. What is not to love?
I found Hitomi a wonderful character who really had an interesting head on her shoulders; between the thinking and planning as well as her awareness of everything going on, she shows a strength but also realises her weaknesses. When she wants to help it comes from a place of goodness not from the need for revenge. I am highly looking forward to seeing how this develops and grows in the full books. A wonderful stepping stone into the series providing a good look at the world as well as how some of the main players come to be.
I found Hitomi a wonderful character who really had an interesting head on her shoulders; between the thinking and planning as well as her awareness of everything going on, she shows a strength but also realises her weaknesses. When she wants to help it comes from a place of goodness not from the need for revenge. I am highly looking forward to seeing how this develops and grows in the full books. A wonderful stepping stone into the series providing a good look at the world as well as how some of the main players come to be.
August 28, 2023
4.5 Stars
Intisar does it again!
I loved Shadow Thief and it is a fantastic start to the series as I am moving straight on to Sunbolt!
The worldbuilding was utterly brilliant, detailed and opened up a new world without using info dumps. I would have liked a map but that may be on the finished copy as I am reading an ARC.
The storyline was very interesting and has SO much potential moving forward! I loved the twists and turns and never knew what was going to happen next.
The imagination in it so far is also brilliant. I loved the magical elements and it has me excited for the next book to learn more about it and different types of it. As in this book explanations for the types of magic was missing, which I would have liked more of.
The characters were so engaging, especially Hitomi who I connected with so quickly. She was such a strong lead female but also had vulnerable sides which I loved her for. I love how she fights for what she wants and even if she's told no, she does it anyway. A few of the side characters have a lot of potential and I am excited to see them grow in Sunbolt.
Please note that I was gifted this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Intisar does it again!
I loved Shadow Thief and it is a fantastic start to the series as I am moving straight on to Sunbolt!
The worldbuilding was utterly brilliant, detailed and opened up a new world without using info dumps. I would have liked a map but that may be on the finished copy as I am reading an ARC.
The storyline was very interesting and has SO much potential moving forward! I loved the twists and turns and never knew what was going to happen next.
The imagination in it so far is also brilliant. I loved the magical elements and it has me excited for the next book to learn more about it and different types of it. As in this book explanations for the types of magic was missing, which I would have liked more of.
The characters were so engaging, especially Hitomi who I connected with so quickly. She was such a strong lead female but also had vulnerable sides which I loved her for. I love how she fights for what she wants and even if she's told no, she does it anyway. A few of the side characters have a lot of potential and I am excited to see them grow in Sunbolt.
Please note that I was gifted this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2023
Shadow Thief is a great introduction to the sunbolt world.
Hitomi and the shadow league are worthy focal points of the book. Hitomi is homeless and starving. The book follows her as she tries to help the shadow league. Its hard to read about how she is treated by the shadow and the regime lead by Blackflame. However, it was very interesting to see how this feeds into sunbolt. Having read it previously I look forward to reading the re-release. I would recommend reading this book as it provides valuable information before starting Sunbolt.
Hitomi and the shadow league are worthy focal points of the book. Hitomi is homeless and starving. The book follows her as she tries to help the shadow league. Its hard to read about how she is treated by the shadow and the regime lead by Blackflame. However, it was very interesting to see how this feeds into sunbolt. Having read it previously I look forward to reading the re-release. I would recommend reading this book as it provides valuable information before starting Sunbolt.
August 7, 2023
A prequel novella to Sunbolt, which is being rereleased in anticipation of Khanani returning to this series. I loved finding out how Ghost came to be and Hitomi’s role in that.
When the third book is due to come out, I will reread Sunbolt and Memories of Ash. While Sunbolt wasn’t a favorite of mine, Memories of Ash made up for it in spades. Hitomi became one of my favorite characters Khanani has created, and I am looking forward to her continuing this series.
When the third book is due to come out, I will reread Sunbolt and Memories of Ash. While Sunbolt wasn’t a favorite of mine, Memories of Ash made up for it in spades. Hitomi became one of my favorite characters Khanani has created, and I am looking forward to her continuing this series.
August 29, 2023
If you've never read The Sunbolt Chronicles, it's the perfect time! I'll admit, it's been a few years since I read Sunbolt, so I'm excited to start this story over, starting with this backstory!
Hitomi gives major Kiva (The Prison Healer) & Laia (An Ember in the Ashes) vibes. She's a great character. If you need a bad-A lady character in your life right now, pick this up.
Hitomi gives major Kiva (The Prison Healer) & Laia (An Ember in the Ashes) vibes. She's a great character. If you need a bad-A lady character in your life right now, pick this up.
August 31, 2023
I loved this novella!
Intisar Khanani is an excellent storyteller! Glad to see Hitomi and Kenta going on adventure together again. This definitely fleshes out her back story, and I'm excited for the third book in this series in the future. I definitely recommend this series and author. Thank you!
Intisar Khanani is an excellent storyteller! Glad to see Hitomi and Kenta going on adventure together again. This definitely fleshes out her back story, and I'm excited for the third book in this series in the future. I definitely recommend this series and author. Thank you!
February 17, 2024
This was a very short little tale about Hitomi and how she joined the Shadow League. While I don’t think this is necessary for the Sunbolt Trilogy, it does give some insight to Hitomi’s past with the Ghost and Kenta. I did like learning more about them.
If you want the background and have a chance to read this novella, I think it’s worth it! I really do love Hitomi.
If you want the background and have a chance to read this novella, I think it’s worth it! I really do love Hitomi.
August 30, 2023
This was the perfect fast paced intro into the chronicles, I loved the characters and the storyline and explaining the shadow league and the Magic system. It had action, Betrayal and found family and is the perfect novella to wet your appetite for the next book. Loved it.
February 28, 2024
Definitely a must read alongside book 1 - this provided a lot of the set up and context I was looking for! I think I enjoyed this a bit more than the first book; it was still very fast paced but you learnt more about Hitomi and the reasons for her actions.
September 11, 2023
Loved reading this story, it was so good, and I can't wait to continue on with this series!
May 31, 2024
This is a very enjoyable prequel novelette. While there is character development here, as a prequel you know in advance that there will still be plenty more left to resolve in the main books. I enjoyed getting to see more of Hitomi's time before the events of Sunbolt, though, especially how her friendship with Kenta developed.
August 29, 2023
A few years ago several Cannonballers were reading Intisar Khanani’s self published YA fantasy books. Khanani writes the kind of book that grabs you and doesn’t let go featuring teen girls who are chronically underestimated. Khanani is rereleasing her Sunbolt Chronicles, and I am brushing off my YA reading hat. I haven’t read YA since the pandemic started, and that’s no slight to the genre, it’s just where my head has been. Shadow Thief is a great re-entry point.
Hitomi is an immigrant in a nation that doesn’t make room for immigrants, an orphan in a culture where family is everything, and a secret magic user. She would rather not steal, but she will to feed herself when she can’t get enough work to buy food for the day. She is canny but not infallible. Karolene is a nation of islands ruled by a Sultan, but really ruled by the Arch Mage Blackflame. Hitomi is a part of a secret resistance network, the Shadow League. Blackflame is the series villain, though we don’t spend a lot of time with him. We don’t need to, because we see the evidence of his evil, the disappearances, the mercenaries who destroy without accountability, and the fear. Karolene is drenched in fear.
Shadow Thief is a short novella covering how Hitomi comes to be involved with the Shadow League. Hitomi has been in her own for a while and every day is a struggle to earn enough to feed herself and pay for a safe place to sleep for the night. The head of the Shadow League has been kind to her, but doesn’t want her involved. She involves herself anyway when she learns that he has been arrested by the Sultan. Her familiarity with the Sultan’s prison grants her access to the rescue planning. She is familiar with the prison because the Sultan helps orphans by putting them in jail for a week to scare them out of taking up a life of crime. Things go badly, but Hitomi demonstrates her value, and her desire to be involved.
If you like fantasy and strong female protagonists, you should be reading Intisar Khanani. She writes beautifully. She builds interesting and diverse worlds. Her protagonists are wonderful, believable girls.
CW: state sponsored violence, violence, threats of violence, children in danger, allusions to rape, physical evidence of torture, death on page and in past, betrayal, death of parent from illness in past.
I received Shadow Thief as an advance reader copy from the author. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
Hitomi is an immigrant in a nation that doesn’t make room for immigrants, an orphan in a culture where family is everything, and a secret magic user. She would rather not steal, but she will to feed herself when she can’t get enough work to buy food for the day. She is canny but not infallible. Karolene is a nation of islands ruled by a Sultan, but really ruled by the Arch Mage Blackflame. Hitomi is a part of a secret resistance network, the Shadow League. Blackflame is the series villain, though we don’t spend a lot of time with him. We don’t need to, because we see the evidence of his evil, the disappearances, the mercenaries who destroy without accountability, and the fear. Karolene is drenched in fear.
Shadow Thief is a short novella covering how Hitomi comes to be involved with the Shadow League. Hitomi has been in her own for a while and every day is a struggle to earn enough to feed herself and pay for a safe place to sleep for the night. The head of the Shadow League has been kind to her, but doesn’t want her involved. She involves herself anyway when she learns that he has been arrested by the Sultan. Her familiarity with the Sultan’s prison grants her access to the rescue planning. She is familiar with the prison because the Sultan helps orphans by putting them in jail for a week to scare them out of taking up a life of crime. Things go badly, but Hitomi demonstrates her value, and her desire to be involved.
If you like fantasy and strong female protagonists, you should be reading Intisar Khanani. She writes beautifully. She builds interesting and diverse worlds. Her protagonists are wonderful, believable girls.
CW: state sponsored violence, violence, threats of violence, children in danger, allusions to rape, physical evidence of torture, death on page and in past, betrayal, death of parent from illness in past.
I received Shadow Thief as an advance reader copy from the author. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
August 7, 2024
Intisar Khanani writes a fantasy tale with Shadow Thief
In Shadow Thief, the reader is reintroduced to Hitomi, a character I was introduced to in the Sunbolt book. This novella is supposed to be the prequel to Sunbolt. I read the first book, Sunbolt, first and then this one. After reading both, I realized you can read the two books in any order you wish, but I like reading the prequel after the original book, as you get more insight into the characters, and some stories within the first one, make sense, as you have a grand backstory that gets revealed little by little. This story is a wondrous trail of words. Both thrilling and intriguing, all the way to the end. Hitomi's character developed, especially as she was under the thumb of Arch Mage Blackflame. The information in this story, makes the Sunbolt story make more sense, but it reveals things that we should be surprised by in Sunbolt, so I do recommend reading it after Sunbolt, but before the rest of the Sunbolt Chronicles. I hope to read more books by Intisar Khanani. Shadow Thief is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book also write a review.
In Shadow Thief, the reader is reintroduced to Hitomi, a character I was introduced to in the Sunbolt book. This novella is supposed to be the prequel to Sunbolt. I read the first book, Sunbolt, first and then this one. After reading both, I realized you can read the two books in any order you wish, but I like reading the prequel after the original book, as you get more insight into the characters, and some stories within the first one, make sense, as you have a grand backstory that gets revealed little by little. This story is a wondrous trail of words. Both thrilling and intriguing, all the way to the end. Hitomi's character developed, especially as she was under the thumb of Arch Mage Blackflame. The information in this story, makes the Sunbolt story make more sense, but it reveals things that we should be surprised by in Sunbolt, so I do recommend reading it after Sunbolt, but before the rest of the Sunbolt Chronicles. I hope to read more books by Intisar Khanani. Shadow Thief is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book also write a review.
August 26, 2023
I loved this prequel story where we learn about how Hitomi got involved in the Shadow League. We see her grow and deal with the emotions connected to her back story. It's a more vulnerable look at Hitomi's scrappy character.
Expect to see some great scenes with Kenta and a close-up look at the darkness of Blackflame's Karolene...plus a little more about Hitomi's Promise! I thought it ended on a hopeful note and was a really nice and heart-felt introduction to the series.
Note: I received an ARC and this is an honest, voluntary review.
Expect to see some great scenes with Kenta and a close-up look at the darkness of Blackflame's Karolene...plus a little more about Hitomi's Promise! I thought it ended on a hopeful note and was a really nice and heart-felt introduction to the series.
Note: I received an ARC and this is an honest, voluntary review.
October 4, 2024
After absolutely loving the author's Dauntless Paths series, I wanted to read more of her work and this didn't disappoint! Shadow Thief is an excellent prequel to the Sunbolt chronicles. I don't know how Intisar does it but she is able to make me care about her characters and their struggles within the first few pages( something not a lot of writers are able to do) and Hitomi was no exception to that. I am looking forward to reading more about her adventures in the following books.
October 24, 2024
Read as part of my physical copy of Sunbolt, this prequel novella gives us more insight into Hitomi and her origins with the Shadow League. Also some hints at her connection to this mysterious in Blackflames household...I have suspicions. I loved it, and recommend including it in your read of the Sunbolt Chronicles.
May 5, 2025
For a lot of this novella prequel, I wondered why it existed. It felt kind of unnecessary to the story. You find out why by the end, which made sense, but I didn't feel it was a really necessary prequel. Especially since the novel is almost novella length anyways.
It was still a good read but definitely makes no sense without reading the other first I think.
TW: confinement/ forced institutionalisation, blood, death, death of parent, grief, abandonment, injury/ injury detail, stalking, torture (off page)
It was still a good read but definitely makes no sense without reading the other first I think.
TW: confinement/ forced institutionalisation, blood, death, death of parent, grief, abandonment, injury/ injury detail, stalking, torture (off page)
September 1, 2023
Auto-buy.
Ms. Khanani has the gift of making me care about her characters in a very short period of time. I enjoyed this prequel novella filling in some details of the Sunbolt Chronicles. I look forward to the stories to come.
Ms. Khanani has the gift of making me care about her characters in a very short period of time. I enjoyed this prequel novella filling in some details of the Sunbolt Chronicles. I look forward to the stories to come.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews