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Without a King
Finn is the greatest thief in the city, sneaking silently through the streets of Zianna to relieve the upper class Teltans of their unneeded jewellery and purses. One day, he finds an area of the city he had never explored and scales a wall only to find a hidden courtyard full of boys his age training in sword craft and wrestling. There he makes an unlikely friend in Tannix, the highborn son of the lord of West Draulin, someone so far above him in the social chain he can scarcely believe how different their lives are. For fear of being discovered as an imposter, Finn tries to act the part of a nobleman, using a stolen ring and robe to show his status. He spends weeks undercover with his new friend, training as a noble as part of the Order and eating everything he can get his hands on.
Soon Tannix discovers who his new friend really is, but instead of turning him in, he helps Finn to survive by giving him money, medicine, and protection. When the pair uncovers a plot to kill the king, they know they must act quickly. Using Tannix’s social status and Finn’s street smarts, they race to find the assassin and convince the other nobles before it’s too late. Their forbidden friendship puts both of their lives in danger, and while Tannix’s family name will protect him no matter what happens, who would believe a common thief?
https://books.friesenpress.com/store/...
Soon Tannix discovers who his new friend really is, but instead of turning him in, he helps Finn to survive by giving him money, medicine, and protection. When the pair uncovers a plot to kill the king, they know they must act quickly. Using Tannix’s social status and Finn’s street smarts, they race to find the assassin and convince the other nobles before it’s too late. Their forbidden friendship puts both of their lives in danger, and while Tannix’s family name will protect him no matter what happens, who would believe a common thief?
https://books.friesenpress.com/store/...
246 pages, Paperback
Published April 10, 2018
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Julie Côté
5 books18 followersJulie Côté has been telling stories as long as she can remember.
Julie shared her stories with friends and family throughout middle and high school. She started the Greatest Thief series in university, using her Classical History classes as inspiration.
In 2017, she self-published her first book, and she has plenty of stories to follow.
Julie's Facebook Page
Julie shared her stories with friends and family throughout middle and high school. She started the Greatest Thief series in university, using her Classical History classes as inspiration.
In 2017, she self-published her first book, and she has plenty of stories to follow.
Julie's Facebook Page
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 30, 2018
Without a King is one of the best YA novels I've read in a while. The story and the entire world in which it takes place drew me in instantly. The characters were unique and accurately written for their ages, which is one of my primary complaints with popular YA novels - characters that are given an age but act either much younger or much older than they should. Overall, it was a great read.
The story centers on Finn, an orphan and talented thief who stalks the streets of Zianna, pickpocketing for food and selling trinkets to survive. Entirely by accident, Finn ends up befriending Tannix, a noble boy who is a member of the mysterious Order. The two stumble upon a plot to murder the king, and have to find a way to stop the act of treason, risking exposing their friendship - not to mention their lives - in the process. No spoilers, but the book ends on such a cliff-hanger that I wish I had the second book in my hand right now.
Julie Côté has created a world that seems foreign and mythical, but somehow feels familiar at the same time. Finn, our main character, is a captivating narrator. You can picture the city bustling with activity as you follow him through the streets of Zianna. I liked how the story picked up quickly and you learned about the history of the land over time, and not all at the beginning, which added to the pull of the story. I could read an entire textbook about the history of the world the author has created. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, not only to continue the story, but to learn more about the city and how the social structure came to be.
If you're a fan of YA, adventure, mysteries, fantasy or even romance, I highly recommend this book. I don't want to be cliché and say you won't be able to put it down, but I'm not a fast reader and I finished it in a week because I wanted to know what was going to happen. I would recommend this book for anyone aged 14 and up. You can order this book online here.
The story centers on Finn, an orphan and talented thief who stalks the streets of Zianna, pickpocketing for food and selling trinkets to survive. Entirely by accident, Finn ends up befriending Tannix, a noble boy who is a member of the mysterious Order. The two stumble upon a plot to murder the king, and have to find a way to stop the act of treason, risking exposing their friendship - not to mention their lives - in the process. No spoilers, but the book ends on such a cliff-hanger that I wish I had the second book in my hand right now.
Julie Côté has created a world that seems foreign and mythical, but somehow feels familiar at the same time. Finn, our main character, is a captivating narrator. You can picture the city bustling with activity as you follow him through the streets of Zianna. I liked how the story picked up quickly and you learned about the history of the land over time, and not all at the beginning, which added to the pull of the story. I could read an entire textbook about the history of the world the author has created. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, not only to continue the story, but to learn more about the city and how the social structure came to be.
If you're a fan of YA, adventure, mysteries, fantasy or even romance, I highly recommend this book. I don't want to be cliché and say you won't be able to put it down, but I'm not a fast reader and I finished it in a week because I wanted to know what was going to happen. I would recommend this book for anyone aged 14 and up. You can order this book online here.
June 4, 2018
Julie Cote has created a world in which you want to disappear into the pages of for a while! She has written a story that's descriptive as well as having amazing attention to details. The little details within the chapters draw you in just as much as the main story does. The description of Zianna, from the streets to the rooftops to the ocean and the Cliffs of Loth make you feel like you could also be running along the rooftop alongside Finn.
The story itself allows readers to view two different worlds coming together in such a unique way that one can never seem to get enough! From seeing Finn interacting with Tannix and then hanging with his thief friends, you just never know what is coming next but it is a grasping read none the less!
Finn is such an intriguing character who I can’t wait to learn more about. He is intriguing because he makes you wonder how someone who lives the way he does and grew up the way he did could be so smart and clever. We only get a taste of who Finn is and the world in which he lives in, it isn’t hard to want to know more and I personally can't wait to find out what is going to happen next!
Although this is only the beginning I would recommend this book and any books to follow this one to anyone! If you are interested in fantasy, adventures, mystery or even a little romance this book is definitely for you! Would be a good read for young adults (14+) and adults alike!
The story itself allows readers to view two different worlds coming together in such a unique way that one can never seem to get enough! From seeing Finn interacting with Tannix and then hanging with his thief friends, you just never know what is coming next but it is a grasping read none the less!
Finn is such an intriguing character who I can’t wait to learn more about. He is intriguing because he makes you wonder how someone who lives the way he does and grew up the way he did could be so smart and clever. We only get a taste of who Finn is and the world in which he lives in, it isn’t hard to want to know more and I personally can't wait to find out what is going to happen next!
Although this is only the beginning I would recommend this book and any books to follow this one to anyone! If you are interested in fantasy, adventures, mystery or even a little romance this book is definitely for you! Would be a good read for young adults (14+) and adults alike!
June 4, 2018
Good book, good characters, good story but needs more animals in the city scape.
(Jokes: the amount of animals is okay)
(Jokes: the amount of animals is okay)
June 7, 2018
Without a King by Julie Cote had me hooked from the first paragraph. The story follows the life of Finn, a young thief living on the streets of Zianna and how everything is changed when he meets Tannix, a young lord. The author shines a spotlight on the inequalities of class and fortune while the reader follows this unlikely duo through a story of adventure, family, friendship and romance. It's a suspenseful page turner that's over before you know it. I can't wait for the second book to come out!
December 23, 2018
Amazing!! So good I could not put it down. From the moment I started I was hooked and couldn't wait to see what the story had in store! Can't wait for the rest of the books in the series!!!
April 25, 2023
Enjoyable and well written enough. Kept me entertainded during my insomnia.
Down : Not convinced by the social and political world building but that’s because im a political science student so of course im gonna bicker about this shit.
Up : The characters are realistic, coherent and rather touching
Down : Not convinced by the social and political world building but that’s because im a political science student so of course im gonna bicker about this shit.
Up : The characters are realistic, coherent and rather touching
June 15, 2024
I have reread this story 3 or 4 times and I’ve enjoyed it so much! I was super excited when I heard it was being published and I bought my own copy. I’m excited for the other books to be published as well!
March 5, 2023
had me on the edge of my seat the whole time🤭
March 9, 2023
I loooove this book. The story is so nice :D
May 10, 2024
read the entire thing in like a day and a half it was so good
May 31, 2019
Without a King pulled me in from the first paragraph and never let me go.
Finn is the kind of character who enjoys playing with fire - when he's the one holding the matches. He has a knack for survival and breaks all kinds of societal rules in the process, while staying true to his fundamental morals. Tannix, on the other hand, avoids fire and ambiguity. He doesn't necessarily approve of Finn's methods and, for some reason, Finn actually cares.
Julie Côté has created a world which seems as real as our own. It's filled with actual twists and turns (which Finn knows instinctively) as well as unseen twists and turns in the story which still take me by surprise.
Without a King pulled me in and I can't wait for the next book.
Finn is the kind of character who enjoys playing with fire - when he's the one holding the matches. He has a knack for survival and breaks all kinds of societal rules in the process, while staying true to his fundamental morals. Tannix, on the other hand, avoids fire and ambiguity. He doesn't necessarily approve of Finn's methods and, for some reason, Finn actually cares.
Julie Côté has created a world which seems as real as our own. It's filled with actual twists and turns (which Finn knows instinctively) as well as unseen twists and turns in the story which still take me by surprise.
Without a King pulled me in and I can't wait for the next book.
July 4, 2024
This is a very good book I prefer the second and third better but the world building is spectacular
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews