The Thief Who Wasn't There

Amra Thetys #4

by Michael McClung

Bellarius, saved from utter destruction, is now plunged into vicious civil war. Amra has vanished, and while Holgren has a plan to find her and bring her back, his plan teeters between impossibility and insanity. Before he can even implement it, Holgren will have to deal with three separate armies vying for control of Bellaria, all of which view him as either a threat, an inconvenience, or a potential tool. Meanwhile, Holgren seeks to trap one of the monstrous rift-spawn - abominations born of the Telemarch's madness and power - and bend it to his will. Then, he intends to descend into the eleven hells to steal an ancient artifact of incredible power from the dire halls of the Black Library. Oh, the things we do for love.

Genres: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Action, Ebooks, Sword and Sorcery, Magic, Science Fiction Fantasy

245 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2015

About the author

Michael McClung was born in San Antonio, Texas, but now lives in Europe. He has had the requisite number of odd jobs expected of a speculative fiction author, including soldier, book store manager, and bowling alley pin boy. His first book, the Sword & Sorcery novel "Thagoth," won the Del Rey Digital first novel competition in 2002 and was published by Random House in 2003.

Reviews

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 5 out of 5]

➽ And the moral of this reread is: "live and let live," you say? Oh, please. That's totally passé and stuff. Just ask my yummy (if a bit one-eyed) boyfriend Holgren Angrado. Pretty sure he'll tell you that being slightly vindictive and blowing people to bits is the in thing to do these days. Much to my nefarious delight, obviously.

➽ And the other moral of this reread is: my dear Mr McClung, I am done with my reread of the series, so please do finish writing book 5 post haste. I might unleash the murderous crustaceans on you if you don't. But hey, no pressure and stuff.



P.S. Just so you know, "Gorm on a stick!" has now officially become my second favorite expression of all time. After "Kerf's withered testicles!" of course.

· Book 1: The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble's Braids ★★★★★
· Book 2: The Thief Who Spat in Luck's Good Eye ★★★★★
· Book 3: The Thief Who Knocked on Sorrow's Gate ★★★★★
· Book 5: The Thief Who Went to War ★★★★★

· Short stories: The Last God ★★★★★



[Original review]

➽ Previously, on Amra Thetys:
● Episode 1: Amra got a little revenge act going.
● Episode 2: Amra & Holgren got a little hero quest act going.
● Episode 3: Amra got a little "poof, I’m gone" act going.

➽ Presently, on Amra Thetys:


Watch out world, Holgren Angrado is coming for you! His mission? Saving private thief badass Amra Thetys from something. Somewhere. Somehow. This now one-eyed, semi-retired mage's got his work cut out for him. Chaos and mayhem ensue. So do a few casualties. A few. It's not like Holgren atomizes people or anything. It's just that sometimes he gets a little frustrated with the distractions getting in the way of his mission. So he does some spring cleaning and gets right back on track. Gotta admire such unfailing tenacity.



My poor Holgren. These silly people have the worst timing. I mean, did they really have to start a civil war now? What's the big idea? Sigh. These locals really are useless, might as well get rid of them all. I mean, did they help you find a rift spawn and get into hell? No, they just keep thwarting your insanely suicidal plans with their frivolous pursuits. And in the meantime, what is Amra doing? Frolicking away with a knife. Somewhere. Somehow. No wonder you slightly struggle to keep your cool, and have very minor self-control issues.



My dear Holgren. May I venture to offer you a piece of advice? No, no, no, please don't flick your fingers at me just yet, I promise to behave and not to waste your time. Besides, you are now safely under lock and key in my harem, you've got nothing better to do right? Muahahahahaha. Anyway, here's my advice for you: you might want to work on your social skills a little. Because being a cold, insensitive bastard with the morals of a barnacle rarely helps in the allies-making department (please notice I'm not even talking about making friends here. Making allies would be improvement enough on the current situation). What is it? You didn't know barnacles had morals? Well they don't, that's the whole point, my dear. Oh please don't feel insulted, you might be cold-hearted and uncaring but I still love you. Why else would I have kidnapped you and secured you away in my harem, you silly? I swear, for all your cunning mage ways, you can be really slow to catch on sometimes. Yet another shining example of your stellar social skills at work.

I'm sorry, it only just occurred to me that there might be people reading this review. Please forgive me, I tend to get carried away when it comes to my Holgren. I'm not sure Amra would approve if she knew, but she's not here to kick my ass so I'll enjoy it while it lasts. Actually, I sometimes wish Holgren wasn't so intent on rescuing her at all costs. It would be just him, the cold insensitive bastard, and me, the cold hearted cynic, until the end of times...A match made in heaven.



But I digress. Where was I? Oh yes, there might be people reading this review (well there might only be one of them left at this point but I'll just pretend that there's a crowd out there, cheering me on). I'm supposed to actually tell these lovely people something about this book, right? Something non-Holgren obviously. Damn. I hate writing reviews sometimes. Okay, here goes: this book is amazing, this book is freaking fantastic, this book is brilliant, this book awesome, this book is cool… Sorry, did you just say something? Oh, you were expecting something a little more descriptive? More detailed, maybe? Okay, right, I can do that, no problem. Well I can try anyway. This book is amazing-freaking fantastic-brilliant-awesome-cool because it features: villainous villains, severed body parts (I think I see a trend there), deadly magic, demons, blood-and-gore-yay, a god of fools and drunkards, pigs' hearts, lots of action, frogs dancing jigs, nefarious knives, great dialogues, sarcastic teenage sidekicks, good old testosterone, weird creatures, a fantastic cast of secondary characters, a teensy little bit of Amra (it's not the quantity that counts) and Hell (all eleven levels of it).

What else? I don't know… Let's see… Errr, I love this book? This has become one of my favourite series ever? I'm in ♥ with Amra? I'm in ♥ with Holgren? I'm in ♥ with severed body parts? I think that's about it. In other words:





ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.



Pre-review nonsense :

Damn. Michael McClung did it again. And with almost no Amra to be had. Damn. I've fallen in love with a one-eyed mage who's seen better days. Damn. This is so freaking cool even Florence Welch is fangirling about it.



Don't know who Florence Welch is? Sigh. There definitely is no hope for you.

Damn (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I keep repeating myself). This is going to be a hard one to review. But I shall do it. For Amra. For Holgren. For Michael. For the world.

[Hamad · Rating 3 out of 5]

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“If’ is a foul, foul word,” I muttered. “Strange I never noticed before.”

The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble’s Braids ★★★★
The Thief Who Spat In Luck’s Good Eye ★★ 1/2
The Thief Who Knocked on Sorrow’s Gate ★★★★
The Thief Who Wasn’t There ★★★

I enjoyed this entry less than the last one but it was still better than the second book. I did not know it was Holgren’s book but I guess it kind of makes sense given the title of the book (The titles of the books in this series are smart and creative). I always preferred Holgren above Amra but I guess there is a certain charm for having both of them together.

The problem was that the transition to Holgren’s POV is kind of surprising and changes the tone the reader expect from the book so it takes some time to get used to specially that it starts in a not smooth way!

For some reasons I am not sure of I kept getting into and out of the story (To be fair I did not read this at the best time given the current state of my country) and that affected my enjoyment of it. I think the main thing I enjoyed was the mythology and the lore of the world. I enjoyed the world building when it comes to the Hells and the Gods too.

The book did make us get to know Holgren on a deeper level, the plot felt a bit like a filler because there is a goal and it moves the story forward but most of the things we see in the book are bumps that hinders Holgren’s journey because God forbids that a journey ever goes so smoothly!

Summary: I enjoyed the book and now I have more one entry in the series. Holgren is my favorite and I still love him but the story was unfocused at first and needed some time to get used to. In the end I enjoyed where it went and I liked the world-building, I think my expectations were just a bit high.

[Marc *Dark Reader with a Thousand Young! Iä!* · Rating 5 out of 5]

The strongest book since the first. Holgren's POV is very appealing.

This is a direct sequel to The Thief Who Knocked on Sorrow's Gate, immediately following that book's cliffhanger ending. Holgren, everyone's favourite mage, takes over from Amra's first person narration that has led the series to this point, since Amra is somewhat indisposed, and damn is his fiery and driven perspective a blast. Sometimes literally.

This book is more substantial to the prior ones which leaned toward novella length. Those extra fifty pages are put to good use. The storytelling is as fast-paced as ever. This has been my one occasional complaint across the prior two books (it wasn't an issue in the first one): that the pacing is sometimes too fast, particularly when the books would speed through emotional moments. Dialogue in particular tends to flow at a fast clip, with nary a narrative interruption. Not that it needs those; the dialogue is EXCELLENT and I would hate to see unnecessary dialogue tags or mentions of furrowed brows or pursed lips or any of that junk gumming it up. But sometimes I find I have to force myself to read more slowly and savour the exchanges, because the writing lends itself to speedy reading. Anyway, that one complaint didn't recur during this book; I felt every moment of Holgren's frustration and emotional drive.

There was a five-year gap between this book and the next one's publication in 2019, but fortunately I don't have to wait and I expect to inhale The Thief Who Went To War right soon. But after that, if the story truly requires further sequels, it's unclear when they may materialize if ever. The last update I saw from the author was in 2022 and mentioned grad school so who knows? But even if there's more story left hanging, everything I've seen so far engenders confidence that it will be a satisfying literary experience no matter what.

This self-published book had a few more errors than I usually find acceptable, mostly simple typos but notably the spelling of one character's name changed half-way through (from Marl to Marle).

[Julia Sarene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great sequel in the series!
Starts of with quote a twist, and brings a new perspective with it...
I dont really want to say too much, fearing I might accidentally spoiler something, suffice it to say it was just as fast paced and fun as the others! And at last as crazy...
I'm addicted, and I hope there'll be a lot more books about Amra!

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am here because of how events were left in book three. HAD TO READ BOOK FOUR...

Holgren is our narrator for this story. He is desperate to discover Amra's whereabouts. Both Amra and Holgren are unwitting and unwilling pawns of fate.

Told from first person perspective, Michael McClung has crafted a wonderful series. Reminds me in a way of Michael Sullivan's Riyria series.

Recommended!

[Marielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best one so far imho! Absolutely loved it... :)

[Jason Waltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The grand ol' fun 'n blood continues!

Another good read, another fun entry in Amra's story. Different (but known) main character, and while mostly about Amra, she's not seen or heard from very often. Missed hearing from her honestly, but really, really enjoy Holgren and all he puts himself through. Great adventure, lots of sorcery, blood, and guts; there are sharp blades, but with Holgren they're mostly unnecessary. I like the story, and even with a different POV it rollicks along, though the flavor is slightly different too. I hope this is due more to the POV then any possible story fatigue, as we've several books to go yet. My only real complaint is the suddenly abrupt last few pages, the paced story suddenly took off in a sprint to? I don't know what exactly. But I certainly do look forward to reuniting with the starring duo and associates sooner than later. Side sad note: editing grew shabbier last half on, making me interestingly observe that Michael's previously selfpublished titles were edited far better.

[Yuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just so much fun.

This is the best ''easy, quick and fun'' series I've read.
It's not overly lighthearted (at all) but it is loads of fun and, except for this book, the main character is a grumpy, witty and foulmouthed female thief."

[Steve Kimmins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author certainly maintains a high standard of storytelling. As in the previous Amra Thetys books the interest in the storyline keeps you turning the pages eagerly, and again it was easy to devour in my spare time over just a few days.
Previous volumes have Amra as the main POV. In this volume it largely features Holgren, her Mage partner. Unlike Amra (normally) he can ‘click his fingers’ and use his other powerful magics to get himself out of problems. As I’ve said before that sort of fantasy hero isn’t normally to my taste. But at least he has tasks and adversaries that require that ability for him to even attempt what he must, especially towards Amra to whom he is devoted.

The story relies upon powerful mages, demons and gods in conflict with each other (as well as some poor weedy mortals!) and this means that one is less able to empathise with the main characters, although Holgren is more sympathetic and rounded as a character due to the time spent on developing him in this volume.

It might seem that I’m holding back some enthusiasm for the book but that’s only really compared to the excellent preceding volume in the series. But it genuinely is a satisfying, absorbing read, in the context of a series which is building up the tension, and the central role of intelligent, hard nosed Amra in a cosmic drama. And although not to my normal ‘gritty realism’ tastes I want to know how the story develops so I’ll be reading the new volume when it appears.

[Elena Linville-Abdo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit that I was rather irritated when I started reading this book and discovered that Hogren was the protagonist, not Amra. After the giant cliffhanger of the last book, I NEEDED to know that Amra was okay... Then I realized that it was precisely how Hogren felt as well. Clever, Mr. McClung, very clever.

Once I got over that initial disappointment, I grew to really like Hogren's POV. I understood his desperation and his pigheaded stubbornness. I understood why he was so fixed on his task that he did some things he would come back to bite him in the face. I mean the whole Bellarius affair was a disaster that he only made worse by reacting impulsively instead of taking a breather and thinking the situation through. But when you are desperately trying to find the person you love and people keep preventing you from doing just that, you will react harshly and with maximum harm and efficiency. I also liked that he still decided to take care of the people that came to depend on him and took them with him when he left.

The journey through the eleven crumbling hells was a lot of fun to read about, but not fun at all for Hogren to live through. I have to admire his resolve and love for Amra, because he wouldn't have survived any of that otherwise.

All in all, a very good book. Now we shall see what the consequences of bringing Amra back will be.

[Elinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

yeah this series really is one of the best ever

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic read, this series just keeps getting better with every book.

Highly likely to all my goodreads friends who love fantasy.

[lookmairead · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love McClung’s dialogue, but I love it even more when Amra and Holgren are side-by-side fighting weird magical gods and duping foolish humans. 3.5/5

[Phillip Ramm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another page-turner of non-stop mordant wit and fantasy-genre action in the Amra Thetys series.

This book centers on the powerful wizard/magician, or mage, Holgren, Amra's would-be partner (Amra, as you recall, was trapped in the timeless Rift at the end of the third book - I think I got that right). Holgren brings a much blacker humour than usual to the series. He is a more casual taker of human lives in this book without Amra to keep his callousness in check. Bodies explode into bloody mists, stabbings, here, decapitations there, deadly revenge is taken hot, atom bomb-like blasts destroy cities. Hardly an eyebrow over a eye-patch is raised, except when he spins out a smart-alec quip that riles his enemies and makes us (?we) readers smile, if not laugh out loud.

Despite this darker side to his nature you can't help cheering Holgren along heartily in his high body-count quest to descend to the nine hells, find the Rift and come back to Lucernis with his rescued beloved. He is your classic likeable, good-hearted, deadly, loyal, cheeky, conscience-free killer rogue and all-round good guy, and it's no wonder that Amra loves him, however reluctant she has been in the past to admit it.

I think I enjoyed this episode in the potential octet(?) even more than the previous three, but maybe that says more about me than it does about Michael's book.

I have not been reading much fantasy since a well-spent youth with piles of Michael Moorcock. I have tried some of the more lugubrious fantasy classics since and became bogged down in their heavy-going expository stuff. Even Gene Wolfe lost me after several suns. But it is Mike's get-on-with-it style that wins me every time. Like, hey, was that an atom bomb? Maybe; let's move on the next problem with reality...

* Michael McClung has been a personal friend for over ten years.

[Jason Waltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read, another fun entry in Amra's story. Different (but known) main character, and while mostly about Amra, she's not seen or heard from very often. Missed hearing from her honestly, but really, really enjoy Holgren and all he puts himself through. Great adventure, lots of sorcery, blood, and guts; there are sharp blades, but with Holgren they're mostly unnecessary. I like the story, and even with a different POV it rollicks along, though the flavor is slightly different too. I hope this is due more to the POV then any possible story fatigue, as we've several books to go yet. My only real complaint is the suddenly abrupt last few pages, the paced story suddenly took off in a sprint to? I don't know what exactly. But I certainly do look forward to reuniting with the starring duo and associates sooner than later. Side sad note: editing grew shabbier last half on, making me interestingly observe that Michael's previously selfpublished titles were edited far better.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a testament that McClung can bring out these characters--sardonic, ill-tempered, vastly dangerous, the sort of people you'd want to limit social interaction with--and write them in a way that I had to keep putting it down because new awful things were happening to people I cared about and wanted to see succeed.

Holgren's eternal situation is that despite wanting something simple-on-paper, to be left alone and live with the woman he loves deeply, his lot is being forced to make compromising tradeoffs, and every step forward appears to cost him physically and/or emotionally.

It does spiral out of control as it races to the end, and again Amra and Holgren are left in a position of stability that can only get worse and more complicated.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holgren literally goes to hell and back for his beloved thief. The conclusion to this adventure is yet to come...hurry book five!

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[James Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well it's book 4 but even by book 2 we were watching essentially very high level characters. It's rare to see fantasy succeed past this point as everything degenerates into simply uglier and bigger monsters, silly magic, and grafted on in-group conflict to generate artifical interest. Not here, not quite yet. Holgren was treated to some pretty good concepts as he sought to do the impossible. I wont spoil anything but we explore the godly pantheon more (like), and through a different set of circumstances than this very orphian story calls back to (very like), but we don't quite see the sort of levels of novelty and pure originality as you would in say, a China Meiville novel (understandable).

I'm not a fan of the chronicle format, particularly when used as an opportunity for the characters occasionally to drop hints as to the future as they look back on the adventure. This is a writing technique that should be wielded only in the right cirumstance because every lacklustre use viscerally detracts from the enjoyment of a book. It's like cooking with butter. Do it right and in small amounts and you create a work of art. Too much and you disgust yourself and others.

I say this because i've seen the chef pile in a fair bit, but have yet to taste more than the bread. You can stomach a lot more of this sort of thing at the beginning of the meal. I'm not taking stars off this novel for that because I can't prejudge this new POV character yet, but it needed to be said.

I chose to review this one rather than the ones before it because this is so far the apex and i'd like it on record that thus far the actual story is working for me. It will need work going forward. Sensible scaling (up) of conflict, a larger cast, and commitment to not just paying lip-service to the future references. A little less recycled from other works as we delve deeper into the metaphysics and theology would also really set the future novels apart, however obscure and blended the reference material.

Buit this has promise and that's rare. I'm hopeful because I think the components of the world can come together into something original....but then i've been Anthony Ryan'd before.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really? 3 ratings and I'm the first review? Wtf people, this is a good book! Look, it made it on my favorites, that's like a 6th star!

So, Mark Lawrence SPFBO winner yada yada tell me what you really thought about the first time Holgren really cut loose with his powers! It's referenced in this book, aka if you haven't read the rest of the series A) Fix That, and B) What kind of person reads the fourth in a series first? Anyhow, now you get most of a novel from his perspective, and. It. Rocks. McClung manages to write an installment in the Amra Thetys series, with the selfsame thief, protagonist of the novels...not included. Mostly. And the book isn't hurt by it in the slightest, Holgren and the rest of the cast are more than worthy of a story of their own.

As a bonus, bigger arcs are revealed, or I'm just catching on, either way it makes for a great escalation and really makes the wait for the next one that much longer. :)

[Thush · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book from Holgren's POV? Yes, please!.
I love Holgren and after reading and learning more about him, I love him more💚
It was a very different pace to Amra's POV but I liked it because Holgren is so focused, kinda crazy but at the same time such a cool cucumber. It made reading about his adventure all the more fun. He was also immensely relatable.
"I was tired of being around people, even the ones I liked."
"I've never been terribly good at running."
The team Holgren assembled was also really fun and interesting to read about. I hope we get to see more of Keel in the future.
As usualy the story took me through a whole lot of feels (especially when Holgren talked about Amra and in general just reading about what he would do to get her back) but it opened the door to a lot of questions about the the blades and the Eightfold Goddess that went unanswered.
So now I'm burning to read the next book...can't wait to read what crazy idea Amra and Holgren plan to pull off next!

[E.Y.E.-D · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I love the series and Amra, I didn't have high hopes going into this one. I have never really liked Holgren or gotten into his back story and this book did not change that.

The first three quarters of the book had an interesting enough plot, but once Holgren ventured into the Hells I lost interest. I can't put my finger on why exactly I didn't like the end. I am unsure if it was the plot itself or the way it was written.

I will definitely continue the series but this one was by far the least enjoyable one for me.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great continuation of the Amra saga. I delayed class work to finish this book.

[Caitlin G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amra Thetys is missing. After saving the city of Bellarius from total destruction, the thief turned (very) reluctant hero has disappeared. Holgren, Amra’s partner (business and romantic), has magically determined that Amra isn’t dead just…somewhere else. Which means she can be retrieved, if Holgren can just find out where she is. But doing so takes very complicated magic and plenty of concentration, something that is continuously interrupted as competing factions in Bellarius struggle for control of the ruined city. All the factions are convinced that Holgren is a dangerous competitor for power. But those who try to end Holgren quickly find he is something worse: a mage who only views the factions as obstacles to be removed by any means necessary.

THE THIEF WHO WASN’T THERE is a fantastic next installment in the grimdark world of AMRA THETYS that asks you to root for a character is very often on the dark side of the grey scale. Holgren has been trying to put magic behind him, both because of some wayward steps made as a young sorcerer, and after being magically compelled by an ancient being to use his powers against Amra. He didn’t like the person magic made him – and it turns out, Holgren might have been right to worry.

Holgren knows that magic is the only way to retrieve Amra from wherever she went, and he plunges back into the deep end of the pool without a moment’s hesitation. You know that trope of a detached wizard who can’t be bothered with the petty squabbles of the common man as they’re too wrapped up in their own projects? Now imagine that as a first-person POV character and you have the tone of THE THIEF WHO WASN’T THERE. McClung does an excellent job of shifting the voice of the story to Holgren’s, and manages to make both a thoroughly entertaining story that also makes you very concerned about the main character’s state of mind.

You see, Holgren is a man with one goal: Bring Amra back. And he really, REALLY doesn’t care about anyone or anything else. So when the civil war in the city of Bellarius spills into his life, Holgren just tries to remove that annoyance as efficiently as possible (with varying degres of success). And if that means casually killing people, so be it. Readers are put in the uncomfortable position of rooting for a character while at the same time going “Umm…maybe…maybe don’t do that?” Holgren’s actions are mitigated slightly by the fact that Bellarius is a very grimdark world, and pretty much no one in it is a saint, but it becomes fairly clear that without Amra to remind Holgren where the line is, Holgren doesn’t really see a line at all.

Returning to this story is Keel, Amra’s hired assistant from the last book who has now attached himself to Holgren. Keel is as close to a saint as you get in this book, a former gang member who now is the one stabilizing influence on Holgren, reminding him to do things like eat and sleep, and generally taking care of the mundane parts of life Holgren keeps forgetting about. Keel is the bright spot to remind you the world isn’t a TOTAL loss, and I hope he continues to return in the next book.

THE THIEF WHO WASN’T THERE is tailor-made for people who like to sink their teeth into a good character over all else. There’s plenty of conflict going on in the book, but all of that is extraneous to Holgren and his quest. The star of the book is Holgren, who at the end of the day really isn’t that good a person, but who you still find yourself utterly compelled to watch as he steamrolls his way through Bellarius and beyond. It’s definitely a darker installment in the AMRA THETYS series, but one that is absolutely worth the read.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took longer to read than I thought it would.

After Amra teleport herself and the Telemarch to a new dimension, Holgren sets out to rescue her from the void with a crazy plan that involves several new settings in this world.

I really liked the side characters in this book. Keel gets more spotlight and I liked Marle a lot, too. Holgren'a perspective helps to flesh out his character a bit more and I didn't expect the interludes with Amra to actually even be a part of this book, so it was nice to have her perspective back. Halfmoon was really altogether quite minor in the story but I hope he comes up in the next book.

Unfortunately I struggled a little to feel like Holgren and Amra were truly separate characters. Partly because of the length of time between the previous book and this one but also with how they speak and think. Holgren is an unforgiving, soulless mage bent on rescuing the love of his life. The brief flashbacks with Amra bring up how she does have morals and isn't so evil, but she did do some inadvertently horrible stuff just by chance. Holgren does it on purpose, like when he set off the telemarch's trap in Bellarius, and killed hundreds of people because he wanted to stay neutral and out of the political war - and focus on getting his GF back. Amra honestly I feel like just cares about living a peaceful life, drinking and being rich but not overt. I still don't ship them, sorry.

As always the settings were really strong and very interesting. My favourite parts were exploring the different realities and then heading to the hells to find out what's happening there. I also really love the expiration of gods, which is always one of my favourite things in fantasy. Additionally with this reminding me so much of Plandscape Torment...

I already have the other books so they'll be on my list to read this year. My copy on Kindle had some really awful typos as well. Hopefully they are fixed in the future.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the four books that have so far appeared in this series after it was recommended by Mark Lawrence. I will be reading book 5.

Readers have compared the books to Fritz Leiber's Grey Mouser series, and one can see the connection. However, while Leiber constructed a series of short stories held together mainly by the focus on the main characters, McClung has a story to tell; there is a progression from book to book. The heroine's character and her central dilemma - which centres on the extent to which she can exercise any degree of control over her own destiny - develop through the series, and her adversaries - or are they allies? - are bit by bit revealed.

Another difference with Leiber's approach is, I think, that Amra and her companion, Holgren, are much given to internal monologue and soul-searching in an endeavour to give them depth of character, while the Grey Mouser and Fafhrd just got on with things (it's decades since I read them, and I may be mistaken about this, but I think not). I prefer Leiber's way.

The adventures pace out nicely, and the players blunder about in the usual way (Holgren is particularly numb-skulled, getting himself mixed up in city politics for which he has not the slightest talent). The author makes much use of the deus ex machina, but it's that kind of world (if Homer could do it, why not McClung?).

The series may be a long one, as Amra seems to need to make a collection of the eight knives of the Goddess of Ultimate Destruction. By the end of the fourth volume, she's only found two of them, so this one could run and run. I'm certainly up for at least another two episodes. After that, we'll see.

[Kiro Selanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a departure from the previous entries in the series because its main character is the magician Holgren, and not Amra. When the previous book ended Amra was trapped in some sort of pocket dimension, her only companion the malevolent Knife That Parts the Night. "The Thief Who Wasn't There", nose to tail, is about Holgren's attempts to find Amra and bring her home.

And it's not going to be easy! Holgren has a plan, but it requires accomplishing tasks in Bellarius, Lucernis and even hell itself. (There are actually eleven hells, and we learn a lot more about them in this book.) There's a lot of action, magic, setbacks and twists.

I liked the change of pace of having a different main character. Holgren is somewhat like Amra in that he's resourceful and doesn't give up, but he's not as snarky as her. The book isn't quite as funny as the previous ones, but there are still plenty of good chuckles, often at Holgren's expense. But mostly, Holgren is driven. He loves Amra, and he's doing something very, very hard, but he refuses to give up and keeps pushing through in order to find her.

I got a Zelazny vibe from this book, which is great because I love Roger Zelazny. Holgren has to deal with a number of antagonistic non-human beings, and his thorny dialogues with them are reminiscent of similar encounters in the Amber books. The last part of the book, which takes place in the hells, feels like a lost Merlin adventure (Merlin the son of Corwin, not the Merlin of King Arthur).

[Leigh009 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a stand alone story. A very confused and disappointing ending to a story that underwhelmed you the more you read. The slow, lacklustre writing embodied nothing, no joy or passion, no depth or colour of emotion. Nothing like the previous books from this author.
Stale, I think is one word to describe it!! It could have been such an amazing jaunt through the land that he'd built in the previous 3 books, the characters mature and grow in the other books, it was really thorough, the world was full and fleshed out in detail. You, as a reader, felt that the forth and final book would be the crescendo!! But, NO!!, falling flat on its face after tripping over a banana skin. Its a tired story, bringing none of the passion of the previous 3 books!! She should have stayed lost, ending at book 3 as this story lacked it all, it is plain to see if you have read the previous 3.
Such a shame, as the others now suffer the worst injustice, being judged by this one!
Also, the writer must know when it is time to move on........even if it pains them.
Sadly, I hope it was contractual, with the writer now being able to stretch his wings & give us a new story!! I hope so and I'll return to see.....good luck!!

[Lianne Pheno · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
https://delivreenlivres.home.blog/202...

J’avance doucement mais de façon régulière dans cette série et j’apprécie toujours autant le voyage.

A la fin du tome précédent Amra « disparaît » dans un un piège magique qu’elle a elle même mis en place et déclenché. Nous lecteur savons ou elle est allée et dans quel but, mais les amis et surtout le compagnon d’Amra, le mage Holgren, lui ne le sait pas. Et il n’a pas l’intention de la laisser disparaître sans rien faire.

Le voici donc qui prend possession de la forteresse de Bellarius, ancienne place forte du mage contre lequel c’est battu Amra. En effet il a besoin de l’accès direct avec l’endroit d’ou est parti le piège au départ pour tenter de le ré-ouvrir.
Mais le problème c’est que non seulement toutes les essais que celui ci tente pour ré-ouvrir le piège ne fonctionnent pas, mais en plus sa position commence a faire des envieux.

Et par la je veux dire que les différentes forces en place dans le pays, plongé dans la guerre civile depuis la disparition du mage en question, voudraient bien pouvoir utiliser la forteresse car elle est signe de puissance et facilement défendable.

Et Holgren n’est pas un des mages les plus puissants qu’il soit, loin de la. Il a juste eu de la chance d’être le seul mage présent sur place au moment où les défenses sont tombées et a pu ainsi s’emparer facilement de l’endroit.

Les non-mages qui dirigent les différents partis vont essayer de prendre d’assaut la forteresse, d’une façon ou d’une autre. Certains vont essayer de le gagner à leur cause, d’autres de l’attirer dans des pièges …

Voici donc notre personnage qui ne sait plus ou donner de la tête car il doit tenir sa forteresse contre au moins 3 forces différentes si il veut avoir une chance de faire revenir sa compagne. Au bout d’un moment il se rend bien compte que tant que ces idiots le prennent à parti, il n’aura jamais le temps et l’attention nécessaire pour s’occuper du problème d’Amra …
Il est donc temps de se retrousser les manches et tenter de résoudre la situation extérieure en premier.

J’ai bien apprécié ce tome qui met en avant le compagnon de l’héroïne.
Ce tome ci est le premier qui est vraiment totalement centré sur l’intrigue principale de la série, celle qui concerne les dieux et leur disparition.
Pour Amra c’est un peu un tome entre parenthèses car elle n’est pas présente. Et pourtant il fait bien évoluer la situation général et la suite sera surement bien différente pour le couple vu ce qui s’y passe.
Fini l’anonymat tranquille, ils vont devoir faire face à leur notoriété croissante suite aux événements de ce tome qui les placent en premier ligne.

J’ai hâte de lire la suite !

[Kris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simple words cannot express how dissatisfying this book is.
I am going to read the next one in hopes that it is better but at this point, I recommend skipping this one and just reading an "excerpt" somewhere and going back to Amra's story
because this story is Holgren's and what a waste.

Everything that Amra built was destroyed by Holgren. I mean, seriously, what was the point of this book other than to ruin the first three?

It's like the author was going through a change of life or something and decided to obliterate all the good things that happened in prior stories.

As I stated, simple words cannot express the feelings I have towards the author and towards Holgren right now.

Amra was amazing and a strong female character in the first 3 stories but it unraveled when Holgren had to come to her rescue, and a poorly done rescue at that. It was not worth the 343 (according to Amazon) pages it was put upon.

Final words.
Don't Read!!!