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A Year and a Day in Old Theradane
Welcome to Theradane, a city of deep magic, ruled by a council of eternally feuding wizards!
A city of opportunity, where bold dreamers brave the fallout from the wizard wars to make their living.
A city of sanctuary, where wanted criminals from all over the world can pay a fortune to secure a safe place for their retirement.
Amarelle Parathis, the Duchess Unseen, one of the greatest thieves in history, was surviving such a retirement until she accidentally offended the powerful sorceress Ivovandas. Now Amarelle and her crew of brilliant misfits have a task: secretly steal an object of power from a rival wizard every bit as dangerous as Ivovandas. The object? A city street, hundreds of yards long, upon which thousands of people tread day and night. The stakes? Their freedom, very possibly their lives. The deadline? A year and a day.
Amarelle and her friends will need every minute of it...
Originally published in the 2013 anthology ROGUES, this acclaimed and darkly whimsical sword-and-sorcery novella from internationally best-selling fantasist Scott Lynch is now available as a digital single! As an added bonus, enjoy a lengthy preview of "The Cobbler's Boy," a short novel from Elizabeth Bear and Katherine Addison!
A city of opportunity, where bold dreamers brave the fallout from the wizard wars to make their living.
A city of sanctuary, where wanted criminals from all over the world can pay a fortune to secure a safe place for their retirement.
Amarelle Parathis, the Duchess Unseen, one of the greatest thieves in history, was surviving such a retirement until she accidentally offended the powerful sorceress Ivovandas. Now Amarelle and her crew of brilliant misfits have a task: secretly steal an object of power from a rival wizard every bit as dangerous as Ivovandas. The object? A city street, hundreds of yards long, upon which thousands of people tread day and night. The stakes? Their freedom, very possibly their lives. The deadline? A year and a day.
Amarelle and her friends will need every minute of it...
Originally published in the 2013 anthology ROGUES, this acclaimed and darkly whimsical sword-and-sorcery novella from internationally best-selling fantasist Scott Lynch is now available as a digital single! As an added bonus, enjoy a lengthy preview of "The Cobbler's Boy," a short novel from Elizabeth Bear and Katherine Addison!
105 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2019
230 people are currently reading
1386 people want to read
About the author
Scott Lynch
62 books26.9k followersI was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 2, 1978, the first of three brothers. I've lived in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area my entire life; currently, just across the border in Wisconsin, about half an hour east of the Twin Cities.
The Lies of Locke Lamora, my first novel, was bought by Simon Spanton at Orion Books in August, 2004. Prior to that I had just about every job you usually see in this sort of author bio-- dishwasher, busboy, waiter, web designer, office manager, prep cook, and freelance writer. I trained in basic firefighting at Anoka Technical College in 2005, and became a volunteer firefighter in June of that year.
In 2007 The Lies of Locke Lamora was a World Fantasy Award finalist.
In 2008 I received the Sydney J. Bounds Best Newcomer Award from the British Fantasy Society.
In 2010, I lost a marriage but gained a cat, a charming ball of ego and fuzz known as Muse (Musicus Maximus Butthead Rex I).
My partner, the lovely and critically acclaimed SF/F writer Elizabeth Bear, lives in Massachusetts.
The Lies of Locke Lamora, my first novel, was bought by Simon Spanton at Orion Books in August, 2004. Prior to that I had just about every job you usually see in this sort of author bio-- dishwasher, busboy, waiter, web designer, office manager, prep cook, and freelance writer. I trained in basic firefighting at Anoka Technical College in 2005, and became a volunteer firefighter in June of that year.
In 2007 The Lies of Locke Lamora was a World Fantasy Award finalist.
In 2008 I received the Sydney J. Bounds Best Newcomer Award from the British Fantasy Society.
In 2010, I lost a marriage but gained a cat, a charming ball of ego and fuzz known as Muse (Musicus Maximus Butthead Rex I).
My partner, the lovely and critically acclaimed SF/F writer Elizabeth Bear, lives in Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
March 23, 2020
The writing in this was delightful, full of whimsy, gorgeous description, interesting characters. I had to take a star off as it was a bit truncated however. But if Scott Lynch ever wrote a sequel to this I would definitely read it.
June 28, 2019
Scott Lynch is a master of fantastical crime. To this day it surprises me when people say they love fantasy but haven't read his works. This as all his other books is a must read.
A hilarious, and captivating magical heist short story. Plus, yet another short story from him that I'd love to experience the series of.
A hilarious, and captivating magical heist short story. Plus, yet another short story from him that I'd love to experience the series of.
November 26, 2020
I want you to steal Prosperity Street,” said Ivovandas. “The whole street. The entire length of it. Every last brick and stone. It must cease to exist. It must be removed from Theradane.”
Synopsis: Theradane is a city run by wizards that offers sanctuary to criminals, so long as they pay a large tithe to the Parliament of Strife. Amarelle was once an incredible thief with a gang of her friends, and she’s been retired until she’s asked by one of Theradane’s most powerful wizards to steal a street in just a year and a day.
Thoughts: This was a fun little read that got me quite excited to start Gentlemen Bastards at some point. Lynch managed to pack quite a lot into such a small story and I was impressed by the world-building and characters in particular. I would love to see these characters and this world revisited, I think this would work great as a series of shorts.
Synopsis: Theradane is a city run by wizards that offers sanctuary to criminals, so long as they pay a large tithe to the Parliament of Strife. Amarelle was once an incredible thief with a gang of her friends, and she’s been retired until she’s asked by one of Theradane’s most powerful wizards to steal a street in just a year and a day.
Thoughts: This was a fun little read that got me quite excited to start Gentlemen Bastards at some point. Lynch managed to pack quite a lot into such a small story and I was impressed by the world-building and characters in particular. I would love to see these characters and this world revisited, I think this would work great as a series of shorts.
August 16, 2022
Fun, quick book club read. Quirky cast of characters and a satisfying resolution.
September 24, 2019
It's very entertaining, but it's not really a whole story. I don't know when this was written, but it's not up to the standard of the Gentleman Bastards. However, I would read more of it, should more of it ever become available.
June 10, 2022
ლოკეს რომ შეეშვას და ეს განავრცოს რომანად ძალიან კარგი იქნება
August 23, 2024
4.5. I really liked the humor of this piece and this authors vocabulary. Interesting world building as well that I was craving more of. I wonder if there will ever be a sequel novella?!
Read
January 8, 2024Hello? I would read like five follow up novels im just saying 👀
December 15, 2024
Immediately hooked by Lynch’s phenomenal world building, excellent writing and descriptions. I’ve also discovered how much I enjoy reading fantasy novellas. Lynch really manages to do so much with so little. This was fun, quirky and would be an amazing set up for a series but was a very good standalone. The characters were great !
If you enjoy fantastical crime then you need to read some of Lynch’s work. He’s an absolute master of the genre.
EDIT: Laughing because it’s like two weeks later and I remember absolutely nothing from this book but apparently I had a good time so the positive is that I’ll get to read this again not knowing anything 🥲
If you enjoy fantastical crime then you need to read some of Lynch’s work. He’s an absolute master of the genre.
EDIT: Laughing because it’s like two weeks later and I remember absolutely nothing from this book but apparently I had a good time so the positive is that I’ll get to read this again not knowing anything 🥲
August 13, 2024
This was a novella in the Rogues anthology.
"I want you to steal Prosperity Street,” said Ivovandas. “The whole street. The entire length of it. Every last brick and stone. It must cease to exist. It must be removed from Theradane.”
Entertaining and I would absolutely read a full book or series about Amarelle and her crew. I hope one day we might get a sequel novella or full novel.
Definitely recommend!
"I want you to steal Prosperity Street,” said Ivovandas. “The whole street. The entire length of it. Every last brick and stone. It must cease to exist. It must be removed from Theradane.”
Entertaining and I would absolutely read a full book or series about Amarelle and her crew. I hope one day we might get a sequel novella or full novel.
Definitely recommend!
July 21, 2022
7/10 ! Fun read!
As with his Gentleman Bastard series, I was immediately hooked by Lynch's phenomenal descriptions and world-building. I mean, this is just the second sentence of the story: "[The rain] came down in pale lavenders and coppers and reds, soft lines like liquid dusk that turned to luminescent mist on the warm pavement." ??? Take me there now! And this illustration of what being drunk looks like "The world had a fragile liquid quality, running at the edges and spinning on previously unrevealed axes". I did end up having to reread several sentences, as Lynch is not afraid to use very specific words one after the other, or even make up his own fun words like "femto-scintilla".
However, like his other books, I think Lynch fails to create sympathetic characters. Despite their unique descriptions and skills, they all have the same glib tone, and really only serve as means to the end of the story. And the story itself is largely summary. Granted, it is well-told, entertaining summary, but I feel that just a few grounded scenes would have made for a more satisfying narrative. After a slow build-up in the beginning, the end just whizzes by, and you're left feeling like "Oh, that's it?"
Regardless, the stunning visuals, unique concepts, and amusing plot make for an enjoyable read.
As with his Gentleman Bastard series, I was immediately hooked by Lynch's phenomenal descriptions and world-building. I mean, this is just the second sentence of the story: "[The rain] came down in pale lavenders and coppers and reds, soft lines like liquid dusk that turned to luminescent mist on the warm pavement." ??? Take me there now! And this illustration of what being drunk looks like "The world had a fragile liquid quality, running at the edges and spinning on previously unrevealed axes". I did end up having to reread several sentences, as Lynch is not afraid to use very specific words one after the other, or even make up his own fun words like "femto-scintilla".
However, like his other books, I think Lynch fails to create sympathetic characters. Despite their unique descriptions and skills, they all have the same glib tone, and really only serve as means to the end of the story. And the story itself is largely summary. Granted, it is well-told, entertaining summary, but I feel that just a few grounded scenes would have made for a more satisfying narrative. After a slow build-up in the beginning, the end just whizzes by, and you're left feeling like "Oh, that's it?"
Regardless, the stunning visuals, unique concepts, and amusing plot make for an enjoyable read.
August 9, 2021
Very short, but very good.
September 4, 2021
This is still one of my favorite short stories to this day
September 29, 2024
The Gentleman Bastards is one of my all-time favourite series.
Me, like many other fans, are patiently waiting for part 4, which due to personal problems of Mr. Lynch, is postponed indefinitely.
So it is a nice time to look up some older short stories of the good man.
This feels a lot like his famous series. We follow a thief, on an impossible theft with some nice backstabbing twists thrown in there.
Overpowered and arrogant wizards also make an appearance here, a recurring element in Lynch' work.
Still patiently waiting for part 4, yearning to see my old friends Locke and Jean again.
If you are reading this, I hope you are well Mr. Lynch and I hope to hear from you again in the future.
Me, like many other fans, are patiently waiting for part 4, which due to personal problems of Mr. Lynch, is postponed indefinitely.
So it is a nice time to look up some older short stories of the good man.
This feels a lot like his famous series. We follow a thief, on an impossible theft with some nice backstabbing twists thrown in there.
Overpowered and arrogant wizards also make an appearance here, a recurring element in Lynch' work.
Still patiently waiting for part 4, yearning to see my old friends Locke and Jean again.
If you are reading this, I hope you are well Mr. Lynch and I hope to hear from you again in the future.
January 30, 2023
Entertaining and I would absolutely read a full book or series about Amarelle and her crew.
Makes me long for the next Locke Lamora book!
Makes me long for the next Locke Lamora book!
August 12, 2024
very quirky
November 7, 2024
Really fun short story, reminds me of just how much i love Lynch's writing
June 1, 2024
Felt inconclusive.
June 22, 2023
Hahahahahah heist stories are AWESOME
August 7, 2023
i love scott lynch. if i can‘t have gentlemen bastards #4, i‘ll take a short story about a rouge stealing a whole ass street. devoured this in an hour and enjoyed myself the whole way through.
June 5, 2023
Liked this novella well enough to wish it was actually a whole novel. Left wanting more.
April 18, 2024
2nd read: From the plot to characters to storytelling, this short story's really best in class from anything out there
November 22, 2019
short story that didn't even properly end.
January 26, 2022
Low 5 stars, because I just so thoroughly enjoyed this (relatively) short story, and it did quite a bit for its length.
Before reading this I was certain I'd already read this in the Rogues anthology and just forgotten about it, but apparently not: this story is pretty hard to forget.
The humour was just so on point throughout, and the sometimes ridiculous nature of everything that went down had me laughing and enjoying the characters so much. The character development was pretty great too, and I'm kind of reminded of what I can remember from The Lies of Locke Lamora; this too is a well integrated heist crew, just one that has had to come out of retirement.
Overall, thoroughly enjoyed this, and I should probably give a few other Lynch short stories that I can vaguely remember reading a quick reread too.
Also, I've been meaning to read The Cobbler's Boy for a while: that preview has cemented my decision to read it in the near future, so good marketing.
Before reading this I was certain I'd already read this in the Rogues anthology and just forgotten about it, but apparently not: this story is pretty hard to forget.
The humour was just so on point throughout, and the sometimes ridiculous nature of everything that went down had me laughing and enjoying the characters so much. The character development was pretty great too, and I'm kind of reminded of what I can remember from The Lies of Locke Lamora; this too is a well integrated heist crew, just one that has had to come out of retirement.
Overall, thoroughly enjoyed this, and I should probably give a few other Lynch short stories that I can vaguely remember reading a quick reread too.
Also, I've been meaning to read The Cobbler's Boy for a while: that preview has cemented my decision to read it in the near future, so good marketing.
April 21, 2021
Collected in Rogues. In Theradane, where Amarelle Parathis and her gang of ex criminals now gone straight have had their weekly gambling game ruined by the interminable war between 2 wizards of the Council of Strife. Drunker than she thinks she is, Amarelle does something stupid.
Okay, maybe not THAT stupid but pretty stupid. Amused by Amarelle's boasting, one of the 2 warring wizards has decided to black mail her to do a job - steal a STREET that is the locus of power for her rival. And in true Ocean's 11 style ...
This is a highly entertaining short story and the creative manner in which the group did an impossible heist was very entertaining. I might have to read more Scott Lynch now.
Okay, maybe not THAT stupid but pretty stupid. Amused by Amarelle's boasting, one of the 2 warring wizards has decided to black mail her to do a job - steal a STREET that is the locus of power for her rival. And in true Ocean's 11 style ...
This is a highly entertaining short story and the creative manner in which the group did an impossible heist was very entertaining. I might have to read more Scott Lynch now.
July 10, 2025
A Year and a Day in Old Theradane is a charming little romp that reads like a well-run Dungeons & Dragons one-shot. The world was vivid, the magical details were fun (colorful rain for starters), and the banter, while not on par with the Gentleman Bastards, was still solid and entertaining.
Amarelle is older—but not necessarily wiser—which is what made her so likable. Her mouth gets her into trouble, and her solutions feel less strategic and more "eh, let’s just see what happens." I liked that about her. The crew was fun, and their dynamic felt lived-in. The employer? Absolutely ridiculous in the best way. I couldn’t stop imagining them as a campaign NPC a DM clearly had way too much fun designing.
Was it as rich or emotionally gripping as The Lies of Locke Lamora? No. But it wasn’t meant to be. It was fun, clever, and over too soon—which is why I docked a bit. I wanted more. I would absolutely read another adventure with this cast if Lynch ever revisits them.
Overall, it’s a delightful little story and worth a read—especially if you enjoy clever chaos with magical flair.
Amarelle is older—but not necessarily wiser—which is what made her so likable. Her mouth gets her into trouble, and her solutions feel less strategic and more "eh, let’s just see what happens." I liked that about her. The crew was fun, and their dynamic felt lived-in. The employer? Absolutely ridiculous in the best way. I couldn’t stop imagining them as a campaign NPC a DM clearly had way too much fun designing.
Was it as rich or emotionally gripping as The Lies of Locke Lamora? No. But it wasn’t meant to be. It was fun, clever, and over too soon—which is why I docked a bit. I wanted more. I would absolutely read another adventure with this cast if Lynch ever revisits them.
Overall, it’s a delightful little story and worth a read—especially if you enjoy clever chaos with magical flair.
January 20, 2022
January 2022 | 4/5
A city dripping in magic, ruled by wizards and home to pardoned criminals looking for a fresh start is the setting for this Scott Lynch short story.
We have an expert thief who in a drunken stupor breaks the rules of her pardon with threats to the nobility.
To save herself, Amarelle is tasked with stealing a street.
Our story covers the many attempts with deep world building in this steam punk fantasy.
If you like short stories, heists, wizards, and strong female characters.
A city dripping in magic, ruled by wizards and home to pardoned criminals looking for a fresh start is the setting for this Scott Lynch short story.
We have an expert thief who in a drunken stupor breaks the rules of her pardon with threats to the nobility.
To save herself, Amarelle is tasked with stealing a street.
Our story covers the many attempts with deep world building in this steam punk fantasy.
If you like short stories, heists, wizards, and strong female characters.
May 4, 2020
I thought I was just over two thirds of the way through the story and then bam, it had finished. Scott Lynch has a great ability to craft worlds with a few deft sentences and this is a great example. It's not a long tale but it is enjoyable. I just wish it had gone on for longer and that the final third of the book on Kindle wasn't a preview of two or three chapters of some other book. C'est la vie.
September 3, 2024
3/10
(*3)
The premise is ungrabbing, the structure uncompelling, and the concepts uninspiring but nonetheless, the story works as a charming little parable. The only problem with this perspective is that the parable does not offer much for moral advice barring something amounting to people over politics thus failing entirely for anything it could have been worth, but withstanding some moments of wit gratefully against the torrents of nothing.
(*3)
The premise is ungrabbing, the structure uncompelling, and the concepts uninspiring but nonetheless, the story works as a charming little parable. The only problem with this perspective is that the parable does not offer much for moral advice barring something amounting to people over politics thus failing entirely for anything it could have been worth, but withstanding some moments of wit gratefully against the torrents of nothing.
November 3, 2024
Fairly clever and solidly written, as expected from Lynch, if a bit contrived plotwise. The setting is brilliantly described, making for many atmospheric passages, the idea of a city ruled by squabbling wizards is creative, and there are also plenty of touches of humor. I’ll round up your four stars, but honestly would have enjoyed it more if the story had been longer, and with a slightly more intricate plot. Seems the way is open for sequels, so I’ll keep an eye out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews