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The Thief's Relic
Eamonn never wanted to be a thief.
So when a risky mission goes awry and he receives the chance of a lifetime, he leaves behind everything, even his newfound family in the Thieves’ Guild, to pursue an apprenticeship as an honest merchant.
Traveling the country means he sees and hears everything. Civil unrest, rebellions against the monarchies, and rumors of a usurper bent on uniting the provinces under himself with a mythical form of magic. Few suspect he’s not chasing a dead end, including village girl Leyna, a believer in the magic of ancient histories. Eamonn’s skeptical heart is also swayed once he finds himself the tyrant’s target, unknowingly possessing the key to harness the dangerous power.
To protect it, Eamonn’s only choice is to flee. But now that it’s the mission of his former brothers in the Guild to hunt him down, keeping magic out of their hands might be harder than either Leyna or Eamonn thought possible. If they fall, though, their world does too.
So when a risky mission goes awry and he receives the chance of a lifetime, he leaves behind everything, even his newfound family in the Thieves’ Guild, to pursue an apprenticeship as an honest merchant.
Traveling the country means he sees and hears everything. Civil unrest, rebellions against the monarchies, and rumors of a usurper bent on uniting the provinces under himself with a mythical form of magic. Few suspect he’s not chasing a dead end, including village girl Leyna, a believer in the magic of ancient histories. Eamonn’s skeptical heart is also swayed once he finds himself the tyrant’s target, unknowingly possessing the key to harness the dangerous power.
To protect it, Eamonn’s only choice is to flee. But now that it’s the mission of his former brothers in the Guild to hunt him down, keeping magic out of their hands might be harder than either Leyna or Eamonn thought possible. If they fall, though, their world does too.
- GenresFantasyYoung AdultEbooks
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2021
23 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
Angela Knotts Morse
5 books57 followersAngela Knotts Morse is the author of The Thief’s Relic and The Bloodstone’s Curse, the first two books in the Son of Avaria trilogy. Her love of fantasy began with The Lord of the Rings, and fantasy continues to be her favorite genre to both read and write.
When not writing, you can find Angela reading, snacking, binge watching a TV show, or (most likely) wrangling her three small children. She has a special place in her heart for musical theatre, performing in and attending shows when she can. The Phantom of the Opera is her favorite.
When not writing, you can find Angela reading, snacking, binge watching a TV show, or (most likely) wrangling her three small children. She has a special place in her heart for musical theatre, performing in and attending shows when she can. The Phantom of the Opera is her favorite.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 21, 2023
I am so thrilled to share this story that has been in my head for six years! As a self-published author, I sincerely appreciate reviews from readers and those readers sharing my book with others. You can check out my website to learn more about me, or follow my social media accounts to keep up with all the latest news, inside scoops, art, giveaways, and exclusive info. I love to connect with my readers!
January 24, 2022
It’s been a while since I’ve read a fantasy book but I was quickly drawn into the world of kingdoms where Eamonn has grown up- neglected by his father, stealing necessities, and eventually leaving home to join a guild of teenage thieves. Eamonn values higher learning, and always has his goal of attending the university before him. He longs for the sense of family, belonging, and acceptance, but the guilt from stealing leads him to take the opportunity for an honest life when it is offered by merchant Dorlyss. I loved how Dorlyss and Eamonn’s relationship develops from mentorship to father and son. The world building was interesting as they travel the kingdoms with the caravan, discovering the political unrest and chaotic revolution. The story is told from Eamonn’s point of view initially, but as more characters enter, the author takes advantage of their perspectives as their influence in the plot necessitates. Although the story kept my interest, I didn’t connect with Eamonn’s emotions, being kept somewhat aloof. As Eamonn and his friends are drawn into the sphere of the evil usurper, the torture scenes turned my stomach and I found myself too sensitive for the descriptions. I was invested in how they would overcome and finished the book, glad that it did not end on a cliffhanger, but had an epilogue indicating the continuation of the story in the rest of the trilogy.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
August 28, 2025
I thought this was a fun easy fantasy book to immerse yourself in. If you aren't a typical fantasy reader or are wanting to dip your toes in, this book is for you. A perfect cozy fantasy vibe that is easy to lose yourself in. I will add that if you aren't a fan of reading a series, I feel like you could read this book and be happy with where it ends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨️Found Family
✨️Thief MMC
✨️Lost Magic Storyline
✨️Magical Necklace
Eamonn has had to turn to a life of a thief to get by in life, because of an unfortunate family upbringing. He is very good at what he does and has never been caught, that is until he agreed to go a job he didn't even want to do. Luckily for Eamonn, the man who caught him saw himself in the boy and chose to give him a second chance in life. Things had been going extremely well, and Eamonn was almost ready to attend college. Until new and past enemies started to show up in his town. When backed into a corner of danger one night, Eamonn was able to take out his attackers by chance, in which he later realized his necklace gave him a magical gift. And the necklace is what the enemy was after. But when he gets caught, his friends will do anything to free him and save the nation from the magic getting into the enemy's hands.
Thank you so much Angela for gifting me a reading copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨️Found Family
✨️Thief MMC
✨️Lost Magic Storyline
✨️Magical Necklace
Eamonn has had to turn to a life of a thief to get by in life, because of an unfortunate family upbringing. He is very good at what he does and has never been caught, that is until he agreed to go a job he didn't even want to do. Luckily for Eamonn, the man who caught him saw himself in the boy and chose to give him a second chance in life. Things had been going extremely well, and Eamonn was almost ready to attend college. Until new and past enemies started to show up in his town. When backed into a corner of danger one night, Eamonn was able to take out his attackers by chance, in which he later realized his necklace gave him a magical gift. And the necklace is what the enemy was after. But when he gets caught, his friends will do anything to free him and save the nation from the magic getting into the enemy's hands.
Thank you so much Angela for gifting me a reading copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 14, 2023
Wow, The Thief's Relic by @angelakmorseauthor really blew me away. I had goosebumps at the end!
SUMMARY: While Eamonn didn't want to be a thief, it's all he can do to get by. When he finally finds a way out as a merchant's apprentice, he is ready to live a simple and humble life traveling through Sarieth. But Eamonn doesn't know that he holds a relic, something that can unleash a hidden magic. And if it falls into the wrong hands, all of Sarieth will be at risk.
Eamonn was such a sweet character who desperately wanted to go to school and do good. I was rooting for his goals at every turn, and I felt deeply for him when he had to go against his values to survive.
His story of found family throughout his journey warmed my heart the most. I was so happy to see his mentorship with Dorlyss evolve into a father-son relationship, something Eamonn was always longing for. 🧡
I loved the growing relationship between Eamonn and Leyna - it was perfectly paced for YA, and also left me hoping for more in the next book. I appreciated that Leyna had her own autonomy and strength in her own adventure.
The writing was so easy to read! It was immersive and had excellent flow.
The Thief's Relic was packed with action, mystery, and magic. While the magic was just starting to develop in this book, I am SO excited to see more powers and more of Avaria in the next book...... I cannot wait for the sequel!!
SUMMARY: While Eamonn didn't want to be a thief, it's all he can do to get by. When he finally finds a way out as a merchant's apprentice, he is ready to live a simple and humble life traveling through Sarieth. But Eamonn doesn't know that he holds a relic, something that can unleash a hidden magic. And if it falls into the wrong hands, all of Sarieth will be at risk.
Eamonn was such a sweet character who desperately wanted to go to school and do good. I was rooting for his goals at every turn, and I felt deeply for him when he had to go against his values to survive.
His story of found family throughout his journey warmed my heart the most. I was so happy to see his mentorship with Dorlyss evolve into a father-son relationship, something Eamonn was always longing for. 🧡
I loved the growing relationship between Eamonn and Leyna - it was perfectly paced for YA, and also left me hoping for more in the next book. I appreciated that Leyna had her own autonomy and strength in her own adventure.
The writing was so easy to read! It was immersive and had excellent flow.
The Thief's Relic was packed with action, mystery, and magic. While the magic was just starting to develop in this book, I am SO excited to see more powers and more of Avaria in the next book...... I cannot wait for the sequel!!
February 5, 2022
THE THIEF'S RELIC is a story about a boy who feels less than ordinary and ends up falling in with a group of boys who steal to survive. It's set in a fantasy land where magic was lost long ago, but where an insurgent is trying to learn again in order to rule. There are two different motley crews during the story with some adventure as the story progresses. A story about coming into ones own and found family.
I didn't know what to expect from this story. I loved the cover. I also liked getting to know Eamonn. He was mostly ignored most of his life and so he finds family in the group of thieves he joins and then later a father figure. The story felt more like reading middle grade than young adult as the characters are young, but with a mix of some grittier parts such as when a character was tortured. Eamonn himself was fairly well drawn, but most of the other characters felt one dimensional. The story is steady if a bit unexciting. I think it just needed a lot more development and to feel more realistic.
In the end, was it what I wished for? Overall this was an enjoyable story for middle grade or young YA readers.
Content: Some torture but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Prism Book Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I didn't know what to expect from this story. I loved the cover. I also liked getting to know Eamonn. He was mostly ignored most of his life and so he finds family in the group of thieves he joins and then later a father figure. The story felt more like reading middle grade than young adult as the characters are young, but with a mix of some grittier parts such as when a character was tortured. Eamonn himself was fairly well drawn, but most of the other characters felt one dimensional. The story is steady if a bit unexciting. I think it just needed a lot more development and to feel more realistic.
In the end, was it what I wished for? Overall this was an enjoyable story for middle grade or young YA readers.
Content: Some torture but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Prism Book Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
June 4, 2023
The adventure of Lies of Locklamorra meets the atmosphere of Eragon, this high fantasy tale follows two young people who must overcome trials to save their land.
This book does what I feel a lot of modern fantasy fails to do. It captures the spirit of adventure. Old tales like Lord of the Rings, or the Wizard of Earthsea are a great comparison of this book’s heart. And with a magical piece of jewelry at the center of it all—it truly pulls one back into a time where fantasy was more than just badassery and sass.
This book is for readers who enjoy a quick read with easy storytelling. We’re not delving into Sanderson-type magic systems here, we’re not reinventing the fantasy system. And that’s what I loved best about it, I could focus on the adventure itself.
The author’s style is fitting for lower YA in my opinion. In fact, I began reading it to my six year old and he loved it!
So, snuggle up at the fire with a cup of tea and do a read aloud! I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys any of the books I listed above.
This book does what I feel a lot of modern fantasy fails to do. It captures the spirit of adventure. Old tales like Lord of the Rings, or the Wizard of Earthsea are a great comparison of this book’s heart. And with a magical piece of jewelry at the center of it all—it truly pulls one back into a time where fantasy was more than just badassery and sass.
This book is for readers who enjoy a quick read with easy storytelling. We’re not delving into Sanderson-type magic systems here, we’re not reinventing the fantasy system. And that’s what I loved best about it, I could focus on the adventure itself.
The author’s style is fitting for lower YA in my opinion. In fact, I began reading it to my six year old and he loved it!
So, snuggle up at the fire with a cup of tea and do a read aloud! I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys any of the books I listed above.
September 14, 2022
When I first picked up this book I wasn't sure how I would like it as its not my usual preference. But I was beyond pleasantly surprised when this book passed all my expectations. Angela has created a beautiful rich world, with a well fleshed out history and backstory. I really felt like I could envision myself in many of the places described in the book. The characters are a breath of fresh air. They aren't perfect, they have their flaws, but you can see them actively trying to overcome said flaws. I have not read many books from the MMC point of view and I loved it. I now want to read more books in the MMC pov. The story had me hooked and kept me reading which is a feat for me nowadays as I've been in a reading slump for awhile. I got slight LotR vibes from the story and I loved that. I don't want to put spoilers here so all I will say is that ending had me wishing the next book was already published! Whenever the next book is released it is an automatic buy from me!
January 13, 2022
When I came to read this book it had very few reviews. Of those some were not complimentary.
I realise everyone has a different viewpoint but I can put my hand on my heart and say that this was one of the BEST fantasy books I have read.
I just love reading about any form of magic.
Last year I read 120 books and reviewed them all. I would put this in the top ten of those.
The story kept my interest from the outset and , for me personally, the pace was perfect throughout.
There were certainly enough twists and turns even right up to the epilogue to keep me glued to it.
I always give an honest review and I reiterate that it is my own humble opinion, no one else’s .
I wholeheartedly RECOMMEND this book. It’s the first one by this author and I would say it was definitely worth MY time.
I will be waiting with anticipation for the next in the series. I’m looking forward to it already.
I realise everyone has a different viewpoint but I can put my hand on my heart and say that this was one of the BEST fantasy books I have read.
I just love reading about any form of magic.
Last year I read 120 books and reviewed them all. I would put this in the top ten of those.
The story kept my interest from the outset and , for me personally, the pace was perfect throughout.
There were certainly enough twists and turns even right up to the epilogue to keep me glued to it.
I always give an honest review and I reiterate that it is my own humble opinion, no one else’s .
I wholeheartedly RECOMMEND this book. It’s the first one by this author and I would say it was definitely worth MY time.
I will be waiting with anticipation for the next in the series. I’m looking forward to it already.
January 12, 2022
My favorite thing about this book was the prose! I liked the characters and the fairly classic coming-of-age, discovering-magic-powers storyline, but for me by far the most appealing aspect of this debut novel was Morse's writing style. Her words are clear and concise, while still being descriptive. She's great at balancing the need for action and clarity (important in this style of fantasy!) while also giving us insight into how characters are thinking and feeling. For me, her style would make pretty much anything an enjoyable read, and I look forward to seeing what else she comes up with in the future!
February 2, 2022
I really enjoyed the creative storyline as well as the writing style of this book. This was a fun read to start the year off!
December 29, 2022
A fun read. Interesting characters and world. The plot flowed well. I am quite excited for the next installment, to be sure!
September 14, 2022
*Spoiler-Free Review*
It took me several chapters to feel integrated with the story. I struggled to connect and I think it was just all the jumping around in time, because the character development, dialogue, and world-building were all very solid once I got into it!
I can tell that Morse knows her world and her characters like the back of her hand, and she knows where they're headed. It's so important that an author has that much of a grasp on her characters and Morse did well!
She also has a subtle humor that I appreciated. Read this quote:
"He barely felt his limbs - whether they were too weak or numb from the cold or no longer attached to his body, he couldn't tell."
There are little moments like this all through the book that just kept me giggling at the author's humor, which was fun and a nice change of pace.
A couple of nit-picky things that I couldn't ignore... Morse uses the word "though," too much. Example: "He didn't have time to sit down and ponder the differences, though." These sentences happen all the time. While I'm okay with it in dialogue, it's not fantastic in the context of the story.
The other thing was, people barely ever smiled. Their "cheeks lifted." I understand the desire to be unique, but sometimes a smile is just a smile. Lol!
That last point made me laugh more than anything, and neither point is anything to make me not recommend this book! The story was gripping and I have the feeling that book two will be even better than the first!
It took me several chapters to feel integrated with the story. I struggled to connect and I think it was just all the jumping around in time, because the character development, dialogue, and world-building were all very solid once I got into it!
I can tell that Morse knows her world and her characters like the back of her hand, and she knows where they're headed. It's so important that an author has that much of a grasp on her characters and Morse did well!
She also has a subtle humor that I appreciated. Read this quote:
"He barely felt his limbs - whether they were too weak or numb from the cold or no longer attached to his body, he couldn't tell."
There are little moments like this all through the book that just kept me giggling at the author's humor, which was fun and a nice change of pace.
A couple of nit-picky things that I couldn't ignore... Morse uses the word "though," too much. Example: "He didn't have time to sit down and ponder the differences, though." These sentences happen all the time. While I'm okay with it in dialogue, it's not fantastic in the context of the story.
The other thing was, people barely ever smiled. Their "cheeks lifted." I understand the desire to be unique, but sometimes a smile is just a smile. Lol!
That last point made me laugh more than anything, and neither point is anything to make me not recommend this book! The story was gripping and I have the feeling that book two will be even better than the first!
January 8, 2022
I love the base idea of this book. However, I found it really hard to get into the book. The storyline is flat, the characters could be more dynamic and the pace is so slow. Once the action started to pick up, finally, there were a few times where the plot was less flat, but then it soon turned flat once more.
I did like that we're taken through the main character's stages of life. Many parts of this were interesting. Like I said, the main idea is great, the story just needs better execution.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book.
I did like that we're taken through the main character's stages of life. Many parts of this were interesting. Like I said, the main idea is great, the story just needs better execution.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book.
October 6, 2024
#BookLoungeReviewTeam
Book: The Thief's Relic
Author: Angela Knotts Morse
Rating: 3.5⭐️
Genre: Fantasy
✨️✨️✨️ BLURB: ✨️✨️✨️
Eamonn never wanted to be a thief.
So when a risky mission goes awry and he receives the chance of a lifetime, he leaves behind everything, even his newfound family in the Thieves’ Guild, to pursue an apprenticeship as an honest merchant.
Traveling the country means he sees and hears everything: civil unrest, rebellions against the monarchies, and rumors of a usurper bent on uniting the provinces under himself with a mythical form of magic. Few suspect the usurper is not chasing a dead end, including village girl Leyna, a believer in the magic of ancient histories. Eamonn’s skeptical heart is swayed once he finds himself the tyrant’s target, unknowingly possessing the key to harnessing the dangerous power.
To protect it, Eamonn’s only choice is to flee. But now that it’s the mission of his former brothers in the Guild to hunt him down, keeping magic out of their hands might be harder than either Leyna or Eamonn thought possible. If they fall, though, their world does too.
✨️✨️✨️ REVIEW: ✨️✨️✨️
This one is harder for me to rate. I'm used to more fast paced fantasy stories and this one was a more slow-medium pace, so it took a while to pull me in. The first 200 pages were a lot of background story, world building, and character development/introduction and just when I'd start getting into what Eamonn was doing now, it would change. Lol. Which wasn't BAD, it was probably the faster way to get to the main plot and still fill you in on who everyone was, without turning each timeframe of his young life in to it's own book or novella.
That being said, around the 200 page mark is where it all starts to solidify and the final story begins. Magic makes an appearance along with the antagonist, relationships are tested, friendships/alliances are formed... basically it got a lot harder to put down. The dual pov was nice too. At first I preferred Eamonn's, but Leyna quickly grew on me. She's got a pretty solid backbone. 🖤
The author created a pretty loathsome antagonist in this story, as well, and I'm eager to see what's to come in the future books based on how this ended. I was worried it was going to be a mid-story-cliffhanger as it was drawing closer to the end, and I've had enough of those recently... so thank GOODNESS she wrapped it up pretty neatly while still leaving it open and ready to continue the trilogy.
This was alllllllllso the author's first book! I'm very excited to see how her writing skills grow as the series continues. This was definitely a good story and worth checking out. I can't wait for more Eamonn, Leyna, and Dorylss... plus, I'm curious how pissed Leyna's mum is going to be when she gets home. 💀
(Oh, and I'm all for a well-loved book, but I didn't meeeeean to crack the spine on this one. 😅 There were a few points that had me gripping the book so hard, poor Eamonn. 😬🫣)
✨️✨️✨️ RATING SYSTEM ✨️✨️✨️
5⭐️ Could not put down and will think about for days or weeks to come. Will definitely reread.
4⭐️ Could not put down, would probably reread
3⭐️ Great story, but could set it aside and take my time with it
2⭐️ Good story, feel the need to finish and know what happens, but not the best
1⭐️ Probably should have stopped reading, but didn't for some reason and here we are. Very rarely used.
Book: The Thief's Relic
Author: Angela Knotts Morse
Rating: 3.5⭐️
Genre: Fantasy
✨️✨️✨️ BLURB: ✨️✨️✨️
Eamonn never wanted to be a thief.
So when a risky mission goes awry and he receives the chance of a lifetime, he leaves behind everything, even his newfound family in the Thieves’ Guild, to pursue an apprenticeship as an honest merchant.
Traveling the country means he sees and hears everything: civil unrest, rebellions against the monarchies, and rumors of a usurper bent on uniting the provinces under himself with a mythical form of magic. Few suspect the usurper is not chasing a dead end, including village girl Leyna, a believer in the magic of ancient histories. Eamonn’s skeptical heart is swayed once he finds himself the tyrant’s target, unknowingly possessing the key to harnessing the dangerous power.
To protect it, Eamonn’s only choice is to flee. But now that it’s the mission of his former brothers in the Guild to hunt him down, keeping magic out of their hands might be harder than either Leyna or Eamonn thought possible. If they fall, though, their world does too.
✨️✨️✨️ REVIEW: ✨️✨️✨️
This one is harder for me to rate. I'm used to more fast paced fantasy stories and this one was a more slow-medium pace, so it took a while to pull me in. The first 200 pages were a lot of background story, world building, and character development/introduction and just when I'd start getting into what Eamonn was doing now, it would change. Lol. Which wasn't BAD, it was probably the faster way to get to the main plot and still fill you in on who everyone was, without turning each timeframe of his young life in to it's own book or novella.
That being said, around the 200 page mark is where it all starts to solidify and the final story begins. Magic makes an appearance along with the antagonist, relationships are tested, friendships/alliances are formed... basically it got a lot harder to put down. The dual pov was nice too. At first I preferred Eamonn's, but Leyna quickly grew on me. She's got a pretty solid backbone. 🖤
The author created a pretty loathsome antagonist in this story, as well, and I'm eager to see what's to come in the future books based on how this ended. I was worried it was going to be a mid-story-cliffhanger as it was drawing closer to the end, and I've had enough of those recently... so thank GOODNESS she wrapped it up pretty neatly while still leaving it open and ready to continue the trilogy.
This was alllllllllso the author's first book! I'm very excited to see how her writing skills grow as the series continues. This was definitely a good story and worth checking out. I can't wait for more Eamonn, Leyna, and Dorylss... plus, I'm curious how pissed Leyna's mum is going to be when she gets home. 💀
(Oh, and I'm all for a well-loved book, but I didn't meeeeean to crack the spine on this one. 😅 There were a few points that had me gripping the book so hard, poor Eamonn. 😬🫣)
✨️✨️✨️ RATING SYSTEM ✨️✨️✨️
5⭐️ Could not put down and will think about for days or weeks to come. Will definitely reread.
4⭐️ Could not put down, would probably reread
3⭐️ Great story, but could set it aside and take my time with it
2⭐️ Good story, feel the need to finish and know what happens, but not the best
1⭐️ Probably should have stopped reading, but didn't for some reason and here we are. Very rarely used.
February 4, 2024
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Overall Thoughts: Overall this was a fun read. Pacing was decent, though could feel slow at times. The story was interesting, and it was a change of pace to have a protagonist who is involved in not so honorable activities actually strive to get themselves out of that place. The world itself has a lot of potential, especially with the Kaethiri and their history with humanity and magic-- I was left intrigued on where this story was going to go, although I fear it might lean towards being a predictable route.
Character(s): I started off enjoying the main character Eamonn, but found myself struggling to an extent with the constant reminders of his guilt in regards to his life of thievery. I understand it's an important element to his character, but saying/showing this once was enough to ingrain it. I also ran into some frustrating moments when Eamonn or particularly, Leyna, would see or feel something that was bad/off and hesitate for a while on whether they should tell their companion and then ultimately doing it anyway. These moments felt like it was trying to fill pages to meet a quota, and honestly made the characters unlikeable for brief moments. Some of the side characters I found myself liking a lot more-- like Dorylss, the twins, and even Hadli (who I am very interested to see more of, and see what their development is like!).
World Building: World building was decent, though at times it just mostly felt like the names of places were being brought up versus experiencing them. The complexity of their names too could prove difficult to read smoothly, which can be an issue within Fantasy in general but is something to keep in mind. I personally don't enjoy having to go back and recheck pronunciations to make sure I'm getting things right-- but I do at the same time appreciate having said guide. It just slows things down a bit.
Voice: The voice in this story was okay, though it read more like a middle grade novel versus a young adult. It was simple to read; not overly complex in its prose.
Pacing: Pacing at time can be very slow, however in general in certain parts of the book the pacing was pretty fluid and especially near the end I found it easier to read and speed through things as the action started to really pick up.
Story: The story overall is good, albeit a bit predictable at times (the fate of the villain was not unexpected). My favorite moments overall were probably when Dorylss caught Eamonn-- this was absolutely perfect. There were no real shocking twists (in my opinion), though it was nice to see tiny redemption moments and set ups for potential future character growth/development later on in the series.
TLDR:
Pros:
- Dorylss = THE BEST. LOVE HIM.
- Overall fun story. Eamonns' thieving times were very interesting.
- Decent pacing, could feel slow at times.
Cons:
- Reads more like Middle Grade versus Young Adult at times.
- Still some minor errors here and there.
- Main protagonist(s) can be a bit frustrating at times.
- The character names are original, but that can be a bit frustrating at times while reading with trying to remember their pronunciations.
Overall Thoughts: Overall this was a fun read. Pacing was decent, though could feel slow at times. The story was interesting, and it was a change of pace to have a protagonist who is involved in not so honorable activities actually strive to get themselves out of that place. The world itself has a lot of potential, especially with the Kaethiri and their history with humanity and magic-- I was left intrigued on where this story was going to go, although I fear it might lean towards being a predictable route.
Character(s): I started off enjoying the main character Eamonn, but found myself struggling to an extent with the constant reminders of his guilt in regards to his life of thievery. I understand it's an important element to his character, but saying/showing this once was enough to ingrain it. I also ran into some frustrating moments when Eamonn or particularly, Leyna, would see or feel something that was bad/off and hesitate for a while on whether they should tell their companion and then ultimately doing it anyway. These moments felt like it was trying to fill pages to meet a quota, and honestly made the characters unlikeable for brief moments. Some of the side characters I found myself liking a lot more-- like Dorylss, the twins, and even Hadli (who I am very interested to see more of, and see what their development is like!).
World Building: World building was decent, though at times it just mostly felt like the names of places were being brought up versus experiencing them. The complexity of their names too could prove difficult to read smoothly, which can be an issue within Fantasy in general but is something to keep in mind. I personally don't enjoy having to go back and recheck pronunciations to make sure I'm getting things right-- but I do at the same time appreciate having said guide. It just slows things down a bit.
Voice: The voice in this story was okay, though it read more like a middle grade novel versus a young adult. It was simple to read; not overly complex in its prose.
Pacing: Pacing at time can be very slow, however in general in certain parts of the book the pacing was pretty fluid and especially near the end I found it easier to read and speed through things as the action started to really pick up.
Story: The story overall is good, albeit a bit predictable at times (the fate of the villain was not unexpected). My favorite moments overall were probably when Dorylss caught Eamonn-- this was absolutely perfect. There were no real shocking twists (in my opinion), though it was nice to see tiny redemption moments and set ups for potential future character growth/development later on in the series.
TLDR:
Pros:
- Dorylss = THE BEST. LOVE HIM.
- Overall fun story. Eamonns' thieving times were very interesting.
- Decent pacing, could feel slow at times.
Cons:
- Reads more like Middle Grade versus Young Adult at times.
- Still some minor errors here and there.
- Main protagonist(s) can be a bit frustrating at times.
- The character names are original, but that can be a bit frustrating at times while reading with trying to remember their pronunciations.
February 25, 2024
This is a fantasy novel about a boy named Eamonn, who is neglected by his father and so he turns to a life of crime in order to get the things he needs in life. Luckily for him he is good at this skill and never gets caught by the guards of the town. That is not to say that he does get caught. This town has a thief's gild or clan and they recruit him. It is here that he builds a life and a family. However the gilds leader, Hadli, has big plans for the gild and Eamon gets caught by a merchant who gives him a second chance and our protagonist can finally leave the life a crime. This is also where we find out little of the history of a world and Eamonn. He is not as he seems and this world is full of magic. Unfortunately for him, the thief's gild leader has teamed up with the villain and Eamonn is trouble. The good news is that Eamonn is a good guy and has found a family and father in the merchant. The merchant and a girl in town come to help him out.
I wanted to love this story because it has such a good plot and theme. However, I found it lacking when it came to the development of the relationships. We as readers are kind of just told that these strong feeling exist with out seeing how they come to be. I was also surprised at how villainous Hadli becomes. In fact some of the scenes were a little much for my children. The relationship between the girl in town is pretty well developed and moves at the perfect pace for middle grade readers. I also asked my two older children to read this book and they loved the parts with the thief's guild but when Hadli become a villain and he catches Eamonn they began to become disinterested in the story. I also love how the author begins to use other points a view as we get to know some the other characters. This really helps bring the story along, and helps us understand a little more about the characters. Sadly I could not relate to these characters, and either could one of my children.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from the author. A review was required and all views and opinions expressed in this review are unbiased and my own.
I wanted to love this story because it has such a good plot and theme. However, I found it lacking when it came to the development of the relationships. We as readers are kind of just told that these strong feeling exist with out seeing how they come to be. I was also surprised at how villainous Hadli becomes. In fact some of the scenes were a little much for my children. The relationship between the girl in town is pretty well developed and moves at the perfect pace for middle grade readers. I also asked my two older children to read this book and they loved the parts with the thief's guild but when Hadli become a villain and he catches Eamonn they began to become disinterested in the story. I also love how the author begins to use other points a view as we get to know some the other characters. This really helps bring the story along, and helps us understand a little more about the characters. Sadly I could not relate to these characters, and either could one of my children.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from the author. A review was required and all views and opinions expressed in this review are unbiased and my own.
February 5, 2025
The Thief’s Relic by Angela Knotts Morse was one of the most charming, captivating books I’ve read in a while. It has it all: drama, intrigue, magic, love, adventure. This spice-free story is friendly for all readers looking to escape into a well-written fantasy world for a little while. The main character is such a good human being that he worms his way into your heart from page one and you want to hold onto him forever and never let anyone hurt him. And it’s clear the characters he meets along the way that become his found family feel the same. The heroes of the story are well written with good attributes, but also minor flaws that make them feel real. I found myself rooting for them the whole way. On the other side, the villains are complex, intriguing characters that are so good at making you hate them.
This author also builds a fantasy world that feels very real. The description of each place creates a clear picture in your head and helps keep each area on the map separate. Every country in the story has its unique attributes that help differentiate them from the others around them and each city you encounter has its own personality on top of that.
While the story takes quite a turn after the beginning, the author does a great job of making sure that everything in the early part of the book happens for a reason – even if you aren’t quite sure of that reason until the end. The deeper I got into the story, the faster I wanted to read because I simply had to know what happened next. I had to know what happened to Eamonn and his found family as they try to save him. I had to know what the villain was going to do next.
There are several twists and turns at the end of the story that are done so well. Just when you think you know what’s happening or what’s going to happen, the author catches you off guard. As a reader who usually sees the end coming, there were several moments in this story that took me by surprise. I can’t wait to start book two to see what happens next.
If you enjoy charismatic writing and an engaging story, you should definitely check out The Thief’s Relic.
This author also builds a fantasy world that feels very real. The description of each place creates a clear picture in your head and helps keep each area on the map separate. Every country in the story has its unique attributes that help differentiate them from the others around them and each city you encounter has its own personality on top of that.
While the story takes quite a turn after the beginning, the author does a great job of making sure that everything in the early part of the book happens for a reason – even if you aren’t quite sure of that reason until the end. The deeper I got into the story, the faster I wanted to read because I simply had to know what happened next. I had to know what happened to Eamonn and his found family as they try to save him. I had to know what the villain was going to do next.
There are several twists and turns at the end of the story that are done so well. Just when you think you know what’s happening or what’s going to happen, the author catches you off guard. As a reader who usually sees the end coming, there were several moments in this story that took me by surprise. I can’t wait to start book two to see what happens next.
If you enjoy charismatic writing and an engaging story, you should definitely check out The Thief’s Relic.
September 20, 2023
(Spoilers) (I received an ARC of this book and will give an honest review)
The Thief's Relic is a beautifully written fantasy with amazingly detailed world-building. Something about the different countries and their journey reminded me of reading Eragon as a pre-teen in the best way possible. Eamonn drew me in right away with his dilemmas and desires and I found myself cheering for him pretty early on. He's a sweet character with the best intentions and he is very relatable. Though the main plot isn't introduced for quite a while, there is plenty of tension to keep the pages turning with his life as a thief and with his earlier relationships. When the character Dorylss is introduced, I loved him immediately and loved that Eamonn found a mentor/father figure.
The almost-romance between Leyna and Eamonn is very sweet and innocent and has plenty of room to grow into something more in the following books.
There are a couple of reasons I didn't give this read five stars, but none of them are terrible.
This feels like it could've been several books, or started later in the story with flashbacks to his earlier life. I found myself waiting impatiently for the first mention of magic, which came very late, and when I realized we were going to face the "Big Bad" in the same book as reading about Eamonn's childhood, I was a little thrown. Maybe it's just my taste, but it made the pacing feel a little off.
The other reason was the amount of descriptions of people smiling. It's great to have the details! But I felt that about half of them could've been cut to save us from reading different variations of the same sentence over and over.
Overall, it was a really fun read, and I'm very invested in the characters. I'm excited for Eamonn to grow his magic and watch Leyna gain some courage!
The Thief's Relic is a beautifully written fantasy with amazingly detailed world-building. Something about the different countries and their journey reminded me of reading Eragon as a pre-teen in the best way possible. Eamonn drew me in right away with his dilemmas and desires and I found myself cheering for him pretty early on. He's a sweet character with the best intentions and he is very relatable. Though the main plot isn't introduced for quite a while, there is plenty of tension to keep the pages turning with his life as a thief and with his earlier relationships. When the character Dorylss is introduced, I loved him immediately and loved that Eamonn found a mentor/father figure.
The almost-romance between Leyna and Eamonn is very sweet and innocent and has plenty of room to grow into something more in the following books.
There are a couple of reasons I didn't give this read five stars, but none of them are terrible.
This feels like it could've been several books, or started later in the story with flashbacks to his earlier life. I found myself waiting impatiently for the first mention of magic, which came very late, and when I realized we were going to face the "Big Bad" in the same book as reading about Eamonn's childhood, I was a little thrown. Maybe it's just my taste, but it made the pacing feel a little off.
The other reason was the amount of descriptions of people smiling. It's great to have the details! But I felt that about half of them could've been cut to save us from reading different variations of the same sentence over and over.
Overall, it was a really fun read, and I'm very invested in the characters. I'm excited for Eamonn to grow his magic and watch Leyna gain some courage!
January 16, 2022
Comenzar el año con esta lectura es empezar muy bien 2022.
Angela describe un mundo que personalmente me encantó descubrir, con una trama muy bien hilada en la que nada sobra, y con escenas que me mantuvieron en vilo, nerviosa y atenta por la anticipación. He llegado a sentir miedo cuando Leyna se acercaba a alguna ventana o a alguna puerta, ¡sentí que cualquier cosa podía ocurrir! A pesar de que Eamonn es el protagonista, fue precisamente ella, Leyna, la que se ha llevado toda mi atención y admiración. Es más fuerte de lo que ella misma cree y ha llegado a demostrar de lo que es capaz por amor. Me he sentido metida en la historia en todo momento gracias a las acertadas descripciones de Angela: he vivido las torturas de Eamonn con la cara arrugada, el reencuentro con Florin con mi mandíbula en el suelo, y las palabras (y las miradas) de Hadli con mi corazón encogido.
Y aquí he llegado a donde quería: Hadli. NECESITO saber más de ese personaje. Necesito saber qué fondo tiene, qué esconde, qué necesita. Me niego a pensar que es malo porque sí. Sé que no lo es, no puede serlo. Soy fiel defensora de las causas perdidas y creo que Hadli es un verdadero diamante en bruto que nos va a dar más de un disgusto en el próximo libro, pero que también reparará el daño causado (¡a mi corazón, al menos 🥲!)
Me ha gustado mucho y lo recomiendo, sin duda.
PD: No quiero dejar sin comentar cierta conexión que he visto entre las creencias religiosas de Angela y los Kaethiri. ¿Es solo cosa mía? Son seres mágicos que podrían implantar la paz en el mundo si quisieran, pero no intervienen en el mundo de los simples humanos para que ellos mismos se regulen. Creo haber sentido un guiño a dios en ese aspecto.
PD2: Angela, necesitamos el segundo ASAP!! 😍😍😍
Angela describe un mundo que personalmente me encantó descubrir, con una trama muy bien hilada en la que nada sobra, y con escenas que me mantuvieron en vilo, nerviosa y atenta por la anticipación. He llegado a sentir miedo cuando Leyna se acercaba a alguna ventana o a alguna puerta, ¡sentí que cualquier cosa podía ocurrir! A pesar de que Eamonn es el protagonista, fue precisamente ella, Leyna, la que se ha llevado toda mi atención y admiración. Es más fuerte de lo que ella misma cree y ha llegado a demostrar de lo que es capaz por amor. Me he sentido metida en la historia en todo momento gracias a las acertadas descripciones de Angela: he vivido las torturas de Eamonn con la cara arrugada, el reencuentro con Florin con mi mandíbula en el suelo, y las palabras (y las miradas) de Hadli con mi corazón encogido.
Y aquí he llegado a donde quería: Hadli. NECESITO saber más de ese personaje. Necesito saber qué fondo tiene, qué esconde, qué necesita. Me niego a pensar que es malo porque sí. Sé que no lo es, no puede serlo. Soy fiel defensora de las causas perdidas y creo que Hadli es un verdadero diamante en bruto que nos va a dar más de un disgusto en el próximo libro, pero que también reparará el daño causado (¡a mi corazón, al menos 🥲!)
Me ha gustado mucho y lo recomiendo, sin duda.
PD: No quiero dejar sin comentar cierta conexión que he visto entre las creencias religiosas de Angela y los Kaethiri. ¿Es solo cosa mía? Son seres mágicos que podrían implantar la paz en el mundo si quisieran, pero no intervienen en el mundo de los simples humanos para que ellos mismos se regulen. Creo haber sentido un guiño a dios en ese aspecto.
PD2: Angela, necesitamos el segundo ASAP!! 😍😍😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2023
The book is well-written and free of errors as far as I saw. The main tale is engaging, as Eamonn and Leyna work to keep the villain, Rothgard, from obtaining unbeatable power. And the main characters are likable.
The main problem with it: it's quite slow, and there's a plot point that I just had all kinds of trouble getting over.
Spoilers ahead!
Overall, it's a well-written, if meandering, fantasy.
The main problem with it: it's quite slow, and there's a plot point that I just had all kinds of trouble getting over.
Spoilers ahead!
Overall, it's a well-written, if meandering, fantasy.
October 8, 2023
I couldn't put this book down!!!
The way Angela laced Eamonn's story together was so intriguing! I love the amount of worldbuilding and the found/chosen family aspects behind this tale. And Leyna's story?! OBSESSED! :D Same as some other reviewers said, Hadli's tale was heart-wrenching, but I can't wait to see where Angela takes things! Also, Eamonn and Leyna are so cute together <3
If you are interested in morally gray characters or amazingly written villains, this series is for you! I can't wait for book two! This world is so immersive and full of details that I feel it will have a huge impact as the story unfolds; I couldn't put it down. The writing flowed and was easy to read, while being complex in storytelling, so I didn't feel like it drug down or bogged out at any point. I truly feel like this book should have a place in school libraries everywhere as the fight for life, bravery, and found family troupes are so heart-warming and make you really root for the characters. At multiple points, I kept forgetting I was reading a book and was truly immersed in the story.
This book is definitely YA-appropriate, and would be an excellent read for a teenager who wants to experience fantasy and a truly immersive world! This book can also be enjoyed by adults alike, as well!
If you are wondering what next indie fantasy read you want, this is the one for you! I couldn't recommend it more :)
The way Angela laced Eamonn's story together was so intriguing! I love the amount of worldbuilding and the found/chosen family aspects behind this tale. And Leyna's story?! OBSESSED! :D Same as some other reviewers said, Hadli's tale was heart-wrenching, but I can't wait to see where Angela takes things! Also, Eamonn and Leyna are so cute together <3
If you are interested in morally gray characters or amazingly written villains, this series is for you! I can't wait for book two! This world is so immersive and full of details that I feel it will have a huge impact as the story unfolds; I couldn't put it down. The writing flowed and was easy to read, while being complex in storytelling, so I didn't feel like it drug down or bogged out at any point. I truly feel like this book should have a place in school libraries everywhere as the fight for life, bravery, and found family troupes are so heart-warming and make you really root for the characters. At multiple points, I kept forgetting I was reading a book and was truly immersed in the story.
This book is definitely YA-appropriate, and would be an excellent read for a teenager who wants to experience fantasy and a truly immersive world! This book can also be enjoyed by adults alike, as well!
If you are wondering what next indie fantasy read you want, this is the one for you! I couldn't recommend it more :)
October 27, 2025
Review of The Thief’s Relic by Angela Knotts Morse
4/5 Stars ⭐️
0/5 Spice 🌶️
The Thief’s Relic is a young adult coming of age story where not everything is as it seems. Due to some semi-graphic content, I would NOT recommend this for readers under 15/16 years old.
At first I struggled to get into this book between its slow pace and very young (12 years old) MMC. Thankfully, it only took a handful chapters before there was a time jump to when the MC was around 20 years old. However the slow pacing continues until about the last 1/3 of the book.
While I did struggle with the pace of this book, I enjoyed the overall storyline. Eamonn is a well written character from rationalizing his thieving to doing his best to withstand emotional and physical torture to keep ultimate power from falling into the villain’s hands. I wish the other important characters had as much substance to them, so hopefully in the next book they are fleshed out and given the same depth we get with Eamonn. I am particularly hoping to see one character grab his chance at a redemption arc before it’s too late.
I think the author was cleaver in her juxtaposition of the hero and the villain. It shows how two people can have similar experiences and turn out wildly different…that villains are often products of their circumstances, whereas hero’s actively choose to not be defined by their circumstances. It’s much easier to be a villain than a hero.
4/5 Stars ⭐️
0/5 Spice 🌶️
The Thief’s Relic is a young adult coming of age story where not everything is as it seems. Due to some semi-graphic content, I would NOT recommend this for readers under 15/16 years old.
At first I struggled to get into this book between its slow pace and very young (12 years old) MMC. Thankfully, it only took a handful chapters before there was a time jump to when the MC was around 20 years old. However the slow pacing continues until about the last 1/3 of the book.
While I did struggle with the pace of this book, I enjoyed the overall storyline. Eamonn is a well written character from rationalizing his thieving to doing his best to withstand emotional and physical torture to keep ultimate power from falling into the villain’s hands. I wish the other important characters had as much substance to them, so hopefully in the next book they are fleshed out and given the same depth we get with Eamonn. I am particularly hoping to see one character grab his chance at a redemption arc before it’s too late.
I think the author was cleaver in her juxtaposition of the hero and the villain. It shows how two people can have similar experiences and turn out wildly different…that villains are often products of their circumstances, whereas hero’s actively choose to not be defined by their circumstances. It’s much easier to be a villain than a hero.
August 20, 2023
WHOA. This story was such a whirlwind! Major Eragon vibes but maybe for a slightly younger YA group. It was very YA for the most part. That being said I read it out loud to my 6 and 7 year olds and they LOVED it (I did have to edit a couple mature scenes for the kiddos but over all very child friendly!) It did take a minute to get into the story because there was so much back story at the beginning but as I kept reading and really got into it the more it made sense and the more everything came together. Where this was the first book in a trilogy it was awesome to get the majority of the back story done with just knowing that not only would the next couple of books be action packed and amazing but you’d also have the backstory to help it make more sense and to relate even more to all of the characters. Eamonn gave me some Aladdin vibes where he grew up stealing just to barely survive and then was thrown into this magical world. The growth from him along with the epic storyline was just the perfect combination! I believe this was Morse’s debut novel and boy did she come out with a BANG! I can’t wait for more out of this magical world!
Thank you SO very much for sharing your works with me Angela! I can not wait to get the next two books if your breathtaking series! ❤️
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. ❤️
Thank you SO very much for sharing your works with me Angela! I can not wait to get the next two books if your breathtaking series! ❤️
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review. ❤️
October 22, 2023
This book grabbed my attention initially from the beautiful cover 😍 It’s a high fantasy tale of adventure and magic. The world building was very well done and detailed! I loved that there was a pronunciation guide and map at the beginning of the book.
The book starts off following Eamonn. We get to know what drives him and over the course of the book, see him evolve. Eamonn is swept up in a world of magic when he finds out his mother’s pendant, the same one he’s worn for as long as he can remember, isn’t “ordinary” at all. When Eamonn faces trouble, the friends he’s made along the way strike out to find him and bring him home safely. While they travel, we get to see different towns and landscapes in the universe and see how magic is interwoven into it. Will they get to Eamonn in time? Will magic fall into the wrong hands?
The story itself flowed easily and there were details that were added which made the story a bit more “believable.” The way the book reads engaged me in a similar way to Eragon or Lord of the Rings with the high adventure, yet also reminded me of Game of Thrones with how well each area in the country was described. I absolutely can not wait to read book 2! If books 2 and 3 are as good as book 1, I would love to see this trilogy on the big screen some day!
The book starts off following Eamonn. We get to know what drives him and over the course of the book, see him evolve. Eamonn is swept up in a world of magic when he finds out his mother’s pendant, the same one he’s worn for as long as he can remember, isn’t “ordinary” at all. When Eamonn faces trouble, the friends he’s made along the way strike out to find him and bring him home safely. While they travel, we get to see different towns and landscapes in the universe and see how magic is interwoven into it. Will they get to Eamonn in time? Will magic fall into the wrong hands?
The story itself flowed easily and there were details that were added which made the story a bit more “believable.” The way the book reads engaged me in a similar way to Eragon or Lord of the Rings with the high adventure, yet also reminded me of Game of Thrones with how well each area in the country was described. I absolutely can not wait to read book 2! If books 2 and 3 are as good as book 1, I would love to see this trilogy on the big screen some day!
August 24, 2024
The Thief's Relic was a fun and interesting read that left me wanting more stories from this world. I was immediately hooked because the author included a pronunciation guide of characters, places, and things. And on the next page is a very detailed map of the world she created. I really wish more fantasy authors did this! I bookmarked both pages and referred to them often as I read.
The book focuses on Eamonn, a smart but neglected boy who has to make his way through life pretty much on his own. He has to steal to eat, but the guilt tears him up inside. One day he has an opportunity to make a better, different life for himself and he embraces it.
I found the book a little slow moving at first, but all the background information was important for the context of the rest of the story. Ms. Knott Morse has created a very interesting world that feels fully fleshed out and whole. The characters are multifaceted, and I hope that we learn more about them as the series goes on. I'm also intrigued by the mythology and cosmology she created for this world. I also hope for more on that as we go.
The action, tension, and suspense are all really well done. I found the antagonist to be truly menacing! The peril and terror he created was almost palpable.
All in all, a great read and I'm looking forward to more!
The book focuses on Eamonn, a smart but neglected boy who has to make his way through life pretty much on his own. He has to steal to eat, but the guilt tears him up inside. One day he has an opportunity to make a better, different life for himself and he embraces it.
I found the book a little slow moving at first, but all the background information was important for the context of the rest of the story. Ms. Knott Morse has created a very interesting world that feels fully fleshed out and whole. The characters are multifaceted, and I hope that we learn more about them as the series goes on. I'm also intrigued by the mythology and cosmology she created for this world. I also hope for more on that as we go.
The action, tension, and suspense are all really well done. I found the antagonist to be truly menacing! The peril and terror he created was almost palpable.
All in all, a great read and I'm looking forward to more!
August 27, 2023
Everyone is told that magic doesn’t exist. But are the rumors true? Is someone trying to re-discover magic, and perhaps use it for evil? Eamonn’s story starts out on a journey of self discovery. He has always been a thief, but only because he had to be. He felt guilty about it, but knew he was only stealing to live. As Eamonn finds a new family, he slowly discovers what it means to be cared for by others. through his choices and adventures, his character continues to grow. Can everything he has learned from all of the people around him be enough to stop the evil that is threatening to tear apart the world and where he lives?
I really enjoyed reading this story. I had a difficult time getting into the very beginning, but as soon as I realized the importance of building his backstory, I was invested. I enjoyed meeting the various characters along the way, and how magic is part of the book but it’s not the book. This book is much more about the relationships built and how they can help one another throughout the book. It is easily written, and the author does a fantastic job at painting pictures of what she wants us to see. I look forward to continuing my exploration of the relationship between Eamonn and Dorylss and Eamonn and Leyna.
October 23, 2025
⭐ 3 out of 5 stars
I wanted to like The Thief’s Relic more than I did, but I just couldn’t connect with the characters. It felt like everyone was a little one-sided, and the story lacked some emotional depth that could’ve made their journeys hit harder. The plot itself was interesting enough to keep me reading, but it took a while to really build, and a few story elements felt like they were almost there but never fully came together.
The romance in particular felt out of place — like it was dropped in the middle without enough time for the relationship to grow naturally. I also struggled to get a clear sense of the world. I couldn’t tell if this was supposed to be a futuristic fantasy or a more ancient-style setting, which left me a little confused about the tone of the story.
That said, I don’t think this was a bad book. There are definitely some strong ideas and moments that, with a bit more development, could really shine. Overall, it’s a decent read with potential — just not one that fully clicked for me.
I wanted to like The Thief’s Relic more than I did, but I just couldn’t connect with the characters. It felt like everyone was a little one-sided, and the story lacked some emotional depth that could’ve made their journeys hit harder. The plot itself was interesting enough to keep me reading, but it took a while to really build, and a few story elements felt like they were almost there but never fully came together.
The romance in particular felt out of place — like it was dropped in the middle without enough time for the relationship to grow naturally. I also struggled to get a clear sense of the world. I couldn’t tell if this was supposed to be a futuristic fantasy or a more ancient-style setting, which left me a little confused about the tone of the story.
That said, I don’t think this was a bad book. There are definitely some strong ideas and moments that, with a bit more development, could really shine. Overall, it’s a decent read with potential — just not one that fully clicked for me.
October 28, 2025
The Thief's Relic by Angela Knotts Morse is a throwback to a more innocent period of fantasy yarns, sparing the reader from copious flows of spice and gory violence by instead focusing on keeping the narrative flowing rapidly.
Compared to gritty modern novels, this approach may come across as especially naive as characters are quick to share grave secrets with newly-met acquaintances and villainy is glossed over without strongly-grounded motivations.
The underlying narrative itself is familiar - lost young boy rescued from thievery and finds himself launched neck-deep into some sort of legacy sorcery. A girl he barely knew for only weeks then rushes to rescue him after the boy is captured.
Perhaps the weakest part of the tale is the villain bent on world domination - a cliche that hopefully gets better fleshed out in other books in this trilogy.
Compared to gritty modern novels, this approach may come across as especially naive as characters are quick to share grave secrets with newly-met acquaintances and villainy is glossed over without strongly-grounded motivations.
The underlying narrative itself is familiar - lost young boy rescued from thievery and finds himself launched neck-deep into some sort of legacy sorcery. A girl he barely knew for only weeks then rushes to rescue him after the boy is captured.
Perhaps the weakest part of the tale is the villain bent on world domination - a cliche that hopefully gets better fleshed out in other books in this trilogy.
February 17, 2022
Angela Knotts Morse brings us an emotional journey that ends in a magical awakening. The Thief’s Relic is a tale that lingers long after you’ve finished reading.
The pacing throughout this novel has an intensity that I wasn’t expecting. There is action and venture in nearly every scene. Even scenes of domesticity are somehow heart-stopping. The ever-moving flow left me breathless at times. But, in a good way. I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. To be honest, I figured it would be the same old tale told a million times, but this novel is something special. I fell in love with this story, these characters, and this world. It was everything I could want without knowing what to ask for.
I award The Thief’s Relic a full 5 out of 5 stars. I hope all my fantasy lovers will want to pick this one up. The tale will capture your heart and make you fall in love with Eamon, Leyna, and Dorylss.
I was given a copy of this novel with a request for an honest review.
The pacing throughout this novel has an intensity that I wasn’t expecting. There is action and venture in nearly every scene. Even scenes of domesticity are somehow heart-stopping. The ever-moving flow left me breathless at times. But, in a good way. I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. To be honest, I figured it would be the same old tale told a million times, but this novel is something special. I fell in love with this story, these characters, and this world. It was everything I could want without knowing what to ask for.
I award The Thief’s Relic a full 5 out of 5 stars. I hope all my fantasy lovers will want to pick this one up. The tale will capture your heart and make you fall in love with Eamon, Leyna, and Dorylss.
I was given a copy of this novel with a request for an honest review.
January 25, 2022
The Thief's Relic is a good debut for author Angela Knotts Morse. I am not a huge fan of the fantasy genre but I enjoyed this one. I was captivated with this story right from the start. I was intrigued with Eamonn and liked watch him grow throughout the book. I loved his friendship with Dorlyss and taking a journey with them all through the land and seeing everything they saw and encountered. It was slow at times but it quickly picked up and held attention.
I am giving The Thief's Relic four stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading fantasy fiction. I will be look forward to more by Angela Knotts Morse in the future.
I received a digital copy of The Thief's Relic from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
I am giving The Thief's Relic four stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading fantasy fiction. I will be look forward to more by Angela Knotts Morse in the future.
I received a digital copy of The Thief's Relic from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
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