The Thief (Turner novel)

The Thief is a young adult fantasy novel written by Megan Whalen Turner, published in 1996. It is the first book in the Queen's Thief series. The story follows Gen, a boastful and seemingly arrogant thief imprisoned in the King's prison. He is offered his freedom by the King's magus if he agrees to steal a legendary stone from a hidden temple.

The plot revolves around Gen's journey with the magus and two soldiers to the temple, fraught with danger and political intrigue. As the group travels, Gen's cunning and intelligence are gradually revealed, challenging the initial perception of him as merely a skilled but unreliable thief.

A significant element of the story is the exploration of myths and legends, particularly those surrounding the gods and heroes of the fictional kingdoms depicted in the book. These myths are interwoven into the narrative, impacting the characters' motivations and the unfolding events.

The novel is characterized by its twists and turns, culminating in a revelation about Gen's true identity and motivations, which significantly alters the reader's understanding of the events that have transpired. The Thief received critical acclaim for its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and skillful incorporation of mythology. It won a Newbery Honor award in 1997.