Book Review and...WIN a signed copy of City of Thieves by Ellen Renner!

It’s the season for giving… and this week two signed copies of Ellen Renner’s City of Thieves are up for grabs!
See details at the end of the review.

Tobias is on the run. From the father who betrayed him...from the mother who couldn't comfort him...from his own desperate fear. But when he falls into the clutches of his uncle's sinister gang of thieves, his fear grows. And soon Toby realises, his nightmare has only just begun...

Ellen Renner, whom I recently had the extremely good fortune to meet, has produced a wonderful, rich and gripping novel in City of Thieves. I absolutely loved it. The story has rich characterization, a powerful voice and vivid imagery. It reminded me in fact of another author, and it wasn’t until Ellen mentioned her favourite author that I realised who it was… None other than the wonderful Diana Wynne Jones. Although the two authors can’t be compared, there is no doubt about the influence of Wynne Jones on Ellen Renner, and all to Ellen’s benefit.

Children's author, Ellen Renner

Ellen Renner’s writing is nothing sort of a joy to read. Her words conjure up vivid emotions and rich images and she writes with a deft touch. I always feel when I read Ellen’s books that I am watching a master craftsman at work. Her ability to “show” rather then “tell” brings her work to life in a way which other writers would do well to learn from.

But not only has Ellen Renner perfected the craft of writing, she tells a damned fine story too. The Times quotes City of Thieves as having “'a dramatic plot, like a cross between Oliver Twist and Black Hearts in Battersea,” and says, “Renner is a real discovery.' She certainly is. And it’s no small wonder City of Thieves made the Times Top Books list for 2010.

In City of Thieves, Ellen takes up where she left off in Castle of Shadows (see my previous interview with Ellen about Castle of Shadows). Charlie is now Queen of Quale, but not a happy one – she is haunted by her fears and her sorrows. Yet despite Charlie’s strong story and the intrigue which surrounds it, it is Tobias Petch for whom we really feel in this novel.

Tobias is Ellen’s main protagonist in City of Thieves and he is a wonderful character with whom the reader is immediately able to identify. One senses that Tobias has, in fact, a very special place in Ellen’s heart. She nails his voice bang on and the reader is left in no doubt that this is a character worth rooting for. By the time we read the line "The final shock of it hit home. The Petches were thieves, and they had stolen him” we are totally gripped – and the shocks and the thrills and shivers of dreadful anticipation just keep coming.

For every “right” thing that Toby tries to do, something goes awry and he becomes more embroiled in other people’s evil plots and plans. It soon becomes clear that the underlying theme of this story is that sometimes even good people have to do bad things in order to ensure their survival and, more particularly, the survival of those whom they love.

Toby’s plight is enhanced by two exceptional villains in the forms of Zebediah Petch, Toby’s violent and criminal uncle, and Alistair Windlass, his ruthless father. Ellen’s villains work so exceptionally well because they are morally ambiguous - there is always the hint of just a little bit of good in them, despite their ruthlessness and cunning. Her treatment of them serves to make them completely believable - and frightening. And trapped between the desires of these two characters, Toby, a feisty boy in his own right, has to fight for his life and his personal and moral integrity.

Readers will be captivated by the thrills, the moral dilemmas and the battles and struggles which both Toby and Charlie must endure.

The story ends on a cliff hanger, and I truly hope we get to read the next story in the series really soon, as I await the release with a good deal of impatience!


City of Thieves is suitable for children of nine years and older and will appeal to boys and girls alike. It can be bought through Amazon and the Book Depository

To read a more indepth review of City Of Thieves, see what the Book Maven had to say.

WIN A SIGNED COPY OF CITY OF THIEVES!!!

CONTEST RULES:

To enter for your chance to win one of two copies of City of Thieves by Ellen Renner, just leave a comment in the comments section of this post.

The competition is open to everyone, wherever you are.

Winners will be chosen randomly.

Please be sure I can contact you to let you know if you’ve won.

All entries must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on 16 December, 2010.
Late entries will not be eligible.