The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman is a witty, tongue-in-cheek account of one seemingly unimportant thief caught up in the wider machinations of this Lord of the Rings meets Kings of the Wyld world.
Kinch Na Shannack is down on his luck—or rather, his luck’s just fine, it’s the damn guild he’s indentured to that’s the problem. As a Prank in the Takers Guild, Kinch’s main worry in life is making sure he steals enough to repay his ‘tuition’ debts. But everything is set to change when his crew picks the wrong mark. When the job goes sideways, Kinch finds himself the companion of the very lethal, but thankfully merciful, warrior knight he just tried to rob.
Filled with magic, humour, and a slow boiling political plot, this entertaining tale explores the themes of war and the greed of men, while outlining Buehlman’s strength as a storyteller. Most importantly, this was a delight to read, armed with killer punchlines that will make you laugh aloud and bittersweet moments that will draw a jagged breath.
The Blacktongue Thief reads as a love letter to epic journey-based fantasy. As Kinch relays his various exploits in first person to the reader, we get a look into the wider world around him. This colourfully described world includes multiple grades of magic, an expansive war-focused history, a mix of cultures and languages, and more. And at the centre of all this is our mismatched travelling band of characters, made up of a thief, a warrior knight, a witch, an old nemesis, and a blind cat. As they begin their quest and set out into the unknown, the reader is teleported into a brilliantly imagined, slightly nonsensical world with a new location every odd chapter.
One of the main strengths of this novel is its characters. Kinch Na Shannack likes to portray himself as, paradoxically, an honest thief. He’s clever, knowing how to get out of tricky situations and when to trust his luck. But reading between the lines, he’s also a product of his upbringing; he’s shifty and doesn’t trust easily, preferring to make limited connections with people instead of long-lasting relationships. But as he is thrust into an ambiguous adventure with the warrior knight, Galva, and the witch, Norrigal, Kinch’s character growth is evident through small, heartfelt moments that pin-point crucial turning points within the story.
And, given time, these characters will definitely grow on you—thought you might not want to get too attached to some of them. . .
There are also some great discussions had throughout the novel; namely on the wastefulness of war, and the greed of men. Buehlman expertly builds upon these main themes, adding in little details piece by piece over the course of the novel and linking it up with his plot. We see the disturbing and widespread impact of war, alongside the depiction of the Guild and their overreaching hand. These main themes, paired with the author’s direct writing style, prompt the reader to draw their own conclusions about the worth of war, and who really profits from it.
It’s also these themes that provide a contrasting element to the book’s seemingly juvenile tone. On multiple occasions, the reader is pulled up short as what started in jest actually reveals a darker side to the narrative. This use of tone in conjunction with theme is what sets The Blacktongue Thief apart from its peers.
Simply put, Buelman’s latest novel is a raucous laugh followed by a punch in the gut—it’s brilliantly wild and full of heart. If you’re looking for an entertaining fantasy tale that slyly delves into deeper topics, try this one.
The Blacktongue Thief is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Kinch Na Shannack owes the Takers Guild a small fortune for his education as a thief, which includes (but is not limited to) lock-picking, knife-fighting, wall-scaling, fall-breaking, lie-weaving, trap-making, plus a few small magics. His debt has driven him to lie in wait by the old forest road, planning to rob the next traveler that crosses his path.
But today, Kinch Na Shannack has picked the wrong mark.
Galva is a knight, a survivor of the brutal goblin wars, and handmaiden of the goddess of death. She is searching for her queen, missing since a distant northern city fell to giants.
Unsuccessful in his robbery and lucky to escape with his life, Kinch now finds his fate entangled with Galva’s. Common enemies and uncommon dangers force thief and knight on an epic journey where goblins hunger for human flesh, krakens hunt in dark waters, and honor is a luxury few can afford.
