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penwiper's review
1.0
Dnf 30% through. This book is a headache and the main characters are so dumb I can’t even. The plot is pulled along by stupid decision after stupid decision. I pretty much actively hate Owen and Kiel.
Bethany is.... she’d be okay if she used a bit of common sense. Her backstory is interesting enough. But also she keeps going back to rescue Owen and fix his moron mistakes.
I have no interest in the author’s side story either. Of course it’s a best selling series in that verse. These stories within books written by author self inserts are always best sellers.
Bethany is.... she’d be okay if she used a bit of common sense. Her backstory is interesting enough. But also she keeps going back to rescue Owen and fix his moron mistakes.
I have no interest in the author’s side story either. Of course it’s a best selling series in that verse. These stories within books written by author self inserts are always best sellers.
danihays's review
4.0
This was so much fun to read!! I’m so glad I found this at a Half Price Books, or else I don’t know if I ever would have read it otherwise.
This was really cool, both in the basic concept and the execution with the Magister as a villain. I loved the characters, especially Kiel.
I love the whole going-into-books idea and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one!
This was really cool, both in the basic concept and the execution with the Magister as a villain. I loved the characters, especially Kiel.
I love the whole going-into-books idea and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one!
unrulyheart's review
4.0
This was so much fun to read!! I’m so glad I found this at a Half Price Books, or else I don’t know if I ever would have read it otherwise.
This was really cool, both in the basic concept and the execution with the Magister as a villain. I loved the characters, especially Kiel.
I love the whole going-into-books idea and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one!
This was really cool, both in the basic concept and the execution with the Magister as a villain. I loved the characters, especially Kiel.
I love the whole going-into-books idea and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one!
missykaiti's review
4.0
*clutches my heart* I think my heart just might burst right now. Warning: I have only just finished reading the book, so I am loaded up on all the feels, so I have no idea if this review is going to make any sense at all.
Now. To attempt the review. This book is a book for booklovers, and it has a book within a book. James Riley practically had to write two books to get Story Thieves. Masterful job there, in my opinion!
First off, I'm so insanely in love with the last few chapters and with Kiel! I would totally give this book five stars, except it took me a while to get into it. I always loved the idea, but Owen drove me insane in the beginning. I mean, the kid is a regular bookworm but he doesn't know better than interfering with a good story? That's, like, Fantasy / Sci-Fi 101. And stop it with the fanboy stuff, already! Your arrogance ventures into stupidity! I wanted to strangle him for the entire first half of the book.
But somewhere in the second half, Owen grew up. He stopped trying to be someone he's not, and by the end of the book, I'd totally fallen in love with him. ♥ He influences the story within this story in the best possible way, with a little help from Charm, the cyborg partner of Kiel.
Speaking of Charm, I wasn't really sure what to make of her, at first. I kept guessing and second-guessing at her role in the book within the book and her relationship with Kiel and her fate by the end. To be honest, even though I watched her character develop wonderfully, I'm still second-guessing her role, but in the best possible way. She's an awesome character, and I crave seeing her again in the next book. Because she's totally going to be in the next book, right? Of course she is, because she has to be, or I might have to hunt James Riley down and blackmail him or something. Because that's a thing crazed fans do, I've heard.
I guess let's take this thing character-by-character and talk about Bethany next. She is as cautious as Owen is reckless, or at least she tries to be. Honestly, I wasn't the biggest fan of her, either, until further on in the book. Control freak pretty much describes her in the beginning. But like Owen, she gets some pretty awesome character development. Instead of growing up (which she had to do way too quickly before this book even began), she embraces a healthy amount of recklessness, making her more relatable and likable and balanced.
My English Literary Studies major is begging me to point out that last word as a theme in the book, but I'll resist. For now. You might be subjected to it at the end, but now I'll move on to Kiel.
Kiel. *clutches my heart again* Like with Charm, I wasn't sure what to make of him in the beginning. But somewhere between saving Bethany and getting swallowed whole, he completely captured my heart. He is, without a doubt, a hero. He has all the right ingredients mixed together in just the right amounts, and still somehow finds room to also show character development. Some of Owen's fanboying just might be understandable concerning Kiel. ♥♥♥♥♥♥ In the very last chapter, I thought I just might die from pleasure. I cannot wait until the next book!
While I'm discussing characters, I guess I'll go ahead and put in a quick word about Magister, Kiel's guardian and teacher. From the moment readers get to see him instead of listen to Owen's thoughts on him, I was able to see a plot twist coming. However, that twist was revealed early enough in the book that it wasn't like James Riley was banking on a shock factor at the very end, and it worked very well, I think.
And Nobody, aka potentially Bethany's father. Who is he, really? What is his purpose in the world of stories? And what does his potential appearance in the last chapter imply? Should I send this book to my English professors? I think I should. Or at the very least, I need to keep this book handy for the next time I'm allowed to use a book of my choice for a paper.
Anyways, by the end of this book, I was head over heels in love with all the protagonists. They grew so much in just one book! In James Riley's other series, it took me until the last book (granted, the beginning of the last book) before I reached the level of love for the characters that I already have for the characters of this series. I cannot wait until the second book gets released! ♥
Now. To attempt the review. This book is a book for booklovers, and it has a book within a book. James Riley practically had to write two books to get Story Thieves. Masterful job there, in my opinion!
First off, I'm so insanely in love with the last few chapters and with Kiel! I would totally give this book five stars, except it took me a while to get into it. I always loved the idea, but Owen drove me insane in the beginning. I mean, the kid is a regular bookworm but he doesn't know better than interfering with a good story? That's, like, Fantasy / Sci-Fi 101. And stop it with the fanboy stuff, already! Your arrogance ventures into stupidity! I wanted to strangle him for the entire first half of the book.
But somewhere in the second half, Owen grew up. He stopped trying to be someone he's not, and by the end of the book, I'd totally fallen in love with him. ♥ He influences the story within this story in the best possible way, with a little help from Charm, the cyborg partner of Kiel.
Speaking of Charm, I wasn't really sure what to make of her, at first. I kept guessing and second-guessing at her role in the book within the book and her relationship with Kiel and her fate by the end. To be honest, even though I watched her character develop wonderfully, I'm still second-guessing her role, but in the best possible way. She's an awesome character, and I crave seeing her again in the next book. Because she's totally going to be in the next book, right? Of course she is, because she has to be, or I might have to hunt James Riley down and blackmail him or something. Because that's a thing crazed fans do, I've heard.
I guess let's take this thing character-by-character and talk about Bethany next. She is as cautious as Owen is reckless, or at least she tries to be. Honestly, I wasn't the biggest fan of her, either, until further on in the book. Control freak pretty much describes her in the beginning. But like Owen, she gets some pretty awesome character development. Instead of growing up (which she had to do way too quickly before this book even began), she embraces a healthy amount of recklessness, making her more relatable and likable and balanced.
My English Literary Studies major is begging me to point out that last word as a theme in the book, but I'll resist. For now. You might be subjected to it at the end, but now I'll move on to Kiel.
Kiel. *clutches my heart again* Like with Charm, I wasn't sure what to make of him in the beginning. But somewhere between saving Bethany and getting swallowed whole, he completely captured my heart. He is, without a doubt, a hero. He has all the right ingredients mixed together in just the right amounts, and still somehow finds room to also show character development. Some of Owen's fanboying just might be understandable concerning Kiel. ♥♥♥♥♥♥ In the very last chapter, I thought I just might die from pleasure. I cannot wait until the next book!
While I'm discussing characters, I guess I'll go ahead and put in a quick word about Magister, Kiel's guardian and teacher. From the moment readers get to see him instead of listen to Owen's thoughts on him, I was able to see a plot twist coming. However, that twist was revealed early enough in the book that it wasn't like James Riley was banking on a shock factor at the very end, and it worked very well, I think.
And Nobody, aka potentially Bethany's father. Who is he, really? What is his purpose in the world of stories? And what does his potential appearance in the last chapter imply? Should I send this book to my English professors? I think I should. Or at the very least, I need to keep this book handy for the next time I'm allowed to use a book of my choice for a paper.
Anyways, by the end of this book, I was head over heels in love with all the protagonists. They grew so much in just one book! In James Riley's other series, it took me until the last book (granted, the beginning of the last book) before I reached the level of love for the characters that I already have for the characters of this series. I cannot wait until the second book gets released! ♥
sashe0163's review
2.0
slow going until the end. finishes with a bang. major plot hole about the main character's father. this issue is brought up more than once, but nothing is ever done about it.
bruacioly's review
4.0
3.5 stars
That was a cute middle grade book. I noticed I don't actually read a lot of middle grade - I'm mostly into YA, so it was interesting to delve a little more into it. However, I might think that middle grade isn't necessarily for me. I enjoyed this book and had fun reading it, but I felt the need for a more complex writing style and more complex character dynamics. Don't get me wrong, it's a really fun, entertaining, adventure book. The premise of physically entering books is a really cool one for any bookworm out there. It just didn't have any special sparks for me. I would happily recommend this to kids though, cause I think it might help them get excited about reading!
That was a cute middle grade book. I noticed I don't actually read a lot of middle grade - I'm mostly into YA, so it was interesting to delve a little more into it. However, I might think that middle grade isn't necessarily for me. I enjoyed this book and had fun reading it, but I felt the need for a more complex writing style and more complex character dynamics. Don't get me wrong, it's a really fun, entertaining, adventure book. The premise of physically entering books is a really cool one for any bookworm out there. It just didn't have any special sparks for me. I would happily recommend this to kids though, cause I think it might help them get excited about reading!
juliaherkel's review
5.0
WOW OH WOW. I LOVE JAMES RILEY. I read his trilogy of Half Upon a Time yeaaaaarrrrrssssss ago, and loved them; I've decided to ask for those for Christmas, as well as the rest of the books in this series.
I read Story Thieves years ago as well, but at the time I was too young to understand it all. I received the book for my birthday and decided to read it.
*squealing*
CONS OF STORY THIEVES
Only con I can think of: Bethany shrieked a lot at the beginning of the book, which annoyed me.
PROS OF STORY THIEVES:
*rubs hands* Where to begin?
THE COVER. IS. GLORIOUS! Drink in the beautiful sight that now resides on my shelf. I can't wait for the rest of them to also make a home there.
OWEN IS HILARIOUS. I loved reading his POV. It got a lot more serious closer to the end, but the beginning was epic. (Here, I'll try to quote him from memory: "And then everything exploded into fire, and chaos, and awesome.")
KEIL IS AS WELL. And all the winking is awesome. (Quotes from memory: "But I mean, if you want to help, you can as well!" "Be more FICTIONAL!")
Charm getting emotional close to the end of the book.
A magical book with a mind of its own. (And honestly, a zombie spell book terrified me more than a zombie robot and First Magician.)
OVERALL:
EPIC.
GLORIOUS.
HILARIOUS.
This book explored the thing that every reader wanted: to go into a book. To meet their favorite fictional character. To BE them. To live the book. Even though most of our favorite characters die.
It took that idea that is dear to every readers' heart, and made it into something they'll adore. 10000003/5 stars. LOVE IT.
I read Story Thieves years ago as well, but at the time I was too young to understand it all. I received the book for my birthday and decided to read it.
*squealing*
CONS OF STORY THIEVES
Only con I can think of: Bethany shrieked a lot at the beginning of the book, which annoyed me.
PROS OF STORY THIEVES:
*rubs hands* Where to begin?
THE COVER. IS. GLORIOUS! Drink in the beautiful sight that now resides on my shelf. I can't wait for the rest of them to also make a home there.
OWEN IS HILARIOUS. I loved reading his POV. It got a lot more serious closer to the end, but the beginning was epic. (Here, I'll try to quote him from memory: "And then everything exploded into fire, and chaos, and awesome.")
KEIL IS AS WELL. And all the winking is awesome. (Quotes from memory: "But I mean, if you want to help, you can as well!" "Be more FICTIONAL!")
Charm getting emotional close to the end of the book.
A magical book with a mind of its own. (And honestly, a zombie spell book terrified me more than a zombie robot and First Magician.)
OVERALL:
EPIC.
GLORIOUS.
HILARIOUS.
This book explored the thing that every reader wanted: to go into a book. To meet their favorite fictional character. To BE them. To live the book. Even though most of our favorite characters die.
It took that idea that is dear to every readers' heart, and made it into something they'll adore. 10000003/5 stars. LOVE IT.
that_bookish_life's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
drwhogeek10's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so fun. I enjoyed the characters and how the friendships developed! Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!
bbliophile's review
4.0
Review originally posted on Bbliophile.blogspot.com
As someone who dreams about jumping into books daily, I fell in love with this story before I even read it.
Owen is living a normal and quite boring life until he one day sees his classmate Bethany climbing out of a book in the library. Turns out Bethany is half-fictional and is searching through the fictional worlds to find her (quite fictional) father, who went missing. Owen agrees to keep her secret a secret, but only if she takes him into his favorite books; the Kiel Gnomenfoot series. But then, everything goes horribly wrong, which results into Owen getting to play the part of Kiel Gnomenfoot.
This was such a wonderful read! It was so funny and clever and entertaining and magical and action packed and the characters were AMAZING and I don't know how to write this review without fangirling a lot.
Let's try again: Story Thieves was a very entertaining read from start to finish. The author is very clever and has created an amazing story line, which makes you wonder about the differences between reality and fiction, while making you laugh out loud. There's a plot within the plot, and there's so much going on but it all makes sense. I applaud the author, James Riley, because I don't know how he did it.
The characters, Owen and Bethany, are amazing and feel very real, like they could climb out of the book at any moment. Same goes for the fictional characters (well, of course Owen and Bethany are fictional too, but the fictional people in the story. Eh, the people that are in the books in this book. HOW DO I EXPLAIN THIS?). The characters make you laugh, frustrate you and even make you feel a bit emotional (AKA everything the perfect character will do to you).
Overall, this book was a very fun read, and I'm excited to see what'll happen to Owen and Bethany next.
As someone who dreams about jumping into books daily, I fell in love with this story before I even read it.
Owen is living a normal and quite boring life until he one day sees his classmate Bethany climbing out of a book in the library. Turns out Bethany is half-fictional and is searching through the fictional worlds to find her (quite fictional) father, who went missing. Owen agrees to keep her secret a secret, but only if she takes him into his favorite books; the Kiel Gnomenfoot series. But then, everything goes horribly wrong, which results into Owen getting to play the part of Kiel Gnomenfoot.
This was such a wonderful read! It was so funny and clever and entertaining and magical and action packed and the characters were AMAZING and I don't know how to write this review without fangirling a lot.
Let's try again: Story Thieves was a very entertaining read from start to finish. The author is very clever and has created an amazing story line, which makes you wonder about the differences between reality and fiction, while making you laugh out loud. There's a plot within the plot, and there's so much going on but it all makes sense. I applaud the author, James Riley, because I don't know how he did it.
The characters, Owen and Bethany, are amazing and feel very real, like they could climb out of the book at any moment. Same goes for the fictional characters (well, of course Owen and Bethany are fictional too, but the fictional people in the story. Eh, the people that are in the books in this book. HOW DO I EXPLAIN THIS?). The characters make you laugh, frustrate you and even make you feel a bit emotional (AKA everything the perfect character will do to you).
Overall, this book was a very fun read, and I'm excited to see what'll happen to Owen and Bethany next.