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bookish_withsky's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
gabbyyyyy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
aminakara's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such an excellent read.
It was slower paced (compared to what I normally read), but for this story, it worked really well. Despite the slow pace, it did have its fair share of action, that really got the heart racing. Poor Kaylo...it seems trouble liked to follow him everywhere he went.
I loved how we interchanged between Kaylo's story with Tayen in the present and his backstory.
The world James created is amazing and I can't wait to get back to it. With how it ended, I can't wait to see how Kaylo and Tayen get out of the spot of bother they found themselves in!
If you haven't read this book, go and read it. It will be well worth your time.
It was slower paced (compared to what I normally read), but for this story, it worked really well. Despite the slow pace, it did have its fair share of action, that really got the heart racing. Poor Kaylo...it seems trouble liked to follow him everywhere he went.
I loved how we interchanged between Kaylo's story with Tayen in the present and his backstory.
The world James created is amazing and I can't wait to get back to it. With how it ended, I can't wait to see how Kaylo and Tayen get out of the spot of bother they found themselves in!
If you haven't read this book, go and read it. It will be well worth your time.
camam4's review
I don't find myself wanting to read it. It should've just covered the "past" story instead of constantly switching. Also don't really like any of the characters.
tinyelfarcanist's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Murder, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Grief, Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Death, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Genocide, Racism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Transphobia, Misogyny, and Animal death
ek_larson_burnett's review against another edition
4.0
“No heart for a thief, no safe haven. Only a grave will do.”
Kaylo is a spirit dancer — one who can wield the power of the seven great spirits through The Song.
He is also a thief.
Following Kaylo both in present time and narrating his past escapades to his mentee, Tayen, No Heart for a Thief is one of the most unique books I’ve read in a while, with an utterly fantastic magic system that left me hungry for more, and a commentary on colonialism that packed a vicious punch.
Though we’re held somewhat at arm’s length from the characters through the style of narration, the tragic circumstances peppered throughout the book lend to a powerful human response; this is a story about people, about their heart and endurance in the face of suffering no one deserves.
The worldbuilding was phenomenal but extensive, and by the time the book ended I felt I had just started to grasp the lay of the land — but that just leaves me eager for the next book in the Malitu trilogy! ✨
Kaylo is a spirit dancer — one who can wield the power of the seven great spirits through The Song.
He is also a thief.
Following Kaylo both in present time and narrating his past escapades to his mentee, Tayen, No Heart for a Thief is one of the most unique books I’ve read in a while, with an utterly fantastic magic system that left me hungry for more, and a commentary on colonialism that packed a vicious punch.
Though we’re held somewhat at arm’s length from the characters through the style of narration, the tragic circumstances peppered throughout the book lend to a powerful human response; this is a story about people, about their heart and endurance in the face of suffering no one deserves.
The worldbuilding was phenomenal but extensive, and by the time the book ended I felt I had just started to grasp the lay of the land — but that just leaves me eager for the next book in the Malitu trilogy! ✨
rg9400's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is told across two different time periods. There is a main character's past and history as well as the present day framing story where he helps a young girl, all centered around their attempts at surviving in a world of colonial violence. I found the story to be fairly intimate and powerful, and the themes regarding the desire for vengeance, the frustration and anger at the horrors of colonialism, and the need for balance to be very compelling. I also really liked the idea of the main character's magical ability being considered taboo as it gives an interesting identity crises on top of the core themes. My two nitpick criticisms would be that the book sort of just ends in an anti-climactic fashion, and the story focuses more on the past portion than the present, so one side of the story (and consequently, the characters within it) is definitely more developed. Regardless, it is a strong start to a series, and I am already starting the sequel which I've heard is even better.
narratricenessa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
afittingdistraction's review against another edition
3.75
I'm such a sucker for a grumpy older protagonist getting pulled back into everything they ran from. Especially when its combined with them accidentally adopting a kid who reminds them too much of their younger naive self.....and this book has that in spades!
And it's tied with the magic system for my favourite thing about No Heart For A Thief.
Its such a interesting take on elemental magic: the world has an invisible force referred to as the Song and a rare few are blessed by spirits to call upon the Song and channel it through dance to manipulate an element. Water, the earth, shadow, etc. It reminded me a little of Avatar The Last Airbender.
As a younger boy, Kaylo, our main protagonist has the power of The Seed (earth manipulation) until he starts to hear the sound of other people's magic and decides that though he's probably cursed, he might just have stumbled upon the solution to save his people from the empire that stole their magic.
Even though I enjoyed Kaylo's interactions and training of the younger Tayen, I definitely preferred the past storyline mainly because not a whole lot happened plot wise in the present one until later on in the book BUT I can give first books in fantasy series a little leeway when it comes to that sort of thing since they have to establish a lot.
With books whos whole plot hinges on their anti colonialism themes like this one does theres always the worry of it being executed poorly when its being written by someone with no experience of that sort of opression but I think it was well done partly because Dulin is very well aware of this fact. I really enjoyed his author notes at the end of the book, including him highlighting his favourite books with these same themes by POC that he loves &/ inspired him to write this series. Definitely appreciated!
Although I don't feel in a great rush, and I've got other book 2s looming in my immediate tbr to priorise, I enjoyed this one enough that I'll probably continue on with the series at some point!
Thanks to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
And it's tied with the magic system for my favourite thing about No Heart For A Thief.
Its such a interesting take on elemental magic: the world has an invisible force referred to as the Song and a rare few are blessed by spirits to call upon the Song and channel it through dance to manipulate an element. Water, the earth, shadow, etc. It reminded me a little of Avatar The Last Airbender.
As a younger boy, Kaylo, our main protagonist has the power of The Seed (earth manipulation) until he starts to hear the sound of other people's magic and decides that though he's probably cursed, he might just have stumbled upon the solution to save his people from the empire that stole their magic.
Even though I enjoyed Kaylo's interactions and training of the younger Tayen, I definitely preferred the past storyline mainly because not a whole lot happened plot wise in the present one until later on in the book BUT I can give first books in fantasy series a little leeway when it comes to that sort of thing since they have to establish a lot.
With books whos whole plot hinges on their anti colonialism themes like this one does theres always the worry of it being executed poorly when its being written by someone with no experience of that sort of opression but I think it was well done partly because Dulin is very well aware of this fact. I really enjoyed his author notes at the end of the book, including him highlighting his favourite books with these same themes by POC that he loves &/ inspired him to write this series. Definitely appreciated!
Although I don't feel in a great rush, and I've got other book 2s looming in my immediate tbr to priorise, I enjoyed this one enough that I'll probably continue on with the series at some point!
Thanks to the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.