Thief of Lies

3.5 or 4,0/5 stars

This was a fun story. As a book worm, the library jumper concept immediately grabbed me. I could easily picture myself being super happy to discover a magical world inside a library... Hmm... Coming to think about it, isn't it what we have now? Except the magic isn't real as it was to Gia, this book's MC.

I have to be completely honest and say I liked Gia way more before she became a Sentinel. Right at the beginning she was really easy to like, but as she discovered the truth about her identity and her powers, she turned into Ms. "I need to know it all" and it came across as if she thought everyone owned her an explanation for every damn thing. That, no only made her a bit annoying, but also gave the story a strange vibe because it felt like the author was over explaining every single detail about the world and every single character choice, instead of showing them or trusting us to figure it out.

Other than that, I really enjoyed what I tead. The romance was strong. Arik was a great love interest, and I didn't mind the romance because Bastien was an interesting character.

The story moved fast, which meant I didn't get bored at all. I was surprised at how the author managed to keep the story moving and moving without dropping the pace, since the book is a bit on the long side.

Overall, this was an entertaining read.

This is the second book which has been sent to me by Entangled Teen in exchange for an honest review and I can say that so far I am impressed. This book has been highly anticipated in the blogging/booktube community for months, primarily because everyone sees the plot centers around "library jumping" and let's get real, most book lovers love books about books.

Suddenly one day Gia learns she is a "sentinel." In other words, it is basically her duty to travel to an magical universe where she plays a huge part in saving the land since she is allegedly the key to some ancient prophecy. The Sentinels' mode of transportation is though various books in libraries scattered all over the world, which is a unique and not always easy way to travel. Throughout the book Gia discovers that she is not an average teen and learns more than she ever wanted to know about family and other long-lost relatives.

I liked Gia, but didn't love her. It is nice have a MC who is a teen who is witty, snarky and stronger than she believes. Gia is also a smart individual and it is fun for the reader to travel alongside of her as she learns about her history, a new magical land, and her abilities. The main problem I have with the book is the love triangle. I have come to expect them with many YA books and while they don't stop me from picking a book up, they do somewhat hinder my reading enjoyment. I will add though that while Gia tends to be torn between two guys - Arik and Bastien - in this setting, Sentinels are betrothed to the noble class and have no choice when it comes to matters of the heart, which is where Bastien enters. Making the reason for the triangle part of the plot was a smart move by Drake and in my honest opinion, lessens Gia's fickleness to some degree.

There is plenty to like about this book including wonderful side characters, an interesting magical system, unique supernatural/magical species and don't forget, libraries and books. I am definitely interested to see what happens in the next installment and this is a fast-paced,action book which I think many people will enjoy.

As mentioned, a review copy was provided by Entangled Teen via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Since I have really good look with their titles, I am definitely curious to see what else Entangled Teen offers in the future.

Review also posted on Goodreads and used in a 2016 New Release Challenge and a Clear Out Your E-Reader Challenge so it will cross-post to several addition blogs.

THIEF OF LIES is the first book in author Brenda Drake's young adult series, the Library Jumpers. Readers are swept into the world where libraries are used as a mean of transportation and will find themselves leaping across gorgeous libraries, joining magic knights as they fight dangerous creatures that threaten to spill over into the human realm.

Who can resist a story featuring beautiful libraries as the settings for some fun and magical happenings - I know I couldn't. There're jumps from Boston to Paris, Dublin and even as far as Portugal before all is said and done. Each with yummy details for book and library lovers to devour.

I enjoyed getting to know Gia's character. She's a likable YA heroine - curious, snarky, daring, yet also practical - she realizes when she can't solve every problem (yay, for realistic teens.) As a fellow book nerd, it was easy to connect with her. I liked that she wasn't (completely) overrun emotionally by a cute guy, as Brenda Drake sent more than one her way. A diverse cast of characters, including some great best friends, also made this a fun read, adding humor and danger when needed.

There's a touch of romance and a few swoony moments in between all those jumps to enjoy. Though, I would have liked a bit more build up (romantic tension) between Gia and her love interest. It does seem like the future may hold some romantic complications, with love-triangle possibilities, but for the most part, I liked both guys with Gia having strong feelings for just one of them.

Thief of Lies boasts a strong beginning for what seems a series with lots of fascinating possibilities. Drake did a great job with this series opener. The world building left me curious with its magic globes and magical system. I'm eager to visit the next installment of the Library Jumpers. A fun and enjoyable start to a new series!

I CANNOT wait for the sequel for Thief of Lies. The series is exciting, unpredictable, and features a girl who is less than perfect, which I always find endearing. I am definitely a fan of Brenda Drake. You can read my full review on my website, www.heatheraeagar.com, on its release date, 01/05/2016.

The first time I read the blurb for Thief of Lies I knew I had to read this book. First it is a fantasy book and I’ve been needing a new fantasy series to read. Second, it’s about libraries and being able to jumping into some of the world's most beautiful libraries. What?? Of course I had to request this book on NetGalley when I saw it and luckily I was approved. Let me tell you something, this book did not disappoints. I loved the world that the author created. Yes it was a little bit confusing in the beginning but as soon as you’re into it you can’t stop reading it. I also loved the characters. Gia is a great main character. We’re talking about a 16 year-old girl that loves to be surrounded by books. Not only that but she’s not that normal type of MC’s that are always making stupid decisions every time someone tells them that they can’t do something. She actually listens to the people. I also loves how much she cared about her friends and her family. I also loved Arik and how protective he was of Gia and his friends. One thing I loved in this book is that the romance is not the main point of the plot. Yes you can see that something is going to happen between Gia and Arik but it’s not insta-love, it’s something that’s happening through time. I could try to explain to you more about this book and the world created by Brenda Drake but not only is a complex world that it would take a long time to explain in this post but I also think that everyone should read this book. And can we talk about the fact that at a certain point the library of Mafra was referenced? I loved that. Being someone from a small country like Portugal I’m used to never read anything about my country in the books I read but it was a pleasant surprise when I found out that the author talked about it in the book. Overall, this was a great book and the perfect way to start a new fantasy series. I look forward to keep reading about this story and these characters. If you love fantasy and are looking for a new series you should give this one a try.

Adventure, love, mystery and a little bit of sass, Thief of Lies is everything you could hope for in a book.

Gia and her besties are at a library not just any library but Boston’s very own Athenaeum library. A hot guy catches her eye but in a flash he was gone. Gia looking over the book that he was just looking at accidently recites a word that causes her and her friends to jump into a different library half way across the world in the middle of a battle. What in the heck did she just get herself into? Sometimes a hot guy just ain’t worth it. Sometimes he is. It is through this jump that she discovers that her birth was prophesized and could mean the end of her kind all together (Gia doesn’t know it but she has a lot in common with the Sentinels).

Gia is a character that on the outside shows a lot of confidence, on the inside she is as self-conscience as the rest of us. I think that is why I like her so much, her internal dialog is pretty spot on for what I would have said to myself. She accepts this knew world, and yet questions it at the same time. She holds her head high even when she makes mistakes and is not afraid to say sorry.

Arik, hmmm I know I am suppose to love him. I know that I am suppose to ship them together. Here is the thing though. I don’t. I like the other part of the love triangle. You see Sentinels at birth are matched up with their future significant other. Both Arik and Gia have someone they are promised to. Gia of course grew up not knowing this. Arik on the other hand did, and yet he still dates. This kinda turns me off of him. That and he kinda runs like the Katy Perry song Hot and Cold. Now the person that Gia is promised to Bastien, dang is he hot. Plus he understands and still wants Gia to be happy, he is confident in the end that they will be together so he is not threatened by Arik. I want her to end up with him.

Thief of Lies is a great book to start the New Year off with. It will capture the imagination and pull you into the the imaginary world that Drake makes. Not only that but they travel via libraries- every booklovers dream.

My Rating 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote “In the future, when someone says he fancies you, it’s a serious moment.”

Other People Nick- guy bestie, origin unknown Afton- girl bestie, human Nana- Gia's granny