The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman | Book Review

I received this book for free from Library, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Set in a world of goblin wars, stag-sized battle ravens, and assassins who kill with deadly tattoos, Christopher Buehlman's The Blacktongue Thief begins a 'dazzling' (Robin Hobb) fantasy adventure unlike any other.

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.

“The Blacktongue Thief is fast and fun and filled with crazy magic. I can't wait to see what Christopher Buehlman does next." - Brent Weeks, New York Times bestselling author of the Lightbringer series

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman lured me in with its excellent cover. I was further convinced by the good reviews it got on Goodreads. I had to put a hold on the physical book at the library — as I wanted that tactile reading experience. Well, turns out, I didn’t exactly love The Blacktongue Thief. It is what it is though.

Buehlman’s series opener follows Kinch Na Shannock who is a thief with a black tongue. Kinch owes money to the Takers Guild. And so, he has fallen in with a gang of highwaymen and robs people in an attempt to get the money to pay the guild back. One day though they try to rob the wrong woman. What results from that attempt is a big adventure for Kinch. The woman is Galva and she is a Spanth. She is on a mission to rescue a queen named Mireya. Somehow Kinch gets roped into this mission and per the Takers Guild, if he sticks to Galva like white on rice, he will be richly rewarded.

Kinch will come across old enemies, goblins, and more. He will find love on his journey. Kinch will also come across war corvids and witches. Adventure awaits.

Unfortunately, The Blacktongue Thief was just not the book for me. I was so excited by the short chapters. That is, until I realized that the print was really small. I also did not care for the way Kinch talked about women and sex. I mean, okay, I get that he isn’t perfect and is weird and awkward. It just was not for me. Also, the pacing felt so glacial. As it turns out, I never truly felt invested in this book. There also were some fourth wall breaking moments that took me right out of the story.

However, the goblin war aspect is really interesting. So is the aspect of the women as fighters in the war and this bit with horses. I liked how the magic worked too. Still, I just never could overcome my dislike for the main character. I will not be continuing on with the series, and that is okay. There is an audience out there for it and it is just not me — not everything needs to be.

@aprilbooksandwine

Book Review: The Blacktongue Thief — ended up falling flat for me

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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