The Thief's Keeper

An Enemy's Keeper Prequel

De: Kyrie Wang

Narrado por: Michael Hajiantonis, Kiera Rhodes

2024 Wishing Shelf Book Awards (Audiobook)—Finalist

A runaway thrall. A clever thief. Together, two orphans will defy destiny or fall trying.

In the aftermath of a rebellion against William the Conqueror, northern England lies in ruins, its people scattered and starved. Aelfric, a 14-year-old thrall, flees from his master and stumbles upon a cache of stolen laundry. The thief? Aliwyn, a girl around his age, ostracized for being “cursed.” In her care is a lost toddler she has rescued from the clutches of greedy thrall traders.

Forced to cover each other’s secrets, Aelfric and Aliwyn form an unlikely friendship... and maybe something more. They embark on a perilous journey to reunite the child with his family on Easter Sunday and to seek a cure for Aliwyn’s mysterious condition.

But time is running out. Aelfric’s master is on the hunt, and the shadows of death loom ever closer over Aliwyn. Will they find the courage and faith to press on, or will their quest end in capture and ruin?

Dive into a tale of heart-stopping challenges and unforeseen twists. The Thief's Keeper is a thrilling magic-free YA historical fantasy that transports you to an alternate medieval world, where Celts and Norman knights live alongside the last Vikings. Begin your adventure today!

For fans of:

Michael Wisehart's Banished (Street Rats of Aramoor Series)

Jennifer A. Nielsen's The False Prince (Ascendance Series)

©2024 Kyrie Wang (P)2024 Kyrie Wang

Heartwarming and adventurous!

I had seen several reviews about this one, and I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it because it is no-magic, historical fiction, but it is such a sweet story! Two orphaned strangers have a chance meeting when Aelfric is trying to escape from his former master. Aliwyn helps him hide until he can board a ship to freedom in Scotland. However, through many twists and turns, the two end up having to save each other from one danger after another, and in the end discover that friendship is the most important blessing of all. There is some mention of child ab*se and violence to children, for anyone sensitive to that, but it has a happy ending for everyone. 🥰

I listen to audiobooks mostly, and the narration on this one was well done. It was duel narration, and both also did well at voicing the other character/gender when it was during their chapter, as well as capturing the innocence and spirit of the children vs the adult characters.