AUTHOR’S WEBSITE: http://somethingstickythiswaycomes.blogspot.com/
SERIES: Amra Thetys
PUBLISHED: April 17, 2012 (Self-published)
PAGES: 200
GENRE: Dark fantasy
AVAILABLE AT
Blurb
Amra is a thief with morals—she won’t steal from anyone poorer than she is. Fortunately, anybody that poor generally doesn’t have much worth stealing! Holgren is a mage with a distaste for magic and a soul bartered away to dark powers who will transport him to an eternity of torment on the instant of his death. Together they embark on a quest for the fabled city of Thagoth, where the secret of immortality is rumored to be hidden.
But Amra and Holgren aren’t the only ones after the secret. Many others seek to utilize the hidden magic for their own twisted ends. And waiting in the ruined city with dark plans for the world are the twin gods Tha-Agoth and Athagos, a brother and sister whose illicit passion is as destructive and vengeful as they are.
Now, as potent sorceries clash in a violent struggle for dominion over all that lives, Amra and Holgren face a choice between the unthinkable and the unbearable—with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. . . .
Review
ALSO REVIEWED AT: Goodreads
“It isn’t all that much different from what goes on in every soul,” he continued. “Good struggles with evil eternally in each of us, doesn’t it?”
A tale of meddling gods, determined sorcerer kings, and honorable thieves. Amra and Holgren embark on a new journey to find Thagoth, a city of myth, seeking a way to reclaim Holgren’s soul, only to be embroiled in a conflict that has been brewing for millennia. With divine intervention and the fate of humanity swaying in the balance, the two must scheme to defeat the dreaded Shadow King, or suffer an eternity in death and servitude.
Kerf’s crooked crutch, I can’t get enough of Amra and Holgren! The Thief Who Spat In Luck’s Good Eye is Michael McClung’s ambitious sophomore installment in his Amra Thetys series, and what an adventure it is. Governed by non-stop action, terrifying monsters that lurk in the shadows, and two thieves that can’t seem to elude losing consciousness, it is one hell of a ride through life and death. While it’s heavily steeped in the fantastical, deep in its bones it’s a story of the battle between good and evil, of conquering fear instead of allowing it to conquer you, and of the strength and determination that lend courage when facing adversity. The setup is quick and the adventure takes off at a breakneck pace, remaining that way throughout, making for a quick and entertaining read. With each book I read, I fall more in love with this world the author has created.
The scope of this story is much more grand than book one as it takes us on a journey through faraway places, the death lands, and a deserted and desiccated city which holds the secret of immortality. For such a relatively short book, we’re transported to a variety of haunting and beautifully-crafted environments, rich in history and filled with all types of treasures and enemies. We traverse a labyrinthine pyramid, which is prison to a shell of a man, explore the broken remains of the dead city of Thagoth, and visit the mysterious Shadowfall, home to the Shadow King. Each place so distinctly different, yet all tie together to weave a tale so intricately designed and wonderfully executed.
And now for the best part – Amra and Holgren are quite honestly some of my favorite characters ever, and ones that perfectly break their stereotypical yokes. Amra, a thief not afraid to take a life, but with strong morals and a heart of gold, and Holgren, a mage who cares not for the art of magic, seeking to live free of the thing he seems to despise. One brash, the other reserved. One who thrives in shadow, the other the source of the brightest light. Both willing to sacrifice everything for the other and both steadfast in their desire to pave their way to a better life. The two tastefully balance each other, making for a fun dynamic that keeps you coming back for more. In addition to these two, this story introduces Tha-Agoth and Athagos, the Twin Gods with an awe-inspiring and tragic history, as well as Kerf and Isin, father and mother of the gods, who seem to have chosen our two thieves to be the next heroes of the age. Also, the tale and fate of the Sorcerer King serves as the perfect backdrop for this amazing adventure.
“I never asked to be a hero.”
Which is why you are suited for it.
As I expected, I had a blast with this book and am really looking forward to diving into the duo’s next blunderous misadventure in The Thief Who Knocked on Sorrow’s Gate. I’m always in need of some snark and sharp wit delivered with deadpan execution – I mean, is there any other way to respond to a breathtaking display of ancient magic than by replying with “can I have my knife back now?” I think not. If you haven’t picked up this series yes, I really suggest you give it a try. I highly recommend.