Genres: Dark Fantasy, NA Fantasy, Fantasy | Release Date: 31 October 2024 | Series: The Soul Thief Trilogy | Series Book: #3 | Pages: 688 | Publisher: New Dawn | Review
“I am the thing that stalks in the dark and kills without mercy.”
Madeline Te Whiu
Overview:
A massive thank you goes to Madeline Te Whiu and New Dawn Publishing for letting me read an ARC of The Queen Thief, the final instalment in The Soul Thief trilogy!* This dark fantasy series has truly saved the best for last with its epic conclusion, featuring devastating powers, emotion and overwhelming odds… Now before I begin screeching about how much I love this book, let’s give you an overview!
Telium is fighting to gather all of the forces she can, to meet Hermitch and his Fae army in a final battle. With her found family around her, she is playing every single hand she has in an effort to save Alkoria. But just how far can Telli push herself before she loses everything? The command given to her by Queen Isadora is getting stronger, and the Underrealm is calling her name. If she isn’t careful, Telium will lose not just her life, but her soul. Will she be able to harness her powers and defeat the great evil of their time? Who will stand with Telium and her friends at the end? Is there any hope that she will survive what’s ahead, finally gaining the future she longs for with Paxium?
Happiness Boost:
The Queen Thief is a dark fantasy which delights in wrapping barbed wire around a reader’s heart, and tightening it with each newly turned page. You might be wondering why that’s a good thing? This world is so immersive, so bleak with rising pressures, defiant characters and an epic love at the heart of all things… Honestly how could I not love this?! Even though I was terrified throughout the entire fantasy, the fear and heartache is *so* worth it.
Shall we talk about Telium? As Lord Assassin and Tenebris Kin, Telli is one of the most feared females in the entire realm. Her power is exponential. But what Madeline does, so deftly, is also make this assassin unafraid to show her softer side. There is nothing she wouldn’t do for her family, or indeed for all of Alkoria. And the bond between her and Pax? Oh glitterbugs. This *really* shines in The Queen Thief! I’m so in love with their protectiveness towards each other, and my heart was overflowing every time they managed to get a quiet moment together. I’m actually really sad that this is the finale, because I didn’t want to say goodbye to either of them.
Within The Queen Thief, we are taken on the darkest of adventures. Danger lurks in every shadow, ready to pounce the very second a back is turned. I could *feel* the time running out for Telium and her family, which is why I devoured this book over two days. Who could stop reading when it all comes down to this moment, this one chance to save everybody? Madeline is a force to reckon with, a masterful storyteller in the dark fantasy genre. And this is one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Downside:
Who could fault this?! The Queen Thief has no downside!
Final Thoughts:
The Queen Thief by Madeline Te Whiu is a dark fantasy finale of epic proportions, full of magic, defiance and devastating sacrifices. If Madeline isn’t an auto-buy author for you, you need to fix that *immediately*. Because this writing? It’s perfection, even when I’m crying and cursing just how well Madeline can hit the heart. Love what you’ve heard from my review? Just click on either of the links below to pre-order yourself a copy! Happy reading, glitterbugs!
You can pre-order a copy of The Queen Thief via these links:
* You can read my reviews for the first two books here:
