Gripping. I read it pretty nonstop over a more-or-less 24 hour period. However, I want to warn you right now that this is very much the first half of Gripping. I read it pretty nonstop over a more-or-less 24 hour period. However, I want to warn you right now that this is very much the first half of the story (the first half of a very long book) and if you read it now you'll have to wait until the next one comes out to get the plot resolved. In this way it reminded me of the experience of reading Robin McKinley's Pegasus, or reading an incomplete piece of fan fiction. A delight to read, but now you I'm sitting here hoping the author updates the story on AO3/publishes the sequel soon, ya know? ;)
Disclaimer: the author is a personal friend of mine. (Hi, Intisar, if you're reading this! Sorry for starting off this review by telling people you've published half a book, but, you kinda brought this on yourself??? Sorry. I love you.)
I've seen this book compared to Megan Whalen Turner's The Queen's Thief series, but I don't find that a particularly apt comparison (except when the characters were describing their food. Mmmmm, tell me what's in your oatmeal some more, guys, you're making me hungry). The Theft of Sunlight reminded me very strongly of Kristin Cashore's Bitterblue in terms of plot, writing style, and themes. I'm probably going to go reread Bitterblue while I'm hoping that Theft #2 magically appears in a bookstore near me in the next few days. (The Queen's Thief series and the Graceling Realm series are both excellent, by the way. If you're looking for something to read after you're finished reading Intisar's books, I highly recommend both of those series.)
Loved this book for: -subtle shade thrown at fantasy!european culture. Tell me more about how weird historical white people culture is, I love that. -descriptions of delicious food -murder and violence have an appropriate level of horror about them. -making allies everywhere you go. Solidarity for a common cause with lots of different folks. -tax accounts saving the day -delightful wedding customs -a heroine who can't sit down for a minute because there are other characters and plot points requiring her attention CONSTANTLY. Do you remember that guy/group/thing that happened? Rae doesn't either, cause there's so much dang stuff going on. -supportive parents! Adorable sisters! Making friends left and right! -almost every character is Brown!
Questions & Slight Concerns: -some children who escape from slavers get cursed. The curse is not described super in-depth, but it reminded me a little bit of descriptions of autism? These characters are shown as people who are loved and valued, but the curse is still feared. Something to be aware of, if you are autistic and considering reading this book. -has literally no one ever suggested a mobility aid to Rae? Maybe that was part of the The Bone Knife, it's been a long time since I read it. I realize that she's extremely self-conscious about her disability, but she spends so much of this book in pain. I hope she starts using a walking stick or cane in the next book, when she needs it. I know she would feel self-conscious about it, but I think it would also make the world easier for her to navigate that and I want that for her!
That's about it, in terms of a proper review from me. Queer headcannons after the spoilers cut. (It's after the cut because of the plot spoilers involved in my headcannons, not because of the gayness.) (view spoiler)[ 1) Rae's sister Niya is obviously a lesbian, right? All of that business about 'Niya can never get married because of her *magical secret* and I, Rae, will never get married because men don't fancy disabled people so the two of us will take over the horse ranch together as unmarried sisters' just reeked of My-sister-is-a-magical-gay-and-I-love-and-support-her, yes? Or was that just me? I mean, Niya has to keep a secret about her identity. An inherently *cool* secret, an identity she doesn't necessarily share with her parents or siblings, an identity that might scare other people for no good reason. Queerness is just *right there.* Clearly, Rae is going to fall in love with a man and Niya is going to fall in love a woman and everyone will be happily married. Clearly. I can't wait. :)
2) In this house we love and support gender non conforming boy-kings of the thieves. Tell me more about Bren's long, pretty hair. Does he wear earrings, too? An elegant tunic? I'm extremely here for it.
3) "As I watch, Genno Stonemane approaches the couch, and beside him, another man. Or rather, Fae. Though he bears Stonemane company, they are nothing alike beyond the velvet darkness of their eyes. This Fae is dark as the richest of earth, his beauty as profound and gorgeous as the deep wood, so unlike Stonemane's colder, paler beauty if just as dangerous. His hair is braided into long ropes that fall down his back, glinting here and there with jewels. 'Who is that beside the Fae ambassador? I ask Mina softly. 'Adept Midael, the Cormorant. He rarely takes part in court gatherings, so you likely won't see much of him.' "(186) Say no more, say no more. The fairies are gay. And magic. I'm picking up what you're putting down.
4) There's not really a love triangle between Rae, Bren, and Matsin. But there is a sort of tiny, baby love triangle. What is the best way to protect Rae and make sure that justice is served in the midst of a corrupt system? The guard character is obviously pro doing things by the books and the thief character thinks that the law isn't going to cut it because it's already failed us. Chaos vs. order! Temporary alignments to protect Rae! Jumping off of a boat to run away from the cute guy who wants to arrest you! 'Hey Rae, can you give this punch to Bren and tell him it's from me?' -incorrect Matsin quote. What do we say in response to every love triangle ever? We say: all of them should date each other.
I'm sorry friends, it's late, and I've been reading this book pretty much nonstop all day. I might be spouting nonsense at this point. But if I can't spout nonsense in the Queer Headcannon section of the review, where can I spout it? What's that? I should take my nonsense back to tumblr? You're probably right.
Absolutely the fuck not. Not today, satan. Get thee behind. Came across this book at the library where I work. "Relationships" is very large on the covAbsolutely the fuck not. Not today, satan. Get thee behind. Came across this book at the library where I work. "Relationships" is very large on the cover and I didn't read the subtitle before I checked all of the little bathroom stall people to see if any of the relationships (or people) depicted are queer. The answer was no and then I read the subtitle and discovered why. It didn't take much flipping to find the portion of the book that talks about queer folks. Same old same old "hate the sin love the sinner" bullshit. Mercifully I did not find a discussion of trans folks. I imagine we are not covered in this text. Not all Christians are homophobic. The people who supported me and affirmed me in my identity in college were Christians. I would even guess that most Christians are not homophobic. But it is books like this that give Christianity and religion and religious people a bad reputation for bigotry. Do not buy this book. Do not use it to teach your children. If you are a person who prays, do me a solid and pray for any child is harmed by this book. All my love, Nat...more