Book Shelf: Thief of Lies (Library Jumpers #1) by Brenda Drake

Gia Kearns would rather fight with boys than kiss them. That is, until Arik, a leather clad hottie in the Boston Athenaeum, suddenly disappears. While examining the book of world libraries he abandoned, Gia unwittingly speaks the key that sucks her and her friends into a photograph and transports them into a Paris library, where Arik and his Sentinels—magical knights charged with protecting humans from the creatures traveling across the gateway books—rescue them from a demonic hound.

Jumping into some of the world's most beautiful libraries would be a dream come true for Gia, if she weren’t busy resisting her heart or dodging an exiled wizard seeking revenge on both the Mystik and human worlds. Add a French flirt obsessed with Arik and a fling with a young wizard, and Gia must choose between her heart and her head, between Arik's world and her own, before both are destroyed.

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Review:

Brenda Drake’s latest release Thief of Lies is a whimsical adventure that is best described as a blend of Harry Potter, The Mortal Instruments and the Mythos series by Jennifer Estep. Fans of fantasy and magic will find it near impossible not to get lost within the pages of this story.

Thief of Lies is told through the eyes of Gianna "Gia" Kearns, an intelligent and literature loving young woman who discovers that nothing is as it first seems when she and her best friends are pulled through a portal from one library in Boston to another in Paris. Setting in motion events that will see Gia learn shocking secrets about her parentage, Thief of Lies introduces readers to a whole new world where magic and monsters mingle.

Those heading into Thief of Lies can be forgiven for thinking the tale would focus heavily around libraries, however in this story the libraries themselves are only a portal and gateway into another land all together and are the start of the world Brenda Drake has created. Drake introduces readers to an interesting concept with the Mystik world in Thief of Lies, made up by all manner of supernatural creatures including witches, wizards and variations on werewolves and vampires that see the author attempt something different than what is in a lot of mainstream YA.

In the tradition of The Mortal Instruments, Thief of Lies sees the main character thrust into a world full of possibility and being thrown by the truth of her true heritage. You know what, for all my comparisons so far, Thief of Lies really does have its own storyline and significant differences. I'm not going to give too much away, but Brenda Drake obviously has some plans for this series.

I really enjoyed Gia as a main character in this book. She had natural charisma and personality. I liked that she was stubborn and embraced her new life once she got over the initial shock. In fact, all the characters were fabulous. From Gia’s human friends and family to the individuals that made up the library Sententials and the Mystik community; Arik, Aftron, Faith, Nick, Carrig, Nana, Sinead, Deirdre, Professor Attwood, Lei, Bastian etc….they all has such different personalities and attributes. Basically I thought they complimented the story well and can’t fault any of them.

Brenda Drake really impressed me with the chemistry between Gia and her main love interest Arik in this novel. Theirs is the kind of forbidden I really love and the will-they-won’t-they that simmered between them was enticing. I loved the sexual tension that exists between them and the attraction that is obviously there. Drake does hint at making things interesting with Bastian, a sexy wizard who begins to vie for Gia’s affection and someone I genuinely like. Gia certainly is spoiled for choice with her men, although at this point in time, Arik is my choice.

With a lot of different elements coming to light and characters in play, Thief of Lies is a very promising start to a new fantasy series. Brenda Drake will appeal to those who love magic, romance and adventure and is sure to leave you looking forward to following Gia on her journey with whatever happens next!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Entangled Publishing (Thank you guys!)
Format: Kindle ebook via Netgalley
Buy it: The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
My Recommendation: Fans of Harry Potter & The Mortal Instruments will devour this
Cover: I think this cover is amazing. Simply amazing!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Yes. I want to read more....