Rating: 
Summary: An Imaginative And Well Told Tale
Review: Cornelia Funke is Germany's most popular writer for young adults and the English translation of her best seller THE THIEF LORD should win her a wider audience. It is a fantasy set in modern day Venice although any who has been there will know that Venice wears anything modern lightly as it is really timeless. Two orphaned German brothers flee there when relatives try to seperate them. They fall in with a group of street urchins who work for the Thief Lord , a person who is both more and less than he seems. The story is a mystery , adventure, fantasy and a look at the often delicate thread that we call friendship and family. Quite a bit to mix but Funke does it quite well. A fine group of characters both likeable and unlikeable dot this well told and nicely translated tale.
Rating:
Summary: A fun read
Review: A fun story about a group of kids living on the streets in Italy, having adventures, and trying to elude a detective sent to track them down. I purchased this book for my daughter who is a prolific 11 yr. old reader. It's a nice change of pace for her compared the other childrens series currently available.
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful fantasy, with an exciting and ironic ending!
Review: This was the best book! It took me about 3 days to read it from, cover to cover. The orphans Prosper and Bo, are in Venice running from their cruel aunt Esther Hartlieb. Esther a rich woman is in Venice, looking for little Bo, she gets what she wants in the end.. sort of. Prosper and Bo, live with other orphans in an abandoned movie theater. To make a living the children steal and make deals with a no good antique dealer. The book really brings you to Venice, and its whole concept is cool. The book reading level says for ages 9-12. However, I don't think that most 9 year olds possess the capabilities to finish this book. I think it should be 11 and up.
I honestly think that anyone of any age can enjoy this book. If you like Harry Potter books this book is one you would love.
Rating:
Summary: the theif lord
Review: My 11 year old daughter, who is an avid reader, said this was the best book she had ever read. She has begged me to try and find other books by this author.
Rating:
Summary: "The Thief Lord" - eloquently written, interesting story
Review: The Thief Lord was a good read. I gave it 4 stars because the story caught my eye, I was not bored by the book, and I liked the way it was written and focused on Italian culture. However, when people tell me it is "supposed to be the next Harry Potter," I am at a loss as to how Miss Funke could make this into a riveting series. Overall, it was a good book, but I still don't see very many sequels coming our way. The story was not something that would keep my interest for very long, but "The Thief Lord" was a very good novel and I suggest that all read it.
Rating: 
Summary: A pleasant adventure, but lacking depth
Review: "The Thief Lord" was originally published in German in 2000 by Cecilie Dressler Verlag and this translation is by Cornelia Funke.
The basic premise has two orphans, 12-year old Prosper and his 5-year old brother, Bo, escaping their cold-hearted Aunt Esther. They flee to Venice, a city their mother loved and described to them in great detail. There they meet up with other young urchins, Hornet, a girl with a long braid who loves books, Mosca, a boy who likes boats and Riccio, a pickpocket with crooked teeth. They all live in an abandoned movie theatre and receive assistance from the mysterious Scipio, who steals from the wealthy homes of Venice.
Other characters include Victor Getz, a bumbling detective who the author describes as "looking like Bob Hoskins", Ida Spavenko, a kind-hearted woman photographer, and Barbarossa, a swindling antique shop owner.
The plot has the children eluding then befriending Victor, along with Scipio's quest for the big take, then a mysterious caper that propels the characters on a quest to a secret island in search of a magical merry-go-round.
The writing is simple and well-paced, probably best for kids ten to eleven, with plenty of action and comedy. While not being entirely original, the book suffers from some of its surprises easily guess far ahead of time. The characters are not given a lot of depth, although I liked Prosper and Scipio, I would have liked to have learned more about them. Much of Scipio's background remained unclear, as well as his motives for helping the other children and his eventual transformation. Prosper changes by not changing, and becomes the anchor of the story, the conscience and most sympathetic character. He faces many choices, makes some mistakes, but comes out ahead by his own intelligence, the help of his friends, and a little luck. One point that makes this story rise above other books is the author's attention to the details of Venice. While not overwhelming young readers, there is enough to provide a clear picture of the city's canals, old building and many bridges. Still, one cannot help but think that this is a movie treatment that will find it's way to the theatres eventually.
Rating:
Summary: Poser
Review: I didn't like this like I thought I would. Tries to be a lot of different things but doesn't make it on any level at least not for me. The characters are flat and unlikeable. The plot not even so-so.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent story, poor execution
Review: I picked up the Thief Lord after hearing so many comparisons to it and to Harry Potter. After finishing it though, I realized that the two books/series could not be further apart. Harry Potter books are successful because the characters and relationships are so well thought out and, while the magic may be fantasy, the relationships seem real. In this book, the story almost never strays from real life into fantasy, except in the development of the actual characters. The main character, Victor, is almost a characature of a dumb detective, and is never even believable as that. His relationship with the kids who are the focus of the book borders on the rediculous and later development of a "relationship" between him and a female characer comes from nowhere, with no build up. No one is really believable as a real life character.
I give it 2 stars though because the most central character, the city of Venice, was described and included so well in the story.
Rating:
Summary: Turtle good
Review: This book was turtle good. The more I think about it the more I want to share it. This was... "Mixed Up Files" in Venice. This was danger and mystery and great kindness, and desperation. This was no parents and bad parents and rowboats and cats.
I want to row my boat to see the subtle, scary magic of the Isle of Secrets. Could I, would I, have made the choice that the Thief Lord made? This book may not leap across the finish line like some books, but slow and steady, it gets there. Right onto my list of books to read again, and remember and share.
Rating:
Summary: For Children and Parents!
Review: My sons and I both enjoyed The Thief Lord, yet for different reasons. I appreciated the superb writing style of the author, as well as the descriptive setting, memorable characters and shroud of mystery. My sons thought it was "cool", "funny" and obviously a great adventure for them, as the pages kept turning. I highly recommend for young adults, as well as parents.
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