Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Not just for kids
As a thirty-something bookworm who enjoyed the Harry Potter books I've been making an effort to add more young novels (classics and new stuff) to my reading list. I'm so glad I chose this one. You'll be dreaming of Venice by the end of the frst chapter. It is simply enchanting.
Rating:  - Three and three quarter stars
The thief lord was an entertaining book for me. The writer writes in a clean, uncluttered fashion and that is always nice. The characters are quite believable, although two of the central characters are the children; Prospero and Bo, and they seemed a little one-dimensional to me. By far my favorite characters were Scipio and the detective, Victor. In the front of the book it says "To Bob Hoskins - who looks exactly like Victor" and after reading the book, I can really see the resemblence between that actor and the character. If I were to criticize the book in any way, it would be to say that it really takes some time for the book to become exciting. I think that the writer stretched out the story too much and that it could do with some editing. I found myself thinking, when will the real story finally begin? -- and it does begin, although it really takes a while. On the positive side, I'd say that the descriptions of Venice are wonderful and that some of the writers ideas, particularly the abandoned movie theater, are particularly imaginitive. I liked this book, but I don't think it will ever reach the popularity of Harry Potter because it just isn't 'word candy' in quite the same way. It's just not as exciting as Harry Potter. In conclusion, I think that it would be enjoyed more by older children and adults, than younger readers.
Rating: - Enjoyable and Fun
THE THIEF LORD, by German writer Cornelia Funke, is one of the few *new* books that I've come across recently that was able to keep me engrossed until the very end. I found the story to be delightful, and especially enjoyed the setting of Venice, Italy. Funke's writing style is a pleasure to read, neither convoluted or overly simplistic. Her characters are likeable, even Prosper and Bo's "evil" aunt and uncle, and overall THE THIEF LORD is a fun and magical book that can be enjoyed by the whole family.After their parents die, Prosper and Bo run away from their aunt and uncle (who, of course, want to adopt only the younger, cuter Bo, and send Prosper off to boarding school), making their way all the way to the city of Venice, Italy, which they had heard much of in the stories told by their late mother. There, they are taken into a gang of street kids who are under the guidance of the mysterious Scipio, also known as the Thief Lord. Prosper and Bo feel safe until they realize that their aunt and uncle have not only tracked them to Venice, but have also hired a private detective to track them down with the aim of recovering Bo. From there the adventure takes off, as the children dodge the detective while at the same time work to secure a mysterious object for an equally mysterious "Conte." Underlying Fuke's work is a tale about being a child and growing up, and whether or not one is truly more desireable than the other. As said earlier, THE THIEF LORD is a book that could be read aloud to the whole family, or enjoyed by individual readers on their own. Either way, recommended reading level is around 10-years-old. Enjoy!
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