Reviewed by Shravan
February 16, 2026
The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner starts with the Newbery Honor winning novel the Thief. This is a clever medieval fantasy series for ages 10-14, and perfect for fans of mythology and heists.
What an interesting series. I don’t think that there are many other books that are quite like this one, where when you read it, time just flies by. Most books in the series have about 35% of the book leading up to the climax, and the climax is just so, so good. I absolutely loved it. In particular, I enjoyed the 3rd book, The King of Attolia and the last book, Return of the Thief. The 2nd book, The Queen of Attolia had a lot of short climaxes, with very interesting, and heart-stopping moments.
In the series, Eugenides, the Thief of Eddis is tasked with stealing a stone that grants immortality, gets reunited with all his family and cousins in Eddis, a country next to Sounis. He also gets captured by the Queen of Attolia, a neighboring country, and suffers a grievous injury. He starts a war, ends a war, becomes a King. And finally, he becomes Annex over Sounis, Eddis and Attolia. I really, really loved Return of the Thief, it had so many funny and interesting parts, I just read it over and over again. Same goes with The King of Attolia. Honestly, the worst out of all of them (which is still really good) is Thick as Thieves.
As a series, because there are a variety of topics such as murder and maiming, I would give this series an age rating of 10+. I can also rate this series 4.5 Stars, because although it is quite minor, the books are so different compared to each other, but individually, they are awesome. Also, I highly recommend reading them in order, otherwise it will seem extremely confusing.
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Common Questions About The Thief
What age is The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner appropriate for?
The Thief (first book in the Queen's Thief series) is recommended for ages 8-10 (Grades 3rd-5th). The first book is a slow-burn adventure that builds to one of the best twist endings I've ever read. The later books get more complex with political intrigue, so they suit ages 10-12 better. It's a really unique series that rewards patient readers.
What order should I read the Queen's Thief series?
Read in this order: The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia, A Conspiracy of Kings, Thick as Thieves, and Return of the Thief. You absolutely have to read The Thief first — the twist ending reframes everything, and it makes the rest of the series so much more satisfying.
How many books are in the Queen's Thief series?
There are 6 books in the Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner, published between 1996 and 2020. The Thief won a Newbery Honor in 1997, which is well deserved — it's a seriously clever book. The series is complete, so your kid can read straight through without waiting.
What is The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner about?
The Thief follows Gen, a clever thief who gets recruited for a dangerous quest to steal a legendary object. It's set in a world inspired by ancient Greece with some serious mind games, and the ending is so good I literally had to read it twice to see how I missed the clues. If your kid enjoys fantasy with smart characters, this is a must-read.
The Thief is recommended for ages 10 - 14 (Grades 5th - 9th).