The Blacktongue Thief
Ratings206
Average rating4.1
A fantasy movie by Guy Ritchie but it doesn't suck.
I'm not a fan of the modern fantasy style but reading The Blacktongue Thief almost made me reconsider. Almost. At its best this novel feels similar to fantasy books of the 80's and 90's. The plots were straightforward yet filled with strange ideas at every turn leaving you unsure about where the tale would finally land. At its worst it just feels like every middle of the road fantasy novel that's come out of the last 10 years. Quick pacing and simple conflicts. That said, the wit Buehlman strategically displayed in Between Two Fires is now given plenty of room here with our lead and acolyte of mischief, Kinch, who really feels tailored to Buehlman's strengths. A sharp blacktongued rogue with a romantic's heart. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series. The ending was just satisfying enough to leave me with some doubt, despite ending abruptly. Ideally I'd like the next books to take bigger risks, have more interpersonal conflicts and be even weirder. In the modern fantasy landscape, this is a diamond in the rough.
Lastly, rest in peace Luther. I'm sure you were one cool cat.
Very good writing and style, but also very lame story (the space devoted to a certain sea crit broke the book for me, and i really did not expect, or want, sea adventures)
Buehlman's writing style impressed me from the first pages, unfortunately however that was the last enjoyable part of The Blacktongue Thief for me. I do understand the appeal of the book, flipping the usual fantasy tropes of the chosen one farmboy turned world saviour for a more raw telling of a story of 'just a guy' who happens to find himself stuck in the middle of something.
The Blacktongue Thief is a character focussed book that's more about the journey than the destination. The main questline of the story is never really the focus, and that's intended, I get that. Unfortunately in this character focussed story I just didn't care for the characters, and the journey was one of tedium. I could see the influence from Pratchett, Abercrombie, and Rothfuss on every page, but this served only as a recurring reminder to me that honestly I'd rather have been reading one of their books.
Buehlman's style has piqued my interest enough that I'm still keen to read Between Two Fires, and would still recommend The Blacktongue Thief to the right person. For me however, it was a miss.
TL;DR: The Blacktongue Thief is an ambitious fantasy adventure that blends dark humor, gritty action, and vivid worldbuilding. While the story meanders at times and the author doesn’t quite hit his stride, it’s still a book worth reading for its unique voice and engaging protagonist.
Food Rating: If The Blacktongue Thief were a dish, it would be a hearty, rustic stew with a sharp kick of spice. The stew’s rich ingredients—tender meat, bold seasoning, and fresh vegetables—promise a satisfying meal, but there are a few moments where the flavors don’t entirely meld. Some bites are deeply flavorful and exciting, while others feel a little overcooked or under-seasoned. Overall, it’s an imperfect yet enjoyable dish that adventurous eaters would appreciate.
Buehlman’s The Blacktongue Thief takes readers into a dangerous, war-torn fantasy world filled with magic, monsters, and plenty of sharp wit. The story follows Kinch Na Shannack, a debt-ridden thief (the take on the debtors "mark" was well done) and reluctantly drawn into a dangerous quest alongside the formidable warrior Galva. Together, they traverse a richly imagined landscape rife with peril and intrigue.
Kinch’s roguish charm and biting humor make him an entertaining narrator, and his first-person perspective is one of the book’s highlights. However, the story itself occasionally loses focus, with stretches of meandering plot that slow the pace and dilute the impact of its more gripping moments. At times, it feels as though the novel tries to tackle too much, introducing a wealth of worldbuilding and side elements that don’t always fully coalesce.
Despite these quibbles, there is a lot to enjoy in The Blacktongue Thief. The prose is sharp and engaging, and the world is vividly detailed, from the shadowy workings of the Takers Guild to the eerie magic and terrifying creatures that populate the land. The contrast between Kinch’s irreverence and Galva’s (would very much like an expanded novel with her and her companion) stoicism adds an interesting dynamic to their partnership, and the moments of camaraderie and tension between the characters are genuinely compelling.
The novel’s humor and irreverent tone help to balance its darker elements, creating a unique blend of grim and lighthearted storytelling. While the narrative doesn’t always feel cohesive, the book’s sharp dialogue, creative worldbuilding, and occasional moments of brilliance make it worth the journey.
This one is for fans of fantasy with a darker, more irreverent edge, The Blacktongue Thief offers plenty to enjoy, even if it falls short of its full potential. It may not be a perfect read, but it’s still an intriguing and entertaining one that leaves room for the possibility of greater things to come.
## Ratings
Cover: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Initial Draw: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Finish Line Feeling: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
## Review
#### Cover
Epic! The black and yellow colour scheme and sharp lines draw you to it on the shelf instantly.
#### Initial Draw
I love a good thief/rogue centric book so I picked this up in the book store, read the blurb, and needed to buy it. It also sounded dark yet silly enough to be a quick refreshing palate cleansing read.
#### Characters
The characters were all great and expertly described. The humour that the main character, Kinch, conveys to every scenario made this a super enjoyable read.
#### Pacing
Super quick. There was never a dull moment in this book and I read it in two sittings.
#### Finish line feeling
Sufficiently wrapped up the main quest line of the first book and left me yearning for more! Overall it was a great short start to a new series that would serve a great entry point to the fantasy genre.
Wonderful worldbuilding with deep characters and a good balance of humour and grim action.
Good pacing, even though generally you could point to some pacing issues but it was never dull. I really liked that whenever you got a feeling that, now we are going into a slow descriptive wordbuilding chunks or enter into a bunch of side quests there was a surprise, or another interesting story or character twist that kept you along. Normally humour in books doesn't really work for me and early on I was a bit annoyed at it, but by the end I enjoyed it and had a chuckle or a smile in many places. Overall an interesting book and a bit different take on the genre with wild world building and characters.
I really enjoyed Between Two Fires but this is a different book - firmly rooted in the Fnatasy camp, with a tone that is less taut that the more horror filled BTF. The plot is noting revolutionary but the quality of phrases make in stand out. My only criticism is that Kinch is a bit too heavily painted as that “lovable Irish rogue” and it can be a bit old after a bit. Will now line up the prequal of the story of Galva
Witty and endearing, reminds me of a Terry Pratchett book with it's own unique direction on world building and character design
“The only way to deal with this world is to laugh at it.” – Voltaire
Christopher Buehlman's The Blacktongued Thief is a delightful fusion of dark fantasy and sharp wit, a novel that embraces the traditional trappings of the genre while imbuing them with a refreshing, often surprising humor. The narrative follows Kinch Na Shannack, a thief who stumbles into a grander adventure than he ever anticipated, traversing a world rife with danger, magic, and complex moral questions. Buehlman's world-building is nothing short of fantastic; every detail, from the shadowy forests to the bustling cities, is meticulously crafted, providing a rich backdrop against which the story unfolds.
One of the novel's standout features is the interplay between its characters. Buehlman excels in creating dynamic, believable relationships, where the dialogue feels natural and the humor arises organically from their interactions. This is a world where the stakes are high, yet the characters' banter provides a much-needed levity that makes their journey as entertaining as it is perilous. The humor while rarely subtle, never detracts from the gravity of the narrative, but rather adding a layer of complexity that keeps the reader engaged. This balance is reminiscent of the work of Joe Abercrombie, yet Buehlman brings his own voice to the genre, one that is both thoughtful and sharply observant.
The audiobook, narrated by Buehlman himself is, in a word, delightful. If you're torn between the physical copy and the audiobook, let me save you the trouble—go with the audiobook. I find myself picking up my earphones more and more, and the book less and less as the story went on. Buehlman's voice breathes life into his words, capturing the humor, tension, and emotional nuances in a way that makes the story even more compelling.
5 out of 5 stars: “A darkly humorous and richly detailed fantasy, with dynamic character interactions and a standout audiobook performance that elevates the story to new heights.”
A whole new fantasy world whose excellent world-building was consistently matched by its plot and characters. Delightful, funny, crass, touching, and entertaining, you can't help but be drawn in by Buehlman's creation.
THE BLACKTONGUE THIEF is the second book I've finished by this author, and it did not disappoint. Like his masterpiece Between Two Fires this book takes place in a world clearly modeled after medieval Europe, but unlike that book this novel clearly belongs to the genre of fantasy and is set in a richly developed land of imagination. The world-building, a land at precarious peace after the ravages of the Goblin Wars, is truly incredible and rivals that of George R.R. Martin and other titans of the genre. Buehlman also triumphs in character development, especially with his protagonist Kinch Na Shannack - debtor to the Takers (thieves) Guild - who becomes embroiled in quest and conspiracy taking him across a world filled goblins, giants, assassins, witches, and more. #theblacktonguethief blends action, humor, introspection, and spectacle and is a novel not to be missed.
Whither or not you enjoy this book will come down to if you like the main characters voice and it’s humour. It is so distinct that if you it will make or break the book for you. I loved it, the jokes were right up my street and spending time with the point of view character was a joy.
Other strengths include a great and original romantic relationship and a satisfying ending where promises are paid off and no punches are pulled. The kind of ending that makes you close the book a sit in silence for a moment.
The reason why I gave this book 4 stars rather than 5 is the plot and world building. Which I found less original than the characters and not as interesting. However do not let this put you off! You don’t read this book for a twisty plot mind blowing magic, you read it to spend time with the character and his brilliant commentary of his life.
This was a perplexing blend of fantasy excellence and narrative meandering. Amongst its strengths are vivid characters and a world so richly painted that it almost leaps off the page. However, it occasionally gets lost in the details, leading to a pacing that alternates between exhilarating and laborious.
This dichotomy is the heart of the book's charm and its challenge. The engaging storyline is occasionally bogged down by worldbuilding, which, while impressive, can detract from the narrative drive. It leaves the reader torn between appreciating the detailed setting and yearning for more consistent momentum. That said, some may enjoy the truly lived-in feel that it provides.
I haven't met a Buehlman story yet that I didn't like. This one switches things up nicely because the other two I tried from him were horror/vampire stories. I honestly wouldn't have looked at this one twice but for the writer. I was curious about what he would do in a genre (High Fantasy) that I'm not often in the mood for.
Buehlman's a great storyteller. Blacktongue Thief works for me with all the major elements, the characters, the world-building, an exciting plot, and the added bonus of a sense of humor.
Narrator/protagonist Kinch is the title character, a thief who starts the book already in trouble because he's indebted to his own guild. He's living in a bleak world, nations/species always at war and a survival-of-the-quickest mentality everywhere.
The cast of characters is about 90% female, and at first I thought, well this is some serious overcompensating for the lack of prominent female characters in older books of this genre. But no, the reason for this is logical: multiple wars with the Goblin nations killed most of the young male population and the young women who in turn became soldiers didn't have much time for making sons (or daughters).
Kinch is a complex character, both jocular and dark. Much of his character journey focuses on the nature of bravery and his perceived lack of it. He is one of the few young men that dodged the above mentioned wars, and he faces his own guilt and judgment from others. Through the adventures in the book, he needs to find courage both to prove something to himself as well as address his need to prove something to his traveling companion.
Kinch gets into a series of adventures that are conflicts with shades of gray not good and evil, and no sense that the overall goal of the characters has the greater moral value or purpose at least among the humans. Everyone is out for themselves and writing the wrongs that they perceive. But among the humanoid character types (Goblins, Giants) there are more extreme and interesting dangers for the main characters and give the story “bad guys” to root against in favor of Kinch and his companions.
Finally finished this. Good story, good systems, awful crude writing that put me off reading it, which is why it took me HALF A YEAR to get around to finishing it.
awesome
I read conflicting reviews on this so I wasn't sure I would like it but I did... I really, really enjoyed this. It was fun, witty, action packed, a little heartache, clever, and kind of grim at times. I mainly read this on my kindle but I did listen to a few chapters and so I must also point out that Christopher Buehlman has a pretty nice singing voice. If you need a break from reality and want something that will make you laugh and not have to think to hard I highly recommend this. A truly fun read
“Monarchy is a bad system because, no matter how smart you are, you can still squirt a moron out of your plumbing.”
4.5 stars
Intriguing quest story with an interesting protagonist, spectacular world building and one of the best writing styles out there. The book is gruesome, deep and hilarious.
Took away half a star because of one repeated inconsistency that bugged me.
I can't wait for the next book in the series and I'm definitely checking out the rest of this author's books!
Very different
The Blacktongue Thief is an unusual story. I was never sure where it was headed, which was a wonderful surprise in a world full of overused tropes.