I love shape-shifters. I love the idea of a person being able to change from a human into an animal. Werewolves are the most commonly seen shape-shifter, but I’ve also read about tigers, bears, leopards, even a sparrow once. In Shana Abé’s novel The Smoke Thief, I was introduced to the wonderful world of dragon shape-shifters, called drákon, and I must say, I’m now completely, head-over-heels in love with the drákon.
Dubbed the Smoke Thief, a daring jewel thief is confounding the London police. His wealthy victims claim the master burglar can walk through walls and vanish into thin air. But Christoff, the charismatic Marquess of Langford, knows the truth: the thief is no ordinary human but a “runner” who’s fled Darkfrith without permission. As Alpha leader of the drákon, it’s Kit’s duty to capture the fugitive before the secrets of the tribe are revealed to mortals. But not even Kit suspects that the Smoke Thief could be a woman.
Clarissa Rue Hawthorne knew her dangerous exploits would attract the attention of the drákon. But she didn’t expect Christoff himself to come to London, dangling the tribe’s most valuable jewel–the Langford Diamond–as bait. For as long as she could remember, Rue had lived the life of a halfling–half drákon, half mortal–and an outcast in both worlds. She’d always loved the handsome and willful Kit from the only place it was safe: from afar. But now she was no longer the shy, timid girl she’d once been. She was the first woman capable of making the Turn in four generations. So why did she still feel the same dizzying sense of vulnerability whenever he was near?
From the moment he saw her, Kit knew that the alluring and powerful beauty was every bit his Alpha equal and destined to be his bride. And by the harsh laws of the drákon, Rue knew that she was the property of the marquess. But they will risk banishment and worse for a chance at something greater. For now Rue is his prisoner, the diamond has disappeared, and she’s made the kind of dangerous proposition a man like Kit cannot resist….In this bewitching novel, Shana Abé transports us into a world of exhilarating romance and magic.
A strong, powerful, race the drákon avoid humans so they won’t be discovered. As a half drákon, half human, Rue was an outcast in her world, so she faked her own death on her seventeenth birthday and fled to London. That’s why I adore her so much: she knew she would never be accepted and instead of mopping around about it, she took control of her life. In London, she was able to support herself (being stronger than any human man gave her a huge advantage) and stay hidden for nine long years before she was discovered by none other than Kit, the Alpha.
Kit is an alpha in every sense of the word: strong, determined, smart, handsome – the list goes on and on. He didn’t ask for or want the position of Alpha, but he sucked it up and did his job anyway. Only once he found Rue did he act selfish in pursuing her single-mindedly and damning the consequences.
The plot itself was as strong as the characters. Stunningly written, vividly descriptive, a fast-paced plot that twists and turns like one of the drákon flying through the night air, and a seductive, captivating love that blossoms between Rue and Kit – The Smoke Thief has everything. Shana Abé has instantly become one of my favorite authors.
Read Order:
The Smoke Thief
The Dream Thief
Queen of Dragons
The Treasure Keeper
The Time Weaver
Also Reviewed by: Twisted Kingdom, Someone’s Read It Already and Dear Author
Excellent review. I’m getting ready to read this one after letting it sit on my shelf for over a year (shame on me).
Thanks for teh review. I hadn’t heard of this book before and it sounds interesting.
How have a missed this one? I love dragon shifters. Thanks for the review, I’m definitely going to have to add this book to my wishlist.