LILY THE THIEF

It might be a man’s world, but one young thief wants to change that.

In this graphic offering from Finnish author/illustrator Kukkonen, Lily, a small, parentless girl with choppy dark hair is an extremely talented thief who bounds about her seemingly medieval village, picking pockets with panache. She works with elderly, gray-bearded Seamus, who treats her kindly, serving as her parental figure. Lily is determined to prove herself and secure a spot in the male-only thieves’ guild. When the Guildmaster laughs off any chance of entry because of her age and gender, she steals one of the scrolls that act as the guild’s job assignments out of spite. Lily soon finds herself facing corrupt nobility, the shadowy Brotherhood, and a mysterious legend as she dashes through dungeons and rushes among relics. Lily must now decide exactly how far she will go to get what she wants. A headstrong character, often blinded by her own impetuousness, Lily is a joy to follow as she wends her way through a male-dominated world (Lily is, in fact, nearly the only female character). Her sass, swords, and soaring arrows keep the pages flying and eyes racing over tidy panels colored by Bazot with a palette of cool blues countered by warm brown tones. Lily’s adventures feel familiar and a bit well trodden, but they are as cozy and comfortable as a warm blanket on a cold day. All characters present white.

A fun page-turner sure to steal readers’ attention.