The Traitor and the Thief

Description

Discovered picking pockets at Coxford's Corn Market, fourteen year old Sin is hunted across the city. Caught by the enigmatic Eldritch Moons, Sin is offered a way out of his life of crime: join the Covert Operations Group (COG) and train to become a spy. At Lenheim Palace, Sin learns spy craft while trying not to break the school's Cast-Iron Rules. Befriended by eccentric Zonda Chubb, together they endeavour to unmask a traitor causing havoc within the palace. After an assassination attempt on the founder of COG, Sin realises that someone closest to him could be the traitor. With no other option, Sin is forced into an uneasy alliance with the school bully, Velvet Von Darque. But can he trust her? And will COG try to bury him with the secrets he discovers? Secrets, spies and steampunk gadgets abound in this fantastic adventure story!

Gareth Ward (aka The Great Wardini) is a magician, hypnotist, storyteller and bookseller. He has worked as a Royal Marine Commando, police officer, evil magician and zombie, and as a writer and compere of Napier City's inaugural steampunk murder mystery evening. Born near Oxford in the UK he currently lives in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, where he runs two independent bookshops with his wife Louise. His first novel The Traitor and the Thief, a rip-roaring steampunk adventure, won the 2016 Storylines Tessa Duder Award.

The Traitor and the Thief should delight readers at the younger end of the YA spectrum who enjoy quirky worldbuilding and stories that are more adventure and mystery than coming-of-age and romance (although there are hints of both). * Books+Publishing * I loved every moment of this book, and will be sure to recommend it to both male and female readers. With predominantly spy drama, military-style training and impossible 'special-effects', it will appeal to action-lovers, but there is also a hint of the teen-relationship and coming-of-age personal discovery that will endear the characters to readers. -- Read Plus * Read Plus * This is a fantastic young adult novel with the right amount of action, mystery, and even a little romance all packaged with a stunning atmosphere that crafts the experience to send you into another world. -- Bookish Kirra * Bookish Kirra * With quirkiness and elements of imaginative realities, as well as a touch of budding young romance and navigating teenagehood, this fantasy novel suits those readers out for a good mystery mixed with adventure. -- Boomerang Books * Boomerang Books * Featured * GisborneHerald.co.nz * The Traitor and the Thief is like a steampunk mashup of Harry Potter and Alex Rider, and it's more fun than either series. I'm sure I'm not the only one hoping for sequels. * Jack Heath - Goodreads * Featured - Interview * Harwks Bay Today * This book should delight readers at the younger end of the YA spectrum who enjoy quirky worldbuilding and stories that are more adventure and mystery than coming-of-age and romance (although there are hints of both). * Books and Publishing * Steam punk should be a couple of them but also ingenious, thrilling and enormously clever would be others. * Bobs Books * A steampunk tale with a gripping storyline. * Magpies Magazine *