CHAMPIONS OF THE FOX (Thieves of Shadow), by Kevin Sands, Viking Books for Young Readers, Nov. 7, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
Five young thieves are tasked with breaking a prisoner out of an impenetrable fortress in Champions of the Fox, the final book in Kevin Sands’ Thieves of Shadow trilogy.
“Follow my instructions, and when our task is done, I will release you.”
Commanded by the magical artifact known as the Dragon’s Eye, junior con artist Callan and his friends are eagerly reaching the end of the epic quest that will finally free him from the Eye’s sinister hold. But their final task is their most ambitious: sneaking into the emperor’s private island prison and rescuing a man from a jail cell that has been locked tight for a hundred years. This impossible heist will strain the gang’s unique abilities to thieve and deceive everyone from the guards, the city elite, the warden, and even the nefarious local crime boss who warns them to stay away.
As the friends plan out their last and most difficult con job, Callan begins to question what they’re helping the Eye to achieve. Aided by magical hints and fitful dreams, Callan slowly uncovers the Eye’s true desires. To his horror, he realizes that he may be the one being conned all this time . . . and his mistake could cost the world’s entire existence. —Synopsis provided by Viking Books for Young Readers
The Thieves of Shadow series centers on a ragtag group of kids that join forces among unexpected circumstances. The first book, Children of the Fox, follows five young criminals as they work to steal a heavily guarded magical treasure. In Seekers of the Fox the group searches for a pair of magical swords.
All three books build on each other and should be read in order. And they are worth checking out, especially now, since you can read the trilogy in its entirety.
Once again, the story unfolds through Callan’s eyes. Callan is a gaffer — aka a con artist — who knows his way around a good gaff. He’s clever and is always thinking a few steps ahead. He’s matured since the first book, and is no longer in this adventure for himself. And while his snark has died down a bit, he’s become a more compelling character, and his connection to his friends is what’s at the heart of the story.
In Champions of the Fox, author Kevin Sands stays true to the world he’s created. The kids are still thieves, the world is still dangerous and the magic is fantastical. And there’s lots of mystery and plot twists that readers won’t see coming. Sands is great at giving you just enough information to keep you turning the pages without guessing the outcome or getting tired of the story.
Champions of the Fox is an excellent series finale. I highly recommend the entire series for kids who love adventure, mystery and magic. Though the books are thick — between 400 and 450 pages each — they move quickly. They’re fairly cinematic reads sure to keep readers engaged.
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