The Knight Thieves

Two years before this book’s start, the tyrant known as Otto the Torch and his army of Firebrands conquered the kingdom of Rin, slaying many of its defenders and imprisoning the surviving royal family. With her knight father dead, 12-year-old Rosebud and her best friend Wilda make a living as the Blackheart bandits, covertly stealing from greedy tax collectors and the like. Then they try to hijack a royal carriage, only to discover it contains Prince Timo, cursed by Otto the Torch to wear a wolf’s head mask. The Blackhearts reluctantly agree to help Prince Timo track down the one magical artifact capable of breaking his curse so he can claim the throne, depose Rin, and restore the kingdom to its former glory. But their quest takes them deep into the monster-infested Nowhere Wood, a place of dark enchantments and deadly surprises from whence adventurers rarely return. Bennett (Always Jane) balances danger and humor in this fast-paced fantasy, crafting a world of memorable magical creatures and constant twists. The formidable heroes rise to every occasion, confronting both tangible threats and their own flaws with equal strength, making for a wholly enjoyable adventure. Rosebud and Prince Timo cue as white; Wilda’s skin is described as “the warm shade of turning leaves.” Ages 8–12. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary. (July)