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  • The Blacktongue Thief
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
2,786 global ratings
5 star
71%
4 star
23%
3 star
5%
2 star
1%
1 star
1%
The Blacktongue Thief

The Blacktongue Thief

byChristopher Buehlman
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Top positive review

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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsIf you love books, if you love fantasy, if you love words; you really should read this one.
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2021
I read Game of Thrones and its sequels as the books were published. They were SO DAMNED GOOD I had no qualms waiting for the time it took to write and publish each one. They deserved that time. They deserved my patience. Such a series is incredibly rare. 

I never thought I'd find another, but this week I did.

"The Blacktongue Thief" by Christopher Buehlman is such a book. The world and culture building are so deeply thorough and the characters defined by them so intriguing that I couldn't not turn the next page except when I had to get up and pace BECAUSE OF WHAT JUST HAPPENED! Just like GoT. 



The action is exceptionally thrilling, the storyline bends in maneuvers you cannot see coming with much of it presented with such subtlety you have to stop and wonder if what you think just happened actually did. So you go back, and yes, HOLY SHYTE THAT HAPPENED! And then more pacing because who can sit still taking all THAT in? And what could possibly come next!?! 



On top of all that, Beuhlman’s prose is flat-out beautiful. Seriously, this book is wonderful. But it just came out, and it's the first one. So I have to wait. And, I will, because book series like this don't come around very often. 

I promise you, if you love books, if you love fantasy, if you love words; you really should read this one.
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66 people found this helpful

Top critical review

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macgrey
3.0 out of 5 starsInformation overload
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2021
This book suffers from, what many fantasy books suffers from, information overload. Everything, and I mean everything, is spelled out in insufferable detail. The main character comments endlessly, and in length, on everything and everyone. It makes the book a tiresome read. Nothing is left to the readers imagination.
The world building is a hot mess of stray and borrowed ideas. The rules that gowerns this world changes constantly as a means to get the main character out of tricky situations, and it left me annoyed and uninvested in the plot.
I will not be coming back for the sequel
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8 people found this helpful

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From the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars If you love books, if you love fantasy, if you love words; you really should read this one.
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
I read Game of Thrones and its sequels as the books were published. They were SO DAMNED GOOD I had no qualms waiting for the time it took to write and publish each one. They deserved that time. They deserved my patience. Such a series is incredibly rare. 

I never thought I'd find another, but this week I did.

"The Blacktongue Thief" by Christopher Buehlman is such a book. The world and culture building are so deeply thorough and the characters defined by them so intriguing that I couldn't not turn the next page except when I had to get up and pace BECAUSE OF WHAT JUST HAPPENED! Just like GoT. 



The action is exceptionally thrilling, the storyline bends in maneuvers you cannot see coming with much of it presented with such subtlety you have to stop and wonder if what you think just happened actually did. So you go back, and yes, HOLY SHYTE THAT HAPPENED! And then more pacing because who can sit still taking all THAT in? And what could possibly come next!?! 



On top of all that, Beuhlman’s prose is flat-out beautiful. Seriously, this book is wonderful. But it just came out, and it's the first one. So I have to wait. And, I will, because book series like this don't come around very often. 

I promise you, if you love books, if you love fantasy, if you love words; you really should read this one.
66 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Just Awesome!
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
I can't say enough about it. Its got a rough around the edges main character and several friends and enemies on a quest of sorts. The pace is fast, the humor gritty and dark, definitely geared towards adults. There is wonderfully imaginative magic, sea monsters, pirates?, assasins, giants?, betrayal, and edge of your seat suspense. Just cool! Can only hope there is a #2 in the works.
20 people found this helpful
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Peter Drummond
5.0 out of 5 stars A recommendation for kark and kind
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
I'm generally reluctant to invest in new sword and sorcery settings. I've read so many and most are fair to middling on their best days. In a post GoT world, I feel like standouts are fewer and fewer every day.

That's not an indictment of talent out in the world. It's an embarrassment of riches. Seminal works tend to spawn a number of children, and until somebody manages to remix all the familiar elements of the setting into a new and unusual configuration, all we have are these descendant works to keep us warm.

The Blacktongue Thief is a filthy, grimy thing. A story told from the muck. It's not about grand heroes or great wars - I mean it’s not not about them either - but those are stories from legends past. this a world in aftermath where goblins are terrifying, giants decimate countries, horses are extinct, and thieves from the Takers guild wear facial tattoos daring anyone brave enough to slap them in the face in exchange for a free drink.

I loved it!
9 people found this helpful
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tracy
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantasy world along the lines of Rothfuss, Moorcock and Tolkien
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
With so very many fantasy series filling bookstore shelves, it’s hard to find a story well told. A story one would be able to savor, with rich flavors, wonderful, steaming aromas , and a feast for the eyes. Fantasy novels so rich in imagery, steeped in story, and completely engaging as The Blacktongued Thief are few and far between. And here it is, at last! A story worth reading and a reward for the wait!

The depth of detail of the world this author builds is astounding, described in colorful prose so full of imagery you are wholly immersed. The roundness of the characters, sights and sounds of the cities, and even the details of the music, gods and legends are in full view—the reader wants for no detail. Even should one take just a pause to raise a question, the answer lies in a page or two. This world is rich and real, the history complete, and the characters well written.

And yet, though it’s “just” another fantasy novel of the many, it is new, imaginative and unique.

Do yourself a favor and check it out. I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment.
23 people found this helpful
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Ian
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing wordsmith, building an incredible world, populated by only the finest blackguards
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
As someone that consumes fantasy and science fiction, this book is a gem amongst a slurry of glittery fallalery. Just reading the dialog brings enjoyment, watching it weave into a tale is amazing. As the author credits Tolkien and R. R. Martin amongst his inspirations, I say he has paid due fealty to them and rendered something new and non-derivative that deserves a return for future tales. The character interactions, insults, and banter are worth the read by themselves. In short: do like, highly recommend.
9 people found this helpful
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vermithrax
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most creative, exciting and entertaining fantasy novels in recent memory.
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
I’ve read a lot of fantasy. Probably more than is healthy. From dense, 600 page, 10 book epics, to two book “trilogies” that will likely never see their their third book in this lifetime.

The Blacktongue Thief has swagger and personality beyond what one normally would expect from a sword and sorcery style fantasy novel. Deep, likable actors, a rich, world, with original ideas, and most importantly it has character.

One of the finest novels I’ve had the pleasure of reading, by one of fantasy’s best new authors. I absolutely can’t wait to see what is next from Christopher Buehlman.
14 people found this helpful
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RCC
5.0 out of 5 stars Uhhh... masterpiece?
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is so good it makes me think of way back when they used to release novels as serials in magazines. Dickens did it a lot but what comes to mind even more is The Count of Monte Cristo. Every chapter has major plot advancement, major action, it never falls asleep or goes on cruise control. There is amazing world-building, a complete history involving the devastation and residual racism of a recent goblin war, the destruction of the species of horses, a whole system of magic, an inbisible force steering society in the form of an all powerful guild of magicians and thieves, a same-sex love affair, transfiguration, loss of life that will bring a tear to your eye and above all, the redemption and coming of age story of one otherwise unremarkable blacktongue thief. i really cant say enough good things about this book. it is a moving and carefully, deeply realized world that is emotionally penetrating. it's a place i long to return to and have done so several times since i first finished the book. to me, this book belongs in the pantheon--not just of tolkien and martin, but abercrombie and the guy who wrote the rift war cycle... the older ones. i forget his name. but it's that great. and it'll be continued i believe next year with a follow on book that is maybe in the works or in production now. its just amazing. but listen, heres two quick reccos: the first is this book. i guarantee it will instantly enter your all-time fantasy top five. the second is "between two fires" also by this author but much more medieval, knightly, religious. its about a disgraced knight in 1400s france who comes across a lone girl during the black plague and takes her under his wing only to find that the world is caught between a war of heaven and hell and she may or may not be the second coming of the Christ. its nothing like the blacktongue thief, more serious and more... medieval. but it is no less moving and spectacular. check that one out for sure. that one, too, belong in some high vaunted place. they are both the kinda of books that i cant imagine finishing, as the author, and ever beginning anything new again. they're just... the final solution in their class or genre. both of them. but BTT is kinda... lighter, funnier. although no lesa action packed. anyway, the third one is by luke smitherd. its called "you see the monster" and its def def sci-fi. so its not like these two, which are more historical fantasy sorta in the vein of joe abercrombie (but totally different and unique), in that this is set in the modern world and has to do with demonic forces. its just super good and comes to mind when i think of my really favorite, favorite books of the past five years. so def check those out. and keep your eyes open for BTT book two, which is coming in 22 or 23. but if you ask me, it cant come soon enough. i know ill prob read this, the original BTT, three or four more times between now and then. if you like fantasy and elves and goblins and magic and battles fought by normal nobodies as proxies for the forces of good and evil, i know like today is thursday that you will love this book as much as i do. note: i didnt read this book per se, i listened to it as an audiobook which was performed by the author, christopher buehlman. i found his narration slightly offputting at first, im not sure why. but i grew to love it and now i cant imagine it otherwise. so if youre into audiobooks like i am, absolutely get this one. there's even songs, like old soldiers hymns and street peddler type songs that are performed at various parts--all original to this story and all provide context or info about the history or beliefs of the characters. one of the witches is even called "dead legs" because she lost her legs and gets around on legs taken from corpses that she animates! i mean, come on! nothing but praise for this guy. he's truly gifted. and i think he's just getting started. you heard it here first, this guys gonna be huge. anyway, im rambling so ill leave it at that. one thousand stars!!! go for it.
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RCC
5.0 out of 5 stars Uhhh... masterpiece?
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2022
This is so good it makes me think of way back when they used to release novels as serials in magazines. Dickens did it a lot but what comes to mind even more is The Count of Monte Cristo. Every chapter has major plot advancement, major action, it never falls asleep or goes on cruise control. There is amazing world-building, a complete history involving the devastation and residual racism of a recent goblin war, the destruction of the species of horses, a whole system of magic, an inbisible force steering society in the form of an all powerful guild of magicians and thieves, a same-sex love affair, transfiguration, loss of life that will bring a tear to your eye and above all, the redemption and coming of age story of one otherwise unremarkable blacktongue thief. i really cant say enough good things about this book. it is a moving and carefully, deeply realized world that is emotionally penetrating. it's a place i long to return to and have done so several times since i first finished the book. to me, this book belongs in the pantheon--not just of tolkien and martin, but abercrombie and the guy who wrote the rift war cycle... the older ones. i forget his name. but it's that great. and it'll be continued i believe next year with a follow on book that is maybe in the works or in production now. its just amazing. but listen, heres two quick reccos: the first is this book. i guarantee it will instantly enter your all-time fantasy top five. the second is "between two fires" also by this author but much more medieval, knightly, religious. its about a disgraced knight in 1400s france who comes across a lone girl during the black plague and takes her under his wing only to find that the world is caught between a war of heaven and hell and she may or may not be the second coming of the Christ. its nothing like the blacktongue thief, more serious and more... medieval. but it is no less moving and spectacular. check that one out for sure. that one, too, belong in some high vaunted place. they are both the kinda of books that i cant imagine finishing, as the author, and ever beginning anything new again. they're just... the final solution in their class or genre. both of them. but BTT is kinda... lighter, funnier. although no lesa action packed. anyway, the third one is by luke smitherd. its called "you see the monster" and its def def sci-fi. so its not like these two, which are more historical fantasy sorta in the vein of joe abercrombie (but totally different and unique), in that this is set in the modern world and has to do with demonic forces. its just super good and comes to mind when i think of my really favorite, favorite books of the past five years. so def check those out. and keep your eyes open for BTT book two, which is coming in 22 or 23. but if you ask me, it cant come soon enough. i know ill prob read this, the original BTT, three or four more times between now and then. if you like fantasy and elves and goblins and magic and battles fought by normal nobodies as proxies for the forces of good and evil, i know like today is thursday that you will love this book as much as i do. note: i didnt read this book per se, i listened to it as an audiobook which was performed by the author, christopher buehlman. i found his narration slightly offputting at first, im not sure why. but i grew to love it and now i cant imagine it otherwise. so if youre into audiobooks like i am, absolutely get this one. there's even songs, like old soldiers hymns and street peddler type songs that are performed at various parts--all original to this story and all provide context or info about the history or beliefs of the characters. one of the witches is even called "dead legs" because she lost her legs and gets around on legs taken from corpses that she animates! i mean, come on! nothing but praise for this guy. he's truly gifted. and i think he's just getting started. you heard it here first, this guys gonna be huge. anyway, im rambling so ill leave it at that. one thousand stars!!! go for it.
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K. Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars Expectations Surpassed
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
I often think of rereading books as a way of visiting the friends I made along the way, of visiting the places I came to love therein. Though I have just finished reading this, I am thinking of starting it over already. The whole cast is irreverent and charming, endearing abs authentic in ways that blend perfectly, rendering their relationships, adventures, passions, and pain as genuine as my own, making it easy to take them and their lives seriously. The world Mr. Buehlman built here is compelling, its depths and scope hinted at without in any way slowing down the runaway-truck feel of the plot, cleanly executed but rich and hinting at boundless hijinks to come. In many ways I hope there will be a next book, but this is also absolutely perfectly balanced and shaped to stand alone as it is. There is enough momentum to keep you thinking about what comes next and there are no ends so undirected and unsatisfactory that another book is required to quench that irritation. That said, I fervently hope to read more in this world and with these scoundrel heroes.
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Scott McNary
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy at the highest level of story and prose.
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
I’m not much of a reviewer, but I know what I enjoy reading and Blacktongue Thief more than fits the bill. World building at its very best-goblins and giants and witches and, oh yes, thieves, especially the protagonist of our story, a black tongue thief with small magic, lots of luck and sneaky as they come. Characters the reader cares about, good and bad. A story so engaging, I defy anyone to put the book down.
A truly great read, equal to any of the current authors of fantasy and some of the old.
2 people found this helpful
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bornbredtex
5.0 out of 5 stars This author has created a new genre
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
I can’t compare this book to really any fantasy novel since it has so many unique elements. Clever, dark, adventurous, beautifully written, with just the right touch of humor. When every other author is simply changing the names but telling the same tired stories, this author has crafted something uniquely different but yet never feels over reaching. So yes I was not by any measure expecting this superb read. The reviews were excellent but the fanfare seemed muted. Book 2 simply can’t come soon enough.
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