The Thief Who Sang Storms

The island of Morovia is shaped like a broken heart. It is home to Linnet, an alkonost, one of the bird-like people with magical songs who inhabit the island. Three years previously, alkonosts and humans had lived peacefully together on the island, but a tragic event which killed the queens of Morovia and Linnet's mother, has caused a time of fear and division.

The magical alkonosts have become objects of suspicion and have been driven into exile by Captain Ilya, leader of the royal guard, known as bogatyrs, who has taken charge as the Crown Heir Vasha is too young to rule. Linnet and her father, Nightingale, now live in the Mournful Swamps, but she wants nothing more than to restore peace and harmony to her island, hoping that her magical song will be the answer to Morovia's problems. But her magic hasn't arrived yet and, when Nightingale is captured, Linnet must find another way to mend the broken heart of her home.

Sophie Anderson is well-known for her powerful and moving stories and personally, I think The Thief Who Sang Storms is her finest yet. Her characters are always well developed, easy to empathise with and full of life, set in well developed worlds. This story is deeply poignant as Linnet struggles with her own pain, as well as her father's 'cloak of grief', at the loss of her mother. However, throughout the story, she comes to realise that those we love are always with us in the memories we carry.

Themes of friendship, love, unity and hope are also woven throughout the story as Linnet and her friends face the suspicion and division deeply rooted in their society. I defy anyone not to shed a tear or two as the story builds to its climax. There is so much that I could write about The Thief Who Sang Storms, but it would be awful to spoil such a magical, beautiful story for anyone else. Suffice it to say that this is now one of my firm favourites which I can't wait to share with everyone!

Suggested Reading Age 9+