The Runner Thief: The Chronicles of Arianthem III

More threads of the brilliant tapestry of this epic are now coming into view. By this I mean that some of the loose ends which were left by the previous two books are tucked in nicely in this book. Even though this is just a part of the ongoing story, this book is a self-contained complete novel and worth reading by itself.Ms Sabian likes to include subtle teasers that you don't even notice until the third or fourth reading. In the first book, Raine and Weynild meet Skye's mother when she is first pregnant with Skye. We don't actually realize this until the second book when we learn that Skye is an only child and the daughter of Isolde. In the second book there is a hint dropped that Skye's great grandfather is the famous Tavinter wizard, Isleif. In the second chapter there is a conversation between Queen Halla and her advisers, seemingly a filler while they wait for Skye's arrival. Gimle says, "Are we even certain she is the Tavinter heir? I understand there was some question...to her claim?" Apparently the girl's great grandmother gave birth to her grandfather a little too long after the death of her husband, and later in the book, Isleif says that Skye's great grandmother was very important to him. That's all the hint we get, but in this third book we are given confirmation when Ingrid contacts the goddess Hel and we find that Ingrid is still jealous of Skye's great grandmother for her affair with Isleif. We learn both the motive for Ingrid's hatred of Skye, and the confirmation of Skye's ancestry.We are treated in this third book to more interaction between Raine and Weynild with the Ha'kan heir (Dallan) and her staff (Ryka and Skye). We get to know a couple of new and exciting characters (Syn and Jorden) and we get to learn a bit more about the aftermath of the war that was fought in the previous book. While the Ha'kan defeated the Garmlain, it seems they didn't actually exterminate them, some are left alive to continue to serve Ingrid (the sorceress, wife of the late Chancellor, supposed mother of Inga the rapist). And a few plot points are left hanging to encourage us to hold our breath waiting for the fourth book, The Rival's Concord. We still don't know why the Garmlain Chancellor calls Skye's family a bloodline that needs to be wiped out, and since he's dead, we may never learn. Unless it's just that he hates Isleif's descendents for some unknown reason. But I didn't get the impression that he and Ingrid actually shared that much or liked each other well enough that Ingrid's jealousy over a five generation old love affair would matter that much to the late Chancellor. And if Ingrid is not actually Inga's mother, who is? And did Inga survive the war? And as the late Chancellor's daughter, is she now the (defunct) head of government for whatever is left of the Garmlain?Presumably all will be revealed in future novels.As I look back over this review, I see that I have said almost nothing about the plot of the book and haven't even named the protagonist. So, here: yadda yadda yadda Syn, yadda yadda yadda Jorden, yadda yadda yadda, thief, yadda yadda yadda Raine and Weynild.There is no way I could do justice to Ms Sabian's exciting and complex plot in just a few words, so I will direct your attention to the Book Description. It's another exciting and delightful episode in the Chronicles of Arianthem, leaving me personally anxiously awaiting book four.

This is the 3rd book in the Arianthem chronicles. I've enjoyed them all and unfortunately I've got to wait until this summer for the 4th book. This a planned series of 6 books and I'm hoping there will be more than that. I read the first 2 books out of order but that was okay . I think that the 3rd book needs to be read in order though. You will fall in love with the characters and laugh at the dialogue. Think "The Hobbit" added to lesbian erotica. Well done

It was a toss up between three and four stars. This author has the potential to be truly great. This is the first book that I have read by her and, I have to say, I was equally enthralled and disgusted. I know that there are three other books but their blurbs did not appeal to me like this one did.I don't generally judge a book by its cover but this cover is bad....really bad. This cover suggests that the main character is a drag queen being stalked by a man that he/she knows. Or, perhaps, she is a woman by day and a man by night...if you factor in the mirror. The cover really should be changed.The main characters were so intriguing. Syn, a thief with a heart but who is also a very practical survivor. Jorden, a highborn lady with a secret. I was very interested in them but the author just didn't do them justice. The potential was there but the execution was lacking. I love that the book was written in the third person and there was no perspective flipping as seen in first person novels.I think, had the author focused on the main characters of this novel rather than the main characters of her previous novels, that this book would have been the best lesbian romance I have read to date. (or maybe a close second to Jae's Backwards to Oregon).Three stars for execution Four stars for writing style, editing, and plot line.

Third book in and I'm having one hell of a ride. This series has me either on my toes laughing or having "oh s***" moments. If you love Lord of the Rings and Dragon Age with a mix of lesbian erotica, Samantha Sabian has you covered. Overall, this series itself doesn't need those connections for you to give it a chance. Everything from book 1 are starting to connect to points I have missed from the last two. I don't know what I'm in for in the next 6 books but I can't wait to find out.

I am loving this series. This book brings Raine and Talan back along with the characters from Book 2 and some new ones as the journey continues.

I was pleasantly surprised, each book has offered new and interesting characters. I'm glad to see the main characters from the other two books were included. The storyline appears to be headed in an exciting direction and I look forward to book four. My only criticism (if you can call it one) is that this book was too short.

Love this series. Even if it weren't for the heavy lesbian content, it's still a good fantasy read.

Sexy, valiant women. a book with it's fill of adventure, romance and very pleasant writing. The story is good and it leaves you wanting to follow the characters through further wanderings.

Samantha Sabian continues to balance fantasy and... another kind of fantasy in this great third part of the Chronicles of Arianthem. In some ways it makes a nice change that the main characters this time are (relatively) ordinary humans, rather than super-beings, and yet all our favourite characters from the first two books are present. A good plot, and as steamy as ever... a great read, and recommended.

This series is so wonderful, enthralling, engaging and addictive. Can't wait for the next book. Highly recommended series - starting from book 1 in the series.

Brill

Each book gets better and better. Brilliant read

loved it boought it in paperback as well