Thief Eyes by Janni Lee Simner

When her mother mysteriously disappears in Iceland, Haley and her father are shocked and confused. Somehow Haley convinces her father to take her to Iceland. Hoping for some closure, Haley instead finds herself entangled in what she thought was only Norse mythology and Icelandic sagas. Her possession of an ancient silver coin, a gift from her ancestors, ties her inexplicable to a powerful spell cast long ago by her maternal ancestor Hallgerd, a woman and sorceress who would do anything to escape her own life. Though the spell is old, its potency and potential for destruction has not faded, and it is now up to Haley to break it. To do so, she and her friend Ari embark on an adventure across Iceland’s rugged terrain, racing against time to, in all probability, save the world. But in the midst of her own confused feelings, how will Haley know to do the right thing?

Thief Eyes is a fantastic fusion of modern culture and Icelandic sagas. It really is quite thrilling how Simner manages to combine these two so smoothly, and the effect is magnificent. At first, Haley appears to be just your ordinary teen girl confused by the sudden departure of her mother. However, as time passes and the circumstances surrounding her mother’s disappearances appear more mystical than ordinary, Haley rises to the occasion. I love the deep degree to which Simner incorporates Icelandic sagas and Norse mythology into Thief Eyes. It transports the reader away to another land and time even though most of the story takes place present day. I commend Simner for making such an obvious work of myth and fantasy so realistic and enjoyable.

I recommend Thief Eyes to readers who enjoy all mythology, particularly fans of Why I Let My Hair Grow Out by Maryrose Wood, the A Great and Terrible Beauty trilogy by Libba Bray, and Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey.

Rating: 4.25

Review copy from Amazon Vine