Rating: 
Summary: More like 3.5 stars, but not as high as 4.
Review: As is the case so many times, I have mixed emotions about rating this book. I love the genre and would like to see even more of this type published. However, I did not enjoy this book as much as its prequel, HEARTMATE. I do not intend to discourage readers from reading it; indeed, it is nice to return to the world created in the prequel. I just wish I could give it 4 or 5 stars. Others may disagree.
Rating: 
Summary: Robin's best Heart book!
Review: Heart Thief is a follow up to the brilliant HeartMate. (Heart Duel is next in the series and i hope to see a long line of Heart books ahead!!) It stands alone, but one has the purest thrill reading them in order. Owens took Ancient Celt-pagan lore & projected it on her imaginary planet of Celta. Centuries ago, Earth-travellers left on 3 ships and stumbled onto a world they called Celta. People of the original families arrived with "Flair", witchcraft or magick, and over the centuries these powers have been refined, amplified. Each person is born with power, which 'specialness' their talents that set them on their course in careers, and if lucky, reveals their HeartMate. Born of 13 royal houses, people of with Flair rule Celta. In HeartMate, Ruis Elder was the thief who first stole, and then returned, the HeartGift T'Ash had made for his HeartMate. Ruis Elder is arrested for this and other thefts, but he was only using the gems he stole to repair machines the original settlers brought with them from Earth. Ruis finds solace and sanity in repairing these long neglected devices. He tries to pretend he does not care; he is a Null and knows his arrest could end with his death. Ruis has been hunted by his Uncle Baucus T'Elder. Ruis was the Heir to the House of Elder, but after the death of his father and mother, it is discovered he is a Null. Baucus uses this to rob Ruis of his birthright. Baucus is a villain of the first class. He tortured Ruis as a child, and has murdered to secure his rise to Captain of the FirstFamilies. And he wants Ruis dead, for only then will he rest secure in his hold on the House of Elder. Ailim D' SilverFir is a Judge of Celta. She assumed the head of her house upon her mother's death. She is a Telempath, who uses her ability to read others thoughts to judge those brought before her. But she has to go before the FirstFamily Council, to beg for a loan because her house is in peril. She is so tired for it's hard to always hear the thoughts of others, to know their inner most feelings. Especially when her family is so selfish, greedy and fights her in everything. While she waits to be called concerning the status on her loan request to save her House, she is surprised by the man waiting sentencing. Ruis Elder brings her peace. She recognises he is a Null, but instead of being fearful or repulsed, she finds his Nullness gives her tranquillity. With him, she does not have to expend the vast Flair energy just to protect herself from the constant intrusion of everyone's thoughts. Since his Null void stops the powers of everyone around him, she finds a haven of peace when she is with Ruis. With FamKitty flying around on a mini saucer, a spaceship to make HAL jealous, characters from the first novel, and a potent, sexy forbidden romance between Ruis and Ailim, Owen scores BIG with another Winner! HeartMate was just so original, so special it was hard to envision a writer pulling off a second tour de force and make it as marvellous. Most movies and books with sequels, witness the sequels rarely matching the freshness, the spark of brilliance of the original. That is NOT the case with Heart Thief. If anything, it's even better! Eagerly waiting Heart Duel ( Faster Robin! Cannot wait!!)
Rating:
Summary: Robin's pulls the HatTrick again!!
Review: Heart Thief is a follow up to the brilliant HeartMate. (Heart Duel will come next so we are delighted to see a long line of Heart books ahead!!) It stands alone, but one has the purest thrill reading them in order. Owens took Ancient Celt-pagan lore & projected it on her imaginary planet of Celta. Centuries ago, Earth-travellers left on 3 ships and stumbled onto a world they called Celta. People of the original families arrived with "Flair", witchcraft or magick, and over the centuries these powers have been refined, amplified. Each person is born with power, which 'specialises' their talents that set them on their course in careers, and if lucky, reveals their HeartMate. Born of 13 royal houses, people of with Flair rule Celta. In HeartMate, Ruis Elder was the thief who first stole, and then returned, the HeartGift T'Ash had made for his HeartMate. Ruis Elder is arrested for this and other thefts, but he was only using the gems he stole to repair machines the original settlers brought with them from Earth. Ruis finds solace and sanity in repairing these long neglected devices. He tries to pretend he does not care; he is a Null and knows his arrest could end with his death. Ruis has been hunted by his Uncle Baucus T'Elder. Ruis was the Heir to the House of Elder, but after the death of his father and mother, it is discovered he is a Null. Baucus uses this to rob Ruis of his birthright. Baucus is a villain of the first class. He tortured Ruis as a child, and has murdered to secure his rise to Captain of the FirstFamilies. And he wants Ruis dead, for only then will he rest secure in his hold on the House of Elder. Ailim D' SilverFir is a Judge of Celta. She assumed the head of her house upon her mother's death. She is a Telempath, who uses her ability to read others thoughts to judge those brought before her. But she has to go before the FirstFamily Council, to beg for a loan because her house is in peril. She is so tired for it's hard to always hear the thoughts of others, to know their inner most feelings. Especially when her family is so selfish, greedy and fights her in everything. While she waits to be called concerning the status on her loan request to save her House, she is surprised by the man waiting sentencing. Ruis Elder brings her peace. She recognises he is a Null, but instead of being fearful or repulsed, she finds his Nullness gives her tranquillity. With him, she does not have to expend the vast Flair energy just to protect herself from the constant intrusion of everyone's thoughts. Since his Null void stops the powers of everyone around him, she finds a haven of peace when she is with Ruis. With FamKitty flying around on a mini saucer, a spaceship to make HAL jealous, characters from the first novel, and a potent, sexy forbidden romance between Ruis and Ailim, Owen scores BIG with another Winner! HeartMate was just so original, so special it was hard to envision a writer pulling off a second tour de force and make it as marvellous. Most movies and books with sequels, witness the sequels rarely matching the freshness, the spark of brilliance of the original. That is NOT the case with Heart Thief. If anything, it's even better! Eagerly waiting Heart Duel ( Faster Robin! Cannot wait!!)
Rating:
Summary: The best so far (in my opinion)
Review: HeartMate was a good book, but I think Heart Thief is even better than its RITA award winning predecessor.
I doubted that a story about a guy without Flair (magical ability/psi power) in a world heavily dependent on magic would work well. It, in fact, worked beautifully, not only providing a very strong character in Ruis Elder, but also adding tremendous dimension to the world Owens has created in Celta. In addition to the splendor of that aspect of the story, Ruis & Ailim are a romantic couple that shines. Well-rounded, complex characters who struggle with their lives, their passion & love for each other, and the difficulties imposed by the world around them.
Brilliant!
Rating:
Summary: the best new author for futuristic romances around today!
Review: I have just finished reading Heart Thief, I ordered it as soon as I read Heartmate, and I can't wait for her next book! She writes very well, incredibly witty and keep you turning the pages in thrall of what is happening! Her love seens make your heart throb! Great humor too. I recommend her highly and I hardly ever recommend books. A must read and a keeper for your library!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!!!
Review: I have read Robin Owen's other book, Heartmate - and WOW. But frankly, I loved this book so much. It's a keeper and one I will take down and reread again. I don't do that with many books. I loved the Kitty in this, the Fam. Such a "real" cat attitude. I love the romance, but wow could I go for Ruis. He is truly a heart thief - for he stole mine. Have order Heart Duel coming out next week and cannot wait.
Such a feeling writer
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant book with so much HEART
Review: I have read Robin Owen's other book, Heartmate - and WOW. But frankly, I loved this book so much. It's a keeper and one I will take down and reread again. I don't do that with many books. I loved the Kitty in this, the Fam. Such a "real" cat attitude. I love the romance, but wow could I go for Ruis. He is truly a heart thief - for he stole mine. Have order Heart Duel coming out next week and cannot wait.
Such a feeling writer
Rating:
Summary: A definite keeper
Review: I just finished HEART THIEF. What a great read. I loved the first book, HEART MATE, and it is still my favorite, but this one is oh so delicious. Ruis is a wonderful, wounded hero. He has so much anger and pain to over come and with Ailim's love and help he does but that is not the whole story. The story is of two people, outcasts in their society, one because of her great psi powers and one because of his lack of them, who come together and find joy, love and peace within themselves and each other. Samba, Ruis FAMcat, is a treat. She is just what you would think of if all cats could talk. She is prissy, has a superior attitude and yet is loving. When it suits her! We get to see many of the characters from HEART MATE and relive that book as well while enjoying the new ones we meet. There is great evil, adventure, passion, a Ship that is sentient and a great cast of good, bad and simply human characters. You won't be disappointed but simply delighted. Bravo Robin!! I can't wait for HEART DUEL, the next book about Celta, due out in May 2004. Robin even gives us a little taste of HEART DUEL by giving us the first chapter at the end of HEART THIEF. Did I love HEART THIEF? YES!!!! It's a definite keeper!
Rating:
Summary: A definite keeper
Review: I just finished HEART THIEF. What a great read. I loved the first book, HEART MATE, and it is still my favorite, but this one is oh so delicious. Ruis is a wonderful, wounded hero. He has so much anger and pain to over come and with Ailim's love and help he does but that is not the whole story. The story is of two people, outcasts in their society, one because of her great psi powers and one because of his lack of them, who come together and find joy, love and peace within themselves and each other. Samba, Ruis FAMcat, is a treat. She is just what you would think of if all cats could talk. She is prissy, has a superior attitude and yet is loving. When it suits her! We get to see many of the characters from HEART MATE and relive that book as well while enjoying the new ones we meet. There is great evil, adventure, passion, a Ship that is sentient and a great cast of good, bad and simply human characters. You won't be disappointed but simply delighted. Bravo Robin!! I can't wait for HEART DUEL, the next book about Celta, due out in May 2004. Robin even gives us a little taste of HEART DUEL by giving us the first chapter at the end of HEART THIEF. Did I love HEART THIEF? YES!!!! It's a definite keeper!
Rating:
Summary: excellent!
Review: I liked this book far better than the first one. While the characters in the first book seemed a bit awkward, the characters in this second book really worked for me. The hero was strong, tormented, alone, but kept his dignity. The heroine is of high rank, but not b/c she was born with a silver spoon, but because of her own merit (she's the Supreme Judge in their city), and she's also gracious and strong. Unlike the other review, I really liked the conversations with the Fams (telepathic pets) b/c it showed how the Hero had someone to care for him when he was exiled and condemned. Both main characters were admirable people and they acted like adults (no shallow, selfish stupidity or annoying misunderstandings with this author). Considering the story is set in an imaginary world where almost everyone has a mental/paranormal power, their story was well-fleshed out and believable. Their powers, while seemingly irreconcilable, meshed perfectly. This was an excellent book. I'm supposed to be studying for my law exams, but I stayed up until 4 am to finish this book.
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