The Literate Thief (Slaves of Erafor Series Book 2) by Walter Rhein

The Literate Thief (Slaves of Erafor Series Book 2) Reviews

• 
  S.E. Lindberg

  Highly recommended dystopian reading; intellectual heroic fantasy that unfolds fast furious .
  
  

  "Never let a lesser person hold dominion over your sense of worth. If you doubt your own logic, you become vulnerable to oppression, violation, and control" - scholar Adam Lockhart

  
  
  
  Carl Sagan's
  The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark inspired this Slaves of Erafor series (a dark muse for sure). When and how should passive intellectuals fight back against blind oppression? It is a timely philosophical question for many, especially in a day in which faux news is eroding our confidence in society's collective intelligence. At what point is violent revolution warranted? Rhein offers an entertaining adventure that invites us to consider such dilemmas. Don't worry, it reads as fun escapism--not a manifesto.
  
  This is a stunning sequel to the
  The Reader of Acheron, which introduced us to Kikkan (an educated brute, a freed slave--he's the pipe-wielding dude on the cover) and the duo of Cole & Quillion (nuanced mercenaries). The three men go on a mission, inspired by a rare scholar named Lockhart: find a teacher, a literate thief, in Edentown. They are continuously dogged by an oppressive, illiterate government. Acheron was ambitious and rewarding, introducing us to a future in which reading is prohibited; Thief is even better.
  
  Stylistically, the
  Literate Thief is very realistic (no mythological monsters or contraptions exist) but it does "feel like" Steampunk Fantasy. Its tone is more Grim than Hopeful, but that reflects the daunting conflict our heroes face. Its faces several humans against (a) organized authoritarian government, (b) a drugged, apathetic populace, and (c) an impoverished ruined city-scape. There are several instances you will hope that they can escape into the infested, haunted subway for relative safety from the dangers above.
  
  
  Walter Rhein mixed up just the right number of opposing & cooperative players and places. As much as the
  Literate Thief fleshes out the World of Erafor, it opens up new vistas into weird science (futuristic alchemy & drug use) while exposing more mysteries. One the one hand, the geography crystallized: places like: San Borja, San Aryan, Brinewater, and Edentown all became distinctive characters unto themselves; on the other hand, characters like Quillion, Cole, and Kikkan demonstrate wild heroics while revealing more about themselves... and new people (i.e., the antagonists Orion and Janus, and the roving library-scholar) offer up an atlas full of new stories. There is a thief of course: Simyon, a friend of the seductive archer Valeria; they make a great pair. But is Simyon the titular Thief?
  
  Drugs play a prominent role. First there is Bliss, that is voluntary, and involuntary, imbibed by the abundant, lower classes; these addicts become so consumed they resemble mindless, cannibalistic demons. There is also an unnamed steroid-like substance the governing brutes consume, which may be harvested from the humans they torment.
  
  The Slaves of Erafor is an unfinished series, so don't expect all mysteries to be explained. I haven't felt the giddy need to read the next book (in progress) since I was a teenager devouring series like
  Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar or
  Margaret Weis's Dragonlance.
• 
  N.N. Heaven

  The author of this book excels in creativity. It is no small feat to create an alternative world and universe with such clarity. The core issue, obviously, resonates today with everyone. The banning of reading happens sadly almost every day. If it isn't a school administration, it's a library or a politician banning a book from someone's reading list.
  
  
  
  That is what makes this book so reachable for me, as a reader. The characters were complex but relatable. The world is just odd enough to be dystopian but familiar enough to not drag down the story by being too complicated.
  
  
  
  Obviously, there must be a sequel. I was excited to see how this would turn out and confident that the author will not let an expectant readership down. Truly a masterpiece with a superb story that is a fun and exhilarating read, all the while it shines a light on the evil of book banning.
  
  
  
  My Rating: 5 stars
  
  
  
  Reviewed by: Mr. N
  
  
  
  This review first appeared:
  https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
  
• 
  Joe Bonadonna

  Illiteracy. Tyranny. Censorship. Ignorance. These are just some of the dark and heavy themes Walter Rhein explores in his thought-provoking novel, The Literate Thief, the sequel to his fantastic Reader of Acheron, and the second book in his Slaves of Erafor series. Once again the author takes us on a journey of exploration through a post-apocalyptic world that may feel like an alien planet, but it’s our Earth, and possibly our future: a future where hope is like a will-o-the-wisp. That’s what makes this novel straddle the border between fantasy and horror. But there are no mythological beasts or spell-casting sorcerers; there are no paranormal entities or supernatural creatures to be found here. The Elite upper class, which sets itself above the law, is the monster here. While this is a novel set in a grim, dystopian future, the picture Rhein paints for us in shadowy, washed-out colors feels more like a medieval society than any sort of futuristic one. His premise is truly an original one, and it made me think what our world would be like if the Nazis, with their pogroms of book burning and ethnic cleansing, and a totalitarian dictatorship had won WWII. Here, Rhein gives us an oppressive government that actively promotes and enforces illiteracy and keeps the masses uneducated, often using a drug called Bliss, which basically turns its users into “zombies,” of a sort. This is a world where knowledge and the ability to read are illegal, reserved only for the Elite. The lower classes are enslaved by ignorance and only the Elite and those in power hold knowledge in the palms of their hands. This is a world where mothers sell their daughters into marriage, hoping to gain them a better life and social standing in an authoritarian society. In this world, unless you are one of the Elite, the ability to read is to under the threat of a death sentence. For all that this novel is like reading about a frighteningly possible future, especially during these times in which we live, there is a chance for hope to survive and flourish. There is love and heroism, courage and honor to be found here. There’s plenty of action built around a cast of solid characters. There’s a real sense of camaraderie among Kikka, the educated, freed slave, and the two mercenaries, Cole and Quillon, who embark on a quest to find a teacher named Lockhart. But is he the Literate Thief? The mystery unfolds but is not solved: loose ends and untied threads are left dangling like the corpses of hanged man — clues and riddles to be solved in subsequent volume in this series. I tell you, this is not a world in which I wish to live, not a world that may very well come to be.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  Travis Ludvigson

  I have returned to Acheron and the lands beyond to follow the continued journey of Quillion, Kikkan and Cole as they search for meaning and purpose in a world desperately in need of saving.
  
  The Literate Thief by Walter Rhein is the second book in the Slaves of Erafor series, continuing the story that began in The Reader of Acheron.
  
  Rhein’s newest work delves deeper into the vast societal divide that exists within his post-apocalyptic world. The elite live a life of ease and extravagance, indifferent to the suffering of those living in conditions so retched as to render them nearly inhuman.
  
  Kikkan, an escaped slave, traverses the land as a man on a mission; to punish the masters who possess slaves, to free those in bondage, and to bring an end to the abhorrent practice of slavery. Although his intellect has developed following his time with Adam Lockhart, he is still driven by a deep rage that tends to prevent rational thought. It falls to Quillion and Cole to serve as voices of reason, while also supporting him in his quest for justice.
  
  The trio find themselves in new lands where they discover that the drug Bliss has taken an even greater toll, creating a whole legion of “demons” that lurk in the bowels of the cities. Yet within this darkness they find a spark of hope in the freemen, who also seek to defy those in power and bring about a more just society.
  
  I was thoroughly drawn into the ruminations of Quillion as he tries to analyze and understand the mysteries provided to him by Adam Lockhart and the reality thrust upon him by the oppressive Captain Jesse and her Red Cloak ilk. His understanding of the world continues to shift and change with each new day and encounter. Quillion is a chess player who may be caught up in a different kind of game altogether.
  
  This was an exciting story that provided a good balance of intellectual musing, edge of your seat excitement, desperate battles, and villains that you can’t wait to see fall.
• 
  Andrew Weston

  In “The Literate Thief” we follow the trials and tribulations of the former slave, Kikkan – and his mercenary associates, Cole and Quillion – as they head to Edentown in search of answers to questions raised by the enigmatic scholar, Adam Lockheart. In doing so, they hope to further their crusade against the institution of slavery.
  Of course, things don’t go easy for our intrepid trio. Not only is their alliance built on shaky foundations, but each have their own agenda as to how they might achieve their aims.
  Kikkan looks for answers among the everyday folk, and makes the acquaintance of Weasel, Simyon and Valeria. Quillion and Cole take a more circuitous route, volunteering to join the city militia – the Red Cloaks – in an effort to gain intelligence, vital to their cause.
  Both routes are fraught with hidden peril – and nowhere more so than the dangers represented by the truth about the society in which they live. A society whose very existence is designed to mutilate hope.
  Yes! Hope is a lie – a great deception, veiling the fact that a longstanding social covenant is in place. Maintained by the privileged elite, that covenant ensures the highborn can do no wrong. Not ever. And that no matter how hard or how diligently the lower classes work, they’ll never escape the subjugation into which they were born. For those who think differently, there’s death…or Bliss. (The same thing, really, except that the road to oblivion and self destruction takes a little longer to achieve the same results.)
  Needless to say, hope is shattered; faith in anyone or anything is exposed for the sham it is; lives are ruined and worlds are turned inside out.
  Very well done to Walter rein, this is a well thought-out and provocatively presented Orwellian tale of the inevitable decline of human nature in the aftermath of upheaval. Think a post-apocalyptic “Nineteen Eighty-Four” in a medieval setting…with a twist. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Rhein hits just the right balance between action and suspense/injustice and revenge.
  I can’t wait to see how the story develops.
  
• 
  Jess

  Once I started this story I could not put it down! Book 2 picks up with Quillon, Cole, and Kikkan traveling and coming across a farm with slaves. Kikkan is quick to free the slaves but Quillon warns not to get involved. Quillon realizes he may have to distance himself from Kikkan brash actions. The three continue their journey and come closer to more danger than expected. I like the camaraderie of the three as we learn what is important to each of them during the journey. We are also are introduced to Simyon and Valeria who both play in important role in the fight against the masters. On the masters side we learn more about Orion's plans and Janus's empathy grows stronger. The story is well paced with strong characters and an interesting plot. The book culminates into a great action scene with cliffhanger. I am looking forward to the next book!
• 
  Billy Buttons

  This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
  Title: The Literate Thief
  Author: Walter Rhein
  
  Star Rating: 4 Stars
  Number of Readers: 16
  Stats
  Editing: 8/10
  Writing Style: 7/10
  Content: 8/10
  Cover: 6/10
  Of the 16 readers:
  11 would read another book by this author.
  9 thought the cover was good or excellent.
  13 felt it was easy to follow.
  12 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
  Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
  Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
  Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
  10 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
  11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
  
  Readers’ Comments
  “A very enjoyable dystopian-style novel. I enjoyed the interaction between the three central characters very much, and the depravity of the world they find themselves in is well described and always atmospheric. Although it’s a little slow in parts, the author offers the reader an exciting quest to go on. ” Male reader age 34
  “For me, Quillion was the most interesting character and seemed to develop so much as the story progressed. In terms of dystopian novels, this is better than most with solid writing, well-developed characters, and an interesting quest-like plot. I would happily read another of this author's books.” Female reader, aged 53
  “A dark, depressing story set in a world of little hope. There are plenty of plenty of dangers for this small cast of characters to overcome. There is also lots of food for thought in this novel in terms of human nature and the need of the few to control and subjugate the many. Post-apocalyptic/dystopian fans will enjoy this very much.” Female reader, aged 36
  “A bit too depressing for me, but I still thought the post-apocalyptic plot was cleverly designed. It seems to me this author’s strongest skill is developing his characters.” Male reader, aged 66
  
  To Sum It Up:
  ‘A dark, post-apocalyptic novel filled with intriguing characters. A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
  
• 
  Jef Goelz

  Set in a post-apocalyptic world where knowledge, and even the ability to read, is restricted to the elite. Most of humanity are freemen, who must struggle to survive by scavenging or farming, or slaves kept in thrall to the elite by use of drugs. Chronic use of these drugs eventually send the slaves into a sub-human existence as mindless “demons.” three common folk are set on a mission by their mentor to find the “literate thief” who might help to bring equality to the people. Quillion, a “northerner” is the brains of the group; Cole is an elite swordsman; and Kikkan is a freed slave dedicated to freeing other slaves whenever he can (usually by hitting the slave owners upside the head with a pipe he uses as a weapon). They are set on an intersecting course with Simyon and Valeria, two free people who make their living by criminal activity (robbery and “escort” service) who also seek to overthrow the ruling classes, and Janus, a “seneschal,” a member of the elite security force dedicated to keeping the status quo (the Red Cloaks, another security force, are steroid-enhanced thugs).
  
  Though the characters split up on individual errands, the strands all merge into a series of final confrontations. A couple of the threads might still be loose at the end--which is told from the perspective of one of the characters who observes the battle while in a confused state from being beaten. Though a thread or two might still be loose, the ending is satisfying and will leave readers hankering for the third book in the series.
  
  This book is a great choice for a reader who likes epic "fantasy" set in a post-apocalyptic Earth-like world, particularly if the reader can identify with a fight for social and economic equality (note, though that although this feels like fantasy, things are explained by technology/drug effects rather than magic). There is plenty of action and interesting settings. It is a dark world, but it’s not dark for the sake of being dark, and the characters care for each other. There’s a great sense of “band of brothers” camaraderie among Quillion, Cole and Kikkan, and romance-no-not-romance dynamic between Simyon and Valeria.
• 
  Tom Barczak

  The Literate Thief
  Book 2 of the Slaves of Erafor
  By Walter Rhein
  
  Ignorance is slavery.
  Knowledge is power.
  And wisdom is knowing what’s worth fighting for.
  The second installment of the Slaves of Erafor is Dystopian Heroic Fantasy at its finest, but even to say that is a cliché, a limitation of a book that with every page argues itself to be so much more.
  Bold but unpretentious, Walter Rhein once more strums upon the human cord, interweaving the stories of characters sympathetic enough to believe, but still courageous enough to be heroes. In a broken world of ruined mystery that could have once been our own, the language of reading is lost. Only the few who possess it see themselves as fit to rule. The heroes, unknowing of the other, each pursue an enigma, a ghost, a promise made to each of them that alone has the power to restore the world they’ve never known.
  But not all men seek truth for the same reason, and though knowledge may be power, it never comes without a price.
  Entertaining by the word, The Literate Thief compels the reader to ask the ultimate question of what it is we really believe in, and what will ultimately happen to us when we don’t.