Solomon's Thieves - Softcover

Mechner, Jordan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1596433914 ISBN 13: 9781596433915

Publisher: First Second, 2010

Synopsis

On the run from the law . . . in 14th century France

Life as a Templar Knight returning from the Crusades is dull― bread, beans, and lots and lots of walking. But after Martin stumbles upon his lost love (now married―to someone else), things begin to get more interesting very quickly. There's a vast conspiracy afoot to destroy the Templar Order and steal their treasure. Soon, Martin finds himself one of the only Templars out of prison―and out for revenge!

A swashbuckling story of betrayal, adventure, and an epic swindle, Solomon's Thieves is the first volume in a trilogy written by Jordan Mechner (the creator of the acclaimed Prince of Persia video games) and illustrated by LeUyen Pham and Alex Puvilland.

About this title

About the Author:

Jordan Mechner's videogames, including Prince of Persia, Karateka, and The Last Express, have received worldwide acclaim. Over 14 million Prince of Persia games have been sold around the world. He wrote the script for the Disney movie adaptation of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Mechner sold his first game, Karateka, while he was still an undergraduate at Yale. In 2003, Mechner wrote and directed the documentary Chavez Ravine: A Los Angeles Story, which was shortlisted for an Academy Award. He lives in Southern California.

LeUyen Pham and Alex Puvilland are happily married in art. LeUyen has produced several acclaimed picture books for children, including her self-authored Big Sister, Little Sister. Alex has worked as a visual development artist for Dreamworks Feature Animation and on numerous films. They co-illustrated the First Second graphic novel Prince of Persia. They live in San Francisco with their son Leo.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 9 Up Solomon's Thieves focuses on the rank-and-file knights who found themselves persecuted when the Pope abandoned the Knights Templar for the political rulers of the day. Martin, who was in love with now-married Isabelle before taking his vows, holds tightly to the ideals of the order, despite being tortured by the soldiers of the king of France. Bernard has largely given up his Templar vows for life as a bandit, and Dominic, a priest, hides behind his robes in denial of his former role in the order. Then the three find themselves in possession of a secret: the whereabouts of the hidden Templar riches, sought after by the king to fill his coffers. This book ends just as the action is beginning, and a great heist is about to occur as they plan to steal the treasure that rightfully belongs to their order. Pham and Puvilland have created a believably harsh medieval world, and though the violence is not graphic, they do not shy away from suggesting brutal torture and death. Their action sequences feel particularly cinematic, and the sword fights are full of swashbuckling action. Certain to appeal to comic-book readers with a taste for adventure, the first volume of this trilogy sets up likable heroes, dastardly villains, and a vigilante plot that should interest readers in the history of the period as much as the adventure itself. Alana Joli Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT
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About this edition

• Publisher: First Second
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1596433914
• ISBN 13: 9781596433915
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 144
• Illustrator: Pham LeUyen, Puvilland Alex