Stealing Death

by Janet Lee Carey

Book Overview

" I want that soul sack, he said suddenly. What? the witch asked around the scrap of meat she was chewing. I want it so no one I love will ever, ever, ever have to go inside again. It s not for mortal... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1606840096
• ISBN13: 9781606840092
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Egmont USA
• Length: 354 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.9" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

A fun and intriguing fantasy of youthful determination and loss

Some people would go through anything to prevent the death of their loved ones, even to insane extremes. "Stealing Death" is the tragic story of Kipp. Having lost his family to a fire, he only has his sister left to protect, but he pours his entire heart and soul into doing so, by cutting straight to the source. He seeks to steal the soul sack of Death itself. "Stealing Death" is a fun and intriguing fantasy of youthful determination and loss.

Third Time Through

I'm on my third read now of STEALING DEATH. It keeps calling me back. The first read was the action-packed adventure of Kipp on the run, determined to destroy Kwaja, the Death Sack, so no one he loves will ever die again. Second time through I found myself ever more engrossed in Janet Lee Carey's amazing imagery, poetic writing, and riveting character development, while still enjoying the original plot development. This third time through I find myself doing my own journaling, pondering Carey's beautiful theology, woven through as Kipp (and I) discover what it really means to enter the Death Sack. I highly recommend this beautifully written book to all who love fast-paced books with rich layers of meaning woven in.

My favorite Janet Lee Carey book yet

I'm a big fan of Janet Lee Carey, especially her fantasy work. I thought *Dragon's Keep* was my favorite of her books, but then I read *Stealing Death*. Here, she creates a totally different, totally believable world using elegant language and singular characters, hooking me utterly. I turned the pages wondering what was going to happen--she manages to escape the patterns that make many fantasies seem similar to one another. I can't wait for the sequel.

High Fantasy by Janet Lee Carey

Carey has warranted a starred review in School Library Journal for Stealing Death. She deftly delivers rich language in a realized setting. Here is traditional high fantasy dealing with great, grand topics. Brava to this author for not holding back and esteeming the intellect of her young adult audience.

My Newbery pick

Hey, I'm not on the committee. I'm not even a librarian, but I'm a devotee of great children's books. Stealing Death has that spark of something in it for me. The complex tale spun around Kipp and the Kwaja, the soul sack, in turns intrigued me, took my breath away, and challenged me. It's a book rich in texture, place (Sub-Saharan Africa), and magic. On top ot that, the plot is on fire with action. I found it to be one of the best kind of books -- one for everyone. I was swept up in this story and felt the edges of the world disappear, and was transported to another time, another place, where horses fly, dragons are all too real, and the death catcher steals the souls of loved ones, leaving us bereft and alone. What if you could control death? What if you never had to feel that pain of seperation again? So regardless what the committes or other readers will say about this book, I give it my gold star. Brava.