Three Thieves Book Three: The Captive Prince

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Three Thieves Book Three: The Captive Prince
Three Thieves Book Three The Captive Prince graphic novel review
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  • North American Publisher / ISBN: Kids Can Press - 978-1-55453-777-8
  • Volume No.: 3
  • Release date: 2012
  • UPC: 9781554537778
  • Contains adult content?: no
  • Does this pass the Bechdel test?: no
  • Positive minority portrayal?: no

In this third book of Scott Chantler’s seven volume series Dessa the orphaned acrobat and her two companions, Topper and Fisk, are still on the run from their failed attempt to rob Queen Magda’s Tower of Treasure. After events in The Sign of the Black Rock they are understandably avoiding any heavily travelled roads, camping where few would see them and report them to the authorities. Two quarrelling mercenaries, Baldus and Ruffio, after kidnapping the Prince of Medoria are there for the same reason – to avoid being seen. While collecting wood for a fire, Dessa overhears their plans and sees the Prince, Paladin, all tied up. Of course, Dessa does the right thing and improvises a rescue, some action and some help.

Prince Paladin at first seems rather mollycoddled and helpless, and is impressed by Dessa’s acrobatics, her interesting life story and her charisma. King Victor the Fourth, Paladin’s father, organizes a three-day feast to celebrate the safe return of the prince to the city of Florin. It’s a welcome respite for our heroes providing a little comfort, some good food and some down time from being on the run. Of course, their past soon catches up to them, the kidnappers see their chance to try again and hijinks and intrigues ensue. King Victor is not pleased his son is smitten by Dessa the vagabond, common drifter and daughter of a horse farmer and Paladin’s intended bride, the Duchess Corin of Turello, is also jealous. We soon learn the long arm of Queen Magda’s Dragon guards is obliquely involved, but that will have to be cleared up in The King’s Dragon as there is plenty going on and much to follow here.

At this stage, Chantler’s drawing style becomes familiar. He excels at depicting action scenes, especially as the acrobatics go awry in a humorous and believable manner. While fleeing, Dessa swings on a vine that is severed by a thrown axe. As she falls, she adroitly lands on her feet on top of a broken column. Impressed, she takes a moment to gloat when the column begins to crumble into pieces from the force of her landing. This small comedic sequence entertains and is well held up with Dessa’s facial expressions in each panel.

Dessa never loses focus on their Quest. What does Greyfalcon’s word “Astaroth” mean? Where is her brother and what happened to him? On their way, she and her companions never fail to make friends, dodge pursuers and uncover more information. Book Four promises to be intriguing and no doubt equally as entertaining.

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