Wynter's Thief by Sherryl Jordan

Wynter's Thief  is a young adult novel about a smart, if bitter, thief and a young woman with extrasensory powers. 

Wynter is a water-diviner, used by her father to make money off villages with dry wells. In a time of religion and superstition, she is treated with fear and suspicion, and called a witch. Fox, a young man with the brand of a thief on his face, rescues her from being burnt as a witch, and the two escape together, attempting to find somewhere where they can live quietly and safely despite their respective societal taboos. 

Told alternately from the point of view of Wynter and Fox, the book is a fascinating juxtaposition of Wynter's innocence, naivety and desire to use her unasked-for powers for good, and Fox's street-smart, world-weary distrust of anyone who seems to be kind to them. The truth, as is always the case in these situations, is somewhere in the middle, and the reader is left to find that balance between the two views for themself. 

It is sweet, and exciting and a cleverly constructed tale - definitely worth a read. 

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About the Author

Sherryl Jordan is a prolific New Zealand writer who lives in Tauranga. She started as an illustrator, working with the likes of Joy Cowley, before switching to writing. Wynter's Thief  was was named a 2020 Storylines Notable Book.