Review of Thief Eyes by Janni Lee Simner

Title: Thief Eyes
Author Janni Lee Simner
Published by: Random House
Pages: 272
Format: ARC
Source: Borrowed from a friend
Rating: 4/5

From Goodreads:  After her mother mysteriously disappears, sixteen-year-old Haley convinces her father to take her to Iceland, where her mother was last seen. There, amidst the ancient fissures and crevices of that volcanic island, Haley meets gorgeous Ari, a boy with a dangerous side who appoints himself her protector. When Haley picks up a silver coin that entangles her in a spell cast by her ancestor Hallgerd, she discovers that Hallgerd's spell and her mother's disappearance are connected to a chain of events that could unleash terrifying powers and consume the world. Haley must find a way to contain the growing fires of the spell—and her growing attraction to Ari.

Janni Lee Simner takes us into a world like none you can imagine. Thief Eyes starts many generations ago with a young girl being forced to marry the first guy who asks for her hand.  She creates a curse that affects her daughter's daughters and travels down the line until it finds Haley. 

The main character, Haley, is a fierce and determined young women.  She is heart-broken over her mothers disappearance and wants some answers from her silent and resistant father.  This part of Thief Eyes greatly upset me.  If I had just lost my mother and my father knew something about it, I would go crazy being kept in the dark like she was.  Haley wanted answers, but whenever she sought them she hit an emotional wall.  I felt it was a little unfair of her father to keep something this important from her and I understand why she 'rebelled' like she did.  Even though Haley got into some trouble she showed an inner strength and intelligence that keeps her and those around her safe.

Haley and Ari's journey is one of magic, sorcery, curses and surprises.  The story line is a bit complex, so I found myself rereading parts, but it really worked for this novel.  It kept me intrigued and always guessing what would happen next.