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Angelika Rust
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Ratpaths (Tales of Istonnia Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Angelika Rust (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 51 ratings
A young thief, caught between the rightful regent and the lord of the underworld. Fantasy novel with a touch of mafia and mystery.



The city state of Istonnia is suffering, its people cowering under the thumb of a despotic ruler.

Nivvo is a young thief, not interested in anything except keeping himself and his sister alive. That changes when he accidentally overhears a conversation.

Now Nivvo finds himself up to his neck in trouble. He has only one night to find the rightful heir. He has to smuggle him out of the city before the tyrant and his black-clad soldiers kill them both. And he has to avoid the crime lord's watchful eyes, for if Vicco Cambrosi catches them, they might be better off dead...
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Tales of Istonnia
  2. Print length
    285 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    11 Dec. 2013
  6. File size
    616 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 3 books in this series.
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Product description

About the Author

Angelika Rust is the author of Ratpaths, a fantasy novel in a mafia setting, and The Girl on the Red Pillow, a fantasy novella dealing with the effects of abuse and depression. She was born in Vienna in 1977. These days, she lives in Germany, with her husband, two children, a grumpy old cat and a hyperactive dog. After having tried almost every possible job from pizza delivery to HR consultant, she now teaches English to pensioners.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00DVIP17A
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 11 Dec. 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 6th
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 616 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 285 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Tales of Istonnia
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 51 ratings

About the author

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Angelika Rust

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
51 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story engaging, with believable plot twists that make it a wonderful escape into a fantasy world. The writing is well-executed, and one customer notes how it conjures vivid images of the places described.

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8 customers mention ‘Story quality’8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of this fantasy book, praising its believable plot twists and how it immerses readers in the world, with one customer noting its nicely paced narrative.

"...The story was told brilliantly, with well defined characters and believable plot twists. This definitely isn't your typical fantasy tale...." Read more

"...The story comes to a satisfying end, yet there is obviously more to come." Read more

"...and really conjures the images of the places and scenery in the readers mind. I felt I was there and now I remember the story as if I'd seen a film...." Read more

"...The story is nicely paced, with a gradual build to Nivvo's flight back to Istonnia, and the inevitable fight to reinstate the rightful heir to power..." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Charm’4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the charm of the book, with one noting how it conjures vivid images of the places described, while another describes the protagonist as a lovable scamp.

"...He’s just that sort of lovable scamp, who might have a somewhat dark side to him but for the most part is honest in his own way...." Read more

"...It is written beautifully and really conjures the images of the places and scenery in the readers mind...." Read more

"...a unique storyteller's quality that is hard to define, but undeniably full of charm." Read more

"...is a many layered and exciting story, with likeable characters and a subtle and original plot. Brilliant. I've just bought part two!" Read more

3 customers mention ‘Writing quality’3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book.

"...It is written beautifully and really conjures the images of the places and scenery in the readers mind...." Read more

"A well-written, believable fantasy adventure...." Read more

"...That has never happened to me before. The quality of the writing holds from the first page to the last...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • chettsgenie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well-Woven & Unique Story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 October 2013
    Verified Purchase
    'Ratpaths' is the story of thief Nivvo who is living in a city ruled over by a tyrant who killed to secure his place on the throne.

    I don't often enjoy historical fiction but I just couldn't put this book down. The story was told brilliantly, with well defined characters and believable plot twists. This definitely isn't your typical fantasy tale. It has a gritty realism to it and some violent things happened, yet it never quite falls into the dark fantasy category and it would be suitable for young adult readers. The characters stories have their heart-breaking moments and there is a lot of dark material in there but there's also a very good sense of humour.

    I liked all the references to fire in the character's dialog exchanges, it made for unusual and interesting conversations! The setting felt totally unique and the world Rusk has created felt solidly built and real. I sympathised easily with Nivvo, he was an excellent character and I can't wait to see what's next for him.

    A brilliant debut novel I would recommend to just about everyone. I'll admit the cover put me off to begin with, but Ratpaths is truly a well-woven story with a unique setting and fantastic characters. It's not YA but would be suitable for older teenagers as well as adults. Highly recommended!
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  • Lucy Middlemass
    4.0 out of 5 stars Ratpaths
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 September 2013
    I received a free copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review.

    Ratpaths is a magic-free young adult fantasy story about loyalty, freedom and dynasty.

    Nivvo, a young thief, discovers the long dead heir to the throne is actually alive and needs rescuing from some sea-fairing kidnappers. The narration moves between Nivvo's quest to save and reinstate the heir, and the story of his own early life.

    Nivvo frees Vilores from his captors and leads him to a fragile kind of safety. He uses his skills learnt as a pickpocket to guide him through the city's twisting, hidden ratpaths, but it's the unravelling of Nivvo's own dark story that provides the surprises in the plot.

    It's obvious that the author likes her characters, particularly Nivvo. He's definitely "One spark short of a bonfire." He's fun and unpredictable to read, but it's hard to tell if he's brave or a bit mad. It'd sometimes be easier to understand him if this were clearer. The other characters, from the Fagan-like mafia boss Cambrosi to sweet and capable little sister Reka are well-developed.

    The themes might be traditional but the setting is unusual, and much of it is imagined and constructed skilfully. Although the story is largely not supernatural, ghosts and the dead appear frequently in characters' thoughts and dialogue. This, for me, is one of the most successful aspects of the book. The existence of Nivvo's wider world is convincingly created by characters' references to their beliefs and superstitions. A whole culture is economically brought into being in their dialogue, as they continually express their disbelief with phrases like, "I'll be buried" or insult each other as "ghostless fools."

    There is a gradually distracting oddness that the young characters are always "lads" or "lasses." Many of the characters have a name and a title, and are referred to variously. This is confusing, especially in the beginning.

    Occasional appealing writing, like the moment Nivvo reveals himself to his sister in the first chapter "A shadow detached itself from the wall", is spoilt by its repetition later in the book.

    As a young adult book, Ratpaths might be better suited to the older reader. The plot is slow to start rather than complex, but issues like suicide and pregnancy resulting from rape indicate the limits of its audience. This suggests a possible mis-match between the tone and the content. For example, I was delighted when Nivvo's plan to free himself from one of his captors became comically violent, "He got up without a sound, turned to the sleeping young woman and hit her over the head (with a short, thick branch)" but there's an inconsistency with the much darker themes. I wasn't always persuaded the story has sufficient breadth for both.

    It's worth reading to discover a world with a believable history and religion, double-crossing characters and a twisty-turny story.
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  • Leigh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ratpaths
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 November 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The first time I read this, it wasn’t my favourite book and it was a couple of years before I picked it up again and gave it another go. I’m glad I did.
    I think the only way Nivvo could be described is as a cheeky rascal. He’s just that sort of lovable scamp, who might have a somewhat dark side to him but for the most part is honest in his own way.
    The city is living under the thumb of a tyrant who had Nivvo’s father killed when he was but a child, and sent him to the streets. The only reason he is alive is that the lord of the underworld took a liking to him...
    The story comes to a satisfying end, yet there is obviously more to come.
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  • Jes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 January 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is a wonderful story to lose yourself in a fantasy world with a gritty Oliver Twistish feeling.

    It is written beautifully and really conjures the images of the places and scenery in the readers mind. I felt I was there and now I remember the story as if I'd seen a film. This is a credit to the author, as she has the balance of everything perfect.

    Although I got to the end of the story and was satisfied with the conclusion, I sense there is more to come. This would make a great series and I hope another book will be out soon.

    A reader captivating, clever storyline.
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  • Jane63
    5.0 out of 5 stars A believable fantasy adventure.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 September 2014
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    A well-written, believable fantasy adventure. Ratpaths is the story of Nivvo, a thief, who lives an Artful Dodger-esque life stealing to simply survive, using the 'ratpaths' of the title to make good his escapes. As a small child he has the unenviable task of providing for his destitute mother; then later, his half-sister. The story is nicely paced, with a gradual build to Nivvo's flight back to Istonnia, and the inevitable fight to reinstate the rightful heir to power (without giving too much away). The excerpt involving a nail-biting river crossing is exceptionally well done. Highly recommended.
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  • NJ Morrow
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rathpaths
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 September 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I read the first three chapters some weeks ago and stopped until I purchaed the full book. That has never happened to me before. The quality of the writing holds from the first page to the last. A 'noble' thief is always captivating and the world you have created is equally so. To read this wonderful work has been a pleasure.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A page turner of a book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 April 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A multi layered story, of losing everything, growing up under oppression and finding strange ways to find hope in an ancient city amidst a fantasy landscape, but with out magic or dragons.
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  • Max China
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ratpaths
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A well painted fantasy adventure that I truly enjoyed. The narrator's voice has a unique storyteller's quality that is hard to define, but undeniably full of charm.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • L. Elmer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
    Reviewed in the United States on 17 April 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I got this book when it was free and was very pleasantly surprised at how good it was -- I liked all the characters and the twists and turns were good and well-done. The characters all stayed true to form and the world-building was excellent. Definitely worth the time in reading it (and even lacking in grammar and spelling errors!)
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  • Augustine
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great story!
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 March 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A colorful fantasy world with an unlikely hero may not seem like originality, but in this case I can honestly say that I was drawn in right from the beginning. Each of the characters are so real that I immediately felt the emotion of them as they were unveiled. Of all things, I felt that this book had one message in particular—circumstance may affect what you are on the outside, but doesn’t change your worth or who you are on the inside. Lots of action and even some humor are included in this lively tale.
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  • Closer to 100
    5.0 out of 5 stars Should be priced more for the quality of the writing and the skill of the story telling.
    Reviewed in the United States on 29 May 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I downloaded this book maybe a year ago, when someone send me a link to a 'free day'. As with many things we get for free, I soon forgot about it. I noticed it a few weeks ago and decided to give it a go. I was shocked at the quality of the writing and the way it sucked me in and wouldn't let me go. I can't recommend this book any higher. Five stars isn't even enough. I got it for free, but at $2.99 it is a steal. I gladly paid that for the second book and I'm sure the third will go down just as easily.
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  • TC
    5.0 out of 5 stars I like....
    Reviewed in the United States on 16 September 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I found this story to be very enjoyable from start to finish. Then I discovered that there was a second book and just had to get my hands on it to read.

    I would recommend this book and the second book also as I found them to be well written and very enjoyable
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  • Jamaican
    3.0 out of 5 stars The storyline was ok but the dialogue was too stilted at time
    Reviewed in the United States on 17 April 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I rarely lose interest when I read. I have been known to forget I was eating or where I was because I am transported in the book.
    This book began well with a compelling back story. This story helped to set the tone for the book.

    However, by the time the main character made a daring rescue, the conversation had become boring and contrived. I have stopped reading the book but might skip ahead to the end just for closure. Such a great beginning...
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