To Steal from Thieves

Do you enjoy a heist? Fancy jewels? What about magic? How about a girl and a mobster combining forces to double cross each other and heist the object? If you said yes to any of those you will enjoy this.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I am giving my rating based on my own personal opinion and not that of any other party. Super exciting read.

To Steal from Thieves has a lot going for it—a gritty, magic-filled world, a pair of snarky, morally gray characters, and some solid tension throughout. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the leads, and the heist element gave the story a fun edge.That said, it didn't fully grab me. The pacing felt uneven (the beginning dragged a bit), and while the world-building was interesting, it sometimes got bogged down in too much detail. A few plot points were easy to see coming, which took some of the punch out of the reveals.It's not a bad read-just not a standout for me. But if you like dark fantasy with flawed characters and some slow-burn intrigue, it's worth checking out.

I have a love-hate relationship with heist books. I like the idea but often hate the execution. I’ve gotten to the point where I decided I should just stop reading them… but then you tell me there’s a heist book surrounding the Great Exhibition and London and… well, my greatest weakness was activated. I actually didn’t mind the heist in this one, finding it exciting and interesting to prepare for and execute, although some of the pacing had a little to be desired. Some of the build-up to the heist is interesting (I loved exploring the Crystal Palace before it officially opened), but some of it seems to drag on and not have a lot of interest.The backdrop of this book really is delightful. I’m not going to pretend its accurate to the Victorian Era, and I did wish there was more discussion of imperialism, why the Great Exhibition was a big deal, the kinds of things that were shown at the Great Exhibition (other than the one fictional thing they were after). I loved the mentions we got, but it’s definitely not great historical fiction or as rich as it potentially could have been. I still was delighted to have the setting and time that we did. I loved seeing the differences between the luxurious settings of the Great Exhibition and the difficulty of poor people.I wanted more from the characters. Kane had some good motivation for a lot of his actions and had some complex relationships that were driving his choices, but it didn’t get to the level of emotional depth I was craving from this background. Some of his actions toward the end seemed at odds with some of his perceived values, and I wanted to see the emotional depth to those decisions. Also. I want to know how he remembered that piano piece all those years later. Zaria also frustrated me at times because she just… doesn’t think things through sometimes. Why would she trust Kane and not question more when she’s promised so much? Why doesn’t the danger of this situation change her behaviors? I like some morally gray characters (especially in a heist story), but I had a hard time rooting for either of them or their romance.I did enjoy the book overall, probably more than most heist books I’ve read recently. I liked the complexities of the heist, the characters, and how alchemy worked. I will gladly read the next book to find out where it goes for the characters.

I'm a fan of this author's Seven Faceless Saints series, so requesting her new release from NetGalley was a no-brainer. Now I'm convinced there's no way she could write something I didn't want to read.The personalities of Kane and Zaria are about as far from the warm and fuzzy realm as you can get. Their edges are sharp, their dreams big, each has something to fight for, and nothing will prevent them from achieving their goals. Unfortunately, they need each other to attain said goals, which makes them extremely reluctant partners. Their snarky banter reminded me of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. And did I mention their objectives don't exactly align?Kane and Zaria's character depth and complexity are a chef's kiss. Kane's tragic past and toxic relationship with crime lord Ward, who murdered Kane's parents and then raised him, especially intrigued me. Kane doesn't shy away from who he is and leans into it on occasion when needed. His chosen path at the end leaves me excited to see what's in store for him in the sequel. Zaria is aware of most of her strengths, weaknesses, and flaws. Several threats hang over her head by the end, and her future is jeopardized. Both have ride or die friendships - Jules, Zaria's childhood friend, and Fletcher, an orphan Kane brought into Ward's gang years ago when Fletcher had nowhere else to go. The safety of their friends takes top priority for both Kane and Zaria.This world is dark, gritty, and full of danger, but The Great Exhibition paints it with a bit of grandeur. I didn't check the history, but I wondered if the author took some of the detailed descriptions from actual exhibits. The heist itself kept me on the edge of my seat. Although Kane plans for unforeseen obstacles, everything doesn't quite go as expected.I'll be waiting anxiously for the sequel to this novel. Flaws and all, I fell for these characters, and I'll follow them until the end. Recommended for fans of danger-filled heists, historical fantasy with a touch of romance, and wonderfully complex characters.I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.