sgrunwald96's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Super fun. Mostly I docked it points because it felt like an exact copy of six of crows for the first portion of the book. As it got farther it diverged more, but it was still a little too close.
kat_184's review against another edition
Life's too short to read boring books.
The general plot of this book seemed interesting but I found none of the characters likable, and worse still the main character, Ryia, is actively unlikeable. The pace was way too slow, pages were spent explaining things that could be covered in a paragraph. I kept waiting for it to get interesting but after giving it the good old 100 page try it just isn't for me.
The general plot of this book seemed interesting but I found none of the characters likable, and worse still the main character, Ryia, is actively unlikeable. The pace was way too slow, pages were spent explaining things that could be covered in a paragraph. I kept waiting for it to get interesting but after giving it the good old 100 page try it just isn't for me.
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
4.0
Among Thieves // M.J. Kuhn
This is a book that I was looking forward to for a long time but took forever to pick up. Sadly, once I did start reading it, it probably was the worst timing - the covid booster shot had me feeling all crappy and distracted. I decided to take my time and slowly approach the story in bits and pieces and once I started feeling better, I read it much more quickly. I haven't read many heist stories but this one drew me in pretty quickly because it did something that I really enjoy in my books: the different POVs had different priorities despite working together towards what they thought was a common goal. The author did a great job at making it difficult to decide who to root for at first and it's that conflicting feeling that I enjoy so much. I did eventually pick a side but I still felt sympathetic towards some of the others as well, which once again says a lot in favor of the writing.
While I do wish there was a little bit more world building and explanation of the magic, I like how many difficulties in this book were solved in non-magical ways to where it was possible to steadily move on without that knowledge as well. I enjoyed the many different personalities we got to follow and how alliances shifted throughout. One thing that did bother me a bit though was quite how open-ended this book was. I don't mind some loose ends here and there but this felt more like the first book in a series than the standalone that I thought it was marketed as. I did just hear though that there is the possibility of more books in this world in the future and I hope that we at least hear a little more about these characters then to see what happened to them.
Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a book that I was looking forward to for a long time but took forever to pick up. Sadly, once I did start reading it, it probably was the worst timing - the covid booster shot had me feeling all crappy and distracted. I decided to take my time and slowly approach the story in bits and pieces and once I started feeling better, I read it much more quickly. I haven't read many heist stories but this one drew me in pretty quickly because it did something that I really enjoy in my books: the different POVs had different priorities despite working together towards what they thought was a common goal. The author did a great job at making it difficult to decide who to root for at first and it's that conflicting feeling that I enjoy so much. I did eventually pick a side but I still felt sympathetic towards some of the others as well, which once again says a lot in favor of the writing.
While I do wish there was a little bit more world building and explanation of the magic, I like how many difficulties in this book were solved in non-magical ways to where it was possible to steadily move on without that knowledge as well. I enjoyed the many different personalities we got to follow and how alliances shifted throughout. One thing that did bother me a bit though was quite how open-ended this book was. I don't mind some loose ends here and there but this felt more like the first book in a series than the standalone that I thought it was marketed as. I did just hear though that there is the possibility of more books in this world in the future and I hope that we at least hear a little more about these characters then to see what happened to them.
Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
brewsandbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
goodbooksgreatgoats's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book is a ton of fun! Lots of action, fast paced, the magic system is interesting, and I was on my toes the entire time. Highly recommend.
kthompson9's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
river24's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75/5
Only a monster could have survived what she had endured.
Only a monster could have survived what she had endured.
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Among Thieves is the Money Heist Vs Assasins Creed mashup that we didn’t know we needed. MJ Kuhn talks to her readers like they are in the room with her. She’s sitting them down and talking about an idea she has, an idea of stealing a powerful relic and convincing us all it’s a great idea. She shares her wisdom with us in a dark and hypnotic fashion. Whilst reading Among Thieves I had many “aha moments, damn this is good and how can I be a part of this amazing group?” A lot resonated with me – putting on a front to hide the inner despair of a broken past.
Among Thieves is a genre-bending tale of criminality and magic. An unlikely band of criminals with varied skillsets from basic thievery to a master of disguises operates under the name of The Saints run by Cal Clem take on an impossible heist. The only problem? Well the only problem aside from it pretty much is impossible – they are criminals and they all want to doublecross each other. Rhyia, the butcher of Carrowwick, is a badass woman who’s been on the run for the last six years to keep her true identity safe. She will do anything to keep The Guildmaster of Thammor off her back.
Outrunning The Guildmaster, his Disciples, Sensers and other rival gangs is no mean feat. So when she overhears a conversation between the rival gang, The Kestral Crowns, and Toliver Shadowwood she knows this could be her key to finally getting The Guildmaster off her back for good. This is an opportunity she can’t turndown. So The Saints develop a plan to steal this artifact, the most perilous part of the journey is sailing to the Island but Cal Clem has been arrested without sharing the plan with anyone else…
A story with gut and determination. A story about self-acceptance, betrayal, and recovery. Told from five alternating POV’s Rhyia, the butcher. Nash, Queen of the seas, a character who at over six feet tall gave me serious Brienne of Tarth vibes. She’s someone not to be messed with. Tristan is a mysterious character, he’s been making eyes at Rhyia from the start and has a past that he’s constantly running from. The baby of the group, a bit of a pickpocket extraordinaire. Ivan is an exemplary con man, a master of disguises, and a major flirt. He’s got no trouble with conning both the elite and those stricken with poverty. Finally, we have Evelyn, ex Needle Guard Captain. She was becoming something of a high-functioning alcoholic until Cal Clem offered her something she couldn’t refuse. Now she’s part of this crack-shot team and trying to capture the impossible.
Among Thieves is fully imagined and hopelessly makes your head spin. An original work of suspense, murder, and betrayal. A real generosity of female spirit and endurance resides within the pages.
Among Thieves is a genre-bending tale of criminality and magic. An unlikely band of criminals with varied skillsets from basic thievery to a master of disguises operates under the name of The Saints run by Cal Clem take on an impossible heist. The only problem? Well the only problem aside from it pretty much is impossible – they are criminals and they all want to doublecross each other. Rhyia, the butcher of Carrowwick, is a badass woman who’s been on the run for the last six years to keep her true identity safe. She will do anything to keep The Guildmaster of Thammor off her back.
Outrunning The Guildmaster, his Disciples, Sensers and other rival gangs is no mean feat. So when she overhears a conversation between the rival gang, The Kestral Crowns, and Toliver Shadowwood she knows this could be her key to finally getting The Guildmaster off her back for good. This is an opportunity she can’t turndown. So The Saints develop a plan to steal this artifact, the most perilous part of the journey is sailing to the Island but Cal Clem has been arrested without sharing the plan with anyone else…
A story with gut and determination. A story about self-acceptance, betrayal, and recovery. Told from five alternating POV’s Rhyia, the butcher. Nash, Queen of the seas, a character who at over six feet tall gave me serious Brienne of Tarth vibes. She’s someone not to be messed with. Tristan is a mysterious character, he’s been making eyes at Rhyia from the start and has a past that he’s constantly running from. The baby of the group, a bit of a pickpocket extraordinaire. Ivan is an exemplary con man, a master of disguises, and a major flirt. He’s got no trouble with conning both the elite and those stricken with poverty. Finally, we have Evelyn, ex Needle Guard Captain. She was becoming something of a high-functioning alcoholic until Cal Clem offered her something she couldn’t refuse. Now she’s part of this crack-shot team and trying to capture the impossible.
Among Thieves is fully imagined and hopelessly makes your head spin. An original work of suspense, murder, and betrayal. A real generosity of female spirit and endurance resides within the pages.
thediggster13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0