bek_p87's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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? No
3.5
I was excited to read this: I loved Jaigirdar's "Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating," and this is a story about a fictional heist on the Titanic, with a sapphic romance sub-plot? Sign me up! Unfortunately it fell flat. The characterisation was a little one-dimensional, the pacing was choppy, and the prose wasn't the most sophisticated. It was enjoyable, but I definitely expected more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
sapphicreaderlucy's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
I ADORED this book. Normally I don't go for mystery/heist books but I totally loved this one. The description is definitely accurate in that it is a historical fiction young adult Ocean's 8. I loved how this book wasn't too far reaching. With heist stories sometimes they suspend belief too much to the point when I can't ignore that the whole thing is entirely impossible, and this book did not feel like that at all. I was on the edge of my seat so much while reading this and couldn't put it down, especially after like halfway through. I also loved the characters and how the author was able to establish each other their unique strengths for the heist. Josefa or Hinnah were my favorite. I loved them and I especially loved the bond they all formed. Even when they were angry with each other, there was still something so strong that united them all, which is totally characteristic of female friendship ups and downs. This book also touched on really important markers in girlhood, boys suddenly hating you after romantic rejection, having an over-sexualized body at a young age, and living up to parental expectations. I loved that they also were manipulating gross men for their benefit all throughout, that was iconic. The ending is what really brought this to 5 stars for me. I could not have predicted it and I love that. I don't know how more people aren't talking about this book. GO READ IT!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence and Confinement
kassidyreads's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment, Body shaming, and Racism
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
...I did say I was going to be reading everything by Adiba Jaigirdar, and this exception.
Oceans 8 meets Six of Crows but make it Titanic in this adventurous heist novel.
I had a great time reading this historical fiction. It is not a perfect, flawless novel, but the adventure, the heist, the cast of characters. I could not put it down.
It didn't always feel like I was reading a historical fiction novel, which for me was a bit sad, but I think it helps to make it appeal to a broader audience since historical fiction can be a difficult sell sometimes.
The character dynamics were flying all over the page. Each of the main characters had a specific, unique purpose.
I will be recommending this title.
Hands down one of the most fun historical fictions I have read to date.
Titanic ✅
Powerhouse Female Cast ✅
Heist ✅
Josefa, a top-class, cunning thief, has her eyes set on stealing the top-dollar Rubiyat, a one-of-a-kind book encased with millions of dollars worth of stones.
Josefa knows she can’t accomplish this alone, however, so she recruits a crew of equally talented girls to help her out: Hinnah, a daring acrobat; Violet, an actress and expert dissembler; and Emilie, an artist who can replicate any drawing by hand.
Giving Six of Crows mixed with Ocean’s 8 and a side of Titanic.
It wasn’t a perfect book and came with a few questionable plot holes, but, man, did I have a great time reading this one.
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, I will read everything Jaigirdar writes.
Image description in the comments.
Oceans 8 meets Six of Crows but make it Titanic in this adventurous heist novel.
I had a great time reading this historical fiction. It is not a perfect, flawless novel, but the adventure, the heist, the cast of characters. I could not put it down.
It didn't always feel like I was reading a historical fiction novel, which for me was a bit sad, but I think it helps to make it appeal to a broader audience since historical fiction can be a difficult sell sometimes.
The character dynamics were flying all over the page. Each of the main characters had a specific, unique purpose.
I will be recommending this title.
Hands down one of the most fun historical fictions I have read to date.
Titanic ✅
Powerhouse Female Cast ✅
Heist ✅
Josefa, a top-class, cunning thief, has her eyes set on stealing the top-dollar Rubiyat, a one-of-a-kind book encased with millions of dollars worth of stones.
Josefa knows she can’t accomplish this alone, however, so she recruits a crew of equally talented girls to help her out: Hinnah, a daring acrobat; Violet, an actress and expert dissembler; and Emilie, an artist who can replicate any drawing by hand.
Giving Six of Crows mixed with Ocean’s 8 and a side of Titanic.
It wasn’t a perfect book and came with a few questionable plot holes, but, man, did I have a great time reading this one.
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, I will read everything Jaigirdar writes.
Image description in the comments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment and Toxic friendship
cayrivvers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Confinement, and Classism
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Sexism and Abandonment
shelbyslifer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Sexism, Racism, Death, Violence, and Death of parent
pages_with_panda's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I really wanted to like this book - I LOVE heists! AND it's sapphic! And it's on the TITANIC? I was so curious to see how this would play out, even if it was tragic.
However the story felt very, very short. It was fast paced, but not for the action. I mean, one second we're in Ireland, the next the ship is sinking.
I would've loved to see the "crew" work at least one mini heist before this big one. Because we're basically told the girls have these "roles" and they're the best, but honestly there was no one else? They all lived together. There was literally no competition to be on this heist. Not only that, but Emilie and Hinnah seem to be the only ones with talents. When the tagline called Violet an actor, I thought she might have some actually acting skills, not just be a semi-decent liar? And I would've liked to see some of Josefa's plan because beyond stealing a ticket, I can't believe she spent months working on it.
I also think that there wasn't much thought to how a Black or brown women would've been perceived on a ship like this in the 1900s? The author's note tells us there was one other Black family on the (real) ship so it was possible, but I think Emilie would've acknowledge it at least more than once? I'd hate to say that their backgrounds were simply written at random and a diverse cast was added in without thought.
The "sapphic" relationship also seemed very rushed, but honestly everything else in the book was too so I don't think it matters at this point.
The premise was so interesting but maybe 4 POVs was too much for the author. There were hints to more detailed backgrounds (Hinnah's trapeze act partner?) but nothing that actually gave us anything to care about. To the point where I literally did not care about the ending and kind of rushed through it. I especially felt like it got more ridiculous and I had to suspend my belief towards the end. There were zero tears shed, unfortunately.
The girls seemed to be able to get away with ridiculous stunts as well that made it very unbelievable for a story set during a very real setting. I got lost in some action scenes because I could not follow what was going on.
Might be a fun read for some younger readers though. And unrelated, but the cover is GORGEOUS and I love it so much.
However the story felt very, very short. It was fast paced, but not for the action. I mean, one second we're in Ireland, the next the ship is sinking.
I would've loved to see the "crew" work at least one mini heist before this big one. Because we're basically told the girls have these "roles" and they're the best, but honestly there was no one else? They all lived together. There was literally no competition to be on this heist. Not only that, but Emilie and Hinnah seem to be the only ones with talents. When the tagline called Violet an actor, I thought she might have some actually acting skills, not just be a semi-decent liar? And I would've liked to see some of Josefa's plan because beyond stealing a ticket, I can't believe she spent months working on it.
I also think that there wasn't much thought to how a Black or brown women would've been perceived on a ship like this in the 1900s? The author's note tells us there was one other Black family on the (real) ship so it was possible, but I think Emilie would've acknowledge it at least more than once? I'd hate to say that their backgrounds were simply written at random and a diverse cast was added in without thought.
The "sapphic" relationship also seemed very rushed, but honestly everything else in the book was too so I don't think it matters at this point.
The premise was so interesting but maybe 4 POVs was too much for the author. There were hints to more detailed backgrounds (Hinnah's trapeze act partner?) but nothing that actually gave us anything to care about. To the point where I literally did not care about the ending and kind of rushed through it. I especially felt like it got more ridiculous and I had to suspend my belief towards the end. There were zero tears shed, unfortunately.
The girls seemed to be able to get away with ridiculous stunts as well that made it very unbelievable for a story set during a very real setting. I got lost in some action scenes because I could not follow what was going on.
Might be a fun read for some younger readers though. And unrelated, but the cover is GORGEOUS and I love it so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
HELLA...
This book came out of my mind eventually. I didn't know why suddenly I want to read or listen to it. The crossover between Titanic and Ocean's 8 make it intriguing. I love the process of understanding every characters.
Josefa; the thief... I love her so much even sometimes I feel like her strategy is risky for four of them. But, I must say... she's brilliant.
Violet; the actress... if not for her brother... I am sure; she won't join Josefa's crazy idea to board on a ship like that
Both Hinnah and Emilie... sometimes I feel conflicted but, I love them being rational.. especially Emilie and her fear.
Overall, this book gave me different feel of historical fiction should like... but I also love the heist part. Great job, Adiba!
This book came out of my mind eventually. I didn't know why suddenly I want to read or listen to it. The crossover between Titanic and Ocean's 8 make it intriguing. I love the process of understanding every characters.
Josefa; the thief... I love her so much even sometimes I feel like her strategy is risky for four of them. But, I must say... she's brilliant.
Violet; the actress... if not for her brother... I am sure; she won't join Josefa's crazy idea to board on a ship like that
Both Hinnah and Emilie... sometimes I feel conflicted but, I love them being rational.. especially Emilie and her fear.
Overall, this book gave me different feel of historical fiction should like... but I also love the heist part. Great job, Adiba!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Classism, and Confinement
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and Racism
Minor: Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
daryn's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Moderate: Confinement and Violence
cassielaj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
I really enjoyed this overall, it was exciting and emotional and powerfully told.
Spoiler
I was surprised by Violet and Hinnah’s deaths, but I think the situation was handled well and they were honored properly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Misogyny, Death, and Violence