September 1, 2021
In a world of Spellweavers and airships, a team comes together for a legendary heist. Callan's a gaffer--a con artist who pulls gaffs--in desperate need of money to escape his life of crime when he receives an offer that sounds too good to be true. Mysterious Mr. Solomon invites him to his mansion, where Callan's introduced to the rest of a recruited team of kid criminals, including acrobatic knife thrower Meriel; Lachlan, who can procure any necessary supplies through his networks; Gareth, a researcher gifted with sleight of hand who stutters; and a cat burglar called Foxtail who wears a solid metal face mask and never speaks. The job? Stealing a magical jewel from not just any Spellweaver, but the High Weaver himself, a dangerous opponent who is already on guard following failed attempts to retrieve the Eye--and they only have three days to do it. Callan is an excellent narrator, constantly observing body language for tells that reveal secrets as the kids plan an elaborate, multistage operation to break into a seemingly unbreakable location, all with a life-changing financial prize on the line. He provides clarity through the twists, reveals, and the growing bonds of the team. By the end, interludes while the team plans give readers breathing space between increasingly weighty action sequences, leading to a cliffhanger. Most characters default to White; Foxtail has brown skin. A page-turner filled with charming rogues and expert plots. (Fantasy. 8-12)
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Starred review from September 6, 2021
Fourteen-year-old Callan is a talented con artist with a knack for reading body language. Desperate to earn the money he needs to leave his life of crime, he responds to a mysterious job offer, and he and several other young thieves are presented with the opportunity of a lifetime: in exchange for a payout beyond their wildest dreams, they must steal a priceless magical artifact from the High Weaver, the world’s most powerful—and dangerous—man. To get past the target’s enchanted wards and defenses, Callan throws in with the largely presumed-white team, which includes acrobatic pickpocket Meriel; researcher Gareth, who stutters; acquisitions expert Lachlan; and nonverbal cat burglar Foxtail, who has brown skin and wears a metal face mask. But even a con man can be conned, and Callan soon discovers that this scheme has apocalyptic stakes. In a sharp-witted series opener, Sands (the Blackthorn Key series) crafts an adventure with mythological undertones and a heist framework. The protagonists’ natural chemistry as they learn to collaborate and trust one another helps to ground the epic story, especially once it leans more heavily into fantasy elements, while Callan’s narrative voice adds just the right amount of self-aware humor. Ages 8–12.
October 15, 2021
Grades 4-7 Sands' middle-grade action-adventure novel follows five young criminals, the Thieves of Shadow, on their most difficult heist yet, a mission that countless adults have attempted and failed. There's just one problem: these five--Callan, Meriel, Lachlan, Gareth, and Foxtail--are usually lone wolves, and now they must learn how to trust each other and collaborate to achieve their goal. Set in a fantastical world where magic is awe inspiring yet not to be trusted and where a prominent sorcerer's treasure may or may not be worth the risk, the five heisters must each hone their unique talents to become the perfect pack of professional thieves. This high-energy thriller is perfect for younger fans of Six of Crows (2015), the movie Ocean's Eleven, and other inside-job narratives. Readers will be sure to delight in narrator Callan's sharp wit and snappy voice as they are introduced to the rest of the crew and their unusual skills. Cryptic messages, creepy characters, and unexpected but endearing friendships abound.
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November 1, 2021
Gr 5 Up-This stunning tale of betrayal, trickery, and friendship takes the reader on a wild ride. Callan, a 14-year-old thief, accepts an invitation to participate in a heist that offers tremendous rewards. But he soon learns the possibility of great reward carries with it great risk. Con artist Callan teams up with four other children: Merial, the gymnastic knife expert; Gareth, head of intel; Lachlan, who can acquire supplies; and Foxtail, who can climb any and everywhere. The foursome combine their skills in an attempt to steal an artifact of great but unknown power. Even if they succeed, the price may be more than they are willing to pay. As the stakes get higher, it will take every skill these children possess to overcome the challenges in their way-assuming they survive at all. Sands has created a rip-roaring story full of frantic twists and turns that leave readers questioning what is real and what is not. The magic is believable, and the world is easy to imagine. And one cannot help but root for these young protagonists whose lives have been so difficult and yet who manage to hope for a better future. Characters are cued as white. VERDICT A fabulous choice for libraries where action-packed fantasies are popular.-Heidi Grange, Summit Elem. Sch., Smithfield, UT
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