January BOTM HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter

[L.H.]

All right my BOTM peeps, get your copy of the HEIST SOCIETY and dive in. I read this one a few years ago and loved it! But that was also before I started writing so I'm super excited to read it again and see what my thought are on it now after several years and a new perspective!
Get your copies and start posting here when you feel that itching need to! LOL
~LH

[Brookie]

I love this book too

[Peggy]

Good book!

A fun caper novel, written with style. I liked the way the romance was handled, I liked the way future installments are set up, I enjoyed all of the thief lore, and I found more emotional depth (especially in Kat's family situation) than I would have expected.

Two things stood out for me:
(1) This was not immersive storytelling. The arch authorial intrusions ("Of course, in the weeks that followed, Kat would look back on this decision from time to time and allow herself to feel at least a little bit stupid ...") and abrupt scene changes stopped me from sinking fully into the book. But the writing was skillful, consistent and controlled throughout. I can see this being a big plus for many readers--it's like we're in on the secret.

(2) The way descriptions were handled was really interesting. Chapters typically started with a big-picture paragraph giving the author's attention-getting take on something, then zeroed in on our characters. From that point on, most of the description comes to us through characters interacting with their environment. The book reads quickly.

I enjoyed this one & I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone else thought of it!

[Kate]

I thought the banter between the characters suggested pre-existing relationships and an ongoing world in an engaging and entertaining way. It was as if we'd been caught up in the middle of a life instead of dropped into a single story.
I agree with Peggy on the authorial intrusions - I like to be surprised, rather than be tipped off in advance that things are going badly.
The master thief character (done by a series of anonymous people) was a great touch, and I spent a lot of time debating who that person might be.
I struggled a bit with Nick and his role in the story. His effect on Kat's romance was interesting, and he played a part in the story, but I didn't really believe his involvement.
Definitely a fun read that kept me racing along.

[Peggy]

Kate wrote: "I thought the banter between the characters suggested pre-existing relationships and an ongoing world in an engaging and entertaining way. It was as if we'd been caught up in the middle of a life ..."

I really like this insight! I was surprised to find the book was the first in the series.

[Peggy]

Four readers, consensus positive. Everyone liked this one.