Book Review: To Steal from Thieves (Thieves & Kings, #1) by M.K. Lobb
From the moment I stumbled upon To Steal from Thieves, I was genuinely intrigued. An alternate Victorian London blending magic and technology with a cast of cynical rogues? Count me in! The premise promises thrilling escapades and complex characters, and I was eager to dive into this debut novel by M.K. Lobb. However, the journey didn’t quite unfold as I had hoped.
In this world, alchemology reigns supreme, allowing magic-users like Zaria Mendoza—a plucky orphan left to navigate the treacherous London underworld—to harness the power of life force to create a coveted material known as primateria. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Zaria’s struggles are emblematic of the broader socio-economic challenges of the time, yet they feel weighed down by the narrative’s pacing. I found her plight compelling; each commission she took on leaves her teetering closer to the edge of desperation, and I wanted to root for her.
Enter Kane Durante, tasked with pulling off a nearly impossible heist for the sinister kingpin Ward. His motivations feel muddled at first, and while he eventually forms an uneasy alliance with Zaria, I couldn’t shake the feeling that both characters were more focused on betrayal than trust. This was a major hurdle for me. Their distrust, while understandable given their backgrounds, created a lack of emotional connection that left me indifferent to whether they succeeded or not.
As I progressed through the book, I found the writing style competent yet uninspired. M.K. Lobb introduces intriguing elements within a magical framework, but the pacing dragged in parts, making it a chore to persevere. The dialogue, often meant to be flirtatious or witty, came off as stilted, robbing the interactions of genuine chemistry. I felt the potential for a sideways glance or meaningful silence was overshadowed by over-exposition and awkward banter.
The heist narrative is, admittedly, a promising foundation for excitement, but alas, the execution fell flat. I often found myself peeking ahead to see if the adventure would pick up, longing for the compelling tension found in similar heist stories like Six of Crows or Crooked Kingdom. Unfortunately, I was met with more of the same. The characters lack the depth and intrigue that make one binge-read their plights until dawn.
Even the cover art, which prominently features the coveted necklace, left me questioning the creative choices behind it. The depiction of the characters—particularly Kane—strays far from my imagination of him. Zaria’s wild curls might echo her fiery spirit, but the representation felt less aligned with the tone of the book.
All that said, I believe there will be readers who connect deeply with this world. If you enjoy tales of magic-infused heists set against a gritty urban backdrop, perhaps you’ll find the allure that eluded me. For me, though, To Steal from Thieves turned out to be a DNF (Did Not Finish). The enduring promise of magic and adventure didn’t save it from feeling like a mere echo of the genre’s brighter gems.
In conclusion, while the concept captivated my initial interest, my journey with Kane and Zaria ultimately reminded me that not every heist is worth the risk. If you’re drawn to complex magic systems and gritty adventures, you might give it a try, but I’d recommend approaching with tempered expectations. For me, the experience was a wistful reminder of how high the stakes can feel when it comes to reading—sometimes you steal your time back.
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