This one is an eerie tale involving twin brothers, a mystical land where everything is in reverse from reality, and a creepy doll whose touch turns people to porcelain. The Victorian gothic tone is strong and this book will appeal to fans of the genre. I could not get into this one, though, and ended up not finishing it. The pace picks up a lot once Arthur and Wally find themselves "through the mirror," but that doesn't happen until about 1/3 through the book. While the story and premise are interesting, something about the book didn't ring true to me as being middle grade: maybe it was the narrative tone, maybe it was the inclusion of bartenders, maybe too much of the story was told too much from an adult's point of view. Not for me, but will appeal to tween readers who like their fantasy with just a dash of horror. 8 to 12.

Arthur & Wally are stealing their way into the Black Feathers gang. Both boys have personally reasons to earn some fast cash. When Arthur stumbles across some wealthy people little does he know he actually came across was magic and different worlds. Now the boys must save their city. This was an action adventure book. There are some intense parts. Over all a fun adventure middle grade read.
I received this free eARC from Netgalley but all opinions are my own. Thank you Netgalley and Henry Holt and Co.

This is a fun and scary action filled adventure book about two boys named Arthur and Willy who are thieves. They live in a world that is part Victorian slum and part twisted terrifyingly magic world. They each have family members who are confined to a completely horrifying hospital and they are trying to get them out. Willy and Arthur go on a mission to Weirdwood manor (an old scary house) to try to steal a fortune and get caught up in something a LOT bigger. This one is scary enough to make it better for middle school kids, but it's a very compelling story.

Overall, I found Thieves of Weirdwood a bit confusing but an enjoyable fantasy novel. I think that I might like it better as an audiobook.

Entertaining story about two young thieves who get more than they bargained for when they break into a "deserted" mansion and find their way into an imaginary realm where the world they knew is duplicated - but with strange and even horrifying differences.

The story was engrossing, and I especially liked Arthur trying to pattern himself as a "Gentleman Thief" after the hero of his favorite adventure series.

I was concerned by some murders that take place off-stage, but about which Wally learns details afterward because he is able to talk to spirits.

Would young readers be upset by the detail, for example, of a woman who was torn apart by a monster? Or a girl who was killed by a man who was trying to resurrect his dead wife? These seem like morbid details in a story that is otherwise billed as having "lots of laughs."

If you are a Rock Riordan fan and a fan of mystery, fantasy and love character background development and imagery this book is for you. If you are not you may stuggle with reading it. I enjoyed this book it. I did not read it in one sitting but rather over a long weekend. It can be daunting at times and it can seem like there are multiple stories rolled up into one but the method of writing is similar to Rick Riordan and I am a fan.

Really wanted to like this one, but found I could never really get into it. So much was mashed together in the world building I quickly lost interest.