To Steal From Thieves is an incredibly immersive story! I immediately felt like I stepped into Victorian England with its advances in science, technology, and art, and the extreme divide between its rich and its poor. I loved the inclusion of the Great Exhibition and the Crystal Palace as the scene of the heist, and thought the author did a great job balancing historical fiction with fantasy.

I struggled a bit with the first half of the book due to its slow pacing, but with two distinct POVs to balance and flesh out, the story doesn’t suffer thanks to excellent character development. Kane and Zaria are two very distinct and different characters, but who are motivated by the same thing: the survival of their friends.

I appreciated the ADHD rep through Zaria and how she struggled to live up to her father’s reputation. Though he was present in her life, it’s clear she struggles from the indifferent behavior he showed her while alive, and continuously wonders why he taught her a magic that would eventually kill her the same as him.

Kane, on the other hand, is in constant internal conflict with his feelings of love and hate for the man who raised him. This relationship defines his entire character - wanting to rise above it and also knowing he is exactly the monster he was created to be. I emphasized so much with his self-loathing!

Although this story is about a heist and a magic system based on alchemy, I would hesitate to classify it as plot-driven action novel. This story is defined by its characters and their relationships with one another. It’s about survival and betrayal and their internal and external conflicts. The ending was thrilling and I’m excited to see what happens in the sequel, including learning more about Zaria’s potential and her magic. This story is perfect for lovers of historical fantasy with character-driven plots, reluctant allies to enemies, and unique magic systems. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book!!! Lobb is a master, not only at crafting an engaging and entertaining story, but at doing so with descriptions that will sometimes take your breath away. I loved every page of this magical heist with reluctant enemies to lovers energy and fiercely loyal friendships. The unique approach to magic was very clever and the careful give-and-take between the two main characters as they try to gain trust in their rocky partnership was well balanced. The historical setting felt so immersive and I loved the subtle threads of highlighting social injustice and economic inequity. I felt like there was some really well done ADHD rep that was subtle, too (or maybe I’m projecting? Either way, I felt seen!). This book was a page turner and I have already placed my pre-order! Can’t wait for it to hit shelves in March!

DNF

To Steal from Thieves was one of my most anticipated young adult releases of the new year. I'm never one to shy away from a good heist storyline nor an unconventional team-up, which Thieves promised bound together in a historical fantasy setting with a dash of romance to top it all off. There's a lot going for this, the two main characters, Kane and Zaria were intriguing and I like what we got from them as M.K. Lobb set up their team-up and the broader heist storyline. The particulars of alchemology and Zaria's underground business was another aspect I thoroughly enjoyed. What didn't work for me was the pacing which unfortunately held back the narrative and didn't leave any room for me to get in deep with the worldbuilding and the intersecting players. Pacing is almost always a determinant of my enjoyment of a book and I found myself struggling to wade through the first third of this. Ultimately I made the decision to put it down and I may give it another try in the future. To Steal from Thieves has many strong beats that will resonate with the historical fantasy audience and anyone interested in heists, alchemy-based magic, or romance.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I enjoyed this so much! I love historical fiction, particularly fun alternate history takes. Then just throw in the word "heist" and I'm there. In this novel, con artist Kane and inventor Zaria team up to steal a priceless necklace, but each fully plans to stab the other in the back and keep the necklace for themselves. This is sort of an AU of London; the necklace is an exhibit at the Great Exposition of 1851, Queen Victoria is still queen, the Irish Potato Famine still occurred, but in this universe, magic exists! It's dangerous and largely outlawed, existing as a tool to be bought and used by the criminal underbelly of the city.

This novel is YA, but it's also dark and gritty. Kane and Zaria both have tragic backgrounds and are forced into lives of crime to survive. There's social inequality, poverty (such was London during industrialization), violence, extortion, and murder. Our MCs do unsavory things. Kane in particular was a painful character: a nice boy forced to be a bad one due to circumstances and abuse.

On the one hand, I feel like the romance between Kane and Zaria wasn't necessary and sparked kind of suddenly. On the other hand, I was actually into it? It was toxic -- obviously!! they're plotting to betray one another -- but it never veered into instalove or instabonding or anything like that. It stayed full of mutual tension and distrust until the explosive end.

The only "pure" relationships were the familial friendships between Zaria and Jules and between Kane and Fletcher, though those also have their fair share of secrets and lies. I'm honestly not sure how we're going to get a happy ending in the sequel, particularly with this book's ending, but I am seated for it.

Also loved the 1800s slang "cop a mouse." Definitely had to look that one up!

4.25⭐
Kane, a con artist, comes across Zaria, and alchemological inventor, as part of a job and he's realized she may be just the person he and Fletcher need to pull off a job for the kingpin, Ward. Zaria, desperate to get her and her friend, Jules, out of Devil's Acre, agrees to help Kane with the theft, hoping this is their ticket out of London. This heist of the Great Exhibition involves since very high stakes, but can either of them really trust the other one?

I'm grateful to learn that this is a duology, because that ending was criminal. This is a YA heist novel with reluctant allies, intentions to double cross, Victorian London with magic, and a morally grey love/hate interest. You get dual POV from Kane and Zaria. Would love to see a bit more about how the magic system works, but I'm ready to follow these characters into the second book.

Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book is due to be published 3/25/25. I'll be posting on Instagram closer to publication.

Wow! I loved this book! A magical heist count me in. Both Kane and Zaria are trying to get their best friends out of London and the current lives their living so they team up to steal a necklace while both planning on double crossing each other. You can’t trust thieves. The plot was fun! The characters I loved. I’m so impatient for the next book and this one isn’t even out yet!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc

As always, Lobb delivered a masterfully crafted story full of adventure, danger, pining, and twists leaving you desperate for the next page. The morally gray characters are so much fun to love and hate at the same time. Kane Durante is the dangerous black market boy with blood on his hands. Zaria Mendoza is a powerful girl with the ability of archemology. Together they are a disaster waiting to happen as they plan a heist to steal from a well-guarded gallery. The worldbuilding and subtle magic set in old London was so fun to delve into and, as usual for Lobb, had a dark price to pay. The slow burn enemies to lovers to enemies was delicious and I cannot wait for more of Kane and Zaria in the sequel. Kane is added to my top favorite characters list, alongside Lobb’s Damien Venturi. This magical heist book is perfect for fans of Six of Crows and A Tempest of Tea. If I could read this book forever, I would.

Thank you Little Brown Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my one. An exciting adventure! Zaria has been stuck with making magic for all the commissions her father left when he died. The problem is that making this magic inventions takes from her soul. And will eventually with her away until she too passes. She’s determined to get her and her best friend Jules out of Devil’s Acre before that happens. Kane has been tasked with acquiring a necklace by Ward, the Kingpin of Devil’s Acre. Ward’s like his adopted father, though that doesn’t mean Kane loves him. He finds Ward despicable but he does what he has to in order to keep his best friend Fletcher alive. When his miscalculations get him in more trouble with Ward he’ll have one chance to get the necklace, too bad that’s at the Great Exhibition that will be crawling with people. It’ll be near impossible to steal from there. He’ll need someone who can use magic. He’ll need Zaria. Too bad that’s neither trusts the other and each will do what it takes to reach their own goal. With a fragile bond and their best friends they’ll seek to steal a pressure artifact right from everyone nose. Things grow more complicated by the thoughts they have of one another. Will they succeed? Can Kane and Zaria save their loved ones? I enjoyed the magic system and the risk for users! I loved both Zaria and Kane and their desire to not only get out of their situations but to save and protect their best friends! Fast paced and will suck you in! Complex feelings and emotions, betrayal, and determination make this a thrill ride! And the ending!!!! I cannot wait to see what happens next and we still have a bit before this one hits shelves!

***3.5 stars rounded up***
Wow, this was interesting! I loved MKL’s previous duology and so I was so eager to see what she would do with an enemies-to-lovers heist.
What I loved:
• The heist was simple enough to follow (perhaps too simple though? For any SOC lovers, this might be sliiightly underwhelming). But it’s solid in my opinion.
• Kane is definitely a book boyfriend of 2025! And Zaria’s character is certainly alluring. I love that it’s dual-POV, and they were defo multi-layered.
• The tension! The enemies-to-lovers dynamic!

What I didn’t love:
• I’m 50-50 with the heist - I would’ve liked for it to have more substance.
• The ending’s execution was too rushed for my liking
• There were slight slogs BUT I’m interested enough to preorder the sequel.

MK Lobb delivers a gritty, historical fantasy with morally grey characters and a London As It Never Was setting that has me ready for more! This book was such a fun ride to rethink think a major theft at the original 1851 World Exposition in London. I loved the way magic was interwoven into this new world, but also so deadly to the people who wield it. The world building was unique and Lobb did a great job of balancing the world building with the historical setting of London 1851.

The characters:
Zaria and Kane are delightful, off-beat characters with morally grey vibes. Each has their own pasts that funnels into personal character struggles. Both are desperate to save people in their lives from the gangs that control London's seedier areas. I loved that both characters had mental health rep (Zaria's ADHD and Kane's PTSD). It made them into relatable and raw characters that you wanted to root for.

Both characters are chaotic, untrustworthy, and out for themselves (and those they love) -- which makes their attraction to each other even more poetic and amusing to the reader. I loved the dual POV in this book that allowed the reader (but not the characters) to realize that Zaria and Kane's goals will force them to double cross each other. It had me chuckling to myself the further along we got into the plot.

It is clear from the start that both these characters walk a tightrope between doing the right thing and descent into full blown morally grey. I won't lie -- a certain character's descent into the realm of even more morally grey was absolutely satisfying in all the best way. I immediately needed to know more.

The plot:
I love good heist plot! Lobb really kept it moving by balancing the Kane's and Zaria's POVs throughout the book. I liked getting to see each of their motivators and how they consistently crashed into each other. With the major goal to steal an object from the Crystal Palace, Kane, Zaria, (and their trust sidekicks -- Jules and Fletcher) run amok across London setting their plan in motion. Keep in mind -- these two aren't working together because they trust each other -- oh no no they need each other out of necessity and nothing more. Each one using the other for openings to get what they truly seek. It makes for a gritty tale with the perfect amount of humor.

4.5/5

Any author who can kill off their characters with no remorse terrifies me, but a sick part of me loves the beautiful pain they create.

I really liked the seven faceless saints duology but I got really excited for this one when I started seeing the promo on Instagram because the plot seemed much more up my alley. Combining real-world historical events with some magical element will always be my favourite sub-genre of fantasy and mixing in the culture of the 1800s was the cherry on top.

I will say the ending did feel a bit rushed and I didn't realize this wasn't a stand-alone until the last 20% where it became obvious that this story wasn't nearly finished. BUT I'm already obsessed with Zaria and Kane and the magic system of this world and I need more now.

I'll be waiting very un-patiently for book 2
thanks to little brown books and netgalley for the arc!

Thank you to Netgalley and Litte Brown for sending me an early copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

MK Lobb keeps tearing my heart out and I keep thanking her for it. And honestly, I'd do it again. I think my favorite thing about this book is the angst and the depth of the characters that comes with said angst. They are so deeply flawed and yet so deeply relatable and I loved peeling back every layer of them and finding more and more underneath.

The plot honestly left me guessing until the very end, and please don't even get me started about the end itself. My heart is in pieces, and I loved every second of it. There's something about a MC descending into madness that just absolutely hits. This is a story full of love and hope that's filled at the same time with fear and sorrow. The journey that these characters go on is one that I fear so many people in this world have found themselves on, from the fear of love itself to the hopeless desperation of just wanting to be loved and seen. Wrap it all up with a kind of magic that sparkles in and of itself, and you have a stunning book.

I definitely need the next book right this second, and I know you will too!

I love a good heist novel and this did not disappoint. Kane and Zaria were fantastic characters, and I loved getting to see both their POVs. I loved the historical setting and got fully swept away into the world. I can’t believe I’ll need to wait so long for a sequel! Highly recommend this to any historical fantasy fans!

This was a good read. The premise and magic system was different and really interesting. I also love a good con and heist!

I enjoyed the characters and that it was dual POV. It was nice to see what was going through each of the MCs heads. It was interesting to see the emotions they were dealing with while starting to develop feelings for each other while also planning to con one another.

The ending left me a bit wounded, but I’m interested in seeing where the story will go next. This ended up being a reluctant allies to lovers to enemies to hopefully lovers again by the end of the next book. After that ending, the potential back to lovers is going to be hard fought.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book! A great plot and romantic side plot as well. Was engaging and pacing was great (no slow parts to bore/lose interest). Would definitely recommend!

This story was entertaining! Almost every element of this book, including the plot, world-building, pacing, and tension, was enjoyable to me. Everything was fantastic. makes it difficult to put down by striking a balance between intense action and poignant moments.

Entertaining yet somewhat unbalanced.

I enjoyed the world building and the characters, but felt rather indifferent towards the romance and found the heist part way too short.
I think the book would have been so much better if the romance had became a friendship instead as the banted was good and the chemistry was there, just not romantic.

Overall, a fun book yet fairly predictable read but NOT a standalone like i expected. Cliffhangers are a big no no for me, way overused and more frustrating than anything.

“If you hear screaming, I can assure you it won’t be coming from me.” 😏

The banter. THE BANTER!!!!! Oh, this book was fantastic and I absolutely loved Zaria and Kane, both as characters individually and their slow-burn romance together. Zaria is so strong and not afraid to back down from a challenge. Kane is such a charming con man and his sass towards Zaria was top notch. Put the two of them together and just WOW! This book had me screaming “just kiss already” multiple times! 😂

I loved that they were both plotting to con each other (and neither of them had any clue that they were playing each other). I also loved that we got to see both points of view, because watching Kane struggle to accept his feelings for Zaria was great to read!

I went into this one thinking it was a standalone, but I’m so glad that it’s getting a sequel, especially with the way things ended! I could totally see this one being a movie! The world building, the writing, and the overall story as a whole was amazing!

If you love historical fiction, epic heists, enemies to lovers vibes, magical weapons, and a dual POV young adult book, then this one is definitely for you! ♥️

Thank you so much to @mk_lobb and @netgalley for the advanced copy! To Steal from Thieves releases on March 25, 2025 and you don’t want to miss it!

This was a fun YA heist story. It was fairly predictable, but I found the characters fun and the world interesting throughout.