I love a strong, smart female protagonist and Tina did not disappoint! There was some hard topics that I don't generally enjoy reading about, like rape, but other than that, I would recommend this.

A YA thriller with depth. Tina, a Congolese refugee is a strong and complex character who learns that she can't do everything on her own. ​I did not expect the level of suspense or some of the twists and turns on her journey. Plus, the most powerful aspect of this novel was that while it was fictional it made readers more aware of real-world issues. An entertaining and interesting read.

Unfortunately, I was unable to get into this title. It just wasn't a good fit for me. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read this title. I will not be posting a review online, in order not to skew the ratings. Thanks for the opportunity to read it.

This adventure novel showed readers what it's like to live outside the law. It shines a light on refugees from the Congo and what they go through to lead a safer life. The family intrigue is interesting and will continue to draw readers in. An excellent book.

This lengthy work set in East Africa uses fiction to examine the brutality and war in the countries there. After their escape from the Congo, Tina's mother was killed and Tina is sure the murderer is her half-sister's father. A gang member, she sets out to use her connections to find proof.

Tina's mother worked as a maid for the family of Catherine's father. When her mother was killed, Christina manages to enroll her sister in a private school while she lives with her gang. Michael, her sister's half-brother was Tina's childhood friend and after catching her breaking in to their house, Michael joins her in the search for the killer. Along with another friend, the three venture from Kenya to the dangers of the Congo on the trail of Tina's family history.

The book would be a good companion for a school unit on genocide.

Great YA mystery, in a non-American setting. Diversity is something we need more of and this will be a great addition to my library. It also has great adult appeal.

Fascinating storyline of South Africa and a mystery of the family. I enjoyed the personality of the narrator and the mystery.

This was a pretty good book: mystery, murder, a thief out for revenge, set in fictional African city.

I will say that it felt a bit long, there were 2 separate locations where the action unfolded, there were a few surprises at the end, full ending wasn’t 100% believable, there was lack of romance which I appreciated until there was a scene smashed in (eh).
As to how well the the violence, sexual assaults and rape, slavery, militia: the author did a good job to realistically convey what has happened without fully going 100% deep graphic truth that seemed appropriate for age group.

Overall good read.

Such an interesting concept. Totally something I'd recommend to my students.

I wanted to really like this book, but found it only so-so. It's nice to read something set in the Congo, and the mystery is mildly interesting, but (frankly) I just didn't care what happened to Tina. Perhaps the back and forth in time story-telling was the problem. I didn't know enough about Tina to care until well into the book. By then I was rather bored.

Set in the Congo, and Kenya, Tina is a girl looking to take revenge on the man who she believes killed her mother. Tina’s mother had worked for him and Tina heard the man threaten to kill her mother, just before she was murdered. In the four years since her mother’s death, Tina has been homeless and has joined a gang, the Goondas. Her job is to steal things for the gang’s leader and she is a very capable thief. Make no mistake, life in the gang is tough and grueling. Tina has hardened herself and has tattooed her body to show her strength. Her new assignment is to steal information from the very man she wants vengeance on. She relishes the opportunity to steal from him and plans to take his life in the process. But when things don’t go as planned, Tina must work with an old friend to uncover the truth about her mother’s death. There are deep secrets to be uncovered about her mother and why someone would murder her.
Anderson based this book upon actual events in Kenya and the Congo. The harsh details of life in this part of the world are frightening and horrifying. This story is set in contemporary Africa and highlights the terrors of gangs and corruption. It is a tale of survival, of innocent people forced to endure. Tina’s sidekick BoyBoy (a standout character) is loyal and clever, as opposed to the cringe-worthy gang leaders. Tina is tough, smart and determined. She is skeptical of her old friend Michael but her history with him breaks through her hardened heart and she agrees to work with him.
Anderson’s time spent in Africa working with refugees gave her firsthand knowledge of the atrocities that the people there suffered. The characters are fictional but the living conditions and dire situations are based on reality. She has woven an engaging story of a girl forced to do whatever it takes to survive. She learns about her mother’s own story of survival as well as that of other women from her village. The book will leave readers shocked and sickened that such events are happening in recent times. An important tale that will open reader’s eyes to a world most know nothing about. 4.5*

What a disappointment. I had my misgivings from the beginning: the book is set in Kenya and Congo, the main characters are all black, but the author is a white woman from the States. This is not to say that white authors cannot write from the POV of other races, but my own reading history has taught me that this is usually a recipe for disaster.
I was certainly worried about nothing -- Anderson has spent a considerable amount of time in Kenya and writes with great empathy and insight into the conflicts that plague the area.

Unfortunately, the book follows the trend of scrappy heroine YA books to the extent that it almost feels like a paint-by-numbers. Tina is a Loner Orphan, she works with a gang of dangerous boys, who begrudgingly respect her because she's an exceptional thief; she is an island, refusing to let anyone get close to her because the only thing that matters is ~revenge~, with the exception of her Beloved Younger Sister (who is small, beautiful, and innocent with no discernible personality beyond these vague traits) who must be protected at all costs. She also re-connects with a boy from her childhood -- they share sweet memories of growing up together -- but they're clearly on Other Sides of The War and they have to work together to discover The Truth.

"City of Saints & Thieves" is painfully formulaic with poorly developed characters. It relies to heavily on its setting, to the detriment of the plot. There are some truly suspenseful set pieces, but they aren't enough to make this book feel fresh or original.

Wow! Intense thriller/suspense/mystery with strong characters and intriguing plot. Beautifully written, well paced, and informative about world situations not typically seen in YA books. I'm sure the Printz committee will be considering City of Saints & Thieves.

3.8 - engrossing YA novel with a gritty, strong female character; some good plot shifts mixed with memorable life lessons - very recommended for teens and young adults

I really enjoyed City of Saints and Thieves! It had all of the suspense and intrigue of a gripping mystery, but had a plethora of details that made it unique compared to other books that I have read. The setting in Kenya and the history connected to the Democratic Republic of Congo added to the complexity of the story and made the story even more compelling. The teens in my area will love this novel!

*Thanks to NetGalley for a digital copy of this book!*

I loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down. It was a welcome change from the YA novels I've read recently, which all seem to be in the same vein.
I love the characters, I cared what happened to them - also a welcome change from the books I've read lately in general. You can follow the evolution of the characters, and their feelings, and it's realistic.
The author clearly had some knowledge of what life in that part of Africa is like, and I appreciated her author's note of explanation. The plot addresses important issues, the setting is rich, the characters are diverse. Tina's focus and drive for revenge is a powerful theme. And having her backstory filled in is heartbreaking. I love her relationship with Boyboy, and eventually even liked Michael.

A solid mystery that kept the pages turning. I loved that it was set in Africa and had some authentic language. I wish that I had listened to this one as an audiobook because I wanted to hear the character's accent. I had a hard time imagining an accent into my reading, meaning. I read the characters with my white, midwestern accent which I know took away from the setting and kept me from fully immersing myself in the story. A solid explanation of conflict gold. It was nicely woven into the narrative without being didactic. I've already recommended this title to my reading friends!

There's a review on the back of the book describing it as: "Blood Diamond meets Ocean's Eleven." Yep. This is the first book I remember reading that takes place in Africa. I liked the change of scenery and culture. There was mystery and action and suspense. Discussion of wealth inequity, what makes a family, loyalty, and politics.

This book was great! I loved how this novel really shed light on what goes on in other parts of the world (not the U.S., especially). The characters were well-written and the plot very engaging that the story is hard to put down. So full of adventure, mystery, and drama to satisfy so many readers. Highly recommended!

I adored this title, and was happy to recommend it for my library's teen book club! This is a modern-day refugee story that will appeal to fans of mysteries and thrillers.