Pick-pockets, orphans, and the police of 1880 Stockholm come to life in a mystery, which leaves the reader guessing until the last chapters.

Mika knows several of the kids at the orphanage are up to something. She sees, at least, two of them skipping classes more than once, but both are staying tight-lipped about what they're up to. When one of them runs away right before his adoption, alarm bells go off in her head, and she discovers the missing orphans working for a street-show. Sure they are pick-pocketing, she's determined to help them and keep them out of jail, but things aren't nearly as simple as first appears, and soon, she's the one running from the police.

This is the sequel to The Night Raven and, to my disappointment, already the last book since it's a duology. The mystery is just as exciting as in the first book and adds a nice touch of 'family' love, since Mika's concern for the other orphans drives her to go to her limits and beyond. She does behave very mature for a twelve-year-old, which has me suggesting this one even for older tweens and younger young adult readers. It is still, however, completely appropriate for middle graders, who are ready for a historically set read. The mystery is fairly complex (not overly so, though) and stays exciting enough to keep those pages turning. While some of it can be guessed by the end, the action and last twists round of the story well.

This duology does have me thinking of Oliver Twist and Co. thanks to the setting and themes...although that's where the similarities end. The situation of the orphans does rub at the heart-strings, and Mika's own concerns are understandable. There is depth and a few sub-plots, but it still stays short and rich.

I do recommend this one to historical fans, who enjoy adventure, tension and a bit of mystery too.

If I was reading this when I was 12-13, I would have been obsessed with this book and Mika! This is such a wonderful story about little smarty pants Mika and her friends. It’s a fun adventure, but also a story of friendship, love and hope.
Maybe I’m not obsessed with this book as I would have been as a kid, but I liked it and enjoyed it a lot!

Once again there is something absolutely addicting to reading Rundberg's work. Just like how I read The Night Raven in one sitting, I did the same with The Queen of Thieves. I enjoyed being back in Mika's world and seeing her work towards solving mysteries, this time around more kids from the orphanage are involved and we get to see Mika struggle with making some decisions based around what she wants.

I have to say I did appreciate that there was a small betrayal by one of Mika's close friends but I do wish it had been talked about more. I understand why the character did what they did because frankly Mika at times can be very mean to this particular character and it does bother me because at times it's hard to really see a friendship between them so I did not question the betrayal. But then it got resolved fairly quickly without so much as a real conversation between the two talking about why it was so easy for them to betray her. I think it would have given a really strong element to the story, and could helped dive a bit deeper into Mika reflecting on herself and some of the choices she chooses to make when dealing with other people, so it was a missed opportunity to me.

Valdemar doesn't have much of a role in this follow up, which was kind of sad because I do like their dynamic but there was a few hints about there being more to him then he lets on I definitely have some theories around why he actually is against kids being beaten and thrown in jail, and that it goes much deeper than wanting to not be a jerk, so im looking forward to seeing what gets revealed next in his back story.

The main plot was entertaining and I enjoyed how the main event was built up and how it put Mika in a delicate position. She wants what's best for the other kids but she also understood why it was so easy for the kids to fall into the trap that they fell into. I also thought it made sense for her to fall into it as well, the villain manipulates the kids with their most desired wish, to have a family, and so its understandable why none of them say the problems with it and why even Mika herself accepted it after while, albit hers being for slightly different reasons. The action scenes were explosive, and if I was I was a kid would have been on the edge of my seat not knowing what would happen next!

We learned a little bit more about Mika's past in regards to how the babies are left at the orphanage but nothing more was revealed so I am hoping at some point we will learn more since there is and its hinted at. I am still invested in this series so I'm excited for the next one.

Also I haven't seen this series printed in physical form yet and if it hasn't been done I would recommend a pronunciation chart for the city names because I can definitely see a lot of kids struggling with the names, since I an adult struggled a bit.

Another amazing read with this second book in the Moonwind Mysteries series. Although I had very much liked the first book, I had remarked on how dark it was for such young readers. I think this book, however, was just right: a bit sombre for the thrills and mystery, but not enough to upset young readers. I realised that I'd actually become rather attached to some of the characters, including Mika and Valdemar, and joining them on this second adventure was very enjoyable. I have not seen the original text, but this English translated version is beautifully written.
Thank you to Amazon Crossing/NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review of the title.

This is the second book in the translated Swedish Moonwind series, and it's just as bold and captivating as the first book, Night Raven. It picks up in the spring of 1880, two months after the events of the first book, and 12 year old Mika is caught up in another mysterious adventure when some of the older children in the orphanage begin acting suspiciously.

In this installment, we get to spend more time with the other orphans, and learn more about Mika, especially through her care and concern for the other children. She's a lovable main character - clever, brave, and capable, without ever being annoying or saccharine. In this book, the author again deftly and sensitively portrays the stark realities of class division, poverty, and callousness the poor orphans are subject to, and their yearning for belonging, connection, and comfort, but he also lets their strength, resilience, and devotion to each other shine through. The book also explores themes of found family, freedom, self-determination, and moral grey areas such as breaking rules for good purposes.

The pacing is brisk and energetic, the writing is smart and engaging, and the story pulls you in right from the start until the dramatic conclusion. It's a bit dark, there's some violence and peril, and a villain character is ableist towards a child, but nothing is gratuitous or excessive for upper middle grade or YA readers. Each story answers some questions, but reveals more layers of overarching mysteries that I look forward to exploring in the rest of this thoroughly enjoyable series. I highly recommend it.

The Queen of Thieves is book two in the Moonwind Mysteries series, translated from Swedish. The first book, The Night Raven was an Amazon Prime Reads pick in October (that I actually read!) and I enjoyed it so much that I had already checked to see when book two would be released in English. I was trying to gear up for the months long wait when I saw The Queen of Thieves ARC and I'm here to say, it didn't disappoint!

This review will mostly cover a bit of book one to avoid spoilers. In book one, The Night Raven, Mika is an orphaned girl trying to get by during the most severe winter Sweden has seen in many years. The Night Raven is a sweet but dark middle grade story about how Mika ends up on the tail of a serial killer.

You're thinking, "How could that be sweet?" and I hear you. There are some amazing main and side characters here that shine through the dark, mysterious setting and plot. You'll just have to pick it up to discover the sweetest unlikely friendship I've read in a long time.

Now to speak to the second book, Mika is back along with some of the fantastic side characters of book one and she's ready to lay low for a bit, but of course that goes sideways. There is some crime in this book, that you'd guess from the title, but this time Mika's unlikely friend from the first book is less of a focus and we learn more about some of her fellow orphans.

I am completely pleased with the second book in this series and I will be recommending this to adult and middle grade readers alike!

What worked:
Mika is one of the older kids at the orphanage and she helps to oversee the younger boys and girls. This orphanage is a bit different from those in other books as the headmistress doesn’t force kids to stay if they’d rather live on the streets. Also, Mika learned her surname in the last book and the headmistress is angry that she found out. Mika is given a purpose in this book when one of the boys runs away rather than moving in with a foster family. She decides to search for him which leads her to a whole new adventure that could endanger the future of the orphanage. Over the years, some infant orphans, including Mika, have arrived with leather bands and Mika discovers the significance of them. It doesn’t make sense to her but it will be a mysterious thread that connects the whole series together.
The author introduces an uptick in pickpockets that involve kids so Inspector Valdemar once again approaches Mika for help. She proved her detective talents in the first book plus she may be better able to collect information on the streets. Both Mika and Valdemar have shaky reputations with the police force which creates another layer of conflict for the characters. Mika always seems one step away from prison even as she investigates crimes for the authorities. The irony of her situation and her determination to stop criminals make her a remarkable, motivating character.
As with the first book, the story takes a historical look at the desperate lives of orphans and their struggles to realize positive futures. The orphanage does what it can to help them survive but it doesn’t do much to help them advocate for themselves. Mika hasn’t been allowed to attend school and her friend Rufus says he’s learning to join the dangerous world of chimney sweeps. The children always feel like outcasts in public as they’re never welcomed outside of the orphanage. The first book introduced a baby named Nora and Mika has made it her responsibility to care for her. Mika takes it personally when the baby becomes seriously ill which leads her to take drastic steps. Unscrupulous people will take advantage of children with little hope and Mika will do anything to protect her friends.
What didn’t work as well:
The plot doesn’t build to a super suspenseful climax. There is a clear climactic moment but I’m expecting/wanting a little more to it. Mika’s cunning once again resolves the problem but the conflict itself doesn’t generate a lot of tension.
The final verdict:
Mika’s character is thoroughly enjoyable as she wants to do the right thing to protect those she cares about. The plot offers her great temptation to change her circumstances but readers can admire the honor and integrity she possesses. Overall, this is a wonderful story and I recommend you give it a shot.

This is an excellent sequel to the first book in the series featuring Mika the orphan, which is set in an orphanage in the 1880s.

As spring emerges after a brutal winter, Mika's relief at the end of the cold spell is short-lived. There is a rash of thefts taking place in Stockholm, and if, as she suspects, some of the older orphans have anything to do with this, there will be hell to pay. Because orphanage children are considered the lowest of the low, and any errors of judgement they might make will be met with swift and punitive consequences.

Mika has a highly developed sense of responsibility - in addition to her observation skills that Police Officer Hoff has found so useful in the past - so she wants to protect the children, and especially to keep baby Nora (with whom she has a special bond, due to the events described in the first book) safe from harm.

This is a fast paced and engaging adventure story, and Mika is a very intelligent and relatable MC. Highly recommended.

This was a fantastic sequel to "The Night Raven". The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were well-developed; complex, and intriguing. I highly recommend this beautiful story. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

This novel takes us to the vivid and gritty streets of Stockholm in the "Night Raven," painting a story of uncertainty, distrust, and hope's fragility. At its heart is a main character with a kind heart, quick wit, and unwavering integrity, focused on protecting the kids she grew up with in the orphanage.

Her determination and cleverness shine in critical moments, saving not only herself but also Rufus, Kristina, and Ossian—innocent children caught in unwarranted troubles. Mika's caring nature, especially her wish to protect baby Nora, deeply touches the heart.

The book's setting and quick pace make it stand out. The Gala and the ship "Vega" add excitement to the story. Overall, it's an engaging and enjoyable read that keeps you hooked.