I received an advanced reader's copy of To Steal From Thieves (Thieves & Kinds #1) from Net Galley. I hadn't read anything by M.K. Lobb before but the description caught my attention. It seemed like a young adult romantic fantasy with a mix of Six of Crows and Heartless Hunter. Also, I attended an In Conversation at Indigo last year with M.K. Lobb and other Canadian authors, which I enjoyed, so I wanted to read some of her work.

The story follows two characters' points of view: Zaria, an alchemologist, living in the slums operating her late father's business of selling dark market magic weapons, and Kane, a con man, working for the infamous Kingpin of London as his right-hand man. It's a high-stakes heist story, where the two main characters agree to work together to steal a necklace for the Kingpin, which happens to be located at the most public, heavily-guarded Crystal Palace in London. Although the scheme comes together nicely, love and betrayal threaten to ruin everything they've worked towards.

**SPOILERS**

The story hooks your attention quickly. At about 25% into the novel, I was invested to see how it ended. The world-building and magic system was well executed. The magic system was creative; I have yet to read something similar. Alchemologists trained in blood magic create "primateria", a red crystal material, to power objects for various purposes. Usually, dark market materials, such as guns, bombs, etc. The setting was very descriptive, especially the slums and Crystal Palace.

I liked the friendship dynamics between Zaria and Jules as well as Kane and Fletcher. I'm glad the author didn't make Jules secretly in love with Zaria as I'm not a huge fan of that jealousy trope. The romantic relationship between Zaria and Kane, I felt had just the right amount of "reluctant coworkers to lovers to enemies" tension for their interest in each other to be believable. I'm interested in how their storyline pans out, especially since the novel ends with multiple cliffhanger betrayals.

Overall, several themes include loyalty, trust, friendship, violence, love/lust, sacrifice, and betrayal. I would love for this story to continue, so I hope it ends up being a duology at least. I will be buying a copy myself on March 25, 2025. Ultimately, I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to others to read.

A special thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a fun read! For a YA book, there was a lot going on. The plot was very fast p[aced and the characters each had a lot of depth that was bolstered by the dual POV storytelling device. I absolutely flew through this - I ate Zaria and Kane's relationship dynamic up!!

This was great! A high stakes jewelry heist, reluctant allies, magical weapons, mobsters, cons, and more. Zaria is a dark market alchemologist trying to make ends meet with a profession that will eventually kill her, and Kane is the morally grey son of the Kingpin of Devil’s Acre who is forcing him to steal a rare necklace or suffer a dire consequence. When Kane realizes he needs magic to complete the task, he enlists Zaria’s help.

I loved both Kane and Zaria and the dual POV was so much fun watching them plan to con each other and of course trying to deny their feelings. While their situations are very different, they’ve each had difficult lives and share the same goal of protecting the ones they love no matter the cost. This was very fast paced and attention grabbing and I absolutely loved the ending! I’m really looking forward to reading the next one.

Thank you to Little, Brown Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love me a good heist book, and this was very well done. Our boy Kane is truly morally grey, and I loved every second of it. Zaria was a fantastic FMC. There was a lot of conflict and conflicting feelings in this book, and I was right there along for the ride. Excited for book 2!

I don’t think M.K. Lobb can write something I don’t love. I was completely hooked by the mix of magic, history, and a high-stakes heist. I will never not love a morally grey found family and this book pulled it off. The main characters had some of the best chemistry I’ve read in a while. I lived for their banter. This might just be my new favourite heist book! If you love fast-paced fantasy with just a dash of romance and a story that keeps you guessing, you need to read this! Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the chance to read this book.

To Steal From Thieves is a fun, high-stakes fantasy with a good mix of magic and danger, and angsty enemies-to-lovers vibes. I really enjoyed it. I had heard a lot of good things about the author's other books, and as soon as I read the blurb for this one, I knew I had to read it. I'm glad I did because I really liked the writing style and story.

From the beginning, the setting is atmospheric and immersive. The Great Exhibition felt grand and glittering, and it contrasted the darker corners of London’s magical underworld so well. It's a place where deception and survival go hand in hand, and it was the perfect backdrop for the heist. I was also really drawn to the alchemology magic system. It was so unique and intriguing, and it was detailed without feeling info-dumpy at any time.

The characters are great too. Zaria was sharp, stubborn, and determined, and I could relate to some of her complicated and contradictory feelings about herself. She’s been through her fair share of struggles, trying to keep her father’s legacy alive while navigating London’s magical underworld, and her strength and resilience were fantastic.

Kane was charming and cunning, and I loved him because there's so much more to him underneath the surface. Beneath his smooth, charismatic exterior was someone desperate to protect the people he cared about. They are both dynamically developed, and the multiple POVs add so much depth to the characters. You really get to see both Zaria and Kane’s perspectives, motivations, and inner struggles as well as a few other characters too.

The growing connection between Zaria and Kane was complicated, messy, and full of trust issues. They are such unlikely partners, but for some reason, they work. They had strong enemies-to-lovers vibes, and the banter was so good. Their relationship had a constant push and pull feel that I always enjoy. The side characters were interesting too, and I'm eager to learn more about a few of them since they weren't as fleshed out as the main characters.

If you're a fan of heist books like Six of Crows, this would probably be a good fit for you. The heist in this book was complex and difficult with danger, deception, manipulation, and shifting alliances that made it hard to tell who was playing who. These characters are morally grey, and you never know who can be trusted. There are a few twists and turns that surprised me.

I thought this was a great start to the Thieves and Kings series, and after that ending, I'm eager to read the next book and see what will happen to some of my favorite characters. Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

It’s simple: I see M.K. Lobb, I click. TO STEAL FROM THIEVES had me from the jump. If you love heists, enemies to lovers, morally grey protagonists, you’ll love this book.

To Steal from Thieves is an exciting historical fantasy that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Leading up to London’s Great Exposition, alchemologist Zaria Mendoza needs help. She has inherited all of her father’s commissions after his death, but the creation process is slowly killing her. Without a source of primateria, she is using her own life source, to her detriment. When the chance comes up to help with a heist that will bring her the money she needs, she reluctantly agrees. But the deal means Zaria will be working with Kane Durante, the charming adopted son of the most dangerous kingpin in the slums - Alexander Ward. Kane needs to pull off the heist to keep his friend out of Ward’s sights, and he needs Zaria’s talent and help to do it. He will stop at nothing to ensure the heist goes off smoothly, even if that means betraying Zaria in the end.

I really, really enjoyed this book!! The book takes place in Victorian London, right before the Great Exposition is so interesting, and infusing the history with alchemical magic makes for a really exciting setting. The heist plot moves things along nicely, but I also really enjoyed the unique gaslamp/steampunk-esque magic and the character development of Zaria and Kane. Both characters are flawed and a little broken, but find a common ground in knowing that they’ll do whatever it takes to protect those they care about. The ending was entirely explosive and left me absolutely reeling!! I’m definitely looking forward to the next book with these characters!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for the advanced copy of this exciting book. All opinions are my own.

Kane Durante is charged with stealing a priceless necklace by Ward, the head of London gang and a father figure (and villain) in Kane's life. If Kane can't procure the necklace then the life of his best friend, Fletcher, is on the line (but if he can get the necklace that Fletcher will be free of the ganglord's watchful eye). To steal the necklace from the middle of The Great Exhibition Kane is going to need an alchemologist (someone who can use magic to manipulate metal and other elements). Enter Zaria, who is desperate to find a better life for her best friend, Jules, and find a magical source other than her own life, which is slowly being drained by the alchemological work she's forced to do to pay off her deceased father's debts.

In a world that claims a lot of morally grey characters, Kane is the real deal. The majority of his morals are questionable and non-existent, but he cares enough to give him a sense of humanity (and all me to rationalize why he and Zaria are a great match). Kane has swagger, violence, and an unbreakable bond with his best friend. What more could you want from a man?

Zaria, for me, is the perfect FMC. I found her relatable at a deep level. She's aware she has strengths, but is at times overwhelmed with all the faults she finds in herself. Life has hardened her, but she keeps her heart soft for her best friend and the life she can imagine them having one day. She wants to expand her magical abilities, but is also aware of her limits. She's drawn to Kane, but is painfully aware that he's a con man and fights her growing feelings for him.

I really, really liked this book. I have no complaints. If you like any of the following - history, heists, Oliver Twist, light fantasy, Victorian London, morally grey characters (especially love interests), beautiful writing. THEN READ THIS BOOK.

I am THRILLED there's at least one more in the series.

I read the first duology by this author and I thought that MK Lobb's writing style was really compelling even though I didn't love the plot. This, therefore, was really anticipated by me because I was excited to see how they'd do with a different plot and characters. I did end up liking this one a lot more! This was a fun YA heist novel, with characters I enjoyed and a compelling world. Even though the heist plotline resolution was a bit predictable, I did still have a good time reading this. I'm really excited for the next book, and for more from this author in general!

Let's see how many times Zaria and Kane can lie and betray one another! That's the general gist of this book. Our two main characters are eerily similar to one another. Both have a great ability to get into the other's head to see what next steps will be taken, while simultaneously missing the pieces that could link them together to be the greatest of allies. Unfortunately, they both have some heavy baggage that guide their current decision making and disallows them to trust anyone besides themselves and their closest friend (Fletcher for Kane, and Jules for Zaria). This is a finely done YA heist novel, even if the ending was a bit predictable. I'm planning on keeping an eye out for the sequel, if only to see how unhinged Kane and Zaria can get.

“He was going to have to steal the necklace from the Great Exhibition, and it was going to be impossible.”

To Steal from Thieves is a historical fantasy set in an alternative version of London where magical weapons run the streets of the poor. Zaria Mendoza is running herself ragged trying to fulfill the commissions her father left to her when he passed. Her clients are getting increasingly impatient with her, but alchemology is dangerous work, and she has no money to keep the magical dark market from banging on her door. Kane Durante has been set up by his adopted father, the Kingpin, to steal a necklace from The Great Exhibition, where artists and inventors from every corner of the world showcase their crafts. When the two form a rather treacherous partnership, they must watch their every move, or they will lose everything trying to steal from the most heavily guarded building in the middle of London—which just happens to be made of glass.

There is a lot to like about To Steal from Thieves. The characters are dynamic and strong. Zaria knows her worth, and she is determined to hold her own, but her habit of taking all the pressure on herself is the perfect flaw. In a similar way, Kane is cunning, and his past hangs over his shoulders, but his desperation to protect his closest friend made me like his character. I found the magic to be the most intriguing aspect of this book. Alchemology requires the creator to give up a bit of their soul to make a physical manifestation of magic, making it dangerous for anyone who practices it; a perfect example of power having a price. But, while M.K. Lobb’s novel has many things that I enjoyed, there were other things that I thought could have been more developed. I really liked Kane and Zaria individually, but their short-lived romance left me wishing for a bit more progress. I also found the pacing of the plot to be rather slow. Heist books tend to keep readers at the edge of their seats, but the majority of the book was a slow build-up to a short heist that, as much as I enjoyed the ending, left me wanting more. However, the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, so I hope there will be a sequel to tie up the aftermath of the heist. While To Steal From Thieves had good moments, I felt underwhelmed by the evolution of various elements.

I didn't finish this book, however I got to about 50% in and just was not enjoying the story or writing style. Because of my issues with the story and writing, I just couldn't push through to finish it.

I think my only real complaint with this one is that I thought it was a standalone and it turns out it's not, it's the first book in a duology. But I mean, other than that I really enjoyed it. The morally grey characters were *chef's kiss*, the magic system was unique, and the heist was so much fun. I honestly think this is a worthy successor to SIX OF CROWS and could do so well if it's marketed well and put into the right hands. I've already written a shelf-talker for this title, and I even ordered in extra copies in an effort to hopefully hand sell it. I'll also definitely be buying a hard copy for myself, and I can't wait to see how everything wraps up with book two (hopefully) next year.

I love a good heist novel and this definitely didn't disappoint! This was fun and fast-paced, and I literally couldn't put it down!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
To Steal From Thieves By M.K. Lobb is the first book in the Thieves and Kings series. The book is dual pov and it follows Zaria Mendoza and Kane Durante. Zaria is involved in black market magical weapon dealings while Kane is in deeper than he wishes to be with the Kingpin of the area nicknamed Devils Acre, after an impossible task is set Kane enlists Zaria’s help with stealing a one-of-a-kind necklace.
The pace of the book was slow in the first half but picked up seemingly towards the end of the book. The characters were very well written and Kane is kind of like a lower level just a tad more morally fibrous Kaz Brekker, but Kane has a conscience in the form of his best friend Fletcher, similarly, Zaria has a best friend that she would protect with her life so the side characters were crucial to the plot.
The most important part of the story was the romance between Kane and Zaria from enemies to reluctant partners to betrayed the tension was off the charts and with both of them being morally grey it offered beautiful verbal spars between the two of them and they made each other fight through the attraction, with that being said I wasn’t a fan of the cliff hanger ending not because it was a cliff hanger but because it felt a bit OOC for everyone especially Fletcher, Kane, and Zaria it didn't feel like actions that they would take, but I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens with all of them but especially Kane and Zaria. I'm excited to see where the rest of the series goes.

MK lobb does it again. The queen of fantasy is back. This book did not disappoint, you need to pick it up!

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

To Steal from Thieves by M.K. Lobb is a third person dual-POV YA historical fantasy set during London’s Great Exhibition. Zaria is an alchemologist trying to survive through her illegal business. Kane has been under the thumb of London’s kingpin for a decent portion of his life, making him desperate for affection and follow through with increasingly violent acts. When the two collide for a heist, feelings grow but so do the pressures of the world around them.

One of the things I really liked was how most of the main cast is not British. Kane is Irish and I believe Fletcher, his best friend, is as well while Zaria’s last name is Spanish and her first name is Slavic (and her father’s name is Basque, specifically), implying she’s of mixed heritage, and her best friend Jules is of Chinese descent. It showcases the diversity of England that was already well underway in the mid-19th century and does add an entire layer to the fact that all four are in poverty. Immigrants very often are in poverty and, historically, those of Slavic descent, Asian descent, and the Irish have faced a lot of discrimination in the UK and those of Basque descent have had struggles against colonization much like the others have. The narration doesn’t deeply delve into any of this, so my own background informed a lot of it, but I think going in with that lens does enhance the text.

Zaria and Kane’s relationship, as it stands at the end of the book, is volatile, to say the least. I am very curious to see how it will evolve in the next book because there is definitely attraction there and reluctant respect, but Kane has a lot of growth and maturing and unlearning to do before he’s ready for a relationship with anyone. Zaria, at least right now, would never choose Kane over her best friend, Jules, but she doesn’t deny her attraction in any way. It’s breaking some of the rules that I think we subconsciously expect from a romance, but this isn’t a romance. At most, it’s a romantic fantasy but it’s not even really marketed as such beyond the cover, so, to me, that means it doesn’t have to match romance genre expectations. If anything, I’m actually glad that it did break those expectations because the end result feels more organic and true to the characters. This is one of those cases where I think I would recommend this to people who are asking for romance arcs in fantasy that defy Romantasy expectations more than I would recommend it to Romantasy fans, though I think some Romantasy fans could really like it.

I want more of the alchemology. We get some details for how it works, but I would love for it to be explored further in the second book. It involves blood and sacrifice, which is very cool and interesting; I love anything that even remotely touches on Equivalent Exchange a la Fullmetal Alchemist and I hope the next book goes in that direction.

I would recommend this to fans of YA fantasy that don’t want a Romantasy but do want a strong romance arc and readers of historical fantasy who want something set in London in the mid-nineteenth century that isn’t a Regency romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown for this e-arc. This is the third MK Lobb book I’ve read. Despite To Steal From Thieves also having an enemies to lovers sub trope like her other two books, it was a completely different vibe. I loved the mirroring friendships for the two main characters, Kane and Zaria, and how they meshed together to create an unforgettable heist crew. The cliffhanger at the end has me hoping there will be a sequel!

I really enjoyed this book. The combination of a heist and a romance was delightful. The magic system was interesting and I loved both MCs.