Review: Uncommon Criminals

Title: Uncommon Criminals
Author: Ally Carter
Published: 2011 by Disney Hyperion
Obtained: Bought

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners. There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long — and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous, and that is . . . the emerald is cursed. Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all, she has her best friend — the gorgeous Hale — and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses and realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time. Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

First Sentence:”Moscow can be a cold, hard place in winter.”

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I am a big fan of Ally Carter. Whatever she writes (for YA) I’ll read. Her Gallagher Girls books are lovely. The Heist Society series is also amazing.

Although this is the second in the series, not a whole lot of this plot hinges on the events of the last book so you can read this review even if you haven’t read Heist Society (The first one). However, I would still strongly suggest reading them in order, as it’s a bit confusing if you haven’t read the first one.

Kat’s adventures continue and get crazier in this book. She attempts to get the Cleopatra emerald, and does, but once she’s got it that the true craziness starts. All of her adventures are so confusing and amazing at the same time. Basically this book (and it’s first book) are just plain fun. The writing is a little redundant and the plot is a bit hazy until you finally emerge from the novel and see how everything fit together.

Also, I LOVE Hale. I really want Kat and Hale to stop miscommunicating and to just like each other. It seems that all they can do is argue. This book they made some more progress in their relationship, but it was mostly one sided (in my opinion at least). I understand that for the sake of the series Ally must stretch out their relationship developments, kind of like a Tv show plot.

Ally Carter knows how to write a fun book with lovable characters and an interesting plot (also amazing covers!). This book is totally worth your time. Just read Heist Society first. :)

Rating:

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Content Warning: Honestly, I don’t think there is anything offensive in this book. Correct me if I’m wrong.