Uncommon Criminals

June 30, 2011 Heidi Uncategorized 0

Uncommon Criminals

Author: Ally Carter
Publisher: Disney Hyperion/Brilliance (audiobook)
Publication Date: June 21, 2011
Pages: 298
Series: Heist Society, book two
Source: Audiobook from BEA

About the Book: 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.

My Thoughts: Ally Carter is one of my go to authors when I’m looking for a book that will keep me entertained and on my toes. I adore her Gallagher Girl’s series but Heist Society is my favorite. I honestly considered following in Kat’s footsteps and taking up a life of crime to get Uncommon Criminals early! Thankfully I attended BEA and got to meet Ally (twice!) so I did not have to resort to that. Although if it attracted an older version of Hale it might have been worth it 😉 I picked up a finished copy of the book as well as the audiobook. I really enjoyed the Heist Society audio so I decided to stick with that format for Uncommon Criminals. It really suits the story. I felt almost as though I was listening to an old radio detective show like Dragnet. Brilliance really got the audiobook right!

As far as the story goes Ally Carter does not disappoint! Not only do we get a great heist (actually we get a few!) we also get to learn more about Kat and what makes her tick. I loved seeing the way she interacted with her crew. The tension between her and Hale adds to the story. I appreciate that in addition to the romantic undertones he challenges her and calls her out when she needs it. The interactions between the characters are perfect!

And the heists, oh the heists. I LOVE reading about all the different equipment and plans that Kat and crew could try. I feel bad saying this but I wish that there were really people who pulled off jobs like that! How amazing would it be to read about that in the morning paper! The history behind the jobs is interesting as well. In Heist Society we get a look in to the Holocaust art. Uncommon Criminals goes back even further in time to tomb robbing in Egypt. The stories behind the jobs really give a greater sense of purpose to Kat, Hale and company. It challenges the reader to think about right, wrong, and the grey areas.

Uncommon Criminals will hook you from the get-go. The heist, the characters, the possibilities… It’s an engaging read that will have you wishing you could join the crew!

Random Things I Loved:
*Hale
*Trying to guess what the “W.W.” stands for in Hale’s name
*Kat’s name
*Visily Romani
*The conversations Kat and Gabrielle have
*Kat’s dislike of water (How cat-like!)
*Maggie’s brassy Southern persona
*Meeting new members of Kat’s family
*The interaction between Kat and Hale in the car in NY
*The Paraguay/Uruguay deal
*The setting in the second half of the book
*The names of the different heists… so clever!
*The time-stamps at the beginnings of chapters
*Marcus… I want one!
*Hale in a tux! Well, basically Hale in anything! 😉

Sidenote: A couple of nights ago I was able to make the trip to Anderson’s Bookshop to see Ally. I went with my friend Sarah and her daughter Anna. Anna was one of my seventh grade students. She and her mom are two of my favorite people to talk books with. We spent much of the 2.5 hour drive home gushing about how kind and authentic and personable and wonderful Ally was! She recognized me from the other times I’ve seen her and was so sweet. If she is ever signing in your area you HAVE to attend! I meant to get a book signed to giveaway but I was talking when I labeled them and accidently had her sign it to me. Now I have TWO copies of Uncommon Criminals signed to “Heidi.” What do you think… would you still want to win a book signed to someone else? I mean, I could cover my name up with a sticker or something… thoughts?