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.
I enjoyed Ally Carter's first book in the Heist Society series, Heist Society, which I discovered thanks to reading Carter's Gallagher Girl series (teens+spies; it's like Alias set in high school, only without Marshall ((whose absence is truly missed)). Carter has again settled on a satisfying thrilling blend, in this case teens who double as professional thieves. I will provide advanced warning that this series (along with the Gallagher Girls) does require some suspension of disbelief; I mean Katarina Bishop isn't even 16....and she's....robbing the Henley? Stealing Monets? (or in this case the Cleopatra Emerald). Just let it go, don't get too bogged down in the plausibility of any of this. It's a whole lot of fun.
I actually liked the second book even more than the first, which I felt occasionally dragged at times. Uncommon Criminals is a quick, light, FUN, entertaining read. It also dived deeper into the psyche of its teen protagonists which I appreciated. (Although I would still appreciate some additional back story on Hale/his parent's/their relationship.) I liked seeing the relationship between Katarina and Hale fleshed out further; with the introduction of jealousy and the reinforcement of loyalty and friendship. Also; KISSING! Katarina and Hale are a refreshing YA couple; in that they are still traversing the careful line between friendship and something more in a very believable and realistic way. It's nice to see a YA heroine who does not immediately fall apart at the first heated glance and forget everything else for a boy. There's no denying the chemistry and affection between Hale and Katarina but I liked that it did not become the focal point of the entire story (I'm looking at you Bella Swan.) Carter's Heist Society series is great because it never forgets what it's about; thieves, and their elaborate plots and plans are set against a particularly glamorous background this time around: Monte Carlo. This second book also provides a richly layer exposition about Kat's father/Uncle and their own tangled relationship and history. I'll be looking for Kat and her crews next adventure!
