Honor Among Thieves

I'm here for sci-fi with aliens and sentient spaceships, and this book has both in spades. I really loved the way the story played out: the asides from Nadim, the questions about the tour and the journey, and the slow reveal of what was happening in the wider universe. Plus the characters are amazing, and I would like to read the next book immediately, pls.

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to! I thought Zara was a great protagonist, and I liked that she was able to keep her rough way of doing things. Her instinct toward violence ends up both helping and hurting their mission. I thought her connection with Nadim was lovely, and it really raised interesting thoughts about alien beings that also happen to function as space ships. Nadim had a lot more personality than we originally might believe. I also like the way Beatriz wasn't pushed to the side, and had a role to play in the story as well as her own bond with both Zara and Nadim. The action sequences were really exciting, and aside from a few awkward sentences, the narration was incredible. The ending threw some unexpected things show more at me. I'm excited to continue the series! show less

Description:

Petty criminal Zara Cole has a painful past that’s made her stronger than most, which is why she chose life in New Detroit instead moving with her family to Mars. In her eyes, living inside a dome isn’t much better than a prison cell.

Still, when Zara commits a crime that has her running scared, jail might be exactly where she’s headed. Instead Zara is recruited into the Honors, an elite team of humans selected by the Leviathan—a race of sentient alien ships—to explore the outer reaches of the universe as their passengers.

Zara seizes the chance to flee Earth’s dangers, but when she meets Nadim, the alien ship she’s assigned, Zara starts to feel at home for the first time. But nothing could have prepared her for show more the dark, ominous truths that lurk behind the alluring glitter of starlight.

468 Pages
Expected Publication Date: February 13, 2018
Published by: Katherine Tegen Books

MY THOUGHTS:
I was provided with this arc in exchanged for an honest review.

I’ve read a LOT of science fiction book over the years, I’m even writing one, and when I saw that this book was about a ‘chosen one,’ I was a bit hesitant to read Honor Among Thieves. I even started it, and then put it away because I just couldn’t get into it for some reason.
After getting through all my other ARCs, I picked up this book and tried again. Well, I’m an idiot! Once I was able to sit and read a few chapters in a row, I was hooked. I have no idea what my problem was. Moving on…

This is such a well-written book. The plot is extraordinary, flowing from one transition to the next, smoothly building the tension and developing conflict. The setting was intricately developed, drawing the reader into the environment surrounding the Protagonist both on earth and in space. Everything the Protagonist experienced was perfectly and clearly written and her responses, amazing, enticing and critical to the story development. As the reader, you’re drawn into her personal conflicts, witness her flaws getting in her way and how her past is affecting her present. You learn how she became the way she is at the beginning of the book and watch her develop from there.

The Protagonist’s character development was bang on. I watched this damaged, uncontrollable, antagonistic young adult start off as someone who was desperate, broken and in need of something that seemed to remain just beyond her reach. She transverses through the book as an unwanted ‘throwaway,’ ends up doing something that affects her life drastically and seeks out the only place she thought she’d feel safe. It wasn’t. For some reason, a little unclear until the end, she is selected for a program that really shouldn’t have been for her. She has no choice but to accept or face another possibility that could be far worse.

At this point, I was getting a Hunger Game vibes. This didn’t last long as the Protagonist is whisked off into space and into a place completely out of her comfort zone, if she really had one to start off with. More characters are brought into play, the one most important is Nadim. Wow! He felt so real to me and the bond that develops between the Protagonist and Nadim is unbelievably fantastic. So much detail (which you need for science fiction), the experiences between Zara and Nadim were beautifully written. I was right there with them, seeing and feeling all of what they felt. I love their bond and how it plays into the story.

Creating aliens that the reader can visualize is incredibly difficult but exclusively important when writing science fiction books. The Leviathan are such an extraordinary concept. Just how they are described is done well. The style of writing was reminiscent of H.G. Wells. Every last detail completely fleshed out and developed. Even the relationship between the Leviathan themselves, was superbly done.

The relationship between Protagonist and Nadim begins fragmented, flawed and moves quickly towards becoming whole and realistic, the author moving the story along smoothly showcasing the relationship’s development–its pros and cons; and, careful not to venture into the realm of ridiculous (this is sci fi after all). Nadim and those like him are fantastical creatures that you wish were real.

There is a ‘savior’ element of aliens coming to the aid of humans when they were about to destroy themselves, but there are also costs, consequences, and reasons that you learn about as the book progresses. The connection between humans and aliens who are so physically different coming together spiritually/mentally to face challenges not experienced by humans until now… wow, that’s all I can say… wow!

There’s another ‘savior’ element where the Protagonist “saves the day.” But this is done not without the help of others and this factor is also written well. I’ve read many aliens save humans but for a devious reason books. This book is not that.

It’s a good chunky book, and I highly recommend that you read four or five chapters at a time to keep the story unfolding fairly and comprehensively, and not to let it sit for lengthy periods of time because this book is meant to be read in one sitting. You’ll disappear into an imagined possibility that will leave you wanting more.

The one common element YA readers want is a ‘quick read.’ This book is not meant to be that. If you love involved and creative science fiction, then this one is a good choice. The YA Protagonist has been fleshed out completely. She is a fantastic, strong female character, a bit badass, a bit damaged, and truly one that science fiction readers will love.

The secondary characters are perfect for the Protagonist. They are critical to the story, not just thrown in ‘cuz.’ They complete their roles of driving the Protagonist toward her goals, and help her achieve successful resolutions. They too are well-developed, flawed and realistic, and I really enjoyed their own quirks and issues, and, learning more about them.

As a science fiction, this is relatively an easy read.

The only thing I didn’t like, was the ending. It left too many questions unanswered and I wasn’t ready to give up this adventure yet. I was that hooked. I will be reading the next book and I hope it does as good a job with these characters as what the first did. This is going to be a high standard to match. show less

Student Review By: Sarah W (11th grade)
Grade Range: 9th grade and up
Literary Merit: Excellent
Characterization: Excellent

When humans have come to the brink of almost killing Earth for good, the Leviathans make an appearance to save humanity. The Leviathans are an ancient alien race of large sentient ships that come to Earth offering salvation in exchange for humans participating in something called the Honors program. The Leviathans choose a multitude of Earth’s smartest, strongest, and most talented humans to go on a tour of a galaxy, two inside each training Leviathan, to gather information about separate desolated planets in a different solar systems. While Earth is now partly saved, it will never be what it was. America is now show more divided into two sections, the Lower Eight and Paradise. The Lower Eight is filled with drugs, crime, and poverty, while Paradise is full of rich people who follow the rules without question. Rebel without a cause, Zara, comes from Paradise, but can’t stand being confined in their picture perfect society. When her mom and younger sister win the lottery of a lifetime, a one way ticket to Mars, she decides to stay and live in the Lower Eight, where she can have her freedom. After stealing from a ruthless businessman's daughter and getting a target on her back, Zara gets an out, she is selected for the Honors program. Zara is the first person who has ever been selected from the Lower Eight, and the youngest. Why was Zara picked? Is this whole trip a ploy to get rid of her? Find out in the thrilling sci-fi novel Honor Among Thieves.

Although slow in the beginning, Honor Among Thieves became one of my favorite books of the year. All the characters are unique and like nothing I have ever seen before. Zara in particular has a very interesting and telling backstory that really helps you understand her character. Nadim, the Leviathan assigned to Zara, has amazing human like qualities and is so endearing you can’t help but love him. And to make it even better, Zara’s partner Beatriz is kind, different, and grows tremendously throughout the book.This is by far the best sci-fi book I’ve ever read partly because the authors explain the world Zara is living in perfectly and it seems like a plausible future. Caine and Aguirre manage to give the reader a lot of information, while keeping it enjoyable and simple. Honor Among Thieves also addresses sensitive topics like abuse in a very informative way, handling them well. Not many books I’ve read have handled that issue as accurately, without victim blaming, as this book did. The ending of this book also did really well in setting up the reader for the next one, leaving the audience on a cliffhanger, while also effectively concluding the events in this book. All in all, this book has fresh ideas in a genre that often repeats itself.

Recommendation: Everyone who likes a good story with amazing characters. show less

4.25 Stars

“Here we sing to the stars. Deep in the dreaming, we have come and gone for many evers. Until the joining. Until journey’s end. Sing back to us when you come, so that we may know the silence is never eternal. Our sun, your stars, their gods, they have sailed in other skins, far beyond the dark and into the hollow, where all light sleeps.”

This book was such a beautiful surprise. I expected a fun space story with an interesting relationship between Zara, the main character, and Nadim the sentient alien ship she’s partnered with. Honor Among Thieves was so much more than a simple story, it was an exploration of self, personal connection, and fighting for what is right. And I am so incredibly happy to have read it.

Things show more I Liked
Nadim was the greatest! He was so easy to connect to and I loved him so so so much. He was hones,tearnest, and endearing . I just really like learning about all the Leviathans. They were so interesting and I loved their admiration for space and the stars.

The relationships were stellar and filled with such reverence and respect. I was utterly captivated by the emotional bonds that formed between Zara and Nadim. I felt their relationship and it was glorious. I also loved the deep friendship that forms between Zara and Beatriz through the story. Again, it so respectful and honest and I’m here for all the lady friendships. I also really loved seeing Beatriz and Nadim slowly bond through the story.

There was a ton of diversity in the story! We get two female leads who are people of color, Zara is black and Beatriz is Brazilian. There are also a Chinese side character, Chao-Xang. I also loved seeing the balance of STEM fields and creative fields, showing people can excel in both areas.

There was really good tension and suspense in the action scenes. The threats felt real and dangerous creating drama and high stakes. I wasn’t expecting much action wise, but all the scenes were incredibly well done and I FELT it.

Things I Didn’t Like
Part One was so weak compared to the rest of the book, it honestly felt like it was part of another story. It was incredibly fast paced and jumped over all the learning and training that would have been really interesting. And I didn’t care at all about the Deluca side plot that completely fell away after part one ended. Part One really seemed like weak filler until we got to the amazingness that is the rest of the book.

This books was so heartwarming and beautiful and I was completely captivated by the emotions in the story. It was honesty a beautiful surprise that I genuinely loved. Honor Among Thieves is a captivating story of connection and emotion that completely grips you and takes you on a marvelous ride.

I received a copy of the book from Katherine Tegen Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. show less

3.75 stars

It’s no surprise to anyone who knows me that Honor Among Thieves would peak my interests. Sci fi is my absolute favorite genre, particularly space operas. When I saw this title on Edelweiss I jumped at the chance to read it early.

Zara Cole is a petty criminal, living day to day finding marks on the street and lifting what she can from them. Unfortunately for Zara, she picks the wrong mark and ends up stealing some pretty important drugs from a mob boss’ daughter.

Oopsies.

In order to protect herself, Zara checks into a rehabilitation camp, where she then comes to find out she has been chosen to become an Honor, a great privilege that will allow her to traverse the stars aboard a sentient ship named Nadim, who is a part of show more the race known as the Leviathan. But, more misfortune finds Zara as she learns that things in space aren’t quite what they seem, and the honorable program the Leviathan offer is a cover for something more nefarious.

This book was totally strange but that’s definitely one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much! Zara is a great main character, with a fierce bravado, but really she’s just as scared as anyone else, often sharing her fears with the reader which really helps make her feel like a real person. Her co-Honor Bea is also a really fun character. Great with tech and hacking, Bea is cautious and more willing to plan, making her the perfect counterpart to Zara’s impulsiveness. Plus, she’s described as having a beautiful singing voice, which is a bit plot point concerning the Leviathan and how they communicate with each other.

And then there’s Nadim, the sentient Leviathan ship the honors are traveling aboard. Is it possible to love a space ship? (Zara sure thinks so) Nadim is so sweet, he’s just the quintessential cinnamon roll personified. Or…mechanifed, seeing as he’s a space ship. I loved that the girls bonded with him and treated him as more than just a machine, taking care of him and protecting him, just as he protected them.

There’s also a lot of diversity in the book, as both of our main girls are people of color and many of the side characters range in ethnicity as well. The plot is pretty interesting, and the pacing is fairly fast, flowing between action and development.

I really enjoyed reading this book and getting to know the characters. A couple of things got a little weird at the end but they didn’t necessarily take away from the story, they just enhanced the plot and opened the door for the series to continue. Overall, this was a really fun read that I just couldn’t pass up. Sentient space ships? What more could a sci-fi fan want?

*Thank you to Katherine Tegen Books and Edelweiss for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review* show less

Once this book got past the book I thought it was going to be (space heists with a bad girl lead) and became what it really is (space adventures with a sentient fish ship), it turned into quite a good read. It takes a while to get there, though, and I almost put it down and walked away a time or two. I think the title, the chapter headings and the beginning are very misleading on this score, but I did end up really enjoying the book.

If you haven't read On a Sunbeam, I recommend checking that out -- great visuals to add to this story: http://www.onasunbeam.com/

Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.