Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Release Date: 21st June, 2011

Publisher: Hyperion

Pages: 298pgs

The Story

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 simply . . . 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, 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 her own rules.

The Review

UNCOMMON CRIMINALS is the sequel to the bestseller Heist Society and you can read my book review of it here. Back a few months ago, I gave the first book a second try due to not finishing it in 2010 since nothing really captured me. But since re-reading it, everything has changed and now after reading the second book, I'm finally in love with this series or rather with its inital heist concept. Being a long-time fangal when it comes to thieves and heists, and even being a small fan of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls book series, I can definitely say the author has nailed this book! With this book reminding you a lot of Ocean's Eleven, there's no doubt in my mind that you'll enjoy this too.

In UNCOMMON CRIMINALS Katarina Bishop, the heroine and the well-known teenage thief - is asked by an elderly woman to retrieve back the Cleopatra Emerald that was stolen from her parents many years ago. With Kat known to love stealing things and returning lost treasures to their rightful owners, she immediately jumps at the chance. Problem is . . . the emerald hasn't been seen by anyone in almost thirty years and it's supposedly 'cursed'. But that's not going to stop Kat and soon her crew are back together and better than ever, to deal with this once-in-a-lifetime heist.

Personally I think the reason why I loved this sequel compared to its predecessor was the sub-plot of Cleopatra's Emerald. I found the idea itself - even the history behind the priceless object - was both intriguing and completely original. Plus it was a great direction for the continuation of the young adult series and the book needed that certain edge to it.

As for the characters themselves, they were way cooler than they were in Heist Society. With a team - or a 'crew' as they prefer to be called - of inspiring and creative teens including Kat, Hale, Gabrielle, Simon . . . they work fabulously together and compliment one another. They can do just about anything that they put their minds to. I mean pretty much anything. For the most part, the two characters I love and adore the most were Katarina (Kat) and Hale, who are probably the only characters I desperately want to get a scene together. In UNCOMMON CRIMINALS you will meet a whole new side to Kat and Hale's relationship and without too much of a spoiler . . . there is a 'kiss' scene that readers will be very happy about. But damn - I wish these two teenagers would go out already because it's bloody frustrating watching the chemistry sparks fly all around the room - especially in the middle of a heist.

Written with plenty of humour and clever wit, Ally Carter takes us for another exciting and fast-paced adventure. With Kat facing many difficult decisions - ones that could effect her relationships and even her life - readers will be begging for more cinematic-like adventures from her and will hope there's a third book in the works . . . because I desperately want to know what happens next with this one amazing crew of characters!

The Rating

5/5 stars