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Remi Austin #1
How Not to Save the World
Remi Austin is a fundraiser for the African Peace Collaborative (APC), a conflict resolution nonprofit founded by her late mother. Frustrated by her inability to raise funds and faced with the imminent closure of the APC, Remi turns to a life of crime to keep her nonprofit afloat.
From Sydney, to Tokyo, Geneva and Cape Town, Remi transforms from a fundraiser too shy to speak during staff meetings into a daring international art thief who must stop a war from breaking out and figure out how to save herself from a life behind bars.
With the help of her best friend, a designer and inventor who creates gadget-packed gowns, Remi eludes a dashing insurance agent and a terrifying stalker, all while redistributing the wealth of the world, one work of art at a time.
From Sydney, to Tokyo, Geneva and Cape Town, Remi transforms from a fundraiser too shy to speak during staff meetings into a daring international art thief who must stop a war from breaking out and figure out how to save herself from a life behind bars.
With the help of her best friend, a designer and inventor who creates gadget-packed gowns, Remi eludes a dashing insurance agent and a terrifying stalker, all while redistributing the wealth of the world, one work of art at a time.
276 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2011
9 people are currently reading
881 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Yinka Thomas
2 books24 followersLike many superheroes Jessica Yinka Thomas leads a double life. By day, she teaches social innovation and sustainable business at the Poole College of Management at NC State University. By night, she is a social justice novelist, author of How Not to Save the World, as well as an upcoming sequel. Jessica’s writing highlights her twin passions for technological innovation and for creating significant social change through entrepreneurial ventures.
She has authored several award-winning academic articles focused on the social and environmental impact of business. Jessica has worked as a designer of interactive educational toys, a nonprofit program management and an academic program director. Growing up in the US, Nigeria and Senegal and traveling around the world has provided Jessica with a rich background from which to draw in her writing. She holds a BS in Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.
She has authored several award-winning academic articles focused on the social and environmental impact of business. Jessica has worked as a designer of interactive educational toys, a nonprofit program management and an academic program director. Growing up in the US, Nigeria and Senegal and traveling around the world has provided Jessica with a rich background from which to draw in her writing. She holds a BS in Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 31, 2012
This was a pretty fun book! A story about a woman forced to become an international Robin Hood-like thief. Sometimes it was a little far-fetched, especially with all the high-tech gadgets, but I was into the character and wanting to know what happened next, so I didn't dwell on that and just enjoyed it :)
October 5, 2015
Firstly, a thank you to the author for sending me this for review, and I'm glad she did because this book took me on a sweet roller-coaster of a ride and I loved every moment of it.
Remi is the sort of character that you can't help but love as you go along on her journey. With a soft heart, and a mission in life, Remi continues the fundraising for the African Peace Trust her mother started, and while things don't go exactly as planned when she can't raise enough funds to keep it afloat, she turns her hand at crime and this is where the fun begins.
I like, first off, that this all starts with the APC and her determined nature in keeping it going - this alone sets Remi apart for me, as a girl with a goal is one to be feared and Jessica creates her character in a manner that will leave Remi rebounding and jumping back up and at the world after every hit she takes.
Making use of the basic but effective 5 senses, we come to hear about Remi's adventures as she travels from exotic country to country, see her view of the world as she trudges on through, sense the bends around the corner yet still be surprised when they jump out at as and taste the excitement and romance in the air, always something to look forward to ;)
While we start the journey with Remi being a shy, and reserved character, we see how her determination brings out the creative girl in her as she cultivates her lies to gain what she must - a modern day, female Robin Hood if you will who steals from the rich, to help the poor. How can you not love her?!
Add in a dashing of gowns and dressing up to hide the inner-thief in Remi, and you have all you need to settle into the world that Jessica has created with Remi leading the way for us. While it's a fun light read, with the right amount of stress when called for, we can all take away something from the book - (no, not how to steal artfully) but rather there are virtues deep within us, such as belief, faith, a kind heart and a skilful hand that can help us make a difference ;)
Great plot - check. Loveable character - check. Romance - check. What more could you need?
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Remi is the sort of character that you can't help but love as you go along on her journey. With a soft heart, and a mission in life, Remi continues the fundraising for the African Peace Trust her mother started, and while things don't go exactly as planned when she can't raise enough funds to keep it afloat, she turns her hand at crime and this is where the fun begins.
I like, first off, that this all starts with the APC and her determined nature in keeping it going - this alone sets Remi apart for me, as a girl with a goal is one to be feared and Jessica creates her character in a manner that will leave Remi rebounding and jumping back up and at the world after every hit she takes.
Making use of the basic but effective 5 senses, we come to hear about Remi's adventures as she travels from exotic country to country, see her view of the world as she trudges on through, sense the bends around the corner yet still be surprised when they jump out at as and taste the excitement and romance in the air, always something to look forward to ;)
While we start the journey with Remi being a shy, and reserved character, we see how her determination brings out the creative girl in her as she cultivates her lies to gain what she must - a modern day, female Robin Hood if you will who steals from the rich, to help the poor. How can you not love her?!
Add in a dashing of gowns and dressing up to hide the inner-thief in Remi, and you have all you need to settle into the world that Jessica has created with Remi leading the way for us. While it's a fun light read, with the right amount of stress when called for, we can all take away something from the book - (no, not how to steal artfully) but rather there are virtues deep within us, such as belief, faith, a kind heart and a skilful hand that can help us make a difference ;)
Great plot - check. Loveable character - check. Romance - check. What more could you need?
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April 7, 2012
At first I wasn’t overly impressed. It was a good story, but then with a single detail the author hooked me and made me really love the story. That detail involved the Scuba dress.
I though the idea bad at first, a futuristic detail dropped in to give the story a bit of oomph. I still think that using it would make Remi more suspect (disappearing form a highly monitored party right after a theft, especially one so deftly done it wasn’t detected! It would have made her less suspicious to hang about and leave normally). But it was the dress that turned it about for me, the detail of the skirt (A huge problem for swimming) was an integral part of the O2 extraction gills!
DAMN that’s cool!
So many very cool things. The things Remi stole, priceless! A Micky Mouse Cartoon Still (From Plane Crazy), the diary of Morihei Ueshiba – these are inspired! Its easy to contrast these with the items her blackmailer, and the books villain, acquire (The necklace from 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and a knife crafted by Muramasa) - are both great items but they seem plebeian in comparison with Remi's choices – almost crassly commercial.
The villain is good, but somewhat predictable. He's a greedy, rich, spoiled schmuck with no redeeming values. He uses Remi as a distraction in the theft of the Necklace (probably figuring she would get caught), blackmails her into even more thefts, and even tricks her into eating human flesh (in another inspired touch the authoress inserts, something I fear might actually be plying the roads of some major metropolis even today).
I loved it, and I cannot wait for more!
But, and there is always a but isn’t there, I do have a few minor issues. Her brother, currently in prison, is actually innocent? Her mother, believed dead, is alive? Love may be just around the corner in the guise of a sexy Swiss insurance investigator? Peace breaks out across Africa thanks to her work? Call me a curmudgeon, but too much happy, happy, joy, joy just makes me look about for the other shoe (which is about to drop) or the knife that’s about to be plunged into my back.
Still she turned me around on a detail. I hope she can do it again.
In fact I am kind of counting on it!
I though the idea bad at first, a futuristic detail dropped in to give the story a bit of oomph. I still think that using it would make Remi more suspect (disappearing form a highly monitored party right after a theft, especially one so deftly done it wasn’t detected! It would have made her less suspicious to hang about and leave normally). But it was the dress that turned it about for me, the detail of the skirt (A huge problem for swimming) was an integral part of the O2 extraction gills!
DAMN that’s cool!
So many very cool things. The things Remi stole, priceless! A Micky Mouse Cartoon Still (From Plane Crazy), the diary of Morihei Ueshiba – these are inspired! Its easy to contrast these with the items her blackmailer, and the books villain, acquire (The necklace from 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and a knife crafted by Muramasa) - are both great items but they seem plebeian in comparison with Remi's choices – almost crassly commercial.
The villain is good, but somewhat predictable. He's a greedy, rich, spoiled schmuck with no redeeming values. He uses Remi as a distraction in the theft of the Necklace (probably figuring she would get caught), blackmails her into even more thefts, and even tricks her into eating human flesh (in another inspired touch the authoress inserts, something I fear might actually be plying the roads of some major metropolis even today).
I loved it, and I cannot wait for more!
But, and there is always a but isn’t there, I do have a few minor issues. Her brother, currently in prison, is actually innocent? Her mother, believed dead, is alive? Love may be just around the corner in the guise of a sexy Swiss insurance investigator? Peace breaks out across Africa thanks to her work? Call me a curmudgeon, but too much happy, happy, joy, joy just makes me look about for the other shoe (which is about to drop) or the knife that’s about to be plunged into my back.
Still she turned me around on a detail. I hope she can do it again.
In fact I am kind of counting on it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2012
How Not To Save the World is an entertaining adventure featuring Aderemi Austin. After her mother's death, Remi abandoned her studies to join the African Peace Collaborative (APC), working unsuccessfully as a Fundraiser for the financially struggling organisation her mother helped establish. In one impulsive moment, Remi steals a million dollar necklace and donates the proceeds from its black market sale to the APC, just like a modern-day Robin Hood. But someone was watching and he has something he wants Remi to steal for him...
I enjoyed this lighthearted thriller that transforms an ordinary, shy young woman into an accomplished international art thief. Pushed around by her work colleagues, I enjoyed seeing Remi stand up to them (literally in one case) and generally I thought Remi a likeable character despite her someone flexible morals.
Remi is ably, though unwittingly, assisted in her undertakings by her best friend who combines fashion with technology to create some unique pieces of clothing. I still can't quite visualise the evening gown/scuba diving suit but the idea is impressive and these outfits add a fun James Bond element to the novel.
The villain of the story is suitably creepy, and you can be sure I will never eat in a restaurant that contains a percentage symbol in it's name.
The plot does require the reader to have a sense of adventure as it is a little far fetched at times, though that is part of fun. Perhaps the only aspect of the story that didn't sit well with me was Remi's reaction to thinking she had killed a man, as she seemed to brush it aside a too easily, which contradicted her general personality. There is a touch of romance for Remi with an insurance adjustor of dubious intent and one or two minor subplots for added depth. Thomas also leaves us with open threads to be picked up in the next installment of the series.
I enjoyed Remi's adventures across the globe in How Not To Save the World. Light, amusing and well written this is a terrific debut for a self published author.
I enjoyed this lighthearted thriller that transforms an ordinary, shy young woman into an accomplished international art thief. Pushed around by her work colleagues, I enjoyed seeing Remi stand up to them (literally in one case) and generally I thought Remi a likeable character despite her someone flexible morals.
Remi is ably, though unwittingly, assisted in her undertakings by her best friend who combines fashion with technology to create some unique pieces of clothing. I still can't quite visualise the evening gown/scuba diving suit but the idea is impressive and these outfits add a fun James Bond element to the novel.
The villain of the story is suitably creepy, and you can be sure I will never eat in a restaurant that contains a percentage symbol in it's name.
The plot does require the reader to have a sense of adventure as it is a little far fetched at times, though that is part of fun. Perhaps the only aspect of the story that didn't sit well with me was Remi's reaction to thinking she had killed a man, as she seemed to brush it aside a too easily, which contradicted her general personality. There is a touch of romance for Remi with an insurance adjustor of dubious intent and one or two minor subplots for added depth. Thomas also leaves us with open threads to be picked up in the next installment of the series.
I enjoyed Remi's adventures across the globe in How Not To Save the World. Light, amusing and well written this is a terrific debut for a self published author.
October 30, 2012
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.
How Not to Save the World surprised me. I was not expecting the book to be so engaging. It took a few chapters to really get into the book. For some reason I found the beginning to be incredibly slow and I was not a fan of Remi for a while. It wasn't until the setting shifted to Sydney, Australia that I really got interested and that was mostly because I have vivid memories attached to experiences there. The description of the city and the people were so accurate. After the "Australia incident" as I will call it (to say much else would include spoilers) the book became much more interesting and action packed.
For a first novel, I thought the book was excellent and I look forward to Thomas' future books. She certainly shows a lot of talent and promise with the first of Remi's adventures.
How Not to Save the World surprised me. I was not expecting the book to be so engaging. It took a few chapters to really get into the book. For some reason I found the beginning to be incredibly slow and I was not a fan of Remi for a while. It wasn't until the setting shifted to Sydney, Australia that I really got interested and that was mostly because I have vivid memories attached to experiences there. The description of the city and the people were so accurate. After the "Australia incident" as I will call it (to say much else would include spoilers) the book became much more interesting and action packed.
For a first novel, I thought the book was excellent and I look forward to Thomas' future books. She certainly shows a lot of talent and promise with the first of Remi's adventures.
October 17, 2012
How Not to Save the World is the debut novel from Jessica Yinka Thomas. Aderemi Austin works for a global non-profit agency, African Peace Collaborative (APC). She travels the world attending fundraisers and writing grants to help keep her organization afloat. Her efforts are often unsuccessful. Aderemi turns to a life of crime to fund APC. Jessica Yinka Thomas did an excellent job with this book. It is a page-turner! The high-tech gadgets and death defying robberies kept me intrigued the entire book. Halfway through, I was looking for information on a sequel. I can't want to see what adventure Remi Austin will undertake next.
December 23, 2018
What a delicious, complex character Remi is! Part James Bond, part cat burglar, part humanitarian fundraiser, and underneath it all just an insecure little girl who wishes her mother were there for her. It was a pleasure to see her grow and develop as the story unfolds. I had no idea the conflict resolution organizations were such a large business, but the story couldn't be more timely - the day I read this we saw George Clooney taken away in handcuffs as part of a protest on the Sudan conflict. I'm looking forward to the next Remi Austin adventure.
December 21, 2022
This was a great book! Remi was fascinating and I really felt for her struggles. I also loved the humor (especially Izi's comment: "I'm drowning in nerds and I'm loving it"!).
Unfortunately, on my Kindle, the formatting got a bit messed up and it was hard to follow dialogue at some points. Otherwise, I really loved this book! I can't wait until the author publishes more books (especially more Remi Austin books).
Unfortunately, on my Kindle, the formatting got a bit messed up and it was hard to follow dialogue at some points. Otherwise, I really loved this book! I can't wait until the author publishes more books (especially more Remi Austin books).
June 12, 2012
What a fun read! Remi Austin, the narrator, is incredibly likable and tells a great tale of adventure and daring - whether she wants to be involved or not! Fast paced and exciting to the last page, you definitely won't regret picking up this fun and quick read. I don't want to give anything way, but this is a fun adventure with a pure soul full of good intentions at its heart.
A great first novel by Jessica Yinka Thomas.
A great first novel by Jessica Yinka Thomas.
August 18, 2012
Quirky! If you don't mine a few "you gotta be kidding" moments and some information about turmoil in Africa, you will enjoy this quick read. It is not really all that deep and while there's a villain, you don't get to know him in order to hate him. The only real drawback was that I was reading this on a Kindle and the font was way too small. But it was worth dealing with in order to get through the whole adventure.
October 21, 2012
This is a really good book! I highly recommend it, especially if you like books that are a bit off beat, creative and invite you to think. Especially read it if you like books with strong women! This is a book by, about and for women. Sure men will enjoy it too, but books with and for strong women, women with brains and guts are SO hard to find! I am really celebrating this one!! ... and I can't wait for the next!
Jessica, please keep writing!
Jessica, please keep writing!
November 24, 2011
An international thriller written by a colleague of mine... What's not to love? Four words for you, Jessica: I want that dress! The one that doubles as an evening gown and an underwater scuba suit. Sounds like a must- have for all of us, right? Anyway, I loved this, couldn't put it down, thoroughly enjoyed the main character and look forward to the next in the series!!
March 24, 2012
I enjoyed this book.It took me a moment to get into the book, but that could have been because I was swamped with several other things. But once you are in, you don't want to stop. Not sure how to speak about the book without creating a spoiler. I will say that I enjoy how the main character evolved with the story growing into confidence of self.
March 16, 2012
Although I found the beginning of the book to be a little on the slow side, the background info was necessary to the plot, and it quickly picked up speed. I loved the interaction between the characters, and the descriptions of the cities were lovely.
November 17, 2012
I enjoyed this book fairly well. It was easy to read. Not much depth. Maybe a good beach escape novel. I did like the strangeness of a charity fund raiser turned thief. (Goodreads give away.)
April 29, 2012
Silly but entertaining.
April 29, 2012
Loved this one and could not put it down.
Looking forward to more books by this author,and especially about this character.
Looking forward to more books by this author,and especially about this character.
May 24, 2012
Two and a half stars
I liked the description of the different countries.
I liked the description of the different countries.
June 3, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. Interesting plot, complex characters and covert missions.
June 27, 2012
I absolutely enjoyed this book from start to finish. With each adventure, I imagined how scary and exciting it would be to swap places with Aderemi. I look forward to reading the sequel!
September 6, 2012
I highly recommend this book for anyone
FTC: I received a free copy of this book and was not reimbursed in any other way.
FTC: I received a free copy of this book and was not reimbursed in any other way.
Want to read
September 13, 2012I received from Goodreads First Reads:
September 15, 2012
loved it. I t got a little bondish but she came out fine. waiting for book two.
October 23, 2012
I had no idea where this book was going, and I enjoyed where it took me. I do not normally ready books like this, and I was pleasantly surprised.
February 19, 2013
A fast paced thriller heist that is both sexy, sophisticated and smart. I truly enjoyed watching the main character develop. I loved the book and I cannot wait for the sequel.
April 15, 2013
I was disappointed with this. The idea of it - international fundraiser Remi turns thief using high tech gadget gowns - sounded like so much fun. Unfortunately, the book seemed to focus more on the guilt stricken feelings she had, made more intensive by the loss of her mother and how she would have felt about Remi's actions, rather than the funky gadgets which her friend created for her.
I felt that the story was pulled in two different directions - the fundraising for the peacekeeping initiative which was struggling against the thread of the expensive heists. But again, because she was being blackmailed into carrying on with the thefts, I don't think the author was as comfortable with this aspect, and so it came across as very wishy-washy. I think she would have been better to concentrate on one aspect and run the story with that one - it would have been more satisfactory.
I felt that the story was pulled in two different directions - the fundraising for the peacekeeping initiative which was struggling against the thread of the expensive heists. But again, because she was being blackmailed into carrying on with the thefts, I don't think the author was as comfortable with this aspect, and so it came across as very wishy-washy. I think she would have been better to concentrate on one aspect and run the story with that one - it would have been more satisfactory.
July 10, 2013
What a long walk to nowhere!
I did not find any of the characters particularly engaging but eventually felt more kindly toward Remi.
With all the technical ideas, this should have been a fun James Bond kind of romp. Instead there were hints to any different kinds of stories, none of which came to fruition.
After all these storylines are set up and you expect resolution, the author just lets the all die on the vine without answering any of the questions she raised. The end seemed rushed after all the description in the earlier part of the book and was totally unsatisfying.
I did not find any of the characters particularly engaging but eventually felt more kindly toward Remi.
With all the technical ideas, this should have been a fun James Bond kind of romp. Instead there were hints to any different kinds of stories, none of which came to fruition.
After all these storylines are set up and you expect resolution, the author just lets the all die on the vine without answering any of the questions she raised. The end seemed rushed after all the description in the earlier part of the book and was totally unsatisfying.
January 22, 2017
I'm waffling a bit on my rating. This was a fun read for the most part, although it did require a lot of suspension of disbelief. The characters could have had a bit more depth, also. What really got to me were the minor spelling/grammatical errors that should have been caught a long time ago. That's something that just drives me crazy - sorry! I don't know that I'm invested enough to read the next book - I have a lot on my plate book-wise. Maybe at some point in the future....
June 14, 2013
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I really liked the premise of it, but I thought the book was just OK. I never fully engaged with the story and you have to really, REALLY be willing to suspend disbelief in order to accept some of the things that happen in the book. It isn't bad, but is just supposed to be a fun, light, James Bond-esque type story.
Read
April 8, 2016Robin Hood type story of a girl trying to save the foundation that her mother started. Although her intent is good, her actions could end up causing her her life. It moved fairly quickly and kept my interest. Characters were well thought out and really upheld the story. There were a few parts where I was like that wouldn't really happen but it was entertaining none the less!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews