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Shadow Thieves: The biggest blockbuster of a middle-grade action adventure,perfect for 2026! Perfect for fans of Skandar and Percy Jackson.
SKANDAR MEETS OLIVER TWIST IN THIS BLOCKBUSTING NEW MIDDLE GRADE ADVENTURE SERIES – PERFECT FOR FANS OF PERCY JACKSON!“Utterly fabulous” ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG
“I have never been as quickly hooked by a book. Debut author? And it’s this good? Shadow Thieves is the real thing” MICHAEL GRANT
“A thrilling read!” JONATHAN STROUD
13-year-old Tom Morgan and his friends live on the streets of an alternate London, shining shoes and picking pockets – until one day Tom’s friends are caught and sent to a brutal workhouse.
Frantic and without a way to save them, Tom bumps into the mysterious Corsair, who offers him an opportunity to train at an elite international boarding school for thieves. Seeing a glimmer of hope, Tom lets himself be whisked away to the snowy Alps in a zeppelin. Swept into a thrilling world of danger and intrigue, the more secrets he learns about the Shadow League, the harder it becomes for Tom to leave. But there are dark forces at work and real danger is coming…
Can Tom save his fellow pupils from disaster – and ever be able to get home again to rescue his friends?
Get ready for the stunning debut in what is guaranteed to become every reader’s favourite new series! Heart-pounding adventure, thrilling heists, remote boarding schools full of ancient secrets waiting to be discovered and much much more…
⚡️⚡️⚡️
Readers LOVE Shadow Thieves!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“One of my favourite reads of all time"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"Reading this book helped me to escape the real world and enter into a world full of imagination"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“I couldn’t put the book down"
“I have never been as quickly hooked by a book. Debut author? And it’s this good? Shadow Thieves is the real thing” MICHAEL GRANT
“A thrilling read!” JONATHAN STROUD
13-year-old Tom Morgan and his friends live on the streets of an alternate London, shining shoes and picking pockets – until one day Tom’s friends are caught and sent to a brutal workhouse.
Frantic and without a way to save them, Tom bumps into the mysterious Corsair, who offers him an opportunity to train at an elite international boarding school for thieves. Seeing a glimmer of hope, Tom lets himself be whisked away to the snowy Alps in a zeppelin. Swept into a thrilling world of danger and intrigue, the more secrets he learns about the Shadow League, the harder it becomes for Tom to leave. But there are dark forces at work and real danger is coming…
Can Tom save his fellow pupils from disaster – and ever be able to get home again to rescue his friends?
Get ready for the stunning debut in what is guaranteed to become every reader’s favourite new series! Heart-pounding adventure, thrilling heists, remote boarding schools full of ancient secrets waiting to be discovered and much much more…
⚡️⚡️⚡️
Readers LOVE Shadow Thieves!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“One of my favourite reads of all time"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"Reading this book helped me to escape the real world and enter into a world full of imagination"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“I couldn’t put the book down"
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 5, 2025
A middling boarding school adventure buoyed by impressively varied audiobook narration.
I was looking for something to fill the CROOKHAVEN-shaped hole in my heart and SHADOW THIEVES does a decent job. Set in an alternate Victorian London where the French won the Battle of Waterloo, Tom Morgan is a scrappy orphan running con jobs so he and his friends can survive. When they get captured, Tom gets recruited to an elusive boarding school called Beaufort's Academy for Thieves.
Taking a very Philsopher's Stone-esque approach to conveying school life, where the glory of the school houses and points matter enormously to the story, Tom finds himself pitted against rude classmates, eccentric teachers, and politically powerful villains whose deeds have world-altering stakes. This unfortunately contributes to SHADOW THIEVES' greatest pitfall: its lack of depth.
Don't get me wrong, this book has SO many interesting ideas, including a quintet of secret schools each for a criminal discipline (including a school for ASSASSINS) that pull the puppet strings of not just the French Empire, but places across the world too. It builds this vast criminal underbelly beneath its Victorian facade very well. But we get introduced to so much of the school, its structure, the culture, places around it, classes and, most importantly, the people, that we don't get to properly explore any of it.
The bland cast are an unfortunate result of this. Tom and the Corsair get 90% of the focus and everyone else falls by the wayside. There's Tom's thieves gang, the Beaufort's-adjacent cast, Tom's housemates Enzo and Jericho and Maxine and others, Tom's Greenhorn classmates, the Artemis house gang... so many characters and yet they feel barely fleshed out. They're true NPCs to Tom's Main Character, present when necessary and gone when not.
And if I don't care about these people, why should I care if Guile House wins the House Cup? Or that Tom's gang got captured in the first place? The book spends so much time explaining all these school terms to you instead of focusing on the heart of the story: the people that all this affects.
I hate to compare it unfavourably to CROOKHAVEN but at least that book whittled the focus to its core cast. Even in the first book, when we primarily followed the protagonist, you could tell there was more to the side characters than met the eye.
Something they both do have in common though: a main character who succeeds outside their own merit. Tom is forced to represent Beaufort's at the Shadow Cup (i.e., vs all the other evil schools) by pure chance because the Corsair happens to drag him along on the mission and someone happens to be sick and ice happens to be too thick for anyone else but Tom to pass through. Tom is, of course, the key figure who gets them the win, but to the point where the other characters are that useless?? He might as well have infiltrated the castle by himself. It is, frankly, a series of coincidences written just to make him look like a badass and doesn't feel earnt. He also succeeds in several class challenges over his more educated classmates and constantly outwits his seniors, young adult students about to graduate, and actual criminal masterminds with real life experience dating before Tom was alive.
I know there's always an element of wish fulfillment with these books, but he doesn't even develop as a character, which is deeply unsatisfying.
Aside from Tom's uberness the story itself is serviceable, although it does stall at about the 30% mark as Tom gets introduced to the underworld and its rules. Buoyed also by Zac Lowe-McAlley's fun and decently-paced narration, with an array of accents for all the characters, some more successful than others (thank goodness the American kid only had two lines), on the whole I was engaged. I particularly love Tom's low London timbre compared to the Corsair's airier French-esque manner, which really sold the international flavour of the story.
SHADOW THIEVES isn't a bad book, but I do think it needs some polish and a sprinkle of charm. If it tightened its focus in the next book, put the spotlight only a group of small characters and their personal plights, this has the potential to be an exciting new boarding school story in middle grade, but as it stands, a ten-year-old will revel in the shadowy antics and relatable school setting.
WILL I READ ON? Maybe.
Audiobook provided by HarperCollins UK Audio in exchange for an honest review. This title released on the 5th June 2025.
LAST REVIEW
I was looking for something to fill the CROOKHAVEN-shaped hole in my heart and SHADOW THIEVES does a decent job. Set in an alternate Victorian London where the French won the Battle of Waterloo, Tom Morgan is a scrappy orphan running con jobs so he and his friends can survive. When they get captured, Tom gets recruited to an elusive boarding school called Beaufort's Academy for Thieves.
Taking a very Philsopher's Stone-esque approach to conveying school life, where the glory of the school houses and points matter enormously to the story, Tom finds himself pitted against rude classmates, eccentric teachers, and politically powerful villains whose deeds have world-altering stakes. This unfortunately contributes to SHADOW THIEVES' greatest pitfall: its lack of depth.
Don't get me wrong, this book has SO many interesting ideas, including a quintet of secret schools each for a criminal discipline (including a school for ASSASSINS) that pull the puppet strings of not just the French Empire, but places across the world too. It builds this vast criminal underbelly beneath its Victorian facade very well. But we get introduced to so much of the school, its structure, the culture, places around it, classes and, most importantly, the people, that we don't get to properly explore any of it.
The bland cast are an unfortunate result of this. Tom and the Corsair get 90% of the focus and everyone else falls by the wayside. There's Tom's thieves gang, the Beaufort's-adjacent cast, Tom's housemates Enzo and Jericho and Maxine and others, Tom's Greenhorn classmates, the Artemis house gang... so many characters and yet they feel barely fleshed out. They're true NPCs to Tom's Main Character, present when necessary and gone when not.
And if I don't care about these people, why should I care if Guile House wins the House Cup? Or that Tom's gang got captured in the first place? The book spends so much time explaining all these school terms to you instead of focusing on the heart of the story: the people that all this affects.
I hate to compare it unfavourably to CROOKHAVEN but at least that book whittled the focus to its core cast. Even in the first book, when we primarily followed the protagonist, you could tell there was more to the side characters than met the eye.
Something they both do have in common though: a main character who succeeds outside their own merit. Tom is forced to represent Beaufort's at the Shadow Cup (i.e., vs all the other evil schools) by pure chance because the Corsair happens to drag him along on the mission and someone happens to be sick and ice happens to be too thick for anyone else but Tom to pass through. Tom is, of course, the key figure who gets them the win, but to the point where the other characters are that useless?? He might as well have infiltrated the castle by himself. It is, frankly, a series of coincidences written just to make him look like a badass and doesn't feel earnt. He also succeeds in several class challenges over his more educated classmates and constantly outwits his seniors, young adult students about to graduate, and actual criminal masterminds with real life experience dating before Tom was alive.
I know there's always an element of wish fulfillment with these books, but he doesn't even develop as a character, which is deeply unsatisfying.
Aside from Tom's uberness the story itself is serviceable, although it does stall at about the 30% mark as Tom gets introduced to the underworld and its rules. Buoyed also by Zac Lowe-McAlley's fun and decently-paced narration, with an array of accents for all the characters, some more successful than others (thank goodness the American kid only had two lines), on the whole I was engaged. I particularly love Tom's low London timbre compared to the Corsair's airier French-esque manner, which really sold the international flavour of the story.
SHADOW THIEVES isn't a bad book, but I do think it needs some polish and a sprinkle of charm. If it tightened its focus in the next book, put the spotlight only a group of small characters and their personal plights, this has the potential to be an exciting new boarding school story in middle grade, but as it stands, a ten-year-old will revel in the shadowy antics and relatable school setting.
WILL I READ ON? Maybe.
Audiobook provided by HarperCollins UK Audio in exchange for an honest review. This title released on the 5th June 2025.
LAST REVIEW
May 28, 2025
Just finished Shadow Thieves by Peter Burns and honestly, I loved it.
It starts with a group of street-smart kids trying to survive in a gritty, alternate London. Then suddenly, Tom, the main character gets pulled into this secret school for thieves hidden in the snowy Alps. There’s even a zeppelin involved and yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.
The story is super fast paced and full of adventure. It’s got that perfect mix of danger, mystery and fun. Tom is such a likeable character and I really enjoyed seeing how loyal he is to his friends and how determined he becomes once things get serious.
Now that he’s in this secret training program, the missions ahead sound like they’re going to be intense. I’m genuinely excited to see what kind of challenges he and his friends will have to face next.
If you’re into books secret societies or underdog heroes, Shadow Thieves is such a fun read. I’m already looking forward to the next one. I would recommend this book to those who love Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Hunger Games or maybe Oliver Twist.
It starts with a group of street-smart kids trying to survive in a gritty, alternate London. Then suddenly, Tom, the main character gets pulled into this secret school for thieves hidden in the snowy Alps. There’s even a zeppelin involved and yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.
The story is super fast paced and full of adventure. It’s got that perfect mix of danger, mystery and fun. Tom is such a likeable character and I really enjoyed seeing how loyal he is to his friends and how determined he becomes once things get serious.
Now that he’s in this secret training program, the missions ahead sound like they’re going to be intense. I’m genuinely excited to see what kind of challenges he and his friends will have to face next.
If you’re into books secret societies or underdog heroes, Shadow Thieves is such a fun read. I’m already looking forward to the next one. I would recommend this book to those who love Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Hunger Games or maybe Oliver Twist.
July 14, 2025
Shadow thieves is a thrilling middle grade adventure novel that borderlines with the classics like Oliver Twist but in a world where dark forces are placed in every nook and cranny.
The story follows a 13 year old Tom Morgan who is doing everything to stay far away from the brutal workhouse. From shining shoes to pickpocketing, he needs to survive. Then one eventful day, his friends are caught and sent to the very place he depises.
Then he meets Corsiar, a mysterious man who approaches him with a proposition of joining an elite international boarding school where he along with some of most finest upcoming thieves will train together and carry out some of the well planned heists. However Shadow League is not without secrets and it's the kind that bring dangers and chaos.
With odds stacked up against him, Tom Morgan is about to meet the true danger. Will he be able to save himself and his friends or will everything perish in the darkness of it all?
Shadow theives, the very title of the book piqued my attention and going into the book, I had high expectations. And I was not disappointed. One of my favourite scenes is when he is approached by Corsair when shinning his shoes and one where he finally enters the school. It's adventurous and filled with mysteries. The characters are well developed with a thoroughly explored plot. From suspenseful secrets to elaborate scheming, "Shadow Thieves" is a page-tuner through and through.
The story follows a 13 year old Tom Morgan who is doing everything to stay far away from the brutal workhouse. From shining shoes to pickpocketing, he needs to survive. Then one eventful day, his friends are caught and sent to the very place he depises.
Then he meets Corsiar, a mysterious man who approaches him with a proposition of joining an elite international boarding school where he along with some of most finest upcoming thieves will train together and carry out some of the well planned heists. However Shadow League is not without secrets and it's the kind that bring dangers and chaos.
With odds stacked up against him, Tom Morgan is about to meet the true danger. Will he be able to save himself and his friends or will everything perish in the darkness of it all?
Shadow theives, the very title of the book piqued my attention and going into the book, I had high expectations. And I was not disappointed. One of my favourite scenes is when he is approached by Corsair when shinning his shoes and one where he finally enters the school. It's adventurous and filled with mysteries. The characters are well developed with a thoroughly explored plot. From suspenseful secrets to elaborate scheming, "Shadow Thieves" is a page-tuner through and through.
May 28, 2025
A fantastic and fun adventure filled with clever and cunning characters!
13 year old Tom Morgan is an orphan who lives in London and is trying his best to avoid the Snatchers! While doing so he ends up being recruited for a very special school and is whisked away to a new place where he makes new friends and maybe bumps into some old ones too 👀
If you're a fan of Skandar, Percy Jackson or Oliver Twist then you will love this brilliant book! Shadow Thieves is a delightful debut and I can see this being a big big hit when it's released!
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
13 year old Tom Morgan is an orphan who lives in London and is trying his best to avoid the Snatchers! While doing so he ends up being recruited for a very special school and is whisked away to a new place where he makes new friends and maybe bumps into some old ones too 👀
If you're a fan of Skandar, Percy Jackson or Oliver Twist then you will love this brilliant book! Shadow Thieves is a delightful debut and I can see this being a big big hit when it's released!
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2025
4.5 ✩✩✩✩
Such a captivating story! It kept me hooked from start to finish. The only thing that's stopping me from giving it 5 stars is the lack of emotional depth it left me with. That is not to say I didn't feel anything after the story ended. In fact, I finished the book with a sweet lingering fondness and a curiosity to know more about what happens next. However, it didn't leave a lasting emotional impact as much as the reads I have given 5 stars.
Such a captivating story! It kept me hooked from start to finish. The only thing that's stopping me from giving it 5 stars is the lack of emotional depth it left me with. That is not to say I didn't feel anything after the story ended. In fact, I finished the book with a sweet lingering fondness and a curiosity to know more about what happens next. However, it didn't leave a lasting emotional impact as much as the reads I have given 5 stars.
December 11, 2025
I cannot wait for the next one!!!
July 25, 2025
An incredibly gripping YA dystopian novel offering a dark glimpse into the criminal underworld that mirrors aspects of our own society. Quite unlike the books I usually choose, yet I was hooked from the very first chapter.
The map of the three empires was fascinating. I appreciated that the geography was inspired by our own world rather than an entirely fictional one. The key was especially compelling with its use of distinctive symbols to represent assassin spies and intelligence outposts. Studying the map drew me deeper into the story.
The definition of a ‘con’ at the beginning helped establish the tone and atmosphere. I had hoped to trace the different stages of the long con as the story progressed, but this didn’t materialise. I suspect this is because the long con will unfold across several instalments.
The manipulation of history to create this extraordinary alternate world, where various types of criminals dominate in a Victorian style London, was executed with skill. The characters felt authentic, particularly Tom Morgan whose responses to the situations he faced were believable. His portrayal as a reluctant hero was convincing. He reminded me of John Wick and I could easily picture Tom as a young Keanu Reeves.
Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts was thoroughly developed. I enjoyed the final chapter and hope the Corsair makes a return in future books. I am eager to see what new challenges await Tom as a member of the Shadow League. With so many enemies, it would not surprise me if multiple bounties were placed on him.
Tom has also gained several allies who owe him their lives, even if their loyalty must remain hidden. I am curious to see how these connections will influence events in the next books of the series.
The map of the three empires was fascinating. I appreciated that the geography was inspired by our own world rather than an entirely fictional one. The key was especially compelling with its use of distinctive symbols to represent assassin spies and intelligence outposts. Studying the map drew me deeper into the story.
The definition of a ‘con’ at the beginning helped establish the tone and atmosphere. I had hoped to trace the different stages of the long con as the story progressed, but this didn’t materialise. I suspect this is because the long con will unfold across several instalments.
The manipulation of history to create this extraordinary alternate world, where various types of criminals dominate in a Victorian style London, was executed with skill. The characters felt authentic, particularly Tom Morgan whose responses to the situations he faced were believable. His portrayal as a reluctant hero was convincing. He reminded me of John Wick and I could easily picture Tom as a young Keanu Reeves.
Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts was thoroughly developed. I enjoyed the final chapter and hope the Corsair makes a return in future books. I am eager to see what new challenges await Tom as a member of the Shadow League. With so many enemies, it would not surprise me if multiple bounties were placed on him.
Tom has also gained several allies who owe him their lives, even if their loyalty must remain hidden. I am curious to see how these connections will influence events in the next books of the series.
June 5, 2025
13 year old Tom has made the best of it living on the streets of an alternate London with his rag tag crew who are like family. While Tom shines shoes he’s also learned to picks pockets which in the harder months makes ends meet. But London is fraught with workhouse agents who would love to round up Tom and his friends and throw them in the brutal workhouses, Tom knows all to well how these places work and will do anything to keep him and his friends out of them.
But after a late night outing Tom and his friends safe house is raided and all but Tom are captured. Desperate to save them Tom makes his way to the workhouse rooftops in hopes he can come up with a plan but instead he meets the mysterious consair who offers Tom the chance to train at the elite school for thieves and in doing so he might just learn how to save his friends.
Can he learn to become a master thief and save his friends you’ll need to read it to find out!
I absolutely adored shadow thieves! Tom was so easy to route for and his determination to rescue his friends and never leave anyone behind made him so loveable. And the setting/school were so fantastic and fun i loved learning along with Tom all about his new world the challenges, the shops, the school, the friendships the villains all just kept me flipping the pages. It’s brimming with atmosphere and fast paced tension kids will absolutely eat this up I certainly did! Peter has created an absolute amazing world in here and I can’t wait to see more of Tom’s amazing adventures! 10/10 recommended
Thank you so much to farshorebooks for kindly gifting me the book all thoughts are my own.
But after a late night outing Tom and his friends safe house is raided and all but Tom are captured. Desperate to save them Tom makes his way to the workhouse rooftops in hopes he can come up with a plan but instead he meets the mysterious consair who offers Tom the chance to train at the elite school for thieves and in doing so he might just learn how to save his friends.
Can he learn to become a master thief and save his friends you’ll need to read it to find out!
I absolutely adored shadow thieves! Tom was so easy to route for and his determination to rescue his friends and never leave anyone behind made him so loveable. And the setting/school were so fantastic and fun i loved learning along with Tom all about his new world the challenges, the shops, the school, the friendships the villains all just kept me flipping the pages. It’s brimming with atmosphere and fast paced tension kids will absolutely eat this up I certainly did! Peter has created an absolute amazing world in here and I can’t wait to see more of Tom’s amazing adventures! 10/10 recommended
Thank you so much to farshorebooks for kindly gifting me the book all thoughts are my own.
August 8, 2025
Amazon titles this "Shadow Thieves: the biggest blockbuster blah blah blah..." which would normally be an instant "no" from me. That is some stunningly clumsy marketing, which I fortunately missed by finding the paper form of the book in Waterstones. It's a good thing I missed it, because I did, in fact like this book. I am unsure whether it is a like or a really like. I think realistically it is 3 stars from me (I liked it), but I am giving it 4 because I think mid grade children will really like it, as they will be less aware of the derivative elements, and will just enjoy it for being a very good story.
And it is a good story. I was unsure at first, coming off the back of reading my way through the Crookhaven books, I thought that here was just another story about a school for thieves, complete with "legacy" students, and other such elements. But the book managed to create something suitably different and fresh by placing everything in an alternative world where there we workhouses and airships, and layers of corruption, rivalries and intrigue.
The story was a good one and the telling was spot on. It is a grand adventure in an increasingly crowded tradition. But despite there being many others in this tradition, it managed something fresh and satisfying. I think mid grade children will love it. A blockbuster it is not, but adult readers will note a number of classic children's story elements.
And it is a good story. I was unsure at first, coming off the back of reading my way through the Crookhaven books, I thought that here was just another story about a school for thieves, complete with "legacy" students, and other such elements. But the book managed to create something suitably different and fresh by placing everything in an alternative world where there we workhouses and airships, and layers of corruption, rivalries and intrigue.
The story was a good one and the telling was spot on. It is a grand adventure in an increasingly crowded tradition. But despite there being many others in this tradition, it managed something fresh and satisfying. I think mid grade children will love it. A blockbuster it is not, but adult readers will note a number of classic children's story elements.
June 30, 2025
I really enjoyed this audiobook. It follows the adventures of Tom Morgan who starts life in a workhouse, escapes to the streets and then gets recruited into a school for thieves (a bit of a cross between Harry Potter and Crookhaven - also a school for thieves/crooks, but thieves that do 'good'), with lessons in deception, forgery and lots of physical assault courses. Whilst I found the story a little slow to begin with, it soon got going with lots of adventure, intrigue, twists, mishaps and danger, all wrapped up with a satisfying conclusion (being left open enough for the next instalment, of course!). It's ultimately a story about friendship and trust and believing in yourself and your capabilities. The characters are well written and complex, the villains are great, and most importantly I really liked the lead character Tom who is fiercely loyal to his friends and what is 'right'.
The narrator (Zac Lowe-McAlley) has a lovely voice to listen to, great expression and lots of interesting accents.
My daughter, who loves Harry Potter, Crookhaven and Percy Jackson will definitely love this book too.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook, which I received in exchange for an honest review (all options are my own).
The narrator (Zac Lowe-McAlley) has a lovely voice to listen to, great expression and lots of interesting accents.
My daughter, who loves Harry Potter, Crookhaven and Percy Jackson will definitely love this book too.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook, which I received in exchange for an honest review (all options are my own).
April 5, 2025
Wow. This book absolutely blew me away! It takes you on a wild ride and deposits you on the other end filled with joy, awe and the buzz of adventure.
The central plot itself was stunning and so immersive. The author captured the vibes of an alternative, Dickensian London with such utter perfection, I felt like I could have been in the book itself.
I honestly didn’t think I’d read the book in two days flat? But I did. I couldn’t help but sit for hours at a time and throw myself into such a compelling story. I loved everything about it, from the characters, the writing, the friendships and the daring and dangerous missions scattered throughout the chapters.
Tom’s character really was brilliant and he was so incredibly crafted. I loved how capable he was and easily fell to rooting for his ingenuity and clever, quick witted mind. He was a great character to follow and be introduced to the world of this story through his eyes.
What an absolutely amazing book and one I can’t wait to read the follow up for!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
The central plot itself was stunning and so immersive. The author captured the vibes of an alternative, Dickensian London with such utter perfection, I felt like I could have been in the book itself.
I honestly didn’t think I’d read the book in two days flat? But I did. I couldn’t help but sit for hours at a time and throw myself into such a compelling story. I loved everything about it, from the characters, the writing, the friendships and the daring and dangerous missions scattered throughout the chapters.
Tom’s character really was brilliant and he was so incredibly crafted. I loved how capable he was and easily fell to rooting for his ingenuity and clever, quick witted mind. He was a great character to follow and be introduced to the world of this story through his eyes.
What an absolutely amazing book and one I can’t wait to read the follow up for!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
August 11, 2025
Tom is an orphan, trained in the arts of thievery and the trickster lifestyle by his late friend Morris, an adult who took young Tom under his wing. Recently, Tom has been living with a group of other street urchins who are trying to avoid being captured and placed in the Dickensian work houses, from which Tom at one point escaped, thanks to Morris.
When a series of unfortunate circumstances leads Tom to accept an offer from the mysterious Corsair that involves navigating high political intrigue between the three ruling Empires of Japan, France and Prussia in this alternative reality where Britain is no longer of any consequence, and attending a school with a difference, where talents such as theft and manipulation are taught to children from both highborn and unknown families, a whole new world opens up for him.
This is some world-class world building and truly original storytelling that is by turns grim, touching and clever, yet always creative. The audiobook narrator also does a brilliant job. Well worth checking out if you love adventure, mystery and mayhem.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
When a series of unfortunate circumstances leads Tom to accept an offer from the mysterious Corsair that involves navigating high political intrigue between the three ruling Empires of Japan, France and Prussia in this alternative reality where Britain is no longer of any consequence, and attending a school with a difference, where talents such as theft and manipulation are taught to children from both highborn and unknown families, a whole new world opens up for him.
This is some world-class world building and truly original storytelling that is by turns grim, touching and clever, yet always creative. The audiobook narrator also does a brilliant job. Well worth checking out if you love adventure, mystery and mayhem.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
June 26, 2025
I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this work in audio format via Netgalley free of charge in return for an honest review.
The narration is excellent and really brings the world of the story to life. I throughly enjoyed listening to this book.
Tom was born an orphan and thus the property of the workhouse and would have lived and died there had he not met Morris who taught the children after the proper teacher died.
Morris and Tom broke out of the workhouse and Morris taught Tom all the tricks and tips of magican showing him how to pick pockets and theive. Giving him a chance at survival in the world outside the workhouse.
Then his life is flipped upside down somehow his ahd his friends hidden home is discovered and raided. Tom is saved and vows to rescue his friends. But how? And then he is wisked away to a mysterious school for thieves.
This book is full of thrills and spills and daring do. If you are a fan of Oliver Twist this is a definitely a read for you!
I enjoyed it completely.
The narration is excellent and really brings the world of the story to life. I throughly enjoyed listening to this book.
Tom was born an orphan and thus the property of the workhouse and would have lived and died there had he not met Morris who taught the children after the proper teacher died.
Morris and Tom broke out of the workhouse and Morris taught Tom all the tricks and tips of magican showing him how to pick pockets and theive. Giving him a chance at survival in the world outside the workhouse.
Then his life is flipped upside down somehow his ahd his friends hidden home is discovered and raided. Tom is saved and vows to rescue his friends. But how? And then he is wisked away to a mysterious school for thieves.
This book is full of thrills and spills and daring do. If you are a fan of Oliver Twist this is a definitely a read for you!
I enjoyed it completely.
July 15, 2025
Utterly Wonderful!
A boarding school for thieves that reminds me so much of Hogwarts, only without the magic! The recruitment of pupils, their sorting into houses, and the subjects they’re taught are all so fascinating; there’s not an inch of boredom here.
The only slow part is the beginning, where the plot builds from the streets, but the rest is packed with adventure. The banter between elite pupils and a nobody from the streets is quite quirky. The plot twists were great, but I couldn’t help enjoying even the most ordinary scenes that were delivered so vividly, the charachters felt alive.
The narrators were energetic and entertaining, making the whole audiobook experience next level. Between the physical book and the audio, I’d say the audio version charmed me more. I highly recommend it to fellow readers who enjoy middle-grade stories with a techie edge.
A boarding school for thieves that reminds me so much of Hogwarts, only without the magic! The recruitment of pupils, their sorting into houses, and the subjects they’re taught are all so fascinating; there’s not an inch of boredom here.
The only slow part is the beginning, where the plot builds from the streets, but the rest is packed with adventure. The banter between elite pupils and a nobody from the streets is quite quirky. The plot twists were great, but I couldn’t help enjoying even the most ordinary scenes that were delivered so vividly, the charachters felt alive.
The narrators were energetic and entertaining, making the whole audiobook experience next level. Between the physical book and the audio, I’d say the audio version charmed me more. I highly recommend it to fellow readers who enjoy middle-grade stories with a techie edge.
July 15, 2025
This is a middle grade book that would suit fans of Harry Potter. It's better written than HP but as to whether it has a better plotline throughout the series remains to be seen (I really didn't rate HP1 until I'd read more and could see the story developing - I thought it was a rewrite of The Worst Witch but for an older audience).
This book has an unusual way of getting the "undeserving" child to the school but many of the HP elements are there - transported by unusual transport by a lone member of ancillary school staff, "more worthy" students bullying him, dangerous side quest, saving the school......
I enjoyed the story once it got going (it was a little slow at first) and am interested to see where it goes.
Narration by #zaclowemcalley was ok but there are quite a few words that need better pronunciation.
This book has an unusual way of getting the "undeserving" child to the school but many of the HP elements are there - transported by unusual transport by a lone member of ancillary school staff, "more worthy" students bullying him, dangerous side quest, saving the school......
I enjoyed the story once it got going (it was a little slow at first) and am interested to see where it goes.
Narration by #zaclowemcalley was ok but there are quite a few words that need better pronunciation.
February 13, 2025
This title is disappointing for such a great book. Street child Tom has many skills, though not many you would admit to in a court of law. However, they are perfect for Thieves School! He is recruited by the Corsair who recognises his many talents. He is a quick learner, and the streets have taught him well. His main concern though are the friends he has left behind in the workhouse. How can he rescue them. This story me drew in from the very beginning, Tom is a likeable, Robin Hood type character, quick witted but humble and concerned for his friends. The story has vibes of Harry Potter crossed with Hunger Games. Hugely enjoyable.
June 10, 2025
I imagine this book will be popular with kids: it's well-written, fast-paced, and amusing. The protagonist, Tom, is a lovely character with a lot of heart and quite a bit of bite. But personally, I find it hard to get behind a book where the heroes are thieves and assassins. Yes, the 'good thieves' are much better people than the seriously awful antagonists... and I think the author may be gradually leading the series in a different direction... but I think this book still leaves the general impression that it's OK to gain wealth and power by defrauding or manipulating others, and I'm not comfortable recommending that to kids.
August 9, 2025
Read this in TWO DAYS recently - can see the hype, it’s a young adult book, don’t be put off that it’s for a younger audience. Super easy read, I loooved the pacing in it - sometimes I think YA books either are too fast going, or alternatively don’t have enough of a plot but this was neither.
The characters are all loveable, gave me a similar feeling to when you get to know the Harry Potter characters. Think Harry Potter because of the school setting but more like “now you see me” (the movie)
10/10 would recommend, especially if you read a lot of long series fantasy books/series and want a little respite, or to get out a reading slump. Only downside it’s literally just been released so gotta wait for the next one
The characters are all loveable, gave me a similar feeling to when you get to know the Harry Potter characters. Think Harry Potter because of the school setting but more like “now you see me” (the movie)
10/10 would recommend, especially if you read a lot of long series fantasy books/series and want a little respite, or to get out a reading slump. Only downside it’s literally just been released so gotta wait for the next one
February 16, 2025
I was really curious about this book and how it would pan out, and it didn't disappoint. I did find it a little slow going to begin with but once I got a few chapters in it really ramped up. There was so much detail which was then brought up later on, just when I thought it may end one way it totally surprised me and went another way. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the story continues and hope for a second book.
July 17, 2025
As another reviewer said, I've read this before. some of the credit must go to JK Rowling surely?
There's too much that has been borrowed from HP: orphan boy, transported to a school to learn special skills range of teachers, remote setting.
There even a Goblet of Fire type event.
yet it was readable, slightly grittier than HP,possibly .Not badly written buy not original either
There's too much that has been borrowed from HP: orphan boy, transported to a school to learn special skills range of teachers, remote setting.
There even a Goblet of Fire type event.
yet it was readable, slightly grittier than HP,possibly .Not badly written buy not original either
June 10, 2025
This is such a Cliche; it feels like a thousand different authors have written this book
I mean really? I’ve read this book loads of times before, just with a different cover. Like ‘Orphan’. I can’t at all believe anybody reads this sh*t.
Three stars because I barely started it.
I mean really? I’ve read this book loads of times before, just with a different cover. Like ‘Orphan’. I can’t at all believe anybody reads this sh*t.
Three stars because I barely started it.
June 8, 2025
This book is a great gift for 11 year old boys. I was amazed by the details in the story. I loved the way Tom solves challenges and is loyal to people he knows.
June 26, 2025
Cracking adventure for readers aged 10+
You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
September 9, 2025
Loved the book and loved the alternative London! The thief school seemed pretty cool too. Good read
November 18, 2025
Shadow Thieves exceeded my expectations. A well-told story with real depth and appeal
November 18, 2025
A captivating read with great pacing and thoughtful detail.
November 18, 2025
This book really stands out. It feels polished, purposeful, and impactful.
November 18, 2025
Shadow Thieves is a gripping and beautifully written story. The themes, atmosphere, and pacing kept me hooked from page one.
November 18, 2025
I enjoyed how immersive the writing is. The descriptions are rich without being overwhelming.
November 19, 2025
I was really impressed by the creativity in Shadow Thieves. The author’s imagination shines through every chapter.
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