What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
14 days and 08:06:50
5 copies available
U.S. only
Hell to Pay
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26Win a free print copy of this book!
14 days and 08:06:50
5 copies available
U.S. only
Oceans Eight meets Six of Crows in this YA fantasy heist novel about a teenage con artist and her ragtag crew teaming up for their toughest job stealing a soul from the Afterlife.
Elle Fields comes from a long line of thieves who specialize in breaking into the Afterlife to steal secrets—and magic—from the dead. But after her parents’ disappearance and her brother’s death, Elle is left adrift, without even her crew to rely on.
Until a mysterious stranger offers her a job she can’t stealing a soul from the Afterlife. If Elle can get it done, it could be the key to restoring the life she lost.
The only problem is getting her crew back together. Oh, and the fact that the job’s impossible—but Elle is confident that she’ll be able to work it all out.
After all, how hard could it be to raise the dead?
Elle Fields comes from a long line of thieves who specialize in breaking into the Afterlife to steal secrets—and magic—from the dead. But after her parents’ disappearance and her brother’s death, Elle is left adrift, without even her crew to rely on.
Until a mysterious stranger offers her a job she can’t stealing a soul from the Afterlife. If Elle can get it done, it could be the key to restoring the life she lost.
The only problem is getting her crew back together. Oh, and the fact that the job’s impossible—but Elle is confident that she’ll be able to work it all out.
After all, how hard could it be to raise the dead?
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 28, 2026
About the author
Lora Beth Johnson
3 books314 followersAs an only child, Lora Beth Johnson grew up telling herself stories and reading past her bedtime. She spent her adulthood collecting degrees, careers, and stamps in her passport before realizing her passion for creating fictional worlds. When she’s not writing, she’s teaching college English and learning new languages. She lives in Davidson, NC with her little roommate, Colocatire the Yorkipoo.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🔥💀 Hell to Pay 💀🔥
The FMC in this book was reckless, arrogant, impulsive, and freaking hilarious. I loved her.
This was a quick paranormal read, and honestly… I just wanted more. The worldbuilding and magic system were so interesting, but it felt like we only scratched the surface.
It doesn’t look like this will be a series, but if it ever becomes one, I would absolutely devour it.
😈 What to Expect
• YA fantasy
• Afterlife magic
• Ragtag crew
• Teenage con artist
• Mission impossible
• Found family
• Dark underworld
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: July 28, 2026
📝 Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
The FMC in this book was reckless, arrogant, impulsive, and freaking hilarious. I loved her.
This was a quick paranormal read, and honestly… I just wanted more. The worldbuilding and magic system were so interesting, but it felt like we only scratched the surface.
It doesn’t look like this will be a series, but if it ever becomes one, I would absolutely devour it.
😈 What to Expect
• YA fantasy
• Afterlife magic
• Ragtag crew
• Teenage con artist
• Mission impossible
• Found family
• Dark underworld
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: July 28, 2026
📝 Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
April 15, 2026
Hell to Pay has a very intriguing and unique premise (an afterlife heist — tell me you’re not intrigued!) so between my love of heist stories and my love of this author’s first book I was super intrigued and couldn’t wait to pick it up.
I really liked the heist elements and how they all came together and the different roles that each member of the team had to play. I also liked how the main character introduced each member of the team. The crow familiar was a particular favorite of mine. He definitely added to the team!
However, I didn’t love the main character. She was really brash and seemed to plow right over everyone else’s feelings at times. She was quite selfish as well which made her hard to like. She had single minded focus to save her brother at the expense of everyone else.
The ending was definitely setting up for a sequel as it ended on somewhat of an unexpected note. Overall this was an interesting heist story. I wish I had liked the main character more but this was overall pretty good.
I really liked the heist elements and how they all came together and the different roles that each member of the team had to play. I also liked how the main character introduced each member of the team. The crow familiar was a particular favorite of mine. He definitely added to the team!
However, I didn’t love the main character. She was really brash and seemed to plow right over everyone else’s feelings at times. She was quite selfish as well which made her hard to like. She had single minded focus to save her brother at the expense of everyone else.
The ending was definitely setting up for a sequel as it ended on somewhat of an unexpected note. Overall this was an interesting heist story. I wish I had liked the main character more but this was overall pretty good.
June 3, 2026
Despite being the biggest scaredy cat ever, I absolutely love a fun paranormal book, and Hell to Pay definitely fits the bill.
The book follows a heist crew, more specifically one that sort of disbanded after the death of their leader, Dante, our FMC Elle’s older brother. With a plan to bring them back together by convincing them to help her steal a soul from the Afterlife for a job, it’s a crazy ride from the start. I love love love the plot. I think I would read anything if you told me the characters were dealing with the Afterlife and limbo and being dead, even for a short while. The setup of the story, having the readers follow through the steps of one of Elle’s con plans, was so smart and such a fun way to see exactly what part of the story we’re in without knowing what could possibly happen next.
On top of that, I love the characters. The crew is so different in so many ways, but they complement each other perfectly. They’re written so beautifully, and know each other so well, it really shows just how close and tight-knit they are despite the ups and downs they come to face with each other. Plus, Crowlene was perfect, even if her timing wasn’t always. I also loved how the romances between the characters were a small subplot to the overarching story. It never once felt like we were straying away from the heist to see more of Elle and Tolliver or even CJ and Poppy; the heist was always there, and little moments between them were sprinkled in perfectly.
I have to admit that there were times when I did fully want to stop reading, mainly due to the writing style. I’m not the biggest fan of when characters are talking to the reader directly (I only enjoy the occasional fourth wall break). Mostly, the characters and specifically Elle, talk just like I do to my friends, which is usually an immediate turn off for me in a book. However, this isn’t to shame the style of writing! Given Elle’s personality and how she carries herself, that style totally works for her. The plot was still intriguing enough to me that I could overlook these details and keep reading.
Overall, every piece of Hell to Pay comes together beautifully. There’s not a single point that I can think of that was left unconnected, and the ending was exactly what I was hoping for: the perfect reunion without breaking the rules of the world the readers have come to learn about.
Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Young Readers for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
----
3.75 rounded up! review tomorrow <3
The book follows a heist crew, more specifically one that sort of disbanded after the death of their leader, Dante, our FMC Elle’s older brother. With a plan to bring them back together by convincing them to help her steal a soul from the Afterlife for a job, it’s a crazy ride from the start. I love love love the plot. I think I would read anything if you told me the characters were dealing with the Afterlife and limbo and being dead, even for a short while. The setup of the story, having the readers follow through the steps of one of Elle’s con plans, was so smart and such a fun way to see exactly what part of the story we’re in without knowing what could possibly happen next.
On top of that, I love the characters. The crew is so different in so many ways, but they complement each other perfectly. They’re written so beautifully, and know each other so well, it really shows just how close and tight-knit they are despite the ups and downs they come to face with each other. Plus, Crowlene was perfect, even if her timing wasn’t always. I also loved how the romances between the characters were a small subplot to the overarching story. It never once felt like we were straying away from the heist to see more of Elle and Tolliver or even CJ and Poppy; the heist was always there, and little moments between them were sprinkled in perfectly.
I have to admit that there were times when I did fully want to stop reading, mainly due to the writing style. I’m not the biggest fan of when characters are talking to the reader directly (I only enjoy the occasional fourth wall break). Mostly, the characters and specifically Elle, talk just like I do to my friends, which is usually an immediate turn off for me in a book. However, this isn’t to shame the style of writing! Given Elle’s personality and how she carries herself, that style totally works for her. The plot was still intriguing enough to me that I could overlook these details and keep reading.
Overall, every piece of Hell to Pay comes together beautifully. There’s not a single point that I can think of that was left unconnected, and the ending was exactly what I was hoping for: the perfect reunion without breaking the rules of the world the readers have come to learn about.
Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Young Readers for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
----
3.75 rounded up! review tomorrow <3
May 12, 2026
This book was SUCH a wild ride from a start to finish and I absolutely LOVED every second of it. It was funny, clever, cool, and just one of the most creative stories I’ve ever read. I want to tell everyone to read this book because it was just that good.
I loved how the descriptions of a con at the beginning played out over the story. That was so fun and such a cool way to tie in that element of the story. The plot was amazing and kept me entertained all the way through. I couldn’t predict what was gonna happen next and I loved that.
I adored all the characters and their personalities. They were such a ragtag group and it was so fun seeing how they all got along.
The plot twists were so good and weren’t easy to guess, which is saying something for me. I’m usually good at seeing things from a mile away but I couldn’t guess the twists here and that made this so much more fun.
Overall this was the perfect heist book and just such a cool story overall. I can’t wait for the sequel!
I loved how the descriptions of a con at the beginning played out over the story. That was so fun and such a cool way to tie in that element of the story. The plot was amazing and kept me entertained all the way through. I couldn’t predict what was gonna happen next and I loved that.
I adored all the characters and their personalities. They were such a ragtag group and it was so fun seeing how they all got along.
The plot twists were so good and weren’t easy to guess, which is saying something for me. I’m usually good at seeing things from a mile away but I couldn’t guess the twists here and that made this so much more fun.
Overall this was the perfect heist book and just such a cool story overall. I can’t wait for the sequel!
Did Not Finish
July 11, 2026Not feeling this arc, immediately too complicated and I also got the ick from her dedication
Did Not Finish
April 2, 2026DNF at 28% (Read through Chapter 10 of the eARC)
I didn’t really connect with the writing style; the narrator speaks directly to “you” the reader, which isn’t my cup of tea.
I wasn’t a big fan of the world either, as it combines our world with the afterlife. The concept is really cool, but I never felt grounded in the world, or like I could envision the world with the minimum descriptions that were given.
The magic system had the potential to be cool as well, but it was confusing. I don’t mind when a book has a glossary/table in the front to explain the magic system; however, I still expect that the magic system will be clear and easy enough to follow in the actual story. Here, there were so many details to this magic system that I found it to be overwhelming and too convoluted for my personal tastes. (Which is a shame, because stealing magic from the afterlife to bring to the mundane world is such an intriguing concept.)
Lastly, I found the characters to be just okay. I liked the diversity of the cast (for example, there’s a character who uses they/them pronounces, and another character with a prosthetic hand). But they didn’t really jump off the page to me. Especially when Elle (our POV protagonist) was gathering her crew together; I didn’t feel like there was much pushback, even with the conversation they had about how dangerous the mission would be. They all agreed to help her pretty easily at the end of the day.
Elle herself was probably the best character of the bunch—I love a con artist character, especially as a protagonist! But even she didn’t do enough to hold my interest. [And I think a big reason why is that the story is told in first-person POV, but the author has Elle withhold information from the reader. This doesn't really work because the reader is literally in her head, and thus should know what she is doing in the moment. If this book was told in third person, it would have worked better.]
I’m a sucker for a good heist story, so I am so bummed that this story didn’t work for me. It seems I’m in the minority, however, so I suggest readers give this book a chance if it interests them!
NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING:
I didn’t really connect with the writing style; the narrator speaks directly to “you” the reader, which isn’t my cup of tea.
I wasn’t a big fan of the world either, as it combines our world with the afterlife. The concept is really cool, but I never felt grounded in the world, or like I could envision the world with the minimum descriptions that were given.
The magic system had the potential to be cool as well, but it was confusing. I don’t mind when a book has a glossary/table in the front to explain the magic system; however, I still expect that the magic system will be clear and easy enough to follow in the actual story. Here, there were so many details to this magic system that I found it to be overwhelming and too convoluted for my personal tastes. (Which is a shame, because stealing magic from the afterlife to bring to the mundane world is such an intriguing concept.)
Lastly, I found the characters to be just okay. I liked the diversity of the cast (for example, there’s a character who uses they/them pronounces, and another character with a prosthetic hand). But they didn’t really jump off the page to me. Especially when Elle (our POV protagonist) was gathering her crew together; I didn’t feel like there was much pushback, even with the conversation they had about how dangerous the mission would be. They all agreed to help her pretty easily at the end of the day.
Elle herself was probably the best character of the bunch—I love a con artist character, especially as a protagonist! But even she didn’t do enough to hold my interest. [And I think a big reason why is that the story is told in first-person POV, but the author has Elle withhold information from the reader. This doesn't really work because the reader is literally in her head, and thus should know what she is doing in the moment. If this book was told in third person, it would have worked better.]
I’m a sucker for a good heist story, so I am so bummed that this story didn’t work for me. It seems I’m in the minority, however, so I suggest readers give this book a chance if it interests them!
NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING:
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Hell to Pay" by Lora Beth Johnson is an entertaining YA fantasy set in contemporary Boston that follows a teenage con artist and a ragtag crew you can’t help but root for. It checked many of my favorite boxes: heists, quests, magic, and a familiar.
Elle Fields was once part of a successful crew of con artists who specialized in breaking into the Afterlife. Each visit grants the visitor a bit of magic, but Elle is the only one in the gang who never gained any. After her parents mysteriously disappeared and her brother died, the crew fell apart, leaving her with only her undead crow for company. Desperate to find a way to bring her brother back, Elle jumps at the chance when a wealthy client offers her a job stealing a soul from the Afterlife. Reuniting her old crew, she sets out on a dangerous heist filled with demons, syndicates, and other threats. The odds are stacked against them, and if they fail, there’ll be hell to pay...
The book is packed with humor, banter, and eccentric characters one can’t help but like. The story is told in first person from Elle’s POV, with moments where she addresses the reader directly. I loved the writing style, Elle’s internal monologue, and her breaking of the fourth wall to share her thoughts and information with us. She is something of an unreliable narrator, so we never quite know what is coming next or what is in store. The twists come fast and furious, believe me.
The book is loosely inspired by Greek mythology, and I loved the winks to it. The world-building is as intriguing as its inhabitants, with its syndicates, magic system, and various magical abilities. I enjoyed the concept of afterlife tourism, the vivid descriptions of the Afterlife, and the quests. Some of them had me holding my breath as the crew navigated increasingly dangerous obstacles and opponents. And there are demons, too! I also liked the gentle romance subplot, which didn’t overshadow the tale.
The book explores themes of love, grief, responsibility, trust, risk-taking, perseverance, and found family, as well as the dangers of power. I loved Elle’s spirit and her ability to improvise and think on her feet. Yes, she has flaws; she is stubborn, selfish, and impulsive at times, but that made her feel human. The ragtag crew contains a diverse and colorful cast of characters, including CJ, Tolliver, Poppy, and Ezra, each with their own magical abilities. I also appreciated the inclusion of a nonbinary character. The crow familiar steals the show, providing much-needed comic relief between darker moments with her tendency to arrive late, her parts falling apart, and her many quirks.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. The characters, humor, inventive world-building, thrilling heists, and memorable crow familiar made for an engaging and fun read. I did find it a bit confusing at first, with all the groups and syndicates, which kept it from being a full five-star read for me. There is no cliffhanger, which I greatly appreciated. The author tied up most loose ends while leaving a few dangling to set up what feels like the next book. I would love to read more stories in this world. This book would suit fantasy lovers who enjoy quests, magical heists, found-family stories, and high-stakes adventures.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* The revie on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...
Elle Fields was once part of a successful crew of con artists who specialized in breaking into the Afterlife. Each visit grants the visitor a bit of magic, but Elle is the only one in the gang who never gained any. After her parents mysteriously disappeared and her brother died, the crew fell apart, leaving her with only her undead crow for company. Desperate to find a way to bring her brother back, Elle jumps at the chance when a wealthy client offers her a job stealing a soul from the Afterlife. Reuniting her old crew, she sets out on a dangerous heist filled with demons, syndicates, and other threats. The odds are stacked against them, and if they fail, there’ll be hell to pay...
The book is packed with humor, banter, and eccentric characters one can’t help but like. The story is told in first person from Elle’s POV, with moments where she addresses the reader directly. I loved the writing style, Elle’s internal monologue, and her breaking of the fourth wall to share her thoughts and information with us. She is something of an unreliable narrator, so we never quite know what is coming next or what is in store. The twists come fast and furious, believe me.
The book is loosely inspired by Greek mythology, and I loved the winks to it. The world-building is as intriguing as its inhabitants, with its syndicates, magic system, and various magical abilities. I enjoyed the concept of afterlife tourism, the vivid descriptions of the Afterlife, and the quests. Some of them had me holding my breath as the crew navigated increasingly dangerous obstacles and opponents. And there are demons, too! I also liked the gentle romance subplot, which didn’t overshadow the tale.
The book explores themes of love, grief, responsibility, trust, risk-taking, perseverance, and found family, as well as the dangers of power. I loved Elle’s spirit and her ability to improvise and think on her feet. Yes, she has flaws; she is stubborn, selfish, and impulsive at times, but that made her feel human. The ragtag crew contains a diverse and colorful cast of characters, including CJ, Tolliver, Poppy, and Ezra, each with their own magical abilities. I also appreciated the inclusion of a nonbinary character. The crow familiar steals the show, providing much-needed comic relief between darker moments with her tendency to arrive late, her parts falling apart, and her many quirks.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. The characters, humor, inventive world-building, thrilling heists, and memorable crow familiar made for an engaging and fun read. I did find it a bit confusing at first, with all the groups and syndicates, which kept it from being a full five-star read for me. There is no cliffhanger, which I greatly appreciated. The author tied up most loose ends while leaving a few dangling to set up what feels like the next book. I would love to read more stories in this world. This book would suit fantasy lovers who enjoy quests, magical heists, found-family stories, and high-stakes adventures.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* The revie on my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2026...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.75 stars ⭐
Hell To Pay revolves around a ragtag group of con artists about to pull off the greatest mission of all: bringing someone back to life.
Color me hooked with that premise, but if you're going to compare a book to Six of Crows you gotta live up to the high standards of what that book created. Otherwise, that pedestal's not something you should be reaching for.
Before I go into my long rant, I'll spit out the good stuff first. The book is easily digestible with its fast pace, banter-y parts, and nods to Greek mythology, which I wish were more developed. I loved the syndicates and the magic stuff involved, I just hoped it was explained more properly and that the world felt more solid instead of details being thrown at the reader with little to no explanation. I think I could've enjoyed the book more if there had been more time to explain stuff and digest it.
HTP is an okay book by itself, but with that book comp, I had such high expectations which were barely met. It's been a while since I read SoC but I still remember its gripping narrative and unforgettable characters like Kaz Brekker and his crew. HTP has little of either. The majority of the heist/mission felt too easy and almost straightforward. Elle bringing her crew back together happened a little too smoothly. Like what do you mean she didn't have to explain herself/apologize and you're immediately in for the job? I get that most of them somehow felt a little sorry for Elle for losing her brother but come on, they just let her off the hook too easy. She's also very brash and reckless for someone who's supposed to be the leader; she keeps self-sacrificing (and being selfish at the same time, wow) and for no good reason. I admit, she has a unique character voice, but still she sounds like a teenager trying too hard to sound serious but is not. I guess she's supposed to be like the main character from Ocean's 8 so I can't comment much on that (I'm familiar with Ocean's Eight and the heist comedy aspect of it but haven't totally watched it, soooo).
There's also the matter of the narrator/Elle dropping crucial info only after stuff has already happened AKA "Hey, wanna know something cool? I totally didn't tell you [insert important info] on purpose because I wanted to surprise you". But you know what? It's more irritating than actually surprising. I can see how the intentional unreliability of the narrator makes the story pop, but it lost it charm after a few times of seeing the pattern.
The characters are pretty forgettable, despite being so diverse and different on paper. Elle doesn't have any meaningful interactions with any of them individually, or with the crew as a whole (except when scheming), which makes it hard for me to connect with any of them. Most of the time they're just there...
And the open-ended ending was too open-ended for me personally. It almost hinted at a sequel or probably a spin-off.
Hell To Pay is a nice heist romp if you're looking for something to read without having to think too much of anything. It's fun to go through but I'd rather reread SoC if I want the best heist book experience.
Hell To Pay revolves around a ragtag group of con artists about to pull off the greatest mission of all: bringing someone back to life.
Color me hooked with that premise, but if you're going to compare a book to Six of Crows you gotta live up to the high standards of what that book created. Otherwise, that pedestal's not something you should be reaching for.
Before I go into my long rant, I'll spit out the good stuff first. The book is easily digestible with its fast pace, banter-y parts, and nods to Greek mythology, which I wish were more developed. I loved the syndicates and the magic stuff involved, I just hoped it was explained more properly and that the world felt more solid instead of details being thrown at the reader with little to no explanation. I think I could've enjoyed the book more if there had been more time to explain stuff and digest it.
HTP is an okay book by itself, but with that book comp, I had such high expectations which were barely met. It's been a while since I read SoC but I still remember its gripping narrative and unforgettable characters like Kaz Brekker and his crew. HTP has little of either. The majority of the heist/mission felt too easy and almost straightforward. Elle bringing her crew back together happened a little too smoothly. Like what do you mean she didn't have to explain herself/apologize and you're immediately in for the job? I get that most of them somehow felt a little sorry for Elle for losing her brother but come on, they just let her off the hook too easy. She's also very brash and reckless for someone who's supposed to be the leader; she keeps self-sacrificing (and being selfish at the same time, wow) and for no good reason. I admit, she has a unique character voice, but still she sounds like a teenager trying too hard to sound serious but is not. I guess she's supposed to be like the main character from Ocean's 8 so I can't comment much on that (I'm familiar with Ocean's Eight and the heist comedy aspect of it but haven't totally watched it, soooo).
There's also the matter of the narrator/Elle dropping crucial info only after stuff has already happened AKA "Hey, wanna know something cool? I totally didn't tell you [insert important info] on purpose because I wanted to surprise you". But you know what? It's more irritating than actually surprising. I can see how the intentional unreliability of the narrator makes the story pop, but it lost it charm after a few times of seeing the pattern.
The characters are pretty forgettable, despite being so diverse and different on paper. Elle doesn't have any meaningful interactions with any of them individually, or with the crew as a whole (except when scheming), which makes it hard for me to connect with any of them. Most of the time they're just there...
And the open-ended ending was too open-ended for me personally. It almost hinted at a sequel or probably a spin-off.
Hell To Pay is a nice heist romp if you're looking for something to read without having to think too much of anything. It's fun to go through but I'd rather reread SoC if I want the best heist book experience.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Did a crow on the stunning cover pull me in to request this book? Yes. Yes, it did!
I absolutely love the cover, and thankfully it turned out to be a book I was interested in since I didn’t read much of the description beforehand!
While I received the eARC from GP Putnam for Young Readers through NetGalley a while ago, by the time I was available to read it the audiobook had become available through the PRH Audio Influencer Program. I was thrilled to be able to do an immersion read, especially for this one, as it helped me keep all of the fantasy elements straight.
I’ve never seen the Oceans movies or read Six of Crows, so I don’t have the ability to compare them, but I do enjoy a good heist story, especially one led by teenagers, so this was right up my alley. Overall, I enjoyed the fast-paced adventure this quirky group takes readers on.
One benefit of the audiobook, which unlike the eARC was a finished copy, is that I got to experience the version that was actually being published—and in this case, it made a difference. Several things I would have nitpicked in the eARC had been addressed and appropriately fixed. I mention this because I read some of the more negative reviews criticizing aspects that simply shouldn’t be judged in an uncorrected draft, but I digress.
I found the book to be well balanced for its intended audience: teens. The diversity of the characters and their interactions was fun, while also touching on real-world issues young people face without becoming too heavy-handed.
Because of the format and the unreliable narrator—which is established from the beginning—I wasn’t trying to solve the mystery or predict every twist. While there weren’t any earth-shattering reveals, I still had a great time following all of the twists and turns along the way.
I will mention that the book seemed to try a little too hard to feel modern by referencing things like TikTok and similar pop culture. It came across as a bit contrived, and that approach, along with a few other literary choices, was neat the first couple of times but eventually became repetitive. By the end, I nearly strained my eyes from rolling them so often.
Lastly, the narrator, Joanna Carpenter? Fabulous job! She sounded great and was consistently strong throughout. She doesn’t do a lot of distinct character voices, but instead makes subtle shifts in tone that clearly indicate who’s speaking. It’s definitely a different style of narration, but I appreciated that far more than someone attempting a dozen unique voices they couldn’t sustain. As for the production itself, PRH Audio delivered another crisp, clean recording that made for an enjoyable reading experience.
Despite a few things that made me roll my eyes, I genuinely had a fun time with this one and would happily read another adventure with this group, which, based on the way things ended, seems like a real possibility. If you’re looking for a fast-paced YA fantasy heist with a lovable cast, plenty of adventure, and an unreliable narrator to keep you guessing, this one is definitely worth checking out.
I absolutely love the cover, and thankfully it turned out to be a book I was interested in since I didn’t read much of the description beforehand!
While I received the eARC from GP Putnam for Young Readers through NetGalley a while ago, by the time I was available to read it the audiobook had become available through the PRH Audio Influencer Program. I was thrilled to be able to do an immersion read, especially for this one, as it helped me keep all of the fantasy elements straight.
I’ve never seen the Oceans movies or read Six of Crows, so I don’t have the ability to compare them, but I do enjoy a good heist story, especially one led by teenagers, so this was right up my alley. Overall, I enjoyed the fast-paced adventure this quirky group takes readers on.
One benefit of the audiobook, which unlike the eARC was a finished copy, is that I got to experience the version that was actually being published—and in this case, it made a difference. Several things I would have nitpicked in the eARC had been addressed and appropriately fixed. I mention this because I read some of the more negative reviews criticizing aspects that simply shouldn’t be judged in an uncorrected draft, but I digress.
I found the book to be well balanced for its intended audience: teens. The diversity of the characters and their interactions was fun, while also touching on real-world issues young people face without becoming too heavy-handed.
Because of the format and the unreliable narrator—which is established from the beginning—I wasn’t trying to solve the mystery or predict every twist. While there weren’t any earth-shattering reveals, I still had a great time following all of the twists and turns along the way.
I will mention that the book seemed to try a little too hard to feel modern by referencing things like TikTok and similar pop culture. It came across as a bit contrived, and that approach, along with a few other literary choices, was neat the first couple of times but eventually became repetitive. By the end, I nearly strained my eyes from rolling them so often.
Lastly, the narrator, Joanna Carpenter? Fabulous job! She sounded great and was consistently strong throughout. She doesn’t do a lot of distinct character voices, but instead makes subtle shifts in tone that clearly indicate who’s speaking. It’s definitely a different style of narration, but I appreciated that far more than someone attempting a dozen unique voices they couldn’t sustain. As for the production itself, PRH Audio delivered another crisp, clean recording that made for an enjoyable reading experience.
Despite a few things that made me roll my eyes, I genuinely had a fun time with this one and would happily read another adventure with this group, which, based on the way things ended, seems like a real possibility. If you’re looking for a fast-paced YA fantasy heist with a lovable cast, plenty of adventure, and an unreliable narrator to keep you guessing, this one is definitely worth checking out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I should probably start by saying: if the first sentence of the blurb is Oceans Eight meets Six of Crows, you're setting the bar very, very high and it will either go great or backfire. One is a movie with some very well known actors and artists, the other is a book that's adored by many. As I already said, the bar has been set very, very high for this one... and it didn't live up to it's expectations, at least for me.
I liked the humor, for most parts (especially the moments that felt like breaking the fourth wall), because there were some that didn't hit for me, at all. That might be because I'm not really a fan of constantly throwing modern world references in fantasy books, as for most of the time it seems to just pull me out of the story and it happened a few times here.
The plot felt like it was all over the place for me, especially the ending. It felt rushed and suddenly we got dumped all the missing info on us and it felt overwhelming, which greatly reduced the "wow" efect and/or any impact it should have had. I should probably mention that one thing that I did find really, really annoying: there were moments when Elle didn't mention something and then suddenly went like "so I didn't tell you about that before, but it happened". It might work in movies, sometimes with books too, but here? Not really, especially not done like that.
Another thing: Dante. Most of the plot, if not all of it seemed to be focused on bringing him back, but honestly, for most part I feel like we didn't really focus on that. We mentioned him from time to time, but I don't think it was enough, especially since there were moments where I forgot he even existed (until we mentioned him again).
Speaking about the characters, I don't feel like we focused on them enough either. I finished the book and honestly, I couldn't really tell much about them, because I feel like we barely get to know them. We had a whole crew of people, but most of them felt like they were the same person and if someone did stand out, they turned out flat. I wish we gotten more parts where they just interacted, talked with each other and we had an opportunity to get to know them, which in a heist themed book should probably be crucial.
Lastly, the heist itself. It felt... bland? I'm sure that I was supposed to be experiencing some emotions, probably feel the tension of the heist, I should have been rooting for the characters, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to. Why? I think the major thing was: it felt too easy. There were almost no problems along the way, it didn't at all feel like they were in any danger/had time limit. We simply went from point A to point B, did what there was to do and onto the next thing. Probably the best comparison I can think of is: imagine you're reading a walkthrough of a mission.
I should probably start by saying: if the first sentence of the blurb is Oceans Eight meets Six of Crows, you're setting the bar very, very high and it will either go great or backfire. One is a movie with some very well known actors and artists, the other is a book that's adored by many. As I already said, the bar has been set very, very high for this one... and it didn't live up to it's expectations, at least for me.
I liked the humor, for most parts (especially the moments that felt like breaking the fourth wall), because there were some that didn't hit for me, at all. That might be because I'm not really a fan of constantly throwing modern world references in fantasy books, as for most of the time it seems to just pull me out of the story and it happened a few times here.
The plot felt like it was all over the place for me, especially the ending. It felt rushed and suddenly we got dumped all the missing info on us and it felt overwhelming, which greatly reduced the "wow" efect and/or any impact it should have had. I should probably mention that one thing that I did find really, really annoying: there were moments when Elle didn't mention something and then suddenly went like "so I didn't tell you about that before, but it happened". It might work in movies, sometimes with books too, but here? Not really, especially not done like that.
Another thing: Dante. Most of the plot, if not all of it seemed to be focused on bringing him back, but honestly, for most part I feel like we didn't really focus on that. We mentioned him from time to time, but I don't think it was enough, especially since there were moments where I forgot he even existed (until we mentioned him again).
Speaking about the characters, I don't feel like we focused on them enough either. I finished the book and honestly, I couldn't really tell much about them, because I feel like we barely get to know them. We had a whole crew of people, but most of them felt like they were the same person and if someone did stand out, they turned out flat. I wish we gotten more parts where they just interacted, talked with each other and we had an opportunity to get to know them, which in a heist themed book should probably be crucial.
Lastly, the heist itself. It felt... bland? I'm sure that I was supposed to be experiencing some emotions, probably feel the tension of the heist, I should have been rooting for the characters, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to. Why? I think the major thing was: it felt too easy. There were almost no problems along the way, it didn't at all feel like they were in any danger/had time limit. We simply went from point A to point B, did what there was to do and onto the next thing. Probably the best comparison I can think of is: imagine you're reading a walkthrough of a mission.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Netgalley review, possible plot points mentioned below (SPOILERS ARE POSSIBLE BELOW, you have been warned)
Hell to Pay is a book you have to stick with in order for it to somewhat get better. This is another book where I think the plot is very interesting but the execution isn't quite right.
What I think took me the most out of this story was the constant brand names, celebrities, tiktok dances, YouTube, etc being brought up. Nothing screams fantasy like learning how to fight on YouTube and saying tiktok slang... I don't know what it is about recent books having so much of this shoved into them but I am just not a fan at all. It makes me rate books so much lower.
This book is also written like the author was trying to be so edgy so hard and instead it made the character really cringey at times. I think what annoyed me often was everytime she described the outfit she was wearing.
I feel like I have so much to say about this book but I'm going to condense it as much as possible but I'll probably forget half the thoughts I had while reading
1. The house burning part was actually ridiculous, my childhood home is burning because I caught it on fire because I was being dumb but whatever that doesn't matter ... Girl be for real if ur gonna keep mentioning the fire then put it the fuck out why let it engulf the whole house
2. Most of the characters didn't feel like we got enough of them to really care about any of them. They felt flat in a way. Never felt shocked or distraught if they did something bad towards another. The only character I had any real care for was Cj and sometimes Rook. Never cared at all about Dante because he just never really mattered, was talked about so vaguely he almost didn't exist to the plot other than needing a reason to go to the afterlife.
3. The heist was more interesting, we got to see more of the magic at use and the plot in general got better at this point
4. The world overall is a bit confusing and flat. I do however really like the idea of the afterlife and being able to go between them. Especially the money aspect, there's something to say when you are too poor to be dead (costing money to tour the afterlife). It's insane but in reality we would monetize dying more than we already do given the chance.
5. The ending is a bit rushed. While I didn't expect the endings full outcome, Rook was never apart of the group truly and Elle kept making jabs at him but never let the reading in on any of it which was mildly annoying, so it's not too unexpected.
I thank the authors and netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book.
Hell to Pay is a book you have to stick with in order for it to somewhat get better. This is another book where I think the plot is very interesting but the execution isn't quite right.
What I think took me the most out of this story was the constant brand names, celebrities, tiktok dances, YouTube, etc being brought up. Nothing screams fantasy like learning how to fight on YouTube and saying tiktok slang... I don't know what it is about recent books having so much of this shoved into them but I am just not a fan at all. It makes me rate books so much lower.
This book is also written like the author was trying to be so edgy so hard and instead it made the character really cringey at times. I think what annoyed me often was everytime she described the outfit she was wearing.
I feel like I have so much to say about this book but I'm going to condense it as much as possible but I'll probably forget half the thoughts I had while reading
1. The house burning part was actually ridiculous, my childhood home is burning because I caught it on fire because I was being dumb but whatever that doesn't matter ... Girl be for real if ur gonna keep mentioning the fire then put it the fuck out why let it engulf the whole house
2. Most of the characters didn't feel like we got enough of them to really care about any of them. They felt flat in a way. Never felt shocked or distraught if they did something bad towards another. The only character I had any real care for was Cj and sometimes Rook. Never cared at all about Dante because he just never really mattered, was talked about so vaguely he almost didn't exist to the plot other than needing a reason to go to the afterlife.
3. The heist was more interesting, we got to see more of the magic at use and the plot in general got better at this point
4. The world overall is a bit confusing and flat. I do however really like the idea of the afterlife and being able to go between them. Especially the money aspect, there's something to say when you are too poor to be dead (costing money to tour the afterlife). It's insane but in reality we would monetize dying more than we already do given the chance.
5. The ending is a bit rushed. While I didn't expect the endings full outcome, Rook was never apart of the group truly and Elle kept making jabs at him but never let the reading in on any of it which was mildly annoying, so it's not too unexpected.
I thank the authors and netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book.
April 23, 2026
Summary:
After the sudden loss of her brother Dante, Elle Fields plans the most complicated heist in all history — to steal a soul from the afterlife. First things first, she must gather up her crew that drifted after Dante’s death, and convince them that this crazy plan is possible by piggy backing this plan with funding from their latest gig. Easy peasy.
Review:
This book sounded like pure fun when I read the summary, and boy did it deliver. Hell to Pay is a fast paced, young adult novel that reads well for older audiences, incorporating wit and world building. Elle is a very relatable, chaotic good character. She was a wonderfully honest character who’d cross any line for her crew, which is her found family. I enjoyed her internal dialogue immensely because she was so down to earth considering the crazy circumstances she kept finding herself in, like fighting literal demons.
Unlike many books I’ve read, the side characters in Hell to Pay felt just as fleshed out and developed as the main cast. I loved that I could understand the goals of Poppy, CJ, Trolliver, Ezra, and Ross. They all had enough backstory and “screen time" to feel invested in each of them. This made each plot twist have far more catharsis, and this book had several I did not see coming! I loved each unexpected twist and turn, and I genuinely felt like I was one of the marks for a con while reading.
The romance in this book is low spice, but realistic and tasteful. It was awkward, adorable, and implied more than anything. I enjoy low spice in my books because it allows for pure plot and character growth. Romance doesn’t substitute for development in this novel, and I find that so refreshing in fantasy.
The other fun element of this novel which was the main draw for me was the loose Greek mythology weaved in. The world is divided into different clans based on which god/goddess/titan one pledges alliance to. One's alliance also depends on the magical abilities they gain from the afterlife. The magic system in this novel was fascinating, different, and easy to understand. I like that Alive characters could step into the afterlife and come back imbued with ancient powers. It just was such a cool concept and it was executed well.
I hope there is a sequel. The ending of this book makes me crave one. I need to know what is next for changed Elle and her rambunctious crew members! Thank you so much for providing me an early copy of Hell to Pay in exchange for an honest review. I have this book 4 out of 5 stars.
After the sudden loss of her brother Dante, Elle Fields plans the most complicated heist in all history — to steal a soul from the afterlife. First things first, she must gather up her crew that drifted after Dante’s death, and convince them that this crazy plan is possible by piggy backing this plan with funding from their latest gig. Easy peasy.
Review:
This book sounded like pure fun when I read the summary, and boy did it deliver. Hell to Pay is a fast paced, young adult novel that reads well for older audiences, incorporating wit and world building. Elle is a very relatable, chaotic good character. She was a wonderfully honest character who’d cross any line for her crew, which is her found family. I enjoyed her internal dialogue immensely because she was so down to earth considering the crazy circumstances she kept finding herself in, like fighting literal demons.
Unlike many books I’ve read, the side characters in Hell to Pay felt just as fleshed out and developed as the main cast. I loved that I could understand the goals of Poppy, CJ, Trolliver, Ezra, and Ross. They all had enough backstory and “screen time" to feel invested in each of them. This made each plot twist have far more catharsis, and this book had several I did not see coming! I loved each unexpected twist and turn, and I genuinely felt like I was one of the marks for a con while reading.
The romance in this book is low spice, but realistic and tasteful. It was awkward, adorable, and implied more than anything. I enjoy low spice in my books because it allows for pure plot and character growth. Romance doesn’t substitute for development in this novel, and I find that so refreshing in fantasy.
The other fun element of this novel which was the main draw for me was the loose Greek mythology weaved in. The world is divided into different clans based on which god/goddess/titan one pledges alliance to. One's alliance also depends on the magical abilities they gain from the afterlife. The magic system in this novel was fascinating, different, and easy to understand. I like that Alive characters could step into the afterlife and come back imbued with ancient powers. It just was such a cool concept and it was executed well.
I hope there is a sequel. The ending of this book makes me crave one. I need to know what is next for changed Elle and her rambunctious crew members! Thank you so much for providing me an early copy of Hell to Pay in exchange for an honest review. I have this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I always have very high expectations going in to a heist novel, and this YA novel managed to pretty much pull it all off! It has a very Leverage-esque feel to it, in that there are a ton of moving parts, steps to a con, twists, flashbacks with more clarity, and a whole host of slippery characters while mixed together with some Greek Underworld mythology.
The worldbuilding of this novel was very strong and interesting, with techniques of going into the Afterlife and breaking into Tartarus a little bit like dreamwalking in Inception but with even more deadly consequences. I loved the fact that all of this was run by a bunch of mob-like families, although I have to admit that it's strange to me that all the Greek Underworld gods are actually people who have repeatedly gone into the Underworld a ton of times but there's no mention of any other Greek gods.
A heist novel is nothing without its crew, and there's a pretty good bunch here: CJ, stoic scion who walked away from their crime family, Poppy, charmer and big sister, Tolliver, geeky but stolid chemist, Ezra, the new thief, Crowlene the best undead crow familiar, and of course our main character Elle--chaotic, brilliant, and impulsive, she drives the novel and plot forward (and careens it off the rails several times seemingly, only to come in clutch at the end). But even with her off-beat chaos, you always believe that she desperately wants to bring her brother back, and that love and obsession is the driving theme of this novel.
This novel ends on a bit of a sequel hook, and I look forward to seeing what else this crew will do!
I always have very high expectations going in to a heist novel, and this YA novel managed to pretty much pull it all off! It has a very Leverage-esque feel to it, in that there are a ton of moving parts, steps to a con, twists, flashbacks with more clarity, and a whole host of slippery characters while mixed together with some Greek Underworld mythology.
The worldbuilding of this novel was very strong and interesting, with techniques of going into the Afterlife and breaking into Tartarus a little bit like dreamwalking in Inception but with even more deadly consequences. I loved the fact that all of this was run by a bunch of mob-like families, although I have to admit that it's strange to me that all the Greek Underworld gods are actually people who have repeatedly gone into the Underworld a ton of times but there's no mention of any other Greek gods.
A heist novel is nothing without its crew, and there's a pretty good bunch here: CJ, stoic scion who walked away from their crime family, Poppy, charmer and big sister, Tolliver, geeky but stolid chemist, Ezra, the new thief, Crowlene the best undead crow familiar, and of course our main character Elle--chaotic, brilliant, and impulsive, she drives the novel and plot forward (and careens it off the rails several times seemingly, only to come in clutch at the end). But even with her off-beat chaos, you always believe that she desperately wants to bring her brother back, and that love and obsession is the driving theme of this novel.
This novel ends on a bit of a sequel hook, and I look forward to seeing what else this crew will do!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While the premise is unique with Afterlife heists and conning magically-gifted syndicate families, the story itself has some recurring ups-and-downs on repeat.
First of all, I enjoyed all the different characters. Vibrant, witty, and emotional, they steal the show in terms of what carried me through the book. How each one is an important and careful piece of the puzzle to establish a successful heist (or con or con-heist) was wonderfully implemented. Also, Crowlene is my favorite despite being so-so dependent on best (she has a mind of her own).
The story itself is framed from the main character's perspective, and it's written as though she is explaining the story to you in terms of what happened, what she was thinking, etc. Think kind of like Ocean's Eight, in a way, when the explanation of the heist occurs. However, what was fine the first time became a boring staple. There are many, many instances where the main character becomes an unreliable narrator and only reveals important pieces of information after ending on a previous chapter's shocking event. It became annoying after the pattern started to emerge, and near the end it became less entertaining and more of a bait-and-switch.
Overall, a fun read for the heists and Greek mythology-based syndicate families, but be aware of certain tropes coupled with an unreliable narrator controlling how the story is told.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Lora Beth Johnson, and the publisher Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for allowing me an eARC to read and review.
First of all, I enjoyed all the different characters. Vibrant, witty, and emotional, they steal the show in terms of what carried me through the book. How each one is an important and careful piece of the puzzle to establish a successful heist (or con or con-heist) was wonderfully implemented. Also, Crowlene is my favorite despite being so-so dependent on best (she has a mind of her own).
The story itself is framed from the main character's perspective, and it's written as though she is explaining the story to you in terms of what happened, what she was thinking, etc. Think kind of like Ocean's Eight, in a way, when the explanation of the heist occurs. However, what was fine the first time became a boring staple. There are many, many instances where the main character becomes an unreliable narrator and only reveals important pieces of information after ending on a previous chapter's shocking event. It became annoying after the pattern started to emerge, and near the end it became less entertaining and more of a bait-and-switch.
Overall, a fun read for the heists and Greek mythology-based syndicate families, but be aware of certain tropes coupled with an unreliable narrator controlling how the story is told.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Lora Beth Johnson, and the publisher Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for allowing me an eARC to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Lora Beth Johnson for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
In HELL TO PAY, it's up to a ragtag group of teens, who specialise in Afterlife-based heists, to pull off the heist of the millennia: bring someone back from the dead. With Elle Fields's unreliable and snarky narration, she is both the protagonist and the comic relief, and her interactions with her crew are the essence of the story. Elle is smart, a master at conning people, so it doesn't come as a surprise that she cons the reader, too. She gives us only some of the information at any given time, which makes for a fun and dynamic read.
It is fast-paced, witty, and intelligent, with each of the crew members having their own personalities and mini character arcs, and I would love to see more of them. Elle and Rook's relationship was well done, though her interactions with Tolliver felt strained and I found myself struggling to believe in what they were supposed to have. The novel would have benefited from spending more time in the world, grounding the reader with a little more description and immersion, but that doesn't detract from how naturally fun it was.
Another highlight is the magic system, which has so much more to explore and build within. As the ending leaves the option for a sequel, with many threads still to be tied, I hope the system could be explored in more depth there. I'd be looking forward to reading more of these characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fun read overall!
I was immediately drawn to this story once I heard what it was about: a mission to steal a soul from the afterlife and resurrect it? Yes please!
I always love a good heist story, so I was really excited about this one. I also love necromancy and stories that explore death, so this book really was right up my alley.
I’m also a big fan of con artist characters, so Elle Fields was a great character to follow around. She definitely had many tricks up her sleeves, both for the other characters in the book and for the readers, which was fun.
While I liked the ragtag crew as a whole, and liked what we learned about them as the story went alone, I wish we had gotten some chapters from other character’s POVs (as the story is told from Elle’s POV). They all had interesting backgrounds and roles in the mission, so I would’ve loved to see their perspective on things. I also think it would’ve made some of Elle’s cons hit a bit harder, if we got to see how those around her react in real time.
Some of the world building was a bit confusing to me, just in terms of trying to keep all the different magical families and powers straight in my mind. But it was interesting that this story combined the fantastical with the real world as we know it.
Thank you so much to Penguin and NetGalley for letting me read the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a really fun story. It pulled you in and made you a co-conspirator to the heist that is being planned by a crew of con artists that cross to the Afterlife for a living. The world is very intriguing, mafia style families and lineage based on Greek Mythological figures that attained magic from entering the Afterlife repeatedly. I thought that conceptually, it was very different and really kept your interest. The characters in the crew were very diverse and had distinct personalities that melded well together. Crowlene is an absolute gem, one of the best animal companions ever, hands down. The way that she keeps falling apart and people just casually assist in putting her pieces back where they should be had me cracking up.
The plot was solid. I really enjoyed the "explanation of a heist" format, where what should happen is laid out ... because you know that it never goes the way things are planned - and in anticipating that it heightened the experience of watching the characters pivot and encounter things they didn't expect. Overall, it was a really enjoyable, fast-paced tale.
The plot was solid. I really enjoyed the "explanation of a heist" format, where what should happen is laid out ... because you know that it never goes the way things are planned - and in anticipating that it heightened the experience of watching the characters pivot and encounter things they didn't expect. Overall, it was a really enjoyable, fast-paced tale.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3 1/2!
When I saw that Six of Crows was one of its comps, I knew I had to read it!! The premise sounded really interesting, but some aspects were a let down. Before I go into anything I wanted to say that the crow on the cover is mentioned a handful of times and her name is Crowlene!✨🐦⬛
I’ll start with the positives since I enjoyed most of it!! Besides being comped with SOC, Ocean’s 11, and The Good Place, it also gave me some serious Percy Jackson vibes too! In this case the gods run syndicates and are involved with things like fashion houses, the government, etc.! The world building was interesting too! I loved the FMC, Elle, and her personality! Sure there were some mistakes made but I like reading books with characters who aren’t 100% perfect!! There were a few times where I wish I could’ve given her a hug 🥲 A lot that’s driving the narrative happened before the story started and I felt like the periodic grief running through story was written well!
Found family is one of my favorite tropes and I liked reading about the other characters! Lots of silly group moments! However, I felt like I couldn’t really connect to them. They were interesting but kind of fell flat. I wish the author went a little deeper with the rest of the characters like Elle! There were also different romance subplots but I couldn’t get fully invested because of the above. It was cute and eh lol The heists and side quests were fun! However, one of the main plot points near the end felt very anticlimactic and the ending was good but it just didn’t hit. I felt like there were a lot of loose ends but I wouldn’t be opposed to reading a sequel!
There’s seriousness in it too, but I definitely recommend if you’re looking for a fun book to read and don’t mind it potentially not being 5 stars!
Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC!
When I saw that Six of Crows was one of its comps, I knew I had to read it!! The premise sounded really interesting, but some aspects were a let down. Before I go into anything I wanted to say that the crow on the cover is mentioned a handful of times and her name is Crowlene!✨🐦⬛
I’ll start with the positives since I enjoyed most of it!! Besides being comped with SOC, Ocean’s 11, and The Good Place, it also gave me some serious Percy Jackson vibes too! In this case the gods run syndicates and are involved with things like fashion houses, the government, etc.! The world building was interesting too! I loved the FMC, Elle, and her personality! Sure there were some mistakes made but I like reading books with characters who aren’t 100% perfect!! There were a few times where I wish I could’ve given her a hug 🥲 A lot that’s driving the narrative happened before the story started and I felt like the periodic grief running through story was written well!
Found family is one of my favorite tropes and I liked reading about the other characters! Lots of silly group moments! However, I felt like I couldn’t really connect to them. They were interesting but kind of fell flat. I wish the author went a little deeper with the rest of the characters like Elle! There were also different romance subplots but I couldn’t get fully invested because of the above. It was cute and eh lol The heists and side quests were fun! However, one of the main plot points near the end felt very anticlimactic and the ending was good but it just didn’t hit. I felt like there were a lot of loose ends but I wouldn’t be opposed to reading a sequel!
There’s seriousness in it too, but I definitely recommend if you’re looking for a fun book to read and don’t mind it potentially not being 5 stars!
Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love paranormal fantasy and I immediately liked Hell to Pay from its opening chapters. It’s a great heist and shenanigans filled story with intriguing potential to become a series.
The world building and magical system were unique and original enough to stand out. I’m comparing it to Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows and Ninth House for various reasons, including the atmosphere. There are gods, demons, travel between the afterlife and resurrections. It seems like a lot, but the author did a fantastic job of balancing the overload of magical info. Still very much YA but straddling that fine line with some content.
I liked the characters, Elle is the defacto leader of the con group, she’s brash and unpredictable. I liked her sense of humor and her familiar Crowlene (this cover 😍). The rag tag characters and heist are reminiscent of previously mentioned books, I liked the interactions and enjoyed the silly situations at times. Some of the plot pacing was inconsistent, but I’m more than curious to see if we join Elle and her crew on another heist in the future!
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group for the advance reading copy.
The world building and magical system were unique and original enough to stand out. I’m comparing it to Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows and Ninth House for various reasons, including the atmosphere. There are gods, demons, travel between the afterlife and resurrections. It seems like a lot, but the author did a fantastic job of balancing the overload of magical info. Still very much YA but straddling that fine line with some content.
I liked the characters, Elle is the defacto leader of the con group, she’s brash and unpredictable. I liked her sense of humor and her familiar Crowlene (this cover 😍). The rag tag characters and heist are reminiscent of previously mentioned books, I liked the interactions and enjoyed the silly situations at times. Some of the plot pacing was inconsistent, but I’m more than curious to see if we join Elle and her crew on another heist in the future!
Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group for the advance reading copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Exciting high stakes fantasy heist. 4.5 stars rounded up. I like fantasy, my favourite genre since I was a teen, so for many years. I also like good heist books/films. This Ocean 11 type story - there’s less than 11 in this crew - is just my cup of tea.
Put them together and you get Hell To Pay. Where the heist is to steal a soul from Hell. Ocean could maybe end up in prison if things went wrong. Ellie Fields might end up dead and stuck in Hell, so the stakes are very high indeed. For her and her crew.
Fast paced, fun, lots of humour, an interesting cast of characters for the crew. I knew it would entertain a few paragraphs in. It did all the way to the end. This was a fun read.
There has to be a sequel. Having finished this book I’ve decided I will use Ellie’s (or is that Dante’s, her brother’s, rules) to be first in line to read it, but only if I have too. Just don’t get in front of me in the book queue.There may be hell to pay if you do!
Thank you to Bonnier Books and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Put them together and you get Hell To Pay. Where the heist is to steal a soul from Hell. Ocean could maybe end up in prison if things went wrong. Ellie Fields might end up dead and stuck in Hell, so the stakes are very high indeed. For her and her crew.
Fast paced, fun, lots of humour, an interesting cast of characters for the crew. I knew it would entertain a few paragraphs in. It did all the way to the end. This was a fun read.
There has to be a sequel. Having finished this book I’ve decided I will use Ellie’s (or is that Dante’s, her brother’s, rules) to be first in line to read it, but only if I have too. Just don’t get in front of me in the book queue.There may be hell to pay if you do!
Thank you to Bonnier Books and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a fun YA heist novel, with a unique heist- the goal is an afterworld heist of a soul.
The right people to complete this task? Of course it's an orphaned teen and her rag tag crew of lovable misfits, complete with a crow sidekick.
Ok, ok so this novel leans in a bit with some of the found family, ragtag crew of teen wonders, who also use some magic - from time to time. But the only reason these tropes persist is that WE LOVE THEM.
I will stan a found family book each and every time.
I did enjoy this novel, and I think it is more solidly in the YA category than some YA novels. Many adults will find the rash impulsive behavior of the main character to be frustrating, but I think for a younger reader, this would be entirely relatable.
With it's cool cover, and fun, fairly fast paced plot this one is sure to be a hit - and might make a great gift (after you chekc trigger warnings) for a young adult on your holiday or birthday list!
Many thanks to Net Galley and Penguin Young readers group for the ARC copy for me to read and review!
The right people to complete this task? Of course it's an orphaned teen and her rag tag crew of lovable misfits, complete with a crow sidekick.
Ok, ok so this novel leans in a bit with some of the found family, ragtag crew of teen wonders, who also use some magic - from time to time. But the only reason these tropes persist is that WE LOVE THEM.
I will stan a found family book each and every time.
I did enjoy this novel, and I think it is more solidly in the YA category than some YA novels. Many adults will find the rash impulsive behavior of the main character to be frustrating, but I think for a younger reader, this would be entirely relatable.
With it's cool cover, and fun, fairly fast paced plot this one is sure to be a hit - and might make a great gift (after you chekc trigger warnings) for a young adult on your holiday or birthday list!
Many thanks to Net Galley and Penguin Young readers group for the ARC copy for me to read and review!
June 28, 2026
Thanks Netgalley and Bonnier Books for the early copy of this book to review.
First of all: I LOVE Ellie the main character - she’s such a sarcastic, organised leader and I laughed out loud at a lot of her jokes whether they were out loud or in her own head. Even the way she THINKS in this book is funny!
Second: the world holding was so fun. It’s nothing really out there or super unique, but I love Greek Gods and a good heist so this sincerely ticked a lot of boxes. The magic system is really interesting too so I’d love to delve more into this and see it in even more detail. Like maybe from the perspective of someone doing runic magic.
Third: the pacing and storyline was really good, lots of twists and turns but nothing that didn’t seem believable and it all seemed to follow on organically, with nothing seeming forced. Usually with heists I expect some sort of failure of the plan and having to regroup, and sometimes that can make them a little predictable, but that wasn’t the case here!
It was a really high energy book with high stakes and a really fun concept. Loved it!
First of all: I LOVE Ellie the main character - she’s such a sarcastic, organised leader and I laughed out loud at a lot of her jokes whether they were out loud or in her own head. Even the way she THINKS in this book is funny!
Second: the world holding was so fun. It’s nothing really out there or super unique, but I love Greek Gods and a good heist so this sincerely ticked a lot of boxes. The magic system is really interesting too so I’d love to delve more into this and see it in even more detail. Like maybe from the perspective of someone doing runic magic.
Third: the pacing and storyline was really good, lots of twists and turns but nothing that didn’t seem believable and it all seemed to follow on organically, with nothing seeming forced. Usually with heists I expect some sort of failure of the plan and having to regroup, and sometimes that can make them a little predictable, but that wasn’t the case here!
It was a really high energy book with high stakes and a really fun concept. Loved it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ocean's Eleven meets Flatliners with a supernatural twist.
Elysia Fields isn't your regular con artist - her and her crew use their magical skills for jobs in the afterlife.
When a charming new client hires her to ressurect his sister, she knows it's her chance to bring back her dead brother alongside her.
Hell to Pay has all the fun of a heist adventure with added twists and turns. The magical elements keep you guessing as to what's "part of the plan" and what's going wrong, making it delightfully tense.
The characters are all really well written with each of the crew given fleshed out identities and purposes - which isn't always a given in an ensemble story. I especially liked how imperfect the main character was. She's selfish, stubborn, untrusting AND untrustworthy but as a reader I was still rooting for her the whole time because she is unapologetically human.
I'm really hoping we see more of this world and Elle's crew.
Elysia Fields isn't your regular con artist - her and her crew use their magical skills for jobs in the afterlife.
When a charming new client hires her to ressurect his sister, she knows it's her chance to bring back her dead brother alongside her.
Hell to Pay has all the fun of a heist adventure with added twists and turns. The magical elements keep you guessing as to what's "part of the plan" and what's going wrong, making it delightfully tense.
The characters are all really well written with each of the crew given fleshed out identities and purposes - which isn't always a given in an ensemble story. I especially liked how imperfect the main character was. She's selfish, stubborn, untrusting AND untrustworthy but as a reader I was still rooting for her the whole time because she is unapologetically human.
I'm really hoping we see more of this world and Elle's crew.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hell to Pay was a fast-paced, witty, and overall really enjoyable book. I loved the structure, especially how the story is set up like an actual heist.
The characters are diverse, including a nonbinary character who uses they/them pronouns, which was done well. The story is told from Elle’s POV, though I wish we could have spent more time with or learned more about the other characters.
I also wish there had been more time spent on world-building. The magic system is pretty complex, with a glossary at the front explaining how it works, which felt a bit overwhelming at times.
This book is definitely set up for sequels, and there’s so much potential here. I’m excited to see what the author does next with this world and these characters.
Thank you so much to Penguin and NetGalley for letting me read the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The characters are diverse, including a nonbinary character who uses they/them pronouns, which was done well. The story is told from Elle’s POV, though I wish we could have spent more time with or learned more about the other characters.
I also wish there had been more time spent on world-building. The magic system is pretty complex, with a glossary at the front explaining how it works, which felt a bit overwhelming at times.
This book is definitely set up for sequels, and there’s so much potential here. I’m excited to see what the author does next with this world and these characters.
Thank you so much to Penguin and NetGalley for letting me read the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 28, 2026
4.5⭐️ I loved Ocean’s Eleven because of its charm, the chaos, and the charismatic crew. Hell to Pay delivers that same energy. The story follows Elle and her diverse team pulling off multiple heists, with Elle breaking the fourth wall to share insights, fun facts, and clever commentary. The world-building is clear and immersive, and the magic system feels fresh and well executed. Elle is a confident, strategic lead who thrives on reading motives and exploiting loopholes, while her team is both engaging and essential to every con. With layers of twists, you’re never quite sure what’s planned and what’s gone off-script. It’s a fast-paced and thoroughly fun read, so I would definitely be interested in a second book. Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Elle Fields is an exceptionally good con artist. Of course, she should be given that she has been training her entire life. With her parents gone, her brother dead, and her crew dispersed across the country, she’s alone and desperate. Can she make the shift from petty crime to the biggest con ever: stealing a soul from the afterlife? And maybe, just maybe, restoring the life she’s lost, as well.
Hell to Pay is chock full of the twist and turns you’d expect from a heist novel, and the magic system allows characters to move in and out of a complexly layered afterlife and lays the groundwork for some potentially very intriguing future stories. To compare it to Six of Crows gives it slightly too much credit, as the characters aren’t quite as well developed but I’d still follow Elle back into the afterlife on future adventures.
Hell to Pay is chock full of the twist and turns you’d expect from a heist novel, and the magic system allows characters to move in and out of a complexly layered afterlife and lays the groundwork for some potentially very intriguing future stories. To compare it to Six of Crows gives it slightly too much credit, as the characters aren’t quite as well developed but I’d still follow Elle back into the afterlife on future adventures.
March 30, 2026
Fantasy will do it for me every single time I swear and this one was a easy five stars.This story follows Elle Fields a teenage con artist from a long line of thieves who specialize in breaking into the Afterlife to steal secrets and magic from the dead (which is already such a cool concept). After losing her parents and her brother, she’s basically on her own no crew, no direction, just trying to survive. Then she gets pulled into an impossible job to steal a soul from the Afterlife. If she can pull it off, it might be the one thing that could help her get her old life back. The catch is She has to rebuild her crew first and take on a job that probably should not be possible in the first place.The whole “heist but make it fantasy” vibe completely worked for me. It really does feel like that Ocean’s Eight meets Six of Crows energy with a ragtag crew. I loved watching everything come together the planning, the characters, the risks it kept me hooked the entire time.i love the world building I mean Breaking into the Afterlife to steal magic from the dead is just chef’s kiss. It felt unique but still gave me those familiar YA fantasy vibes I eat up every time. Plus Elle as a main character was so easy to love since she’s strong, a little reckless, and carrying so much grief underneath everything.Overall, this was such a fun, fast paced, high stakes fantasy with just enough emotional weight to really hit. If you love found family, chaotic heists, and a touch of dark magic, you need to pick this up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I LOVE a heist book and I've been let down so many times I didn't even get my hopes up for this but oh my god... this is one of my favourite reads of the year so far!
Not only was it genuinely hilarious but it had all the good components of a heist book - a fun cast of characters, plot twists, betrayals, clever cons, and always a little bit of information kept back to surprise you when you least expect it 👀
That's to say nothing of the magical elements of this heist, including half of it taking place in the afterlife!
Thoroughly enjoyed this and I'll be thinking about Elle for a while... I'll keep an eye out for the author's other books, particularly if there's a sequel 🫶
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for offering me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review 🫡
Not only was it genuinely hilarious but it had all the good components of a heist book - a fun cast of characters, plot twists, betrayals, clever cons, and always a little bit of information kept back to surprise you when you least expect it 👀
That's to say nothing of the magical elements of this heist, including half of it taking place in the afterlife!
Thoroughly enjoyed this and I'll be thinking about Elle for a while... I'll keep an eye out for the author's other books, particularly if there's a sequel 🫶
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for offering me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review 🫡
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a really fun ride! The beginning of the book felt like the opening sequence of a movie, and I loved how we were introduced go each of the characters, the set up for the plot, etc. Elle is a typical snarky FMC but her narrative voice really worked for me. I also love the found family crew - everyone felt well fleshed out and differentiated from each other.
The plot twist towards the end of the book made the last ~20% or so feel a little abrupt/kinda shaky. Also, there were a couple bait and switch moments where Elle doubles back and tells you what really happened - and while that’s a fine technique once or twice it got a little repetitive towards the end. Other than that this was highly enjoyable!
The plot twist towards the end of the book made the last ~20% or so feel a little abrupt/kinda shaky. Also, there were a couple bait and switch moments where Elle doubles back and tells you what really happened - and while that’s a fine technique once or twice it got a little repetitive towards the end. Other than that this was highly enjoyable!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Hell to Pay” was an amusing and enjoyable book. The concept of afterlife tourism is a creative one, as is that when you return from your visit, you bring some magic back with you. I liked the idea of a con involving stealing a soul from hell. Elle made for a great protagonist with her quick-thinking, impulsiveness, mastery of cons, determination, and moral ambiguity. Poppy, CJ, Tolliver, Ezra and Rook made for a great supporting cast. I particularly liked seeing how Ezra adjusted to all the unbelievable things he was confronted with — magic, demons, traveling to the afterlife, etc. The story has plenty of surprises, with multiple characters not being quite who or what they seem.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews