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Hell to Pay
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26Oceans 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
8 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Lora Beth Johnson
5 books300 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.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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!
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
“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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A heist to steal a soul from the afterlife. What could go wrong? Lora brings us Elle, a teen in this YA fantasy heist story, that is given a job to steal a soul. She needs her team and figures nothing can go wrong. The story is fast paced, well written, and the characters are engaging. Elle tells the story from her POV and it would be interesting to have seen some POV's from her team members. Elle is snarky and confident as a leader. The end sets us up for a possible second part. Can't wait to see where it goes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book. It was funny, fast paced, well written, and quite a wild ride. I really hope Johnson makes this one a series. I definitely want this crazy story to continue. Elle and her crew are such an interesting bunch of characters and the world building with how the Afterlife works was super engaging. I recommend this book to anyone who likes heist/caper stories or those who like any type of magic.
April 12, 2026
This was actually just really fun. I’ve read the complaints about the tone and the narrator talking directly to us and it being a bit Gen Z in lingo. I’ll be honest, that’s part of the reason I really enjoyed this one! It was irreverent, the MC was a lovable little rascal in the way only the baby of the family can be. Several of the twists made me gasp and I just enjoyed the world building, the silliness, and the found family of it all.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was AMAZING. The worldbuilding is immaculate. The characters are unique. The dialogue is witty. The pacing is on point. The narration is chef’s kiss. Hell to Pay is everything I look for in a fantasy novel. Fantastic work.
Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group, for the advance reader copy.
Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group, for the advance reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hell to Pay was a fun read.
It is told in first person from Elle, the main characters’ POV.
I found it quite funny at times and witty.
It doesn't beat around the bush, it's a book about heists and cons so that's what we get from start to end. We meet a whole crew full of interesting characters.
Although it took me some time to get into it at first as there are cons within cons, it was definitely a fun ride.
It is told in first person from Elle, the main characters’ POV.
I found it quite funny at times and witty.
It doesn't beat around the bush, it's a book about heists and cons so that's what we get from start to end. We meet a whole crew full of interesting characters.
Although it took me some time to get into it at first as there are cons within cons, it was definitely a fun ride.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was kinda dark and adult themed for a YA book but the humor lightened it up A LOT so i can see it. And the writing was very YA styled. A very original story as well. Even if it did have its moments this is one of the most creative books I’ve been handed in a while.
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Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
It's been so long since I read an amazing ARC that I had forgotten the agony of realising there's still months before THIS book is published, let alone the sequel I'm dying for.
RTC
RTC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fantastic read. I really enjoyed this one. I loved Elle!
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