The Child Thief

The Child Thief #1

by Bella Forrest

ASIN B07CPWT3H9 moved to this edition.
In a world where we have government of the rich by the rich for the rich…

America in 2105 is beset with mass inequality, poverty and increasingly large numbers of the poor. This, combined with the breakdown of families and marriages has led to huge economic and societal burdens. A fractured and divided America ushers in an authoritarian government that promises to solve all these problems in one stroke with a radical solution.

Welcome to the CRAS: the Child Redistribution Adoption System. Also known as the cure for America’s failing economy… and the bane of nineteen-year-old Robin Sylvone’s existence.

Under the System, not all parents can expect to keep the children they bring into the world: families who are not self-sustaining have their children taken and given to the rich.
And as a single teen mother, Robin fell within the scope of the scheme and lost her baby two years ago. After being forced to drop out of school and become a factory worker in order to support herself, she doesn’t see much light in her future—or hold any hope of seeing her child again. Until she stumbles upon a group of misfits who share her frustrations and desire for change. An underground movement that operates in some rather clever yet unconventional ways…
By day they still call me Robin Sylvone. Factory worker and upper class reject.
But now, by night, they call me Robin Hood…

Genres: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Audiobook, Fantasy, Romance

406 pages, ebook

First published June 6, 2018

About the author

UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024:

BELLA IS BACK!

*** New, updated online store at https://BellaForrest.com

*** New books coming soon

*** Possible Film/TV series coming soon

*** Stay up to date by joining our e-mail list at https://BellaForrest.com/join

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Bella Forrest is a lover of fantasy, romance, action, and mystery infused stories with twists you don’t see coming. She has sold over fifteen million books since her first novel was published in 2012.

Check out her website for a full list of her books: https://BellaForrest.com

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BellaForrest...

Here's a list of some of Bella's books:

DARKLIGHT

Darklight (Book 1)
Darkthirst (Book 2)
Darkworld (Book 3)
Darkblood (Book 4)
Darktide (Book 5)
Darkbirth (Book 6)
Darkfall (Book 7)
Darkwilds (Book 8)
Darkhunt (Book 9)

A LOVE THAT ENDURES (Trilogy)
A Love that Endures 1
A Love that Endures 2
A Love that Endures 3

HARLEY MERLIN AND THE SECRET COVEN

Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1)
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Book 2)
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (Book 3)
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (Book 4)
Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (Book 5)
Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (Book 6)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (Book 7)
Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (Book 8)
Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9)
Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10)
Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (Book 11)
Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse (Book 12)
Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (Book 13)
Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (Book 14)
Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (Book 15)
Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (Book 16)
Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary
Persie Merlin and Leviathan's Gift (Book 18)
Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (Book 19)
Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (Book 20)
Persie Merlin and the Dying Song (Book 21)

THE CHILD THIEF

The Child Thief (Book 1)
Deep Shadows (Book 2)
Thin Lines (Book 3)
Little Lies (Book 4)
Ghost Towns (Book 5)
Zero Hour (Book 6)

HOTBLOODS

Hotbloods (Book 1)
Hotbloods (Book 2): Coldbloods
Hotbloods (Book 3): Renegades
Hotbloods (Book 4): Venturers
Hotbloods (Book 5): Traitors
Hotbloods (Book 6): Allies
Hotbloods (Book 7): Invaders
Hotbloods (Book 8): Stargazers

THE GENDER GAME

The Gender Game (Book 1)
The Gender Secret (Book 2)
The Gender Lie (Book 3)
The Gender War (Book 4)
The Gender Fall (Book 5)
The Gender Plan (Book 6)
The Gender End (Book 7)

THE GIRL WHO DARED TO THINK

The Girl Who Dared to Think (Book 1)
The Girl Who Dared to Stand (Book 2)
The Girl Who Dared to Descend (Book 3)
The Girl Who Dared to Rise (Book 4)
The Girl Who Dared to Lead (Book 5)
The Girl Who Dared to Endure (Book 6
The Girl Who Dared to Fight (Book 7)

A SHADE OF VAMPIRE

Season 1: Derek & Sofia’s story

Books 1 to 7

Season 2: Rose & Caleb’s story

Books 8 to 16

Season 3: The Shade continues with a new hero...

Books 17 to 24

Season 4: A Clan of Novaks

Books 25 to 32

Season 5: A Dawn of Guardians

Books 33 to 41

Season 6: A Gift of Three

Books 42 to 50

Season 7: A Call of Vampires

Books 51 to 59

Season 8: A Voyage of Founders

Books 60 to 68

Season 9: A Birth of Fire

Books 69 to 77

Season 10: An Origin of Vampires
An Origin of Vampires (Book 78)
A Game of Death (Book 79)
A Veil of Dark (Book 80)
A Bringer of Night (Book 81)
A Circle of Nine (Book 82)
A Bender of Spirit (Book 83)
A Memory of Time (Book 84)
A Shard of Soul (Book 85)
A Break of Seals (Book 86)

Season 11: A Shade of Mystery
A Shade of Mystery (Book 87)
An Isle of Mirrors (Book 88)
A Sanctuary of Foes (Book 89)
A Ruler of Clones (Book 90)
A Gate of Light (Book 91)
A Dawn of Worlds (Book 92) ➜ Coming soon!

Reviews

[TP · Rating 2 out of 5]

The books the child thief and deep shadows by Bella Forrest are the first two books in the child thief series.
It promised suspense, action and romance in a dystopian futuristic America.
It is a not well-written and not well-constructed story about a young woman trying to get her child back and as a bonus bring down the governmental system with it. However, we have a heroine stumbling around, not really knowing what she is doing, neglecting possible failure, consequences and repercussions. A heroine who apparently knows as less as the reader about the world she is living in and the “enemy” she is facing. The book proclaims a grand goal and operates on a small scale.

For me, it only achieved a slow burn romance, which was believable and actually nice to read. Although it got a little teenage over dramatic at times. When the heroine had again some “eye rolling” inner debate of what to do and what not.
The action was also there at times.


After having read both released books, the child thief and deep shadows, I am more disappointed than having had a good read.

The governmental system and social structure the story is based on, sounded very questionable, although based on a good idea it still seemed tenuous at best.
Additionally, the whole rebellion idea, got weird pretty quickly, as the characters don’t use any violence. Not even for self defence. I am not sure if this is meant for a younger audience. But it is ridiculous, to watch them running around, equipped with weapons they never use. They never fight back. Starting a rebellion without being trained in combat or self defence. Carrying weapons not shooting them, when in one of their dangerous situations. I haven’t found the purpose in that. If the characters actively decided to lead some kind of ghandi rebellion, good for them, but nothing is mentioned as of its reasoning.

The same goes for the world building. In the first book, there is literally none. It is set in the year 2103 and I continuously wondered how this world looked like. What kind of futuristic landscape, technology, infrastructure?
During the story, some tech is used and mentioned, like a stealth aircraft and some kind of robotic suits, for example. But I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how they looked like. How it was possible they could fly with this aircraft undetected. Telling me it has stealth mode is not enough. How those suits did not stand out while they walked through the streets or took the train. How it is possible to not attract attention walking around in masks. Those and more inconsistencies through out the book kept on piling up. I could list so many, but simply gave up. Few got answered later on. But it looked more like an after thought, then fitting them into the story when it first came up.
The second book revealed more landscape details, yet it appeared the society and landscape took several jumps back right into the industrial area of the 17 th century than a fantastical dystopian future. Littered with factories, poor people living in rundown places, cramped together, starving and terrorised by the rich factory owners and government.
Even a house is once described as looking like a medieval church, I wonder how an American 19 year old girl knows anything about medieval churches, not having left the country, seen Europe or having had any educational reference to that.


The first books cover states “one girl decides to fight back”.
Well, our main character Robin does indeed do decide to fight back, tho she isn’t the only one, she is one of many. And additionally most of the time she has no clue what she actually does, which contradicts the whole idea and purpose of this book.
She does not contribute anything special to the table at all in regard of skills or talents.

The main plot looses its path early on, splinters in several directions, in several plot threads which divert from the main path.
Apparently the author plans a couple of more books for this series. As the first two, didn’t achieve anything for the main goal nor even the splintered plot threads.
Nothing was solved, nothing was answered, there was no progress, nothing. It only opened up more questions.
Most of the time the characters stumble around not knowing what they are actually doing. Getting swept from one direction to the next. With changing goals by the minute. And it is questionable what significance they are actually playing. As there is no reference to how big the population is. The capitol, the government and such. Are we talking here about a country with 300 000 people like Island, where 100 rebels are a significant amount. Or are we talking about a country with 60 million people, where 100 people are a drop of water on a hot stone. There is not even the factor what role the media plays. It is all not really thought through.
The main character’s goals sway from getting her child back, to dreaming of a rebellion to topple the government, having no idea how, to fleeing the country with her child, to not achieving anything and get back to her sad life as a factory worker, to rescuing the captured friends and getting rescued several times by mysterious black men. It is chaotically written and plotted.

The most annoying part was the writing style and the heroine. Listening to her inner monologues, with her wild theories of what ifs and whys. Every few pages. Especially her silly righteousness in explaining why people would do or say anything, assuming she knows it all. It is not a good writing style when using a first person narrator, to make the main character assume and tell what other persons are thinking, feeling and their actions behind it. Teaching and explaining for the reader everything, like a mix between first and third person narrator. Not appealing.
I started early on to scroll over her musings and explanations, her wild theories of whys and what ifs, her reasoning and moral based teachings of what is right and wrong.
Because it was not only unnecessary to the story it is also unnatural to think like that all the time and more and more a page filler than a real contribution to the plot. Especially in the second book.
It was tiring watching the characters stumble around. The whole book mostly consisted more of wild theories than action. It was tiresome to live more or less mainly in the head of the main character, going back and forth, arguing and debating all in her mind. For nothing at all. Throwing around wild theories and actually achieving nothing. At times she even thought, she is the main reason for several actions behind a big rebellion with a hundred people and their unachieved goals. A great delusion of grandeur without having contributed anything at all.


All in all, these books were disappointing. The ideas were good, but it needed at least one year of more work and rewriting. Those two first books could have been literally made into one, with a good editor and little more love and professionalism for the detail and writing, the world building and society. Potential but not used.
To be honest, if it wasn’t for the kindle unlimited status I wouldn’t have read the book, especially not the second book.
It could have been so much better. The author has so much unused potential compared to many other books I have read.

[Judy Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLOODY BRILLIANT!!!
The Child Thief
Series: The Child Thief
Author: Bella Forrest
Designation: Book 1 of Series, Full-Length Novel, *NOT A Standalone, Cliffhanger Ahead
My Rating: Five Riveting Stars*****
*This book is not recommended as a standalone and does end with a cliffhanger. It is part of a ongoing series with the same primary characters and conflict running throughout, much like a television mini-series or season. Forrest's series, except A Shade of Vampire, generally contain 2 to 7 books.
Oh my! I love, love, love The Child Thief, the first book in an extraordinary new series by Bella Forrest. It's no secret I'm a Forrest fan and have been for years. It takes something really special to get me excited, and nothing starts my blood pumping like a new release from Forrest - and at almost 70 years young, that's pretty darn difficult! lol... All jokes aside, The Child Thief is a pulse-pounding, light-speed, high-octane adventure filled to the brim with danger, drama, angst, action, suspense, intrigue and, of course, a sprinkling of heartwarming romance. The premise is unique, original, and I believe relevant, especially considering the current economy and political climate of not just the United States, but the entire world. The story is well crafted, executed, and edited with a beautifully written first-person narrative, but my favorite component of every Forrest tale is always her remarkable, larger-than-life characters who seem to explode from the pages, demand my undivided attention, capture my heart, and hold me prisoner from the first page till the last - and the engaging cast from The Child Thief was no exception! Did I like this book? I think you already know the answer but just for clarification - I loved it! Would I recommend it? You bet and I am for readers from 12 to 112! If you're a fan of The Hunger Games, Divergent, V for Vendetta, The Handmaid's Tale, and Forrest's phenomenal The Gender Games, then this series is screaming your name! Will I read this author again? Absolutely! I can hardly wait for Book 2! And finally, was I entertained? Completely! Fabulous entertainment and another winning series from Forrest!

Premise:
In a future where the concept of freedom for all no longer exists, America has become a nation of the rich, by the rich, for the rich. The United Nation of America has become a country in which the poor are denied the same basic human rights as the wealthy, one rife with discontent, unrest, injustice, poverty, and one, very possibly, on the cusp of civil disobedience and rebellion engineered by a few brave souls belonging to a clandestine, ragtag group of dissidents called Operation Hood operating through a secret portal on the shadow web. Their mission statement is simple: Take from the rich and give back to the poor. One of these courageous activists is 19-year-old Robin Sylvone. But Robin isn't interested in wealth, power or recognition. She wants only two things. The first is the dissolution of the Child Redistribution Adoption System, the heinous brainchild of the Bruchard regime supposedly designed to improve the failing economy, a policy in which children are taken from parents classified by the government as non-sustaining with insufficient income and as such, deemed to be a drain on society and resources, then given to the rich for adoption where they become nothing more than a status symbol of wealth, power, and importance. And the second, but most important, is to be reunited with her daughter Hope, who was taken from her 2 years ago by the government. Robin has already lost much, her baby, her parents, her home, her comfortable lifestyle, as well as the man she thought she once loved. To find and recover her child, Robin is willing to do anything, risk everything - even become Robin Hood. But time is running out for Robin and her brave band of fellow misfits. If exposed or captured, their punishment is torture and more likely than not, death... Will they succeed? Will they survive? We'll see!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman never sesses to amaze me with her content.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow......Wow......WOW! Do not read close to bed time! This Novel is definitely Pre-Gilead. Bella, Bella, Bella how do you expect me to wait until July 15 for The Child Thief 2: Deep Shadows!

[Tasha Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! It's definitely different from A Shade of Vampire but it is not disappointing in the least bit. It has suspense and it will keep you on your toes. Not to mention you will have a thousand questions running through your head, and biting your nails until you get the answers you are looking for! Bella is an awesome writer and she never lets her readers down. Definitely give it a read! You will love it!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down!

This book was fantastic! I love Bella’s work , especially ASOV and Gender Game series, but this one was so different! A new twist on dystopian fiction and I can’t wait for the next installment! Keep it up Ms Forrest!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the United Nation of America in 2015 “The Child Thief” opens in a nation ruled by an authoritarian government and plagued with inequality, poverty and increasing numbers of poor whose babies are taken at birth by CRAS (the Child Redistribution Adoption System) who reallocate them to wealthy families.

The plot begins to heat up when nineteen-year-old Robin Sylvone adopted at birth by a Governor and his wife finds herself ousted from her home when she tells her parents she’s pregnant. Abandoned by her lover, their child taken by CRAS, Robin working in a factory to support herself joins a group of vigilantes who steal and return babies up to four-years-of age to their parents.

Tension mounts when Robin who’s never given up looking for her child, and her team are approached by Mr. X (aka Hux) who encourages them to join OH+ an underground movement that’s aligning the splinter groups into a cohesive unit to take on more visible missions in their efforts to take down CRAS. As OH+ expands and ideas are discussed Robin and Gabby a self-taught hacker propose a mission to expose a covert group of child kidnappers on the shadow web, never expecting that it will lead to a conspiracy far more sinister than they ever could have imagined.

In a fluid writing style Bella Forrest builds a world where contraception is banned and to improve the country economically with an increasing number of babies born to poverty-stricken families, they’ve developed CRAS, a system that has these children adopted by the wealthy and upper middle class. Well-developed and emotionally intense, Robin a single mother decides to fight back, joining a dissident group whose goal is to return babies to their parents, only to have the faction expand and to be included in a dangerous new mission.

Slow at first as Bella Forrester builds the background of the story, the action in this riveting adventure escalates when OH+ tackles a mission that has them facing well-trained enforcers and uncovering a diabolical scheme. Yet as Robin gets swept up in the movement, romance begins to brew between her and Mr. X (aka Jace Huxley) only to have her fear and insecurity dampen the chemistry between them.

Focused more on plot than character development, the characters are still compelling, like Robin Sylvone who’s insecure after being abandoned by her lover and adopted family but stubbornly determined to find her child. She joins Operation Robin finding “hope” that by helping rescue other children and returning them to their parents she will one day find her daughter. Hux (Jace Huxley) haunted by the loss of his parents and a sibling is diligent and persistent in his efforts to bring the splinter groups together as well as healing his relationship with his sister. Trusting Robin, whose adept at sewing and very observant especially where his sister is concerned, Hux quickly gravitates to her, opening himself up and telling her his real name and relating details of his past. It is these characters and others that fuel this gripping and highly imaginative dystopian tale.

I thoroughly enjoyed “The Child Thief” which progresses quickly to an exciting ending that promises a fascinating sequel and I look forward to reading “Deep Shadows”.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book! It's amazing, personally, I'm a big fan of dystopian future. Especially in cases like this. Robin is the main character, they live in a society where if you don't make enough money and you have a child, it is taken away by the C.R.A.S. Robin has a child and her adoptive parents refuse to support her. She gets kicked out and lives with her boyfriend/his family. They are a poor family, they all live in a tiny apartment. As soon as Robin has her baby, which she named Hope, her boyfriend leaves her.

I personally couldn't be happier with how the story is going. Although somethings in the book make me question "What if this was a real thing?". It is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I really don't have a favorite character, but Robin is amazing. She is a strong independent woman who was left on her own. Now she's making her way through life and getting stronger every single day. She promised herself she'd never fall in love again, and a mysterious character comes into the book and turns that around. I can't wait to read the next one.

[Gill Appleyard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I red the first couple of chapters of this as a preview at the end of the the seventh book in the “The Girl who Dared” series and I was hooked, only to find it wasn’t released yet! As soon as it was, I started it.
A good storyline - quite a bit of scene setting but only to be expected if it’s going to be a series - and based around an unusual premis of the government taking kids from families who couldn’t support them in order to get the welfare bill down.
It ends on a cliff hanger, like all Bella’s books seem to do if it’s part of a series but only just over a month until the next one comes out so it’s not so bad.
All in all a good read.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok

Most of book is just long description of main character's every day. It's getting more and more boring until the end when everything happens very fast and there is the end. It's not bad book but it could have more action in it.

[Debra Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m trying to decide is it worth getting the next in the series?

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, great pager turn-in, on the edge of your seat, can wait to read the next book

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down.

[Kayla Castle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best yet!

It was hard for other series by Bella Forrest to top SOAV for me but this is one was so phenomenal I dare to say it might! A gripping story line. Easy to love characters and an intense cliff hanging ending. I can not wait for the next installment!

[Chasidy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg!! This book will have you on the edge of your seat...wanting more!! Bella always surprises me with her writing..in a good way! A must read!!!

[Cher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start...

I think the pacing was slow at times, but overall not bad. I have read Bella Forrest in the past, and I am a fan.
This story did grab me from the very beginning.
Bella did a great job with the backstory for Robin and Mr X.
I found myself smiling at his description. I like the mystery throughout this beginning of what is yet to come.
This story is 1st person, and I find Robin's thoughts, choices, and actions believable. Considering her loss, very believable.
It's hard to write a review without spoilers for a first installment. I think I will reserve judgement till after second book.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really hard for me to get into, despite how much I like Bella Forest. I picked up this book several times throughout 2021 but just couldn't get to chapter 4. Once Robin met Mr. X and that relationship began to evolve I finally got into it. The resettlement of children from the lower economic classes into the upper economic classes is horrendous.

As an adoptive mother there are a few ideas and comments in this book that I found hurtful. I had to continually remind myself this was a work of fiction and not based on fact. I kept pushing through because I love the relationships Bella builds between the characters in her books. I also feel that putting younger women in leadership positions is very empowering.

[nat _lovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!!! 👍

This story is so different from the other Bella's book, but you won't be disappointed... Can't wait to know if Robin, Jace and the rest of the team manage to escape and how the attraction between Robin and Jace will develop... Hope Nelson is ok!!! 😰... A new must read series!!! 🎖️

[Megan Amaral · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Honestly, I really enjoyed how incredibly different this book was compared to the normal genre I usually read, but ultimately, I wish it was executed a little better. I LOVED (5 star rating on all her books in the gender games, I think Violet Bates is my favorite YA character and Viggo Croft, my ultimate book boyfriend) The Gender Games so I was excited to read something new by Bella Forrest, and even though the story seemed so mature (total handmaid's tale vibes), the execution was just alright. I was extremely intrigued by the high stake situations they put themselves including that CRAZY scene with Pam, who lived in that chapel, and I could not put this book down. I didn't want to put it down which is why I read probably 80% of this book yesterday, on a Sunday, while I was cleaning my house. But I just couldn't get over how all the "huge" cliffhangers that were supposed to be these HUGE cliffhangers, were very obvious and just fell flat. Plus, everything was super repetitive. Like it was getting to a point where every time Robin would say she couldn't have feelings for Jace, I was just baffled how much she was trying to convince herself that she didn't like him when she clearly stated how much she liked him in the beginning. And then every time she would hang out with him and tell herself that she didn't like him, I was just in awe how much she was clearly breaking this man down, rejecting him before he could even say anything, and then she would feel terrible because she could see the hurt in his eyes and wanted to know what he was going to say. Like, I totally get why she doesn't want to be in a relationship, but girlfriend, you don't have to have sex with the guy. You can still put finding your daughter first, and still figure out your feelings. But maybe she is doing him a favor because one of the things I HATED about Robin, was how at the end when they stepped into a trap, and when Nelson went offline, Robin seemed to only care about Nelson's wellbeing because she was the closest chance she had to find her daughter. She didn't seem to care too much about Nelson being alive or dead because she was a friend, but only as someone who could help her get what she wanted and then run away.

I honestly hope that Robin goes through some kind of character development because she is a very selfish person and I kind of wish that Jace was a strong person to kind of put her in her place. Instead, he just keeps to himself and keeps getting broken hearted little by little with her little rejections. Maybe he feels like he isn't good enough because she fixed his relationship with his sister in only a couple of hours and he hasn't really done anything equally emotional. And it sucks because Robin is so into herself that even though he is helping her in every way he can, and that is enough for her, she hasn't told him. Jace needs to find some self-confidence and know his self-worth. Maybe saving Robin at the end of this book will help with that.

[louise sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, what a great book!

I cannot wait to start the second in this series. I've read a Bella Forrest's series before and loved it (vampires etc) but I do love a dystopian or apocalypse style series and it's hard to find ones that have a good story and a bit of, dare I say, romance about them. I'm writing in this cross genre myself and it is so good to know I'm not the only one who likes that combination. I love Robin she is such a sweetheart. She's what I'd say a really woman is all about, she's tough and clever but also caring and with the soft squishie bits we've become ashamed to admit that we have!!!! I really like X and I love that he's just a regular guy but he, also, is lovable and tough and the way they met and how they became friends...It wasn't cheesy but kind of normal really and yet Robin's life is so exciting. I love what she drives, where she loves and the cool future technology. I even love her name, it's normal and pretty and not obviously made up. Even the book has a good title. I see so many and think 'of all the names to pick...' The title of this book has you intrigued before you've even started to read it and I liked the cover generally (so many make me inwardly roll my eyes). Love love loved The Child Thief!!!! It's warm, exciting, heart pounding and very respectable!

[Elizabeth✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️
This is the 2nd series I have started reading written by Bella Forest. The first series I read of hers was the Gender Games (still one of my favorite series to this day!) so I had high expectations! I gave each one of those books 5 starts. However, the first book of this series I only give it 3.75⭐️ the reason is because it started out slow, seems to drag on (started falling asleep a few times), and an overload of unnecessary information. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy getting to imagine the story in my head, but this book felt like there was TOO much of it. I found myself skimming over parts of it because it just wasn’t needed. There seemed to be more detail and describing the characters feelings more than dialogue in the book. Even though those two things are important, I just feel like it was OVER DONE, just get to the story and what happens next.

Besides that, I really love the idea behind this book! It isn’t a bad idea for a series and (minus the extensive pages of detail) I enjoy reading the book and seeing where and what happens between all the characters. I am interested in the series enough to keep reading, but I’m hoping the meaningless details subside.

[Allyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers? ...maybe?

I don't normally summarize books. I figure you can get that from the publisher. What you are looking for; what I am looking for when I read reviews is an actual review if the book. Did someone like it? Why? Did they hate it? Why? But here I feel I must do this a bit different to get my point across so...
The book is about a government who steals kids from the poor and adopts them out to the wealthy. The main character, Robyn, had her daughter taken. Now she works with a group trying to help families who have had kids taken or are about to in the hopes it leads her to her own daughter. All of this is covered in the prolog and first chapter. The rest of the book is basically getting to know the characters and dissenter group. Just when a plot is forming and a climax being reached the book ends in one of Bella Forrest's signature cliff hangers. I admit I'm intrigued... Simply because I haven't gotten close to the meat of the plot. But I just need more from 400 pages. I need SOMETHING to happen and be resolved. Frankly it's not really a full book, just half a book that was split apart to make more money. ☹️

[Stephanie Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dystpoian story about how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Robin, a young woman who, like many adolescents, engage in young love and end ends up pregnant, something which her society deems terrible. She not only gets kicked out of her house, but also gets her child taken away from her because she cannot "afford to raise it." She ends up on her own, living on the little the government gives her and longing for her child.

As a single mother, living "under the poverty line" as described in this story, I couldn't help connect with Robin, the main character. I think this story absolutely reflects on how our society will end up one day. Those who can't "afford" to keep their children will lose them, yet the main character works hard to right all of those wrongs through the use of a secret, online community, that is meant to help those who've lost their children unfairly.

Yet, when her and her friends challenge the government, they are out witted by the amount of technology their superiors have. This reminds me of all of the protests I seen on Facebook and other websites about how the government is spying on us and has access to all of our information.

The Child Thief takes this to another, amazingly believable level. Robin and her coworkers use the limited internet that they are allowed to try to right the wrongs they see in this world, which is something that many people I see doing at this time in our lives. They want to bring justice to a world that many people seem to view as unjust. I feel like with all of the laws that are springing up in our country these days, this could become a very true reality.

I would hate to live in a society like this, but I'm afraid that by the time my child grows up, this could be her reality at some point. Yet as hopeless as it seems, Robin and her friends don't give up. They hone in on the skill they do have, to operate such advance technology that they feel like they can fight back.

If you're ready for a good read, and a lot of excitement, this is the book for you! Bella Forrest does an amazing job connecting what we are seeing in our daily lives now, and extending it into what may soon happen in the future. Weather it be killer drones or advanced armor or really high-tech air equipment, she creates an amazing, and almost possible future of what the USA may look like before long.

[Sara Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly well writtem

This book, oh man this book, it has ensnared my attention from the moment I downloaded it until right now when I finished it! I saw a preview of this book in one of the author's previous books and knew I had to read it. Child Thief draws you in to a dystopian America where the poor suffer and the rich prosper, using children. I cannot wait for the 2nd in what I hope is a long series of books! Robin and friends have a lot of twists and turns through this tale. Bella Forrest describes the series of events so well that you can picture everything. I cannot wait to continue into Robin's world and see where the story goes! Will she find what she's looking for? What she is willing to risk everything for? Will she call in love, or avoid it to stay focused on the or thing she wants more than anything? Is Nelson ok? There are so many questions following this cliff hanger. Thank you Bella Forrest for this book and creating a world to escaping for a while!

[Michele Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella does it again!

In this book the government takes children from the poor and the rich adopt many, leaving many parents distraught and desolate. Robin, the main character, is one of these adopted children, living in the home of a wealthy politician. At 16 or 17 she experiences first love and gets pregnant as a result. Wanting her parents support and not to have to give her child away, she finally confronts her parents. She never could have prepared for what happened next. Needless to say these events lead to her being disowned and living poor and to her baby being taken away from her. Her life has no purpose outside of needing to find and get her daughter Hope back in her arms. She joins a group fighting against the government and tries to get closer to her dream of being reunited with Hope.

The book is filled with mystery and excitement. Possibly maybe a slow burn love story. Can’t wait to find out what happens next!

[Lyndall Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated this book a 3 though I think 2 would be closer to the mark. I really hate books that do not finish the story - a series is good as long as each thread is finished within the one book, or in other words the book can be read as a stand alone. I found myself skipping over a lot of the description as it made the book move to slowly. There was so much description that it seemed like the author just used words to fill up the pages. The description did not necessarily add anything to the story at times. I would have fathered the story finish the thread instead of finishing where it did. It was not even a cliffhanger as one of the other reviews says. I will not be buying any more of this series though I did enjoy the theme. It was a little like pre Handmaids Tale in Gillead. Though not as interesting.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child thief

Omg what a story. It was so intense. I will admit it took me a little bit to start reading but after chapter 2 it started getting interesting then by the last 4 chapters your sitting on pins and needles ...the action is amazing. This should totally be a movie...story is about the government taking peoples children because they think the parents aren't good enough to raise them..at one point in the story a couple who married had a baby it was not healthy then the couple found out they were brother and sister and the sister literally was going crazy.. The oh+ group is trying to get the families their children back when they come upon what they think is a child slavery ring ends up government involved some how as they broke into government computer now they are after them ...totally great...totally recommend

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A free Kindle read that wasn't terrible, but also wasn't something I'd necessarily recommend. The author creates a Handmaid's inspired future, wherein the government for and by the rich take any babies born to the poor or lower middle class and automatically give them to wealthier families. Why, other than vague economic reasons, the wealthy families would want all of these kids is never really explained, and that's one of quite a few unexplainable story gaps. In general, the story of Robin and her involvement in a resistance group, in the hopes of one day finding her own stolen baby, kept my attention enough to finish it, but not enough to download the second in the series. I simply didn't find the world believable enough, nor the characters fleshed out enough to care what happens next. 1.5 stars.

[Susan Kent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out well, then every thought and event were analyzed in the heroine's mind ad nauseum.
Something is planned or happens, heroine thinks about it constantly in her mind, blah, blah, blah, blah. Ended up skimming a lot of it. I didn't know there was a second book and the first book just leaves you hanging. I bet both books could have easily been combined into one decent story. But I wouldn't be surprised if there suddenly ended up being a third and forth book, because that is what this author does.

I didn't remember that I had read a previous book by this author and hated it. Why Amazon is pushing this author is beyond me. She seems to write for "online word-by-word" paid books or something. Stretch out a plot to two, three, or even 7 books to make money. She does publish a lot of books, but like I said, every plot is thinly stretched out to make more books.

[Henry Skey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty weak overall. I'll go along with the premise and will give the author (even though Bella Forrest is either using Ghostwriters or is a pen name) credit for keeping me passively interested throughout. But I just don't think the writing quality is there. It's very possible I'm not the core audience, I'm certainly not a young adult anymore so I should give the book some slack in that regard.

But there's approximately 300 pages between action scenes and you can tell the entire time that the book is not even going to try and come up with a structure beyond hyping up the reader for the next 5 books. It doesn't help that I was given this as a gift, when I'd asked for the Child Thief by Gerald Brom. I was keen to read another dark Peter Pan story, not necessarily this.

I'll hop off the series, but I'm glad to see many others enjoy it. Not my cup of tea.