Fans of Harry Potter and Nevermoor will enjoy this new series where teamwork is encouraged and stealing is expected!
Feature image credit: Hachette Australia
J.J. Arcanjo is a half-Portuguese, half-English writer. He lived in both Devon and the Algarve as a child and currently lives in London. Crookhaven: The School for Thieves is his first novel.
It is the story of a boy called Gabriel who lives with his grandmother in a small town where she is the housekeeper for a rich family. Unfortunately, his grandma does not earn enough to support them, so Gabriel has learnt to pick pockets to supplement their income. One day, after picking a pocket at the railway station, he finds a mysterious invitation in his own pocket, inviting him to attend a school for thieves, named Crookhaven. There he will learn lock-picking, forgery, “crim-nastics” and other skills which would help him become a master thief.
Crookhaven: The School for Thieves is a wonderful story! It speeds along at a cracking pace, keeping the reader’s interest the whole time. We are given pieces of information the whole way, but it is not until the end that the puzzle pieces fit. But thankfully, this is just the first book. Just like the Harry Potter books, Nevermoor series, and others, there are years of schooling to go before you graduate and lots of lessons to learn along the way.
Gabriel makes friends with some interesting classmates who, just like him, all have their own secrets. They must learn to trust each other to succeed. Each child is different and brings their own unique skills to the group. One theme that threads its way through the book is: “Alone you can be exceptional. Together you can become unstoppable.” It encourages team work, caring for others, having each other’s back when times are hard, and standing up to bullies.
The only negative is the use of the phrase “kissed his teeth” which was used several times and is apparently internet slang to show disapproval or annoyance. Younger, more computer savvy readers may not find it as annoying.
The premise of a school for thieves is an interesting one. Luckily, this is a school where the students are taught that stealing for themselves is wrong. Things are only stolen to right an injustice.
Lots of information has been given to the reader in this first book and now that we know the main characters and how the school works, the next books in the series will probably dwell more on the exploits of the children and how they relate to each other and solve more difficult problems as a team.
Unlike most other series using a school as the backdrop, Crookhaven: The School for Thieves is set squarely in the modern era. The use of computers and robots, plus modern references, brings it up to date. It is probably set in England and is also multicultural.
This is a story of a boy’s relationships with family, teachers, and friends. And it is these relationships that carry the story. Gabriel’s love for his grandmother and his thoughtfulness to others is endearing. Once you have read this first book in the series you also may be counting down the days till Book Two is on the shelves.
Reviewed by Sue Mauger
This review is the opinion of the reviewer and not necessarily of Glam Adelaide.
Distributed by: Hachette Australia
Released: February 2023
RRP: $16.00
