Book Review: 'Among Thieves' by M.J. Kuhn
Reviewer: Michael Vadney
Among Thieves is M.J. Kuhn's debut novel. She came onto my radar through her podcast, SFF Addicts, which she co-hosts with Adrian M. Gibson, author of Mushroom Blues.
This book is a gripping and fast-paced journey through a fascinating world filled with intrigue and danger. The plot is interesting and undeniably the driving force of this novel, drawing readers into a universe where trust is scarce and alliances are fleeting. The magic system, in particular, was compelling. It's simple and easy to grasp, but Khun managed to make it the focal point of an empire's power that forces all nations to work around it. I’m interested to see how this system continues to affect the political landscape of the setting in the second book.
One of the standout aspects of Among Thieves is its witty and snarky dialogue, especially with the main character Ryia. The characters' interactions are laced with sharp humor, making for an engaging read that reminded me of the banter in Firefly but with a darker edge.
Characterization was a mixed bag in this novel. On the one hand, Among Thieves is filled with 5 POVs, and I found it difficult to connect with them all. At first, it was overwhelming as I tried to learn everyone’s names and why they were there. While the diverse perspectives add depth to the story, they sometimes create confusion, making it difficult to keep track of who is who and their individual motivations. The cast is complex, with each character harbouring their own shades of gray and plans to betray the others, which in most cases can be summed up in a single breath. This combination of gray morality and shallow backstory made it difficult for me to connect with most of the characters.
While most of this was easily glossed over by the enjoyable fast paced plot, Cal, the leader of the gang that all the characters belong to, truly felt like a misfire to me. He is touted throughout the book as a legendary badass but is a bit of a letdown. Despite the frequent mentions of his prowess, the narrative doesn't provide enough evidence or moments showcasing his skills, leaving me to question his reputation.
On the other hand, Ryia and Evelyn were fantastic reads whom I enjoyed learning about through their dialogue and actions. Despite the wide cast these two felt like the main characters as they were both well fleshed out with clear motivations and growth throughout the story. In the sea of gray, they become truly worthy of rooting for. Their development is more pronounced, and their arcs more satisfying, suggesting that the story might have benefited from a stronger focus on them.
Despite the earlier mentioned drawbacks, Among Thieves is an enjoyable read for anyone looking for a fun fantasy heist novel with some edge to it. The witty dialogue, fast-paced action, and twisting plot drive the story, but it's Ryia and Evelyn who will draw me into the sequel.
Michael Vadney is the host of the Author Adjacent podcast and Managing Editor of MoonLit Getaway.
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