NPR Best Book of the Year
Amazon Best Book of the Month

★ "In a sharp-witted series opener, Sands crafts an adventure with mythological undertones and a heist framework."
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Kevin Sands brings mystery, magic and a pretty major con-job to his first fantasy novel, a story where things are never quite as they seem. Be prepared for an exciting read."
--NPR

"This high-energy thriller is perfect for younger fans of Six of Crows, the movie Ocean's Eleven, and other inside-job narratives. Readers will be sure to delight in narrator Callan's sharp wit and snappy voice as they are introduced to the rest of the crew and their unusual skills. Cryptic messages, creepy characters, and unexpected but endearing friendships abound."
--Booklist

"Sands has created a rip-roaring story full of frantic twists and turns that leave readers questioning what is real and what is not. The magic is believable, and the world is easy to imagine. And one cannot help but root for these young protagonists whose lives have been so difficult and yet who manage to hope for a better future. A fabulous choice."
--School Library Journal

"The band of thieves navigates through their world's lost history and mythology on a quest that will take them diving to reach a shipwreck and ends with a major heist. The climax even delights in genre conventions, cutting from the action to flashbacks of the planning and scheming. A fun heist is a reward for expository worldbuilding."
--Kirkus Reviews