A Mishap in Alchemology: My Thoughts on To Steal from Thieves by M.K. Lobb
When I first stumbled upon To Steal from Thieves, the title alone piqued my curiosity; a heist narrative set in an alternate Victorian London with a magical twist sounded like just the kind of escapism I craved. M.K. Lobb’s foray into alchemology and its interplay with gritty underworld dealings seemed promising. However, as I delved into the pages, I found myself grappling with a rather different reality than I anticipated.
Set against the backdrop of a shadowy yet fascinating London, the story revolves around Zaria Mendoza, a young alchemologist juggling her father’s unfinished commissions while navigating the dangerous waters of the city’s criminal elite. Her path intersects with Kane Durante, a resourceful thief entangled in the schemes of a ruthless patron. Both characters bring a palpable cynicism and distrust into their partnership, each planning to betray the other amidst their heist endeavors. While their initial banter hinted at potential chemistry, I quickly felt the weight of their mutual distrust overshadowing any budding connection.
Lobb creates a fascinating magic system where the creation of primateria—from sacrificing one’s blood and life force—serves as a compelling metaphor for the cost of ambition and desperation. I found myself drawn to the implications of alchemology on technology and society, but alas, the rich setting couldn’t uplift my waning interest in Zaria and Kane. Their motivations seemed tangled in a cycle of self-preservation, but I struggled to connect with their plights on an emotional level.
The pacing, especially in the beginning chapters, felt lethargic; I yearned for more depth and engagement in their arcs. I could see the potential glimmers of tension and excitement—especially in the intricately planned heist—but the execution left me wanting. Three days in, trudging through the first third of the narrative, I found it hard to keep my attention focused, even peeking ahead at sections in hopes of a turn in excitement, only to find it lacking.
To my dismay, To Steal from Thieves lacked the addictive quality of similar heist stories, such as Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. I was searching for that unquenchable urge to devour the pages, but my interest waned instead. The characters felt starkly reminiscent of Bardugo’s creations, yet they lacked the nuance and charm that made me root for the original cast.
Visually, the cover suggests grandiosity—featuring the iconic necklace at its heart—but the representation of characters felt mismatched with their descriptions. Kane, with a prep-school allure, didn’t resonate with the rough-and-tumble thief I envisioned, while Zaria’s extravagant curls seemed more fantasy than realism.
In conclusion, while M.K. Lobb’s novel may resonate with some readers craving a fresh heist narrative with magical elements, it ultimately fell flat for me. If you delight in exploring darker settings with morally ambiguous characters and a heist twist, you might still find something to latch onto here. For me, however, the experience left me yearning for deeper connections and narratives that can ignite that spark of urgency in storytelling. This certainly has its target audience, but sadly, I must step back from this particular escapade.
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