Review: She Thief By: Daniel Finn

Title: She Thief
Author: Daniel Finn
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends, 304 Pages (April 13th 2010)
From: Publisher

Synopsis: The girl, Baz, and the boy, Demi, are master pickpockets. They weave through rich neighborhoods to slip bags off shoulders and wallets out of pockets before disappearing into the crowd. Their loot goes to Fay, who runs a gang of child thieves from her den in the Barrio. This sweltering slum— in a city that is imagined, but all too real is what passes for home to the kids, and Fay is what passes for family.

That all changes the day Demi steals a magnificent blue ring. Soon, the police chief and the Barrio’s crime boss close in on Fay, and she begins to break under their pressure.

Baz has never doubted Fay before. She’s never been apart from Demi, either. But soon, Baz is left alone to find her way through a world more corrupt than she’s ever realized. Here, the lives of children are thrown away without a moment’s hesitation. Here, the rich and powerful are just thieves on a larger scale. And somewhere in this wreck of a city, Baz must find the scraps of hope, the small acts of kindness, and the steely strength that will take her back to Demi and wash them both out of the Barrio for good.

Review: 2 Stars - Not sure just what to say about this book. The idea and characters sounded interesting, however after reading the first few pages I knew it wasn't for me. I just didn't connect with the characters and often I found myself wondering when something was going to happen.

I had to pick this one back up again a couple times and force myself to finish it. It just dragged out to much for me. The best part about the book was maybe the last 25-30 pages. I felt like things finally picked up a bit where I could enjoy what was going on. It felt like all the action was in those last few pages while the rest was just.... eh, there.

The characters - Baz and Demi where the center point of the story. The actual main character was Baz. She seemed to have a better understanding of things, listened to her gut feelings more and spoke less. Being that they really don't have any family except each other and the woman who takes them in and makes them steal for her - Fey... they are pretty much left on their own living in squalor on the wrong side of the edge of town.

Things go wrong, people get hurt and they have to find a way out of it all. It's Baz that finally comes through and somewhat shines in those last few pages. If there had been more of her in the beginning and middle like she was at the end - then I think I could have gotten into this book a little more then I did.

Another thing that was hard was the dialogue. I understand they are from an uneducated area and it was part of their way of life, but it was hard to read at times. Often sounded more broken then I think was intended, but maybe that was just me?

All in all, I believe that this book wasn't the right fit for me. Sometimes that happens, I'm sure I'm not alone when a book comes along that you just don't connect with. One thing I'd like to say is... if you’re looking forward to reading this book, then please do. Don't base your reading it or not on my ONE review. I mean I am just ONE reviewer.


FTC Disclaimer: I did not pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this review.