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ashylibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
...I did say I was going to be reading everything by Adiba Jaigirdar, and this exception.
Oceans 8 meets Six of Crows but make it Titanic in this adventurous heist novel.
I had a great time reading this historical fiction. It is not a perfect, flawless novel, but the adventure, the heist, the cast of characters. I could not put it down.
It didn't always feel like I was reading a historical fiction novel, which for me was a bit sad, but I think it helps to make it appeal to a broader audience since historical fiction can be a difficult sell sometimes.
The character dynamics were flying all over the page. Each of the main characters had a specific, unique purpose.
I will be recommending this title.
Hands down one of the most fun historical fictions I have read to date.
Titanic ✅
Powerhouse Female Cast ✅
Heist ✅
Josefa, a top-class, cunning thief, has her eyes set on stealing the top-dollar Rubiyat, a one-of-a-kind book encased with millions of dollars worth of stones.
Josefa knows she can’t accomplish this alone, however, so she recruits a crew of equally talented girls to help her out: Hinnah, a daring acrobat; Violet, an actress and expert dissembler; and Emilie, an artist who can replicate any drawing by hand.
Giving Six of Crows mixed with Ocean’s 8 and a side of Titanic.
It wasn’t a perfect book and came with a few questionable plot holes, but, man, did I have a great time reading this one.
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, I will read everything Jaigirdar writes.
Image description in the comments.
Oceans 8 meets Six of Crows but make it Titanic in this adventurous heist novel.
I had a great time reading this historical fiction. It is not a perfect, flawless novel, but the adventure, the heist, the cast of characters. I could not put it down.
It didn't always feel like I was reading a historical fiction novel, which for me was a bit sad, but I think it helps to make it appeal to a broader audience since historical fiction can be a difficult sell sometimes.
The character dynamics were flying all over the page. Each of the main characters had a specific, unique purpose.
I will be recommending this title.
Hands down one of the most fun historical fictions I have read to date.
Titanic ✅
Powerhouse Female Cast ✅
Heist ✅
Josefa, a top-class, cunning thief, has her eyes set on stealing the top-dollar Rubiyat, a one-of-a-kind book encased with millions of dollars worth of stones.
Josefa knows she can’t accomplish this alone, however, so she recruits a crew of equally talented girls to help her out: Hinnah, a daring acrobat; Violet, an actress and expert dissembler; and Emilie, an artist who can replicate any drawing by hand.
Giving Six of Crows mixed with Ocean’s 8 and a side of Titanic.
It wasn’t a perfect book and came with a few questionable plot holes, but, man, did I have a great time reading this one.
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, I will read everything Jaigirdar writes.
Image description in the comments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment and Toxic friendship
priceofsalt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Confinement, and Classism
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Sexism and Abandonment
shelbyslifer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Sexism, Racism, Death, Violence, and Death of parent
sarah984's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This was a very weird book experience for me. I thought the concept of a group of teenage girls working together on a high seas heist sounded fun and exciting, but unfortunately somehow not much happens. The characters are all kind of bland and same-y (except that one had this constant low key racist mental monologue going on, which was kind of weird for a character who was clearly meant to be sympathetic) and a lot of things are glossed over. The characters made inexplicable decisions (why would seeing a scary guy heading your way make you decide to get out of the life boat?????) and the use of real people felt borderline disrespectful, particularly matron Wallis (who steals something from one of the girls for no reason) and Phillips.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Death, and Confinement
Minor: Body shaming, Classism, Misogyny, Racism, and Abandonment
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
HELLA...
This book came out of my mind eventually. I didn't know why suddenly I want to read or listen to it. The crossover between Titanic and Ocean's 8 make it intriguing. I love the process of understanding every characters.
Josefa; the thief... I love her so much even sometimes I feel like her strategy is risky for four of them. But, I must say... she's brilliant.
Violet; the actress... if not for her brother... I am sure; she won't join Josefa's crazy idea to board on a ship like that
Both Hinnah and Emilie... sometimes I feel conflicted but, I love them being rational.. especially Emilie and her fear.
Overall, this book gave me different feel of historical fiction should like... but I also love the heist part. Great job, Adiba!
This book came out of my mind eventually. I didn't know why suddenly I want to read or listen to it. The crossover between Titanic and Ocean's 8 make it intriguing. I love the process of understanding every characters.
Josefa; the thief... I love her so much even sometimes I feel like her strategy is risky for four of them. But, I must say... she's brilliant.
Violet; the actress... if not for her brother... I am sure; she won't join Josefa's crazy idea to board on a ship like that
Both Hinnah and Emilie... sometimes I feel conflicted but, I love them being rational.. especially Emilie and her fear.
Overall, this book gave me different feel of historical fiction should like... but I also love the heist part. Great job, Adiba!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Classism, and Confinement
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and Racism
Minor: Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
anna_17793's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Toxic friendship, Racism, and Sexism
cassielaj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really enjoyed this overall, it was exciting and emotional and powerfully told. I was surprised by Violet and Hinnah’s deaths, but I think the situation was handled well and they were honored properly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Misogyny, Death, and Violence
imstephtacular's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Abandonment, Child death, and Death
librariangeorgia's review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I absolutely loved HANI AND ISHU'S GUIDE TO FAKE DATING that this was an automatic must-read for me.
I loved the concept of this book - 4 girls coming together to try and pull off a heist aboard the Titanic. We all know what happened to the Titanic so that element of the story was obvious, however I still enjoyed the tense whats-going-to-happen-will-they-succeed side of the story. Each of the girls come from different walks of life and I really liked the dynamics between them.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to seeing what else this author publishes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Classism, Sexism, Confinement, Racism, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
bookishflower's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sapphic Titanic heist. Need I say more?
- found family
- wlw and woc rep
- Tense and endearing
- Climbing vents (a personal favourite)
- Heist!
Thank you Hachette Children’s Group/team BKMRK and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. (Review approved by HarperCollins Union if posted with UK cover).
‘4 girls, a priceless treasure, and an unsinkable ship. But what happens when secrets, old grudges, and new desires complicate things? All aboard the RMS Titanic, this heist will go on’ (is that a terrible pun? Yes, yes it is).
Somehow I went into this thinking I wouldn’t get hurt. I was wrong. I did this to myself.
As someone who had far too much of an interest in the Titanic as a child, I had to read this. Throw in a heist and sapphic characters I was sold!
Without giving anything away, the found family in this is heartwarming and heartbreaking, I will protect Hinnah with my life, to the Titanic film fans, there are references, and I have a need to hit August hard in the head with his book of poetry.
This is quite a slow paced book and more historical fiction first, heist book second, so keep that in mind, but I loved it even if the sword of Damocles was hanging over my head the whole time. We need more historical fiction centring marginalised groups.
- found family
- wlw and woc rep
- Tense and endearing
- Climbing vents (a personal favourite)
- Heist!
Thank you Hachette Children’s Group/team BKMRK and NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. (Review approved by HarperCollins Union if posted with UK cover).
‘4 girls, a priceless treasure, and an unsinkable ship. But what happens when secrets, old grudges, and new desires complicate things? All aboard the RMS Titanic, this heist will go on’ (is that a terrible pun? Yes, yes it is).
Somehow I went into this thinking I wouldn’t get hurt. I was wrong. I did this to myself.
As someone who had far too much of an interest in the Titanic as a child, I had to read this. Throw in a heist and sapphic characters I was sold!
Without giving anything away, the found family in this is heartwarming and heartbreaking, I will protect Hinnah with my life, to the Titanic film fans, there are references, and I have a need to hit August hard in the head with his book of poetry.
This is quite a slow paced book and more historical fiction first, heist book second, so keep that in mind, but I loved it even if the sword of Damocles was hanging over my head the whole time. We need more historical fiction centring marginalised groups.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Sexism, Classism, Death, Misogyny, and Confinement