School Library Journal

Gr 5 Up-This stunning tale of betrayal, trickery, and friendship takes the reader on a wild ride. Callan, a 14-year-old thief, accepts an invitation to participate in a heist that offers tremendous rewards. But he soon learns the possibility of great reward carries with it great risk. Con artist Callan teams up with four other children: Merial, the gymnastic knife expert; Gareth, head of intel; Lachlan, who can acquire supplies; and Foxtail, who can climb any and everywhere. The foursome combine their skills in an attempt to steal an artifact of great but unknown power. Even if they succeed, the price may be more than they are willing to pay. As the stakes get higher, it will take every skill these children possess to overcome the challenges in their way-assuming they survive at all. 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. Characters are cued as white. VERDICT A fabulous choice for libraries where action-packed fantasies are popular.-Heidi Grange, Summit Elem. Sch., Smithfield, UT