City of Saints and Thieves Review

In the shadows of Sangui City, there lives a girl who doesn’t exist. After fleeing the Congo as refugees, Tina and her mother arrived in Kenya looking for the chance to build a new life and home. Her mother quickly found work as a maid for a prominent family, headed by Roland Greyhill, one of the city’s most respected business leaders. But Tina soon learns that the Greyhill fortune was made from a life of corruption and crime. So when her mother is found shot to death in Mr. Greyhill’s personal study, she knows exactly who’s behind it.

With revenge always on her mind, Tina spends the next four years surviving on the streets alone, working as a master thief for the Goondas, Sangui City’s local gang. It’s a job for the Goondas that finally brings Tina back to the Greyhill estate, giving her the chance for vengeance she’s been waiting for. But as soon as she steps inside the lavish home, she’s overtaken by the pain of old wounds and the pull of past friendships, setting into motion a dangerous cascade of events that could, at any moment, cost Tina her life. But finally uncovering the incredible truth about who killed her mother—and why—keeps her holding on in this fast-paced nail-biting thriller. -Goodreads.com

4/5

Takes place in Kenya (how cool is that!!!) And it’s optioned to be a movie! 

Brianna was the one that put City of Saints and Thieves on hold but she didn’t get around to reading it, so I decided to pick it up. Going in I had no idea what to expect, I don’t think I even read the summary for City of Saints and Thieves. I just jumped in and started reading and boy do I NOT regret it.

From the very beginning I liked this book because of the writing. The way Natalie C. Anderson writes makes it seem like more of a personal story. It feels like Tina is actually talking to the reader as the story progresses. My favorite part of this was that she gives us rules to follow if we want to be a good thief. I loved the rules the most, it was such a nice touch to the overall story.

Other than the writing I enjoyed the characters. They weren’t my favorite and I don’t think they stood out the most, but their personalities were likable. I liked Tina and her strength. She’s doesn’t let anyone walk over her and she knows how to stand up to get what she wants. Tina’s a good thief, she works at it. I also liked Boyboy, they were good friends with each other and I really appreciated that.

The story was thrilling from the first page. City of Saints and Thieves sweeps you away on an action packed, thrilling, mystery. It holds you there until the very last part. Some moments were slow, but the book is 401 pages so it’s understandable. There are even a few twists thrown in, one of them I saw coming, the other one I didn’t.

City of Saints and Thieves is a pretty thrilling ride, I highly enjoyed it from start to finish. The only thing I have to mention is a semi-spoiler trigger warning. I could be reading it wrong but there is suggested rape near the end. It doesn’t happen to the main character but someone she knows.