In M.K. Lobb’s enthralling historical fantasy novel, To Steal from Thieves, readers are transported to the gritty underbelly of 1850s London, where the line between thief and victim blurs with each turning page. Set against the backdrop of the Great Exhibition, this intricate tale of magical heists, forbidden alchemy, and unlikely alliances proves that sometimes, to steal something valuable, you must risk everything.
Lobb, known for her Seven Faceless Saints duology, has crafted a world where magic exists in the shadows, criminalized and relegated to the dark market. The novel thrives in this gray space between right and wrong, presenting characters whose motivations are as complex as the machines on display in the Crystal Palace itself.
Alchemy Meets Artful Dodgery
The heart of the story lies in its perfectly imperfect protagonists: Zaria Mendoza, a struggling alchemologist trying to keep her father’s dark market business afloat after his death, and Kane Durante, a charismatic con man working for Alexander Ward, London’s magical kingpin. Their uneasy partnership forms when Kane approaches Zaria with a proposition to steal a priceless necklace from the Great Exhibition, promising her enough wealth to escape her debts and leave London forever.
What neither initially reveals to the other is their intention to betray. Kane plans to double-cross Zaria once the necklace is acquired, while Zaria has her own reasons for wanting the artifact – it’s a rare primateria source that could free her from the physically draining effects of creating magic through her own life force.
Lobb excels in depicting the tension between these two damaged souls. Their dangerous attraction to each other – despite knowing they’re on opposite sides of the same con – creates a provocative dance of trust and betrayal. Their chemistry leaps off the page, particularly in charged scenes like their kiss in Cecile’s workshop and their final embrace before Zaria’s betrayal at the Exhibition.
Victorian London: A Character in Its Own Right
The setting of Victorian London during the Great Exhibition provides a sumptuous backdrop for the unfolding drama. Lobb’s depiction of the social stratification is painfully vivid – the splendor of the Crystal Palace with its innovative displays stands in stark contrast to the squalor of Devil’s Acre, where characters like Zaria and Jules struggle to survive.
The author’s research shines through in details both grand and minute, from the architectural marvel of the Exhibition’s glass palace to the mechanics of pawnbroking in the 1850s. This historical authenticity anchors the fantasy elements, making the inclusion of alchemy and magic feel like a natural extension of the Victorian fascination with science and the unexplained.
Strengths That Shine Like Primateria
Complex Morality and Flawed Characters
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its commitment to moral ambiguity. There are no heroes in the traditional sense – each character operates according to their own code, making choices that hurt others while believing they’re justified in doing so. Kane’s willingness to sacrifice anything for Fletcher’s safety, Zaria’s desperate attempts to save Jules from Ward’s crew, and even Ward’s twisted belief that he’s doing what’s best for Kane – all showcase the complexity of human nature.
Particularly compelling is Kane’s internal struggle with his identity. Raised by the man who murdered his parents, his character arc involves recognizing how much of Ward exists within himself. When he finally kills Ward and takes his place as kingpin, it’s a moment of tragic inevitability rather than triumph.
Magic System and World-Building
Lobb’s magic system is refreshingly original and well-conceived. Alchemology – the art of manipulating existing objects through primateria – has clear rules and limitations. The cost of creating magic through one’s own life force adds stakes to every magical act, and the concept of primateria sources as rare, coveted objects drives much of the plot.
The dark market economy surrounding magical artifacts feels authentically integrated into Victorian London’s existing class structures and black markets. Descriptions of the aleuite explosives, magical revolvers, and particularly the parautoptic key showcase Lobb’s attention to detail and mechanical ingenuity.
Tight Plotting and Pacing
“To Steal from Thieves” moves at a brisk clip, with the heist framework providing natural tension that builds toward the Exhibition break-in. The dual POV structure between Kane and Zaria offers complementary insights into their schemes and emotional states. Revelations are timed for maximum impact – particularly the twist that the necklace is a primateria source, which recontextualizes both characters’ motivations.
Elements That Could Use Refinement
Secondary Character Development
While Jules and Fletcher serve as important moral anchors for our protagonists, their characterization occasionally feels secondary to the Zaria-Kane dynamic. Jules in particular seems defined primarily by his relationship to Zaria, though his final confrontation with his father adds welcome complexity. Fletcher’s unwavering loyalty to Kane, despite Kane’s betrayal, could have been explored in greater depth to make their final break more impactful.
Villain Complexity
Ward is a fascinating antagonist whose twisted paternal relationship with Kane drives much of the protagonist’s psychological conflict. However, his motivations for wanting the primateria source remain somewhat opaque. A deeper exploration of how he planned to use its power or why he felt threatened by Zaria specifically would have added another layer to the antagonistic force.
Resolution Pacing
The novel’s ending, with Kane embracing Ward’s position as kingpin and Zaria being captured by one of her dissatisfied clients, feels somewhat rushed after the intense buildup of the Exhibition heist. While this clearly sets up a sequel, some readers might wish for more resolution to the central conflicts established in this volume.
Final Thoughts: A Dazzling Display of Literary Alchemy
To Steal from Thieves succeeds brilliantly as both fantasy and historical fiction, combining elements of both into something greater than the sum of its parts. The central romance – though doomed from the start – burns with authentic chemistry and complexity. Readers will find themselves uncomfortably sympathizing with characters who make terrible choices for understandable reasons.
Lobb’s prose is as deft as Kane’s lock-picking skills – elegant when describing the Crystal Palace’s splendor, raw when depicting the realities of slum life, and crackling with tension in the scenes between Kane and Zaria. The novel’s themes of identity, freedom, and the price of power resonate long after the final page.
For fans of Alexandra Bracken’s Lore or Judy I. Lin’s A Magic Steeped in Poison, this novel offers a similar blend of historical setting and magical intrigue. Readers who enjoyed the moral complexity of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows or the Victorian setting of Libba Bray’s The Diviners will find much to appreciate in Lobb’s carefully crafted world.
At its core, To Steal from Thieves is about what we’re willing to sacrifice for freedom – from poverty, from obligation, from our own worst impulses – and the cost of those sacrifices. In Zaria and Kane’s world, nothing comes without a price, and sometimes what we steal ends up stealing parts of ourselves in return.
This first installment in Lobb’s promised duology, To Steal from Thieves, establishes her as a formidable voice in YA historical fantasy. The sequel cannot come soon enough for readers left breathless by this tale of magic, deception, and the thin line between villain and antihero.
To Steal from Thieves proves that M.K. Lobb has mastered the art of creating characters who are impossible to categorize as purely good or evil. While the secondary character development and villain motivations could benefit from further exploration, the novel’s innovative magic system, authentic historical setting, and complex protagonists make this a standout entry in the YA historical fantasy genre. The stage is perfectly set for what promises to be an explosive conclusion in the forthcoming sequel.