Review: Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Author's Website: http://allycarter.com/
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summary: 
Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners. There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long — and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous, and that is . . . the emerald is cursed. Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all, she has her best friend — the gorgeous Hale — and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses and realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time. Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

My Review:
     I don't even have words to express how much I love these books.  Not to mention, I got to meet Ally at BEA and she's probably one of the nicest people ever.  Heist Society was so incredible that I thought there was no way that the second one could even compare, but I was so wrong.  Uncommon Criminals kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. 

     I'm pretty sure that if I could pick any character in any book to be, I would pick Kat.  Not only because of her strength (which I admire), or her skills (which I envy), or her boyfriend (who is HOT), the part I love most about Kat's life, is her friends.  They made it clear that they would stand next to her and help her, no matter what.  Even if it means Especially if it means risking their lives.
    
     They're all so independent and fearless and I love it.  They see a situation that looks completely impossible and they figure out a way around it.  Like it's no big deal.  Nothing is impossible to them and their entire lives are on the edge.  They're only teenagers and yet they can out-con adults more than twice their ages.  It's amazing, and I'm not jealous at all... honest... well, maybe.