Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (June 21, 2011)
• Language: English
• Buy The Book: Amazon

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 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 is owned by the most secure auction house in the world.  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 simply… 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 intrepid crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the world, 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.



     Heist Society and Uncommon Criminals are now the king and queen of my favorite list. The characters are so likeable, and they all have a sense of humor to just add a perfect touch to the books. This book was completely captivating and amazing! At first, though, the Bagshaws weren't there so it wasn't completely perfect, but it was close enough. I especially liked how there was a little more of a spark between Hale and Kat, and Gabrielle was trying to talk to Kat about Hale and how good they would be together. This time Kat has a little bit of a rebellious attitude. She goes against her uncle's word and heads off with Simon, Hale and Gabrielle to steal the Cleopatra Emerald, which is cursed, while the rest of their family is in Uruguay... or Paraguay, they confused me with their fighting about which one is which. Anyway, it was also fun to see the adversary as someone else, who is even harder to beat than Taccone was. Like in a game when you level up and get harder enemies.

     The stuff I didn't like... probably that it was annoying to me how the bad guy was so smug about everything, especially when Kat's crew's plan didn't work. I can't think of anything else that was really bad or anything. I can never find bad stuff, it's like Andye is a mind reader, picking the books that I love and asking me to review them. :P

     Okay so not much has changed since the last book in the category of fave characters. I still love the Bagshaws the best, and Kat. She is so awesome, how can anyone not like her? I have to say I like everyone, but those are just the absolute best.

     My least favorites were Maggie, the bad character, she was breaking like, a million thief rules, just so she could be rich. I just didn't like her, I'm not sure why other than the reason listed before.


     Overall, the book was awesome, it was real people, no magic, but it was from the thief's point of view. If you haven't read these books, you are missing out BIG TIME. You have to read them, like, right now.