Title: Honor Among Thieves
Series: Honors #1
Author: Rachel Cain & Ann Aguirre
Genre: YA, Science Fiction
Published: February 12th, 2018 (Katherine Tegen Books)
Goodreads
Synopsis: Petty criminal Zara Cole has a painful past that’s made her stronger than most, which is why she chose life in New Detroit instead of moving with her family to Mars. In her eyes, living inside a dome isn’t much better than a prison cell.
Still, when Zara commits a crime that has her running scared, jail might be exactly where she’s headed. Instead Zara is recruited into the Honors, an elite team of humans selected by the Leviathan—a race of sentient alien ships—to explore the outer reaches of the universe as their passengers.
Zara seizes the chance to flee Earth’s dangers, but when she meets Nadim, the alien ship she’s assigned, Zara starts to feel at home for the first time. But nothing could have prepared her for the dark, ominous truths that lurk behind the alluring glitter of starlight.
Review:
Petty criminal Zara Cole ends up the target of some very powerful people after what should have been a straightforward theft, and nowhere seems to be safe. When she is unexpectedly selected for the Honors program, where a select group of 100 humans travel with Leviathans, sentient alien ships, for a year to explore the universe, Zara seizes the chance to get away from her pursuers. Aboard Nadim, the Leviathan she is assigned to, Zara begins to feel a sense of belonging and home, but dark secrets lurk in the universe beyond, and the Honors program is not all it seems.
I’ve been wanting to read this book ever since I finished Rachel Caine’s The Great Library series which I enjoyed a lot. Though the genres are completely different, Honor Among Thieves was just as engaging a read that drew me into the world and characters almost immediately. The plot moved much faster than I expected, but it was really easy to keep up with what was going on and I didn’t feel like there were any info dumps with regards to the world-building. The concept of Leviathans was fascinating and I loved reading about them, particularly Nadim who was just so adorable! I liked that while there was a lot of technological and scientific stuff, it was done without confusing the reader or going into too much detail.
Zara is an interesting protagonist – she has had a difficult past, choosing to stay on Earth and emancipate herself rather than leaving with her mother and sister when they move to the colony on Mars, or worse, stay with her father. She does not trust easily, but with time, she begins to warm to Nadim and her co-Honor, Beatriz, and it was wonderful to see these bonds grow. I don’t usually like reckless protagonists, but in this case, it worked really well, and Zara’s character arc was developed wonderfully.
The only thing that I found odd was that the entire story before Zara being chosen as an Honor seemingly becomes completely irrelevant after a point in the plot, and any possible consequences of Zara’s crime and why whatever she stole was so important are never mentioned. With the plot focused on the Leviathans and what is happening out in the galaxy, it doesn’t appear like this is going to be coming back which makes all the setup on Earth kind of superfluous.
This was an interesting and fast paced read, and the ending, while not really a cliffhanger, promises an exciting sequel. I’m so glad this entire series is already out because I don’t think I could wait a year to see what happens next! This was quite a thrilling ride and I would definitely recommend this for sci-fi fans!
Have you read this book? Let me know in the comments below!
Other reviews in this series:
Worlds Unlike Our Own 
I never heard about this book before but sounds exciting!! I will keep it under my radar!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a fun read so far and I’m looking forward to book 2!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t read this one, but I love Rachel Caine’s Stillhouse Lake series! Sadly, she passed away last year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading! I’ve heard of the Stillhouse Lake series, hoping to read it at some point since I really like thrillers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds like a great read. I hope you enjoy the sequel as much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I can’t wait to pick up the sequel!
LikeLike
Yes, I read it and its sequel when they first came out and loved both!! I’ve been meaning to read the last one but just haven’t around gotten to it. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to hear book 2 is just as good, I can’t wait to start it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVE this book – and the sequel as well. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on book three. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Great review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I’m really excited to read book 2!
LikeLike
This sounds really interesting! I haven’t read a good sci-fi/dystopian kind of novel in a while so I might have to pick this up soon. I love stories that are fast-paced. I hope maybe if there’s a sequel that it covers some of the plot holes you mentioned!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope so too, the ratings are pretty good for the remaining two books in the series, so I’m quite excited to get to them.
LikeLike
I have heard of this book before and, as a person who enjoys both fantasy and sci-fi elements, I am intrigued by this book. The story title has a clever double meaning! Love that all the books are out; I like to wait for a series to be complete before jumping in.
Thanks so much for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed, waiting for a sequel can be fun, but it’s so nice to sit down with a complete series once in a while and not worry about cliffhangers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this one, I’m not sure it would be my kind of read but I’m glad you enjoyed it in the main x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person