Reviews

The Best Thing You Can Steal by Simon R. Green

chelcyreads's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely LOVED this book. Everything from the character development to the plot was wonderfully written. Already looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

slayra's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Gideon Sable is a well known thief that is preparing his new heist. But in reality a new thief has taken over his identity and is trying to get back in the business. He puts together a particularly diverse crew, and has a plan to get revenge on a man that has wronged all of them. Brilliant narration by Graphic Audio as always.

theteamsreader's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

therafa's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

usskrantz's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

calmcelebration9888's review against another edition

3.75

I really liked this book. It’s a little predictable. I think we’ve all seen Oceans Eleven by now. This book is very similar with a magical twist. I appreciate it was short and every part of the book was relevant to the ending. If I had one complaint, it’s the amount of conversation once they’re in the heist. You would think they would at least try to be quiet but they couldn’t seem to take a single step without having a conversation. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book. Probably my favorite part was about the television. I won’t give it away but that came out of left field for me. Very interesting plot twist.

micheala_reads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

dawn_marie's review against another edition

3.0

The Best Thing You Can Steal, the first installment in Simon R. Green’s Gideon Sable series, is a fast-paced, humorous, enjoyable read. The novel follows the titular named Gideon Sable, a thief and grifter who specializes in the stealing the unstealable – including the identity he now wears. In the first installment, Gideon is tasked with stealing the prized possession of Fredric Hammer, a ruthless criminal and killer and collector of rare and magical objects. To assist Gideon in this task, he gathers a ragtag group of misfits – each with a unique ability.

The novel is a basic heist story, with magical and other supernatural elements thrown into the mix. The setting is modern day London and the characters, well not especially well developed, are entertaining. The writing is filled with snappy dialog, humor, and moves the plot along a crisp pace.

The Best Thing You Can Steal is a quick (just over 200 pages) read with a fun plot and entertaining characters told in Mr. Green’s typical humorous style. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading additional installments from the series.

bethtabler's review against another edition

4.0

The Best Thing You Can Steal, by Simon R. Green, has a new series starring a group of thieves and scoundrels set in an urban fantasy world where magic is real. Each group member has a unique set of skills that make them invaluable for the planned heist. Think Ocean's 11 meets Nightside with a bit of Dresden Files, and you have this new series. It is such fun.

“Welcome to London, but not as you know it. A place where magics and horror run free, wonders and miracles are everyday things, and the dark streets are full of very shadowy people . . .“

The story starts with introducing a gentleman scoundrel named Gideon Sable, and no, that is not his real name. He stole this identity like he steals most things, but he now wears this persona like a second skin. He has become the legendary namesake, and all it was to be the master thief, Gideon Sable. And boy, does Gideon he have a heist in mind.

Gideon is the brains of this heist, the cunning rogue who has plans inside plans. More importantly, Gideon is insanely likable. Imagine Danny Ocean but with magic items. I liked him from the first pages of the story, which is a massive credit to Green as an author.

Aside from Gideon, you have his fabulous collection of rogues and malcontents, the Damned, the Ghost, the Wild Card, and Gideon’s ex-girlfriend, Annie Anybody. The Ghost is just that, a ghost. He can move through spaces and is only visible to a select few. The Wild Card is a man who has seen some things that make him a complete wild card. Luck bends and twists in weird ways with him. You really have no idea what will happen in his presence. The Damned is a soul who is cursed. He was asked to steal something unstealable from a celestial being, and in doing so, he became something else. Even shadows slink away from him. He is not a man to be trifled with. The last is Gideon's former flame, Annie anybody, a woman who can be anyone; luck and perception bend to her. Her powers are a bit hit and miss but interesting.

“And we set of with speed for the bright lights of London. A car full of weird with a ghost on top.”

This book is pure fun. The Best Thing You Can Steal isn't perfect. The caper wasn't as convincing as I wished it had been, but I think that takes a solid back seat to the fantastic characters and powers. Again likening it to Ocean's 11, you didn't watch Ocean's 11 for the intricate heist. You watched Ocean's 11 for the characters coming together in their respective elements and doing some thievery. The Best Thing You Can Steal does exceptionally well, and it is worth checking out, as is pretty much any of Green's books. His Welcome to the Nightside books are legend.

gretta88's review against another edition

4.0

Hitchhikers guide meets Harry, Ron, and Hermione break into Gringotts Bank. Very charming.