Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Barnes & Noble Description: "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."

My Review: Have you ever heard of the sophomore slump? Where the first was a hit, and the sequel was a total bust? Well, I think there should be something called the "sophomore comeback", where the first is just okay, the sequel is BETTER, and makes you reevaluate the first and maybe like it a little more. It happened to me with the Virals series, and it's happening now, with the Heist Society books. I didn't really like the first book at all---but when I saw this one, I picked it up anyway, curious about how Katarina's story would be continued. And guess what? This time, I really liked it! The book was exciting and action-filled, and I felt like the plot was much more intriguing. I was more immersed in the world and less confused about things, so I could enjoy the book a whole lot more. Kat actually started to have some feelings and to own up to them, so she wasn't as flat as she always had been---and Gabrielle was just a pleasure to read about. Hilarious! All the characters got better, although I wish we could have seen more of the Bagshaw brothers! All in all, this book was pretty great---and it made me go back and re-read Heist Society, and I liked that one a lot better this time too! Uncommon Criminals definitely made a sophomore comeback. 

Cover: Okay, ALL the Heist Society book covers are GORGEOUS---this one included. It's cute and sassy, girly with a touch of wicked spy. It's awesome! 

Overall Grade: A-