Five kids with unusual talents are brought together to commit an impossible crime.
A magic-infused fantasy that brings together a ragtag group of kids to pull off a crime so difficult, countless adults have already tried and failed. Lured by the promise of more money than they've ever dreamed of, five young criminals are hired to steal a heavily guarded treasure from the most powerful sorcerer in the city. There's Callan the con artist, Meriel the expert at acrobatics (and knives!), Gareth the researcher, Lachlan who can obtain anything, and Foxtail, whose mysterious eyeless mask doesn't hinder her ability to climb walls like a spider. Though their shadowy backgrounds meant that they've never trusted anyone but themselves, the five must learn to rely on each other in order to get the job done. But as Callan has been warned most of his life, it's best to stay away from magic. It can turn on you at any moment, and make you think you're the one running the con game, when in reality you're the one being fooled. Faced with these unsurmountable odds, can the new friends pull off this legendary heist, or has their luck finally run out?
Since escaping from university with a pair of degrees in theoretical physics, Kevin Sands has worked as a researcher, a business consultant, and a teacher. He is the author of the bestselling The Blackthorn Key series. His brand new fantasy adventure, Children of the Fox, is out now.
Vielen Dank erstmal, dass ich dieses tolle Hörbuch vorab hören durfte!
Erstmal zum Cover: ich find es super schön gelungen und sehr ansprechend.
Jetzt zur Story selbst, die hat es nämlich in sich. Verraten werde ich nichts, nur so viel: Selten habe ich ein so spannendes "Kinderbuch" gehört/gelesen! Die Figuren sind allesamt sympathisch und etwas verschroben - und ziemlich ausgebufft, was mir vor allem an Hauptfigur Callan sehr gefallen hat. Er ist quasi ein kleines Gaunergenie und es hat wirklich Spaß gemacht ihn zu begleiten😁
Die Welt ist historisch und wirkt wie zur Jahrhundertwende, denn es gibt Luftschiffe und Droschken und auch die Beschreibung der Kleidung passt in die Zeit. Ich liebe dieses Setting❤️
Der Schreibstil ist nicht kindlich, aber auch nicht zu ernst, nur einige Szenen, vor allem aus der Vergangenheit der Charaktere, waren wirklich dramatisch beschrieben. Ich weiß nicht ob das Buch wirklich schon ab 11 Jahren gelesen werden sollte, ich würde es persönlich eher für ältere Kinder empfehlen, weil es teilweise echt zur Sache geht🙈
Sprecher Oliver Rohrbeck hat einen super Job gemacht und der Geschichte noch das gewisse Etwas verliehen.
Zum Schluss gibt's noch nen miesen Cliffhanger, aber das hab ich mir von vornherein gedacht😉 Ich freue mich schon auf die Fortsetzung!
Von mir gibt's volle 5 Sterne für dieses spannende (Kinder-)Buch und eine ganz klare Leseempfehlung, auch für Erwachsene!
I was able to obtain an e-ARC of this book from the publisher at a School Library Journal conference, I think it was Day of Dialog. I am a huge fan Kevin Sands' The Blackthorn Key Adventures and had been anticipating the start of this new series for about a year. When my youngest child (11) saw it on my device she asked if she could choose it for our Family Read Aloud, and that is the only reason I have not read and reviewed it sooner.
Whereas The Blackthorn Key Adventures are historical fiction with some mystery thrown in, this is a new genre for Sands-fantasy. The setting feels Victorian influenced to me, with a hint of steampunk but there is a moderate amount of world building, creating an original setting for this cast of characters.
The characters include several youth are brought together to pull off a heist by the mysterious Mr. Solomon. The incredibly challenging job they are meant to pull off will require the divergent talents that each individual possess, them to work as a team, and to go against a powerful group of magic users that should not be crossed. To me, it ended up feeling like Oceans 11 meets Peter Nimble.
The story is told through Callan, who has been warned to stay away from magic but needs to pull off this biggest con of his life in order to have the life he never dreamed he could have. He becomes the boy with the plan and feels a lot like Kevin Sands earlier protagonist, Christopher Rowe in that he has had an apprentice in the past that he draws wisdom from but is really on his own now. I mean that a positive because I really enjoyed that character as well.
This is clearly the first in a promising new fantasy series for middle grade readers, complete with its own mythology, magic and world building.
I hate to be the "this is like Six of Crows!!1!1!!" person but this very much is middle grade Six of Crows. Yet as the best books usually are, it's similar in concept while managing to distinguish itself as its own unique story.
It's really good! And a lot of fun! Absolutely delivers as a heist (even comes with a bonus casino scene! bless) and as a found family origin story.
Also I think it's funny that if you've read the Blackthorn Key books you can tell it's the same author bc there's a very specific Thing that happens in his books
➸𝗉𝗅𝗈𝗍. fast-paced, full of action, and never dragging. perfect!
➸𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗅𝖽 𝖻𝗎𝗂𝗅𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀. kevin sands knocked it out of the park with this one! it was very interesting, it was very six of crows coded, but not a copy and paste. i loved the magic system in this one!
➸𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖻𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗄𝖽𝗈𝗐𝗇. •𝖼𝖺𝗅𝗅𝖺𝗇. i could write an entire essay on him. his backstory is so heartbreaking, the kid didn’t deserve all that😭
•𝗆𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗅. she is such a girlboss! i loved her snark and her banter with call was hilarious (definitely shipping them🤭) she reminded me of inej ghafa, but with nina zenik’s spunk :)
•𝗀𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗍𝗁. the poor kid!😭like callan, his backstory was sooooo sad. the kid just wants to read books
•𝗅𝖺𝖼𝗁𝗅𝖺𝗇. the little cinnamon bun! he little comments made me smile! although, i am worried for him in book 2.
•𝖿𝗈𝗑𝗍𝖺𝗂𝗅. she was so interesting and adorable, definitely wonder what’s ahead for her!
➸𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗂𝖿 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾... •the blackthorn key series (kevin sand’s other series) •the found family trope •heists •six of crows by leigh bardugo •snarky male main characters •unique cast of characters
Children of the Fox is a fantastic fantasy heist novel.
Going into this book, I had some pretty high expectations. My brother loves Kevin Sands's Blackthorn Key series. Children of the Fox was being given comp titles of The False Prince and Peter Nimble (two of my favorite books) and Ocean's 11 (I enjoy a good heist). So I was very excited to read it.
Did it absolutely stun me and completely blow me away? No. But it was really good, and I will be reading the rest of the series. It was a solid 4-star read.
The characters were all nicely well-rounded, and they all worked together well. I would have actually liked to see a little bit more initial friction between the crew members and how they could play off of each other in other ways.
The plot was great. The heist was done really well, and like in every good con story, the reader doesn't know everything that is going on. Sands also did a nice job of tying the story world mythology and plot together.
While the ending resolves the plot question, it definitely sets things up for the next book and the rest of the series.
The worldbuilding was a neat blend of steampunk and fantasy. For those of you who are wary about what types of magic systems you read, the magic system does have to do with using someone's or something's energy/soul.
If you enjoy a good heist story or fantasy, consider reading Children of the Fox.
Cautions: moderate, non-graphic violence; see magic note above
"Children of the Fox" by Kevin Sands is an enchanting journey into a world where magic, mystery, and misfit kids converge in a daring heist that is comparable to the excitement of Harry Potter. The author weaves a tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat as a group of unlikely heroes, each with their unique talents, embarks on the impossible. From the con artist Callan to the acrobatic Meriel, the characters are vibrant and lovable, making it easy to root for their success.
Sands brilliantly blends mythical lore with riddles and dangers, creating a narrative that captures the imagination. The unfolding of secrets and the camaraderie among the kids add layers of depth to the story, keeping readers engaged at every turn.
Magic, with its unpredictable twists, adds an extra layer of joy to the narrative. The story beautifully explores themes of trust, friendship, and the courage to ask for help when needed. Callan's journey of overcoming obstacles resonates with readers, making the story not just a thrilling adventure but also a heartwarming tale of personal growth.
As the tale unfolds, the suspense builds, and the ending delivers a perfect blend of satisfaction and anticipation, leaving readers eager for the next installment. "Children of the Fox" is a must-read for anyone seeking a magical, adventurous escape into a world where the impossible becomes possible. Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions and a craving for more of Kevin Sands' captivating storytelling.
Five thieves of differing backgrounds and skills are brought together in Children of the Fox. Their target? The ultimate treasure, sealed away from prying eyes and snatching hands. The reward could be everything they’ve ever wanted, but is it all too good to be true?
The Blackthorn Key series established Kevin Sands as not only a talented debut author, but also one of my personal favorites. This setup for his new series (which unfortunately seems to be just a trilogy this time around) cements that fact for me. It scratched an itch I didn’t know I had when it came to books: a fantasy heist with fingers dug deep into magic and mythology. Callan is a fantastic POV protagonist, his insights into the human body language a reflection of Christopher’s knowledge of puzzles and ciphers in TBK—not to mention the both of them having the voice of their mentor, albeit very different ones, in their head.
CotF entertained and intrigued from start to finish, every moment a captivating dive into the world that Kevin has constructed. I already want to read the sequel thanks to where we left off in this installment. If you have yet to read any of his work, you are doing yourself a massive disservice.
From the first page I was immediately sucked into this book. We're thrown head first into the action of a past heist. My favourite aspect of this book was the characters. We have a ragtag group of young thieves, all loveable in their own way. Each member of the group is unique from the others and I found myself wanting to get to know them all. While we did learn a bit about each character, we learned most about their leader Cal. The book was written from his perspective and we got to look into his past with various flashbacks. I thought the writing style fit the mood and tone of the book very well. While this is middle grade there was still a lot of dark themes that I thought were handled with care. I felt that the writing style conveyed the age of the characters and how they had to grow up fast because of their pasts. However aside from Cal, I didn't feel very connected to the other characters. I think that if I had gotten to know them more I would have been more invested in their roles as a whole. I also felt that the group grew very close together a bit too quickly.
The plot was very exciting. You guys know by now that I love a good heist story and this book definitely delivered. We had an impossible crime, plans being made, daring escapes, and underground contacts. Around 70% of the way through this book took a turn I wasn't expecting. It threw me off guard a little but once I understood what was happening I enjoyed it. This turn made for a unique read and set it apart from other heist books I've read. We were left on a cliffhanger and I'm definitely excited to see what will happen next.
Thank you PenguinTeen Canada for sending me an ARC for an honest review 4/5 stars This was such a fun read! I went in expecting it to be mostly focused on a heist, but it was so much more than a heist story. This is a story about a group of kids (11-14ish) who have never met each other, but they are brought together in order to pull off an impossible heist. We have our narrator Cal who is a gaffer, and he’s the leader. As a gaffer, Cal is able to read body language and understand the best way to trick someone. Then we have Meriel who is a thief and also really good with fighting and throwing knives. Lachlan is the youngest of the group, and he has contacts all around the city. Gareth is the reader and researcher, and he’s able to find things for the group. And then there’s Foxtail who is their cat burglar and communicates through a form of sign language because her face is covered by a metal mask with no mouth or eye holes. I have so many questions about Foxtail, and I hope we learn more of her story in the next book! This group of kids is tasked with stealing from the High Weaver who is the most powerful magic person in their world. And they only have 3 days to do it. This kicks off a series of small plans that they need to enact in order to find a way to complete this impossible heist. The pacing was good, and the short chapters made it feel fast-paced when all the action was happening. I also liked the writing style and I thought it was easy to read and understand. The world building was good, and I liked all the little stories about Fox and Bear. Overall this was a great middle grade fantasy heist story with awesome characters and an intriguing world, and I can’t wait for the next book!
This was incredibly difficult to get into at first. Then, miraculously, it really started to pick up and get exciting in the middle…only to fall apart at the end again.
The small amounts of good make this book an okay read, though they are ultimately overshadowed by all of the pieces that just don’t work to well. It’s not a bad book, but it certainly isn’t brilliant.
tw: traumatic childhood events related to abuse (seen in flashbacks)
This was a fabulous book! I read it to my kids. We were sucked in right from the beginning. Complex concepts in some case but very well written. Even though it was complex it was understandable. It is hard to explain how that is possible but the author did an amazing job. Highly recommend it!!
This was a fun read. Loved the main character. Loved the cast. Was a tad disappointed at the end, it was sorta a cliffhanger. Definitely would recommend to anyone with young teens who like heists!
Rollicking. World-building is decent, characters are intriguing (especially Foxtail) and the plot zips along (despite a weird descent into backstory just before the climax which seemed ill-placed).
Wow, ich habe lange nicht mehr so ein spannendes Kinderbuch gelesen!!! (Und es war brutaler als ich erwartet hätte) Aber dieser Cliffhanger, aaahhh ich hoffe, sie können ihn retten...
A middle grade novel that read more like YA, both in terms of length and heavy content. Really enjoyed the unique characters and I do love a good heist story. It was very creatively told! Ended on a great setup for the next book.
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE IT.
In a world where various forms of magic are practiced by a group of Weavers, there is one High Weaver. And this High Weaver has a relic that another Weaver, one descended from the original Weaver (back in antiquity) wants so badly he's willing to offer two million to a group of kids with special abilities. He's even willing to bind the contract to himself so he can't go back on his promise to give them their reward. As with all good heist stories, the five kids have little in common but somehow their skills mesh. And then, of course, they mesh as a group. This is really a fun book, something that readers of Mysterious Benedict Society or Greenglass will enjoy. This reader is already eagerly awaiting Book 2.
Tahle kniha byla obrovské překvapení🫶🏻 Četla jsem ji dlouho, ale jen protože jsem na ni neměla čas, je ohromně čtivá a záživná od začátku až do konce. Doufám že se dočká pokračování (měla by to byt cela série tak snad jo😅). Miluju ten svět a magii a postavy a proste úplně všechno💗💗
Într-o lume în care magia este deținută de țesătorii de vrăji - singurii care decid ce obiect și în ce măsură poate fi fermecat și dat omului de rând, o bună parte dintre copii suferă, fiind lipsiți de o casă a lor, o masă caldă și un adult responsabil alături. Dar sunt și acei copii care se maturizează devreme și învață să fure, devenind niște parteneri de afaceri nestatornici pentru adulții avizi după magie. Callan e un băiat ce poate fura orice și atunci când se trezește fără muncă, un individ misterios și puternic îi propune să comită un jaf care l-ar face pe Callan să câștige suficient cât să poată să se retragă din afaceri și să-și îndeplinească cea mai mare dorință. Deși Callan lucrează de obicei singur, este forțat să își unească forțele cu alți copii ce dețin calități îndoielnice, cum ar fi Meriel, specialistă în acrobații și aruncat cuțite, Gareth, obsedat de cărți despre care nu a auzit nimeni, Lachlan, un băiat cu un șarm aparte și Coadă de Vulpe, o fată ce nu-și dă niciodată masca jos, mișcându-se ca o umbră. Cei cinci trebuie să fure o piatră care fie le va aduce o viață nouă, fie moartea. Dar în spatele oricărei afaceri care sună prea bine se ascund lucruri de care un hoț ce se respectă ar trebui să fugă mâncând pământul. Recenzia mea, aici.
I inhaled this book! Usually when someone says a book is like the Six of Crows duology (a super YA fav of mine) I’m like yeah right, lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice. But this one was exactly that! This book is Six Of Crows for the middle grade crowd (I’d say upper middle grade for kids who find other MG novels too childish but are not ready for the darkness of the YA genre). Wholesome yet complex with finely tuned world building and character development not to mention twists and turns and a wee bit of Victorian steampunk this book was so good. I immediately ordered the sequel. Get this one for your kiddo, it’ll keep them quite and enthralled for a bit.
Very much like Blackthorn in style; unlikely friends working together, a past mentor talking him through trouble, and lots of twists and turns. I can’t wait for the next one!!!
“As we entered into the library, I understood why Gareth loved it here. It was peaceful, almost hallowed, a garden of words in the heart of the city, where voices were quiet, whispering, as to not offend the books themselves.”