GOOD NIGHT TO READ REVIEW An explosive fusion of Oliver Twist, dark boarding school drama, sly espionage and skulduggery in the shadows. Intriguing from the start, the evocative Shadow Thieves offers skilled world building with the action sparking off in a speculative London reimagined as part of a French empire. Some reviews have likened this to the ever present Harry Potter and the popular Skandar series, but apart from a training school for young recruits in a particular discipline, house challenges, missions and vicious villains, there is no comparison. Slim parallels could also be drawn with Morrigan Crow, Percy Jackson and Stroud’s Scarlett and Browne but there are no transformative hotels, magical creatures, troublesome potions classes, Gods and monsters or special powers. It has a style all of its own, sizzling with double cross, sparking with imagination, endless invention and slippery sleight of hand. Plucky, street hardened, work house survivor protagonist Tom encounters surprises when he accepts an opportunity that comes out of the blue. The chance for a new life at a mysterious school means leaving behind friends who are in danger. He hopes that he can find a way to save them. But much resentment awaits him as he encounters a world full of legacy, entitlement and perilous obstacles. As a first grade tender foot in Guile House at Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts he finds himself out of his depth. What is the purpose of him being there? Just what is the ultimate agenda of the Shadow League? Is there honour among thieves? Packed with lively characters, the action zips along, introducing the reader to ingenious classes and unusual teachers, keeping them guessing as Tom concocts a risky plan. Whom can he trust? Will he bond with others and where will it lead him? The author counts The Count of Monte Cristo, James Bond, Indiana Jones, the Goonies, classic boarding school capers and golden age murder mysteries among his influences, clearly evident in the booby traps Tom must navigate. Shadow Thieves is a cinematic, compulsive and entertaining read that leaves unanswered questions. This series is set to thrill and will appeal to fans of Harry Potter, Horowitz’s Alex Rider and heist dramas. The audio book version is a delicious accompaniment with talented drama student Zac Lowe McAlley animating the nail biting action whilst providing a cavalcade of accomplished accents and building the suspense at crucial points. GOOD NIGHT TO READ REVIEW RATING- 5 CHOCOLATE LIBRARIES

Perfect for fans of Skandar, Oliver Twist, Tidemagic and The Thief of Farrowfell, this is more than just a story of an orphan attending a privileged school and discovering his true abilities… Hogwarts this ain’t! How do you know who you can truly trust when you’re in a school for trained thieves? Shadow Thieves offers a more grounded and relatable fantasy thriller, which is sure to be one of the summer’s biggest hits (a movie adaptation better be snapped up too as it’s perfect for the big screen!). This is such a stunning debut from Peter Burns. I loved the alternate London where we first meet Tom and its Victorian ways crossed with the country now occupied by la Grande République de France. As we learn about the Shadow League and the murky world of thieves, spies, politicos and assassins, its high octane action as Tom navigates friendships, betrayal and discovers a shocking conspiracy amidst the 103rd International Shadow Cup. Shadow Thieves offers a sophisticated thriller for children with some of the best world-building I’ve seen for years. It’s a novel I couldn’t put down: with a hero everyone will be rooting for, Shadow Thieves is fresh, thrilling, pacy and sets the scene for what is sure to be an incredible series!

This was one of my favourite books by a debut author! The story revolves around orphan Tom Morgan, who lives on the streets with his friends in an alternative London. One day, Tom's friends are caught and taken to a terrible workhouse. Tom is feeling hopeless and lost. Enter the Corsair, who offers him an opportunity that he can't resist. One zepplin and a stolen plane later, Tom finds himself at a school for thieves. He learns things he never thought possible and stumbles across a devious plot. This book is full of intrigue, action, and secrets. There's a heist, betrayal, extreme sports, I couldn't put it down! I was reminded of Discworld, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and I found it just as good! I can't wait for more (because we do need it)

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of Shadow Thieves and have also pre-ordered one, thats how much I have loved it. It’s honestly one of the best books I’ve ever picked up and I do not say that lightly. I’ve never been hooked so quickly by book, regardless of genre or author. It’s the kind of book that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. Fast-paced, clever, and packed with atmosphere. The world building is brilliant, the characters are relatable, and the whole thing just flows extremely well. It somehow manages to be exciting, heartfelt and a bit mischievous all at once. Perfect for kids, teens, or adults, this one’s right up there with Harry Potter. An incredible debut. The next one cannot come quick enough!

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of Shadow Thieves and have also pre-ordered one, thats how much I have loved it. It’s honestly one of the best books I’ve ever picked up and I do not say that lightly. I’ve never been hooked so quickly by book, regardless of genre or author. It’s the kind of book that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. Fast-paced, clever, and packed with atmosphere. The world building is brilliant, the characters are relatable, and the whole thing just flows extremely well. It somehow manages to be exciting, heartfelt and a bit mischievous all at once. Perfect for kids, teens, or adults, this one’s right up there with Harry Potter. An incredible debut. The next one cannot come quick enough!