Following her mother’s death, Tina has to learn how to take care of her younger sister and herself, all the while living off the streets in Sangui City. As part of the latest mission the local gang she’s part of has embarked on, Tina must infiltrate the house of the man (presumably) responsible for her mother’s murder. The mission, however, is compromised and Tina must now face a past she has no wish to go back to. Determined to find out the truth about that night, she embarks on a journey to find out who her mother really was and what really happened to her.

I’ve sat on this review for two weeks now and I’m still not sure how to write it so it might end up being all over the place. City of Saints & Thieves is definitely not a bad book – it’s enjoyable and attention-grabbing. My conflicted feelings may be caused by the fact I read this while in a not-so-good place, but for the most part it really did entertain me.

The writing is definitely one of this book’s strong sides. Tina’s voice is captivating and easy to follow. I also liked the occasional pop culture reference that would pop up, it made the book all the more fun. (You can’t mention comic book stuff and expect me not to get excited, ok?) The first person POV goes perfectly with the atmosphere the book creates and definitely helps build the suspense.

Tina is a refreshing character and it was interesting to see things through her eyes. She’s not any of your typical YA heroines. She’s determined, but often finds herself questioning herself, which I found incredibly realistic and relatable. Some might think her resolve weak for wavering at the slightest nudge, but we all know how easy it is to give into those little seeds of doubt that get planted inside our heads. Despite all that, Tina still pushes forward and does not give up on her principles – I really appreciated that about her.

Honestly, I feel like we didn’t get enough of the rest of the characters and I couldn’t form solid opinions on them because of that. And personally, I think we got too much of Michael, but that could be because I didn’t like him. I wasn’t interested in anything he had to say or offer.

Overall, City of Saints & Thieves did not manage to ensnare me completely. I enjoyed it, but I also found it a bit lacking – probably due to the chaotic mental state I was in while reading. I’d still recommend it if you like mysteries and suspense.

In the shadows of Sangui City, a street-thief called Tina patiently plots her revenge. Her mother has been shot dead at the home of one of Kenya’s richest businessmen, and Tina is sure she knows who’s to blame.

When a local gang asks her to steal from his home, it’s the chance Tina has been waiting for. But as she steps inside, old wounds resurface and she is caught red-handed by his son, Michael. The pair set in motion a cascade of dangerous events that could, at any moment, cost Tina her life. The desire to uncover the incredible truth about who killed her mother — and why — keeps her holding on in this fast-paced, nail-biting thriller.

The book has a good solid knowledge of the area and with strong colourful characters. The storyline is about revenge but ultimately it is a coming of age of understanding the truth behind her mothers death and dealing with it. The characters move the story along at a fair pace and are interesting enough to keep the story interesting and the reader guessing at the outcome. Well written book with good research knowledge and an understanding of the characters she portrayed.

City Of Saints & Thieves.
A story of loss, love, faith and justice.
A setting of jungles, bustling city streets and fruit trees.
A girl, a daughter, a sister and a thief.

This tale follows a girl called Tina. A girl who arrived in Kenya as a refugee along with her beloved mother who found work as a maid for Mr Greyhill, one of the most respected businessmen in Sangui City. With a business built on corruption and crime, after Tina’s mother is found dead in Greyhill’s office, she knows who to blame.
Set on a path of revenge for her mother, Tina bides her time.
But with uncovered truths, a twisted knot of lies and betrayals, Tina soon learns the truth is not always what you expect and to find it she must put her life on the line.

This story was a fast paced and action packed thriller. Once i got lost within the pages I found it almost impossible to put this book down. With the settings of Congo and Kenya so vividly depicted this book was a completely immersive experience. You can tell that a lot of research and effort went in to accurately depicting both the beautiful exterior and gritty underworlds of these locations.

The characters were just as richly written. As a lead Tina was brilliant.
We follow her through the book as she educates us on the rules of being a “thief” and as she unravels the mystery of her past and her mothers murder. Her character was so real and alive as we got to see not just her fierce and confident moments, but the moments when she it utterly broken and completely vulnerable. I absolutely loved reading from her pov and she was a perfect voice to tell this story.

If this book is any example of what is to come in the YA thriller genre then i can’t wait for more. This story was not just a well written, tension filled and satisfying thriller. It was a story of character. It was a story of the lengths we will go to for the ones we love. The pain we feel when facing loss and the hope you need to see a better future. This is a story i won’t forget, and one i would recommend to everyone.

What a well-written, exciting thriller!

City of Saints & Thieves is set in Kenya, where Tina - a Congolese refugee - is a member of the Goondas, a gang of street thieves. Tina looks out for her beloved younger sister, Kiki, whilst also longing for revenge against the man she knows murdered her mother: the wealthy Mr. Greyhill.

With the help of the Goondas, Tina plots her revenge, but when she is caught trying to steal files from Mr. Greyhill's computer - by his son, Michael - she is forced to make a deal. Michael will assist her in finding out what really happened to her mother, in exchange for her holding off on unveiling the files and exposing his dad's shady antics.

A diverse cast of characters find themselves digging deeper and deeper into the past; a journey which will take them to a tiny village in Congo, and reveal ever darker secrets. Alongside the fictional mystery that gets more nail-bitingly tense by the second, Anderson shines a light on some real world atrocities: real tales of greed, crime, and the way women's bodies become the spoils of war.

As far as I know, the author is not Kenyan or Congolese, but it definitely feels like a lot of research went into this book. She presents the dark sides of both countries, but also paints them in rich, beautiful detail. All of the characters are carefully-developed with thought and sensitivity; Tina, for example, has had to get tough to survive as long as she has, but she is also realistically flawed and driven by anger and sadness. Her narrative is split into thief "rules", as she educates the reader in how to be a good street thief, and reveals the story at the same time. It's quite punchy and effective.

City of Saints & Thieves contains a vivid world that will be unfamiliar to most readers, as well as memorable characters, and an intriguing mystery. Predictably, some romance does surface, but it isn't until the later chapters of the book and is kept to a minimum. Recommended for those looking for a YA thriller that sits outside the norm.