Honor Among Thieves (The Honors, #1)

HONOR AMONG THIEVES is an engaging YA sci-fi that takes place in a world where humanity has been introduced to the Leviathans, creatures born in space who act as living ships. Humans are chosen each year for an Honors Tour, which has a murky process, but is considered an incredible achievement. They spend a year with a Leviathan, learning from each other. Some of the Honors Tour participants are chosen for the Journey, where they head out with Leviathans for the rest of their lives, never to visit Earth again.

Zara has lived on the fringes of Detroit for a long time. She makes her way through thievery, as long as she stays away from her father. Her mother and sister live on Mars. She is surprised by her selection for the Honors program, but accepts to escape the crime lord she has angered. However, the journey to space is sure to change her in ways she could have never anticipated.

What I loved: This is a lush sci-fi with intense and detailed descriptions that really capture this world beautifully. I also really love the Farscape inspiration (I assume) with Leviathans and even an interview with a Leviathan named Moira shown in one interlude. I loved the way that the mystery and magic of the Leviathans are shown through these interludes in addition to Zara's story. Zara's point-of-view is also interspersed with that of Nadim, the ship on which she rides.

The book is full of action and interesting morality discussions about weaponry, emotions, and privacy that I found really intriguing. The characters are fully realized, and I love the primary characters of Bea, Zara, and Nadim. They grow throughout the novel and quickly become close to the heart. Their journey is one I am eager to continue in future books. I also really love that this story is done without a romance, focusing on friendship, connection, and adventure.

What left me wanting more: As a relatively small point, we maybe get too much background at first that slow down the story a bit. It does pick up after we get to space, and the adventures there are really fascinating.

Final verdict: This is an engaging sci-fi that will appeal to fans of IGNITE THE STARS, HEART OF IRON, and FARSCAPE. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a new space adventure.

Kara lives on the streets of New Detroit, where a pickpocket job goes terribly wrong. She finds herself running from Deluca, a crime/drug lord. Kara escapes to a rehab prison where she ends up being 'recruited' to be a part of the prestigious Honor Space program. Those lucky enough to be chosen live a celeb-like existence. Kara though wants nothing to do with it at first, but after a subtle threat, decides it might be the only way to get away for awhile. She gets to ride a Leviathan, a living alien spaceship for a year out to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. But there are dark secrets that the Leviathan haven't shared. Secrets that are even darker than space.

What worked: Totally engaging Sci-fi adventure set on a sentient spaceship where the brightest on Earth are set on a journey to the far reaches of space. From the first page I was hooked and couldn't put this book down!

The backstory shows readers street wise Kara and what she does to survive. Kara kind of reminded me of Bean from Ender's Game, only she survived on her own wits. Even her so-called friend, turns on her. We do see some of her vulnerabilities early on-she's close to her younger sister who now lives on Mars with their mother. Also there is a reveal that shows why Kara wants to run. This scene is crucial later on in the novel.

The story really starts moving when Kara is assigned to Nadim, a young Leviathan ship. Caine & Aguirre do a wonderful job with world building and showing readers the physiology of a Leviathan ship. The ship feels, speaks, and has an amazing structural system.

The dialogue exchange between Kara and her fellow Honor student Beatriz is punchy and funny at times. Both learn they have to work together in order to not only pass tests, but later on to survive. There are glimpses of aliens that are intriguing and horrific. There's lots of action scenes, especially later on in the novel.

Captivating Sci-Fi adventure meets The 100, this story will keep you turning the pages until the early morning. Spell bounding world building with a living alien ship and a kick ass heroine that bond together in ways neither of them could predict. Fans of Beth Revis's Across The Universe series will totally love this new series. I can't wait to see what lays in store for Nadim, Kara, and Beatriz in the next book.