Monday, January 14, 2019

The Heist Novel We Need: Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig

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I received this book for free from Feiwel & Friends in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Heist Novel We Need: Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb RoehrigDeath Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig
Published by Feiwel & Friends on January 29th, 2019
Genres: Heist, LGBTQIAP+, YA
Source: Feiwel & Friends
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-half-stars

Teenage socialite Margo Manning leads a dangerous double life. By day, she dodges the paparazzi while soaking up California sunshine. By night, however, she dodges security cameras and armed guards, pulling off high-stakes cat burglaries with a team of flamboyant young men. In and out of disguise, she’s in all the headlines.

But then Margo’s personal life takes a sudden, dark turn, and a job to end all jobs lands her crew in deadly peril. Overnight, everything she’s ever counted on is put at risk. Backs against the wall, the resourceful thieves must draw on their special skills to survive. But can one rebel heiress and four kickboxing drag queens withstand the slings and arrows of truly outrageous fortune? Or will a mounting sea of troubles end them — for good?

In 2019 and we’re finally getting all the heist/thief books we deserve. Death Prefers Blondes is one such heist book and IT IS AMAZING. Maybe you’ve read Caleb Roehrig before or maybe you’re drawn by the fantastic premise and gorgeous gover. Regardless, this book is both quintessentially Roehrig and also different from what he has written before. His previous books are more on the fun end of the spectrum (WHICH IS NOT A BAD THING. I love fun books!) and while Death Prefers Blondes is incredibly fun, it also has a tendency to punch you in the guts. TO SAY EVEN MORE because I clearly cannot shut up, Death Prefers Blondes is not a short book but it FLIES by. It was so well written and visuals/imagery were done so well that I felt like I was watching an extremely badass heist movie.

Margo Manning is a teen socialite who also happens to be a thief. She isn’t doing it for the money though. She does it for the thrill. And she isn’t alone. She has a team of drag queens to help her commit some felonies. Her team, unlike her, does need the money so they have slightly more at risk. ANYWAY. SO MARGO. She may be a sad little rich kid, who the world seems to both hate and envy, but she is really just the best. Her loyalty to her friends makes me so happy. She will cut someone for them and that’s the kind of friend you need.

Axel, Joaquin, Leif, and Davon are the aforementioned drag queens and Margo’s dearest friends. Even though Death Prefers Blondes is mainly narrated by Margo, we do get snippets into all of their lives through asides within the narrative. Honestly, like, they are already awesome when you get to read about them through Margo’s perspective but I genuinely enjoyed that we did get to hear from them because it really allowed me to connect with them. THEY ARE ALL SO PRECIOUS AND GOING THROUGH SO MUCH. ANYWAY. I WANT TO BE specific but if I am, you won’t get to enjoy being gut-punched so I WON’T be. Please just know that I love all of them and you will too.

Death Prefers Blondes opens with the team in the middle of a job. Things are a little tense between Margo and Axel though and the team barely makes it out. When a job that could end all jobs comes along, the team decides the risks that come with it are worth it but things soon spiral out of control. There is a target on Margo’s back and soon tragedy strikes her household. THINGS GET ROUGH and the stakes get higher than you could possibly imagine in a fun-looking heist novel.

Death Prefers Blondes is the perfect book for ANYONE who loves a good plot-driven book but it comes with the advantage of amazing character arcs, fun banter, cute romances (YES, MULTIPLE ROMANCES) and friendships to die for. If you loved Ocean’s 8, this better be on your to-read list. If you have loved any heist movie, this should be on your to-read list. If you are a living, breathing human, this needs to be on your to-read list.

four-half-stars

4.5 Hot Espressos

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Rashika has been tired since 2013. There are very few things that spark joy for her besides a nice cup of tea, warm, baked goods, good books and good TV shows. She is here to pile onto your giant TBRs and to-watch lists. Offer her a cookie and she might be nice to you.

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