Today's read... The Queen of Thieves by Johan Rundberg

We're going to start this year out with a book that I've been looking forward to reading. It's the second in a duology, and the first was already a favorite of mine last year. This series has already done well across the sea and is now being translated into English. I'm hoping for more mystery and excitement, and am pretty sure it's going to deliver.

So, let's dive right in!

THE QUEEN OF THIEVES

The Moonwind Mysteries

by Johan Rundberg

Translated by A.A. Prime

Amazon Crossing Kids

Upper Middle Grade Historical Mystery

207 pages

COMING...

MARCH 5th!!!

Mika will do what it takes to uncover a string of thefts in the city―and keep her fellow orphans safe. After a merciless winter, spring has sprung in 1880 Stockholm, and the city awaits the arrival of the SS Vega , the first ship to have sailed the Northeast Passage. 

Life is busy at the orphanage, but twelve-year-old Mika quickly notices that the older orphans are up to something―and it doesn’t look good. When Constable Hoff approaches her with information about thefts around the city, Mika becomes even more concerned about what the other kids are up to―and what they might be planning for the Vega celebration. 

The police will have no sympathy for orphans, and she’d hate to see her friends condemned to life in jail. But Mika soon finds herself in a bind she can’t get out of―one that could condemn her own life. Can Mika uncover who is really behind the thefts in the city and keep her friends safe, without getting caught? Find out in this breathless sequel to The Night Raven .

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Pick-pockets, orphans, and the police of 1880 Stockholm come to life in a mystery, which leaves the reader guessing until the last chapters.

Mika knows several of the kids at the orphanage are up to something. She sees, at least, two of them skipping classes more than once, but both are staying tight-lipped about what they're up to. When one of them runs away right before his adoption, alarm bells go off in her head, and she discovers the missing orphans working for a street-show. Sure they are pick-pocketing, she's determined to help them and keep them out of jail, but things aren't nearly as simple as first appears, and soon, she's the one running from the police.

This is the sequel to The Night Raven and, to my disappointment, already the last book since it's a duology. The mystery is just as exciting as in the first book and adds a nice touch of 'family' love, since Mika's concern for the other orphans drives her to go to her limits and beyond. She does behave very mature for a twelve-year-old, which has me suggesting this one even for older tweens and younger young adult readers. It is still, however, completely appropriate for middle graders, who are ready for a historically set read. The mystery is fairly complex (not overly so, though) and stays exciting enough to keep those pages turning. While some of it can be guessed by the end, the action and last twists round of the story well.

This duology does have me thinking of Oliver Twist and Co. thanks to the setting and themes...although that's where the similarities end. The situation of the orphans does rub at the heart-strings, and Mika's own concerns are understandable. There is depth and a few sub-plots, but it still stays short and rich. 

I do recommend this one to historical fans, who enjoy adventure, tension and a bit of mystery too.

Today's read... The Night Raven by Johan Rundberg

I've been really excited to dive into today's read. It greets from Sweden and is the first in a series, which has done very, very well. It's also the first time it's hitting the English language world...well, in August, it will...unless you want to read it in Swedish or one of the languages, which it's already available in.

Anyway, this one has already sold its film rights, which means that somebody thinks it's a great tale. So, I'm going to peer in and see if I can join this opinion. 

Note: After reading this one, I would love to put it onto my possible Favorites of 2023 list, but I feel as if that's cheating, since it's not really a 'new' read. However, I am giving it special mention!

THE NIGHT RAVEN

The Moonwind Mysteries #1

by Johan Rundberg

Translated by A.A. Prime

Amazon Crossing Kids

Middle Grade Mystery / History

192 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

AUGUST 22!!!

Mika is not your average orphan—and she’s about to prove it.

It’s 1880, and in the frigid city of Stockholm, death lurks around every corner. Twelve-year-old Mika knows that everyone in her orphanage will struggle to survive this winter. But at least the notorious serial killer the Night Raven is finally off the streets…or is he?

Mika is shocked when a newborn baby is left at the orphanage in the middle of the night, by a boy with a cryptic message. Who is he? And who is this “Dark Angel” he speaks of? When a detective shows up, Mika senses something even more sinister is going on.

Drawn in by Mika’s unique ability to notice small details—a skill Mika has always used to survive—the gruff Detective Hoff unwittingly recruits her to help him with his investigation into a gruesome murder. Mika knows she should stay far, far away, and yet…with such little hope for her future, could this be an opportunity? Maybe, just maybe, this is Mika’s chance to be someone who matters.

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62823214-the-night-raven

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BG65H3SW

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/?ean=9781662509582

MY TIDBITS

With tons of tension, heart, secrets, and grit, this is a mystery to dig the teeth into while being immersed into a rougher but realistic, historical world.

At thirteen, Mika's life could be worse. She has a roof over her head, friends, and food. Usually. As an orphan in a home during an exceptionally long, cold winter, firewood has become scarce and food not much more than a grey, bowl of mush. But that's more than some in the city have. When a newborn is dropped off at the door in the middle of the night by a boy, who is terrified of a Night Angel, Mika's feels something's off, especially since a serial killer, The Night Raven, seems to be at large...although he should be dead. When police get involved, Mika's attention to details has her drawn into a mystery, which not only might cast shadows on some powerful people but will draw attention of the killer to Mika herself. 

This read was even better than I hoped it be...and that's saying a lot. One thing I adore about international literature is that the tales don't necessarily step on eggshells around young readers. Life is gritty, and that's especially true in this historical setting, where workhouses, child labor, and a general survive-or-die for the lower classes exists. Mika is mature for a thirteen-year-old, but she has to be. Still, the author has written this very much for the middle grade audience. Just maybe for the upper end, since there are topics such as murder, corpses, pubs, violence, and such. These are harsh and create the cruel reality but never are graphically descriptive or out of place, either. I found it simply well done.

Mika is a normal girl, who might have a thick skin but still harbors a soft heart. In the tale, she's even accused of still being a victim-type from one of her 'friends'. She smart, not tough. Clever without being mean. When she happens across the baby and talks to the police, her edition of odd details doesn't ever come close to appearing show-off-y or knowingly alert. She simply notices things without realizing it, and that makes her easy to follow.  The clues are dropped in naturally and not overly obvious, giving the reader time to wonder themselves before she clicks things together. These are surprising but well-thought out and offer interesting twists, which also might give readers some new insights on things. 

There is a sense of hope in darkness, even when things are hard. This keeps readers ages 10 and up from feeling talked down to and underestimated. They can enjoy the dive into the darker world, experience a smart mystery, grab up a few historical impressions, and even learn something about heart and humanity along the way. In other words, it's a really good read.