Steal the Sky

Last Updated on January 2, 2023 by ThoughtsStained

I did this book the greatest disservice I think you can do to a book. Start it right in the middle of the holidays.

I began reading Steal the Sky on December 12th, 2016. (Thanks go to Goodreads for the stats.) Didn’t finish it until January 13th, 2017. (Curse Goodreads for that realization.)

Sure, a month isn’t really a long time to finish a book. Especially when you add in going home for the holidays. Trying to balance two jobs and getting a PS4 for Christmas. But for me, a month, no matter if it is December or May, is a really long time to finish a book.

Especially a book of this caliber.

Copy of Steal the Sky by Megan E. O’Keefe gloriously given by Agent Sam Morgan in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Table of Contents

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Book Info

Publication Info

Content Warnings

Detan Honding, a wanted conman of noble birth and ignoble tongue, has found himself in the oasis city of Aransa. He and his trusted companion Tibs may have pulled off one too many cons against the city’s elite and need to make a quick escape. They set their sights on their biggest heist yet—the gorgeous airship of the exiled commodore Thratia.

But in the middle of his scheme, a face changer known as a doppel starts murdering key members of Aransa’s government. The sudden paranoia makes Detan’s plans of stealing Thratia’s ship that much harder. And with this sudden power vacuum, Thratia can solidify her power and wreak havoc against the Empire. But the doppel isn’t working for Thratia and has her own intentions. Did Detan accidentally walk into a revolution and a crusade? He has to be careful—there’s a reason most people think he’s dead. And if his dangerous secret gets revealed, he has a lot more to worry about than a stolen airship

On the Page

Referenced

Minor

Content warnings are written up by me, unless specified. Subject to being an incomplete list, though guided by referencing this list and trying to highlight as many as I can identify.

Book Depository

IndieBound

Raven Bookstore

Review

Likes

The first aspect that clued me into knowing I was going to fall in love with this book was not just the characters themselves–which, honestly, would still be enough–but their interactions with one another. Detan and Tibs deserve to see their friendship portrayed on screen, simply so I can listen to their witty banter and see their hilarious facial-expression-exchanges somewhere else besides my head. They had me laughing from the start, pulled at my heartstrings on numerous occasions and from the very first page, felt so utterly natural; so real. Add in New Chum, ~~Ripka~~ Watch Captain, the dopple and the slew of other characters that you interact with in this creative, unique steampunk universe and my friend, you will be hooked. So utterly hooked.
O’Keefe’s work was special to me because I was constantly noticing the details, but not in an overbearing way. We get into the nitty-gritty of the world. We are allowed to pause and soak it all in–and with so many elements incorporated into this novel, there is plenty to soak in; plenty that deserves our pause and attention. And though I can never know if O’Keefe was purposeful in how she used detail in her novel, if there was any ulterior motive in being a more descriptive writer (in my opinion) or if she just writes this brilliantly naturally, I am so thankful for it. I am so thankful for the reminder that detail can be incorporated and it can be enjoyed and written in ways that make you smile, nod your head or cringe.
Detail is the biggest reason why I would label Steal the Sky as utterly refreshing.

Dislikes

Rating

I hope you consider getting a copy of Steal the Sky yourself. This is a writer–and a series–you are not going to want to miss.

PS: Biggest missed opportunity of the year last year? O’Keefe was at WorldCon last year. I distinctly remember seeing her standing across from me in this epic writers circle. Honestly, I’m still baffled that I somehow was standing in the shadows of. And I didn’t say hello. I’m still pissed at myself for it. Especially now that I’ve read her work and just want to nerd out/fangirl with her about it. UGH.

A custom artowrk signature that reads, "Onward to Adventure, Nicole" with a feathered quill and inkpot bordering it.