By Meghan Mazzaferro
Content warning: violence, grief, death, death of a child
In Dee Hahn’s world of magic stones and cursed monsters, where jewels are a currency you can bring with you when you die, Spade’s family steals from the dead. This arrangement works for Spade; born with a limp, and part of a community looked down on by the people of Wyndhail, being alone in a graveyard is the only time Spade doesn’t feel less than. But when his father comes up with a ridiculous plan to rob a royal grave, things go a little sideways. To save his brother, Spade must use his thieving skills to steal a legendary Deepstone for the queen herself. This gem is supposed to control the Woegan, a deadly creature that hunts each night. With the help of the princess Ember, Spade must unlock the secrets of the Deepstones and solve a puzzle that has been generations in the making.
The Grave Thief’s cover sets the tone for this book perfectly: a spooky middle grade novel filled with mystery, whimsy, and monsters. There’s something magical about middle grade fantasies, and The Grave Thief is an excellent example of a story with a premise that is both simple and creative, the plot moving in ways I couldn’t have predicted, and which filled me with equal parts delight and unease. I feel like the premise is fresh and fun—a grave thief forced to use his talents to fight a monster in the name of the queen. The characters and villain of this story are unique and help keep things fresh and exciting at every turn.
Spade is an excellent main character to go on this journey with; his perspective highlights the flaws of both the Joolies and the royalty, and the magic and mysteries of this story call to him—and through him, to the reader. Every character is well fleshed out, from Spade’s friend Ember, the spoiled princess eager to prove herself, to his little brother and driving motivation, to the queen, a cruel, enigmatic figure. Even the side characters leap off the page and give the story a vividness and voice that helps elevate the somewhat simple plot.
I say simple, but the story is perfect for a middle grade reader. Spade’s tasks are quick and easy to follow, and the quest for the Deepstones and fight against the Woegan are well-paced and exciting. Things are never slow, and there is always something that Spade is uncovering or stealing in this book. But the plot is deceptive, because while the narrative is relatively uncomplicated, this book deals with some darker subject matter in a very eloquent way. Spade’s journey to accept his physical disability, Ember’s fight to be seen as an equal, and even the queen’s struggles with grief and loss are crucial to the development and resolution of this story.
I found The Grave Thief original, quick, fun, and deeper than I was expecting. I think there is something in this book for middle grade readers, and fans of middle grade fantasy no matter their age. The story has a lot of heart, plenty of magic, a great message, and just enough fright to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Thank you to Penguin Random House for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.