In Thieving Shadows, Jessica Piro drops readers into the gritty, class-divided city of Rookfall, where a young cobbler’s apprentice, Matthew, and a mysterious thief named Genevieve find themselves tangled in a larger conspiracy involving power, memory loss, and revolution. The story unfolds through their unlikely bond as they navigate corrupt law enforcers, violent inequality, and a lingering mystery surrounding a devastating explosion that changed their city forever. It’s a tale of survival, rebellion, and rediscovery set against a rich and decaying steampunk backdrop full of haunting ruins and shadowy secrets.

I was immediately drawn in by Piro’s worldbuilding. The setting is tangible. You can feel the damp rot of the Barrows, hear the buzz of the airships, and taste the desperation in every stolen bite. What I really appreciated was how Piro layered Rookfall’s society. There’s no subtlety to the cruelty of the elites or the grinding poverty of the lessers, but that works in the book’s favor. The story doesn’t pretend life is fair. It shows how people survive when hope seems naïve. And while the plot dabbles in the fantastical with hidden powers and ancient machines, it’s grounded in sharp and often painful truths about oppression and human nature. I found myself rooting for Genevieve not just as a character, but as a symbol of rebellion. She’s clever, dangerous, and stubbornly alive.

But what got me emotionally was the relationship between Genevieve and Matthew. There’s no forced romance or cheesy dialogue. It’s awkward and real. They both carry deep scars–hers from betrayal, his from poverty and fear. And yet there’s a fragile trust that builds in stolen moments. Matthew’s kindness is quiet but powerful, and Genevieve’s journey from lone wolf to someone who might accept help resonated with me. Piro doesn’t rush their connection, and that patience pays off. The villain, Baron Hawkes, felt a bit cartoonishly evil at times, but that’s a small bump in an otherwise gripping ride.

Thieving Shadows surprised me with its heart. I heartily enjoyed the steampunk adventure and the dystopian mystery. It’s a story about people trying to matter in a world that wants them forgotten. Fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows or Scott Lynch’s Gentleman Bastard series will find their next great read here. It’s messy, dark, and relatable, and I couldn’t put it down.

Pages: 289 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F44D46DN