I started reading this book with mixed feelings. As a devoted fan of the Falling Kingdoms book series, I was thrilled about the idea of a spinoff, and went in with high expectations for Ms. Rhodes. On the other hand, however, I was hesitant about the mix of modern day Toronto and Mytica, specifically worried that without the fantasy realm, the life-and-death thrill I've come to adore about Falling Kingdoms would be lost, because in the modern world, one does not simply get away with murder. 
 That said, I loved this book from the first page. The characters were realistic, but also flawed in ways the typical reader might not be farmiliar with.. The plot was as (if not more so) full of complex twists and turns as the Falling Kingdoms series and a couple of realizations, specifically towards the end, caused me to actually gasp out loud (which, for me, is a very rare thing). Here are a few things that deserve to be commended: 
 First and foremost: the characters. I have come to expect amazing characters from Ms. Rhodes, but these blew me away. Individually, we had Crys, Maddox, Farrell, and Becca (who didn't get her own POV, but I still count as a major character). Each one was so individual and complicated, they truly felt like real people that the reader could interact with. 
 Second of all is the plot. Morgan Rhodes always has complicated plots with tons of layers, gradually unfolding them so that just when the reader feels they have a good grasp of what is going on, they discover something that changes everything. I always am left wanting more, because you never feel you have the full story, but are always trying to predict what comes next. Typically, at least for me, you are way off. 
 Lastly, the writing style. It is fluid and colorful, easy to read, but not as colloquial as a lot of modern teen fiction, which I appreciate. You don't feel as if any of the aspects of the story were dumbed down for teen readers. 
 Due to the fact that reviews are incomplete without criticism, I will list a few minor problems I had with the book. One of these is that there are a few distinct simalarities between the character relationships here, and with Falling Kingdoms series. Becca and Crys somewhat mirror Emilia and Cleo. Adam and Farrell could be compared to Lucia and Magnus. Valoria assumes the same role as Gaius. These, however, are relatively surface level observations. As we grow to learn more about the characters, we realize they are very different indeed. 
 All in all, A Book of Spirits and Thieves is a wonderful story with compelling characters that (despite my heavy references to the Falling Kingdoms series) requires no prerequisite and could appeal to any teen audience as well as adults.