Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2026 Gr 9 Up—In this heist novel set on the rough-and-tumble streets of Lacon, the actual heist happens within the first 20 percent of the book and is more of a chance opportunity than a planned crime. The rest of the novel is focused on main characters Gin and Eban and their respective heist partners as they decide what to do with their prize. Additionally, the characters are searching for their kinfolk, who live on a floating city, but this is also resolved quickly. Veteran YA author de la Cruz knows how to grab readers' attention while also discussing important cultural aspects. This novel successfully discusses colonization and its impact while immersing the audience in a fantasy world. The worldbuilding is unique, while also being accessible and relatable to various communities that have faced the same treatment throughout history. Gin and Eban have distinct voices, which helps to keep storylines straight. Characters occasionally use modern vocabulary that does not fit the historical fantasy setting and may take readers out of the narrative. The caste that the main characters are from is Indigenous to the area; Gin and Eban have "nut-brown skin and dark hair." The colonizing group reads as white. VERDICT Fans of historical fantasy will enjoy this novel, but readers looking for a true heist novel should try Roshani Chokshi's The Gilded Wolves.—Tegan Beese - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Publishers Weekly - 03/30/2026 In this intense duology opener from de la Cruz (Sibylline), rival thieves are forced into an uneasy alliance when a legendary relic with the power to save their lost homeland surfaces. The once glorious kingdom of Ophir was swallowed by the sea following an invasion by the land of Lacon, leaving Ophir’s surviving citizens scattered and struggling to survive through servitude and theft. Among them are Gineth Strong and Eban Sadreal, the orphaned teenage leaders of competing underground organizations. When rumors emerge of an ancient artifact of immense value, each set out separately to claim it. Their missions collide, and Gin and Eban soon discover that the relic contains powerful magic that could hold the key to restoring Ophir. Begrudgingly joining forces, the pair embark on a dangerous quest that reveals long-buried secrets about their kingdom-and about each other. As their shared purpose grows clearer, so too does an unexpected emotional connection. The rapid succession of events sometimes leaves readers with little room to connect with the protagonists or linger in the richly rendered setting. Still, the tense premise offers plenty of intrigue, while frequent action sequences and high-stakes twists keep the pace brisk as the quest unfolds. Ages 14-up. Agent: Richard Abate, 3Arts Entertainment. (June) - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly used with permission.

Booklist - 06/01/2026 Gin and Eban are Ophir thieves, born and raised in the filthy streets of the Sleeve. Legend holds that the Ophir had once been beautiful, powerful, and rich, but they have now been ground down by Laconian nobles, who rule the island from wealthy Great House estates. Both thieves need one big score—Gin because she narrowly escaped death at the gallows after bedding and falling in love with a noble; Eban because the previous night’s casino job was thwarted by the Blackcoat guards, and they came away with nothing. In the aftermath of their latest big score, a simple theft from other thieves turns into more trouble and more magic than they expect. They must work together to evade capture, and that venture turns into a much larger quest: to bring back the glory of the Ophir and help the Kingdom of the Waves rise again. De la Cruz once again flexes her fantasy chops, creating a new world of epic proportions with characters readers will want to root for. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.