I want to hear about your favorite books that include heists as a major element. Bonus points if it’s set in a fantasy, sci-fi, or non-contemporary setting. (Basically I want something like Gentleman Bastards that’s not just rereading Gentleman Bastards)

  • KidDogDad@beehaw.orgEnglish
    4·
    1 year ago

    Mistborn: The Final Empire! If I’m not mistaken, “heist book in fantasy setting” is literally one of the main things that inspired Brandon Sanderson to write this.

    • saltuarium@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Y’know, I’ve heard a lot about Sanderson’s books, but have never heard about any heisting. Maybe it’s time to finally get into his books. Thanks for the rec

  • SteveEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    Have you read Brent Weeks books? He wrote a trilogy called the Night Angel trilogy, and just released a fourth novel called Nemesis. I admittedly haven’t finished the book yet, but I’m 75% through it and find it so much better than than the original three books. His writing has improved substantially over the years (side note: the Lightbringer series is incredible).

    But all this is to say that Nemesis is about a heist. Weeks wanted to write a book about a heist and to try first person perspective, and Nemesis is what came from that.

    • saltuarium@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      I have not! I’m guessing Nemesis can’t really be read as a standalone? I’ll look into it regardless

      • SteveEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Unfortunately you’re right - while the author does a decent job explaining things to refresh your memory (characters magic, relationships, etc.), there is a mountain of world building required for Nemesis to really make sense, and what he does is definitely at the “reminder” level.

  • revelrous@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    6 of Crows by Leigh Bardugo - YA heist novel in fantasy (17th century?) Amsterdam.

  • gaael@beehaw.orgEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    Leigh Bardugo - Six of Crows. Multiple heists, fantasy setting and nice YA vibe.

    • moral_imperative@beehaw.orgEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I suggested the book in your original post. I’m lazy and don’t know how to read. Sorry. But I second Six of Crows!

  • JaymesRS@midwest.socialEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Patrick Weeks’ Rogues of the Republic series is a pretty good heist series. It is kindle only though.

  • Glaive0@beehaw.orgEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I only have poor recommendations after wracking my brain:

    The Tower of the Raven by Ann Leckie is the closest I’ve come to a fantasy heist that’s accessible. The heist component is present, but that’s not a tag I’d add to the book without stretching. It does some deeply fascinating things, though.

    Then in completely inaccessible fantasy heists we have Skin Game. Book FIFTEEN in the Dresden files. While the series has some other decent heist-like moments, this is a HEIST. And it’s one of the top 5 books of the last few years for me, maybe #1.

    But in 3-4 years of my records, that’s about it for heists I’ve read.

    • saltuarium@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
      0·
      1 year ago

      I loved The Tower of the Raven. I’m not sure I’m willing to commit to as big of a series as Dresden files, but I appreciate the rec!

      • Glaive0@beehaw.orgEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Dresden is pretty great and worth it in general, moreso with Skin game to work towards. But it’s absolutely long and it doesn’t sound like what you’re after at the moment.

  • sonic_bubltea@beehaw.orgEnglish
    0·
    1 year ago

    Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett. Our protagonist thief accidentally steals a talking key, but I don’t want to spoil too much. Plus it’s been a while so I don’t remember a lot of details. I liked how the magic was like logical programming. How do you make a carriage sitting on an even surface roll forward? Tell it that it’s now on an incline.

    Edit: Oops. Flipped the author’s name