ARC Review: How To Lead a Life of Crime by Kirsten Miller

How To Lead a Life of Crime by Kirsten Miller
Release Date: February 26 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: ARC Paperback
Pages:358
Genre:YA/Fiction
Source: Publisher

Goodreads Synopsis:
A meth dealer. A prostitute. A serial killer.

Anywhere else, they’d be vermin. At the Mandel Academy, they’re called prodigies. The most exclusive school in New York City has been training young criminals for over a century. Only the most ruthless students are allowed to graduate. The rest disappear.

Flick, a teenage pickpocket, has risen to the top of his class. But then Mandel recruits a fierce new competitor who also happens to be Flick’s old flame. They’ve been told only one of them will make it out of the Mandel Academy. Will they find a way to save each other—or will the school destroy them both?

My Thoughts:
I really liked this one! It is such a different and unique story. I love Kirsten Miller and this book is so different from anything else I have read by her. Its edgy and action packed. The characters are intriguing and the plot is ever changing.

Just when you think you know what is going to happen, Kirsten throws you for a loop. Flick is a great character. There are so many different layers to him.  You think you have him all figured out but he is constantly evolving as the story goes on. He was not expecting Joi to show up to this unbelievable environment. She has been the only constant in his life. The light at the end of the tunnel. But what Flick doesn't realize is that Joi has a dark past of her own and she isn't as innocent as he has made her out to be. But Joi and Flick must work together to burn The Mandel Academy to the ground.

The Mandel Academy is nothing like what you would expect from High School. The Mandel Academy is breeding the next generation of crooks. But these aren't normal crooks. These are high ranking goverment officals, CEO's of major corporations and movie stars.  But breeding crooks isn't the only thing going on behind the doors of The Mandel Academy. Something much more dark and sinister is behind those doors. 

These kids are ruthless. They will do anything they have to to succeed and be placed in the top 12. Otherwise if they don't, things end badly for them. 

Really really enjoyed this one. It was so different from anything that I usually read and it was a nice change of pace. If you are looking for an action-packed, edgy read that will keep you on the seat of your pants just waiting to see what happens then How To Lead A Life of Crime is for you.