The Crookhaven series is one of my absolute favourite middle grade series of recent years and this, the fourth installment, carries on the story in brilliant style!

Gabriel and his friends continue to train at Crookhaven, a school for thieves, while trying to find out more about the 'Nameless' who seem to be out to get them. They face a seemingly impossible challenge of having to break into the Fortress and their skills are put to the absolute test to find a way to continue to succeed.

Although the plot is brilliant, the best part of this book is the characters who are all unique. J J Arcanjo has done a fantastic job of making even those who could be unlikeable become heroes and through the series you see each person grow and find their talents. I love how the crew all work so well together and how, over the course of the books, have developed their own special relationships between them.

It's brilliantly written, very funny and a really enjoyable read - I can't think of anyone that I wouldn't recommend this series to!

Brilliant children’s book series. J.J. Arcanjo has the job of writing a stories that get better and more exciting in every book release. Here he shows his author skills again. There is humour, excitement, tension, inventions, growing up, family and found family, friends, competitions, a school for ‘good’ crooks, Villains, and trials both physical and mental. You just can’t help rooting for Gabriel and his friends, and booing the villains. The worst of which are Gabriel’s own parents. The stakes for Gabriel just keep getting higher as he tries to protect those he loves in an imperfect world. Thank you to Hatchette Children’s Group and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Absolutely the best Crookhaven book so far. The crew are evolving with their skills and personalities but also their friendships and relationships. Gabriel is such a great leader and character but all of the crew members have their own interesting personalities and strengths. Love them all. But that ending means I am looking forward to the next one so much!

I have really enjoyed this whole series so far. It’s a unique premise, and I love the characters and relationships that have developed over the course of the books. Another great addition to the series. Another heist to try and pull off, classes to attend at Crookhaven and also the very real threat of the Nameless lurking around every corner. I love how wholesome it is, despite the subject matter of a school for crooks. The morals are really clear. The ending did pack an emotional punch however!

This one nearly broke me! I couldn’t adore this series more and each one leaves me slightly breathless and bruised. I actually met JJ Arcanjo at the Waterstones Piccadilly Children’s Book Quiz event and he was so lovely.

When I was approved for this book on Netgalley, I knew I would be thrown right into the midst of the brilliant crew led by Gabriel Avery. They each bring a fantastic skill set to the crew, work seamlessly together and have the loveliest respect for each other. They also challenge each other and step up when someone needs support.

Gabriel would do anything for his Grandmother and hates all the lying he has to do to protect her from his cruel and vicious parents, who seem to keep appearing. In this story, the threat from Adria and Luciano is even greater and they truly mess with Gabe’s mind, making him believe he is going crazy and seeing things.

As the classes get more intense, so to does the “Break-In” opportunity offered each year. This year, it is off site and in “the impossible fortress”. Gabe and his crew are really up against it if they want to win for the fourth year in a row.

I would never dream of spoiling this book or the series and it is one that I cannot recommend highly enough, but this book feels more dangerous for Gabe and the truth of his parents is becoming more real and intense all the time. In true Crookhaven style, this book also ends with unanswered questions and me in tears!

I now need book five but believe there is ample time for me to begin again and re-read the four ahead of the fifth!