I don’t see a lot of male/female protagonists in YA that had piercings/tattoos so it was a breath of fresh air to read from the persepctive of a character who does have them. I also really liked how Tina had loads of tattoos. Our main character, Tina has a huge huge character arc throughout the novel and even though she is our strong, female protagonist, we also see a sensitive, emotional side to her which makes her a very relatable MC. The beginning immediately had me hooked and kept me going until the very end. I read this book in a few hours I was absolutely captivated by the premise of the story. But finally uncovering the incredible truth about who killed her mother-and why-keeps her holding on. But as soon as she steps inside the lavish home, she’s overtaken by the pain of old wounds and the pull of past friendships, setting into motion a dangerous cascade of events that could, at any moment, cost Tina her life. It’s a job for the Goondas that finally brings Tina back to the Greyhill estate, giving her the chance for vengeance she’s been waiting for. With revenge always on her mind, Tina spends the next four years surviving on the streets alone, working as a master thief for the Goondas, Sangui City’s local gang. Greyhill’s personal study, she knows exactly who’s behind it. So when her mother is found shot to death in Mr. But Tina soon learns that the Greyhill fortune was made from a life of corruption and crime. Her mother quickly found work as a maid for a prominent family, headed by Roland Greyhill, one of the city’s most respected business leaders. After fleeing the Congo as refugees, Tina and her mother arrived in Kenya looking for the chance to build a new life and home. In the shadows of Sangui City, there lives a girl who doesn’t exist. Whilst all of this is happening, this book also disguises itself as an action-packed thriller/mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

With a 90% black cast with a handful of mixed race characters and a couple of white characters as well, this book explores racism, refugees and the war against the militia within Congo and surrounding areas. The main part of this novel that stood out to me was that it was set in Congo so I knew that diversity would be very very prominent within the book.

City of saints & thieves