Catalog

Record Details

Catalog Search


Thief of the Heights Cover Image Book Book

Thief of the Heights / [written by] Son M. ; [illustrated by] Robin Yao.

Son M., (author.). Yao, Robin, (illustrator.). HarperAlley (Imprint) (Added Author). HarperCollins (Firm), (publisher.).

Summary:

"Lifelong friends Basem, Mustafa, and Aarfah have carved out a place for themselves in their corner of Muqadas, where they dream of climbing from their place in the city's lowest level, above the limb-snatching, disease-infested waters, to the very top of their vertical city. Young inventors who've seen firsthand the havoc the Habar infection causes set out to dazzle the masses with their innovative prosthetics and escape the dangers of Lake Saha. When their inventions catch the eye of a scout who is on the hunt for new talent to bring to the higher tiers, their dreams are suddenly within reach. But as the wonders of the upper tiers enchant, Basem, Mustafa, and Aarfah begin to question why the bounty of Muqadas falls short of reaching Lake Saha's inhabitants. Behind the beauty of the city's upper tiers lie dark and dangerous secrets--ones that threaten not only everything they've worked for but everyone they love. And when Mustafa and Aarfah are cast away for their allegiance to Lake Saha, Basem is faced with the difficult choice: Fight to bring justice to all of Muqadas? Or abandon his friends and fall in line to achieve everything he's ever dreamed?"--Back cover.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9780063067325 (paperback)
  • ISBN: 0063067323 (paperback)
  • ISBN: 9780063067332 (hardcover)
  • ISBN: 0063067331 (hardcover)
  • Physical Description: 232 pages : chiefly color illustrations ; 23 cm
  • Edition: First edition.
  • Publisher: New York : HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, [2024]

Content descriptions

General Note:
Enter the world of Muqadas, where the climb to the top of this vertically stacked city--away from disease-ridden waters of the lower levels--is paved with betrayal, secrets, and rebellion in this debut graphic novel from author Son M. and artist Robin Yao.

Search for related items by subject

Subject: Equality > Comic books, strips, etc. > Fiction.
Betrayal > Comic books, strips, etc. > Fiction.
Imaginary places > Comic books, strips, etc. > Fiction.
Genre: Dystopian comics.
Graphic novels.

Available copies

  • 2 of 3 copies available at Kenton County.

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 3 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Covington Branch 741.5965 S698t 2024 (Text) 33126027309750 New YA Graphic Novels Available -
Erlanger Branch 741.5965 S698t 2024 (Text) 33126027309768 New YA Graphic Novels Checked out 12/22/2024
Independence Branch 741.5965 S698t 2024 (Text) 33126027309776 New YA Graphic Novels Available -
► Summaries & More
► Awards, Reviews, & Suggested Reads
▼ Additional Content
  • School Library Journal Reviews : SLJ Reviews 2024 November

    Gr 8 Up—In the futuristic three-tiered city of Muqadas, residents of Saha, the bottom tier, aspire to move up by being scouted for talents valued by the upper levels. Mustafa, Basem, and Aarfah are mechanical engineers living in Saha. Aarfah lost her legs to Habar, an incurable infection stopped only by amputation. Mustafa and Basem are developing prosthetic legs for Aarfah, both to help her and to get scouted. The three plan to ascend and send resources back to Saha if they reach the upper levels. When they ascend, they learn the truth about upper classes and the systems keeping Saha in poverty. It slowly becomes clear the people in Saha aren't passively accepting their situation. The story raises interesting questions about whether a better life is worth the price. Each friend responds differently, showing the complexity of the question. The art is solid, but color and design choices create difficulty with the visibility of some panels. Sometimes only eyes and teeth of dark-skinned characters are visible, and some panels are so dark that details of what is happening in the story are obscured. The setting appears to be influenced by the Middle East and some dialog is in Arabic. Characters range from dark brown-skinned with textured hair to fair-skinned with straight hair. VERDICT The dramatic narrative asks thought-provoking questions about class and mobility under repressive systems. The murkiness of the art sometimes gets in the way of engaging with the story, but the text carries it through.—Carla Riemer

    Copyright 2024 School Library Journal.
► Shelf Browser
► MARC Record

Additional Resources