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?
"Miller pens an enjoyable, fast-paced action novel that's full of danger, mystery, humor and violence, with lots of gross-out scenes and plenty of hairpin-turn plot twists that will keep readers guessing. An enigmatic page turner full of intrigue."—Kirkus
"This will grab teen readers just as Miller's Kiki Strike books grabbed middle-grade students. A thick, satisfying read that ought to keep readers up late."—Booklist
"Miller keeps every character grounded and believable, giving the story's horrors substantial impact. The resulting book often belies its cute title, in ways that will have readers racing to the end."—Publishers Weekly
"Miller has created a fantastic devil's snare, wherein the typical plotline of teens taking on a corrupt regime is given a new and exhilarating spin."—VOYA, starred review
Kirsten Miller grew up in a small town just like Cypress Creek, minus the purple mansion. She lives and writes in New York City. Kirsten is the New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Kiki Strike books, the Eternal Ones series, and How to Lead a Life of Crime. You can visit her at kirstenmillerbooks.com.
View titles by Kirsten Miller
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?
Praise
"Miller pens an enjoyable, fast-paced action novel that's full of danger, mystery, humor and violence, with lots of gross-out scenes and plenty of hairpin-turn plot twists that will keep readers guessing. An enigmatic page turner full of intrigue."—Kirkus
"This will grab teen readers just as Miller's Kiki Strike books grabbed middle-grade students. A thick, satisfying read that ought to keep readers up late."—Booklist
"Miller keeps every character grounded and believable, giving the story's horrors substantial impact. The resulting book often belies its cute title, in ways that will have readers racing to the end."—Publishers Weekly
"Miller has created a fantastic devil's snare, wherein the typical plotline of teens taking on a corrupt regime is given a new and exhilarating spin."—VOYA, starred review
Author
Kirsten Miller grew up in a small town just like Cypress Creek, minus the purple mansion. She lives and writes in New York City. Kirsten is the New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Kiki Strike books, the Eternal Ones series, and How to Lead a Life of Crime. You can visit her at kirstenmillerbooks.com.
View titles by Kirsten Miller
