If You Like Six of Crows
Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse has an enthusiastic fan-base for good reason. Her system of magic is complex and her plots always spellbinding. In Six of Crows, Kaz is offered a large reward if he can break a scientist out of prison. This YA heist story is told in alternating perspectives so we can see all the players in action. Kaz assembles his crew — a spy, a soldier, a Grisha, a sharpshooter, and an explosives expert — and starts his mission, determined to succeed.
Below are a group of other stories that take on similar elements: heists, alternating POVs, and magic galore.
Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab (2015)
Imagine a universe where there are many different versions of the world. Some have lots of magic, some have a little, and some were destroyed by the misuse of magic. Kell, an Antari, can travel between the different versions of London. In one he meets Lila, a wily thief. Together they begin an adventure to protect the universe. Though this series is marketed for adults, I think many YA readers would love it, too.
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken (2016)
Nicholas has an interesting genetic perk — he can travel through special portals to other times than his native 18th century. His family is one of the last with this gift and seeks to control all those who have it. When Etta (a violinist in the present day) is dragged into the world suddenly, she just wants to get home. But to save her family, she agrees to search for an artifact believed to control the portals. I just devoured this on a vacation, and it made for fantastic reading. I can’t wait to get the sequel.
The Last Magician series by Lisa Maxwell (started 2017)
Esta lives in modern-day Manhattan and is a well-trained thief. Her magic is the ability to travel through time, where she steals magical artifacts. She has one more job to do: travel to 1902 and steal a book that contains all the secrets of magic and can either save or destroy what’s left of magic. This historical fantasy is mesmerizing and entertaining.
Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis (2023)
The Quests are a family of thieves, and Ross Quest has been training for the job since birth. She’s starting to want something different from her life when she receives an invitation to the Thieves’ Gambit, a competition between the best young thieves in the world. The winner gets a valuable prize: one wish. Ross dismisses the idea until her mother is kidnapped and the ransom is a billion dollars.
Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan (2024)
An Ocean’s Eleven–style heist set in Florence in the 1500s. So cool! The key pair assembles the perfect team to steal a fortune from Pope Leo X, a member of the Medici family. The chapters switch POVs to give you a full view of the heist preparations. Schneiderhan presents a good balance between the history and the adventure. You’ll be tethered to the book until you learn whether they can pull off the heist.