Content Warning: Thief of Heights features the death of a parent and post-amputation emotional healing.
Cover Story: Look Up
The three main characters of this graphic novel are looking for a way to move up in their world—literally—so it’s apt that this cover image depicts them looking that way. The fact that they’re standing in the water is concerning, however, given that the water in on their level of the vertical city of Muqadas is diseased and causes infection …
The Deal:
Basem, Mustafa, and Aarfah have lived their entire lives on the lowest level of Muqadas society. They’ve created a meager living for themselves, scrapping and searching for useful items, parts, and materials in the trash of the people who live above. They’re brilliant engineers but are limited by their place in society.
When Mustafa needs an amputation, the trio work together to create a prosthetic arm the likes of which their level has never seen. The prosthetic garners the attention of an ambassador from a higher level, who promises them a better life if they move up.
But sometimes, the higher you are, the harder you fall.
BFF Charms: Eventually x3
I don’t really feel like I got to know the three as well as I would have liked. Mustafa’s a caring, fragile boy who worries more about the care of his father than himself. Aarfah is a strong-willed survivor who is tougher than she seems. And Basem is a super-talented young man with a bit too much ego, but with skills that can’t be denied. They’re a fantastic team, but I’d need to spend more time with them before I was sure about our chances of friendship.
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
Basem and Mustafa have good chemistry and the promise of more to come—if they can get out of their own ways.
Talky Talk: Revolution
The heart of Thief of the Heights is the wish for revolution, the wish to create a better life for the people who live at the bottom of Muqadas. Son M., in a very short amount of time and few panels, made the societal breakdown of Muqadas society crystal clear and clearly showed how and why it’s a terrible system just asking to be dismantled. I’m impressed by her ability to craft a story that does in 240 pages what other dystopian novels do in 400+.
Arty Art: Levels
Page via Harper Alley
I’m not the biggest fan of Yao’s character styles, but do really like their use of color and light to depict the three levels of Muqadas society. It was a great accent to the plot and really drove home how different each level truly was.
Bonus Factor: Disability Representation
A majority of people who live on the lowest level of Muqadas suffer from an infection from the dirty waters of the lake that surrounds the city. Some get away unscathed, but many end up with amputations, Mustafa and Aarfah included. The trio’s interests lie in creating prosthetics for their community, but even when they don’t have exactly what they need to create the perfect piece, they don’t let their physical limitations get in their way.
Relationship Status: Let’s Hang
I think we could be good friends, Book, if we had more time. I know things are busy for you right now, what with the dismantling of a clearly messed up society, but in time I think there will be space for us to relax. I look forward to that day.
Literary Matchmaking
Ngozi Ukazu and Mad Rupert’s Bunt! is another graphic novel about damning the man.
P. Craig Russell’s graphic adaptation of Lois Lowry’s The Giver is a great dystopian read.
Scott Westerfield and Alex Puvilland’s Spill Zone features a space that’s been left to fend on its own.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Harper Alley, but got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. Thief of the Heights is available now.
