A review by natashaleighton_
The Frame-Up by Gwenda Bond

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Thomas Crown Affair and Ocean’s 11 meets Dorian Gray in this fun, plot twisty palate cleanser of a read that I genuinely loved! 

The magical art heist premise and its focus on the complicated bonds between protagonist Dani, her art thief mother (who she helped send to prison) and her mother’s crew was really compelling. I really empathised with Dani and the difficult choices that led to the FBI catching her mum. 

The heist aspect of the plot (like most heist movies) was an action packed whirlwind, that kept us guessing right up to the eleventh hour (with obligatory mishaps, betrayals and post-heist reveals) that I thoroughly enjoyed.

However, I would’ve liked the character development of our love interests (we sort of get a bit of a love triangle for a brief moment) and the rest of the cast to have been more in depth. The crew and Dani had soo much history together and I felt like we barely scratched the surface. 

And the romance itself wasn’t as prevalent as I’d hoped for either which was a bit disappointing. Especially as Elliot and Dani’s second chance relationship is hinted at in the blurb, but doesn’t really leave the angsty longing stage until the last 50 or so pages. 

I did like the magical realism and creepy, Dorian Grey-esque antagonist, Archer. He was the perfect, love to hate antagonist that you know you won’t be rooting for later, which I’ve come to realise are surprisingly difficult to write well. But Gwenda Bond absolutely nailed it! 

Overall, this was a really quick and entertaining read that I had soo much fun with. The world and magic system was intriguing too if a little brief but I live in hope that Bond will expand on it via a sequel or spinoff at some point in the future. 


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