This book is a fun wild ride! I had so much fun reading it. I will say that it took me a bit to get into but once the gambit started it was so much fun. This is a fast paced story with danger and thieves that steal your heart.

Ross is a thieve dreaming of another life but when her mother is in danger she will do anything to save her. The thieves gambit, a competition amongst other thieves becomes the only way for her to save her mom. She has to win.

We get a diverse cast of characters which I appreciate. This book had me at the edge of my seat and I couldn't stop reading which is why I finished it in one day.

If you're a fan of heists and lots of action I definitely think you should check this one out!

Out Sept 26, 2023

Thanks netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thieves Gambit is like a combination of Six of Crows, Hunger Games, and Ocean's 11, resulting in an exhilarating narrative that surpasses all expectations. As a fan of heist books, this one truly captivated me. Meet Ross Quest, a member of a renowned family of thieves. When an unfortunate incident leads to her mother's abduction, Ross makes the bold decision to enter the Thieves Gambit, an international heist competition, with the hope of rescuing her, winning this competition will grant her a single wish.

Prepare yourself for an enthralling journey filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You'll eagerly devour each page, unraveling the mysteries and unveiling the surprises that await. In addition to the captivating heist narrative, Thieves Gambit also weaves in a compelling romance subplot and an intriguing dynamic between childhood friends turned into enemies. This action-packed book delivers an astounding plot twist at the end, leaving me in awe. I sincerely hope a second book is in the works, as I found the ending slightly rushed. Overall I really enjoyed this. Thanks to netgalley and penguin for the eARC of this book.

A jam-packed global action fest...like a YA Ocean's Eleven.

I dug this book. I liked the characters and the fact that we got to know a little bit about all the participants. I thought the heist scenes were dramatic and the central relationship was believable. Like our hero, you never quite know who's on her side.

However, this is one book that might actually be better as a movie. The plot is complex, with many characters, settings, and lots of double crossing. Toward the end, it was a wee bit hard to track all the details.

I think this was largely due to the fact that the ending is setting up Book 2. Instead of tidying things up, the story expands to explore more of the secret world of the hosts of the gambit. That's a lot of exposition to throw at readers that late in the game.

But overall, this was a fun ride. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fast paced and action packed, this book is perfect for fans of Oceans 11 and National Treasure.

I found the beginning of the book dragged, but once the competition began, the pace picked up. The dialogue is witty and the concept is incredibly unique.

I did feel that the book ended abruptly and I wanted more. It felt incomplete (even if there will be a sequel) and rushed. I was a little disappointed considering how well thought out the rest of the book was.

Overall, an enjoyable read and would pick up a sequel.

This was a nonstop adventure from start to finish - and I couldn't put it down. I was rooting for Ross from the moment she picked up the cat and it was an action packed thrill ride from there. Great character, fast paced action, and a strong emotional core - Highly recommend this book!

In "Thieves' Gambit" by Kayvion Lewis, readers are introduced to Ross Quest, a seventeen-year-old master thief with a talent for escape plans. However, when her plan to escape her notorious family of thieves takes an unexpected turn, leaving her mother's life hanging in the balance, Ross finds herself in a race against time.

Desperate to save her mother, Ross enters the treacherous Thieves' Gambit, a series of dangerous international heists where competition is fierce, and eliminating rivals is not off-limits. The ultimate prize is a wish that can grant anything in the world, offering a glimmer of hope for Ross and her mother's future. Yet, as she navigates the Gambit, she discovers that her childhood nemesis and a charming, smooth-talking competitor may complicate matters, both in the heists and matters of the heart.

One of the strengths of this book lies in its fast-paced and thrilling plot. The heists are intricately designed, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they unfold. The author skillfully balances the action and suspense, creating a sense of urgency and unpredictability that propels the story forward. Each twist and turn adds layers of intrigue, making it difficult for Ross to discern whom to trust amidst the chaos.

Ross, as the protagonist, is a compelling character. Her loyalty to her family's creed, "trust no one whose last name isn't Quest," is tested as she is forced to make difficult choices. Her determination to save her mother drives her actions, and her growth throughout the narrative is engaging to witness. Ross's internal struggle between self-preservation and her desire to do what is right adds depth to her character and keeps readers invested in her journey.

The dynamics between the characters, particularly the rivalry between Ross and her childhood nemesis, provide an added layer of tension. The romantic subplot adds a touch of vulnerability to the story, creating a compelling emotional dynamic amidst the high-stakes heists. The author strikes a good balance between the action and character development, ensuring that readers are not only invested in the outcome of the Gambit but also in the relationships and personal growth of the characters.

While "Thieves' Gambit" delivers a captivating and thrilling adventure, there are moments where the pacing could have been smoother. Some plot developments felt rushed, and a deeper exploration of certain aspects could have enhanced the overall reading experience. However, the book's strengths overshadow these minor drawbacks, and the narrative remains engaging and enjoyable.

In conclusion, "Thieves' Gambit" is a gripping and entertaining heist adventure that keeps readers hooked until the final page. Kayvion Lewis skillfully weaves a tale of danger, trust, and self-discovery.

A super fun book about heists, thieves, and family.

Rosalyn "Ross" Quest is part of the well known master thief family. When her mother's latest heist goes wrong, she is forced to enter into a competition to win enough to free her. The Thieve's Gambit is an International heist competition and invite only. Ross has been told by her family not to play, but at this point what other choices does she have?

Thus sets off a series of heists and dangerous actions. Ross doesn't know who to trust and each heist brings her closer and closer to potential death. Should she continue? Does she have a chance? Is there anyone she can trust? A perfect fall action story soon to be a film!
If you loved The Inheritance Games, Bank Heist or any adventure around the world you will love this scrappy heroines and her story! Thieves Gambit for the win!

. #Penguin #KayvionLewis #TheivesGambit

tl;dr
Seamless combination of heist and competition with tons of tasty plot twists, and a hint of romance to round everything out.

Thoughts
Um, this book is excellent? Not that I didn't expect to love it, but I didn't expect to love it this much. Two of my favorite genres are heists, and mysterious competitions hosted by shadowy figures. So the combination of such is already right up my alley, but also Kayvion Lewis absolutely nails the execution - a perfect balance of both ideas. The showcased heist is cleverly planned and very satisfying, and I enjoyed all the twists and turns as the characters competed to outdo each other. There's also a romance subplot that took a back seat to the story kind of by necessity, but the chemistry was pretty sparking. I actually appreciated the rivalry plot with a childhood frenemy even more, with all of its serious girlboss vibes. Although it doesn't technically end on a cliffhanger, there is just enough of an open door that we might see more in the future. I'd certainly be happy if we did.

What do you get when you mix Ocean's 11, National Treasure, and the Hunger Games? The Theives's Gambit!!

A great story about mixing some of my favorite genres. We have heists for "national treasure" type items all during a game show where people are watching contestants be eliminated.

This is a young adult book that was enjoyable as an adult and didn't read like a young adult. While the characters are in that age range they very well could have been adults too.

A unique story that I will be recommending to my friends.

My only complaint is that it seemed to end too early. I wanted to know more at the end.

This book is a thrilling and action-packed fantasy adventure that takes readers on a captivating journey through a world of thieves, magic, and high-stakes heists. With its dynamic characters, intricate world-building, and gripping plot, this novel is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The author clearly paid attention when it came to world-building! I could picture it so well in. my mind! The plot of "Thieves' Gambit" is fast-paced and filled with twists and turns that keep readers engaged.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

#ThievesGambit #NetGalley

I loved this one! I’m a sucker for a heist and even more interested when there are family connections and good side characters. I am excited to see where this series goes! I do wish some of the continuity was a bit cleaner (it felt like in this ARC there were some points that did not match with what as said earlier or history that I wish had been made clear) but overall this was great!

International thievery? Check.
Cut throat competition? Check.
Kidnapping? Manipulation? Cheating? Check, check, and check.

If you’ve ever googled “how to pick a lock with a Bobby pin” or “how difficult would it be to actually steal the Mona Lisa”, Thieves’ Gambit is the book for you. This is a no holds barred romp through the high stakes world of competitive (and sometimes deadly) larceny with all the glamour of a James Bond movie (minus the rampant misogyny) mixed into a heist-y YA cocktail. The perfect edge-of-your-seat thrill ride; 10/10 would recommend.

A ya version of Oceans 11 meets the mole. This fast-paced mystery will keep you turning pages from start to finish. Highly recommended for fans of mystery and competitions.

5 stars

I loved all the twists and turns of this book. I think all the characters were well written, and I loved the plot twist at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC of this book!

I loved the teenage heist competition angle and it is set up perfectly for another novel that is hopefully happening. The characters were interesting and the story moved along so quickly that I never got a chance to be bored.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fun and fast-paced, this is exactly what it says on the tin: a YA heist competition with high stakes and high drama. The writing is snappy, as is the dialogue, and I couldn't help but see this as a movie - it seems perfectly suited for film, down to the bones and descriptions. The pacing never lets up once the Gambit gets going, and while a few of the twists are pretty telegraphed, it's Ross's reactions to them that make it worth it. My one qualm is how abrupt the ending and final twist are - the organization comes to light and Ross knows her next move, but the stakes and fallout will have to wait for the second book, I guess.

global heists. Potential romance. Kidnapping. Family secrets. International thieving competition shenanigans abound in thieves gambit. When Ross’ mother is taken during a heist gone wrong she has no choice but to accept an invitation to join the gambit and try to win to get her one wish. Than you @netgalley and the publisher for the eARC

Amazing, loved it, wish I could read it again for the first time. High stakes heists and a dash of romance - pick this one up straight away!

Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy.

What a great book with so many twists and turns along the way. I usually guess the plot twists pretty early on, but this book had me sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next the whole time. I am already wanting there to be book 2 for me to pick up and read!!

The blurb for this book is on point. It is definitely Hunger Games cross Oceans Eleven. Ross/Rosalyn grew up isolated from everyone except her mom and aunt and was raised to be a thief. She lives on a remote island in the Bahamas, where she, her mother, and her aunt pull off some of the best heists in North America. That is, until Ross wants more. She wants out. And then … a job goes wrong and the only way to fix the mess she made is to participate in the gambit.

I will admit, imho, this book had a very slow start. It didn’t really pick up until the second heist of the gambit. However, it did pick up and didn’t lose steam later. The train scene was probably my favorite of the story.

Sadly, I wasn’t a huge fan of Ross. I didn’t dislike her but I didn’t really like her either. I didn’t connect with her, she was simply the method of my “participating” in the gambit. But her family … nope, they were awful! (That was intentional though and done well). As for the other participants in the gambit, some I liked, some I didn’t, but I wanted to know more about each one and I think that is important. The actual gambit was my favorite aspect of this book. The heists, how the characters handled them, and the ending was pretty great.

For me, this was probably 3.5 stars. Mainly because I need to love and root for the main character to truly connect and rate a book five stars. However, readers of this review need to take that with a grain of salt. I have aphantasia, aka I do not have a minds eye, and I believe that made a huge difference in my personal enjoyment. My gut says that if I could visualize when reading, it would be a solid five star book. Therefore, I’m giving it 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for an arc of this book.