I tried to like this book, especially since it was one that a lot of people had requested. I did kind of like the main character, but her mother just frustrated me straight from the beginning and the MCs observations. She was so in her head some times. Other than that, this novel is very fast paced and deals with some tough topics brilliantly.

Thieves' Gambit was definitely a book that built for me. The further into it I got, the more invested I was, especially in the character dynamics! There was one relationship I had a theory on early on, and I was so excited to get to the reveal and discover I'd been right about that characters. It was satisfying to see the way Ross's relationships developed and how she grew as a character. I saw that a sequel is coming, and I'm definitely planning to pick it up!

Thieves' Gambit follows Ross Quest, the youngest in a renowned thief family, after her moth is captured by pirates. To earn the ransom needed to free her mother, Ross enrolls in the Thieves' Gambit, an international competition among young and upcoming thieves, which promises a wish granted for the winner. Ross, who grew up secluded on a Caribbean island with only her mother and aunt as company, is suspicious of her fellow thieves from the start of the Gambit, and she reminds herself that the first rule of thievery is to trust no one. But when a boy starts saying he has feelings for her and the other thieves seem to have slivers of humanity she can grab onto in her time of need, Ross starts to wonder if partnership among her competitors would be okay. But the ever daunting question hangs over the novel: is there honor among thieves?

Thieves' Gambit is compared to The Inheritance Games and Ocean's 11, and I do think that the way Kayvion Lewis pulls together the Gambit is as thrilling as the ploy that Danny Ocean executes in Vegas. The different challenges that Ross finds herself facing kept surprising me, and the way that she made her way out made me wonder if there wasn't someone pulling strings behind the scenes to make sure she succeeded. However, it took me a little bit to get into the story and stay intrigued enough to want to keep reading. I started this book multiple times, but never got further than maybe a third of the way through because the beginning felt so slow. I understand why we needed to see and feel Ross' relationship with her mom, but it felt like it took up too much time to propel Ross into the madness of the Gambit. And because I was promised media which get right into the heisting and charisma and tension, I was expecting the pacing to be like that as well. However, the large cast of characters were all lovable, even the characters you loved to hate (looking at you Noelia), and the relationships Ross fostered along the way made this book worth it, and that ending heart-wrenching. Although it wasn't as fast-paced and tension-filled as I'd hoped it'd be, and it earns a solid three stars, I'll definitely see the movie when it comes out in theaters because it was such a cinematic read.

I wanted to love Thieves Gambit but felt it fell a little short. I didn’t care for the way the gambits were done. The different test came across as too easy. I wanted something more difficult for the participants. The writing was good but the execution fell short. I do think there will be many people who will really love Thieves Gambit.

Could not love this book more!!! I finished in basically one sitting plus an hour the next morning. It was fast paced, full of enemies to lovers tension, and of course, heisting. A competition of thieves coming from families of the greatest thieves in the world - I thought this was such a fun and fresh premise. I ate it up! Impatiently waiting the second book to see what happened. Lewis definitely left us wanting more!!

I LOVE A GOOD HEIST!!!! this was SO fun, such an easy and fast-paced reading, and i LOVED the characters. i think this is such a hit, and my only issues were that some plot points felt very "deus ex machina", which i think is also sometimes normal in a lot of YA books of this genre, so it wasn't TOO big of an issue. really really enjoyed this, can't wait to read the sequel!

Very unique concept! I love a good heist, and this story had that and so much more. Memorable characters and a fast paced rhythm will keep readers racing to the final page.

I am a sucker for a great heist book and this definitely delivers on that front. It reminded me of Oceans Eleven mixed with Gilded Wolves and Six of Crows. It is extremely action packed so prepare for a wild ride. The character development is surprisingly good, as well. I'm looking forward to book two coming out later this fall

My main issue with Thieves' Gambit is that the writing felt targeted towards the younger side of YA readers. While there's nothing inherently wrong with that, it is not what I anticipated, with connections being made to movies like Ocean's Eleven. I did really like the scenes regarding the heists, but the focus seemed to be more on a kidnapping subplot I felt was not developed enough to capture interest. Although I enjoyed the overall theme, the plot itself felt slightly predictable and didn't leave me with a desire to continue the story. Not a bad book, by any means, but not what I was looking for when I picked this up. I found myself feeling indifferent towards the protagonist throughout her journey.

Looks to be the start of a series, and there is so much to like but if I am recommending high stakes heist books I will always start with The Heist Society series by Ally Carter.

A decent thriller. The structure keeps the plot moving at a rapid clip, always new threats and challenges to face. Character development is a little under done. The final big reveals are telegraphed a bit too early so they don't come as much of a surprise. Overall, a decent entertaining read but not one with much depth to reflect on.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"Thieves' Gambit" by Kayvion Lewis is a thrilling ride through the world of high-stakes thievery, where trust is a currency as valuable as the treasures sought after. The novel introduces us to Rosalyn "Ross" Quest, a seventeen-year-old prodigy born into a legendary family of thieves. Ross's life is a paradox, torn between the thrill of the heist and the desire for a normal life away from the shadows of her heritage.

The narrative takes off when Ross's mother falls into peril, and the only way to save her is to win the Thieves' Gambit—a cutthroat competition where the world's most skilled thieves vie for a prize that grants any wish. The stakes are as high as they can get, and for Ross, it's not just about the win; it's about family, survival, and legacy.

Lewis's writing is cinematic, with each chapter unfolding like scenes in a high-octane movie. The settings are vividly described, transporting readers from one exotic locale to another, making them feel the rush of adrenaline with every narrow escape and daring plan. The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that keep the pages turning well into the night.

The heart of the story, however, lies in its characters. Ross is a compelling protagonist—smart, resourceful, and deeply human. Her internal conflicts add depth to the breakneck plot, making her more than just a thief; she's a young woman on the cusp of defining who she wants to be. The supporting cast is equally engaging, from the charming and enigmatic Devroe to Ross's childhood nemesis, Noelia. Each character is well-crafted, with motives and backstories that weave seamlessly into the narrative.

"Thieves' Gambit" is a thriller and a story about choices and consequences, about the fine line between right and wrong, and about finding one's place in a world where every alliance is temporary. It's a testament to Lewis's skill that the novel manages to be both an edge-of-your-seat adventure and a thoughtful exploration of identity and belonging.

"Thieves' Gambit" is a must-read for fans of the genre and a standout debut for Kayvion Lewis. It's a book that promises—and delivers—a grand adventure, but also leaves readers pondering long after the last heist is pulled.

A solid four stars for a tale well told.

I just could not focus on making my way through this one. I might switch to audiobook to finish this one once I'm out of my current reading slump. But for now, I just couldn't finish the print version.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I thought that the book was okay. I won't be picking up the rest of the series. The beginning was a little slow and then it picked up again. The ending wasn't my favorite. I'm not sure about this author's writing style. It just wasn't for me. I thought there was one too many pop culture references in this book. The ending was kinda of a let down. As a mother myself I wouldn't sign my child up for anything like that. The mom needs to learn to let her kid go and be their own person.

This is a great Adventure/mystery for anyone who liked Mr. Lemoncello’s series but needs a more advanced read. The main character works with her mom as a thief. They are experts at stealing expensive jewels, money or anything else they want to get. Ross is a master at what she does. If anyone asks, she tells them she is home schooled. She can’t very well go to school when she may need to go help her mom at a moment's notice. But, Ross has finally had enough of the crime world for a while. She wants a normal life. She wants to go to a regular summer camp. Of course, her mom will have none of that so Ross must run away. Little does she know that this will almost cause her mom her life. The only way to save her mom is to enter the most deadliest heist of all time. The Thieves Gambit. If she wins, she could save her mom’s life. If she loses, she could lose her mom, her own heart, or her life.

This was well written. It was along the lines of the Inheritance Games without as much of the puzzles or the love triangles. I say it is geared for younger kids than Inheritance Games. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

This book is basically Ocean’s Twelve: High School Edition. Teenage master thieves traipsing around Europe executing heists? Yes please.

Was some suspension of disbelief required? Of course. But it was also an entertaining romp that kept you captivated to the very end. They clearly couldn’t end the story where it did and I’m looking forward to the sequel.

This was entertaining, but cheesy. More middle grade than high school in its vibe. Lots of action, decent premise.

This was amazing. Couldn’t put it down! I just jumped right in. It looks like it will be a series and I can’t wait! Oceans 11 vibes but honestly way better.

The Quest family has legendary status in the world of thieves and while Ross is a master thief herself she’s desperate to break out on her own. But when her plan to escape goes awry, her mother’s life is left at risk. With no other options Ross enters the Thieves’ Gambit, a heist competition that will put her skills to the test. Winning won’t be easy, especially when she finds out her competition includes her childhood nemesis and a handsome charmer intent on making a play at her heart. Ross must figure out who to con and who to trust because in the end, only one will win.

When I saw this book described as Inheritance games meets Ocean’s Eleven, I was sold. Then I read the full synopsis and was drooling to get my hands on this book and man it did not disappoint!

Now I love a good rivals to lovers so seeing a romance wove within the bigger story was nice. However I can’t lie, I was basically addicted to the heist storyline. My husband even commented that I must really be enjoying this book because it seems to be all I wanted to do this past weekend. Well duh…with short chapters, quick pace, and captivating storyline it was impossible to put this book down.

While this is a book full of thieves, we obviously had a lot of morally gray characters but I found myself loving almost all of them.

Honestly, this book was just so much fun to read and the twists at the end left my head spinning in the best way. There is a sequel coming out later this year and I cannot wait to get my hands on it! I need more Ross Quest in my life.

3.5/5 stars. This book was fun. I like the concept, it just didn’t leave me wanting more (even with a “to be continued” ending).