After reading this book I realized that this book is genuinely interesting and well written the only problem was that the pdf I got wouldn't open so when the copy arrived to my library off order I was happy to finally get to read it.

Initial Reaction: Jaw is on the floor

Can't believe it took me this long to write this review. This book was one of my top reads of 2023. If you are like me and LOVE the heist genre, this is the book!! Six of Crows, Ocean's Eleven, whatever you're a fan of, this is your next stop. Kayvion nailed the suspense and anticipation of any good heist, while still writing such fun and complex characters and so so much tension. The concept of a competition to see who's the best thief was so intriguing and it was done so well. Go get this right now I'm serious.

Sadly due to some unfortunate events that took place I was unable to read this before the archive date. However I do look forward to purchasing the book because of course I still have to dive in after losing many giveaways and missing this opportunity!

As any great crime family does, the Quests rule over their domain, the Caribbean Islands. Being the daughter of the unstoppable Rhiannon Quest has her daughter Rosalyn ("Ross") ready to try her own thing, but she's thwarted and the only way to fix things is to join The Gambit.

The Gambit is like the Olympics-meets-the-Hunger-Games for the best teen thieves in the world. The winner receives one wish - and the losers, well, we don't talk about them.

Ross doesn't trust anybody, but she has to in order to make it through all the stages.

This book is a true thriller, with exotic locales, epic heists, and elaborate hoaxes. Ross and her competitors slash teammates are unique in their skills and techniques and turn, turn, turnabout is fair play.

I cannot wait for the sequel AND the adaptation!

Thank you to the publisher, Penguin Teen Canada, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rosalyn “Ross” Quest is a master thief at seventeen, having learned all the tricks of the trade from her family who are in legendary in the business. But she has always wanted more than just the lonely life of a thief and makes a plan to escape for a while – only, that plan goes sideways, ending up with her mother being captured by some very dangerous people. In order to save her, Ross agrees to take part in the Thieves’ Gambit, a deadly competition involving international heists, with a grand prize of one wish for the winner. Ross knows that she needs to stay focused and trust no one, just as her mother taught her, but winning is easier said than done however, as an old enemy turns up as a competitor along with some equally skilled thieves from around the world.

I absolutely adore heist novels, so I didn’t have to think twice about adding this to my TBR, especially when I got an eARC.

The premise was such an intriguing one, heists in combination with a dangerous competition where the stakes for the main character couldn’t be higher. Each challenge in the competition was thrilling and it was fascinating to see how the competitors would solve it, by hook or by crook. There was no shortage of plot twists, unexpected alliances, scheming and backstabbing, making this a book that easily holds the reader’s attention. As a side note, I feel like this would be a fantastic choice for getting out of a reading slump – such an engrossing read is sure to be beneficial in restoring an interest in reading.

One thing I would have liked to see more of from a plot angle were the smaller details of the heists. A lot of the planning seemed to happen off screen, and while that made things more exciting when it unfolded, I thought it also left several aspects of the plan kind of vague.

There certainly wasn’t a dull moment in this book! With the gripping plot and non-stop action, it’s definitely a story that would be fantastic on screen and it’s no surprise that the film rights have already been acquired for this book. This was a such a fun ride and an easy, quick read that had me at the edge of my seat from start to finish.

Ross was an interesting protagonist and her arc was very well written. Honestly, I’m more impressed that the author managed to work in a rather nice character arc in the middle of all the excitement and chaos of the plot. The other competitors were equally fascinating and though they didn’t have POVs, I felt like we got to know them a lot. It was fun trying to predict their motives and figuring out who was going to betray the others next.

The final chapters brought with it multiple twists and while I had begun to suspect one of them, the other was a complete shock. I also didn’t realize that this was, at the least, a duology until that point, but after that cliffhanger ending, I’m glad there’s more to this story.

Thieves’ Gambit did not disappoint at all, and I’m looking forward to see what Ross will do following the revelations at the end. This book reminded me a lot of Six of Crows and The Inheritance Games, so if you liked either of those, I would highly recommend this book!

This was a delight! A fast paced heist story with heart. I didn’t know who to trust but I fell for the characters anyway. The challenges were fun and unique. The author is extremely well at writing and I could picture each action scene as if I was in the audience. I can’t wait for more in this world.

Teens who want something like Six of Crows but without the fantasy elements will absolutely devour this fast paced, page turning read and want to re-read immediately upon finishing.

Thieves' Gambit is an incredibly strong debut that will keep you guessing throughout and stunned upon final reveal. Kayvion Lewis brilliantly created a large cast, maintaining the individuality and voice of each through the eyes of our main character, Ross. While there were moments I was itching for another point of view, the story was ultimately stronger without one, as figuring things out with Ross kept the story on its toes.

While there are many twists and turns in this book, as soon as I thought I had it figured out, I was proven wrong. Lewis kept me wondering until the very last chapter where she masterfully tied the loose ends together.

My only complaint about this book is that I don't know how long the wait will be until I can continue with book two. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel and the high-paced adventure that is sure to continue!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group and Netgalley for the advanced review copy.

I really really enjoyed this young adult action adventure novel. It felt like a mix of Ocean's 8 & Squid Games.

In this novel, young thieves are chosen to be part of the Thieves' Gambit - an extremely dangerous set of games and tasks where you are pitted against one another until only one is left standing. The winner is to be contracted as the gamemaker's thief and they also receive a "wish".

Our main character, Ross, receives an invitation but would rather pursue her other dream. However, this dream forces her to lie to her family resulting in the kidnapping of her mother and results in her joining the games to "wish" her mother back.

Ross has been taught her entire life not to trust anyone else, so when she enters the games she is hesitant to make allies. However, she starts to learn for herself who she can and cannot trust.

I absolutely adored pretty much every plot line in this book, the games themselves, the friendships, the romance, her family, all of it. I was also pleasantly surprised when I found out this is only book one. I eagerly await the next installment!

Rosalyn "Ross" Quest is a teen who is isolated - both by her controlling mother, and by the fact that she's a thief in a family of professional thieves. Her mother has taught her that only those with the last name "Quest" can be trusted. Still, Ross longs to make connections with teens her own age, to make friends, and to get away from her family for a while. But when a job goes horribly wrong, she finds herself competing in a competition for the best teenage thieves out there. Whoever wins the Thieves' Gambit will be rewarded with a wish granted - and Ross plans to win and use her wish to undo the fallout from her last disastrous job.

What she doesn't expect to do is connect with the other teens she meets there, thieves like herself. And she really doesn't expect to fall in love with one of her competitors. As the challenges grow harder, Ross finds herself debating - can she really trust these people, like she wants to, or was her mother right?

This novel is a fun heist/thriller novel with some interesting plot twists and an ending that leaves plenty of room for the next installment. Ross is a believable and sympathetic main character, and the prose is very fluid, the pacing quick, making it an easy read with one event flowing into the next. The dialogue is mostly great as well, with a few slightly cringey exceptions. They didn't make me want to put the book down, regardless. I wanted to know what happened next.

All in all, a well-earned 4 out of 5 stars. I will most likely pick the sequel up as well to see how Ross's adventures continue. Thank you to Penguin Young Reader's Group, Nancy Paulsen Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy. This is my voluntary and honest review.

Definitely a book right up my alley with the thieving and globetrotting and action adventuring! The twist at the end felt a little rushed, but it definitely made me want to read the next book!

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

Ross Quest was born into a legendary family of thieves. While her family makes great money acquiring goods for others, it is cautious life that ultimately Ross wants a break from. When a job goes south and her mother is kidnapped, Ross is forced to compete in the "Thieves' Gambit" a dangerous multi-level heist that pits her against some of the best thieves in the world.

Part Hunger Games, part Ocean's Eleven, Thieves' Gambit is a teen drama with high stakes and a very big crime thriller vibe. Ross as a character is written and developed fully as a street smart teen willing to walk the line between childhood and adulthood. My only criticism is how the novel ends. It sets itself up for a sequel or follow up in a series which I believe is unnecessary.

I wanna start by saying I really liked this book. The lot was very fun to read and it went with the description of the book. At first, I didn't like the main character because of how she acted when she first got to the gambit and some decisions she made. I will say she grew on me. I understood that I had to be more understanding of how she was raised and that affected her a lot. I do think the romance was lackluster for me. I hated that there was a cliffhanger but it was a good cliffhanger. I couldnt put the book down and it was a fast book to read. I can't wait for book 2 and I heard it's being turned into a movie.


Thanks to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for providing a copy for an honest review.

All Ross Quest wanted was to take a break from the hyper-controlled world of her mother – a legendary thief from a legendary family of thieves – and spend part of her summer acting like a normal teenager instead of executing heists. But her plan to ditch her mother at the completion of a job ends up getting her mother captured, and the ransom demand from her captors is $1 billion. Desperate, Ross joins the Thieves’ Gambit, a competition made up of a series of dangerous, international heists, where killing the competition isn’t exactly off limits, and the grand prize is a wish for anything in the world — a wish that could save her mom. This high-octane thriller is perfect for fans of Jennifer Barnes, Ally Carter, and the Oceans 8 and 11 films.

Thank you to netgalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn't influence my review. Wow. Read the book. I don't know what else to say. Also, apparently they're making a movie on this I think???

Well that was... a book? Honestly I should have gone with my gut and dnfed at the beginning because now I'm annoyed I wasted my time.

At first I found the main character super annoying and unlikeable. I get the whole sheltered no friends thing but still.

Then the gambit started and I was like oh, maybe this is actually going to be not bad. And yeah, the characters are sort of one-note and flat (diversity points though), and yeah this crew of uber-smart, uber-rich, uber-competent teenage thieves/spies requires a LOT of suspension of disbelief as they work to outwit ... literally all the adults in the book, but maybe?

And then what was that ending? Like. Bang it was all a lie the end. I think I was supposed to care about the big reveal/plot twist but I just didn't because the book was over and we didn't even really get to see her reaction? I think it's trying to be a cliff-hanger for book 2 but also wrap things up at the same time and it didn't really do either effectively.

Ugh. I love heist books and this just did not cut it. I think the fact that I was listening to the audio was the only thing that kept me reading to the end.

*Thanks to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers, and Nancy Paulsen Books for providing an early copy for review.

A YA novel focused on an action-packed heist competition. Ross is a member of one of the top families of thieves, the Quests. However, at seventeen, she is ready to leave the nest. When her plan goes awry and her mother is kidnapped, she makes the decision to take part in the Thieves' Gambit, a competition of the world's top thieves, where the winner receives whatever they wish for. In Ross's case, she hopes to save her mother. Among her competitors are her childhood friend turned nemesis and an intriguing new love interest. Only one can win. Let the games begin.

Heists and competitions are both compelling plot lines in my opinion, so I was in when I read this book's description. And I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed the read. This novel is fun, full of action and whip smart teens. Throughout the story, we see Ross develop some real friendships for the first time in her life, as well as experience some dramatic betrayals. Quite the cliffhanger ending. I really hope to see more in the future, and would absolutely watch if a movie is developed.

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

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Thieves' Gambit. I thought it was a fun edge of your seat thrill ride. It is twisty and turny and full of excitement. I will be purchasing it for our library. I think our students will be standing in line for it!

Imagine Oceans Eleven, but all of the cast are young adults / high school age, and instead of working together to pull of the heist... they are COMPETING.

*dun dun dun*

Honestly the stakes were so high in this book, I couldn't put it down. The main characters and some of the plot are predictable, but very well written. I found the energy high and pacing fast, and I really really enjoyed it. I definitely will be reading the rest of the series.

[Hardcover copy gifted by Penguin Teen, and ebook copy gifted by Nancy Paulsen Books / Netgalley - thank you! All opinions are my own.]

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing this book for me to review. This book is a lot of fun while still being thrilling. The characters are well-developed and the writing is engaging. Ross is a teen high calibre thief that gets invited to an underground thieving competition to save her mother. A little farfetched, but it could happen. The challenges were outlandish, but I suspended my disbelief and pretended that they were legitimate. Many friendships and rivalries were established and the ending definitely left room for a sequel.