Member Reviews
The sequel to Thieves’ vs Gambit is just as exciting and unputdownable as the first book! It was fun and exciting!
Rosalyn Quest is back and the stakes are higher than ever. This time the lives of the entire Quest family are on the line whilst Devroe is as flirty as ever despite his betrayal. As the friends from Thieves’ Gambit are reunited and pitted against each other in another competition, relationships are put to the test. Heist Royale is fun, fast-paced and full of action.
Kayvion Lewis strikes gold once again with "Heist Royale," the thrilling follow-up to "Thieves’ Gambit." If you loved the first book, buckle up—this sequel takes everything that made its predecessor great and turns the dial to eleven. Mystery, intrigue, and adrenaline-fueled heists? Check, check, and definitely check.
From page one, "Heist Royale" grabs you and refuses to let go. Lewis's knack for fast-paced storytelling is on full display here, weaving twists and turns that keep you guessing at every turn. It's the kind of book you pick up for "just one chapter," and suddenly realize it’s 2 am, and you’ve devoured the entire thing. No regrets.
What makes this sequel shine even brighter is how Lewis dives deeper into her characters. The crew you loved from "Thieves’ Gambit" is back, but now with added layers that make them feel even more alive. New sides of their personalities come into play, and the way they mix and match in this story? Absolute chef’s kiss. The fresh dynamics and evolving relationships keep the story vibrant and unpredictable.
And the ending? A satisfying conclusion that wraps up this chapter beautifully while leaving the door open just enough to keep us hoping for more. Lewis, if you’re reading this, we’re ready for book three whenever you are!
If you’re in the mood for a high-stakes adventure that keeps your heart racing and your mind guessing, "Heist Royale" is the perfect pick. Whether you're a fan of clever heists or dynamic character-driven stories, this sequel delivers on all fronts.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Title: Heist Royale
Author: Kayvion Lewis
Genre: YA
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
It's been six months since the end of the Gambit. Instead of winning an impossible wish, Ross has the threat of her family’s execution hanging over her head. Devroe, the only person Ross thought she could trust, could wish the Quests into oblivion at any time. Shockingly, despite his betrayal, Devroe is still making a play for Ross’s heart as the two work together pulling jobs for the Organization. But Ross has learned her lesson: A Quest can only trust another Quest.
When Ross finds herself at the center of a power struggle within the Organization, she sees her chance to change her fortunes. As a new deadly Gambit develops for control of the criminal underworld, Ross strikes a risky deal to guarantee protection for herself and her family.
In this final clash, Ross will square off against a ruthless opponent who will stop at nothing to seize power, and in their corner will be not only Devroe but his mother, who wants to destroy the Quests at any cost.
This was a lot of fun to read! I actually enjoyed it more than the first one. Non-stop action, danger, and tricky situations kept me glued to the page, and the different characters and their intrigues kept me invested. This was just solidly fun.
Kayvion Lewis lives in Louisiana. Heist Royale is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of Penguin Group in exchange for an honest review.)
Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy of this book. This was another fast-paced story with twists and turns. There was not the same gut punch at the end, but it was an overall satisfying wrap up to their adventures. I would definitely recommend
Lewis is carving his spot in a genre that needs him! Older teen boy reads!
I read this (along with the first) to see if it was something my 14 and 15 year old boys would like and YES IT IS.
Recommend.
Kayvion Lewis delivers a high-stakes, globe-trotting adventure in Heist Royale, the conclusion to Ross’s tumultuous journey. Packed with betrayal, heartache, and breakneck action, the novel ups the ante with its vivid locales, from the glitzy casinos of Monte Carlo to the icy perils of Antarctica. Ross’s relentless drive to protect her family and navigate a web of deception is compelling, though the breakneck pacing occasionally leaves emotional beats underexplored.
The dynamic between Ross and Devroe continues to shine, full of tension and layered betrayals, though their connection occasionally feels overshadowed by the constant plot twists. The introduction of Devroe’s mother as a formidable antagonist raises the stakes but comes across as slightly rushed, making her motives feel less impactful than they could have been.
Lewis excels at crafting nail-biting heist sequences and intense Gambit challenges, but some moments feel predictable, relying on familiar tropes of the genre. The found-family dynamic among Ross’s crew is a highlight, grounding the story amidst its more extravagant elements.
While Heist Royale doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessor, it wraps up Ross’s story with flair and excitement. Readers who enjoy heists, drama, and morally gray characters will find plenty to savor, even if the conclusion doesn’t fully stick the landing.
I think I love the second book more than the first! The secrets and plot twists kept me reading past my bedtime. I really enjoyed the friend issues that brought everyone closer together in the end.
Love this book! it continues right after the events in the first book. Ross finds herself in another dangerous game of cat and mouse, as she is pulled into another Gambit type game. Its team against team in a fight to death (sometimes, literally). Ross and her friends must find a way to navigate the ways of the Gambit and stay on top. Ross also must deal with matters of the heart and mind as well, what's a young lady to do?
Love the dynamic and taunting of Devore and Ross. The gambit part 2 was a nice touch that provided that competitive suspense. I did feel the ending was rushed, but liked how it was wrapped up.
A high energy caper including beloved characters from book one, I highly recommend the series to students who love fast paced globe trotting and lots of spectacular thefts.
This was a great conclusion to the duology of The Thieves' Gambit series. I loved the uncertainty and questioning of the intentions of characters and the Organization in the first book, and this continued in the second. Also, following Ross to exciting locations throughout the adventure and getting more character development, especially with the dynamic between Ross and Devroe, were two of my favorite parts of this book. Overall, it was a great read, and I would recommend it to fans of the first book and any action-packed stories.
A second fast-paced, thrilling, and action-packed book. Better than the first! Our main character Ross returns for a new adventure six months later, but what will she do after the betrayal in the first book? This book wraps up everything quite nicely!
This is a fun series it does give YA 007 vibes. For fans of for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Ally Carter. thank you Netgalley for the electronic ARC. I did have to wait for the Audio to come out to read along but the narrator, Jade Wheeler does a great job. The back and forth and family obligations between Ross and Devroe was genuine and real. I was excited reading Ross, able to adventure and explore the world. I will miss everyone!
The sequel to Thieves' Gambit filled with deadly cons, heists, betrayals.... and a dash of romance. Picking up after the events of the first book, Ross is still bitter over the betrayal of Devroe... the boy she fell in love with who just happens to have stolen her wish from her and whose mother wants to kill Ross and her entire family. Ross is now forced to work with Devroe for the Organization... and despite his betrayal Devroe is determined to win Ross's heart. Ross wants nothing to do with Devroe and will do anything to get away from him... despite his flirty texts and him telling her he'd do anything for her. When Ross finds herself in the middle of a power struggle in the Organization and she has to find a way to guarantee protection for her family and herself.... Ross will have to find a way to work with Devroe if she wants to succeed,.. but that means spending time with him and possibly forgiving him. Can she find it in herself to open her heart and trust him again and can she fid a way to protect her family... or is this just one big losing gambit on her part? This was definitely a fun sequel to the first book and despite the tempo feeling a bit different I did enjoy the heists and the stakes in this one. The shining part of this book for me was the dynamic between Ross and Devroe, and Ross and her team. The ending wraps up nicely and it's the kind of ending that could just end the series here but it also could open up to new adventures for Ross and her team. It's a fun series to read overall and I think if you like heists and team/action reads with romance, definitely give it a go.
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)
*Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Nancy Paulsen Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
This was another fun and I was so excited to have all the characters back again. I love how Ross grew as a person. And I loved watching evolution and self discovery. And the heists were fun too. This was a great into the duology, but I wouldn’t be upset if there were more adventures.
*I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) through NetGalley. I received this copy free in exchange for my honest review.*
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The stakes got higher, the pace got faster! After finishing ‘Theives’ Gambit,’ I couldn’t wait to start this and Ms. Lewis did not disappoint! I just didn’t want to put it down!
The gang is back and gets sucked into another exciting gambit with more to lose this time. The family drama gets even more complicated. But watching Ross’ character development grow from the first book to her figuring out who she wants to be with her new found family was so wholesome (well, as wholesome as a con-artist/thief can be…). I loved the banter and the chemistry with the side characters just got better in this book. Definitely worth a read if you’re looking for something action-packed and thrilling!
Thank you to NetGalley, Nancy Paulsen Books, and Kayvion Lewis for providing me this gifted copy for an honest review ◡̈
Heist Royale is the second book in the Thieves' Gambit series. We again find Ross and her young friends pitted against each other between the power struggle of the Organization. Along with her mom, they begin to compete against Devroe and his mom to see who will take over, the Baron, or the Count. If Devroe's mom wins, it might just be the end of the Quest family! This was an action packed sequel to Thieves' Gambit. There was a little bit of everything, romance, espionage, and just some good old fashioned friendship. I recommend this series!
The high-stakes sequel to Thieves' Gambit, for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Ally Carter.
It's been six months since the end of the Gambit. Instead of winning an impossible wish, Ross has the threat of her family’s execution hanging over her head. Devroe, the only person Ross thought she could trust, could wish the Quests into oblivion at any time. Shockingly, despite his betrayal, Devroe is still making a play for Ross’s heart as the two work together pulling jobs for the Organization. But Ross has learned her lesson: A Quest can only trust another Quest.
When Ross finds herself at the center of a power struggle within the Organization, she sees her chance to change her fortunes. As a new deadly Gambit develops for control of the criminal underworld, Ross strikes a risky deal to guarantee protection for herself and her family.
In this final clash, Ross will square off against a ruthless opponent who will stop at nothing to seize power, and in their corner will be not only Devroe but his mother, who wants to destroy the Quests at any cost.
The new Gambit takes Ross and her crew into the intoxicating casinos of Monte Carlo and across treacherous snow-covered slopes in Antarctica as Ross competes against Devroe in a fight for her life. Loyalties will be tested, backs stabbed, hearts broken. May the best thief win.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Heist Royale is the sequel to Kayvion Lewis’s excellent Thieves Gambit. And the good new is that if you liked the first book (or loved it like I did) then you’re going to enjoy this one as well. Picking up abut half a year after the events of the first book we plunge back into the world of master thieves. Like the first book, this is a wild adventure where the action is fast and furious. As a huge fan of any kind of heist/thief story, I was already predisposed to liking this series (there really should be more heist stories out there), but it really helps that I like all the characters. Without spoilers I’ll say the ending could have been handled a little differently (not quite as rushed) but that being said it was still quite satisfying. If this is the ending point for the series I’d say Ms. Lewis did a find job go wrapping things up. But if she’s got idea for future books I’d be thrilled to go along for the adventure. Now the real question is when are these books getting the movie or streaming series treatment? I’d like to thank Penguin Group | Nancy Paulsen Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Heist Royale.
https://www.amazon.com/review/R1UKOT24G8I5Q8/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv
I am glad i.got a chance to read this series. I really enjoyed the hijinks. The chemistry with Devoe felt stronger to me in this book. The story starts off fast with action so draws you right in. I really would like more heists.