After the cliffhanger at the end of the first book, I was really intrigued to see how the power dynamics within the organization but also between Ross and Devroe played out. I think it was a pretty solid sequel, with all the hallmarks of what made the first book lovable, but the romance still felt a bit flat to me, and she genuinely has the worst friends who would NOT ride for her. Overall a very easy breezy fun heist novel where Ross once again proves why she is THE Quest.

Ross Quest is back again for another high-stakes gambit, this time with her Mother on her team. This time around, the Organization pits Ross against her new friends, and the winners get to choose the manner of death for the opposing team. Ross is competing against her romantic interest Devroe, and their Mothers are on their respective teams. The targets are assets wanted by the Organization, and the gambit goals are not kept secret. Ross faces shifting loyalties and danger at every turn. Once you get past that stealing is just wrong, you get sucked into the excitement of the heist and the competition to find the best thief! I was surprised by Ross's reaction at the end because I didn't see it coming and thought it was a little out of character. Other than that oddity, I was swept back into Ross's adrenaline rush of a life! This is an exhilarating sequel to Thieves' Gambit, the first in the series!

Initially, I was not sure how much I would like this sequel. To have a power struggle for control of the Organization decided by a thieving contest between two teams of mostly teenagers is a bit of a hard sell. However, the challenges and how the teams succeeded or failed was creative. It also helps that the teenage characters -- Ross, Noelia, Mylo, Kyung-soon, Devroe, Taiyo -- are entertaining to read about and there is a great dynamic between them whether working together or against each other. The story has plenty of double-dealing and plenty of surprises. It also has a very satisfying ending. In the end, the sequel is quite good.

Great follow up book. Great for early to mid teen ages and anyone who loves young adult fiction. Action and intrigue. Loved it

I've been desperately waiting for the conclusion to this sequel. It's another great heist and I needed to know if Devroe was going to redeem himself. Won't say anymore to avoid spoilers. This was fast-paced and had some pretty great character development between book 1 and 2. I'm sad this series is ending, but looking forward to what this author writes next.

The high-stakes sequel to Thieves’ Gambit delivers a thrilling continuation of Ross’s journey, perfect for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Ally Carter. Picking up six months after the first book, Ross is now facing the imminent threat of her family’s execution rather than celebrating an impossible wish. The tension is palpable as Devroe, the one person Ross thought she could rely on, holds the power to end the Quests at any moment. Despite his betrayal, Devroe’s lingering romantic interest in Ross adds an intriguing layer of complexity as they navigate their dangerous partnership within the Organization.

Ross’s cunning and resilience are put to the ultimate test when she becomes embroiled in a fierce power struggle within the Organization. Her chance to change her fortunes comes with a new deadly Gambit, pushing her to strike a precarious deal to safeguard her family. The narrative is a whirlwind of action and suspense, taking readers from the glamorous casinos of Monte Carlo to the perilous, icy terrains of Antarctica.

The stakes are higher than ever as Ross competes against Devroe in a battle for survival. Loyalties are strained, betrayals abound, and hearts are shattered in this gripping saga. The final clash is a nail-biting showdown against a relentless adversary, with Devroe and his mother posing a significant threat to Ross and the Quests.

This sequel captivates with its fast-paced plot, intricate character dynamics, and vividly described settings. As Ross navigates treacherous alliances and high-stakes gambles, readers are kept on the edge of their seats, eager to see who will emerge victorious in this ultimate test of wit and courage. May the best thief win, indeed.

I loved the Thieve's Gambit and had high hopes for this sequel. I loved it too! I loved seeing where the story picked up six months later and what turns it would take.

I was so excited to read this sequel to Thieves’ Gambit. Ross and Devroe are pulling jobs for the Organization when they realize there is power struggle within it. In a twisted criminal way, the Organization decides to hold a gauntlet to decide who will run the organization, with Ross and her mother on one team, and Devroe and his mother on the other. Many of Ross’ friend from the Gambit help out in various ways, the biggest being helping Ross question her relationships. She is learning to make and keep friendships and needs to decide how important this is to her. The heists take place in beautiful and fascinating places with high stakes and near-death excitement. This is a fun and exhilarating book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this DRC.
#HeistRoyale #NetGalley

tl;dr
Fast-paced heists once again take center stage, with plenty of family complications stitched in.

Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book. It was packed with clever heists, compelling characters, and a fun competition. But I've found that the book after a competition plot tends to fall flat for me. So how does Heist Royale fare? It runs another competition! And honestly, it absolutely works. The gang's all back, although not necessarily in the same configuration, which keeps things fresh, and there's a lot more going on in terms of relationships. Romance, friendship, and family tangles all come into play as characters race across the globe trying to out-steal each other. It's a fast-paced adventure with all the adrenaline of the first, and plenty more character development for everyone. As with the first book, the friendship between Ross and Noelia hit for me more than the romance with Devroe, but there's also a cute secondary romance that I did not see coming. There's also a casino heist in the middle that could practically be a book unto itself, with a new character who I love probably too much. If you liked the first book, this one won't disappoint.

I really loved this book! It is the sequel to the thieves gambit. It was such a great continuation of the series. I really love her writing style and I would highly recommend this book!

I loved this book but the ending felt abrupt. It’s a little short and feels like the ending was shaved off to have a shorter word count.

thanks to netgalley & penguin group for the free earc in exchange for a fair and honest review!

i was very pleasantly surprised with the caliber of this book. while i cannot - and probably never will - get behind ross and devroe as a couple (i find him fairly controlling/savior complex-y), i think ross' character development is some of the best i've read in a while. this book was very entertaining in a simplistic manner, allowing me to relax into the story a lot.
kyung-soon, taiyo, mylo, noelia, and all the other returning characters were really great. i love coming-of-age elements in non-high school settings, so this was a really nice read.
read this if you want: something with literally no philosophical subtext, something interesting yet comforting, really cool characters, and thievery.

Thank you so much Penguin Teen for my first ever Netgalley ARC!!

Heist Royale was a very thrilling adventure. It took Thieves’ Gambit, the first book, to the next level. I especially thought the second heist was the most intricate and well played, even though it had a surprising twist at the end.

I love the character development that Ross went through! The friendships she made were the best. She finally got to experience the world that she had been missing and yearning for from the island.

By the end, the big question that had me wondering throughout the book was finally answered, and definitely not what I thought it was. I knew it had to have had something to do with Ross since she’s the main character, but I thought it was going to go a different route. I’m glad it concluded with a happier ending than what my overthinking brain believed it would be. This was a very fun read and I can’t wait to see what Kayvion Lewis has planned for her next book!!

I greatly enjoyed Thieves' Gambit, and Heist Royale, the sequel, did not disappoint! There were twists and turns, backstabbing and betrayal, and the reader will be on the edge of their seat waiting to see what happens next! Ross is working for the organization in order to fulfill her contract, when she gets pulled into some petty infighting between the Count and a new mysterious figure, the Baron. Since both want to lead the organization, a new gambit is hosted with even higher stakes challenges. Rather than stealing priceless artifacts from the museum, the competitors are tasked to steal secrets, assassination tapes, and other even harder to find items. Although Devroe and Ross have been more or less peacefully working together after the Gambit (what's a few frame jobs between friends?), the two are split with Kyung-Soon and Diana Abara joining Devroe and Noelia and Milo joining Ross. From perilous high stakes chases across the ice to a dodgy casino heist to a break in on a hard to reach island, the action never stops. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to fans of action adventure with a bit of teenage drama sprinkled in.

A great continuation to the Thieve's Gambit, Heist Royale follows Ross Quest in her ongoing interactions with the organization, her family and her friends. We jump right into the action, and it doesn't stop through the whole book. I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first, I think because the 2nd half felt a little rushed and abrupt. But overall, I appreciated that this book maintained the story from the previous one but was unique enough to not feel like a repeat of the first.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #PenguinGroup and #NancyPaulsenBooks for a free copy of #HeistRoyale by Kayvion Lewis. All opinions are my own.

5 ⭐’s a fantastically fun sequel to Thieves Gambit! I loved TG and had high hopes for the sequel and not only did it not disappoint, it surpassed my expectations.

First let's just get past the plausibility of a Teenage Ocean's Eleven/Mission Impossible and all the other little things we have to suspend our disbelief over ok, we’re having fun here and in this well crafted world they can do anything!

While this is a fun fast paced thrill, it's also beautifully written especially when it comes to the characters. 
I again loved them, Lewis gives us just enough of everything without any of it being too much. The romance between Devroe and Ross, the representation, exploring family bonds and cracks, ridiculous spy games, friendships and self reflection…all of it was great. 

Devroe is a fantastic character with fantastic character. I loved him, I loved how the friends showed up for each other, communicated, stood for what they believed in even when they disagreed. I loved Ross and how she handled her situation with her mother.

I think I remember TG was optioned to a movie and I am SO excited to see who plays these characters and this story come to life further. I hope to see more of Ross & the gang soon! I also cannot wait to see what other stories Lewis has in store for us. I will absolutely be buying a hardcopy of this when it comes out November 2024.

I was so lucky to receive the option to read this eARC from NetGalley, Penguin Books, and Kayvion Lewis in exchange for a fair and honest review, which this easily is. Thank you, I was dying to read this sequel and was so excited when I was approved, and even more so when the book turned out to be amazing!

Loved this book/series. It is amazing! You will be surprised around every corner. Great characters. I definitely recommend this book and author all day long

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNYbVNpv/

Perfect continuation from the first book! The MC had some great character growth too

The heists were action packed and higher stakes I can’t wait to read the next one

This was a great second book and we got to see some growth for our main character as well as more interactions with her new friends. The action was great and I enjoyed the heists just as much as the first book, which often isn't the case. Can't wait for the next one, these are very readable and fun.

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

This was a 5 star read!! I enjoyed this awesome read from start to finsh. Most definitely recommending this to all my book friends!