I thought this was so fun! This book is the sequel to the Thieves' Gambit and follows Ross Quest and her friends immediately after the events of the first book. As it's a con artist/heist type of book, of course Ross + co find themselves in another gambit facing impossible heists! What could go wrong?

The way Ross and friends found their way into another gambit was a little silly but the heists were one of the best parts of the first book, so I appreciated the focus on them again in this book. I read the original book 8 months ago and forgot the majority of the plot + characters but was able to jump right into this sequel with minimal skimming of the first book (mostly to refresh on the characters). There is enough exposition to remind the reader of the major plot points of the first novel that it shouldn't be too difficult for other people in the same boat as me.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the casino scene! I really wish I got more of it, it was so enjoyable to read and the stakes made it pretty thrilling. I was really into their plan and wanted to know some of the tricks they were going to use but (minor spoiler) Ross getting derailed and not being able to do the cons at the casino made me a bit sad as I feel like I missed out on a bit of the scene.

My only other critique is that the characters weren't as developed as I would have liked. Why exactly did the moms hate each other? How did Ross figure things out with Devroe? Can we get more development of Noelia, Kyung-soon, Mylo and Taiyo? Where did Auntie go?

Overall this was a very fun conclusion (?) to the Thieves' Gambit! Highly recommend for any YA readers who also enjoy movies like Now You See Me or the Oceans franchise.

Thank you to NetGalley + Penguin Group for the ARC!

This sequel was even better than the original! Fast-paced adventure with lots of heart and thoughtfulness. :) The characters were well-developed, and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

Ross Quest’s journey continues in this sequel to The Thieves’ Gambit. Taking place six months after the multi twist and betrayals of the Gambit; Ross suddenly finds herself in the middle of a power struggle for control of The Company. Now to prove who should be the leader, another gambit has been dictated, this time with deadly consequences. Will she be able to forgive Devroe’s betrayal? Forced to team up with her mother, can she get over how cutthroat her mother seems? As she navigates through tough heists, she discovers who truly is trustworthy and who is the true villain of this story.

Even though this is a sequel, I feel that the writer did an excellent job of telling the story as a standalone. The twists and turns of this one kept me entertained and engaged. The growth of Ross’ character in this story was really enjoyable to see. Her becoming a little more open and trying to be a little more trusting to form friendships with her past competitors.

Giving this a solid 4 out of 5. If you enjoyed The Thieves’ Gambit, you will love this continuation of the story in Heist Royale

I was given a ARC version of this book by the publisher via the website NetGalley for an honest review.

The characters return six months after the prior book. Alliances shuffle. Trust issues compound. More heists with another Hunger Games like competition. I wish some of the adults were likeable in this one. Similar language as the first with a small romance thread that some won’t enjoy. Overall, it was a caper with moments of romance.

An exciting second book from this amazing author. The second book brings back our favorite characters along with some new ones and all their drama that comes with them. Heists, friendship, and a little romance bring this ya book together wonderfully. For fans of oceans 11 or six of crows book duology, this series is a must add to your tbr.

This book was just so much fun. I started reading Heist Royale late last night, and I was already 50% through it before I thought about sleep. It just hooked me; all the twists and turns were phenomenal, and I loved seeing the characters again. I loved getting to see Ross's friendships develop, and I was happy that the romance didn't overshadow the plot.

Overall, this was a really fun book, and I had a hard time putting it down. If you're looking to read it, you probably already read the first, and I don't need to sell you on this one. But, if you liked the first book, you'll find this one just as entertaining!


Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is a very strong sequel to a rather bland first novel. In this book the characters are finally fleshed out, the stakes / gambit is super interesting, and it isn't as predictable as its predecessor. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for the eARC!

Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis was good, but not quite my favorite. Don’t get me wrong—the high-stakes action and the whole Monte Carlo and Antarctica settings were super cool, and Ross is still a badass, but something about this sequel didn’t hit as hard as Thieves’ Gambit for me. Maybe it was the whole love-hate dynamic with Devroe that felt a little played out, or the fact that the new Gambit didn’t feel as fresh. I still enjoyed the twists and turns, but it didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat like I hoped. If you’re into heist dramas, it’s definitely worth a read, but it just didn’t fully blow me away this time around.

Heist Royale is an action packed sequel full of adventure, romance, and healing for our MC.

My favorite part of this series is the amazing character growth. Ross Quest was raised to not trust anyone and after her first Gambit it seemed like her mother was right. The person she'd fallen for had betrayed her proving her mother right, but as Ross works with her old team she starts to question her mother's teachings. She starts to see her mother's loneliness and decides that maybe that's not the path she wants to take.

While on this new Gambit Ross gets to work with old acquaintances that view her as a friend. Their company and friendship turns her to another path. One that won't leave her all alone.

I loved every character. They felt fleshed out and not one dimensional. They each contributed their strengths to the team.

It was also interesting seeing Ross work with her mother.

The new Gambit is full of twists and heart racing action. It really reads like an ocean elevens movie. If you're a fan of heist movies this will really resonate. I definitely recommend this series.

I'm so looking forward for more from this author!!!!

Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Heist Royale is the sequel to Thieves' Gambit. I enjoyed the first one better (5 stars), but I think it's because I listened to the audiobook for the first one but read the second with my eyes. I enjoyed the characters so much! Hello Devroe!

After the cliffhanger of the first book, Ross is trying to decide who to trust and keeps getting outplayed by the enemy.

Read this if you like:
Young adult duologies
Lots of action
No spice romance
Thieves and con artists
High stakes competitions
Diverse characters

If you read this, audio is the way to go!

I loved this second edition to Thieves’ Gambit! I loved getting to see Ross and Devroe and their connection. It was also great getting to see the other characters from book 1, Kyung-soon, Noelia, Mylo, and Taiyo.

I love that something always goes wrong in a heist with Ross. It’s entertaining and keeps you guessing how she’s going to get out of her predicament!

I really hope this series will continue! I love this group of thieves! And I love watching Rosalyn’s connection grow with her friends!The wait for another book is going to be long!

I think I like this better than book 1 because I didn’t have to spend time learning who anyone was. I love how it all wrapped up and that the two main characters weren’t doing a cat/mouse thing the whole book.

I went into this not knowing if it'd be a little stale/boring with a similar premise but was pleasantly surprised! I read this within 24 hours, if you enjoyed book 1, you’ll like this one too!

This was so much fun! Ross is so competitive and confident, and she finds herself facing off against the best of the best! Very fun and lots of twists.

"Heist Royale" by Kayvion Lewis is a fast-paced, thrilling adventure that effortlessly pulls you back into the world of Ross and her friends, continuing their story from the first worldwide thieving contest in "The Thieve's Gambit." This sequel surpasses the pace of the first installment, delivering a non-stop thrill ride that doesn't let up.

Lewis does a great job of developing the characters and delving into the complexities of Ross's relationship with her world-famous thief mother. This nuanced exploration of their difficult dynamic adds a layer of depth and tension to the story. Additionally, the dynamics between Ross and her friends are skillfully examined, highlighting the strength and strain of their bonds as they navigate the challenges of another Gambit.

The adventure takes Ross and her crew around the globe, with each unique and fun location serving as a perfect backdrop for the heists. The theme of found family is central to the story, providing a heartwarming counterbalance to the high-stakes action. Fans of "The Hunger Games" and "The Inheritance Games" will find "Heist Royale" to blend elements of both, filled with clever twists and unexpected turns.

Overall, "Heist Royale" is a fun and fast read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to see what Ross and her team will face next. Lewis has crafted a compelling tale of friendship, loyalty, and the thrill of the heist, making it a must-read for fans of high-stakes adventures. Is it too early to cross my fingers more adventures from Ross and her friends?

**Thank you so much to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! These thoughts are entirely my own.**

I really enjoyed this book! I read a lot of it in one day. The writing style was good, and I loved the friendly banter between all of the characters! I did find the plot to be a little less engaging, though, so I struggled to keep interested in the beginning 20% or so. There were also some plotpoints that didn't quite make sense, and I had to re-read the reveal at the end because I had no clue what was going on.

This book was pretty clean as well, but just a warning to any religious readers out there that there is a gay relationship between side characters that develops in the latter half of the book.

Overall, I had a really good time!

Ready for the next book in the Thieves Gambit series? Heist Royale won’t leave you disappointed! A must read!

Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis is an exhilarating five-star read that combines high-stakes heist action with a captivating, fast-paced narrative. Lewis masterfully crafts a thrilling plot filled with clever twists, dynamic characters, and unrelenting suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The novel's inventive story and expertly executed tension make it a standout in the genre, leaving readers eagerly anticipating more.

These books are straight fun. I love the thrill of the heists but the character relationships are what really get you invested in the story.

Sign me up for future books in this world! Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group for the chance to read an early copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book started out really strong, and I loved the first 80-90% of it, but much like the first one it suffered at the ending, I wish that there was more time and pages put into the end, and explaining more of the history with Rhi and Diane, since it seemed like thats what it all was building towards. Also the arc of Ross & Dev's relationship didn't suuuper track/remain consistent.

Would also love a little more world building and scene setting for each of the heists and missions since they are so global, would like to really feel like we're traveling to each spot-- they tend to focus more just on getting in and out.

That being said, I would love to keep reading about this crew of thieves, including delving more into each of their backstories and relationships more.

4.5 ⭐️ Even better than book one!! I loved that the story keeps you hooked from beginning to end and you just can't stop reading. I LOVED Ross's development, the author knows how to write a good character and this only improves the reading experience. This story is so fun that I’ll definitely reread these books several times.