I've been waiting for this one ever since I read the first book (Thieves' Gambit), and this one did not disappoint! The crew is pulled into a new Gambit with higher stakes than ever. There are heists and challenges that increase in danger and provide just as much enjoyment and intensity as the first book. I definitely recommend if you like Maureen Johnson and Jessica Lynn Barnes books!

Our girl Ross Quest is back, still tough as ever and ready for her next mission.

Not only do we have Ross back but Devroe and our favorites from the crew as well. It was such a pleasant surprise getting to see the gang and all their mischief back at it again. However this time we brought the adults into it as both Ross and Devroe’s moms joined in. While I wish they had played a little less of a role, it was also nice to have new dynamics.

Honestly this book is exactly what it’s suppose to be. A fun, thrilling, entertaining escape. If you’re looking for a fun read that will whisk you away on an exciting adventure, I cannot recommend this duology enough!

Read if you love:
💰 Heists
❤️ Side of romance
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found family
❄️ Adventure

Thank you Penguin Teen and Netgalley for my review copy 💜

After reading Thieves' Gambit, I went straight into Heist Royale! I am so glad it was out after that ending. And the follow up did not disappoint! We were back with Ross and all her friends which was so fun as they competed in another mini heist competition. I loved the inclusion of the casino con which was definitely my favorite part. My only gripe was there was a lot more involvement from the adults which didn't give it the same magic as the first one. I still really enjoyed this duology and can't wait for more from Kayvion Lewis!

I really enjoyed the first book, kind of like a teenage Ocean's 11's.

This one though, was just ok for me. I didn't really enjoy that the main plot point was the conflict between two main characters. I just found the pressure cooker of the high stakes competition in the first book made it so much more exciting than this one.

It is well written, I just enjoyed the first book better.

Thank you to Penguin Group and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book to read and review.

This was a fun, fast-paced book. It just wasn't as fun or fast-paced as the first one. I liked seeing the characters again and the missions were entertaining. I didn't find the stakes as high this time though. I missed the structure of the first book. It was still a decent read though. The ending tied things up pretty nicely, but I wouldn't mind reading a third book in this series/universe.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I was very excited when @penguinteen offered to send me an ARC of Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis. The first book in this duology, Thieves’ Gambit, was one of my favorites in 2023.

Heist Royale picks up not long after Thieves Gambit ends. Ross enters another heist to try to save her family while still fighting her attraction to Devroe.

I can’t say too much without giving away what happens in book 1 but if you love games or puzzles you will enjoy this duology. It reminds of the Oceans 11 series of movies with a YA twist and more representation.

I can’t say enough good things about these books so go read them! Heist Royale released this week!

Heist Royale was hard for me to get through. Not that it's the author or publisher's fault, but I feel like I had too much time between the first and second book to forget everything that happened in the first, and why I should care in the second. I can guarantee that had they both already been out when I found them, I would've devoured the sequel. Again, that's no one's fault, Heist Royale just wasn't as compelling as Thieves Gambit.

Ross Quest is angry to be put into another competition (understandably) and this time it's against her situationship and his mother, and she's teamed up with her own mother (whom she despises) and some people she maybe considers friends? The interpersonal issues were a bit childish, though, to be fair, she is a young person, and the stakes being "whichever team loses is going to die" didn't seem convincing to me. And guess what? No one died. Which I assumed would happen because this is a YA book, and yes, sometimes people die in YAs, I didn't believe it would happen in this one.

I did enjoy the How of the conclusion, but the journey to get there was rambly.

ok, even tho the FIRST movie isn't out yet, can we already go head give her another movie deal so we can get this started! Omg this had me on the edge of my seat just like the first one did. The Ocean's movies are my favorite heist movies and once again I felt like I was watching Ocean's Twelve but a teen version. lol

I was so excited to read this book and see what was next for Ross and company. All my favorite characters are back! And back with higher stakes, heart pounding jobs, betrayals, loyalty, casinos, and so much more!

Ross and Devroe are against each other again, as a power struggle comes between competitors. Everyone must choose where their loyalties lie. The groups are smart, sassy, and prepared. A little over confident at times, which leads to more trouble. And I was all in.

I can’t give any more details for fear of spoilers, but this is a series I would recommend! I enjoy the page turning suspense and the twists.

I also listened to the audio and I was thrilled the narrator, Jade Wheeler, from THIEVES GAMBIT was back! She does an excellent job with the variation of voices for each character and her tone and expression is well done. Wheeler brings Lewis’s characters and settings to life!

I would recommend reading THIEVES GAMBIT to get a sense of the motivations of each character.



Thank you to the publisher for the NetGalley approval for the ebook! I borrowed audio from Libby. All views are my own.

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.