A great conclusion to a duology. I love the found family and returning cast from the first book. Still won’t forgive her mom but that’s totally okay.

Thieves' Gambit was such a breath of fresh air for me last year and I'm elated that the second book is equally as fun.

The book starts just a bit after the end of the first book, with Ross and Devroe now working for the organization. When Ross discovers that there are two factions (led respectively by Baron and Count) vying for power in the organization, Ross suggests another gambit, with the winner taking control of future organization operations. Ross' personal stake? If her team wins, she and her mom will be safe from future organization threats.

My favorite part of this book was seeing Ross's newfound trust in her teammates. It was satisfying to see the friendships that were painstakingly built up in the first book blossom further in this sequel. Additionally, there were still shifting alliances and ulterior motives to keep me guessing in this book.

The heists themselves were smart and fast-paced. I particularly enjoyed the casino heist, which had fun references to both the Ocean's Eleven series and 21.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review. I can't wait to see what Kayvion Lewis writes next!

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Heist Royale (Thieves’ Gambit, Book 2) by Kayvion Lewis
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 320 / Genre: YA Thriller
Release Date: November 12, 2024
🥳#HappyPubDay!🎉

Rosalyn Quest and crew are back. This time, the players are caught between two separate feuds—Count and Baron are fighting for control and Ross’ mother and Devroe’s mother are fighting over old grudges. And all the while, the Gambit players are left fighting with their wits for their lives.

As much as I enjoyed the first book in this series, I liked this one even more. The quests were more exciting and the stakes were even higher. I can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you, @KayvionCLewis, @PenguinTeen, and @NetGalley for my gifted copy.

I would give this book a 3 out if 5. I liked it enough to finish and if you are into spies and thieves it could be interesting. The book took you through twists and turns. Baron the new villain seemed all posh and then apparently he wasn’t. It felt a little wishy washy. The sequel is 6 months after the first how Ross and Devore progress in their new jobs. What happens when leadership of the thieving organization takes place? The loser disappears forever.

(( 4.25 ))
This book was so fun. It was like watching an action movie. The pacing never slowed down. It also focused on familial dynamics. I enjoyed this duology & I will be recommending it.

I did receive an e-ARC courtesy of NetGalley(:

Heist Royale is book two in the Thieves' Gambit series by Kayvion Lewis.
Action packed and fast paced, Thieves’ Gambit was a rollercoaster read of twists, distrust and high stakes. This was such a fun read and one I enjoyed every moment of.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Definitely a favorite series of mine hands down. I was worried about book 1. Wondering if this book would be as amazing and thankfully we are still on the run with the heist and our gambit crew from book 1. Kayvion, I will read every book you publish. Your way of writing is so infectious. My eyes race across the page wondering what’s going to happen next. Ross is definitely my favorite. That girls instincts are animalistic.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kayvion Lewis, and Penguin Group for providing me with an advanced copy of the ebook. Whether you're drawn to heart-pounding action scenes, complex character arcs, or unexpected twists, this book offers something for every reader. It’s a thrilling, multi-faceted read that will captivate both returning fans and newcomers alike. I couldn’t put it down and am eagerly awaiting what comes next!

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Nancy Paulsen Books. I'm voluntarily leaving a review with my opinions.

Genre: Crime Fiction, Heist, Thriller
Audience: Young adult
Language: Some swearing—no f-bombs
Spice: Nothing more than a kiss and to gay characters kiss
Representation: The main character is Black, other characters are different nationalities, and there is a gay character

I enjoyed the first book so much, I had to read HEIST ROYALE. This is another high-octane adventure with all the vibes of Ocean Eleven in an international setting.

The first book had big twists, and I think it's hard to pull that off a second time. *Heist Royale* is a little twisty, but not as much as the first—but that was okay for me.

I love the characters and how Ross comes into knowing who she is and what she wants.

This book has a found family vibe (among thieves) along with complicated relationships with biological families and friends.

More than anything, this book is pure escapism.

Happy reading!

Arc provided by Netgalley, this in no way affected my review.

This was such a fun sequel and final book in the duology! We follow the same set of characters from the first book as they prepare themselves for an even bigger Gambit with even higher stakes.

The plot was very good and I liked the way the story progressed and the turn i took. I wasn’t really sure where this sequel would be heading, but it pleasantly surprised me. It did however feel very strongly like the first book with the same set-up at its core, but I didn’t really mind that as I really enjoyed the first one.

The bonds really deepened between the characters and we really learn more about them and see them interact in different ways than before. Lewis really built them strongly in the first book and that strength only grew in this second book. I’m really crossing my fingers for a spin-off for several of these characters *cough* Tao and Noelia *cough*

The ending had me on the edge of my seat and I’m so happy with the choice Ross made.

Heist Royale is the sequel to Thieves’ Gambit - I loved TG so much - it was fast paced, high-stakes and the character relationships were intriguing - unfortunately I did not feel the same way about HR.

This was not a bad book it just didn’t live up to what the first one did. A new character named “The Baron” was introduced but he has little to no backstory and is leading one of the groups for the second gambit. I didn’t care who won. The stakes didn’t seem that high even though if the Barons group won it would result in the deaths of the entire Quest family - the motivations of the characters aren’t really that clear.

I also feel like the ending was very rushed - sadly I was disappointed

My thanks to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House for the ARC of "Heist Royale" in exchange for an honest review.
The Junior Varsity 'Ocean's 11' crew are back in action and for everyone who loved the impossible heists in their first book, 'Thieves Gambit' here comes even more.....with a heaping dose of the ever-so-slow burning romance between dedicated, dire enemies Ross and Devroe.
As you can see from the above description, this is the second book in a series and as far from a stand-alone as you can get. I'd highly recommend 'Heist Royale' as a terrific escapist romp but only after you've read the first one. Otherwise, you'll spend a frustrating time playing catch-up with the various rivalries, blood feuds, backstories and character clashes.
Our severely star-crossed couple, expert teen thieves Rosalyn 'Ross' Quest and Devroe Kenzie live to out-heist each other, with Ross's deep hatred and fear of the Kenzie family fueled by the events of the previous book....(which I couldn't even begin to describe in any detail, which brings me back to what I said about this not being a stand-alone)
Once again they're pitted against each other, along with their internationally diverse collection of fellow teen heist-meisters. And once again, the all powerful 'Organization' is running another 'Gambit' an anything-goes 'Hunger Gamer'-like thieving Olympics for adolescent felons.
As a prize, the Organization offers an all encompassing 'wish', and by that I don't just mean a trip to Disneyland or a new washer-dryer. As for losers, given the amount of danger they expose themselves to, they've a good chance of ....well....not making it into the next book.
This particular Gambit, set off by a deadly power struggle within the upper echelons of the Organization, makes the heists even more spectacularly insurmountable, which means a whole lot more suspense, danger and fun for us readers. The primary set piece has our competing crews of heist-inators ripping off a luxurious but shady casino......and coming up against an adversary they didn't bargain for.
I loved all the characters, the sharp byplay and the many twists and turns, but again I'd warn against trying to read this without first immersing yourself in 'Thieves Gambit' .A great reading double feature.

4 🌟 This series is so much fun! I really enjoyed the direction this second book went and was hooked the whole time. The amount of high stakes and multiple heists to pull off are so entertaining and really well done. Also, the ending wrapped up perfectly and left me content. I highly recommend this series if you’re looking for an action-packed, high stakes YA/ NA read!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This fun romp of a young adult sequel to Thieves’ Gambit (the first book must read first in order to appreciate the ongoing adventure) turns once again to the young scions of thieving families who get swept up into competition that involves life or death.

The late teens all work for a powerful organization of selfish gazillionaires who employ them on missions that will extend wealth, power, or execute revenge. Ross Quest, the only daughter of
a powerful, ruthless thieving Mom grew up in a tropical island isolated from any friends by her overprotective mother. Ross has made friends during the first international thieving competition in the Thieves Gambit, and now has to further learn to work with, trust and rely on her new friends in order to survive a vendetta held against her by Diane, the mother of her love interest Devroe. Diane wants to wipe the Quest family off the Earth, and Ross has to win in order to stop her family’s death.

The intense thieving challenges roam the globe from the frozen tundra of Antartica to Madre Gras in New Orleans, and from the mountains surrounding Cape Town to a glittering casino in Monte Carlo. Each new challenge strengthens the bonds between the friends, and even rivalries turn out to have friendship and loyalty as their base. With constantly badly behaving adults, the teens stage a rebellion of their own.

Thanks to Penguin Young Reader’s Group and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

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.

My Take:
The description suggests that this book is set six months after the events of "Thieves Gambit," and it is highly recommended to read that first. "Heist Royale" maintains the thrilling pace, adding a touch of romantic intrigue and a gratifying finale. Revisiting this world has been enjoyable, and an on-screen adaptation would be welcome.

Heist Royale is a YA thriller attempting to replicate the formula that made the first in this series, Thieves Gambit, so successful. It includes another gambit with the purpose of determining who will lead the organization in the future. There are twists and mild backstabbing, but most of the tension in the plot comes from environmental factors, such as stealing energy-efficient revolutionary tech from Antarctica. This sequel is fine enough, but it only seeks to capitalize on the relationships and intriguing characters from the first in the series. All new characters are very one dimensional except for a weird hobby. This unfortunately fails to impress, though I would still read more from Kayvion Lewis because her potential is clear from TG. I just wish this felt less like reading the same book again. Additionally, the second heist felt very similar to Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and not in a positive way. A crossover would have been preferable and more interesting.
Thanks to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for this ARC!

Six months after the high stakes end of the Thieves’ Gambit, Ross Quest is stuck working with a flirtatious Devroe—the boy who could execute her and her family at any moment with his stashed wish. When a power struggle within the Organization pulls Ross in, she strikes a deal to save her family. But this new Gambit will set her against Devroe in a fight for her life….

This sequel kicked off with a quick pace and never slowed down. I loved the deepening friendships and shifting alliances as they went through these new heists. The complex parent-child relationships and morally gray decisions kept up the tension. Devroe and Ross navigated their complicated feelings without things becoming overdramatic or negative, and their romance didn’t overshadow the plot or friendships. The resolution to their impossible situation was clever and satisfying.

I binged this book just as quickly as the first one. It hooks you in and doesn’t let you go. This story was a fun ride!

Thanks to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is the sequel to The Thieves Gambit (which was also awesome), so if you haven't read that already: don't read on! Instead, go get that one and start this duology cause it's great!!

This was a beautiful follow up to the first book in this duology. I loved diving back into the Gambits world. This world felt unique but also, like it could for real happen in real life which I kind of loved. I will say the ending of this duology did feel quite rushed to me and I was kind of left with a "that was it" feeling. It almost felt like a third book was necessary? But I get it.

Overall, a good and unique duology that I would recommend to anyone who loves a good heist! Cause I love them! Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Teen for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

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.

Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis is the follow up to Thieves’ Gambit. In this novel, it’s 6 months after the end of the Gambit and Ross is still trying to save her family through another series to team tasks.

I enjoyed the heist action and banter between characters in this book. I think I may have liked it better if I had read the first book more closely to this one. There were details I didn’t remember that I think would have made the second book more enjoyable. Definitely hoping there is a third book to continue some of the storylines from the end of the book!