Member Reviews

An interesting concept with the added bonus of a complex mother daughter relationship. The cover art is what grabbed my attention!

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Read this book and immediately bought it for my sister as a present.
Rosalyn and Devroe were absolutely hilarious. The humor, banter and sparks of romance.
Also this book is filled with action, so you won't get bored at all and also honestly wouldn't want to put it down.
Looking forward to the second book in hopes it will be as good as the first.
I can recommend it to anyone who enjoyed The inheritance games, the naturals, this book kills. It just fits in my opinion.

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Thank you Netgalley and Penguin for the chance to read Thieves' gambit by Kayvion Lewis. This is the 1st book in a new YA series, and is a definite read for anyone who loved The inheritance game series. Ross Quest ends up entering a dangerous game Thieves' gambit in order to save her mother. The Quest family is a notorious thieving family, and Ross has been taught to trust no one. Now she must rely on others in order to make it through the levels in the game. Lots of twist left me on the edge of my seat. This book was published last year, and the 2nd book, is being published soon.

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Wow, this book was so awesome! I absolutely love books like this. Inheritance Games meets Ocean’s 11, I was hooked from the start!

Ross is my hero (I mean, I don’t want to be a thief but she’s super cool)! All the characters are smart and conniving and out for themselves. But again, very cool. Trust no one.

I can’t even begin to summarize this book for fear of spoilers but it was quite the ride. Win the gambit and get a wish. I loved the twists and turns and the “who can you trust” vibe. The suspense and action does not stop once! I loved every second.

Book two will be just as good and I can’t wait. HEIST ROYALE releases November 12th.

Thank you to the publisher for the NetGalley approval.

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I loved this book! I could not stop reading it and it's definitely one of my favorite books this year, and I read a lot! Get ready for action packed adventure as a group of teens set off in a competition to be the best thief and beat all the others to win the opportunity to have a wish granted. Our FMC is a POC who comes from a family famous for being some of the best thieves in the business. Due to some unfortunate circumstances she finds herself in need of 1 billion dollars, and the Thieves' Gambit seems the only way to get that much money in time. She's been told all her life to only ever trust family, but now she's put in a position where she may have to trust and rely on other thieves in order to achieve her goal. There are so many twists and turns in this book, you won't be able to put it down. I've heard it's supposed to be made into a movie and I really hope it does, because this is a story made for the big screen. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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We start out with a lot of excitement and I was flipping pages pretty fast to see what was going to happen.
I really liked our main character and it was easy to relate to her and want the things she wanted. When we got introduced to all the other characters I think the author did a good job of describing them and giving them enough differences so I could easily separate who was who. I don't typically love having a big cast of characters, but in this case, I actually found myself enjoying it.
The story was very fast paced and the breakdowns of how they were going to pull of a heist were exciting and seemed realistic. I think the author did a great job with that, because it could have very easily been a bit boring, but I didn't find that to be the case at all.
I loved the mystery our main character's mom held, I think it gave the story something extra to be focused on.
The flip that occurs at the end threw me completely for a loop and I was left with my mouth hanging open!
I would definitely recommend this one, thank you netgalley for my arc copy my opinions are my own.

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When Ross Quest realizes that she needs a break from her family and their thieving ways, she hatches a plan to escape for the summer. But that plan is ruined when her mom is kidnapped and she must enter a game of Thieves to bring her back. Her trust issues coupled with her desire to save her mother and the guilt over trying to leave is too much for her, but will she end up with friends or will she end up winning the gambit? Because a thief can’t be trustworthy and good at the same time.

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Definitely one of the better books I have read on netgalley. I knew as soon as I read the first line that this authors voice meshed with the writing style I like to read. I honestly don't even know where to begin with this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat like oh my gosh what's going to happen, literally the entire book. Once I even had to take a break because of the anxiety. There are a couple twists at the end which I always appreciate and if there is a second book, I bet you it will be half romance. Lovers to enemies to lovers. I like relationship between our MC and her mother a lot; not all mothers are perfect and it's great to see that portrayed for once. Minus our big three, the other competitors weren't fleshed out a lot and I didn't find myself really caring about them. I loved all the thieving and heist action but there was just something, one thing, keeping it from five stars from me. I'm not sure what it is but I know I was waiting for it. But I highly recommend this book!

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This is a fast paced story that has Ross one of the main characters trying to navigate dangerous heists along with some relationships. The characters in this story are interested and you’ll find yourself rooting for one maybe?
The plot that this story takes you on will have you wondering and guessing up to the end unless you figure it out before
This is geared as a YA book but I think it’s for anyone 12 & up
Thank,you netgalley

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Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group and Nancy Paulsen Books for the Digital Copy of this book!

This YA heist thriller was so fun and I didn’t want it to end! I loved playing the game right along with Ross and her friends to see how things would turn out. The characters were fun and the heists kept you at the edge of your seat. The last third of the book was so fast paced I couldn’t stop and didn’t know where things were going to turn next! I can’t wait for the next installment and hope I can get an advanced copy of it because I just want to know what happens next!

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Thank you NetGalley and Kayvion Lewis for the ARC of Thieves’ Gambit!! It was a little slow to get into but once the story grabbed, you are locked in! Such an amazing read!! Cannot wait for more by Kayvion!!

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4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley, Nancy Paulsen Books, and Penguin Young Readers Group for this advanced copy! You can pick up Thieves' Gambit now.

I loved this thrilling heist novel! Ross Quest was a fantastic lead with the smarts and skills to work around some truly harrowing thieving trials. Her arc was phenomenal as she built friendships after living an isolated life and realized that her mother didn't always (if ever) have her best interests at heart. While I did see the ending coming, I didn't anticipate all of it, and I'm curious where Ross's relationships will go in the next book and if she's ready for all that may be asked of her.

If you love the found family vibes of Six of Crows or the puzzle-solving of The Inheritance Games, I bet you'll get a kick out of this one!

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I just finished reading “Thieves’ Gambit” by Kayvion Lewis, and I am absolutely blown away! This book is an exhilarating ride from start to finish. The plot is packed with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, and the characters are so well-developed and intriguing.

The story follows a young, talented thief who gets caught up in a high-stakes competition where the prize is more than just money—it’s freedom. Lewis’s writing is sharp and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the world of heists and deception. The protagonist’s cleverness and resourcefulness are truly inspiring, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way.

One of the things I loved most about this book is the intricate plot. Just when you think you have everything figured out, another twist comes along to surprise you. The pacing is perfect, with just the right amount of action and suspense to keep you hooked. Plus, the moral dilemmas and the exploration of trust and loyalty add depth to the story.

If you’re looking for a book that will keep you guessing and leave you wanting more, “Thieves’ Gambit” is a must-read. Kayvion Lewis has crafted a masterful tale of intrigue and adventure that you won’t be able to put down. Highly recommend!

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Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis isn't the typical story I read, but the description was so intriguing, I was excited to dive in. I'm so glad I did because this was a great book! I loved the premise of the story and the mystery and action of it all. I didn't want to put it down, which is a great thing to capture my attention so fully. Thank you for NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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This book started out slow but it had ,e gripped once the story started rolling. I loved the characters and their development over the story. I think that Ross is an exceptional main character and I can’t wait to see where her story goes in the next book. One of the best YA books I’ve read in a while and one of the best storylines as well.

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This was book was just ok. It didn't grab my interest enough to warrant reading any more of the series though.

Thanks Penguin Teen via NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange of my honest opinion.

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I tried to push through but I just couldn't read it anymore. The dialogue and writing style was attempting to sound like gen z slang but only resulted in sounding cringy and aging the book. Many of the scenes felt unrealistic and rushed. The relationship between Ross and Devroe was forced, there was no chemistry between them whatsoever. The characters felt flat for me and the plot moved much to quickly.
Ross also came off as an "I'm not like other girls" kind of character. If you're interested in a main character like that, good for you, it's just not my cup of tea.
All in all I don't think I will be picking up this book again.

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Y’all need to read this YA heist novel ASAP! Thieves Gambit was SO much to read and I’m thrilled there’s a sequel (Heist Royale) coming out on 11/12. This action-packed book takes you all over the world and features a cast of diverse and intriguing characters; some of the best thieves in the world, and all of them are desperate to win this cutthroat competition. It even has a slowburn rivals-to-lovers romance that you’ll be swooning over. This book is perfect for fans of the Inheritance Games, Oceans Eleven and heist novels like Six of Crows. It was voted Waterstones teen book of the year AND it’s already been optioned. Thank you Kayvion Lewis for writing this book and thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting me the ARC!! I literally cannot wait for the sequel!!

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This book was so much fun; it definitely falls in the unput-downable category. It is fast paced with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing on what is going to happen next - and just when you think you know what is going down, you are left reeling from the unexpected.
The characters are well developed and I can see how development will continue in the next instalment. The characters are likeable and the relationships that develop between them are layered and laced with conflict, you never know who to trust.
This is an entertaining heist read, however, I would have liked more build up to heists, as is an even closer look into the plan or even more detail in the execution of the plan. I think that I was hoping for a little more puzzling out since it is marketed to readers that enjoyed The Inheritance Games.
I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys YA with adventure and untrustworthy characters.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the Penguin Group for a digital arc of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

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Kayvion Lewis’ The Thieves' Gambit offers a fast-paced and intriguing look into a world of high-stakes competition, where young master thieves vie for the ultimate prize. I was immediately drawn in by the premise—who wouldn’t love a high-octane, heist-filled adventure featuring clever characters? However, while the concept and some of the action sequences are thrilling, there were a few elements that kept this book from reaching its full potential for me.

What I Liked:
The book does an excellent job of building tension. The various heists and challenges were creative and fun to follow, with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. The protagonist, Ross, is a likable and resourceful character, and the supporting cast adds depth and variety to the story. The pacing is also generally strong, moving the story forward with plenty of energy.

What Didn't Work for Me:
Where the story falls a little flat is in its character development and emotional depth. Many of the characters felt one-dimensional, and I found it hard to connect with them on a deeper level. The relationships between the characters, especially the friendships and rivalries, could have been more fleshed out to add emotional weight to the story. Additionally, while the heists were exciting, some of the logic behind them seemed a bit far-fetched, which took me out of the experience at times.

Overall:
The Thieves' Gambit is an enjoyable read for fans of action-packed, high-stakes adventures, but it lacks some of the character depth and emotional resonance that could have made it truly great. If you're looking for a fun, light read with plenty of twists, this book might be right up your alley!

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