I LOVE a heist! Any book, movie, or tv show where a heist is involved and I'm there. I love trying to figure out what plan the characters are going to come up and how they deal with roadblocks along the way.

Thieves' Gambit was such a fun read. I really enjoyed all the different challenges that Ross and crew had to handle. There were multiple heists in multiple locations and while I guessed at some of the plot twists, I genuinely had such a fun time reading this that it didn't bother me. There were a few moments that felt a tad repetitive for me, but I never thought the book felt slow and liked the pacing a lot.

The romance and flirtation between Ross and Devroe was great, but I absolutely can't want for more of Ross and Noelia - I feel like they could get up to some absolutely wonderful mischief together. After that ending, I need another book asap!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Penguin Group for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was not at all what I was expecting. It had much more thrilling and dramatic moments than I was anticipating.

I really enjoyed the fast-paced nature of this, but the romance felt unnecessary. And this is coming from somebody who loves everything romance. 😂

It very much gave me Oceans 11 vibes but mixed in with a little bit of a who done it mystery.

I can't really say much about this book without spoiling it because everything is a spoiler when it comes to this book.

But I will say if you are at all intrigued by thrilling adventures. Lots of heists and a lot of death defying moments then this is definitely a book to pick up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For those readers who like high adventure and constant twists and turns, you will enjoy this book. The romance, friendships, and family dynamics are all interesting and I really liked the main teen characters. They were what made me continue to the end.
However, I really struggled with the adults in the book. and the end goal. It all seemed slimy. I didn't care about the gambit, I didn't like the adults immorality. I don't have any interest in the gambit going forward.
I would like to read more about the teens and their interactions but not if it involves the gambit.
Maybe a sequel would make the story more palatable than where it ended with this one..

Working in a library where The Inheritance Games is a top topic of conversation, I knew that I had to give Thieves' Gambit a try. Kavion Lewis's novel is fun and fresh, and though it didn't have me dreading the end, I enjoyed it! My students will love this one, and it stands out above the glut of mystery and suspense novels currently hitting the shelves. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy!

This was such a good book with tons of action, adventure and twists that kept me guessing through the whole book. I loved the connections between the thieves and how trust has to be earned, which was so true in so many aspects of this book.

The book does end in a bit of a cliffhanger, and I am excited to read the next installment. This is one that I have already been recommending to fans of Ocean's Eleven movies and anyone who enjoys a good action story. I would love my tweens to read this, but there are a few mentions of underage drinking which puts it squarely in YA for me.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. Ross, Devroe, Noelia, Kyung-Soo, and all the other characters will continue to live on in my head until I can get my hands on the sequel!

This one wasn’t for me. I was really intrigued by the premise and I love young adult but it felt too juvenile for me.

This is a great read. The author has put together a diverse group of characters to take you on one adventure after another. It has all of the elements you need to keep you reading. Who doesn't love a good heist book with secrets, deception and intrigue. Our high school readers are going to love it. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for a fair and honest review**

This one sucked me in quickly. I loved the fast pace and the Oceans 11 meets Hunger Games premise. Can Ross win the competition, claim her wish and rescue her Mum?

Of course, things aren't as straightforward as she hopes. Who can she trust? Why is her ex-best friend taking part? What is the truth about the other competitors? What about the shadowy figures running the Gambit from behind the scenes?

Lots of fun, I'll look out for book 2.

Thank you to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for the eARC of the book!

Rosalyn “Ross” Quest comes from a long line of master thieves: her mom, aunt, even her grandparents. It’s her entire life—everything that she has ever known. However, she wants more—she wants to meet other people outside of the thieving world. But when her plan to escape ends with her mom getting kidnapped, Ross only has one option: to enter into the Thieves Gambit, a competition amongst world class teenage thieves for the ultimate prize of a wish for anything. But what starts as just a game slowly reveals more to Ross about her competitors…and her family’s legacy.

This was SO MUCH FUN!! I absolutely loved the heist/Ocean’s 11 vibe of the book, and I know so many readers will enjoy it. This also felt like a novel that had real stakes to the “game,” and I loved all of the characters and their interactions. I could see this being a big hit for fans of Ally Carter, Sonja Stone, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, or any spy thriller (with the twist of this being about the thieves!). Great for middle and high school libraries!!!

I absolutely adored this book! What a heist!
It really does live up to Oceans 11 meets The Inheritance Games and I really hope this is going to be a series, and not a standalone.

This book was so fun to read truly had me hooked from beginning to end. The cast of characters was strong and the tension between her and her arch nemesis was fun to read. What I really enjoyed was the competition itself and the heists they had to pull off to determine who the best heister is. There were some easy to guess plot lines, but nothing that took away from the story itself.

Apparently Lionsgate bought the rights, so I hope this is turned into a movie/tv show!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for the ARC of Thieves’ Gambit in exchange for my honest review.

First big thank you to NetGalley for an E-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Hunger Games meets Inheritance Game meets Squid Games (minus the death if you fail). Take parts of each, throw them into a cocktail shaker and serve it over ice cold betrayal and you have Thieves' Gambit.

First the cover hooked me then the description sucked me in fully like a hypnotism wheel. A game made specifically to find the best thief in the world? Count me in! Each phase and puzzle challenge made me kept wanting to read more. With the knowledge already in my head that all these "'players" were not fully adults yet (main character is seventeen) it made me question what exactly what all these people have done that got the attention of the organizers and how they would react around their own kind. The reader is introduced to a bit of what this whole experience could be like when we get information about the main character's childhood and a failed friendship that altered more than one life course in a way.



The main character Ross Quest grew up in a master thief family living and breathing everything thief. Her specialty was escape plans, or it was until one day a job goes south even more than she planned. Ross wanted a break from the thieving life to do something normal like go to gymnastic camp but her family would never allow her to go so she was going to just take a different escape route after a job with her mother until somehow her mother got caught and the ransom was too big to pay doing her normal jobs she had to do something bigger. Thieves' Gambit enters the chat giving Ross exactly what she needs but only if she wins.

Each player has their own reasons for playing and along the way the readers and the main character must figure out if she must break or follow rule one: "Trust no one" in order to win this game. Can a thief trust another thief (let alone more than one) when a big prize is on the line? Alliances will get tested, people will be betrayed, stuff will get stolen, and blood will be drawn to cross this finish line


I enjoyed trying to figure out motives of people and the secrets that were being hidden. The romance was a bit unnecessary in my eyes only because i liked the action so much it just made me feel like i was at a red light waiting for the light to switch back to green. I do understand why i was needed though and how it made that ending even more book hangover worthy.

Will there be a next one? YES PLEASE ! I NEED IT NOW IF THERE IS.

my jaw dropped, honestly cannot believe the whirlwind this book took me through. following Ross as she navigates the charming British boy, her childhood nemesis, and fights her way through a high-stakes competition was exhilarating and I was drawn in immediately between the fun banter, the even better side characters, and being on edge to see if Ross can pull off the heists, prepare yourself for a jaw-dropping read and probably prepare to pull an all-nighter to finish this because you honestly won't want to put it down.

thank you penguin teen for a physical copy!! all opinions are my own

** I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. **

The most perfect combination of globe-trotting, backstabbing, heist games, and romance mixed together for a book you won't be able to put down until it's over. Then when it's over you will definitely sit in silence contemplating the perfection that you just finished. You'll want to immediately pick it up and start again to see what tiny details you missed. Rinse. Repeat.

Ross is a 17-year-old thief from one of the prestigious families in the business. When her mother is kidnapped, Ross decides she will do anything to get her back. Enter the Gambit competition and its ultimate prize of one wish being granted to the winner. Throughout the competition, Ross learns that not everything is always as it seems and sometimes you have to lean on those around you.

I loved all of the main players and found each of their quirks endearing. The plot was great but the characters truly drew me in, and I wondered what they could be doing even in those moments I had to put the book down shortly. I don't think I could pick a favorite and while Ross is the main focal point don't think that the rest just fade into the shadows.

The book started a little slow and I originally had my doubts. But once we jumped into the main plot of the story I was hooked. About halfway through I became worried that this was going to be a standalone book and was saddened at the prospect. With that ending; if there is not a follow-up book I will likely cry. This book immediately went onto my favorites shelf and will always be an automatic recommendation from me. It has a little bit of something for everyone while still being wholesome. I can see this being a comfort read for years and will definitely be re-read on many occasions.

Give it a try. If you regret it, try again because you definitely missed something. Happy Reading!

Can there be honor among thieves? Rosalyn Quest may have been brought up in one of the legendary thieving families, but she's been sheltered and never made friends. She lives by the rule; never trust anyone who's last name isn't Quest.

When a job goes bad, her attempt to get out of the thieving life and try to be "normal" for awhile is sent off course. Now she needs to find a way to come up with a billion dollars and rescue her mom. Her only option is the strange email waiting in her family's black box email account. Sent by The Organizers, asking her to join this year's Gambit.

When she arrives, her only acquaintance is Noelia Boschert - the girl who betrayed her and ran the lesson home about trusting no one when they were both only 9. She quickly learns that out of the 12 teens invited, she might be the only one who hasn't heard of The Organizers or the Gambit. She doesn't plan to be out of the loop for long though.

Each contestant must make their way through three phases in order to be the winner. From the outset, Devroe tries to join up with Ross, offering to team up with her in the museum. Despite turning down his offer and being determined to work alone, he saves her later in the night. Then The Organizers are separating them into two teams, and Ross is questioning everything she's ever known.

Can she really trust her teammates? Can she save her mom without them? And when push comes to shove, can she win the Gambit her way?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of Thieves’ Gambit! Where to begin? This was an absolutely thrilling read—I finished it in only a day. It’s not hard to see why Lionsgate bought the rights. As a fan of heists and competitions, this novel was well-paced and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. While some of the twists were predictable, others were not, and I was thoroughly invested until the end. The writing flowed well and the characters were well-written; despite not getting to know every character as deeply as others, they never felt two dimensional or flat to me. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for providing me with an egalley of this title to read and give an honest review.
When I read the synopsis of this book, my mind immediately went to Ocean's 11. The idea of teenage thieves competing against one another was very intriguing. And I will admit, fun!
The plot: teen girl goes on a mission, fails, and needs to make it right. Why? Because her mother's life is on the line. So she signs up for a competition to help her win the money she needs for the ransom. Ross is well thought out. All her life thieving for her family name. She wants out, though. She wants to be more normal. But that's not in the cards for her. She enters a competition where you should trust no one, but makes the mistake of trusting someone. You can guess that backfires a bit for her. Of course the plot is a little outrageous, and the teens get away with much more than you would think possible. But isn't that the point?
The characters: just ok. I like that the author chose to have kids from all over the world. this made for a more interesting feel. Though I do feel like she could have show cased their heritage a bit more. This may have made for a more interesting competition. I like Ross. She spunky and smart. She thinks outside the box. I like her rivalry with childhood bestie. Of course there''s romance, though I just didn't quite feel the connection (but I could see the con a mile away).
The pacing: fast. It did keep me reading. I wanted to be in the action and see where it took me.
Overall this was a fun read and I'd recommend it for anyone who likes a good heist and a little mystery.

Omg this book was like Oceans Eleven meets Leverage and I loved it! The characters were fun and the storyline kept me hooked the whole way! I need more heist books in my life

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the e-ARC of this book!

As a high school teacher who simply wants students to rediscover reading for fun, this book is one I will absolutely be adding to my classroom library!

Ross Quest is no stranger to heists, but after one goes wrong and her mother is taken, she enters the Thieves' Gambit in order to win a wish, hoping to free her mother. This competition is high-stakes, possibly lethal, and teen readers will love all of the challenges the contestants face!

This book will be perfect for reluctant teen readers, and of course any reader who enjoys a fast-paced, fun story!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for the ARC of Thieves’ Gambit in exchange for my honest review.

Ross Quest is the youngest in her family of professional thieves. Wanting a break from the family business, Ross plans to leave but her plan takes an unexpected turn that leaves her mother’s life in danger.

With no other options to help, Ross enters the Thieves’ Gambit, a series of dangerous, international heists where nothing, especially killing the competition, isn’t off limits. The winner, only one, gets a wish of anything possible. Ross needs to win to get that one wish to help her mom but when she learns that her competitors include her old childhood nemesis and a handsome, slick talking guy, the Thieves’ Gambit might be even harder than she thought.

When I tell you I really enjoyed this. Now this book was said to be Inheritance Games meets Ocean’s Eleven. I can’t speak on the comparison to the book but I get the comparison to the movie. I felt like this was very much teen Ocean Eleven. I could definitely see this being adapted into a movie.

The characters were easily like-able(well most of them). I loved that the characters were all from different parts of the world (Bahamas, Nicaragua, Australia, US, India, South Korea, Japan, Switzerland, & England). I do wish however we got some aspect of the different languages in the context. Maybe just a greeting/common saying especially when the author mentioned someone was talking in another language which it seemed like occurred often. And especially since we have these characters from all over the world. I was pulled in from the first chapter but one ce the games begin its hard to put this book down. The different personalities of each character makes this book fun and easy to enjoy and get wrapped up in.

The ending was very shocking and it was so much given at once and then the boom… the winners wish and I was like what?!?! I honestly felt bad for the characters mainly Ross. With the setup of the ending I can only assume there will be a book two. Because I enjoyed Thieves Gambit, I would definitely continue reading to see where this story leads.

Thanks so much for the ARC, NetGalley! This book was so much fun to read. It reminded me a lot of The Inheritance Games, which is one of my favorite series. The twists! The turns! The riddles! This book kept me wanting more. I am so excited to see where this series goes. Excellent read!