I loved Theives Gambit and while I thought it could have been a standalone I was a pleasantly surprised to get a sequel. It did start out a little slow for me and I had forgotten a few details from the first book but overall it was a great sequel. I love the side characters and would love to see a spin off with some of those characters. If you read and loved the first book definitely pick this one up!

I have been waiting for this book since I turned the last page of book 1. And a huge thanks to Kayvion Lewis for giving me everything I needed and more! This book was so good! I gotta say I didn’t think it could be as good as the other, but gah, it definitely was! I need more people to read this series so I can talk about it!

Ok so the plot was cool. It was like the second hunger games where the people were picked from the previous victors. But the places they go to and the people that are trying to get them this time was WILD. I don’t want to say too much, but Lordt it was crazyyyy! I couldn’t stop listening to it. And if you see on the cover the poker chips, there’s an actual casino in this one too. And that’s all I’ll say. I don’t want to ruin anything for y’all because this thriller is something that needs to be experienced with the “OMGs” and the “WTFs” and all.

The ending has one of my most favorite type of endings. I LOVE when there’s a bombshell, not to be confused with a cliff-hanger lol There’s two types, where some information that’s been missing the entire series is finally revealed, or when something is revealed and there’s no explanation after it. This one was the former. And I was so confused I had to listen twice. Because how tf did you just casually drop that like that? It was crazy because I wasn’t even thinking about that until it happened. However it was crazy because when you go back and think about what happened in the book, it was easy to see why this person was acting like this and you can easily see the foreshadowing. But I just ignored it because I didn’t think it was ever going to be a factor. Her mom is brutal lol

The characters were cool tho. They’re the same as in the last book, hella smart and hella cool. And like literally everyone in this book is a trained killer. So basically they’re all bad asses. And the way they ALL have these separate skills and then came together to make this rag-tag group was so good! Both times I finished these books I found myself asking what would my skills be used for. Idk that there’s much you can do with a reader lol

I loved this book so much. I really hope there is more to this story. This one was completely wrapped up at the ending, so I’m a little worried. There wasn’t a cliff-hanger in this one, so now I’m sad. So join me as I make the campaign for another Thieves’ Gambit book. I need one like I need airrrrrr!

3.5 stars

This was an interesting conclusion to the ragtag group of young cons we met in book one. It has the same problems as the first book: lackluster romance, the necessity of suspending your disbelief, and the balance of telling vs showing.

It's also hard to have a storyline revolve around two characters who aren't really part of the conversation. Sure, Rhi and Di are present but their storyline is almost told by proxy. It's clunky and awkward.

I will say that I loved seeing more of Taiyo and Kyung-soon and Noelia and Mylo. There are some cool dynamics at play and I'd love to see them explored more. I'd read another one of these if it was just them without all the adult drama.

<i>Many thanks to NetGalley, Nancy Paulsen Books, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I'll be the first to admit that I really enjoyed Thieves Gambit but I wasn't itching for a sequel. I felt the book wrapped up well enough on its own and I wasn't left with too many questions. So I was skeptical about how necessary this book would be but I was pleasantly surprised by it!
It wasn't stellar or still totaalllyyy essential to have continued the series in my opinion but it was a good read and I don't have many complaints.

I gaveThieves' Gambit 5 stars; however, this one just didn't live up to the first one, unfortunately, this one was just okay for me. Our story starts in the middle of a heist in New Orleans where it is assumed you remember all the details and characters from the first book; I did not. The story continues with Baron and the Count competing to see who would be the leader and the characters are split into two teams with Ross and Devroe on different teams. The teams head to Monte Carlo (after a heist in Antarctica) where they will be competing for millions.

When I began reading this, I thought I had made a mistake and started reading in the middle of the book instead of at the beginning. I had forgotten characters and basic plot lines from the first one so I had no idea what was going on since no background was provided. I did power through, but just didn't couldn't get invested in this one, like I did the first. It would have been beneficial to provide a little background on characters and what happened in the first book.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. This is the follow-up to Thieves Gambit and boy does Lewis bring this story home. Thieves' Gambit was a bit slow at times -- it was a slow burn--and took a while to set everything up and get to the action. In contrast, Heist Royale was absolutely action packed and exciting. Thieves Gambit set everything up nicely so that in Heist Royale we could hit the ground running and begin with conflict and heists. If you liked the first book, you absolutely need to read this one. I hope Lewis continues this series and writes more of these. I would certainly read them and I know my students would eat them up!

Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Kayvion has done it again! I got a physical ARC of The Thieves Gambit at ALA in 2023 and couldn’t put it down. I was so excited when the ARC for this became available. I am not typically big on heist novels, but there’s just something in the way Kayvion writes that draws me in. We pick up six months after the end of book one and Ross wastes absolutely no time trying to figure things out.

I absolutely love Ross as a character. Complex but easy to understand, she truly pushes the narrative forward in a way that keeps you gripped. I loved how this one played out and how she handled things, especially with Devroe. The end tho?? So good!

If you haven’t picked these up, you are missing out!

This was a great follow-up for Thieves' Gambit! It picked up flawlessly and answered all my lingered questions. My only complaint is that it started a little slower than I would've liked. I'm glad to see all my faves again and to return to their world of thievery!

Heist Royale is the second and apparent final chapter in author Kayvion Lewis's Thieves' Gambit duology. This story will take readers from Rio to New Orleans to Antarctica to Cape Town, South Africa. It's been six months since the end of the Gambit. Instead of winning an impossible wish to save her mother, Rosalyn Quest 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 thanks to his mother who has an axe go grind with Ros's mother.

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, even if it is her mother. After a minor abduction in Rio, Ross learns that Count is being challenged by Baron for control of the Organization. To settle the challenge, a Gambit begins to see who will take control of the Organization. Ross sees her chance to change her fortunes.

All her team, which includes her mother, has to do is win 2 out of 3 extremely difficult challenges. If her team wins, they will be safe from Devroe's wish. If they lose, it's the end of the line. While Devroe is trying to win for the Baron, and his mother, he also seems to gravitate to making sure that Ros survives. 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. This book introduces a battle for power within the organization, which causes a compelling escalation in risk. Ross must work with her mother, who she has complicated feelings towards, and two of her closest friends was a thrilling dynamic to see unfold. The ending of the story wraps things up nicely with a nice twist that I didn't see coming, but it was the right direction to take.

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.