The main character is relatable and likable, if not very complex. The heist action is exciting and fast-paced, and the romance is teasing.

A lot of the world and details of "the organization" are murky and unknown. That's not surprising since the story is told first-person and a lot of that is unknown to her, but it still feels like we're feeling around in the dark.

Ich hatte wirklich hohe Erwartungen an das Buch, weil ich Oceans Eight richtig gerne mochte und das Buch mit dem Film verglichen wurde. Leider war ich beim Lesen größtenteils gelangweilt und die Plottwists wurden immer ganz schnell abgehandelt, während der Rest super lang beschrieben wurde. Ich habe die Lovestory nicht wirklich gefühlt und finde, dass der Enemies-to-Lovers Trope fälschlicherweise genutzt wurde, um das Buch zu vermarkten. Leider keine Empfehlung von mir.

Kayvion Lewis is such a bright voice, capturing the heist genre at its peak in Thieves' Gambit. The motley crew assembled for this gambit is sure to keep readers on their toes -- and coming back for more this fall to read on in Heist Royale.

In Thieves' Gambit, Kayvion Lewis crafts a gripping, high-stakes adventure that perfectly melds the cunning of The Inheritance Games with the thrilling heists of Ocean’s Eleven. The result is a cinematic and heart-pounding novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Ross Quest, a seventeen-year-old master thief, finds herself thrust into a deadly competition where the stakes couldn’t be higher—her mother's life. The Thieves’ Gambit, a series of perilous international heists, promises the ultimate reward: a wish for anything in the world. For Ross, this wish is her only chance to save her mother.

From the start, Ross's journey is fraught with tension and unexpected turns. Lewis deftly builds a world where trust is a rare commodity, and alliances are as fleeting as the wind. The competition is fierce, with opponents ranging from her childhood nemesis to a charming contender who threatens to steal more than just the prize.

Ross’s character is compelling and multi-dimensional. Her internal struggle between adhering to her family’s creed—trust no one whose last name isn’t Quest—and the necessity to form alliances is portrayed with nuance and emotional depth. The addition of a possible romance adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, keeping readers guessing about her true intentions and the loyalties of those around her.

The novel’s pacing is brisk, with each heist escalating in danger and complexity. Lewis’s writing shines in these action-packed sequences, painting vivid scenes that are both thrilling and strategically intricate. The international settings add a layer of glamour and variety, enhancing the cinematic feel of the story.

While Thieves' Gambit excels in its suspense and character dynamics, there are moments where the plot’s complexity can be a bit overwhelming. Some of the secondary characters could have benefitted from more development, as their motivations occasionally feel underexplored.

Overall, Thieves' Gambit is a riveting read that combines clever twists, high-octane action, and emotional stakes. Kayvion Lewis delivers a heist thriller that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a standout in the genre. Fans of intricate plots and dynamic characters will find much to enjoy in this adventurous tale.

2.75!

It's not necessarily a bad book tbh, it just failed to grip me and I felt as if there were more parts where I had problems than parts where I enjoyed it.

What I liked:
• I liked the idea of the book and how it was set and up + how the plot twists and ending complemented it. I feel like the author set up one twist to be a little predictable so the other wasn't and she nailed that part 😭 because I was shooketh.

• The whole heist had me intrigued and I liked how it made the book more action packed, with a better style and better execution this part alone could've made the book worth 4 stars at least because I enjoyed them quite a bit.

• The characters ( part of both things I liked and disliked) I started to get fond of them by the end and I really started liking them and was growing fond of them but that doesn't negate the 70% where I felt no attachment to them.

What I disliked:
•More telling, less showing. This books fast paced nature didn't complement this style at all and I often felt bored. It was quick to get through but not that fun to get by?? It was boring at times and I just wanted thing to be shown more.

• The romance was so dry?? So boring. I'm glad that it wasn't really a big focus because it would've been horrendous because we literally get attached to the characters after spending such a long portion of the book so the romance just didn't hit.

• Some of the parts in this book ame off as way too predictable for a mystery/thriller.

• The characters took such a long time to grow fond off that by the time I finally did grow fond, the book had ended.

Overall, not the best mystery/thriller book but I am intrigued to see how things resolved in book 2!!

*Thank you to penguin random house for giving me an arc*

Quite unpredictable and original. There's echo of some best selllers but it's a fast paced and action packed that find it's way and kept me reading.
Some romance, a contest, well developed characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A delightful mashup of the Inheritance Games, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, and Starter Villian for those of you keeping score. Ross Quest is part of an elite global syndicate of thief royalty. When her mother's last mission goes awry, she enters the Thieves' Gambit, a global competition of thievery, to save her from karma's fingers. Non-stop action and spicy teenage melodrama are packed into each page of what is sure to be a new and successful series.

Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌓
Genre: 🔪 Thriller
Sub-Genre: YA
Violence: 🔪
Spice: 🔥

Synopsis: Rosalyn “Ross” Quest made a selfish choice—maybe for the first time in her life—and her mom paid the price. To save her, Ross must win the Thieves’ Gambit. All she has to do is beat 8 other players in 3 phases of increasingly complex trials. It’s bad enough she’s competing against her childhood nemesis. But one of her competitors is a swoon-worthy Brit determined to charm her. And boy do these two have chemistry. As play continues, Ross begins to suspect “the organization” hosting the competition is shady, and that’s coming from a career criminal.

Thoughts: If you like inventive heist scenarios, great character development, and a slow-burn romance, you will love this fun, fast-paced read. The book reads in part like a primer on thieving. Whether any of it is accurate or not—don’t worry, I don’t plan to field test, asking for a friend—the well-thought-out methodology Lewis sprinkles through the narrative gives Ross’s expertise verisimilitude and manufacturers obstacles for the cast of characters to overcome. Ross’s cunning and aptitude for revising strategy on the fly, along with a good heart and a moral center, make her a MC you root for from the beginning. And while winning never seemed a simple proposition, I definitely didn’t see the final twist coming.

Thank you to @PenguinTeen and @netgalley for the #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun read. I love me some mystery and riddle solving. Not being able to trust anyone kept me on the edge of my seat. The different characters and how some of them are connected through their past made this a lot more interesting! Also the stakes were high in the beginning but the development of friendships and relationships really upped the game.
The story was kinda slow towards the middle and the ending was rushed but it kept me interested and I definitely want to pick up the sequel because there are so many unanswered questions!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc!

I loved the inheritance games and when I heard this one gave off similar vibes I was so pumped!

This follows the story of Ross, a teenage thiever, who gets invited to participate in the Gambit Games. These games are for the top young thieves in the world to prove they are the best and if you win you get a wish. When Ross gets put into a situation where her mom’s life is at risk she decides to enter the games to save her mom with her wish.I loved the chapters where they were in the different phases of the game but I was honestly so confused by the ending so it fell flat for me. Overall quick easy young adult read

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC. Book was released 4/9/2024!

I just loved getting to enter this world. I just loved getting to meet these characters and see what they are currently getting themselves into. This book was just a really fun read. I just lost myself in this great story and I didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

The Thieves’ Gambit was a fun read. Ross Quest is the sole daughter of a thieving family. When her mother is kidnapped in the middle of an operation, Ross is determined to come to her rescue. The problem is the kidnappers are demanding $1 billion.

So Ross decides to accept an invitation to the mystery and worryingly dangerous Thieves’ Gambit. Ross will be competing with the best teenage thieves in the game with the highest stakes, but is absolutely committed to winning and saving her mother.

There’s some wild competition, danger, a hint of romance and a diverse set of characters. The book moves quickly and easy reading. The ending is a big cliffhanger, encouraging the reader to move on to book 2 of the series.

Recommended. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An international heist competition for teenagers is a fun vibe for me. I enjoyed the diversity, accents, love interest, twists and competitions. Audio was definitely the way to go for this one. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

3.8/5 Rounded up
This was a really fun, fast paced story, I see the Ocean's Eleven and comparison but make it YA. Ross has been trained by her mother to be a thief as it is the family's business. But the mother I found to be manipulative and oppressing, keeping Ross isolated and not able to trust . Then Ross is forced to participate in this competition to save her mother. There she encounters a diverse cast of participants to win a wish of their choice from this group called "The Organization". She finds attraction in Devroe a competitor from England who is there for his own familial reasons, but she's been condition to never trust anyone outside of her family so she tries to keep him at arms length. I liked all the different heist things they had to do, the stealing at the museum then the auction, and I am glad that even though they could use violence they couldn't kill anybody. I do have say it was a bit predictable at times, I kinda saw the betrayals coming from a mile away. I want to get the second book to see what happens after that ending. Overall this was really enjoyable and I think it would make a great movie if it ever does get made.

Thank you to NetGalley and penguin Group young Readers Group for the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

Ross was trained by her mom and aunt to be elite. To execute flawlessly. To be there perfect thief. She is a Quest after all. And the Quests are one of the world's most notorious crime families.

But when a heist goes bad, and her mom is kidnapped, Ross finds herself accepting the clandestine invitation she received to the Thieves Gambit, a competition involving a series of international heists. Because the only way to get the 1 Billion dollars for her mom's random is to win.

But dropping into the gambit she not only has to trust her lifetime of training, but she has to decide whether to trust her competitors and the game organizers, which is starkly against the "don't trust anyone whose name isn't Quest" mantra that her mom has drilled into her.

This isn't just a high stakes game to save her mom, this competition had the potential to reshape her whole life.
_____
I am a BIG fan of heist books and this one did not disappoint. I was sucked into the story and was entertained the whole way through.

I appreciated the push and pull of trusting your gut vs trusting your training that Ross experienced. Her mistakes and triumphs really served her character arc and I can't wait to see what lies ahead in book 2.

This is YA and while the characters seem more mature than teens, the content of this book is appropriate for YA audience. Little to no language and no sexual content. There is a lot of moral ambiguity around the nature of the thefts of course, but this book could have been much darker and more violent and I appreciate that it didn't take that turn.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Nancy Paulsen Books for this ARC!

"Thieves' Gambit" by Kayvion Lewis is an electrifying young adult thriller that plunges readers into a high-stakes world of cunning and competition. The story centers on Rosalyn Quest, a talented young thief who enters the Thieves' Gambit, a dangerous global competition, to win the ultimate prize and secure her freedom.

Lewis' writing is sharp and fast-paced, with a plot that twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Rosalyn is a compelling protagonist—smart, resourceful, and deeply motivated by her desire to escape her past. Her journey through the Gambit is filled with nail-biting challenges and unexpected alliances, making for a thrilling read.

The world-building in "Thieves' Gambit" is rich and immersive, drawing readers into a secretive society of elite thieves and their intricate heists. Lewis skillfully balances action with character development, exploring themes of trust, loyalty, and self-discovery as Rosalyn navigates the treacherous competition.

Overall, "Thieves' Gambit" is a captivating and adrenaline-fueled novel that will appeal to fans of action-packed thrillers and clever heist stories. Kayvion Lewis delivers a dynamic and engaging tale that keeps readers hooked from start to finish, making it a standout debut in the young adult genre.

This long, complicated novel pits thieves against thieves in a deadly game that offers big rewards if you win. A young group of thieves from well-known crime families are invited to participate in a dangerous game. Rhiannon Quest had never heard of this competition, and she really wants to participate. When her mother Is kidnapped because of her and an outrageous amount of money is asked for her ransom, Rhiannon knows the competition is her only hope of saving her mother. A very twisted plot and characters with no mercy make it a fast-paced death trap at every turn. I was enthralled from beginning to end. I loved Rhiannon, and like her, I didn't trust any other character. Well worth the time spent reading. I look forward to a second book as a lot of threads are still dangling out there. Excellent read.

Ross was born into a family of thieves and she longs to have regular friends and a normal life. Her mom is kidnapped and she must come up with the ransom of one billion, which she has no idea where to get, when she gets an invitation to the Gambit. A group of young thieves is invited to participate in a competition. Only one can win and the prize is one wish is granted. There is more to the winning but I am not going to spoil it. Rossalyn has been taught to not trust anyone and when she sees her enemy there, she immediately wants to put up walls. She ends up having to work in a team for one of the challenges and she starts to see that her mother didn't do her any favors by the way she was raised.

Lots of twists and turns make this just so much fun!

I had heard a lot about this book, so I was excited to check it out. But, sadly, I struggled with it. It was too much like The Inheritance Games, which made it quite predictable. It also seemed like it could have benefited from a tighter edit because there were plot points that just dragged out, making it hard for me to stay engaged. I did like the diversity of the cast of characters, though it was occasionally hard to keep them straight. It was nice to see enemies came together when needed. The sequel will be releasing soon, for those who are interested in checking that out

Note: There is kissing, swearing, violence, but no explicit sexual activity.

The Inheritance Games meets Ocean’s Eleven in this cinematic heist thriller where a cutthroat competition brings together the world’s best thieves and one thief is playing for the highest stakes of all: her mother's life.

At only seventeen years old, Ross Quest is already a master thief, especially adept at escape plans. Until her plan to run away from her legendary family of thieves takes an unexpected turn, leaving her mother’s life hanging in the balance.

In a desperate bid, she enters the Thieves’ Gambit, a series of dangerous, international heists where killing the competition isn’t exactly off limits, but the grand prize is a wish for anything in the world—a wish that could save her mom. When she learns two of her competitors include her childhood nemesis and a handsome, smooth-talking guy who might also want to steal her heart, winning the Gambit becomes trickier than she imagined.

Ross tries her best to stick to the family creed: trust no one whose last name isn’t Quest. But with the stakes this high, Ross will have to decide who to con and who to trust before time runs out. After all, only one of them can win.

My Take:
I'm revisiting this book in eager anticipation of the sequel set to release later this year. As someone who delights in puzzles, I found great enjoyment in this book. While some outcomes were foreseeable to me, an enthusiastic adult reader, it promises to captivate younger readers with its well-crafted plot. If you haven't yet delved into this book, I encourage you to do so as a prelude to the upcoming second installment.