Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
~~Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster's for the ARC!~~
This is probably the best, and most recent, example of a story that has a predictable plot but still is fun and engaging.
Despite the slow beginning, the plot's pace picks up real quickly once the Gambit is in motion. The heists were elaborate, and the plans were thought out in detail. But what was most thrilling is what Ross did once those plans inevitably get derailed by other contestants or outside forces. I can see why this got film rights before its publication, because this story, especially the way it's written, would translate perfectly on screen.
Besides the plot, the character cast is really good, too. There's a phase where the contestants are split into 4-v-4 teams, which leads to delightful banter between Ross and her teammates. The personalities are kinda cliche, but the dialogue is just so fun, snappy, and, at times, genuinely wholesome. And the main romance between Ross and Devroe - I was into it. Normally, enemies-to-lovers isn't my forte, but the chemistry is so good here, and their banter is really cute. Plus, there's a big twist with their relationship that really got me wanting to read the sequel to see how they handle everything that was revealed in the last chapter.
All in all, this was a pretty good book. If you're looking for a fun, heist-filled adventure with charming characters, then this one would be perfect for you.
This is probably the best, and most recent, example of a story that has a predictable plot but still is fun and engaging.
Despite the slow beginning, the plot's pace picks up real quickly once the Gambit is in motion. The heists were elaborate, and the plans were thought out in detail. But what was most thrilling is what Ross did once those plans inevitably get derailed by other contestants or outside forces. I can see why this got film rights before its publication, because this story, especially the way it's written, would translate perfectly on screen.
Besides the plot, the character cast is really good, too. There's a phase where the contestants are split into 4-v-4 teams, which leads to delightful banter between Ross and her teammates. The personalities are kinda cliche, but the dialogue is just so fun, snappy, and, at times, genuinely wholesome. And the main romance between Ross and Devroe - I was into it. Normally, enemies-to-lovers isn't my forte, but the chemistry is so good here, and their banter is really cute. Plus, there's a big twist with their relationship that really got me wanting to read the sequel to see how they handle everything that was revealed in the last chapter.
All in all, this was a pretty good book. If you're looking for a fun, heist-filled adventure with charming characters, then this one would be perfect for you.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fabulous, fast-paced YA for fans of mystery and games. You’ll enjoy this if you liked Inheritance Games or Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious series. The twist(s) are predictable but the author did a great job at dropping the hints just before the twist so you could see it coming only when she wanted you to. Overall, looking forward to book #2!
I would first like to thank NetGalley for providing this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Now on to the good stuff…WOW!! I will be starting the next book (also provided by NetGalley) immediately! I loved The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I knew I had to read this when I saw that it was being compared to it. It did not disappoint! I would love to see this made into a movie or tv mini series. The ways that they figure out how to steal some major pieces are just incredible. Each of these kids is a mastermind. However, the MC also has heart and is so endearing. I hope you all enjoy the race against the clock in this fun YA thriller!!
Now on to the good stuff…WOW!! I will be starting the next book (also provided by NetGalley) immediately! I loved The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I knew I had to read this when I saw that it was being compared to it. It did not disappoint! I would love to see this made into a movie or tv mini series. The ways that they figure out how to steal some major pieces are just incredible. Each of these kids is a mastermind. However, the MC also has heart and is so endearing. I hope you all enjoy the race against the clock in this fun YA thriller!!
4 stars. Omg I loved every minute of this book and the ending had me shook I didn’t see it coming. But made me sad when he betrayed her
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was so excited for this book—heists and thieves are some of my favorite tropes—but it ended up being a mixed bag.
The protagonist, while 17, felt much younger, with awkward slang and a constant obsession with her “kicks” that was mentioned far too often. The juvenile tone of her inner monologue made slower, introspective moments frustrating. The action scenes, though, were great—especially the boat scene early on, which reminded me of why I picked this book in the first place. Unfortunately, the pacing suffered whenever the focus shifted back to immature character dynamics or the insta-attraction to Devroe, which felt out of place given the stakes.
At 30%, I realized the problem wasn’t the YA aspect, but that the writing skewed toward lower YA or even middle grade. The descriptions were simplistic, dialogue felt stilted, and random references to urban fashion choices made high-stakes scenes feel disconnected. The story started to redeem itself after the halfway mark when the focus shifted to heist elements, with an unexpected twist that genuinely surprised me.
By the end, I was back to enjoying myself. The ending was action-packed and plot-focused, strong enough to make me consider continuing the series in hopes that book two delivers more of what I liked and less of what I didn’t. Overall, this was a 3-star read for me—fun in parts, but ultimately uneven.
The protagonist, while 17, felt much younger, with awkward slang and a constant obsession with her “kicks” that was mentioned far too often. The juvenile tone of her inner monologue made slower, introspective moments frustrating. The action scenes, though, were great—especially the boat scene early on, which reminded me of why I picked this book in the first place. Unfortunately, the pacing suffered whenever the focus shifted back to immature character dynamics or the insta-attraction to Devroe, which felt out of place given the stakes.
At 30%, I realized the problem wasn’t the YA aspect, but that the writing skewed toward lower YA or even middle grade. The descriptions were simplistic, dialogue felt stilted, and random references to urban fashion choices made high-stakes scenes feel disconnected. The story started to redeem itself after the halfway mark when the focus shifted to heist elements, with an unexpected twist that genuinely surprised me.
By the end, I was back to enjoying myself. The ending was action-packed and plot-focused, strong enough to make me consider continuing the series in hopes that book two delivers more of what I liked and less of what I didn’t. Overall, this was a 3-star read for me—fun in parts, but ultimately uneven.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Gaslighting
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Car accident
Minor: Alcoholism
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5--I'm not sure entirely how I feel about this one...but it reminded me of Leverage so that's what I liked most about it.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes