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a_libra_library's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
High stakes balanced beautifully comedy. Heist, puzzles, competitions- It was so much fun! If you loved the inheritance games and the hunger games (book one) you'll eat this book up!
Twelves teens competing to be recognized as the best thief of a new generation and win the prize of one wish, a wish for anything!
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Toxic friendship
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Gun violence
anna_333's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
silke_b_like's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
For avid readers, the twists are a little easy to guess, but I didn't mind because the writing itself was pretty well done. I liked the characters, and the romance helps to add to the intrigue and the mystery. It's a high stakes thriller heist novel, with a cast of characters that are well developed and fun to read about.
The ending is left open for likely what's going to be a second book, so I'm excited to see what Ross does next!
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Minor: Child abuse, Car accident, and Racism
thenovelmaura's review
- 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
4.0
If you're aware of my obsession with Six of Crows, then you won't be surprised to hear that I love a good heist novel. It's so entertaining to be outsmarted by an author and their cunning characters! I loved the concept of a teen who was raised by a legendary family of Bahamian thieves and Lewis did a great job with the opening scenes of Ross and the legacy of training and heists she was born into. The competition aspect of the story was equally well done and the pacing of the various challenges kept me turning pages nonstop.
Ross' competitors were highly skilled, cutthroat, and gave you no hint as to who she should trust. And when she did (reluctantly) let her guard down, it was so sweet to see her form her first real friendships outside the bounds of her overprotective family. The only relationship aspect that I wasn't as invested in was the one between Ross and her love interest, where their interactions felt kind of forced and predictable.
If the rest of my review doesn't convince you, I read this book in a single day and there's already a movie adaptation on the way. I recommend grabbing this one soon!
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, and Blood
Minor: Racism
cover2covertx's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, Blood, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, and Gun violence
Minor: Death of parent and Car accident
hobbithopeful's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you Penguin for this ARC
Heist books are always so fun to read and this was no exception. Every heist, plan, and sneaky thief move had my heart pounding, and was just so exciting to read.
Ross and her Mom regularly perform heists, while they are very good at it, it is a lonely life. Ross's Mom constantly hammers into her brain the importance of never trusting anyone, and as a result Ross is incredibly lonely. Her plan to get away and make some friends is quickly botched when her Mom ends up getting kidnapped. Her only solution to get one billion dollars for the ransom is to enter in a cut throat competition between thieves.
This is a really enjoyable book, and truly is such a fun read. I would never have made it past round 0, I would definitely have failed and gotten stuck in the first room. It is so fascinating to see how different characters came up with different plans and ways to steal and lie. I would never have been able to think of a quarter of what they came up with!
There is of course a bit of romance, and while it did feel a bit fast-paced, I enjoyed their chemistry. Devroe is very persistent. I almost thought there was going to be a sapphic romance between Ross and Noelia because of the chemistry the two of them had, and their past.
I absolutely adored how diverse this book is, it's so rare to see this type of genre have this set of characters. Everyone felt so fleshed out and actually read as BIPOC.
Bad parents continue to be one of my favorite elements for books to have, I love that we are getting to see more morally grey or just truly sucky parents in books. (Seriously guys, I hate the trope of parents being infallible)
At times it did read more like it was made for a movie, then if it was made for a book. (This is odd, but does this make sense) I almost think it might make certain scenes easier to follow along when watching then when reading.
The ending was a bit of a let down, it was one twist then another. With two back to back twists it was hard to be invested and still find care for how everything went down. I also was a bit confused by some of the later events in the big just plot wise, there were a few holes. (Like the fact Ross has never worn an evening dress or similar attire but can walk in heels easily) The ending definitely felt a bit abrupt, I still have tons of questions.
I can't wait for the next book, and I would definitely read more of Kayvion Lewis's writing.
Highly recommend, perfect for fans of heist books similar to Ocean's Eleven.
Graphic: Gaslighting and Kidnapping
Minor: Violence and Racism
kari_f's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Violence and Death of parent
Minor: Kidnapping, Racism, and Blood
stephalee4's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Definitely "Inheritance Games," Ocean's movies, and old school Ally Carter "Heist Society" vibes, but in a more modern and diverse world.
Truly enjoyed the thrill of this one and I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for readers!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the early e-ARC!
Moderate: Blood and Gun violence
Minor: Death of parent and Kidnapping