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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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:
Complicated
fast-paced
Aaaaaand I managed to squeeze in one last book before the end of 2024 (whew!) This book was definitely fun and captured my attention, so it was easy to chug down.
In the first few pages, I was ready to be annoyed. I figured this book was probably going to be like all the rest of the ones in this genre that I've read—"not like the other girls" main character, her mysterious enemy who also happens to be hot, her best friend that betrayed her—and actually, all of that happened. But the characters themselves were so fresh and lively that it compensated for all that. I loved Ross—she was both strong in keeping to herself, but proved that you can also be strong by opening up to other people and trusting them.(Obviously that kind of all went downhill in the last few chapters, but I still see the message...) I also loved Devroe—I feel like he was kind of a spoof on the classic super-smooth British secret agent and it was really funny to see him swing between chatting someone up and stealing all their information and just being an all-around petty (but sweet) little kid who wants to be a grown-up but isn't.
Also, I LOVED the diversity of the cast. I know it sounds kind of cliché to say it, but I don't just mean diversity in the race sense (although that was great too—we had Black people, Asian people, Hispanic people, people from a bunch of different countries that normally aren't featured... I mean, Switzerland??). I also just loved seeing their different personalities shine through and watch a bunch of people who are so different work together to steal very valuable things. The strongest vibe it gave me with the constant "globetrotting in expensive transportation","infiltrating cocktail hour to drug a bunch of rich people", "putting a sarcophagus back together in the back of a moving truck", etc. (but that's a spoiler haha) was if Carmen Sandiego starred four to eight teenage kids.
I don't know if I'm going to rush right on to the sequel—I'm less of a fan of the whole extended-period-of-enemies-to-lovers-back-to-enemies tension trope because I find it really frustrating. But I do think I will get around to it sometime... next year!
Super fun read overall, would highly recommend for some heist vibes!
In the first few pages, I was ready to be annoyed. I figured this book was probably going to be like all the rest of the ones in this genre that I've read—"not like the other girls" main character, her mysterious enemy who also happens to be hot, her best friend that betrayed her—and actually, all of that happened. But the characters themselves were so fresh and lively that it compensated for all that. I loved Ross—she was both strong in keeping to herself, but proved that you can also be strong by opening up to other people and trusting them.
Also, I LOVED the diversity of the cast. I know it sounds kind of cliché to say it, but I don't just mean diversity in the race sense (although that was great too—we had Black people, Asian people, Hispanic people, people from a bunch of different countries that normally aren't featured... I mean, Switzerland??). I also just loved seeing their different personalities shine through and watch a bunch of people who are so different work together to steal very valuable things. The strongest vibe it gave me with the constant "globetrotting in expensive transportation",
I don't know if I'm going to rush right on to the sequel—I'm less of a fan of the whole extended-period-of-enemies-to-lovers-back-to-enemies tension trope because I find it really frustrating. But I do think I will get around to it sometime... next year!
Super fun read overall, would highly recommend for some heist vibes!
Ocean's Eleven meets the Hunger Games. Fun and clean YA.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
What the fuck.
That's all I really have to say.
Like
The pace of this book went from; too slow to good pace to too slow again and then to too fucking fast.
This didn't really read like a book.
Idk what to think of it...
It's...
Eh...
That's all I really have to say.
Like
The pace of this book went from; too slow to good pace to too slow again and then to too fucking fast.
This didn't really read like a book.
Idk what to think of it...
It's...
Eh...
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
LOVED this book and will immediately be going on to read the next. It’s like an adventure with Carmen Sandiego. Perfectly diverse cast of characters, drama, action, humor, personal development. Muah. *chef’s kiss*
I had a great time reading Thieves' Gambit! It was fast-paced, full of action, and kept me hooked from start to finish. The heists were fun and clever, and I really enjoyed the twists along the way. If you're into thrillers with a bit of danger and strategy, this one's worth picking up. Solid 4 stars from me! Definitely a series that I will continue enjoying.
***Thank you NetGalley, Nancy Paulsen Books, and Kayvion Lewis for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
***Thank you NetGalley, Nancy Paulsen Books, and Kayvion Lewis for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
This could have been a 4+ but the ending sucked all the joy and hope out of it.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ross Quest and her mother come from an internationally famous crime family, and while Ross loves her self-centered mom, she dreams of a normie college life and making friends. Ross secretly applies to a program and gets in, but when she's about to make her escape, her mom is kidnapped - and it's Ross's fault. The only way to get her back is to participate in the elite and dangerous Thieves Gambit, where she'll compete against other expert teen thieves for a wish.
This one kept me interested with its twists and turns until the final heist. I'd preferDevroe not betray Ross, since his attraction was genuine and the betrayal was so obvious it would have been more exciting to me that he stay with her . All character relationships change dramatically in the final 15% and I wanted more time with that, especially after the the reveal that Ross's mother has been gaslighting her . Hopefully the second book spends more time with the found family.
Also didn't like the part in the second heist whereRoss's back-up plan is omitted entirely until it happens . It's a standard heist trope, I guess, but it feels cheap.
Not sure if I'll read the next one, but I will definitely recommend this to thriller fans.
This one kept me interested with its twists and turns until the final heist. I'd prefer
Also didn't like the part in the second heist where
Not sure if I'll read the next one, but I will definitely recommend this to thriller fans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Gaslighting