Reviews - Thieves' Gambit | The StoryGraph

1.69k reviews for:

Thieves' Gambit

Kayvion Lewis

3.89 AVERAGE

asolitaryreader's review

3.75

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

mzlac134's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

thehighshelf's review against another edition

2.75

adventurous emotional lighthearted tense medium-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

The premise of Thieves’ Gambit was what drew me to initially drew me to this book. Literally described as a “cinematic heist thriller with cutthroat competition” and as The Inheritance Games meets Ocean’s Eleven, the descriptions did not live up to those promises in my opinion. Definitely a little overhyped.

Main character, 17-year-old Ross Quest, is a master thief - but she’d rather be thinking about what college she’s going to rather than what her family’s next heist is going to be. So when she sees an opportunity to run away from her criminal responsibilities during a job with her mother one night, she takes it, but then everything goes wrong. Her mother is taken hostage and the only way to pay her ransom is to join in an international thieving competition where the grand prize is literally to have any wish granted.

Like I said before, it’s a very interesting premise - one that seems like it will include action, drama, subterfuge, and all kinds of cool thievery-related scenarios, puzzle solving, etc. However, whenever there is an opportunity to showcase Ross’s exceptional skills, the details are glossed over.

It’s as if the author skips over parts they thought would slow down the plot in an attempt to keep up pacing, but the jumps and skips are disappointing. For example, a scene where the character has to solve a complicated series of locks is rushed through to get to the dialogue and drama-filled character interactions in the next scene. Or, in a part where the main character needs to find a way to hide in the ceiling we just jump to her in the ceiling.

The characters carried the bulk of the story, and it sometimes felt like the Gambit scenario was just a backdrop for the characters. It wasn’t until the end when things got a little deeper that the story felt more full and the elements interconnected better.

For those who read YA more often, maybe the book will be received a little better. However, for it to be an upper-YA, I think some readers will come expecting more and leave a little disappointed. Of course, there is a sequel on the way, so maybe those issues will be addressed. I personally don’t think I will be reading the sequel, though. I just couldn’t maintain enough interest in book one to continue on to the second, unfortunately. I’m sure there are people who will thoroughly enjoy Thieves’ Gambit, though. I’m also very thankful to NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for providing me with a DRC.