If you love books about heists then Kayvion Lewis has written your latest book obession with Thieves Gambit.

it is a stunning read from Kayvion Lewis, it takes everything you love from Jennifer Lynn Barnes Inheritance Games, Suzanne Collins Hunger Games and Ally Carter’s Heist Society series and mixes them all together to create this wonderful world and cast of characters which is so fresh and exciting.

The enemy to Lovers element makes its an enticing read while the high octane plot and all it’s twist keeps you on your toes and makes it’s a read that is impossible not to read in one sitting as you just won’t want to put it down.

3.5 ⭐ rounded up

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the arc (am I super late with this review?… yes).

Thieves Gambit follows a young girl, Ross as she competes in the Thieves Gambit, a thieving competition with potentially deadly stakes.

I did on the whole have a really fun time reading this, it’s fast paced and action packed, .I wasn’t able to predict how Ross and the rest would resolve the tests the Gambit threw at them and some of the solutions were quite clever which kept me engaged page to page. The issue with the plot is that I found the overarching plot beats and twists were very predictable which made particularly the end of the book very anticlimactic.

The other disappointing aspect was the characters, although I liked Ross as a protagonist I didn’t really connect with any of the other characters, except Noelia. This also includes the romance which I really wasn’t invested in at all which is a shame as it was so prevalent.

The other main issue that made me not score it higher was the writing style, at times it came across as… amateurish I guess is the word. One scene early on shows our contestants meeting for the first time and the number of times certain phrases were repeated really bugged me. One of the characters “cracks his knuckles” every time he is mentioned and I swear every character “flipped their hair”. Luckily this repetition didn’t persist too much past this scene but there was still the odd word or phrase choice that came across as cringey and awkward.

Overall a fun read that was unfortunately let down by the writing style and lack of memorable characters.

First of all a big thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book to read and review.

I loved this. Anything to do with heists or competitions and I am 100% there. It has to be one of my favourite tropes. So when I read the blurb for this book I knew that I had to request this on Netgalley and hope that I got accepted. This has such stabby vibes and I absolutely loved it. I cannot wait for book 2! I loved the characters in this and everything just worked.

This book was so fun!

I really enjoyed the competition aspect, and the ways in which many of the characters managed to form genuine friendships with one another regardless and in spite of this.

The narrative voice of Rosalyn really comes through! She’s such a fun protagonist and I loved reading from her perspective and seeing how she grows over the course of the book.

I didn’t know this was a series opener until I was literally reading the last few pages lmao so you can imagine how that went for me, emotionally speaking. I’m very intrigued to see what’s in store for these characters next, given how everything turns out in this one.

If you’re looking for a fun, fast paced, and action packed novel featuring heists and compelling characters and relationships, you should absolutely consider giving this one a go. I’m definitely going to be picking up the sequel.

When I read “The inheritance Games meets Ocean’s Eleven” but when I started reading it I knew Thieves Gambit was going to rock my world, I’m so glad I was right. Run don’t walk and grab this.

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 cliché, 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 a young adult thriller and is the first in a series.

Our female main character is part of one of the big crime families, but when her mother is kidnapped, the only way she can possibly get her back is to join this competition.

Teenagers with very select skills have been picked to be part of this worldwide heist and the ultimate winner gets anything they want.

This is a heist on heist on heist story! And it's really well done because they have to keep building to keep the excitement up, with questions around who can they trust and who's going to betray who.

You could read this as a standalone but there is very much more still to come on the back of the events in this book.

4.25 stars

This was like teenage hunger games but less violent. Still, I really enjoyed it!


The plot is well-structured, and the pacing is relentless, maintaining a high level of engagement. Unexpected developments and obstacles in the heists contribute to the book's intrigue.
I highly recommend "Thieves' Gambit" to fans of heist novels. If you relish complex plots, well-developed characters, and heart-pounding action, this book is a must-read for you. It's a thrilling adventure into the world of high-stakes theft.

A cut-throat deadly competition full of danger and betrayal, but make it a heist? I'm in! I loved a good heist book and this was a very good heist book. It was also really easy to read and just sink into and enjoy. I could hear the main character's voice in my head really clearly.

I loved the characters and the found family vibe I got from it. Even though I knew that none of the characters could be trusted, I was glad that Ross found some illusion of friendship throughout the book. I didn't think much of her family, so it was really satisfying that she found something outside of that.

And that ending. I expected some twists and turns, but this was something else. I was watching the percentage I had left to read go down and down and getting very worried! It honestly kept me hooked right up until the very last line.

Well, this book was one hell of a rollercoaster! It was action packed right from the beginning and the twists at the end had my jaw dropping.

This book is perfect for lovers of The Inheritance Games and The Hunger Games, it gave me James Bond/Squid Games vibes but YA and I’m all here for it.

I really enjoyed that there was a romance element running through the story and I’m hoping there’s a book 2. The ending gave potential for more of the MCs story and honestly it left me wanting more.

I just finished this book and I enjoyed it. This book is a YA mystery crime story. It made me think of a mix between Hunger Games and Inheritance Games. This was a fast paced book with comedy, enemies to lovers and plot twists
Overall I give this book 3.5 stars

i didnt know what to expect with this but i was OBSESSED. i couldnt put it down and ill be recommending this to everyone!!!

4.25/5 stars! I really prefer this cover of the US cover. This book really works as a YA mystery story. It felt like a combination of Fourth Wing's competition, Hunger Games, and a comedy. I liked it a lot and it was ridiculously fast-paced. I want to see what comes next from this author.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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

Thieves’ Gambit is a rattling tightrope of a book. This is slick, sharp and stylish, becoming a book I cannot get out of my head.

Lewis’ writing is exceptionally evocative. It felt so visually stimulating and cinematic, playing with tropes around heist movies and stock characters precisely to trip you up and challenge your assumptions. For me, it was no surprise that this has been optioned for adaptation and I really hope I get to see it play out on screens. This rivalled Six of Crows and The Gilded Wolves for me in terms of heists. I just love reading this genre, because there are always so many rug-pulls and action-packed scenes. This reads as such a love letter to that genre. However, I found Lewis’ author letter so impactful, as there is so much truth in the lack of Black female protagonists within this genre. Ross is an absolute badass and icon within YA.

It is pacy and fast-moving, but allows enough time for you to fall head over heels for our central protagonist: Rosalyn Quest. She is driven, intelligent and passionate, wanting to protect her family at all costs. Lewis really evidenced that in-built sense of constant paranoia and needing to watch everything and everyone around you. The Quest name comes with a heavy burden of legacy and pressure, which weighs upon her. This and that paranoia has fundamentally shaped Rosalyn's life. However, as the twists and turns start flying at her and us, it leaves you questioning how much of that is warranted. In a world of liars, thieves and con artists, who can you really trust? 

If you are after slick, cinematic storytelling combined with a thrilling mystery plot and enough heists to feel like you are in a novel adaptation of Ocean’s Eleven, Lewis has that and so much more in this stand-out YA release. Thieves’ Gambit is a book you will find yourself obsessing over.

Ross is part of the infamous Quest family of thieves, Ross isn't sure this is the life she wants so plans to make a break. However, when a heist her and her mother are on go wrong, she has to join the secret Thieves Gambit competition to save her mum.

Her mothers first rule is trust no one, but Ross may have found some people in the Gambit that she thinks she can trust... or can she!

High octane story, with twist, turns and betrayals.... throughly enjoyed this book and after that ending... I cannot wait for the next one!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the chance to read and review this copy, which is out now!

I was invested the whole time.
Wondering where the story would go. Would she manage to save her mum and auntie.
This was constant action with the Gambit.
While this was fast paced and interesting. I don't think I will continue if there are any more books. I wasn't left wanting more of these characters of world.

A wild ride! I was not expecting it to be this good, just wow, it blew my mind!

I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and I couldn't stop turning the pages. The plot is fantastic and refreshing, and the style of writing just kept me glued to the pages. It's fast-paced, full of action, twists and turns that left me breathless. Also, I thought I knew how the story ended... I didn't, and I wasn't ready for it.

The characters are very well-developed and explored. Rosalyn, aka Ross, the protagonist, is a great character. I was rooting for her the whole time as she journey's through the deadly competition. I love her determination to win and to get that final win.

This YA heist thriller is fun, addictive, thoroughly entertaining, and highly unpredictable. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if it became a best seller. Can't wait for the next book!

Thieves Gambit was a roller coaster from start to finish and what an ending it was! If we don’t get a sequel I will be incredibly frustrated but lets not get ahead of ourselves. In Thieves Gambit we follow Rosalyn Quest. She might just be a normal seventeen-year-old if she hadn’t been raised by a legendary family of thieves with only one rule; trust no one. She plans to escape for a while and go her own way but when her mother is kidnapped Rosalyn has no choice but to enter and win the Thieves’ Gambit. The Gambit is a deadly competition for the world’s best thieves, where the victor is granted one wish. To win, she must outwit all of the backstabbing competitors including her childhood friend turned enemy. But will she be willing to take victory from the handsome boy who makes a play for her heart but might just be hiding the most dangerous secrets of all?

So full disclosure I love books and media about thieves. So I was already sure I would enjoy this but honestly I wasn’t prepared for how much. We have action, adventure and high octane heists tied with enemies to lovers to enemies(sort of) and so much more. The writing and pace fits this novel perfectly Kayvion Lewis manages to keep up the tension and suspense while allowing the characters moments to rest and develop. All of the characters are well developed and well rounded. While the story is of course Rosalyn's, we do get to see the others shine at certain moments as well.

I can’t go too far into the plot without spoiling it but I will say I did not expect the twists at the end. Obviously I was expecting something but the way Lewis revealed the twists was just top tier. if you enjoy high octane plots with heists this one's for you. If you enjoy movies like Ocean’s Eleven and Now You See Me this is one for you or if you just enjoy reading about thieves and the epic adventures they get into this is for you as well.

My students are going to love this, and the fact there is a movie coming will convince them even more. A fabulous new YA voice who I can't wait to hear more from.