A new novel by Kayvion Lewis, (Simon & Schuster, October 24, 2023)

Seventeen-year-old Roslyn (Ross) Quest hails from a family of high-end professional thieves, and has been groomed since birth to follow in their footsteps. Although amazingly proficient at her job, her dream is to attend university and train as a gymnast. All too soon, her meticulous plans are thwarted when a rival faction kidnaps her mother. Ross’s only chance of saving her is to compete against eight equally-proficient teens in the Thieves’ Gambit, a notorious competition where murder is a permissible strategy to win. To complicate things even further, Ross has been taught to trust no one outside of her family, but when the handsome Devroe offers the affection and support she deserves, what is she to do?

This is a fast-paced read about heists that are as much fun as thrilling; and who doesn’t love heists? I cared about the characters from the start, and continued to be emotionally invested in their successes and failures, especially when they face choices that go against everything their parents have taught them. As the competition progresses, and the heists become more and more complicated, the tension ramps up, and the teens must try to cooperate with each other, while at the same time, both predict and take advantage of the probability of betrayals. When lives are at stake and morality enters the mix, which will win: nature or nurture? Needless to say, every adult in this entire novel is beneath contempt for forcing teenagers into situations that encourage physical and emotional abuse.

Social commentary aside, if you love heists and lots of action that keeps you guessing, along with a group of teens who are audaciously resourceful, this YA novel is for you. Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sending this book for review consideration.

More details at this link:

https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Thieves-Gambit/Kayvion-Lewis/9781398522121