Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis

Pages: 368 

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's UK 

Released: 4th of October 2023 

Winner takes all: a cutthroat competition for the world’s best thief and the girl who must beat the odds to save her parents’ lives. 

Rosalyn Quest was raised by a legendary family of thieves with one rule: trust no one. Trapped in a glamorous world of riches and double-crosses, she is about to escape the family business when her parents are kidnapped.  Her only chance to save them is to win the Thieves’ Gambit – a deadly competition for the world’s up-and-coming thieves, where the victor is granted one wish.  To win, she must outwit all of her backstabbing competitors, including her archnemesis. But can she take victory from the handsome, charming boy who makes a play for her heart? The one who might be hiding the most dangerous secret of all?

The most highly-anticipated YA launch of the year from Kayvion Lewis and soon to be a major movie, are you ready to join the Thieves' Gambit?

What I Have to Say 

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. 

5 stars 

My thanks goes to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with this gifted copy for review. 

Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong

Pages: 384 

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton 

Released: 25th of July 2023 

#1 New York Times bestselling YA author Chloe Gong’s adult epic fantasy debut, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.

Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches.

Princess Calla Tuoleimi lurks in hiding. Five years ago, a massacre killed her parents and left the palace of Er empty…and she was the one who did it. Before King Kasa’s forces in San can catch her, she plans to finish the job and bring down the monarchy. Her reclusive uncle always greets the victor of the games, so if she wins, she gets her opportunity at last to kill him.

Enter Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat. His childhood love has lain in a coma since they were both ousted from the palace, and he’s deep in debt trying to keep her alive. Thankfully, he’s one of the best jumpers in the kingdom, flitting from body to body at will. His last chance at saving her is entering the games and winning.

Calla finds both an unexpected alliance with Anton and help from King Kasa’s adopted son, August, who wants to mend Talin’s ills. But the three of them have very different goals, even as Calla and Anton’s partnership spirals into something all-consuming. Before the games close, Calla must decide what she’s playing for—her lover or her kingdom.

What I Have to Say 

Another great read from Chloe Gong! While I didn't love it quite as much as Foul Lady Fortune, I still enjoyed it immensely. It was interesting to explore a new world with new magic. The descriptions of SanEr were so evocative that I could really imagine the close buildings and cramped streets. 

The body jumping made it really interesting. While I cringed a little from the different rules of consent, it made it so much darker and more interesting. I almost wish we could have had the viewpoint of one of the characters who had to deal with their body being hijacked and what they would do to protect themselves, because I think that would have been an interesting perspective. 

The characters were really strong unusually for me, I actually got quite caught up in the romance. It was an interesting enemies-to-allies-to lovers type romance that was refreshing to read. It was good to get an enemies-to-lovers where the characters weren't of completely opposing viewpoints, because that has become really common lately. 

All around this was a great book. Strong plot, strong characters, a strong setting and an ending to make you desperate for the next book. I can't wait. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Hodder & Stoughton as well as Netgalley for providing me with this gifted copy for review. 

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

Pages: 523

Publisher: Orbit Books 

Released: 18th of July 2023 

Ten years ago, the kingdom of Jasad burned. Its magic outlawed; its royal family murdered down to the last child. At least, that’s what Sylvia wants people to believe.

The lost Heir of Jasad, Sylvia never wants to be found. She can’t think about how Nizahl’s armies laid waste to her kingdom and continue to hunt its people—not if she wants to stay alive. But when Arin, the Nizahl Heir, tracks a group of Jasadi rebels to her village, staying one step ahead of death gets trickier.

In a moment of anger Sylvia’s magic is exposed, capturing Arin’s attention. Now, to save her life, Sylvia will have to make a deal with her greatest enemy. If she helps him lure the rebels, she’ll escape persecution.

A deadly game begins. Sylvia can’t let Arin discover her identity even as hatred shifts into something more. Soon, Sylvia will have to choose between the life she wants and the one she left behind. The scorched kingdom is rising, and it needs a queen.

In this Egyptian-inspired debut fantasy, a fugitive queen strikes a deadly bargain with her greatest enemy and finds herself embroiled in a complex game that could resurrect her scorched kingdom or leave it in ashes forever.

What I Have to Say 

This book was very much not for me. It was slow, I hated the main character and the romance really creeped me out. I just don't think that there should be romance between an oppressor and the oppressed. I just couldn't get it out of my head that he was trying to wipe out her entire country.  Others may disagree but I don't think genocide has a place in romance. 

I did like the setting though. Though I kept getting a couple of the kingdoms confused because of their very similar names, it was interesting to explore each of the kingdoms through the different challenges of the contest. 

I also liked how challenging it was for her to use magic. The presence of the cuffs really changed things up. 

It ended in an interesting way, but I have no desire to read on with this series. 

2 stars 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Orbit Books for providing me with this copy for review.