Monday, June 27, 2011

Review: Heist Society

Book: Heist Society
Author: Ally Carter
Release Date: February 9, 2010
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Pages: 287
Source: purchased from Chapters
Stars: 5/5
When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her to the Louvre...to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria...to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected.  

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster's art collection has been stolen, and he wants it returned. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat’s father isn’t just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.
For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it’s a spectacularly impossible job? She’s got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family’s (very crooked) history—and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

(summary taken from Goodreads)
MY THOUGHTS:

I adored this book!

Out of all the amazing things surrounding this novel, one thing I loved about Heist Society most was Kat, our whimsical heroine. She wasn't your average con artist, since she was always craving for a life other than one of stealing and lying.

But like a good con artist should be, she was still extremely smart, intuitive, hilarious, and unpredictable maybe more so than others, and that's saying something! Naturally, she made an excellent leader to a very hectic and diversified teenage crew.

To be completely honest, I don't think I hated any character in Heist Society. From Kat's ridiculous criminal family to the cool and charming Nick (swoon!) to Kat's best (boy?) friend Hale, I have to say I loved them all!

Hale, especially! My gosh, the way Ally Carter created the chemistry and obvious romantic tension between Kat and Hale blew my breath away! Too bad we never really figure out his first name. Maybe next time? ;)

The whole premise itself about conning being a family business was enough to hook me in. The excellent cast, writing, and carefully constructed details just made it all the more engaging. It left me guessing until the final page was turned, full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming!

I am super excited that this is a series! :) 

BUY or BORROW?: This is a bookshelf must-have! Buy it!

-Mimi

4 comments:

  1. This really is such a fun book, the first time I saw it sitting on the shelves, the girl on the cover reminded me so much of Audrey Hepburn that I had to pick it up and see what it was all about. Little did I know it would combine spy, comedy, and mysterious intrigue all in that order. So, yes loved the review, thank you for sharing. Loved the book as well. :)

    Suz @ A Soul Unsung

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  2. @soulunsung : Oh my gosh, I actually never saw that until now! I think the resemblance is mostly in the intensity of their stares and smiles ;)

    Aw, no problem! You're so sweet! x) I'm glad you liked it!

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  3. Oh I really want to read this one! I've heard such great reviews of this one, and I agree, the premise got me hooked! I love how Kat truly feels bad for what she does and how she's not like your typical con artist. I definitely can't wait to read this one, and the sequel sounds really good too! Awesome review!

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  4. @T.B. You should definitely read this one -- Ally Carter is an amazing author! In truth, all the teens in Kat's crew aren't exactly typical con artists ;)

    Thanks so much!

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