BOOK BLURB: Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)

PERFECT SCOUNDRELS (Heist Society #3)

Author: Ally Carter

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

Number of Pages: 328

Date Published: February 5, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary / Mystery

Goodreads:

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting--or stealing--whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the heir--this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy.

*** 

My Thoughts:
(Date Read: February 19, 2013)

“I sincerely love that whenever anything is stolen anywhere in the world, YA readers think of me.”

That is one of the statuses Ally Carter posted on her Facebook page just a day or two after the Diamond Heist in Brussels. And I couldn't help but agree with it and say, “Yes, I do that too.” Why? Because Ally Carter has wrapped her readers around her finger. She has that ability to create a world where you want to be in.

BOOK BLURB: Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story (Heist Society #2.5, Gallagher Girls #5.5)

DOUBLE CROSSED: A Spies and Thieves Story

Author: Ally Carter

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Number of Pages: 60

Date Published: January 22, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary / Mystery

Goodreads:

Macey McHenry—Glamorous society girl or spy-in-training?

W.W. Hale V—Heir to an American dynasty or master thief?

There are two sides to every coin. Whether these two can work together is a tossup.

Born into privilege, Macey and Hale are experts at mingling with the upper class. But even if they’ve never raised an eyebrow at the glitz, neither teenager has ever felt at home with the glamour.

When Macey and Hale meet at a society gala, the party takes a dangerous turn. Suddenly they’re at the center of a hostage situation, and it’s up to them to stop the thugs from becoming hostile. Will Macey’s spy skills and Hale’s con-man ways be enough to outsmart a ruthless gang? Or will they have to seek out the ultimate inside girl to help?

The worlds of Heist Society and the Gallagher Girls collide in Ally Carter’s fast-paced, high-stakes and tantalizing new story. Get a behind the scenes glimpse as Ally delivers an irresistible thriller that is full of her signature style and savvy twists.

*** 

My Thoughts:
(Date Read: February 16, 2013)

What would happen if some of the well-loved characters from two of your favorite series meet? Well, Ally Carter’s Double Crossed would happen. A short yet satisfying novella about the high society lives of Macy McHenry and W. W. Hale V, plus a bit of Abby Cameron and Katarina Bishop.

BOOK BLURB: Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society #2)

UNCOMMON CRIMINALS (Heist Society #2)

Author: Ally Carter

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Number of Pages: 298

Date Published: June 21, 2011

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary / Mystery

Goodreads:

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners. 

There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long, and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous and that is simply… the emerald is cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all she has her best friend—the gorgeous Hale—and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses, realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.

Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

*** 

My Thoughts:
(Date Read: January 3, 2013)

Even though I still like the Gallagher Girls series better than Heist Society, I think the latter series has great potential to reach GG's level on my list. What can I say? Ally Carter has a way of making readers love her stories and her characters. I know I'm really starting to like the Heist series, and I definitely enjoyed reading Uncommon Criminals.

Ally Carter, as usual, was able to put in a bit of action, a pinch of humor, a subtle yet very satisfying romance, friendship and family drama into one helluva-book about thieves! *clap clap* I don't know how she does it. Maybe she's a really a Gallagher Girl, or she's secretly stealing paintings from Henley. But seriously, her books are awesome!

So... Uncommon Criminals. Here, Kat struggles with a lot of things - her own issues, her family, the heist-gone-wrong, and HALE! Kat and Hale's relationship is really interesting, even though there aren't sooo much sweet talks and smooching. It was subtle, but very satisfying. Aside from that, one of the great things I love about Ally's books is there is always something about families.

February 2016 Update: This 2012 review has been somewhat updated to suit the format and the layout of the blog. No major change has been made with my review. The thought, and most of the words I used back when I wrote this review is still the same. Only some minor editing, like deleting unnecessary words, phrases, expressions and emoticons.