Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Hyperion

Pages: 304pgs

The Story

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.

The Review

This book was such a great conclusion to Ally Carter's Heist Society series and anyone who has read this series already will know how perfect it really is!

PERFECT SCOUNDRELS is the third and final book in the series, and brings back together all of our beloved characters from the previous books - including Kat, Hale, Gabrielle and the good old Bagshaw brothers. But unlike their other grand heist adventures, one of their own is the primary target of a very dangerous scheme, and Kat will do just about anything to put a stop to it as this target runs very close to her home and to her own heart as well. Hale that is.

For me this book had a very different tone compared to the other two installments of Heist Society and Uncommon Criminals. It was much darker and ran a little bit deeper into the personal side of things for each one of the characters involved, which I rather liked. I like it when other books in the series have that different tone about it, you know? It sets them apart. But the thing I really loved and enjoyed about this book - this time round at least - was the serious-like themes displayed throughout it - including family and friends, and the overall determination the characters were willing to go through in order to save those family and friends involved, so it was great to see those stake running a little bit higher now.

As always I found Kat was such a delightful, young main heroine. She was spunky for the most part - and really great at jokes - and yet it was also great to see a different side to her in this final book. One that isn't so confident and so calculated with pretty much . . . well . . . every situation that she throws herself into. It made her far more human to me instead of her always being the 'super heist girl' with no flaws. Because, at least in this book, our Kat became much more conflicted with her decisions and emotions, and she was much more insecure and less than confident in her heist-stealing plans, so it was really enjoyable to see her in that new, particular light.

While the other characters were super awesome in every super way possible (I'm talking to you Uncle Eddie cause you were awesome in this book), but the one character that I cared most about and the one character I hoped to love even more than I already did just . . . disappointed me on many levels. Hale. Hale. Hale. Yup, I'm talking about him. Mr. Hottie Hale. So, why am I disappointed with him? Well, much like with the different tone of the book, Hale for me, became an entirely different person (one I couldn't even recognize anymore) and Kat could clearly see this too. She feared she would lose him for good with this sudden 'change' and was willing to accept it too, which scared the hell out of me because I ship those two so hard. I know a lot of fans like me do too. Le sigh. My poor Hale. My poor Kat.

But, when you think back to the book and what happened, once you consider everything and the whole new Hale situation, it's not like I could blame this sudden change in him since he had just lost his beloved grandmother. The only person that really - and ever - cared about him so it's completely understandable for this new Hale. Death does change people - for better or for worse. But despite that, even though we do get to see flashes of the old Hale now and again, he was still different to me. Someone I didn't particularly like. So just when Kat began to finally recognize what a great guy Hale really is and finally got to be with him, this different Hale steps up and changes everything. This Hale - at least I found - did stupid things like push Kat away, break into offices without even thinking, and getting drunk for no reason. Yeah . . . he disappointed me on many levels but I still love him because he's well . . . our Hale. Kat's Hale. You have to love Hale despite his flaws no matter. I'm willing to forgive! Hehe.

Overall, PERFECT SCOUNDRELS had plenty of twists in it and it was a great conclusion to the series. One I'm actually proud to have read because you have no idea what's going to happen next to the characters which, I guess, is one of Ally Carter's best talents in writing. So if you have already read the Heist Society series or have not yet read the books quite yet, then be sure to read this series as soon as possible - and this book too - because it's a great one for any type of reader looking for a fast-paced adventure!

The Rating

4/5 stars

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Release Date: 21st June, 2011

Publisher: Hyperion

Pages: 298pgs

The Story

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 her own rules.

The Review

UNCOMMON CRIMINALS is the sequel to the bestseller Heist Society and you can read my book review of it here. Back a few months ago, I gave the first book a second try due to not finishing it in 2010 since nothing really captured me. But since re-reading it, everything has changed and now after reading the second book, I'm finally in love with this series or rather with its inital heist concept. Being a long-time fangal when it comes to thieves and heists, and even being a small fan of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls book series, I can definitely say the author has nailed this book! With this book reminding you a lot of Ocean's Eleven, there's no doubt in my mind that you'll enjoy this too.

In UNCOMMON CRIMINALS Katarina Bishop, the heroine and the well-known teenage thief - is asked by an elderly woman to retrieve back the Cleopatra Emerald that was stolen from her parents many years ago. With Kat known to love stealing things and returning lost treasures to their rightful owners, she immediately jumps at the chance. Problem is . . . the emerald hasn't been seen by anyone in almost thirty years and it's supposedly 'cursed'. But that's not going to stop Kat and soon her crew are back together and better than ever, to deal with this once-in-a-lifetime heist.

Personally I think the reason why I loved this sequel compared to its predecessor was the sub-plot of Cleopatra's Emerald. I found the idea itself - even the history behind the priceless object - was both intriguing and completely original. Plus it was a great direction for the continuation of the young adult series and the book needed that certain edge to it.

As for the characters themselves, they were way cooler than they were in Heist Society. With a team - or a 'crew' as they prefer to be called - of inspiring and creative teens including Kat, Hale, Gabrielle, Simon . . . they work fabulously together and compliment one another. They can do just about anything that they put their minds to. I mean pretty much anything. For the most part, the two characters I love and adore the most were Katarina (Kat) and Hale, who are probably the only characters I desperately want to get a scene together. In UNCOMMON CRIMINALS you will meet a whole new side to Kat and Hale's relationship and without too much of a spoiler . . . there is a 'kiss' scene that readers will be very happy about. But damn - I wish these two teenagers would go out already because it's bloody frustrating watching the chemistry sparks fly all around the room - especially in the middle of a heist.

Written with plenty of humour and clever wit, Ally Carter takes us for another exciting and fast-paced adventure. With Kat facing many difficult decisions - ones that could effect her relationships and even her life - readers will be begging for more cinematic-like adventures from her and will hope there's a third book in the works . . . because I desperately want to know what happens next with this one amazing crew of characters!

The Rating

5/5 stars

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Hyperion Books

Pages: 287pgs

The Story

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip 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 Kat back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has a good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. 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 history - and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

The Review

Okay here's a well-known fact about me - I love heist stories! Love them! But ages ago when I picked up this book on a whim at the library, I unfortunately never finished it because I was either 1) not in the mood or 2) because I wasn't all that interested in the first few chapters. So for this year when I eventually bought a cheap copy of the book, I decided to give it a second attempt due to the many raving reviews and as I flipped through the pages, I managed to finish it and now to my surprise I actually really liked it. It had a fun story, interesting characters and plenty of fun twists, and I could definitely picture this book becoming a movie and being a truly great one for teens. For those who've seen the film The Italian Job, then you'll going to love this book right here!

Unlike the classic tales of Robin Hood and Aladdin, Katarina Bishop - the main heroine of this snazzy story - is not just your stereotypical thief with a hidden agenda and a heart of gold. She's a thief with some sympathy, a thief with a loving family, and a thief with a very, very complicated lifestyle. What can I say? I'm a huge fan of the thief life and the saying of being "in the family business", which is always a great twist for any storyline. I admit, some of the heist activities featured were a little unrealistic at times and some of the events weren't clearly explained like I wanted them to, but neither of these things bothered me all too much. Everything was a bag full of tricks and I love the story for it!

While the storyline was part of the reason why I liked the book but for me the character's were the strongest point. I loved Kat's sassy, self-assured and confident side, and I can see why a lot of readers liked her so much as the main character and why they could connect with her instantly. In this case of loving this particular character, I'm quite glad that I gave this book another go and got the chance to meet Katarina herself. As for Katarina's co-conspirator, Hale, he had amazing chemisty with Kat and he too had some sexy personality hidden underneath his belt. I loved the way he always tried to understand Kat for who she is and I loved how he complemented her so, so well. Also, it's a plus to know there's a mystery behind Hale's first name, which is a really nice touch for Ally Carter's writing. And I'm dying to know what that name is like everyone else!

With an intriguing fast-paced story, plenty of interesting locations including the stylish streets of Paris all the way to the likes of the crazy Las Vegas, Ally Carter paints a vivid picture of places where a lot of young readers would only dream of. And she did it with awesomeness. Overall this was a fun, quick and an easy-to-read book with a variety of elements to satisfy any sort of readers.

The Rating

4/5 stars