Review: Heist Society by Ally Carter

Title: Heist Society

Author: Ally Carter
Genre/Audience: Young adult, fiction, adventure, mystery
Publication: 2010
Source: Library

Heist Society was a friggin' blast.

I was a bit hesitant going into it, because I'm not typically one for action/adventure, in my movies or books, but wow, was I surprised to find myself really enjoying it!

Katarina Bishop comes from a long line of career criminals. Her family's business is that of thievery and conning... but don't worry, you'll like them! Despite being master manipulators and con artists, Kat and her family are quite likable. Kat recently conned her way into an elite boarding school, with hopes of escaping the "family business," but just a short while into her stay, has been taken out by her friend, Hale, in order to save her father. He's been accused of stealing a priceless art collection from a dangerous man who demands they be returned in two weeks time. The problem is, her dad didn't steal them, and doesn't know where they are. In order to save him, Kat puts together a team of other teen con artists to find the paintings and steal them back. The job seems impossible, but Kat is determined to save her father.

This book was kind of like a fantasy world. No, I don't aspire to be a thief or criminal, but I loved the jet-setting all over the country that Kat did, and the camaraderie she had with her co-conspirators. In other words, the story didn't necessarily seem realistic, but it sure seemed fun! This book was pure entertainment and adventure, an escape from reality, with a nagging question full of suspense: will they recover the paintings in time without getting caught? I also enjoyed the air of mystery surrounding the original thief of the paintings, the enigmatic "Visily Romani."

I'd highly recommend this for all YA readers looking for something a little different - particularly fans of adventure, mystery, and intrigue. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series, Uncommon Criminals.

My Rating: 4/5