Thieves' Gambit

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The novel blends the high-stakes action of a heist thriller with the personal conflicts of a coming-of-age story. Did you find this blend effective? How did the fast-paced heists balance with Ross’s internal journey for you?

2. What was your reaction to the final scene, where Ross is forced into a contract with the organization? Did this ending feel like a satisfying conclusion or more like a setup for the sequel, Heist Royale?

3. How did you feel about the competitive “Gambit” structure of the book? If you’ve read other YA series centered on elite competitions, like Ally Carter’s Heist Society series, how did this one compare in its execution and stakes? Did the game-like format enhance or detract from the story’s emotional weight for you?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Ross is torn between her desire for a normal life and the immense weight of her family’s legacy. Think about a time you’ve felt pressure from family or societal expectations. How did you navigate the balance between your own desires and the duties you felt you owed to others?

2. Which of the competitors did you identify with the most, and what was it about their motivations or personality that resonated with you? Was it Ross’s desire for freedom, Noelia’s ambition, Devroe’s quest for revenge, or perhaps Mylo’s use of danger as a distraction?

3. The Quest family mantra is to trust no one outside the family, a rule Ross must constantly re-evaluate. When have you found it challenging to know who to trust?

4. Auntie Jaya acts as a confidante for Ross, offering a different perspective than her mother. Who in your own life has served as an important mentor or sounding board, and how has their guidance helped you see things differently?

5. Devroe uses charm and social manipulation as his primary tools. What non-physical skills do you think are most powerful in navigating difficult social situations?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The story is set against a backdrop of glamorous, international locations, from Kenya to France to Egypt. How did this globetrotting adventure shape your experience of the novel, and what do you think it says about wealth and power in our world?

2. What does the novel suggest about the nature of powerful, secret organizations like the one that runs the Gambit? These groups operate outside the law, manipulating events for their own purposes. Where do you see parallels to this kind of influence in our real world, whether in corporations, governments, or other institutions?

3. The guide mentions cinematic influences like the Ocean’s Eleven films. In what ways does Thieves’ Gambit adopt or subvert the tropes of a classic heist story? How does centering the narrative on a Black teenage girl change the dynamics of this traditionally male-dominated genre?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Why do you think the author chose to include the symbol of the custom kicks with painted soles for both Ross and Noelia?

2. Ross’s meteor bracelet is first presented as a symbol of her Quest identity but is later modified by Devroe. How does this object’s transformation mirror Ross’s own character development and her shifting allegiances throughout the story?

3. How does the recurring motif of doors, exits, and locks function throughout the narrative? Does it represent Ross’s search for freedom, or does it ultimately reinforce the idea that every escape leads to another form of confinement?

4. The final phase of the Gambit shifts from stealing objects to kidnapping a person, a task Ross finds morally horrifying. What is the significance of this escalation, and what does it reveal about the true nature of the competition and its organizers?

5. Rhiannon Quest is revealed to be the story’s true antagonist, manipulating her daughter with a fake kidnapping. What clues, if any, did you notice throughout the novel that hinted at her deception before the final reveal?

6. Consider the dynamic between Ross, Devroe, and Noelia. In what ways do these three characters act as foils for one another, highlighting different aspects of navigating family legacy and the pressures of their world?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The Thieves’ Gambit competition is structured in a series of high-stakes phases. If you were one of the organizers, what would you design as the next challenge for Ross and Devroe’s first assignment under their new contract?

2. Imagine you are Auntie Jaya writing a letter to Ross a month after the events of the book. What advice or warnings would you give her about her new partnership with Devroe?

3. Each thief in the Gambit has a signature style or tool, like Ross’s meteor bracelet or Mylo’s metal-cutting pen. If you were a competitor, what would your unique skill or gadget be, and what would it symbolize about your character?