The Situation: It has been six months since Ross Quest was betrayed by someone she foolishly let herself trust. Determined to not make the same mistake again, Ross has been doing her best to complete jobs for the Organization, and alongside the very person she would prefer would simply disappear from her life. But not only is Devroe Kenzie more present than ever, but he also will not stop with the relentless flirting, even though he still holds the lives of everyone in Ross' family in his hands. Yeah, it's confusing. And with a battle for control of the Organization emerging, Ross finds herself in another Gambit, but perhaps with a new plan to protect her family.
The Problem: If there was anything Ross learned from the first Gambit, it was that a Quest can only ever trust another Quest...and sometimes even that is not true. But as she and her team travel from Antarctica, to Monte Carlo, and to South Africa, Ross has to allow herself to trust former teammates, former enemies, and perhaps most difficult of all, her own mother. Ross is certainly good at what she does - she would not have been a participant in the Gambit if that was not the case. But it is clear that her mother is a legend, and with every decision and small mistake, Ross cannot help but compare herself, while also resenting the desire to do so. In order to win this second Gambit, and save her own life, Ross will have to draw on every secret and skill she has, and maybe even trust someone.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book set in different locations all over the world. There's a concert venue in Brazil; a casino in Monte Carlo, and even a lab facility in Antarctica. Much like the first book, this one details high risk but high reward schemes being carried out by people who have been pulling incredible heists their entire lives. Some are good at swiping objects; others do better with rigging and hacking technology; while still others prosper inside of a casino setting. And while security guards and cameras may pick up on criminal activity, what they will not see are the tense relationships and betrayals going on in the background, as well as what is really at stake should a heist not go as planned.
My Verdict: I remember how fast-paced the first book was, and this one certainly follows suit with high energy movement and pacing as the group of skilled thieves make their way around the globe in an attempt to win this new challenge. Several chapters may be spent in one location, but there is so much going, and so much to pay attention to when a heist is in progress. And then there are the characters and their complicated relationships to keep track of. Characters from the previous book will show up - a few will even be unexpected - but it all works to bring together a clear conclusion to what happened before. Sometimes confusing, but never boring, adventure lovers will have a fun time with this one.
Favorite Moment: There is a point when Ross finally has a conversation with her mother that is sorely needed.
Favorite Character: I picked Kyung-soon last time and I am doing so again. The South Korean is still an expert at swiping expensive items and goods, but she is also a master planner who comes in clutch at the last minute.
Recommended Reading: Anything by Karen M. McManus would work, my favorite of which has been The Cousins.
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