Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Hyperion Book CH (2010), Edition: First Edition, 304 pages
Description
A group of teenagers uses their combined talents to re-steal several priceless paintings and save fifteen-year-old Kat Bishop's father, himself an international art thief, from a vengeful collector.
Media reviews
Booklist
This is a thoroughly enjoyable, cinema-ready adventure, and the details of thieving tools and techniques, lavish settings, and cast of eccentric characters, including possible spies and love interests, all add texture and depth to the action.
User reviews
LibraryThing member madamepince
An engaging heroine who's not cloying and boy crazy. Hope there's a sequel.
LibraryThing member thelittlebookworm
Three months ago, Katrina Bishop pulled off her greatest con and got herself a new life at a boarding school. But her old life has tracked her down. It seems her father is the number one suspect at the top of a one name list who is accused of stealing the priceless art collection of a very
Ally Carter has style. I'll give her that. Her writing style is so distinct to me that the minute I opened this book, I knew it was going to be great. Kat is like a reverse Cammie, having lived her whole life on the wrong side of the law. Her family is a family of the greatest thieves in the world and Kat was following along until she decided she wanted to be normal. The book picks up at the start of the action (thank God) when Kat is being expelled from the boarding school she conned her way into. From there, it's like Ocean's 11 with teenagers and it is awesome. I know that it was optioned for a movie, but it would make a great TV show too. I like crime shows where the criminal is sympathetic and I had to feel sorry for Kat. Stuck with doing an impossible job to save her father from a very bad man, she really does an awesome job. There was a bigger mystery set up too that wasn't really resolved and I can't wait to see what Carter has in store next for Kat and her crew.
The Little Bookworm
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dangerous man. It's up to Kat and her band of light fingered friends to find painting and save her dad. Even if the job is next to impossible.Ally Carter has style. I'll give her that. Her writing style is so distinct to me that the minute I opened this book, I knew it was going to be great. Kat is like a reverse Cammie, having lived her whole life on the wrong side of the law. Her family is a family of the greatest thieves in the world and Kat was following along until she decided she wanted to be normal. The book picks up at the start of the action (thank God) when Kat is being expelled from the boarding school she conned her way into. From there, it's like Ocean's 11 with teenagers and it is awesome. I know that it was optioned for a movie, but it would make a great TV show too. I like crime shows where the criminal is sympathetic and I had to feel sorry for Kat. Stuck with doing an impossible job to save her father from a very bad man, she really does an awesome job. There was a bigger mystery set up too that wasn't really resolved and I can't wait to see what Carter has in store next for Kat and her crew.
The Little Bookworm
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LibraryThing member kapar
I was weary before reading this because of the simple-minded writing style from the Gallagher Girls series by Carter. However, I am pleased to write that I was pleasantly surprised to read good structure with very few "weird" metaphors or cliches.
Story-wise, it was an excellent read. Very much like
Story-wise, it was an excellent read. Very much like
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the Ocean's (11/12/13) movies. Add a sprinkle of family troubles to the teenage master thief and you have a winner. Show Less
LibraryThing member storiesandsweeties
This was my first time reading Ally Carters work, and her reputation definitely preceded her. Luckily, I wasn't mislead by all the great word-of-mouth! Heist Society is a fun, super-fast-paced story with great, memorable characters, and a plot that has the nostalgia and class of the old original
Kat is a great character with a voice that is almost wholly formed by her family's way of life. With every thought, there is a pause to think of what her family would do in her situation, what they would say, although she is incredibly smart in her own right. She's carefully conned her way into a normal life at a normal school, but that all comes to a halt when her father is threatened. She's pulled back into the "family business" to try and save his life.
The pacing of this one is rocketed ever forward by a literal countdown that happens through the book. With every day that is counted down (3 days to Deadline, 2 days to Deadline, etc..) the tension builds as time runs out and Kat and her friends scramble to throw together a plan and pull off a heist that no one, especially not anyone their age, has dared before. I loved the progression of the characters, especially Gabrielle and Hale and their relationships with Kat. Absolutely loved the Bagshaw Brothers, I couldn't help but picture them as two of my other favorite twin mischief-makers, Fred and George Weasley. :)
This is a great story about family, trust, beauty, and bravery when things looks downright hopeless...I can't wait to see what happens next for Kat and her brilliant crew!
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Ocean's 11-style capers.Kat is a great character with a voice that is almost wholly formed by her family's way of life. With every thought, there is a pause to think of what her family would do in her situation, what they would say, although she is incredibly smart in her own right. She's carefully conned her way into a normal life at a normal school, but that all comes to a halt when her father is threatened. She's pulled back into the "family business" to try and save his life.
The pacing of this one is rocketed ever forward by a literal countdown that happens through the book. With every day that is counted down (3 days to Deadline, 2 days to Deadline, etc..) the tension builds as time runs out and Kat and her friends scramble to throw together a plan and pull off a heist that no one, especially not anyone their age, has dared before. I loved the progression of the characters, especially Gabrielle and Hale and their relationships with Kat. Absolutely loved the Bagshaw Brothers, I couldn't help but picture them as two of my other favorite twin mischief-makers, Fred and George Weasley. :)
This is a great story about family, trust, beauty, and bravery when things looks downright hopeless...I can't wait to see what happens next for Kat and her brilliant crew!
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LibraryThing member monsterofbooks
A thrilling, fun and easy read that by the end of it will have you eager for more. You literally can not put this down, it's to adventurous. This is a book that you will not regret picking up.
My favorite aspects of it were: the characters traveling all around Europe/United States in 13 days, a
Ally Carter knows how to write a very good and entertaining story. A novel that teaches the lesson of knowing the true value of home and family. This is the first of her books that I have read, and definitely will not be the last. She sets up the emotion, character development and plot/story line nicely. There isn't a single character I disliked, that includes Arturo ( the antagonist). Each individual (no matter how big or small a part they played) brought something unique to the story, from Hale (the rich guy, who is a bit of a player and whose first name we do not know) to Gregory Wainwright (a guy who would rather sleep all day, surrounded by the paintings in his museum, then deal with the stress of his job). Heist Society has a little bit of everything for everybody. From romance to mystery, action, undercover work and so on. It is impossible not to adore it.
The mystery of Visily Romani (the greatest thief ever lived), will have you guessing throughout the whole novel. And when the end comes, you'll be absolutely dying for more. Luckily Ally Carter is currently working on book 2 :)
Heist Society is an amazing book, but there were some things that I thought could of been more worked on. One of them was, some parts were very confusing. An example of this is the beginning, I got caught puzzled a few times and had to reread it to understand the situation. Another thing was Kat's description, there wasn't much of it. And it was hard to imagine her, I basically went off the cover model.
Over this book is a enjoyable, must read that I recommend to all. Another cool fact is this novel has been give the rights to Warner Brothers. Is anyone else as excited as I am for a movie version?
My favorite aspects of it were: the characters traveling all around Europe/United States in 13 days, a
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headstrong, independent female lead who strives for the opposite of most teens *normalcy*, witty dialogue and the thief/spy aspect of it.Ally Carter knows how to write a very good and entertaining story. A novel that teaches the lesson of knowing the true value of home and family. This is the first of her books that I have read, and definitely will not be the last. She sets up the emotion, character development and plot/story line nicely. There isn't a single character I disliked, that includes Arturo ( the antagonist). Each individual (no matter how big or small a part they played) brought something unique to the story, from Hale (the rich guy, who is a bit of a player and whose first name we do not know) to Gregory Wainwright (a guy who would rather sleep all day, surrounded by the paintings in his museum, then deal with the stress of his job). Heist Society has a little bit of everything for everybody. From romance to mystery, action, undercover work and so on. It is impossible not to adore it.
The mystery of Visily Romani (the greatest thief ever lived), will have you guessing throughout the whole novel. And when the end comes, you'll be absolutely dying for more. Luckily Ally Carter is currently working on book 2 :)
Heist Society is an amazing book, but there were some things that I thought could of been more worked on. One of them was, some parts were very confusing. An example of this is the beginning, I got caught puzzled a few times and had to reread it to understand the situation. Another thing was Kat's description, there wasn't much of it. And it was hard to imagine her, I basically went off the cover model.
Over this book is a enjoyable, must read that I recommend to all. Another cool fact is this novel has been give the rights to Warner Brothers. Is anyone else as excited as I am for a movie version?
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LibraryThing member 59Square
Merideth says: This is a great fast read. It reminded me of a really awesome heist movie, with all of the planning and gadgets. Kat is a great, if unwilling, mastermind, and her crew is full of colorful characters. Also interesting were the lessons about art history and the history of theft that
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Carter worked into the text. My only quibble was that I could have done without the three cornered romance, but that's just personal bias. This would be a great book for a mixed gender book discussion group, as it would be interesting to see how guys and girls respond to it differently. Show Less
LibraryThing member JRlibrary
Kat thinks she's left her life of crime behind when she decides she no longer wants to be an accomplice to the thievery that is a routine business in her family. Little does she know she's going to be forced back into the business. A very tough criminal suspects her father, and will kill him if his
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missing paintings are not returned. Kat is one of the few people who has a shot at finding the stolen paintings and getting them returned. I enjoy Carter's writing, but couldn't get into this one quite as easily as the Gallagher series. Still enjoyable, but for me, not as good as others. Show Less
LibraryThing member YAaddict
This is the first book I have read from Ms. Carter. I have heard from other reviews that Heist Society is like Oceans 11 with teenagers. That is a very good description. This was a fun, action packed read, with a little romance mixed in.
Kat was a character I really enjoyed. She was hoping to leave
The team of teens jetting around the world to do the crimes kept the story fast paced and fun. I loved seeing the scene change from country to country. I always find it interesting when the "bad guys" are the ones you are rooting for.
Some of the down points of the story, with the mixed in third party point of view, I was getting a little confused at times. I had to go back a few paragraphs sometimes to get a grasp at what was going on. I also thought a few of the characters came off a bit as corny and cliche at some points. But it wasn't too bad to keep me from enjoying the story.
Heist Society was a cute, fast paced read that kept me entertained the whole way through. It was a great start to the series. I will be reading the rest of this series, and I will be checking out Carter's other series that I have heard great things about. Carter has me as a reader with this one.
Kat was a character I really enjoyed. She was hoping to leave
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the crook life behind, but thanks to her family that didn't happen for her. I loved reading how her mind worked, how she would plan in her head exactly how she would do things. I also loved Hale. Kat and Hale were fantastic together. I loved watching their connection grow while on their mission. These two were definitely my favorite part of the story.The team of teens jetting around the world to do the crimes kept the story fast paced and fun. I loved seeing the scene change from country to country. I always find it interesting when the "bad guys" are the ones you are rooting for.
Some of the down points of the story, with the mixed in third party point of view, I was getting a little confused at times. I had to go back a few paragraphs sometimes to get a grasp at what was going on. I also thought a few of the characters came off a bit as corny and cliche at some points. But it wasn't too bad to keep me from enjoying the story.
Heist Society was a cute, fast paced read that kept me entertained the whole way through. It was a great start to the series. I will be reading the rest of this series, and I will be checking out Carter's other series that I have heard great things about. Carter has me as a reader with this one.
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LibraryThing member knitwit2
Great young adult book. The main character, Kat is a strong self-directed young woman. While she is part of a family of professional thieves, she has a remarkably well defined sense of right and wrong. She is very focused on the job at hand - great qualities! In this story Kat's father has been
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falsely accused of stealing valuable works of art and his life is in danger. Kat steps up and saves her father from some very bad characters. The book is populated with other fun teenage characters. Despite Kat's family's line of work she is a terrific role model. Young women need this type of role model - one that wont lose herself to a guy or a vampire! Show Less
LibraryThing member lucky11
Ally Carter has done it again. Her newest book "Heist Society" is about Kat, a teenage girl who has grown up in a family of thieves. Kat decides to try to leave the family business and have a normal teenage life at a boarding school, only to be sucked back in after her father was framed for a heist
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he did not do. Out of practice, Kat and her fellow thieves (family) have to resteal the unstealable. "Heist Society" was a quick read and hard to put down hopefully there will be more to come. Show Less
LibraryThing member wsquared
Kat Bishop grew up with a family of art thieves, but just wants to enjoy being a normal high school student for once. Her attempt at normalcy is short-lived, however, when the theft of a famous art collection is pegged on her father. Kat soon finds herself putting together a crack team of teen-aged
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thieves to pull off one last heist to clear her dad's name. This book is pure fun featuring a strong female lead and a great cast of supporting characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member ericajsc
Reading this book, images of To Catch a Thief and How to Steal a Million flashed through my head, and I’d easily place it among the ranks of those stories as a great caper tale. Not only is the action well-written and expertly paced, there are a number of times when I was surprised – nay,
Kat, as a character, is pretty relatable in my mind. She’s always been a part of a secret world, one in which she never had a place to call home, and she reached a point where she had to get out and carve her own place in the world. And although she grew up in a world of conmen (and conwomen), she places a high value on honesty. She’s intelligent, analytical, and brave, and her strength in the face of a fearsome foe drives the story forward. It doesn’t hurt to have the help of Hale and a few other members of the “family” on her side as she risks greatly in order to save her father from the clutches of a mobster bent on revenge. The fact that she doesn’t feel the need to be a lone ranger, that she knows she can’t solve the problem entirely on her own, makes me respect her a little bit more.
The interplay between Kat and Hale provides an ideal romantic subplot. It’s not at the forefront, but the attraction is obviously there throughout every moment of the story. Kat isn’t distracted by Hale, or made weak by his charm, though he has that in spades. Theirs is a relationship set to simmer, and it does it so well, achieved in meaningful looks and innocuous touches that linger just a bit too long to be truly platonic.
I’m sincerely hoping that we get another book with Kat and her crew, because there is so much more to this story. This book left me with tons of questions that I could try to answer on my own (and, let’s face it, I have), but I’d like to read it for myself. Like I said, this story had surprises in it, and I’d be more than happy to find out that my guesses as to what happens next are totally wrong.
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shocked! – at what happened next. If an author can manage to do that in a course of a story and maintain plausibility, I’m impressed.Kat, as a character, is pretty relatable in my mind. She’s always been a part of a secret world, one in which she never had a place to call home, and she reached a point where she had to get out and carve her own place in the world. And although she grew up in a world of conmen (and conwomen), she places a high value on honesty. She’s intelligent, analytical, and brave, and her strength in the face of a fearsome foe drives the story forward. It doesn’t hurt to have the help of Hale and a few other members of the “family” on her side as she risks greatly in order to save her father from the clutches of a mobster bent on revenge. The fact that she doesn’t feel the need to be a lone ranger, that she knows she can’t solve the problem entirely on her own, makes me respect her a little bit more.
The interplay between Kat and Hale provides an ideal romantic subplot. It’s not at the forefront, but the attraction is obviously there throughout every moment of the story. Kat isn’t distracted by Hale, or made weak by his charm, though he has that in spades. Theirs is a relationship set to simmer, and it does it so well, achieved in meaningful looks and innocuous touches that linger just a bit too long to be truly platonic.
I’m sincerely hoping that we get another book with Kat and her crew, because there is so much more to this story. This book left me with tons of questions that I could try to answer on my own (and, let’s face it, I have), but I’d like to read it for myself. Like I said, this story had surprises in it, and I’d be more than happy to find out that my guesses as to what happens next are totally wrong.
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LibraryThing member megerella
I was reluctent to start this book, but when I started reading this I was in love with Kat's world. The plot kept you wanting more. Ka't was smart and witty and she made you almost want to be a criminal . The story had a little spice of romance in it which made it all the more injoyable.All in all
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a great read Show Less
LibraryThing member book_worm127
Heist Society is a fast, fun read that transports you into the world of professional thieves: who are teenagers. I really enjoyed the concept, but some things just didn't really seem to click for me.
I thought that Carter could have gone deeper into the back-story. We know that Kat's father is a
I really liked Kat, she's a no nonsense type of girl who can really kick butt and hold her own against the bad guys. Hale was an intriguing character, but I don't think that I ever really got to know him. I didn't have much of a connection with the other supporting characters either, which is one of the things I like best about the Gallagher Girls series.
The plot was nicely paced and played out, and the whole book was very interesting, I guess I was just looking for more meat. Maybe I'll get those connections in the sequel(s), which I am looking forward to.
I thought that Carter could have gone deeper into the back-story. We know that Kat's father is a
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thief, we know that her uncle is too, but that's about all that we know about them. As well as Kat's mother. Some things I just didn't feel were fully explained, and I wanted to know more.I really liked Kat, she's a no nonsense type of girl who can really kick butt and hold her own against the bad guys. Hale was an intriguing character, but I don't think that I ever really got to know him. I didn't have much of a connection with the other supporting characters either, which is one of the things I like best about the Gallagher Girls series.
The plot was nicely paced and played out, and the whole book was very interesting, I guess I was just looking for more meat. Maybe I'll get those connections in the sequel(s), which I am looking forward to.
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LibraryThing member ShellyPYA
Kat has grown up in a family of thieves. Her parents and uncles have planned some of the biggest cons in history. When she tries to escape the life, she gets drawn back in by her friend Hale, who needs her to help find some paintings her father was accused of stealing. If she doesn't find them in
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time, he or someone close to her may lose their lives. So Kat gets her old circle of friends together to steal paintings from one of the most secure galleries in the world. Show Less
LibraryThing member elissajanine
This book was a fun and engaging caper that kept me turning the pages. It took me a while to get into it, but the writing is strong, and the pacing picks up quickly. A great read I'll recommend to my students!
LibraryThing member middlemedia2
Since I have read The Gallagher Girls series by Carter I thought I would read this book. This book added another series to my list of "to read books". Heist Society keeps you on your toes as they try to unravel the mystery of the art thief. I will defintely get my hands on the 2nd one when it comes
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out! Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwormygirl
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.
Now at 15, Kat is in the middle of the biggest con she has ever attemped... she's attending boarding
But all her dreams of normalcy are ripped away from her when she is framed as the perpetrator of a prank at school and eventually ends up expelled... their goes that dream. But even worse then getting expelled is the fact that her father has also been framed. If the 5 paintings that he is rumored to have stolen are not returned within the allotted he will suffer a greater punishment then just a mere expulsion.
It is up to Kat (who makes a deal with the evil man who owns said paintings) to return them even though her father did not commit the crime of stealing them. She rounds up her own crew to get the job done (including her Lolita-esque cousin who looks innocent and sweet with her mini skirts and high heels; the billionaire boy next door and the computer nerd that can hack into any system). But can a bunch of teens pull off an Ocean's 11 worthy heist or will their plans land them in the slammer?
This is fast-paced, full of unpredictable plot turns, danger, adventure, some great characters and a little romance sprinkled in for good measure. It really is just perfect.
I think the plot was just brilliant - I found it to be original and well-orchestrated, unbelievable at times, but that's what made it so great. Ms. Carter's writing style is witty, funny and she definitely has a way of connecting with the reader. I loved the various twists and turns that always had you on your toes. Who was Visily Romani? What happened to the paintings? Will these kids actually get away with this? Everything was a mystery and just when you thought you had it figured out, you'd be thrown for another loop.
I enjoyed Heist Society so much! I loved all the shenanigans that Kat and her ragtag crew have to go through. Ms. Carter made Kat such a strong young woman - she was the perfect female lead. Her crew brought the perfect amount of comedy and techy geekiness as well as the villain brought the perfect amount of villainy/creepiness.
Overall this is one that can be enjoyed by everyone no matter what the age. I can't wait to see where we will go to next.
Now at 15, Kat is in the middle of the biggest con she has ever attemped... she's attending boarding
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school (using a fake identity, course), but nonetheless, she has broken free of her family and their thieving ways and is striving to be a "normal" girl.But all her dreams of normalcy are ripped away from her when she is framed as the perpetrator of a prank at school and eventually ends up expelled... their goes that dream. But even worse then getting expelled is the fact that her father has also been framed. If the 5 paintings that he is rumored to have stolen are not returned within the allotted he will suffer a greater punishment then just a mere expulsion.
It is up to Kat (who makes a deal with the evil man who owns said paintings) to return them even though her father did not commit the crime of stealing them. She rounds up her own crew to get the job done (including her Lolita-esque cousin who looks innocent and sweet with her mini skirts and high heels; the billionaire boy next door and the computer nerd that can hack into any system). But can a bunch of teens pull off an Ocean's 11 worthy heist or will their plans land them in the slammer?
This is fast-paced, full of unpredictable plot turns, danger, adventure, some great characters and a little romance sprinkled in for good measure. It really is just perfect.
I think the plot was just brilliant - I found it to be original and well-orchestrated, unbelievable at times, but that's what made it so great. Ms. Carter's writing style is witty, funny and she definitely has a way of connecting with the reader. I loved the various twists and turns that always had you on your toes. Who was Visily Romani? What happened to the paintings? Will these kids actually get away with this? Everything was a mystery and just when you thought you had it figured out, you'd be thrown for another loop.
I enjoyed Heist Society so much! I loved all the shenanigans that Kat and her ragtag crew have to go through. Ms. Carter made Kat such a strong young woman - she was the perfect female lead. Her crew brought the perfect amount of comedy and techy geekiness as well as the villain brought the perfect amount of villainy/creepiness.
Overall this is one that can be enjoyed by everyone no matter what the age. I can't wait to see where we will go to next.
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LibraryThing member wordnerd213
HEIST SOCIETY follows the story of Katarina "Kat" Bishop, a fifteen-year-old girl who comes from a family of thieves. She's been helping her dad with heists for as long as she can remember, but now, Kat is walking away from a life of crime. She's conned her way into one of the country's best
When five valuable paintings go missing, Kat's dad is the entire suspect list. Interpol is watching him closely...and so is the man who the paintings belonged to, Arturo Taccone. Taccone is even more dangerous than Interpol, and if Kat is going to save her dad's life, she's going to have to do the craziest thing she's ever done. With a little help from her friends, she's going to have to steal the paintings back.
Kat is a wonderful character - as are Hale, Gabrielle, and the rest. (Hale has, in my mind, joined the ranks of Mr. Darcy, Sam Roth, Peeta Mellark, etc.) All of them are so real, the story is just so engaging, bits and pieces are laugh-out-loud funny and other bits have you sitting on the edge of your seat thinking "AHH!" I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.
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boarding schools, and she's done with thievery. At least, that's what she thought.When five valuable paintings go missing, Kat's dad is the entire suspect list. Interpol is watching him closely...and so is the man who the paintings belonged to, Arturo Taccone. Taccone is even more dangerous than Interpol, and if Kat is going to save her dad's life, she's going to have to do the craziest thing she's ever done. With a little help from her friends, she's going to have to steal the paintings back.
Kat is a wonderful character - as are Hale, Gabrielle, and the rest. (Hale has, in my mind, joined the ranks of Mr. Darcy, Sam Roth, Peeta Mellark, etc.) All of them are so real, the story is just so engaging, bits and pieces are laugh-out-loud funny and other bits have you sitting on the edge of your seat thinking "AHH!" I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.
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LibraryThing member Jac8604
I love heist films and reading this brought about a thrilling and fun energy reminiscent of such movies. Kat very much plays the straight-man (straight-woman? straight-girl?) to the colorful cast found in Heist Society. I found the locales, action and info fascinating. The pervasive wit was
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standout as well. My only issue here was how experienced and mature the teen thieves seemed. I understand that they occupy the very grown-up world of art thievery, but their wealth of experience and their jaded attitudes straddled the line of believability. It would have made more sense coming from people in their early 20s rather than their mid-teens. Still, it was a very fun read and I hope there's more from this group in the future since there were some threads left loose in the end that I'm most curious about. Show Less
LibraryThing member Shakina1996
I loved this book. I'm a fan of Ally Carter's books and this one is one of my favourites. It was an interesting start and than it got even better. There is a bit of romance, mystery and crime. I loved it and if you enjoyed her other books, you'll love this one.
LibraryThing member callmecayce
And intriguing and at times cute novel about a 15 year old spy. Kat wants to give up her life as a spy, she just wants to have a real teenage life. Except nothing quite works out. Carter's novel is fun and interesting, and perhaps her best so far.
LibraryThing member meggyweg
A sort of teen chick lit equivalent of Ocean's Eleven or that Leverage TV series. It was a nice, light, fluffy, cotton candy read -- that is, the kind I can only tolerate once in awhile. I don't think I'll read the sequel, but I liked this well enough, and so will any teen girl who likes light
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fluffy reads. Show Less
LibraryThing member RivkaBelle
This is totally not my normal read, but I saw it and decided to pick it up on a whim; the cover and title are fun, and the blurb on the bookflap suggested there might be something I'd at least like to the story. I was quickly whisked away on an adventure unlike any I've been on before. Sometimes
The story was surprising well-written. Fast-paced, with enough action and drama to keep me focused and interested, but not so much as to be overwhelming. Timing was key, because the main story takes place in just two weeks' time. Some of the travel that takes place seems a little far-fetched, but this is a far-fetched story set in a global world. This was definitely a glimpse into a world I can barely even imagine, but - surprisingly - enjoyed. May have to take a few more [reading] risks in the future ...
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taking risks pays off - whether they are simple, like reading something out of your ordinary, or huge risks that put your life and the lives of all those you love best at work, like Kat has to make in the story.The story was surprising well-written. Fast-paced, with enough action and drama to keep me focused and interested, but not so much as to be overwhelming. Timing was key, because the main story takes place in just two weeks' time. Some of the travel that takes place seems a little far-fetched, but this is a far-fetched story set in a global world. This was definitely a glimpse into a world I can barely even imagine, but - surprisingly - enjoyed. May have to take a few more [reading] risks in the future ...
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LibraryThing member Booklovingmommy
This was such a cute and totally fun book! It was a really easy read and as soon as I started I had to finish it! Seriously, I could not put it down!
Kat finally has a "normal" life. She stole her way into one of the most prestigious schools and is just trying to be your everyday, normal teenager.
Kat is picked up by her old friend Hale. He has a message for her. Her father is in trouble. It seems that he has stolen some very valuable art from a mobster and that mobster wants it back yesterday! Kat must find out if her father really did this and regardless of his guilt or innocence, she must rejoin the family "business" and get the art back!
I loved Kat. She was strong, smart, didn't let romance or her feelings get the best of her and was just all around awesome! I loved her attitude and the underlying romance between her and Hale. Kat was determined to make things right all the way around and I loved how she accomplished that.
I loved the boys! Hamish and Angus were just a bunch of goofballs. They knew what they had to do and did their job well but they also had fun. They kept things entertaining and fun throughout the book. They were a great comedy team.
Hale and Gabrielle and Simon were also great characters. Hale was smart, hot and always there for Kat. The romance between them is just beginning so I hope to see more of that in the next few books. Simon is the smarty pants of the group. Gabrielle was the beautiful drama queen and Kat's enemy. I enjoyed how they overcame their hostility toward each other though when things got serious.
The author made this book so vivid. I could actually see Simon in his "office" during the heist and actually laughed out loud. The description of Hale's mansion was perfect and I can also see Marcus very clearly. The book made me feel like I was right there. In fact, at the end, when everything goes down I was actually so tense that I couldn't sit still while reading.
There were a few things that I didn't really get like what Nick's character was really there for. He just seemed like he was kind of thrown in there and I thought the book could have easily gone on without him. The only thing he provided was another potential love interest for Kat and someone to make Hale jealous.
I would also have liked some more history on how exactly Kat got into Colgan (the private school) but that isn't a huge thing for me. The history surrounding the art could have had some more detail as well but all in all, it was a fun and light read. It has the perfect amount of romance, humor and action. I have already ordered the second book and can't wait for a third!
Kat finally has a "normal" life. She stole her way into one of the most prestigious schools and is just trying to be your everyday, normal teenager.
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We won't mention the fact that her family is full of thieves. Kat however is blamed for a prank played on the Headmaster and is soon kicked out. She soon finds out why.Kat is picked up by her old friend Hale. He has a message for her. Her father is in trouble. It seems that he has stolen some very valuable art from a mobster and that mobster wants it back yesterday! Kat must find out if her father really did this and regardless of his guilt or innocence, she must rejoin the family "business" and get the art back!
I loved Kat. She was strong, smart, didn't let romance or her feelings get the best of her and was just all around awesome! I loved her attitude and the underlying romance between her and Hale. Kat was determined to make things right all the way around and I loved how she accomplished that.
I loved the boys! Hamish and Angus were just a bunch of goofballs. They knew what they had to do and did their job well but they also had fun. They kept things entertaining and fun throughout the book. They were a great comedy team.
Hale and Gabrielle and Simon were also great characters. Hale was smart, hot and always there for Kat. The romance between them is just beginning so I hope to see more of that in the next few books. Simon is the smarty pants of the group. Gabrielle was the beautiful drama queen and Kat's enemy. I enjoyed how they overcame their hostility toward each other though when things got serious.
The author made this book so vivid. I could actually see Simon in his "office" during the heist and actually laughed out loud. The description of Hale's mansion was perfect and I can also see Marcus very clearly. The book made me feel like I was right there. In fact, at the end, when everything goes down I was actually so tense that I couldn't sit still while reading.
There were a few things that I didn't really get like what Nick's character was really there for. He just seemed like he was kind of thrown in there and I thought the book could have easily gone on without him. The only thing he provided was another potential love interest for Kat and someone to make Hale jealous.
I would also have liked some more history on how exactly Kat got into Colgan (the private school) but that isn't a huge thing for me. The history surrounding the art could have had some more detail as well but all in all, it was a fun and light read. It has the perfect amount of romance, humor and action. I have already ordered the second book and can't wait for a third!
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Awards
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2012)
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2013)
South Dakota Teen Choice Book Awards (Nominee — 2012)
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Nominee — 2013)
Florida Teens Read Award (Nominee — 2012)
The Flume: NH Teen Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2014)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Middle School — 2013)
Isinglass Teen Read Award (Nominee — 2012)
Rhode Island Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2012)
Texas Lone Star Reading List (2011)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2010-02-09
Physical description
8.25 inches
ISBN
1423116399 / 9781423116394