Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society#3)- Ally CarterGrade: YA
Rating: 5/5 stars
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. (Description from Goodreads)
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Since the moment I was first introduced to Ally Carter, I’ve been in love. Spies, thieves, mysteries, adventures – she has a way of creating something amazing from a band of teenagers who you normally wouldn’t expect to be so incredible. But never underestimate a crafty teen! ‘Perfect Scoundrels’ sees us heading back into the dangers of planning – and pulling off – the perfect heist. But this time there’s more at stake than just a stranger’s most valuable possessions. This time family, love and loss might just make the perfect impossible.
We all know there’s a bit of a mystery surrounding W.W. Hale the Fifth - a wealthy young teenage boy, who lucked onto a good thing the night Katarina Bishop introduced him to her life of crime; but luck’s not always on his side when an unfortunate occurrence happens to shake up his past life. And we finally get to see more of the Hale side of things. It was strange seeing this different Hale. And yes, we get a chance to hear more of his super secret name. We’ve experienced Hale only from Kat’s side, without the family pressures - without a family, except for the one he made for himself within Kat’s own crazy family. And then to discover his other world may be about to crumble if Kat can’t stop his fortune from being conned away from him - it's all very tense. We see a mix of a tough and broken Hale throughout this book, and it’s both emotional and crushing.
What I love most about the Heist Society series is how inclusive it is. This is not a series about one character fighting for themselves with a random best friend on the side. No, this series is a collective, a story that wouldn’t be what it is without an incredible bunch of friends and family, working together as a whole. (You might think you know another series like that and you’d be right, but it is Gallagher Girls, so we can all agree Ally Carter is awesome in the way she writes) ‘Perfect Scoundrels’ is no exception to this. Kat draws on her family and closest friends to help keep Hale sane. I love seeing the interaction between Kat and her friends, the experiences they draw on and the way they never feel like that have to do something alone; there’s always someone to lend a helping hand. Or in this case, a lot of someones. Family is definitely a big part of the book, from both Kat and Hale’s side of society. But if there was any doubt before, by the end of the book you know you want to be in Kat’s family. Hale’s filthy rich and selfish relations don’t get any of my sympathy for being thrown into a con - although Hale’s friends do. But sometimes it’s not about blood; it’s about making your own family.
For people who haven’t been too focused on relationships in the past, there are a lot of mentions about Kat and Hale being boyfriend and girlfriend in ‘Perfect Scoundrels’ – A thought that makes me incredibly happy. But it’s not all smooth sailing for the happy couple. I usually love a bit of romance in my stories, just a little something to get the heart pumping. But if you’re a long time Ally Carter fan, you’ll know her stories are more action-adventure-mystery based. And I don’t mind that one bit. Ally doesn’t need a heap of steamy scenes to make you swoon. A brief kiss in a closet sends shivers down my spine and leaves me smiling for days after. Just knowing a couple are together and want each other is enough for me.
I noticed there was a bit of a pattern change when it came to how the story was told. Still in third person and still with an amazing flow, but we don’t see as much of other people as we have in the past. The focus is nearly entirely on Kat. In the past, when the con is being performed, we would have been in the mind of so many characters – the managers and assistants and staff that are being fooled, or even just seeing the scene from Gabrielle, Hamish or Angus’s POVs. Maybe it’s because the con was so close to home, being Hale’s, but I missed seeing the action fall into place with all the other views. But at the same time, a few twists towards the end of the book wouldn’t have had the same effect from another person’s eyes. Kat has a view like no-one else.
Another amazing Heist book that had me grinning, crying and wrapped up on an epic journey. Well done Ally Carter!
5/5 stars
Kim
(Originally posted on Goodreads)
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