A few weeks ago Ally Carter came to St. Louis on tour. It was a Saturday night, but we don’t get many author visits here, so I told my husband he was in charge for the evening and went to hear her speak. I have never seen so many teenage girls squeeing over an author! The purpose of the tour was to promote PERFECT SCOUNDRELS, but the fans were clearly there for her Gallagher Girls series. And since the last book in the series is coming up, they had a lot of questions. Of course, Ally Carter was careful not to give too much away :).
I was so impressed with Ally Carter. She was quite funny and did a great job turning the questions around to include the other author, who was promoting her second book and so doesn’t have as large of a fan base yet. (I’ll have a post about her later.) I chose my seat poorly and had to wait almost an hour to get this book signed, but I did it for all of you, so I could give away a signed copy of PERFECT SCOUNDRELS. Why would I give it up, you ask? Because I’m a paperback girl, and this book is a hardback. In hindsight, I should have bought one of the earlier books in paperback to get signed, too. Oh well, my loss, your gain.
So, on to the blurb and review. If you haven’t read the first two books in this series, you may want to stop reading now as there is a minor spoiler in the description, although these books each stand alone pretty well.
Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the Fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of lovable 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.
And here are the five things I loved most:
1. The premise – It’s Ocean’s Eleven with teenagers, with Kat Bishop as Billy Ocean. Need I say more? I should? Ok, well, the heist is brilliant. Ally Carter sets it up so well. She shows you most of what’s happening, but leaves part of the reveal for the end so you end up saying, “Oh. Of course.”
2. The twist on the premise – So there’s one important way Kat is different from Billy Ocean. She doesn’t steal for her own gain. She’s more like Robin Hood, stealing back things for their rightful owners. It makes me care about her in a way I wouldn’t with a character stealing for selfish reasons.
3. The ticking clock – Ally Carter keeps the time frame front and center with headers like “One Day After Hale Left Kat Hanging (Literally)” or “5 Days Before the Gala.” Obviously there’s something important that has to happen before the Gala, and she makes sure the reader knows how much time is left.
4. The surprises – I alluded to this in the first point, but Ally Carter does twists so well, in the overall novel but also within scenes. I often feel surprised while I’m reading and that’s a nice thing. Like in the opening chapter, when you think Kat and Hale are on a fancy date, but really they’re … well, I’m not going to tell you.
5. The family – I love how this book focuses on family and what it really means. Sometimes the people who share your DNA aren’t the ones who are there for you when you need them.
The good news is, if you love this series, it’s not over! Ally Carter said she doesn’t know how many there will be, but more Heist Society books are coming.
So, on to the giveaway. It’s open to anyone in the U.S. or Canada. To enter, just leave a comment below before noon next Friday, March 15. It’s that easy. I’ll announce the winner then.
Good luck!
Note: This giveaway has ended.
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Ooh, count me in! I LOVE this series! (And thanks for another great giveaway!)
Pick me, pick me! I love Ally and I really need to get into this series. (I’m a Gallagher Girl at heart, but read the novella that ties into the two series and fell in love).
You have just made me want to read Ally Carter’s Perfect Scoundrels even more than before. I just love all the plot twists and the characters in this series.
Thank you for the awesome giveaway!!! =)
Yay! I am a huge Ally Carter fan … both of her series!!! I don’t have Perfect Scoundrels yet, and must read it! It’s so cool that you’re giving away a SIGNED copy! Truly awesome!!!
Ally Carter has been on my TBR wish-list forever. I absolutely love the set-up for this series. Wah! I need more reading time! And more books, apparently. 😉 I’ll have to see if my library has the first two books. You’ve given me a new mission. LOL.
Great giveaway!! I love the Heist Society books. I’m a huge fan of Ocean’s 11 so this series really sang to me!! Glad to hear they keep geting better and better 🙂
Count me in! I’m intrigued by this juicy premise! Thanks ~Gwen
Great giveaway! I love this series so much!
My friend got me hooked on Gallagher Girls and then I read Heist Society, and I think I like Heist Society even more than Gallagher Girls, if that’s possible!
Oh my gosh! I would absolutley adore getting a hard copy of “Perfect Scoundrel”! Unfortunatly the massive snow storm stopped me from going to meet Aly in Toronto.
Such an exciting giveaway! I’m a huge fan of the Heist Society and Gallagher Girls series. Can’t wait to read this new one! 😀
I absolutely love this series!
Any and all things Ally Carter, I’m obsessed with. I’m a Gallagher Girl at heart, but I’m also kind of in love with Hale, because, well, he’s Hale. Thanks for this awesome giveaway!
I plan on reading all of the Gallagher Girls series in one go once the last one is out. I absolutely LOVE the Heist Society series and am glad there is more planned. I really love the family aspect of the series too. A family that heists together stays together.
Thank you for the giveaway!
I would love to get an autographed book from ally carter!!!! She is my favorite author and I love all of her hooks. She shows the teenage girls as strong I.dependt young women and that helps me as a teenager. I would love to win this giveaway!!!
I am SO glad that there are more Heist Society books coming! I love this series and I was sad when I thought this was the end.
Thanks!
Love your five point breakdown of what worked about the book. 😀 Thank you for the giveaway!
One word: Hale. #iwantin
Just finished this book last night, and I second all of your opinions. I actually prefer the Heist books over the Gallagher ones, but that’s probably because I’m a huge fan of the TV series Leverage, and there are a ton of parallels there. I love that Ally can introduce characters for such a minimal amount of her pages, and still paint such a clear picture of them too. Exciting that you got to attend one of her tour stops!
I would love to get a copy!!! I have read all of her books and am so excited that she has a new one out!!
I love Ally’s intricate plots. I haven’t read Perfect Scoundrels yet but I’ve been dying to! Especially after reading this post, it’s got me anxious.
I usually make a habit of waiting till summer to read each new Heist book, but I might just make an exception for this one 🙂
Without ally carters books I don’t know what I would read! I have been asking for this book since it came out. Me Me Me 🙂
I’ve been following Ally Carter’s books since she first published ITYILY years ago, and the Heist Society books are a great extension of her writing! I’d love to get a signed copy 🙂
I’d love this copy! I live in the Pacific Northwest and Ally doesn’t come here on her tours because it’s out of the way. Because of that, there’s very little chance that I could meet her and get an autographed copy that way, so I’d absolutely love to win the signed book. Plus, Perfect Scoundrels was INCREDIBLE, so who wouldn’t want a signed copy? 🙂
So I just comment to enter? Oh yes I enter!
I want to read this so badly! I love all of Ally Carter’s books. Thank you for the amazing giveaway. 🙂
This is fantastic! I wish I could meet Ally Carter.
Also, not trying to spam, but I am doing a give away for James Dashner and Jessica Day George on my blog.
I love Ally Carter’s book because they leave you hanging from your chair!!
I’d been a fan of Ally Carter ever since 2006, and I love both series, Heist Society and Gallagher Girls. I honestly never met Ally, even though she has been around my area (Texas) twice and never got a chance to meet her because of financial problems. With that said I also haven’t read Perfect Scoundrels and I hear instagram friends rave on about it. It would be an honor to FINALLY win something of one of my favorite authors and let it be signed. Thank you. 🙂
I really loved the first two books of Heist Society and from the sounds of it, the next Heist will be just as clever and amazing. What would be even cooler, however, would be if this completion was open to residents of the UK so that I could find out what happens too!
Either way, I’m sure it will be worth the wait! 🙂
Can’t wait to read this! Thanks for the great giveaway!
I love the Heist Society series. When I read Ally’s books my cheeks hurt from my constant dopey grin and I keep losing my page as I flap my hands around excitedly! Thank you.
I love the Heist Society Books! And the Gallagher Girls! I never could get anything signed by Ally because we live to far from any big cities and my mom won’t drive me 4-5 hours. Thank you so much for having this contest!
I love the heist series. It is one of the best series I have ever read.
I love Ally Carter’s books! I haven’t started this series yet but I adore the Gallagher Girls books 🙂
I love Heist Society! As a young writer trying to get her first novel published, Ally is one of my biggest inspirations! A signed copy of Perfect Scoundrels would be like finding Treasure Island! Count me in! Count me in!
I love the Heist Society series! I used to love reading for pleasure in high school – which is how I found Ally. As a junior in college, I’m constantly bogged down by political theory and philosophy. It’s nice to have authors I love coming out with new books regularly so I can remember my love of reading. I’d love an opportunity to have a signed novel by one of my favorite authors!
I love the Heist Society series (I’ve only read the first Gallagher Girl book, but I really enjoyed it as well). I think if I won Perfect Scoundrels, then I would give use my current paperback set as a gift for a friend for a birthday or Christmas present, and then just buy myself the series in hardcover so I could have a matching set.
Heyooo
Since I have started college 7 months ago, I regret to say that I’ve had no time or money to spend on lovely YA novels, the kind that makes me happiest. Before I left though, I was able to read the first Heist society book, and it was amazingly adventurous.
What I do indeed love most in Ally Carter’s books is the emphasis on family. On one hand, you have a bunch of girls who live, inhale food, and trust each other with their lives. Then you have Kat and Hale, who seem to be two rather (r)elusive with wonderful sets of skills, that are always there for each other. Everyone has their blood family, but I suspect that for many of our realities, the people we share our happiness and pain with, the ones who understand, and the ones who comfort us are family. If Hale and Kat or Cammie and Bex and Liz are the ones who can do those things, then they too are family.
I’m not sure what the readership for Ally Carter’s books look like, but for the younger ones out there, YA isn’t just for “young adults”. Labels are superficial. If you love them, continue to read them. As for me, I’ve been lucky to find a few friends who love Ally Carter’s books (even though they hide this fact in public). And even if I’m too tired to be contemplating the depth of Ally Carter’s messages, there’s always the action and plot twists to wake me right up.
Happy reading everyone!
I loved Perfect Scoundrels! Ally Carter is a great YA writer and the twist and turns in Perfect Scoundrels really surprised me. And thank you for waiting in line to get her to sign a book for your readers!
I love this series! Thanks so much for holding this giveaway! 🙂
I love this series! I first came across Ally Carter’s books while shelving at work. Thanks for holding this giveaway!
I love both her series so much! She does a great job helping the reader relate and become attached to the characters.
Comment 😉 pick moi!!
I love Ally Carter’s books!
I really want the copy…huge fan!
‘5. The Family’ Your whole list is perfect but I especially love this one. 🙂
I loved Perfect Scoundrels! It is such an amazing book! 😀
Yes! I LOVE these books so much. Words can’t describe my love of them strong enough. I just love Kat and Hale. They are so perf together.💕 Gallagher Girls is also amazing! I can’t believe you’re giving away I signed copy! Best giveaway ever! 🙂
Ahh yes!!!!!! I ADORE these books!!! I love Kat and Hale. They are so perf💕I can’t wait for Gallger Girl 6! It’s going to be awesome! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!!
I would love to add this awesome book to my collection!
I love the Gallagher girls!!! And heist society!!! I just love all your books!!!
Ooo I’m so excited for this series! I finished the GG series (well, all that’s been released) and I’m slowly working my way through Heist Society when I have the time. Ally Carter is one of my inspirations to becoming an author 😀
Absolutely love Ally Carter! I haven’t gotten around to reading Perfect Scoundrels yet (school takes precedence, unfortunately), but this post has reminded me why I love the series so much. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to win a copy? 🙂
Love Ally! Got to meet her on tour last year and she is super fun!
*dances* Yes, please! I love Ally Carter!
Ally is one of my favorite authors! Would love the book!
I enjoy Ally Carter’s books so much. She is a fun writer and I don’t have to be worried about being embarrased if my 8 yr old daughter looks over my shoulder and reads a bit of the book because Ally doesn’t use bad language or suggestive scenes. So glad that I found her books! They are my go-to books to read when I want a laugh or good story.
I love her books! Whatever she write is always so fresh and creative, the style of her writing makes me jealous. I haven’t even gotten a hold of Perfect Scoundrels yet, (which is a crime) but I’d totally love it even more if I won the signed copy!
I love the Gallagher Girl series!!! I have all of the books so far and can’t wait to see if Cam and Zach stay together. I love all of the characters and am currently reading the Geist Society series. I’m liking them so far and can’t wait to read the next book!!!
Absolutly love ally carter and i’ve enjoyed the GG series as well as reading about kat and hales latest adventure….BRILLENT!
I absolutely LOVE both of Ally Carter’s series!!!!! I haven’t had the chance to read her latest Heist Society yet, but I’m hoping to get a chance at it soon!
Did you mean squealing? I have never seen so many teenage girls squeeing over an author!
No, I meant squeeing. Get into the lingo, Mom!
Ok–so leave me hanging without explaining!. What is squeeing?: It shows up with a red line under, which usually means spelling error… I think I would like to read this one. I assume you have the paperback though not signed, so put it in my bag for sharing next time. Or I can always borrow from library or buy download and read on my iPAD.
According to Urban Dictionary: A noise primarily made by an over-excited fangirl, however it has spread rapidly and is now widely spread among the web community.
I don’t have the paperback, but you should start with the first one anyway. It’s called HEIST SOCIETY, and you can definitely get it from the library or online. You’d love it!
Not sure why it showed me as Anonymous. Mom
I love all of Ally Carter’s books! I love the witty humor she uses in her series. This is the only book I don’t own from her so far!
Awesome giveaway! Ally’s books are awesome!!!
I can’t wait for this!
Ally Carter is a terrific writer. I discovered her books in sixth grade, and I am now a sophomore in highschool. I always pick up one of her books when I’ve had a bad day and need a little comforting. I don’t have the money right now to buy Perfect Scoundrels; however, I do own the other books of the series. My favorite aspect of Ally Carter’s books is her characterization. She creates characters that I feel as if I could bump into on the street one day and regonize them. Regardless if I receive your copy of the book, I appreciate what you are doing. Books are an important part of many people’s lives. They connect people of all cultures, religions, and social classes.
YAY!!! I love Ally Carters books, and I haven’t read this one yet.