Want a NOOK? Explore Now
For as long as she can remember, Katarina has been a part of the family business-thieving. When Kat tries to leave "the life" for a normal life, her old friend Hale conspires to bring her back into the fold. Why? A mobster's art collection has been stolen, and Kat's father is the only suspect. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat's dad needs her help.
The only solution is to find the paintings and steal them back. Kat's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family's history-and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.
Ally Carter (www.allycarter.com) is the New York Times best-selling author of I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You; Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy; and Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover. She lives in Oklahoma.
theReader278
Posted June 23, 2011
I Also Recommend:
I loved reading this wonderful book! It is a story that keeps you entertained for hours.
38 out of 40 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I have always loved Ally Carter's other books so when I saw Heist Society, I thought I would take a shot. Wow!! There is more intrigue than the Gallagher Girls series she has written before, and way more cool toys than a James Bond thriller. Kat Bishop is a girl you would want as your best friend. Not only could she keep you out of trouble, she could add to your art collection. There are cute guys, great characters, and a story that really has its roots in history, and is very touching.
If you like Gallagher Girls, this is a must read!!
27 out of 27 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kat used to lead a life of danger before she pulled her biggest con ever and walked away from a life of thievery to attend boarding school. Her enrollment lasts a few months before her old life comes crashing in on her and her plans.
She's framed for a prank she didn't commit, but that will nonetheless result in her expulsion from school. Quickly she realizes this dismissal is the work of an old family friend. He's here to tell her that her master thief father needs her help.
Turns out her father's been set up, too. Only the consequences are nowhere near as soft as being kicked out of boarding school.
Kat secretly meets her father's deadly enemy and works out a deal. She has two weeks to find the paintings and steal them back. If successful, it will be the biggest job she'll ever pull off - and also the most dangerous. Can she do it?
I adore THE GALLAGHER GIRLS series, but this new series may be even better. HEIST SOCIETY is my new favorite book. The combination of finding the art, the major heist, saving a relative, and going against the family makes for a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat read.
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.FoglemanLover25
Posted February 16, 2010
I Also Recommend:
I just got Heist Society on Feb. 14th and I have finished it. It was thrilling and the characters are so real you can connect with them. I loved the book and I can't wait to meet the actual ALLY CARTER today at Bethesda Library at 7:00 for the Poetry and Prose Event. I hope you found this helpful!! The 4th Gallagher Girl book-"Only The Good Spy Young"-comes out June 15th. Please read all 3 books first!
10 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book kept me holding on the whole time. Taking place all over Europe and US, this book teaches people to appreciate art and not take it for granted. No matter where you are, you have to go back to your family, because they are the most like you... Great job Ally! i can not wait for the next!
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.As a young woman nearing the end of her teenage years, I have read only too many young adult books of many genres. This, Heist Society, has been one of my favorites! I ordered Heist Society many months ago and finally got to it in my stack of books recently. I read it ALL in one night, I just couldn't put it down! The characters are interesting, the back stories are riveting, and all you want is to know what happens next in Katarina's journey from leaving the family business to getting back into it! The mix of girlie glamor with tomboy thieving is just pure perfection! I would easily recommend this book to any teen girl!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This novel is amazing. It makes the reader instantly gripped by the characters and their thoughts, feelings, and histories. The storyline is not petty and unappealing, it has emotion and antiquity wrapped up inside it, centering on Kat's relationship with her parents.
The ending is well-worth the journey, giving answers and leaving questions that end the book the way it started: with a heist.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.G-queen
Posted February 20, 2010
I Also Recommend:
This is an amazing book, i loved every second of it! the only thing that i wished the author did was tell how hale and katrina met. but other than that this book was a 5 out of 5.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.AmiAB
Posted February 10, 2010
This book is by far the best Ally carter book ever, it was perfect! I'd recommend this book to anyone and everyone!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 17, 2012
This book is a refreshing read from the vampires, werewolves, and wizards. The whole actual teenager without any magical powers makes the whole book exciting. Plus, all the characters have a realistic feel to them (aside the fact that most of them thieve.) I highly recomend for anyone (boys included, this book isn't all romance.)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 16, 2012
Skipped around wayyy to much and i had to reread parts of the book
2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.9779942
Posted October 9, 2011
I borrowed this book from a friend and it was alright. I stopped reading it in the middle though cause it bored me but not a bad read. I don't quite recommend it. Hope this helps!
2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.A 2.5 stars read for me. Disappointing.
The idea behind Heist Society is something I adore and love; a sixteen years old (female) thief forced to create a crew and retrieve paintings from a secured facility in order to help her loved ones.
But for me, the execution of this intriguing idea just wan't good enough:
First, the characters weren't very well developed, and we knew nearly nothing about their past – even the main characters. The past builds us and shapes us; if it's completely ignored in a book I feel like I can't understand the characters well. The result of that, to me, was that they all felt FLAT.
All we know about the characters is what’s happening to them right now, what they’re doing and how. We learn some of their traits through it, but it lacks a lot. Depth of character, knowledge on our characters. I didn’t feel like I knew them, and so I didn’t invest in them.
The main reason I kept reading was in hopes we'll find out more things, such as why Kat decided to leave The Life, how did her meeting with Hale went down, how was she taught all these things, etc.
Second, I disliked how most of the characters just appeared, leaving me to wonder who they are (and what do they have to do with Kat). When we got any bit of information on them it was little and far down the road.
Third, the Romance in the book was very disappointing. Or should I say, there isn't much of it. We have attraction, and we have some sweet moments between Kat and Hale, but nothing aside that. I was expecting there to be SOMETHING.
And when it comes to the writing... lets just say I'm not Carter's biggest fan.
It's not that her writing isn't good, there was actually some parts of it I really liked such as the way she jumped to the past or future to tell us about how something was and how something will be, and I also liked how the POV switched between characters while in operation, so we could see all their roles.
But I didn't like how she jumped locations - It's too fast, too abrupt, and without explanation. And then there was the counting clock, telling you how many days were left to the deadline. I felt like I was dropped in the middle of an episode of 24 or something.
But in the end, the main reason I dislike the writing is that in my case - it didn't generate the wanted response from me; I wasn't excited, I wasn't scared, I was on auto-pilot, and though it was a quick read, I didn't feel like I enjoyed it much.
And yet, I WILL read the next book, because I just love the idea and some part of me hopes it will get much better with the next books.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 24, 2012
This book is absolutely horrible! I cant finish it and this has never happened with me and a book before. The story line is extremely boring and no imagination was put into it. The characters are so sketchy and boring. The romance with Kat and Hale was pathetic. The main character, Katrina, at some points made me want to scream and fling the book across the room. And i would do that but I read this on my Nook. I can honestly say Ive never read a worse book in my life. I wasted my money on this crap
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.HeatheR-FlyleafReview
Posted January 11, 2012
Take one part The Thomas Crown Affair, one part Oceans Eleven, a smidge of The Usual Suspects, shake (not stir) them all together and you have Ally Carter’s Heist Society. Fast paced with loads of twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of her seat, Heist Society features a cast of unforgettable characters. Talk about a great female protagonist! Katarina Bishop is smart, funny, feisty, gutsy, loyal and remarkably moral for a girl who has been pulling cons with her family since she was old enough to walk. I love that she is one of the best con artist’s around yet she still decides to toss it all aside for a chance at a normal life. And I love that when she discovers her father is in trouble, she has no qualms about turning her back on that very decision to stand beside her family when they need her. Next up: Hale. Hello, Mr. Perfect. I mean what's not to like about him? He’s clever, handsome, funny, and completely loyal to Kat. In short: best "boy" friend/ potential "boyfriend" EVER. Oh, and he’s loaded. Hale has homes across the globe, complete with personal jet, hot car, and awesome manservant, Marcus (who is the perfect Alfred to Hale's Bruce Wayne.) The flirty scenes between Hale and Kat are some of my favorite in the book. I love the cast of co-conspirators as well: brothers Angus and Hamish who provide comic relief, the brilliant but perpetually geeky computer genius Simon, the cunning siren Gabrielle, the mysterious Nick, and my favorite member of the family, patriarch Uncle Eddy, who is just the right combination of endearing and intimidating. Lastly we have Uber villain and Godfather-ish Arturo Taccone to round out the cast of characters. But, wait! It would be so wrong to leave out our mystery/enigma character that is Visily Romini. I love the inclusion of this shadowy figure. He reminds me of the mystery figure of Keyser Soze in one of my all time favorite film's, The Usual Suspects. So while this book is a classic heist/crime caper, and has some great romantic undertones, it is above all else a book about family. Kat walks away from her family for the promise of a better life, but in the end realizes that family, the good, the bad and the ugly of it, is all that really matters.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Linguistastic
Posted December 30, 2011
It's a very easy read, and I loved the heist hijinks, but it wasn't extremely complex. It was kind of like one of those action movies where you kind of know what might happen, but you enjoy watching it unfold anyways.
Overall, its a fun read for a young adult who enjoys a lighthearted crime tale with a female protagonist.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.http://scholarberry.blogspot.com/
"Why are you doing this, Hale?...You could do anything, why are you doing this?"
Heist Society appears to be the typical Ally Carter's novel; spies and everything else mysterious. This time in Heist Society, she's going for the professional thieves!
Katarina Bishop just wants to be normal and to achieve that, she walked out of The Life.
But since it runs in the family...she has to do this one; her father's in trouble.
All she had to do was steal 5 paintings...it's easy for her, really. She was used to doing it. But who really stole the paintings that her father was accused of?
All clues gives credit to Visily Romani. Thing is, this guy was a legend. A code name, an alias between the best of thieves. So how did the 5 antiques got stolen first place???
Katarina doesn't know the answer, no matter how many good connections she has. Also, her uncle, Eddie, wouldn't really help her in this.
Apparently, Uncle Eddie thinks that Visily Romani couldn't be brought down by a high school girl.
Katarina is confused, along with Hale (her friend/partner) and Gabrielle (her cousin). Katarina clearly doesn't know what to do. But she was sure of one thing; all things that are stolen, can be stolen back. ;)
What I like: The suspense and the puzzling events, I was really thinking hard here and there!!!
What I dislike: I didn't dislike anything!!
http://scholarberry.blogspot.com/
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is my first Ally Carter book I've read. I've heard such great things about her, but I hesitated opening one of her books. When I say Heist Society, read the sleeve, then read a random page (yes, sometimes I stumble upon something important. But not this time thankfully!) I took it immediately the register. I have only one complaint about the book: too much Oceans Eleven comparison. Every other page I would think back to the movie. I'm sure some people liked the similarity but I found my self thinking of the movie more than the book at times. But that's it. Everything else I enjoyed to the highest degree. The plot was solid and full of twists and turns. Any tiny holes she quickly mended up with a quick paragraph or two. Kat was a perfect narrator for the job. She's the leader so she has to be somewhat serious, right? Kat was great in her role but it was Hale who swept me off my feet. Charming, funny, and outgoing. Seriously, I was cracking up the first few pages when he's introduced. The other characters are entertaining and fun too. Carter really has a talent for creating great people, dialogue and world of thieves that they all belong in. I can't wait for the sequel.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.dancing_book_worm
Posted May 16, 2010
I Also Recommend:
o where do i start on this book? it was just such a great and original plot. i think if it had been written by someone else it wouldnt have been nearly as good! ally carter just has a touch with books in this genre i mean seriously not everyone can write about a 16 year old girl who was an expert thief by the time she was what 12? and make it believable! the characters were great and each had their own 'quirks' that made them seem like REAL people not just characters. cool ending that leaves it open for another book (which the author says she will write and im totally stoked about that!) and trust me by the time you read it you will want more! anyway what im saying is READ THIS!
ps sorry for such a scatter brained review :~)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.moongirl101
Posted May 3, 2010
I Also Recommend:
OMG This was soooo good i'm speechless. i read it all in one day. it was so worth it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
For as long as she can remember, Katarina has been a part of the family business-thieving. When Kat tries to leave "the life" for a normal life, her old friend Hale conspires to bring her back into the fold. Why? A mobster's art collection has been stolen, and Kat's father is the only suspect. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat's dad needs her help.
The only solution is to find the paintings and steal them back. Kat's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and ...