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◆ Best YA Dramas of 2023-2024

Author Kavien Lewis's debut novel, Thieves' Gambit, is heating up the global YA market.
This work, which had already been exported to 26 languages ​​before its publication and had garnered attention with Lionsgate, the producers of "The Hunger Games" and "Twilight," announcing a film adaptation, was selected as an Amazon bestseller for October immediately after its publication in September 2023 and was also named one of the top 20 "Best English Adult Novels of 2023."
In addition, it has received a continuous positive response, winning the '2024 Best Young Adult Book Award' hosted by Waterstones, the largest bookstore chain in the UK, and being shortlisted for the '2024 Best English Adult Novel' by Barnes & Noble.
We expect to hear even more good news this year, as publications in other languages, including Spain, Germany, France, and Korea, continue in earnest.


Meanwhile, the sequel, 『Heist Royale』 (Korean title not yet decided), is scheduled to be published in the US and UK in November of this year.

There's No Fair Play - The Unheard-Of "Stealing Competition"

Seventeen-year-old Ross Quest is the daughter of a legendary thug family that dominates North America.
Ross was also trained to be a skilled thief from a very young age, and works in a pair with his mother.
Since his work usually involves large sums of money, Ross lives a life of luxury in a mansion in the Bahamas, but he does not interact with anyone outside of his family, following the family motto of 'trust no one but the Quest family'.
Not only do I not go to school, I don't even know any neighbors.


As Ross, dreaming of a normal college life and friends, plans to run away from home, his mother is kidnapped by assailants.
The ransom was a whopping $1 billion.
There is only one way for Ross to get this money.
Participating in 'Thieves' Gambit', which I recently received an invitation to.

“It’s a competition.
Theft Contest.
“It’s kind of a private… … illegal game show.”
(syncopation)
“People say that if you win first place in a game….”
My aunt continued.

“They said they would grant you one wish.”
I tilted my head towards my aunt.

“A wish? You mean the wish for rain when a shooting star falls?”
“Shooting stars don’t grant wishes.
“Money makes it happen.” _From the text

Ross has no choice but to sign up for a contest that sounds suspicious and dangerous just by hearing the name.
After talking to the organizers, it seems that this is indeed a suspicious and dangerous competition.

“Did you contact us to register to participate?”
I swallowed hard.

“If I win, will you grant my wish?”
"that's right.
“Because that’s the reward.”
“Then can you listen to ‘anything’?”
The woman didn't answer right away, but I had a feeling she was smiling.

“Yes, unless it’s about bringing the dead back to life or changing the laws of physics.
Anything will do.”
“Then I will participate.” _From the text

Who are these "hosts" who can grant the winner's every wish and seem to be watching everything Los Angeles does? It's a situation reminiscent of "Squid Game."
Participants must defeat their competitors by any means necessary.
A 'competent' thief needs more than just flashy and cunning sleight of hand.
You must outwit your competitors with blatant lies and elaborate tricks and steal the targets assigned to you at each stage of the gambit.
If you fail to steal, you can just take back what someone else stole.
This is a thieves' tournament.
There is no such thing as fair play.
However, this does not mean that we can simply eliminate our competitors.
Anyway, it is a competition where you have to leave an impression as a 'thief'.


“If, during each stage of execution, you must confront each other and exercise your power—even if it means taking your life—then it is acceptable.
But if you attack your fellow competitors for no reason, you won't be liked.
This contest is a competition between thieves.
“Don’t just swing your fists, outsmart your opponents with your brain and skills.” _From the text

The gambit started with a light 'escape room' to loosen up.
Ross must go through three stages of challenges with the eight contestants who passed the preliminary round.
The missions given at each stage, that is, the targets to steal, are beyond imagination… …!

◆ Don't trust 'anyone'?

As I said before, the Quest family's motto is to trust no one outside of your family.
Ross actually experienced a terrible betrayal from his first friend, Noelia, at ski camp as a child.
My mother always emphasizes that point, then and now.

“This is why we don’t trust people.
A quest can only trust other quests.
“Do you understand, baby?”

“Family never leaves you.
I won't lie to you.
The people you can absolutely trust are your family.
Think about what we eat and live on.
People always want something.
“Most of it is things that other people have.” _From the text

It may be an odd thing to say to a thief, but Ross has grown up like a true greenhouse plant.
And through Gambit, he meets his peers after many years.
Among them are enemies, including Noelia, but for the first time, Ross is enjoying the pleasure of hanging out with friends with those who have become his teammates.
In addition, he develops a strange feeling for the contestant Devro, who has an attractive appearance and good speaking skills, and they continue to have a secret affair.


'He's a thief.
I'm playing with you.
Never kiss your rival.'
'be careful.
No matter how careful you are, it's not enough.'
I groaned and banged my head on the bedroom desk.
My aunt was right.
I knew it before I even sent the text.
But even if I know, it's hard to accept it when someone else points it out.
That means you shouldn't trust anyone, including Devro.

But… …it would be a lie if I said I didn’t have even the slightest hope that my aunt would tell me it was okay.
If I say there wasn't even a little bit.
_In the text

Ross must win for his mother.
Competitive contestants, each with their own reasons and wishes to win.
But there can only be one winner.
Although they are in a situation where they should never trust each other, Ross is faced with the need to trust someone and make them trust him.
And even Noelia, who says to Ross, 'I have never betrayed you.'
You have to maintain focus in the midst of a cutthroat competition while facing confusing emotions.
Will Ross survive the Gambit and achieve his wish?