Review: Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

April 4, 2013 / 6 Comments / Review, Uncategorized

Perfect Scoundrels
Author: Ally Carter
Format: Hardcover, 328 pages

Source: Bought from Chapters/Indigo Bay/Bloor (Toronto)
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children (HBG Canada)
Publication date: February 5, 2013
My rating: 4.5 out of 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.

Review: 

Guys, I read this in February, right after it came out, and it took me THIS LONG to write a review, because…Ally Carter. ALLY CARTER. I always find it incredibly hard to write reviews for her books, because they are so ridiculously well-done, and I can’t critique them because there’s almost nothing I would change.

Perfect Scoundrels is masterful plotting, crazy twists and turns, all with a really awesome premise, and characters you can’t help but love. If you’ve read Heist Society and Uncommon Criminals, you know what I’m talking about. Ally’s books are always surprising and so amazingly well-paced that you can’t help but fall into her world.

This time, the stakes are extra high, because Kat’s boyfriend, Hale, has just unexpectedly inherited the family company. Hale is from a super-rich, snooty family, with jerky parents who don’t care what he does with his time or anything about him. They do, however, care who owns the company.

There’s a lot more Hale-Kat interaction, not just in the plotting of the heist, but also in the romantic sense. Guys, Ally Carter does NOT disappoint on this. The kisses are HOT. Like, STEAMY. I can’t say anything more than that. Here’s a gif. =p

Perfect Scoundrels was a lot more emotional than the last two Heist Society novels. I ached for Hale and for Kat, trying to hold onto him as he tried to figure out what to do as the head of the company. I really felt an emotional connection to the characters and their makeshift family – more real to them than their real families were. And because of that, the ending of this book had me screaming out loud at one point. I was so close to the characters at that point that it was hard for me to let go.

I raced through Perfect Scoundrels because Ally’s writing is so supremely effortless and absorbing. A lot of people don’t seem to appreciate how hard it is to write so seamlessly that your reader is both affected and immersed in the emotions and the world you create. I was never taken out of the story once, and the action and plotting were unbelievably effective.

[MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD, ONLY READ IF YOU’VE READ THE BOOK ALREADY]
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Let me just say that this book involves one of the best long cons that I’ve ever experienced. It was so good that I thought that the ending came abruptly, and then I realized while writing this review that Kat and her crew had PLANNED IT ALL ALONG.

Well-played, Ally. Well-played.
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Bonuses:

Hot Boys: I’m not just talking about Hale, although Hale is the best. I kind of might have a crush on Nick as well. And maybe Simon, the tech geek. Oh, who am I kidding, I love every boy in this book.

Secondary Characters You Can’t Help But Love: I kind of have a love-on for everyone in this book. They’re SO fun, so smart, and so sassy. Guys and girls.

Action-y Suspense: I am never not on the edge of my seat while reading an Ally Carter novel. They are SO fast-paced, and so twisty!

Family Affair: This book focused on family a lot – the family you’re born into, and the family you choose to be in. Great exploration of how families work together.

Photo: @katerha

The Feels/Heart-Squeezing Romance: Like I mentioned, I FELT so much with this book, both with the romance, and with Hale and Kat’s struggle to do what was right.

The Final Word: 

Perfect Scoundrels was, for me, the best of the Heist Society books so far. With amazing action and suspense, twists and turns that you never see coming, and an emotional core that makes us both root for the characters and ache for them when they hurt, it’s definitely Ally Carter at her best. If you haven’t read Heist Society, put these at the top of your TBR.

Did you guys love PERFECT SCOUNDRELS as much as I did? Was it the best of the Heist Society books to you? Have you read any of Ally’s books (and if you haven’t, why are you still here?)? Let me know in the comments!


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6 responses to “Review: Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

  1. I have yet to read this series, but I really want to. I love the idea behind it. And if the writing is as fantastic as you say, I don't think I will have any problems loving it as much as you have. I am glad that I waited until now, when the final book is out, to read the series. I love it when things work out this way!

  2. I wasn't sure this was for me but after reading your review I'm not sure. I might have to check it out. Thanks for the great review!

  3. I haven't read any of her books yet but they've been on my to be read shelf. They just moved up rapidly when you said you can't find anything to critique. Thank you for the spoiler warning. I hate when I'm not warned!

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