Pretty Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)

Summary:

"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."

I loved Pretty Scoundrels so much more than Uncommon Criminals and I think a lot of it has to do with the emotional elements that are really in this book. Especially, with meeting Hale's family and seeing his progression as a character and the progression in his and Kat's relationship. It was nice to see some progression in Kat as well.

The other thing I liked was that I really didn't know where the con was going to go this time and I really felt like I was apart of the team this time. My heart sinking at failed attempts, my heart racing during the heist and my heart cheering at the successes.  Pretty Scoundrels was a great book in the series and I cannot wait to read more and continue the progression.

Uncommon Criminals (Book 2, Heist Society)

Summary:

"Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life life. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners. 
There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long, and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous and that is simply… the emerald is cursed.
Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all she has her best friend—the gorgeous Hale—and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses, realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.
Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules."

Plot: I was reminded of Ocean's Eleven while reading the plot of Uncommon Criminals. It was very con,within a con, within a con.  Great concept but I don't think it was perfectly executed.

Characters: I like Kat, I think she is witty and intelligent, but honestly she really showed her age in this book, which in some ways is yes okay since it is her age, but she didn't seem like the girl in book one. And Hale was a complete ass in my opinion. Overall, though there was no character progression.

Pros: Fun, Cute, Witty

Cons: At times confusing, and didn't really progress from Heist Society.. in some ways it went a few steps back.

Final Thoughts: I had HIGH expectations for Uncommon Criminals and although I did enjoy it a lot, I was not as impressed as I was with Heist Society. I was frustrated with Kat and Hale and their lack of relationship.. and some things were just confusing. I just overall didn't feel a flow to the book. I will definitely continue with the series, I was just not as impressed.