This definitely made me want to keep reading! Plus I need to read the first book. Fun and exciting. Looking forward to continuing the story. Thanks for the glimpse

Margaret Owen has once again created a propelling, exciting adventure that is equal parts cheek and heart. If readers were worried that Vanja might have mellowed with age, this excerpt proves that she is still capable of mischief in the highest degree. The chapter sampler is a perfect teaser for things to come. Emeric and his sacred rules are back to call Vanja to task, and a new low god has emerged from an innocent (?) lie. With trademark humor and an irresistible antiheroine, Painted Devils promises to deliver a satisfying sequel. An excellent start to the next Little Thieves novel.

This was delightful! Absolutely worth a read! Loved being able to get a glimpse into this world again! My only complaint is I wanted more!

In a mere 26 pages, Owen has brought her signature wry wit, sardonic banter, and tender heart. I literally cannot wait for more.

Get Drunk, Start a Cult.

Vanja is at it again and her next adventure seems as (possibly more) exciting as last time. I’ve been super excited for this book since I finished Little Thieves last spring. The chapter sample was so good!! I am so so so excited to read this when it comes out.

Margaret Owen’s writing is superb and her world building incredible.

Thanks #PaintedDevils and #NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this chapter sample so I could share my opinion!

Spring has never seemed farther away.

I absolutely loved Little Thieves, so when I heard there would be a second book I was ecstatic. After reading the short sampler of the first two chapters of Painted Thieves I am even more excited about getting to spend more time with Vanja and Emeric. Immediately I was reminded of how much I grew to love these characters and dynamic developed between them in LT. While it seems Vanja is back to some of her old tricks, and still with much of her old insecurities, I think where we find her at the beginning from these pages makes sense. I cannot wait to see where this story goes!

The excitement is uncontainable, and this sampler somehow made my anticipation even more heightened.

Completely adored this and now I'm even more excited for the book. These shenanigans were so in character for Vanja and I can't wait to see how she tries to get out of this new mess she's created for herself.

This was an amazing first chapter. This book starts shortly after the events in the first book and automatically starts with Vanja up to her old antics once more. Vanja and Emeric were great to see again. I can't wait to see what direction they go in this book. Will definitely be picking up this story again in May!

I received only the first chapter of this book and already it has me invested. It’s the second book of its series, which is so frustrating, because now I have to get both books and start from the beginning. The “villain” is so relatable. Thoughts raced through my head as if I was trying to speak to them/get my friend’s attention! I was audibly laughing as well. All from one chapter. I can’t wait for the rest!!

By the looks of this, Another amazing piece by Margaret own is on the horizon! Can't wait for this! I loved little thieves so much and if this book is anything like the faithless hawk sequel-wise, I know it will be great!

So excited for Painted Devils! Since it's just a sample, I can't leave much of a review, but I was glad to be back with this story (my beloved)

The Painted Devils Chapter Sampler is a great teaser. I cannot wait to get my hands on the completed novel!
The flavor of this excerpt is right on with everything I loved about the first novel in the series - - the banter, the haphazard nature of Vanja, the ambivalence of low gods, all if it. I am excited for the final copy!

How am I supposed to wait. How?? I was blown away when I read Little Thieves and I can already tell with this little.sample that I am in for a world of hurt. And all I have to say to that is I am ready. This series thus far is some.of the best written story and characters I have read in a long time. I cannot wait.for the rest of this story!!

I was extreamly excited for the opportunity to read a chapter of Painted Devils after finishing the first title in the duology, Little Theives. I find the main character interesting, and personally very relatable. I think that she comes across as flawed in a way I really appreciate. It makes her journey through these books fun and surprising. If this was a full ARC I'm not sure I would have been able to put it down and I'm looking forward to the release! The plot of this one (accidently starting a cult?!) Is wild and I have high hopes.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this teaser chapter!

"I wasn't trying to start a cult". What an opening! I was hooked immediately, from the vivid details, characters, and the wit. If this is just a taste of what the book will be, it's going to be truly captivating!

Oh, this sequel to "Little Thieves" is going to be fun.

Owen knows how to start a book and draw us right in. We meet Vanja and Emeric again, but it's like we never left them. The action picks right up. This teaser alone has a good mix of comedy, romance, and mystery that leaves us wanting more. I simply cannot wait.

I'd recommend this sequel to fairy tale fans, especially those who favor a strong, but flawed female protagonist.

Talk about a captivating opener! Owen knows exactly how to grab the reader's attention and keep it. I was hooked from the start, which is admittedly difficult for me with most books. I adore how Owen weaves the third-person and first-person narratives to orient the reader and propel the plot forward. Additionally, I appreciate that the plot never seems stagnant - there are enough slower-paced scenes to immerse the reader into the world, but also many medium- to fast-paced scenes to keep the action moving. Owen is fantastic at striking a balance between these two paces, which in my opinion, is very difficult to write and impressed me.

While this sampler only included the prologue and chapter one, I am incredibly excited to dive in more when the entire title launches in May. Margaret Owen is a very talented author, and I look forward to reading more of her work. I would highly recommend this sampler if you've read Little Thieves!

I love this teaser chapter! The relationship between Emeric and Vanja is written so in line with their relationship in Little Thieves that it feels like there was no break in between the two books. She told him to chase her and he did, their characters have a wonderful cat and mouse playfulness about them.

Vanja is a beautifully flawed character - I was honestly worried we would see a muted version of her in book 2, where she would be wholly "good" and leave her old antics behind. Thankfully that's not the case! Who would she be if she wasn't somewhat morally gray?

Emeric seems up to his usual self, though this teaser has me a bit worried for him! A strong character with a strong right and wrong compass, but he'll trust his feelings instead of instincts only for Vanja.

Overall I'm incredibly excited to read book 2! And I hope to see Ragne again, she's a great character with so much potential!

"Let me state one thing up front: I wasn’t trying to start a cult.”

(Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the early preview!)

Painted Devils, a sequel to Little Thieves, is a novel that you begin to get an understanding of as you read, which is what I loved most about reading the chapter sampler. Reading the sampler has entirely convinced me to get the final copy when the novel comes out officially in May of 2023, with interesting stories painted over the span of only a handful of pages.

The chapter sampler follows Vanja, a wicked maid, through the consequences that ensue when her rubies get stolen while she is inhibited. She ends up in a situation that ties her to a feeling of poor morality, and the reader is able to see the true depth of her character when she is reunited with an old friend of hers.

First and foremost, let me just say that I was completely obsessed with the way Owen used different writing techniques to emphasize her point throughout the book. Starting off the chapter sampler with a consistent use of repetition, the rest of the situation was poised to follow a similar, smooth transition. This is absolutely the book choice for you if you are looking for something that is straightforward yet still leaves a feeling of mystery following each word. Not only is the writing style easy to follow, it also uses just the right amount of unique and interesting language to keep the reader interested. I was especially a fan of the bits of humor sprinkled in-between chapters, and the immense uses of dramatic irony (which are situations I find hilarious). My absolute favorite part of the entire chapter was the moment when Vanja reunited with her old friend. It was so full of emotion, intricate insight into how Vanja was processing the situation, and plenty of humorous tones to follow along with the change in situation.

“I saw the light in their faces, I saw hope. I knew I was lying when I told myself: it would not matter who, or what, they believed.”

I would absolutely rate this chapter sample 5/5 stars. The chapter kept me hooked up right until the very end, and was immensely thrilling to be able to read. I highly recommend checking out this novel when it drops in May of 2023 for those who have a taste for intrigue, humor, and intimacy into one's emotions. :)