This author is fast becoming a favorite, she's so good at combining great fantasy elements, a delightful variety of characters, a fun world, and snorting-tea-up-your-nose hilarity.

I don't think the reader needs to have read the first in this series--though by the end I suspect they'll want to! It's a fast catch-up as our protagonist, ex-thief Vanja, accidentally starts a cult, which to her surprise and dismay manifests a low god into existence, called the Scarlet Maiden.

Her boyfriend from the first book, a straight-arrow named Emeric, is sent to investigate. He's appalled that she might be reverting to her old ways. They have no time to resolve this relationship-oopsie because this new Scarlet Maiden wants Emeric as her virgin blood sacrifice.

And the fun takes off like a rocket from there. Amid the crazy, the hilarity, a surprising number of issues that will resonate with young adult readers especially occur, like family, first times and first loves. But a special tip of the hat to the fact that these two TALK TO EACH OTHER. The plot is not built on misunderstandings that would take thirty seconds to clear up.

Such vivid, fun world-building and a terrific voice make this book a stay-up-all-night read!

Little Thieves is one of my all time favorite YA books and I loved Painted Devils too! If you've read Little Thieves, you should absolutely pick this one up tomorrow. If you haven't read Little Thieves, I'd recommend fixing that immediately.

Here are a few things you can expect from Painted Devils (with only mild and vague spoilers):
-Oops, Vanja started a cult
-Two precious demisexuals navigating their physical and emotional relationship
-Haunted doll
-Family reunions
-My favorite demigod Ragne
-Ouch, that ending

I will absolutely be rereading this series until the end of time. Can't wait to see what Margaret does next!

I was really excited to get the ARC for this book because I loved the first book, Little Thieves, so much. This book was just as good! Vanja as a main character is amazing- she is so sassy, but her storyline was really touching. I think that she is growing a lot as a character which is cool to see. This book was action packed, and the characters can be laugh out loud funny. There were many unexpected twists which kept the book fast paced. The cliffhanger at the end makes me really excited for the next book to be released!

I was unsure whether Painted Devils would live up to its predecessor, but it does. It’s a clever tale filled with heart and humor. Vanja’s quips continue to steal the show, especially during the most serious of scenes. She made me laugh, but she broke me just as much. Vanja is brave and resilient, yet her moments of self-doubt called to me. I empathized with her pain of feeling not good enough.

Vanja serves as her biggest adversary as she constantly ruminates over her self-worth. Luckily for her, there is a prefect who believes the opposite. Romance plays a central role as Emeric repeatedly tries to prove to Vanja she is more than enough. It is a relationship filled with respect and understanding as they both work toward making their romance work. This is opposites attract at its best. She’s a thief and he’s a prefect, yet they still support each other…as best as they can. (4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars)

Such an amazing series. I absolutely loved these two books. Such a great follow up to the first novel! Recomend to all ❤️❤️ full RTC!

10 stars!!
I absolutely loved everything about this book,!

I was sucked in from the first page, and from the moment Vanya accidentally starts a cult I knew I would love it. The plot of this is great, emotional, serious, and so funny in all the right places. In fact, for most of the book while Vanya was just being her awesome self I had a smile on my face and I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud. This also tackles some serious emotional stuff to do with how Vanya feels about herself and it made me connect with and love her even more. I love her relationships with her friends and Emerick. I just love those two together!

I have so many favorite moments and scenes from this book, one in particular involves a possessed doll, which is made even better because of the discussion Vanya and Emerick were having before the doll shows up. We get to see some old friends again and meet some amazing new ones, and so many amazing and crazy things happened in Painted Devils that I can't to see whats going to happen in the final book!!

This sequel to Little Thieves was well done, action-packed, and quite funny. I normally hate it when characters do really dumb things and make super bad decisions, but in this series it's entirely in character and the character is self aware, and it works. I didn't realize this would be setting up for further sequels; I never really appreciate a cliffhanger—I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.

I absolutely adored Little Thieves! Vanja is one of my favorite characters and I loved her character ARC in the first book. I was absolutely thrilled with the announcement of the second installment. After accidentally and potentially summoning a low god called the Scarlet Maiden and starting a cult, Vanja Schmidt during a drunken escapade accidentally starts a cult and finds herself at the center of trouble, once again. Romance, Adventure, and Shenanigans ensue wherever she goes! Familiar faces appear and sparks are rekindled. But will Vanja be able to save the one her heart may need?

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to review this exceptional novel by one of my favorite authors. Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this wonderful, utterly perfect book.

From the moment I delved into its pages, I was captivated by the profound exploration of demisexual love (it seems so rarely explored in novels) and the persistent impact of childhood trauma and how it shapes a person. Vanja's journey, entangled in the creation of an unintended cult, added a layer of complexity to the relationship as Emeric is assigned to investigate her. It is a book that resonates deeply with those who struggle to accept themselves and grapple with their past. The unwavering bond between Vanja and Emeric, choosing each other repeatedly despite the inadvertent pain they inflict, is nothing short of remarkable and beautiful to read.

This book weaves together the bonds of family, the fierce love between the two leads, and so much humor. It left me in awe of the author's ability to craft such a breathtaking and meaningful story. The characters, so complex and richly portrayed, continue to become deeply ingrained in my heart. Their journey evoked a range of emotions, from joy to sorrow, and expanded my love for both the author and their remarkable creations.

This sequel is a true masterpiece. It celebrates the power of love, resilience, and self-acceptance. It is completely unforgettable and I cannot wait for the third. I would be concerned about the ending, but I have complete confidence in Margaret Owen.

Margaret Owen does it again. And by “it” I mean “rips my heart out and throws it away”. I love this series, I love these characters, I LOVE THIS WORLD! I also GREATLY love the subtle yet VERY MUCH THERE ace and demisexual representation.

Vanja and Emeric both deserve all the hugs.

Hilarious! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars! I actually enjoyed this more than the first one! First off I love Vanja, she is so sarcastic & I love her response to everything.
“His next words come out strangled: “You started a cult?” “No! I mean… a little?” My hands ball up in my billowing sleeves. “It’s cult-adjacent? Cult-ish?” 😂
I was cracking up this whole book. The way Owens keeps in the folklore setting but mixes in Vanja’s sarcasm & hijinks is incredibly entertaining & endearing. I felt like the first book gave us a taste of this but she went all out in this one. And all the awkward sexual situations between Vanja & Emeric are a cross between sweet & innocent, heartfelt & insightful, & then down right embarrassing & humorous. I also thought this one moved a lot faster. The story line was really compelling & fast paced. And the ending!!! Major twists & turns the whole way & then the cliffy! Ughhh way to rip a girl’s heart out! I will definitely be looking forward to book 3!

Painted Devils begins with Vanja causing chaos (as per usual) by accidentally starting a cult while in search of her long lost family and honest work. But when the god she invented, the Scarlet Maiden, shows up and claims Emeric as a sacrifice, Vanja and Emeric must work together again and see if there can be a future for a prefect and a theif.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love that Vanja was still a morally gray character even while she was trying to make better choices. I felt the characters remained true to how we met them in Little Thieves, even as they continued to grow and change. I also thought the plot was engaging and I never fully knew what would happen next. This book also still had Vanja's hilarious narration which made it a delight to read.

I did have a few issues with this book. First, I found that I really missed some of the side characters from the first book. While Painted Devils had great new side characters, I really missed the wonderful characters from the first. Second, I felt that parts of this book were pretty slow when compared to Little Thieves. Third, there are a few uses of modern language and slang that I found pulled me out of the story, like Vanja saying "Roasted". Lastly, I did get a bit tired of the will-they-wont-they between Emeric & Vanja.

While not perfect, I did really enjoy this book, and I'm definitely looking forward to more Vanja chaos in the third book.

This was a HIGHLY anticipated read for me, since Little Thieves was one of my favorite reads last year. Right from the jump, this one had the same signature voice and humor, and surprised me with beautiful, thorough conversations about consent. While I struggled to follow the plot a little along the way, the depth of these characters and their relationships are well-worth the read. I need more fantasy books like this one- they are adding something much-needed to the genre.

I really loved Little Thieves and though it didn't on a cliffhanger I loved the characters so much I wanted more so this was a no-brainer.

Now, Vanja did learn from the last book but her morally gray character is always a part of her and I was LIVING or it! She didn't mean to start a cult and create a God, she didnt mean to summon the real god and have them capture her beloved Emeric, but here we are!

This whole book had me on a chokehold for absolutely way too long and I was so grateful. I was afraid we were not going to live up to the last book but I think I love this one a little more for entirely different reasons!

The plot was right where it needed to be, and what is beautiful is that each book has its own plot, although now I am in desperate need for the next book!

The characters continue to wow me, Owen has a GIFT for writing amazing characters who make questionable choices but who make you love them regardless!

So excited I ordered a special edition of this before even reading because I KNEW Owen wouldn't let me down!

Finishing up my videos and will add links once I am done!

It's gonna be five stars for me.

Vanja Schmidt is back and letting old habits die hard as she finds a teensy lie about serving a Red Maiden growing wildly out of her control and accidently starts a feverish cult in a small town. When the Prefects of the Godly Courts hear about a potential new Low God emerging they send one of their best and brightest to investigate, none other than Vanja's boyfriend himself, Prefect Aspirant Emeric Conrad. When the Red Maiden actually shows herself (much to Vanja and Emeric's chagrin) she claims Emeric as her servant --and next human sacrifice.

Painted Devils was nothing short of amazing --an absolute thrill of a read I simply couldn't put down. Much darker and more harrowing than its predecessor, Painted Devils is a marvel. Rich with action and adventure, romance and fear, and all emotions in between it is not a book to be forgotten easily. Intelligent and funny, Owen's writing style creates a place in which readers can find themselves immersed in a world where you don't see what's coming next. Like Little Thieves I thought that this novel handled sensitive subjects with grace, while not glossing over tough subjects.

This is a story about many things, but especially, love. there are discussion of physical intimacy, abusive environments, and the road to loving yourself when you have spent so long walking a path of thorns. I can't say if this will bring comfort, only that it is brought with care. In the end, this is a story of love --so above all, care for yourself.

In reflecting on finishing this novel, I wasn't sure where to begin. I saw so much of myself in Vanja that it was like looking in a mirror at times. The idea of love and acceptance permeates every facet of this novel --romantic, familial, physical, and self. A friend just recently quoted to me Perks of Being a Wallflower, and I couldn't help but immediately think of this novel. "We accept the love we think we deserve." Painted Devils really drives home that we are more than what the world around us gives us credit for, and while we can look for love and validation from other people, we won't be able to experience the fullness therein until we learn our own value. It was a message I needed when I was a teenager, and certainly a good reminder now.

Now, even though the main through point of this novel is love --it is a far cry from a fluffly novel. Poltergeists, human sacrifice, animal sacrifice, cults, murder, abandonment, and more are nestled between the pages. (Definitely reminiscent of a Brothers Grimm fairytale). I loved both Little Thieves and Painted Devils desperately, and recommend them to anyone who reads fantasy, anyone who loves fairytales, and anyone who could use that little reminder that we are more than the circumstances of our birth.

This is a worthy sequel to Little Thieves, messy and satisfying as Vanja tries to work out her place in the world (and accidentally starts a cult that unexpectedly wakes something up). Readers of the first book will be familiar with the way Vanja's schemes and contrivances are never quite successful in the way she intends, and the book will be most satisfying to those who have read Little Thieves, but it is completely possible to get swept up in Painted Devils without reading that novel first. It isn't all capers; Vanja has some serious things to work out, starting with her own sense of self worth.. Be prepared to be swept away.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for a free earc in exchange for an honest review.

Owen leads us on a merry chase in this stellar follow-up to Little Thieves. She expertly weaves the story in a way that kept me guessing, even as I started to see the threads come together.

I also love how seamlessly she includes queer characters. Vanja and Emeric's demisexuality continues to be explored, but there were also trans and non-binary characters, and a few f/f proposals.

A fantasies mystery with a colorful cast that met all of my highest expectations.

<b>Quick Stats</b>
Age Rating: 14+
Over All: 5 stars
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 500/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5

<i>Special thanks to FierceReads, Colored Paged Blog Tours, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions reflected in this review are my own.</i>

Margaret Owen is one of my favorite authors of all time, and Painted Devils has only confirmed that fact. This book was SO GOOD!
This is a road trip fantasy featuring Vanja and Emeric, of course, as well as some other old favorites—and some new ones.
This book deals with trauma and grief, sex and virginity, and so many other important topics. It will make you cry, and it will make you laugh so much.
I can honestly say I’ve never heard of a book featuring a male sacrificial virgin before, but I thought it was iconic, and it opened up some important conversations. Sex and sexuality play a huge part in this book, and I love the way it’s handled. It’s honest and sex positive and exactly what YA needs more of. It addresses these important topics in a way that is accessible and appropriate for teen audiences. I would say it leans a little more towards upper YA in these areas of discussion, but it’s never explicit, and anything beyond making out is fade to black.
I will admit, I found the plot and pacing of this one to be a bit lacking in comparison to Little Thieves. There were a lot of little “side quests” that I loved and were important to the characters’ growth, but they did slow down the forward momentum of the book at some points. Not enough to take me out of it, or to dock a star rating, but enough that I took notice. Similarly, there was a reveal that I figured out pretty early, however that didn’t stop me from shrieking when it was officially revealed and getting way too excited.
Unlike Little Thieves, this one doesn’t wrap up perfectly. Luckily, there is a guaranteed third book! The plot itself is self-contained in this book, but let’s just say, if the whole series ended this way, I’d riot. However, for the ending of the second book in a trilogy, I like it.
I genuinely cannot recommend this series enough.

This book was more than a worthy follow-up to a fantastic first book. It had just as much humor and heart, and lots of healthy communication between the characters. Vanja’s journey is a pleasure to watch, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing an eARC in one of my most anticipated reads of 2023.

Wait. What? This all started because Vanja girl bossed a bit too close to the sun?!

Painted Devils by Margaret Owen is the sequel novel to Litt Thieves, that follows Vanja as she girl bosses a bit too close to the sun and starts a cult. Which in turns awakens a sleeping low god, and starts a whole mess in itself. With Emric's help, and a little bit of pinning, Vanja must track down the sleeping low god and resolve her issues by summer's end. All while trying to find her way back home.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! And I can't believe Own left us with that ending. I need book three like right now.