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?

Wow this book was so good!!! Non-stop action, and, like book one, a bit confusing on audio. But that did not prevent my immense enjoyment. If you like books with schemes and conniving and constant activity, be sure to check this out! Definitely read book one first. I am so excited there is another one coming. This book had a bit more of that teenage angst than book 1, but, it wasn’t so much that it annoyed me. We learned more about the main characters past and it was really good, all around. So glad I got this ARC, as I’d not heard of this series before requesting it and was so happy I was approved and able to read book 1 first. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers and happy release day!

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.

I'll be honest... I completely forgot what happened in book 1. But I thought to myself "as this book goes on, I'll for sure remember some bits of what happened in the first book!".

That never ended up happening. Sure, I remembered the character personalities and that Death and Fortune are Vanja's godparents... but that's literally it. So that in itself made this book a little less gripping/exciting for me (I even looked back at my old review for the first book and found absolutely nothing except for a note saying "I'll probably forget everything that happened in this" and that I did).

For being a YA novel... this book focused a LOT on sex and whether or not our main duo were having it or not. It just felt kind of uncomfortable that it was SUCH a huge plot point (although props to Owen for making sure to portray the importance of being ready and talking about taking huge steps as a couple).

The "plot twists" were kind of predictable, the story felt lackluster, and I didn't find myself caring about the outcome one way or another. With that being said... I still did enjoy the book! Just not as much as I'd like to, which is why I stuck with a 3/5 rating.

Get in, losers. We are starting a cult.

Vanja, our beloved terror, is back and better than ever. After accidentally tricking a town into thinking she is the Scarlet Maiden, (it happens), she finds herself in a pile of trouble when the real goddess appears. When the goddess claims her boyfriend as a virgin sacrifice, Vanja is determined to find an alternative option.

It was nice to be back with my favorite chaotic demon. Vanja is just as spunky and sarcastic as in the first book. Her first-person point of view makes the book such a fun ride from start to finish. Her unique charm and charisma made me feel all her emotions. There was a lot more serious character development in this book. While we do explore her past in the first book, Painted Devils focuses on the traumas she has to overcome. It is a huge part of the book, honestly more so than the actual plot. Owen did a wonderful job of balancing the iconic little sasshole that we know and love with the scared little girl that Vanja still sees herself as.

While my love for this book runs deep, there were things that didn't mesh well with me. For one, Emeric and Vanja's relationship really took center stage. When I say relationship, I mean the emotional and sexual side of things, which was a little uncomfortable at times. While I have no issue with having those topics in a book, Vanja and Emeric are still seventeen. I don't know, I'm nineteen, so it just was a little awkward. I would definitely recommend this book to older teenagers, or even put it in the new adult genre. It is a little bit more graphic than YA usually is.

The plot, while fun and adventurous, was put on the back burner. There were a lot of interesting facts revealed about Vanja's past, but the discoveries were slightly rushed and skipped over. Hopefully, these revelations will be more prevalent in the third book. Since there was so much focus on our two main characters, everything else floundered a bit. The side characters, while hilarious and engaging, did not have the same depth as the group in the first book. The connections between Vanja and those helping her on the quest are shallower than they should be.

All that being said, if Vanja is narrating, you are bound for a good time.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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.

Painted Devils by Margaret Owen was not the follow up to Little Thieves that I was hoping for. The premise of this novel was so strong, accidentally creating a cult and having to reconnect while dealing with the low gods again? I'm in! Unfortunately, this YA fantasy leaned on the YA tropes.
In general I find books that rely so heavily on virginity, single beds, and miscommunication to be extremely frustrating. The main characters were 17 but acting like 15 and 25 simultaneously.

Overall it wasn't the middle book that it could have been and I am not sure I will be continuing the series.

(Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the audio book - all thoughts are my own)

This is a great followup to Little Thieves. It starts out with Vanja in a small town where she is - maybe - perpetuating a fraud on the locals. It goes steadily from there reuniting characters from the first book and adding new wrinkles. It feels empowering in many places, showing the heroines flaws, but also keeps you rooting for her. Political intrigue and some magical elements also support the narrative well.

A delightfully written sequel to one of my favorite 2021 releases, The Little Thieves. The humor in this book is on point, and the coming of age intimacy between Vanja and Emeric was both funny and relatable. This book is just an absolute joy! Can’t wait for book 3!

So I was extremely excited to be approved for this particular audio book. The narrator was excellent.
The first in the series was a 5 star review. Painted Devils is a 4 star,
Painted Devils starts out delightfully with our protagonist again finding her way into a somewhat illegal predicament, which, of course, her boyfriend is sent to investigate. This novel has all the elements of a fantastic story; there’s an angry low god (or is it?), a haunted doll, flying horses, a unique predicament, danger, actual low gods, magic, and a return of some of the best characters from the first novel. In the end, after facing many trials and set backs, the protagonist triumphs. The author infuses lots of pithy life truths into the chapters with a nice dose of humor. The mix between the modern world and this world is quirky, surprising and more enjoyable than I expected it to be. What brought this down to a 4 star was some of the writing around the endless subplot regarding a decision about sexual behavior. It was clear to me that the author is trying to write in a sex positive way, and provide some sort of information about relationships and consent, but I feel like it was contrived and kind of overdone. It did not always flow that well and became absolutely tiresome. If I had to hear one more fumbling hands description, I might not have been able to finish the book. For other readers this may be something charming and valuable, but for me, I didn’t care for it.
Definitely looking forward to book three!

On her way to visit her love interest Junior Prefect Conrad, Vanja runs into a problem. It’s not a big deal, only that she may have started a cult. What started as a scam on her end leads to a village full of believers. And when a certain Junior Prefect arrives to investigate the cult and the “god” actually ends up manifesting, Vanja realizes her problems are just getting started.

This work was much more focused on the relationship/romance aspect between the two main characters. While I didn’t hate it, it wasn’t my favorite. Their relationship fell into the “everything that can go wrong will go wrong” trope that happens often in YA works and it also included the miscommunication trope. This led to a lot of bickering and back and forth that I found significantly less interesting than the plot. I did feel that there was too much focus on their relationship and not enough on the plot and worldbuilding.

The romance finally balanced out by the last third of the book and left behind much of the unnecessary, repetitive drama. And I thought I would enjoy where the relationship wound up by the end of the book, but lo and behold, more of the same drama was introduced right at the very end so there’s that to look forward to in book three I guess.

That being said, the plot and worldbuilding that were incorporated were fascinating. There was much more exploration of the magic utilized by the prefects as well as more information relating to the gods of the world. I loved how the world’s folklore was used in the plot as well.

I noticed many pop-culture and modern references in this work, which I did not enjoy at all (these included a quote from a Backstreet Boys song and a popular TV show name). I assume the author was trying to make it more “fun” for readers, but it completely broke the immersion I had whenever these things happened. And honestly, each time it happened, my overall enjoyment of the book decreased.

This story could have been so fascinating. I enjoyed the reveal near the end and the many layers that were peeled back to lead to the resolution. But the amazing plot, worldbuilding, and characters got lost in the modern references/jokes and hyper-focus on cringey romance. This book fell drastically short of the first in the series. I'm quite disappointed by this one, though others will likely still be able to enjoy it. My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this work, which will be published 16 May 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

4.5 stars
I liked the first one in this series a tiny bit more but this one was still great!
We pick up where we left off in the first one left off when Vanja and Emeric going their separate ways. Vanja intends to meet up with Emeric, but instead accidentally starts a cult. Emeric shows up to investigate the "new god" and finds Vanja. The Scarlet Maiden then comes to claim Emeric as her virgin sacrifice.
The first thing I was to say is that Vanja and Emeric have the most innocent and pure and adorable relationship. I think it does a very good job of depicting a demi person (actually 2) and in such an open way where they've both never really had any type of relationship and are exploring things for the first time. They are seriously the cutest.
Again, I loved both Vanja and Emeric. I think my new favorite character is Helga. We get quite a few exciting new characters, but I don't want to say who they are.
This book had a lot of things going on which most of the time was fine but every once in a while was a little confusing or too much. Vanja really learned a lot about herself as well as the little group she has surrounded herself with. The ending really threw me for a loop, there were so many little things that were explained that you would never think would be part of a big reveal. It was quite the plot twist! The very ending had me impatient for the third book and while I can see why this path was chosen, it just hurt my heart.
The narrator was wonderful and really added a lot to the story.
All in all, just read this series!

Vanja has been separated from her friends and Emeric for about three months and she may have accidentally, kinda-sorta started a cult. Whoops!

Except now the Scarlet Maiden has actually manifested and has claimed Emeric and demanded a feast and a sacrifice or the blood of seven brothers. Easy, right?

This is another fun, chaotic and dramatic adventure where we get to learn along with Vanja about where she really came from. We also get to see our two demisexual MC’s Vanja and Emeric explore their relationship further and break down barriers, create open communication and learn to trust in one another to feel comfortable enough to share different parts of themselves with the other. It’s tentative and awkward and so realistic of two teenagers in a steady relationship for the first time.

There’s also more thievery, deceit and clever plans in this book like we saw in Little Thieves!

This book like the one before is SO GOOD. I will now be counting down the days until book 3 is out because THAT CLIFFHANGER.

I love the audio narrator choice for this series; they do an excellent job bringing this story to life!

5/5 stars!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank You to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Move over twisty plots and brilliant plans - you're now sharing the stage with... Relationship Angst!

Vanja makes a triumphant return with unlimited schemes up her sleeve. This time she has (mostly) inadvertently started a religious cult for a fictional god - who makes a shocking and inconvenient appearance. There are plenty of misadventures in store for Vanja, Emeric, and crew as they investigate and attempt to right the world's wrongs along the way. There's a focus on family, both biological and chosen, which is the winning heart of the story.

As before, the humor is immature (example: butt art) and often breaks immersion (example: modern song lyrics) but works for the most part. Also back with a vengeance is the angst. Vanja has to work through her insecurities and sense of inferiority if she wants to make things work with Emeric. A lot of page time is dedicated to the repetitious picking apart of their relationship, especially as it relates to having sex (which is set up as being vital to the larger plot). Some of this would be good for the story, but there's so much introspection and debate that it overwhelms the more interesting plot. Perhaps the worst offense is the ending, which infuriatingly tosses all the painstaking progress off a bridge and resets to the beginning of the book. Vanja and Emeric schemed their way out of harder problems than this - just let them solve the problem in a deviously clever way and quit it with the will they/won't they!

If you're a reader who enjoyed Little Thieves, then Painted Devils will be fun. If you hated Little Thieves then why on earth are you continuing the series? You did this to yourself.

This book, oh man, this book! I loved the first one (and I love her writing) and when I found out that we were getting a series, of more time with Vanja and Emeric, I was so happy. This was such a great story, and I'm so glad that it exists!

This is only the 2nd time that I've listened to an audiobook, without doing anything else. I just had to consume the story and I couldn't wait for a time where I was also doing something while listening, because I had to know what was going to happen next!

This quest that they go on, because Vanja is under investigation for fraud-and Emeric is the one doing the investigating, well, things are complicated. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship progress, as things went along, as well as Vanja was finding something that she enjoyed. There was a lot going on, and it was oh, so clever!

That ending though? That was just utterly evil! I had thought that this was just going to be a duology like the The Merciful Crow, but no, there's going to be at least 3 books. And on one hand, I'm delighted, more time with these two. On the other, things weren't fully wrapped up and resolved, because there's the 3rd book to deal with them. And I'm dying to know what's going to happen next!

This was an utterly fantastic read, and I need the 3rd book ASAP!

"Vanja girl-bossed a little too close to the sun"

I didn't know when I read Little Thieves that there was going to be a sequel and now a trilogy. This book was a good follow-up to the first novel but it felt a bit unorganized. Overall I enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the third. This was a bit slow for me in the beginning but I enjoyed being back in this world.

Painted Devils is the second installment in the Little Thieves series, and the story just keeps getting better!!

This novel follows Vanja & Emeric as they navigate themselves out of yet another unnecessarily complicated situation.

This time, after some heavy drinking, Vanja accidentally starts a cult following a made-up entity called the Scarlet Maiden. When Prefect Aspirant Emeric Conrad arrives to investigate whether the Scarlet Maiden is real, three unfortunate events occur.

First of all, he discovers that Vanja is the one behind the creation of the cult. Second, an entity claiming to be the real Scarlet Maiden manifests. And third, she immediately claims Emeric as a human sacrifice.

As you can probably already tell, the story is absolutely hilarious. Vanja somehow manages to get herself in the most ridiculously convoluted situations, and I love seeing her implement her perfectly curated combination of cutting sarcasm, usually-justified insolence, and remarkable street smarts to get out of them.

Beyond this, the world-building is just incredible. This combination of Low Gods, Prefects, warlocks, ghosts, Mossfolk, and the various different levels of power & magic that they wield just ties together to create an incredible, fairytale-esque story!

And if this isn't enough, Painted Devils also has some incredible emotional depth to it. Through the story, we see Vanja grapple with the heartbreaking aftermath of her abandonment and past trauma.

I'm still emotionally distraught by the ending (it's been 24 hours since I finished), and I need the third book ASAP!

Painted Devils by Margaret Owen
5/5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

•••Spoiler free review below•••

With the way Little Thieves ends, it felt complete and like our story was finished. Because of this, I had no idea what to expect with Painted Devils. That being said, this was a fantastic sequel. We get so much more character depth and an amazing depiction of healing and self acceptance from Vanja. If you liked book 1, I think you'll enjoy book 2 even more. I can't wait to find out what's in store for book 3! (Also, I feel I must mention that the first chapter is so laugh out loud funny, I read it twice! She really didn't MEAN to start a cult guys!!!)

Read this book if you like:
- unconventional retellings
- accidental cults
- selfishly imperfect characters trying to do good
- found family on an adventure
- top tier banter

Painted Devils will be released May 16th and if it's not already on your tbr, it should be!
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Special thanks to Macmillan Audio for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

Oops, I did it again. I saw the premise of the book and fell in love. Did I pay attention at all to the fact that this was books 2? Nope, somehow I missed that.

The incredible thing though, is I don't feel like I missed much story. Sure I would've liked to know about the hijinks they kept mentioning but I wasn't lost on the storyline at all. I'm going to admit, I didn't figure out thus was book 2 until the end of it when it said their story will continue in book 3.

So since I haven't read the first book I'm unsure what I could put that wouldn't be a spoiler. So I shan't say anything other than I loved this fantastical story. It drew me in immediately and I feel for the characters hard. Hard enough that I immediately added the third book to my TBR and realized I'd had book one and all of the authors books on my TBR for some time. Clearly, I need to not put attention to detail down as a strong suit anywhere.

I will say me not realizing there was a book prior to this one is not against the author. This is in favor. She touches just enough on things that I wasn't lost just left wanting more. So I do recommend reading this series...Maybe not quite in the order I am.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

She’s a con artist, a thief & a liar. I love this main character! This isn’t an angst ridden YA novel but it feels appropriate for YA and adult.

I enjoyed Little Thieves & the sequel is even better. Yes … it leaves you in a bit of a cliff hanger (star rating reduced) BUT the story has advanced pretty quickly. Bombshells have been dropped. Decisions have been made. I’m ready for book 3 now.

You find out so much about the goddaughter to Death & Fortune in this book & so does she.

The narrator is perfect for this story & our MC! There’s humor & it’s delivered perfectly! From smile-worthy sarcasm to laugh out loud moments..

If you haven’t read book one then I’m not going to spoil the story so far. This book begins with a list of trigger warnings. I’m not sure if I’m jaded but they didn’t scare me away and I’m glad for it!! I highly recommend that you read Little Thieves first,

Fantastic characters, believable dialog even when it feels like words have been made up!! Talking animals. The books so far are just sooo good.

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio. I enjoyed this sequel (and picked up a matching hardcover special edition for my shelf). I can’t wait for book 3!!