The audacious and complicated end to an audacious and complicated trilogy! I love the way Owen was not afraid of backstepping character growth and showing how learning often involves relearning. the dialogue was consistently funny and the characters are a joy to be with. I did feel a little unmoored or even utterly lost at times between shifting realities, but this was overall a satisfying ending to a series I would happily recommend!

I loved this book. It's a great ending to the trilogy and a really interesting murder mystery plot. I will miss these characters so much but I can't wait to see what Owen writes next!

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for an ARC.

Two years after taking down a cult, Vanja continues as the Pfennigeist, righting wrongs for people who can’t expect societal systems to be just. But someone starts murdering nobles and leaving the Pfennigeist’s signature penny on the bodies…

The Little Thieves books have become some of my absolute favorite fairytale retellings, taking the original story and doing something really interesting and entertaining with them. If I had to describe them in one word, that word would be ‘madcap’. Holy Terrors is a fitting conclusion to the trilogy, and I think you’ll enjoy this one if you liked the first two.

In a departure from the other volumes, Holy Terrors is a sort of locked room mystery where these murders happen in a way that seems impossible, there’s a limited cast of characters, and some hints are dropped throughout that the savvy reader (savvier than me, at least) could conceivably figure out who the murderer is. It can be fun at times, but the mystery plot took an obvious backseat to the relationship between Vanja and Conrad, of course. The heartache, the bitterness, and the banter ring so true.

While I think I may have enjoyed the mystery more if I had reread the earlier books beforehand or had an excellent memory for side characters, this is still a five-star read for me. I’m looking forward to going through the entire trilogy again (along with the Fallow Year stories, which I haven’t read yet but are available on AO3) so I can appreciate it even more.

I really enjoyed reading this book! I was sucked in immediately and could not stop until the book was over. The plot was interesting and kept a good pace which is something I really look for in a book. Also the characters were unique and there journey kept me enticed the entire time. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

Vanya is back after running from Emeric nearly two years ago, returning to her role as the Pfennigeist, bringing justice to those that fall through the Prefects and Justice's cracks. Now murders of nobles with the Pfennigeist's signature making Vanya look guilty of murder bring them back together abruptly. Can they work together to find the killer before it's too late?

I loved this third book so much, what a way to cap off this trilogy! Margaret gives you multiple outcomes to consider that are quickly discarded because they aren't the decisions Vanya ultimately makes and they do not fit the story well, even if you thought you wanted them. The banter between these characters is excellent and a lot of fun. The ending certainly packs a punch that had me tearing up

Thank you to Macmillian Children's Publishing Group for an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book is due to be published 4/1/25. I'll be posting to Instagram in the coming weeks.

I have absolutely adored the Little Thieves series from the moment I picked up the first book, and so I nearly fell out of my chair when I was lucky enough to be approved for an eARC of Holy Terrors. And firstly let me say: THIS is how you finish a series.

Vanja is easily in my pantheon of favorite characters I've ever had the pleasure to read about. She's complex, spirited, a little mean, and compulsively flawed. She's also so easy to root for. So much of Holy Terrors is about reckoning with your past and the way your decisions have impacted your present (and will impact your future) and her character sticks the landing in tremendous fashion. Margaret Owen continues to handle her demisexuality (as someone on the ace spectrum, it's so so special to me to see two characters at the forefront of a book and in a relationship/being desired by others and each other who are ace-spec) and relationship with Emeric with the utmost care and nuance, and the friendships we've watched bloom over the previous two books all continue to take root here. The plot is quickly paced with all the twists and turns you'd expect from Owen and the art, of course, is spectacular. I can't wait to do a re-read of all three books when I get my hands on a physical copy, but this might just be my favorite of the trilogy.

Firstly, read the acknowledgments. You ALWAYS should anyway but don't skip.

Secondly, thank you so much to NetGalley, Henry Holt and Co, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Margaret Owen for the eARC. (Had a complete freakout at Disney World when I saw the approval)

Now, to the review. Honestly I'm sad that this series has ended. I adore all of the characters and did not want to say goodbye to them (how am I to go on without reading about my favorite grumpy filing cabinet??).
HOWEVER, this BOOK. Margaret Owen really did that. Why do we love when authors put us through the ringer so much?? Despite being sad that it's over, Holy Terrors an amazing ending to this trilogy. In true Margaret Owen fashion this book puts you through all the feels. One minute your'e distraught and the next you're cracking up. Owen also did a wonderful job of tackling the heavy themes and making them feel real rather than preachy. Oh and I loved the murder mystery vibe! I will forever been insisting to everyone I know to read this trilogy.

In the thrilling conclusion to the series, readers are reunited with Vanja, who has yet again blown off Emeric Conrad due to her unresolved trauma and abandonment issues. Of course, there is no such thing as mundane for Vanja and hijinks ensue. She, along with a loveable cast of characters (and of course Emeric) must solve the crime before it destroys everything around them!

This is an excellent story. While the second book could be read as a stand-alone, the finale lacks the same depth to the explanations of past events. Read the other books first!

Additionally, this novel struggled a bit with pacing and had several points where it was easy to lose focus. Those areas were brief and well-spaced, so it does not derail the entire storyline. While not quite as perfect as the first two books, this is still a stunning YA fantasy. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

It will speak to many teens and should be in libraries and home collections.

Thank you to Net Galley, MacMillan Children's Publishing Group, and Henry Holt and Co for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Macmillan, Henry Holt and Co., and NetGalley for providing an ARC for review.

I love this series. Vanja is such a special character. She is complex, fallible, and sometimes cruel. She is also caring, compassionate, and grows so much over this series. Watching her fight so many of her demons throughout feels real and raw. The characters were rich, the magic system was excellent, and I loved watching the dynamics play out. The series will make you laugh as much as it makes you cry.

One of my most favorite things about this series is the relationship between Emeric and Vanja. I started this book heartbroken, but loved watching them make magic together.

I will say I had a hard time keeping up with the murder plot in this book, especially in the second half. There were a lot of threads to follow, with many twists and turns, and the end takes a slightly psychedelic turn where I wasn’t sure what was real and what wasn’t. (I did also read this at work and after long shifts, so take that with a grain of salt.)

I think this story will be best when readers have taken the time to read The Fallow Years. I only had the strength to skim the chapters, because the end of Painted Devils broke my freaking heart and I couldn’t stomach reading more about Vanja and Emeric mutually suffering. The book does fill in the gaps of timelines and relationships, but they do feel a bit more threadbare without the full context.

Ultimately, this was incredible. I did feel a bit lost in the final climax, but this book still gutted me and then put me back together better than before.

A thrilling, gut-wrenching, and heartbreaking conclusion to a series I don't want to say goodbye to. With a slight tonal shift at the beginning, it was incredible to join Vanya on her journey of self-discovery and redemption while she solves a string of murders for which she's being framed. With trademark wit and twists that keep you guessing up to the last page, this finale is not one to miss. Now, to return and reread the first book so I really don't have to let go.

I can't believe this series is officially over with this book. This has been such a fun and wild ride.

Holy Terrors is honestly one of the BEST endings/third book to a trilogy that I have ever read. I didn't want to put it down. I frequently found myself reading so fast that I was jumping lines and had to force myself to slow down. So much happened and right when you think things are about to slow down, Margaret Owen proved you wrong. I felt like I was fighting for my life along side the characters. So much happened that I felt like I didn't have time to properly process my emotions. I didn't even have time to cry.

If you are a swiftie, I made a comparison to the performance for 'The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived' on the Eras tour (the performance, not the song!) where Taylor and her backup dancers are marching down the stage, the red lights flashing as they continue taking the hits. That's how I felt. (And I mean this in the BEST way possible!) If you are not a swiftie, or do not understand that reference, I highly recommend googling the performance. To summarize, Taylor and her backup dancers march down the stage, Taylor singing and her backup dancers drumming, like they are marching into a battle. Each time a red light flashes, Taylor jerks back like she is taking a hit and her backup dancers start going down one by one. By the end, Taylor is on the ground trying to hold on and finish the song. To me that is how this book felt. We go into it like we are marching into battle, thinking we know what to expect. But then the hits just. keep. coming. It's the kind of pain from a book that readers crave. Why do we love it when author's break our hearts?

Not to be too dramatic, but I wasn't just fighting for my life at the end of the book, it felt like I was the *entire* book, between the romance and other conflicts I won't go into detail on for the sake of spoilers. I didn't even have time to really let the emotions of what was happening hit me because there was just so much happening. It wasn't until I took a break that the emotions actually hit me... and there were some tears.

Finishing Holy Terrors was bittersweet because the book itself was incredible, but now the series is over. Everyone I know who read an ARC agreed they have never read such an amazing last book in a trilogy before. I'm so excited for everyone to read it!!! There probably are so many things that I didn't pick up on the first time, and I think it will be just as fun to reread. I can't wait to have a physical copy to annotate!!!!!

Good Luck guys! You're gonna need it ;)

IN TEARS!!!! I love this series so much. Thank you NetGalley for my review copy.

“It's been nearly two years since Vanja brought down the cult she started, and she’s still paying the price. As the Pfennigeist, she bucks the law in order to help the desperate and haunt the corrupt all across the empire—and no matter what, she works alone.

But an impossible killer is tearing through royalty, and leaving Vanja’s signature red penny on every victim. Suddenly the Pfennigeist is no longer a folk hero but a nightmare. When even the Blessed Empress falls, the empire’s seven royal families must gather to elect her successor within a matter of weeks, or risk the collapse of reality itself… even though it puts every house in the killer’s sights.

Vanja tells herself she’s wading into the royalty’s vicious games only to save the name she made, and the loved ones also in jeopardy. But the Order of Prefects has also put their sharpest official on the case, the one who swore he’d always find Vanja—until she broke his heart. Journeyman Prefect Emeric Conrad may no longer be the boy Vanja knew, but they’ll have to work together one last time to have any chance of surviving the deadly catastrophe coming for them all.

With bloody conspiracy, sinister magic, and old adversaries closing in, it will take everything Vanja has to save not just the people she loves, but the future she’s fought for. In this thrilling final chapter of the Indie Next series Little Thieves, New York Times-bestselling author Margaret Owen shows us the pain and beauty of choosing which demons to face, and which to forgive.“

I don’t want to give too many spoilers, I just want to say it’s worth it! It’s a worthy end to a fantastic trilogy.

Man, am I sad this series is done. Margaret Owen is such a talented writer, and these characters are so endearing. I would read a dozen of these books, at least.

One thing I will say about this one is that is does get a bit confusing. I'm sure I was confused at times because of things I just didn't remember from the previous two books. But there were a LOT of characters in this one (ie. the royalty) and a LOT of characters who died to keep track of. And sometimes something would be mentioned as if we already knew what is was, but even if it was mentioned previously, I needed a reminder.

But other than that, this book was a fantastic conclusion to this delightful series.

Holy Terrors is the final book in Margaret Owen’s trilogy starring Vanja and Emeric. These two…are some of my FAVORITE.characters and their banter did not disappoint this book. As always, Owen’s characters are so vivid and well done that they jump off the page. Regarding the plot, for the most part I enjoyed it. There was just a point where I was kind of like “we are STILL dealing with this?”. I liked the twist and how that was done, and overall it was a very good read! This is a trilogy I will continue to recommend to my friends and anyone who will listen. Great work!

I love this series with all my heart. Thank you to net galley for approving my request. It pained me to read Vanya and Emeric's final chapter especially as they were very and intensely at odds with each other, clawing at each other throats to see who could draw the most blood.
*SPOILERS*
Margaret Owens did a great job writing the drama that happens when your ex finds someone else or when you still have lingering feelings for one enough despite everything I really loved reading those tense, harsh moments between the both of them even though it really hurt. Also I usually don't like anything to do with time travel but Margaret created time travel and different dimensions in her own way and it was so PERFECT I loved it. I also really enjoyed the little stories about Vanya because at first I thought it was just a cool way of retelling the first two books but it's not until you get close to the end that it is so much more than that and you gasp as you realize it. I really enjoyed this series, it's my favorite and I am very grateful to have had read this early.

I received a free ARC of Holy Terrors in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot believe it was only April this year that I first read Little Thieves. Since then, this series has taken up space in my brain that I never expected.

Holy Terrors was the perfect ending. The story itself was full of twists and turns but the true perfection lives in the fulfillment of the character arcs. 

After finishing Painted Devils I was heartbroken. Vanja and Emeric are one of my favorite on page couples. How could it end this way?? 

Then, I began reading the Fallow Year. If you haven't heard of it, it is a series of 10 short stories that take place between Painted Devils and Holy Terrors and it's available to read for free on AO3! Right now there are only 7 stories out, though I am assuming all 10 will be released by the time Holy Terrors is released in April. While those stories aren't necessary to read before Holy Terrors, they did give a lot of insight into references and character choices. 

As usual with Margaret Owen's writing, Holy Terrors had me laughing and crying throughout the story. Vanja has grown so much and though this is a historical fantasy, I think every girl who has ever faced bullies, insecurities, or cruelties can easily relate to her and learn to grown as well.

I never would have guessed that romance would become the main plot of this series after reading Little Thieves (though it was of course intertwined with the story of Painted Devils). Holy Terrors resolves the romance with so much bittersweetness and it kept me on my toes. I usually find myself bored when the couple gets together halfway through the series but Vanja and Emeric's relationship develops in a slow and realistic fashion. This is highlighted by both of them being on the asexual spectrum, as they are both Demisexual. I really liked how Owen treated this character point. They certainly felt different from their peers but they had solace in understanding each other and the loss of that comfort was noticeable when they have new partners. 

The resolution of Vanja and Emeric's relationship was my most anticipated part of this read but the story was interesting as well! It continued to flesh out the magic system and people's relationship with the Gods as well as providing another intriguing mystery to solve. It gets a bit complicated towards the end which is hard to explain without spoilers but just know it is important to keep track all the little details and all the names. Honestly, a character chart in the front would have been nice but I still managed without it.

I notoriously hate endings and find myself struggling to finish stories because I don't want it to be over, but Holy Terrors felt like a perfect conclusion. Owens has enough characters and lore that I hope she returns to this world at some point, such as a spin off series, but if she doesn't I would still be happy for the amount of content from this universe.

I give Holy Terrors 5/5 stars. Fans of the series should be excited to hear this wonderful ending to the trilogy.

This was a hands-down 5-star read for me.

However, I say that having been able to read 7 out of the 10 short stories on Ao3 (The Fallow Year) that bridges the gap between Painted Devils and Holy Terrors. I fear that without reading those short stories beforehand, a reader will feel a jarring disconnect with how Painted Devils ends and Holy terrors begins. The tonal shift feels like a bucket of ice water without those key elements and events that happen in The Fallow Years.
My rating is based solely on the reading experience I had, and had I not read those--What I feel like are--pivotal short stories, I feel like my rating might have been drastically different.
That being said, I have a feeling leaving The Fallow Years out of the main text was more of an editing issue or publishing decision.
Regardless, I love Margaret Owen's writing! I loved this series so much, I didn't want it to end. I would read about Vanja and Emeric literally doing anything. Not only is this a great series, it's an important one. Owen explores issues and themes in these books that not a lot of authors would touch with a ten-foot-pole. And the way she does it feels so raw and vulnerable, but also handled with love and care.
Do yourself a favor and read these books!

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. Holy Terrors might have been my favorite book out of the entire series. I really felt like the story shined the most in this one, I legitimately couldn't put it down. The ending was put together so well, I really don't want this to be the end of the series. I already am dying to reread the series from the beginning. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads for release.

I don’t know if there’s a story that has been as fun and beautiful to read as Vanja’s has been.

Knowing that Holy Terrors is the last in this series made it hard for me to start it. But jumping back into the story felt like coming home.

Margaret Owen writes so beautifully. The way she blends fantasy and folklore is fantastic. She takes these elements and blends them into a cozy universe that truly envelops the reader.

Holy Terrors broke my heart and fixed it right back up in so many ways. I really enjoyed the arc of so many of the characters, and the way growth was shown for not just Vanja, but Emeric, Kirkling, and so many others.

The story itself was very intricate and it always seemed like there would be another problem to pop up once a piece of the puzzle was solved. The mystery aspect was compelling and I couldn’t stop trying to figure it out.

THE HUMOR. I did not stop giggling for almost the whole book. I’m still thinking about it days later.

I’m sad to see this series finished, but Margaret Owen did a phenomenal job with Holy Terrors.

I have enjoyed all three books in this series. They've all got a fairy tale feel, but other than the first book being a retelling of the Goose Girl fairy tale, I am not sure that the others are based on any specific fairy tale or folk tale. With this book, just as I thought the happy ending was here, I realized I still had 25% of the book left to go! I loved reading Vanja's and Emeric's stories, and even when things looked bleak for them, I still had a feeling of hope and was rewarded with a very satisfying ending for both of them.