I'm so happy to say that this was the perfect ending to this wonderful trilogy which I have adored for years now. If you have yet to pick it up, do yourself a favor and do so now. It is absolute perfection. This book just like the previous entries has humorous, heartwarming, silly, and emotional scenes. It had me laughing out loud and crying many times. And I will definitely be rereading it in years to come.

Vanya became a favorite character of mine from the instant we were introduced to her in <i>Little Thieves</i>. I love how she's a morally grey character, who is trying to make life better for everyone around her. She is such an interesting protagonist to follow and she is one of my favorites from literature. It has been a joy to watch her grow during the series. I'm going to miss her, but I believe this was perfect ending to her story. Though if Margaret choses to return to this world, I would be immensely happy. I'd read anything with these characters.

I love the little stories Vanya tells throughout the plot. They give various choices she could have made and were heartbreaking at times. I like how they played into the plot. Also, the world building is top-notch as usual. I always enjoy learning about how the kingdoms work in this world and about the gods.

My favorite part of this series is the relationship between Emeric and Vanya. It was great to see them begrudgingly having to work together and seeing their dynamic once again. Their banter is my favorite and I will never get enough of it. Emeric is such a sweetheart. Their romance is everything to me.

Along with Vanya and Emeric, we get many familiar faces and some new ones. Gisele, Ragne, and Joniza are as great as ever and I really liked Lilje and Benno. I love following this group as they try to figure out who is killing the royals. They all work so well off each other.

The most important part of this book is Vanya's journey to accepting and learning to love herself. Vanya has done many terrible things in her past which we see in the previous books. She also has had many people in her life tell her she is not good enough. Her journey to self-discovery is powerful to read and so impactful.

I cannot recommend this series enough. It would definitely get six stars out of five from me. Perfect in every single way. Including Margaret's beautiful illustrations and the wonderful narration from Saskia Maarleveld. She has done a wonderful job narrating Vanya's world and her voice. I am looking forward to adding this final book to my collection.

I hated this book at first because Margaret Owen always wants to find new ways to break me and having him be ENGAGED, and to a completely likable and lovely person who seemed perfect for him! You have to be kidding me! This book had everything I have come to expect from her which is wit, banter, a fun but high stakes mystery, and a completely perfect cast of characters. I was worried about how the engagement would be resolved when she got us to like his fiancee so much, but having her join in with my FAVORITE couple in the series was amazing and perfect - I would still like to petition for a solo spin off book with Ragne and Gisele, i just always want more of them.
I am so sad for this series to be over, but couldnt have imagined a better ending for all characters involved.

also can we please publish the fallow year to match the set so I can have it on my bookshelf!?!?!?

My gosh this was just how I wanted this series to end. Margaret Owen really knows how to write flawed characters. Vanya as always has been through so much that it impairs her decision making skills and Emeric also proved his judgement to be clouded when it comes to Vanya in this book. Giselle was also making some poor decisions as well. But it all came down to love. They were having a hard time making decisions because they were blinded by their love. I love some well written flawed characters. I loved that Vanya and Emeric were in their angry divorce era. So funny to witness. The overall mystery was great as usual. I loved how it twisted and turned so much and I definitely had trouble figuring out where it was going. The topic of this book as definitely "doing anything in the name of love" which was saw in more than just the main characters. I also really enjoyed all of the different magic going on in this book and thought it was all super cool. There was just so much about this story I enjoyed and I can't recommend this series enough. Margaret Owen is an auto buy for me after this series and her Merciless Crow duology. I'm ready for anything she writes because she has proven herself time and time again to be incredible capable as a writer and particularly adept at creating excellently flawed characters and fantastic magic systems. I look forward to her work in the future.

Thank you to the publisher for providing this audioARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It is so rare that I like all three books in a trilogy but this is one for me. I was absolutely aghast at the ending to Painted Devils (even though I loved it) and so I was so excited to see where this book went. It definitely kept me guessing throughout it's many twists and turns, and I was actually quite pleased with how many times I came up with my own theories and was proven wrong. Did the characters drive me nuts at times, yes, but it all felt very real and human in nature and I think that's a great skill for Margaret Owen to write. Safe to say I'll definitely be checking out her other series now. I switched between reading and listening to this book so on an audio note I'll mention I really liked the narrator.

Margaret Owen does it again! This book delivers a stunning, heart stopping finale to the Little Thieves trilogy. Like the first two books, this story has intricate worldbuilding, compelling characters, and a captivating plot. Vanja's journey is a whirlwind of emotion and she continues to be a force of nature in this book. I love the banter between Vanja and Emeric, it's so entertaining. And the themes! This book isn't just a fantasy; it's a profound exploration of humanity, justice, and the messy, glorious business of being alive. I loved this book and would highly recommend it!

The audiobook narrator is Saskia Maarleveld and she does a great job narrating this book.
She was clear, engaging and her pacing was perfect.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My favorite thing about this series is that the second I start to think I know where the story is going and that things are getting wrapped up, I check how much is left in the book and realize that no, we aren’t even halfway in. And then I get scared.

Vanja and Emeric are, as expected, complete idiots about their relationship. Fortunately for them, I had a bag of popcorn and was happy to watch it all unfold. Ragne remains perfect, though.

This was an amazing conclusion to the series and as much as I could live in this universe forever, I am glad it got the finale it deserved.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy. And as always, Saskia Maarleveld did an AMAZING job with the narration.

Owen does not hold back with this final book in the Little Thieves trilogy. Check your content warnings, a lot of heavy topics are covered.

I didn't realize how much I've missed the banter between Vanja and Emeric until I started reading HOLY TERRORS. It was so good to be back within their company. Throughout most of this book I just wanted to hug Vanja and tell her that she was enough... just as she is and despite the things she's done to survive. Junior was a delightful addition to the cast for this book and brought needed levity. I think Owen did a great job of linking everything together from the previous books and giving readers a satisfying ending. I was on the edge of my seat for at least half of it wondering if Vanja and her group of friends/found family would really be able to accomplish what they needed to before it was too late. This is a trilogy I'll definitely return to and reread at some point.

As always, Saskia Maarleveld does a wonderful job with the audiobook narration.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Macmillan Young Listeners in exchange for an honest review.

Audio Narration: 5/5 The narrator really brings this story to life and I thoroughly enjoyed my re-read via audio, this is one I will likely find myself re-listening to often!

<i>This series is everything. It’s hilarious, laugh out loud funny, it’s crazy at times, off the wall outrageous, raw and real, emotional, silly and just plain perfect. </i>

If you’ve not read Little Thieves yet, I need you to stop slacking and go have some fun (aka read it). It is hands down the funniest book I’ve ever read with the most lovable morally grey FMC ever. <i>imho</i>

Then you need to move on to Painted Devils, where our lovable and morally gray FMC accidentally starts a cult…

OK, all caught up?

Now that you’ve thoroughly immersed yourself in this world and you’re clearly in love with Vanja and Emeric it’s time to move on the final book.

<i>Holy Terrors is everything you’ve ever wanted in a series finale. </i>

The absolute epic growth that we see in both Vanja and Emeric will have you questioning if this is a YA book.

<i>and on that note, this is actually the perfect YA series</i>

It starts off silly and fun with a small lesson about learning to care for others more than yourself.

and then Vanja does what every young adult should do, she makes a mistake, albeit a big one, and from it she grows - she grows so much she learns it’s important to let go of things no matter how much you love them.

and to top it all off we get a series finale that feels grown up enough that if ages were adjusted it could certainly be a book for middle-aged adults, but as it stands its a phenomenal journey of self-discovery and learning how to accept and be loved as you are.

<i>…. I’m not crying writing this review I swear…</i>

Look - stop reading this review and go read the book - nothing I have to say is as important and amazing as this book is.

This is the third book in this series and Margate Owen is still just as strong in her writings and plot building. I think I had just as much fun reading this one as I did with the first two, which ( to me) points at a strong writer well worth the time to read the books. I will also say that I do believe you need to read the other books in this series to fully understand Vanja and Emeric's relationship, her relationship with her god mothers, and Vanja's past since they all come into play within this story.

In this story, Vanja has taken a path in her life which has lead her away from Emeric. Without talking t him, she makes the decision for both of them to move on from the relationship so they don't have to "change" to be in each other's lives. So a few years have passed since the end of the second book and we do not have a happily ever after, we have some fairly miserable people who are still haunted by their past choices. However, Giselle is possibly on the list to be the next emperor but she doesn't want it as would affect her ability to remain married to her wife.

There is a lot of magic, treachery and discussions of feelings at various points. It is such a good book and we are still left with the feeling we could potentially get more if she decides she wants to continue some various aspects. I know the summary says "final chapter", but I see potential. Though the characters have grown, I don't think they've matured much with respect to the way they keep secrets, lock away their feelings, and just in general don't talk to each other about the hard stuff.

Wow. Just wow. What a stunning conclusion to one of my favourite YA Fantasy series! It’s rare for me to feel like every book in a series is a five star read, and this truly is a trilogy of absolute bangers.

There’s such clear intention here in terms of the story’s internal and external conflicts, so SO MUCH deep character work being done, and an incredible action plot that keeps everything rolling. I am astonished at how effectively the stakes were escalated, and how vital elements from previous books were incorporated to make this feel like a reckoning we’ve been building to from the start. Pacing was solid, LOVED the way the interludes drew it all in together

Owen’s humorous prose is some of the best in the YA business. She’s just genuinely funny and it makes the novel absolutely shine. Vanja’s POV is always a delight, and this book is no different, despite the amount of serious business happening! There’s such a good balance struck.

Of course I’d still go to war for this motley assortment of idiots and tricksters. The old gang learns and grows, and the new gang settles into their ranks. The bad guys are awful, the gods are PHENOMENAL, I just. It’s all so good.

Saskia’s audiobook narration is, as usual, pitch-perfect. Equally dry and heartfelt, delivering humour and heartbreak with precision. A few editing errors still exist—some pauses and restarts got missed in cutting here and there. Could use one more pass.