"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. :)

AMAZING. AMAZING. AMAZING. I cannot wait for this book to come out. This is just a sampler and I already feel transported back into this world.

I really enjoyed reading this sample!! Little Thieves ended up being one of my favorite books I've ever read and I'm so excited to read the rest of the book when it comes out! Vanja is such an entertaining main character and this excerpt was absolutely hilarious and I can't wait to read more about her and Emeric in this book

Absolutely stunning!! Little Thieves was a favorite read of mine and so I jumped at the chance to peak into the next one- and I was not disappointed!! I can not wait to get my hands on this.

Little Thieves was one of my favorites last year, so I jumped at the chance for a sneak peek at the sequel. I was already laughing out loud. Absolutely cannot wait to read the whole book.

Margaret Owen’s writing is just delightful, and it looks like the sequel to Little Thieves is going to be just as ridiculous and fun and heartfelt as the first book. I can’t wait to read the rest of it.

I laughed so much while reading this sample. I absolutely cannot wait for the book to come out in May. Margaret Owens has become an instant-buy author for me with her books.

Great excerpt - Little Thieves was one of my favorite reads of 2021 and I am eager to read Painted Devils. Vanja is an amazing character - I can’t wait to read her and Emeric’s story.

I absolutely adored this. It made me so excited for Painted Devils! I LOVED Little Thieves and this is one of my most anticipated books! Can't wait to see how this story unfolds!

The beginning of this was so good!! I loved Vanya in Little Thieves and I already know I’ll love her more in this story.

“You started a cult?” “No! I mean… A little?” My hands ball up in my billowing sleeves. “It’s cult-adjacent? Cult ish?”

This sampler reads like a side quest almost— The amount of laughs I had at just this tiny piece of the story make me absolutely GIDDY for the full book to come out. Margaret Owen’s is an insta buy author for me. Her level of storytelling mastery always leaves me floored, while also being funny and engaging. I can’t wait to read more about this new low god, and the amount of trouble Vanja will more than likely get into.

“Like many, many things that had befallen her, what happened next was preventable to the point of being self-inflicted.“

Vanja hasn't changed her ways. She's still playing the charlatan. This time, she's playing a prophet for the Scarlet Maiden, a local legend in Hagendorn. Vanja plans on staying just a few months, but then the "real" Scarlet Maiden shows herself, and chooses Emeric as her chosen servant. What could go wrong?

After reading this one chapter, I'm hooked! Painted Devils is going on my TBR list right now.

#PaintedDevils #NetGalley

I kind of knew I would regret reading this sneak peak because I want more! I absolutely loved Little Thieves & I am beyond excited to get my hands on the actual release of this book. The few chapters released at this time were great.

Holy hell. I read the sneak peek via netgalley and o think this is one of my most highly anticipated releases for 2023. I cannot wait to read the rest of this story.

Margaret Owne will always and forever be one of my favorite authors, and I didn't think I could be any more excited for this unexpected sequel to Little Thieves. But after this sampler I CANNOT WAIT

Little Thieves was one of my favorite reads of the past year, and this excerpt only served to make me more excited for what’s to come!

Great start to a second book!

I read Little Thieves and couldn't put it down. Margaret Owens world building and character development are beautiful.

After Little Thieves I devoured her Merciful Crow series as well. The preview for Painted Devils does not disappoint and hooks you in right off the bat!

Can't wait to read the full book!

So excited about this sequel I could burst! The preview is not enough but just enough to know that this could be even better than the first.

Truly cannot wait for this one and this sneak peak shows us that the wait is / will be worth it. It’s immediately compelling with just the right balance and touch of whimsy with grim. I can’t help but adore our little gremlin Vanja and all the trouble she reaps.

So very excited for the next installment in this wonderful tale! I enjoyed the first book immensely. I did not realize the sequel was so close but was pleasantly surprised to see it as a suggested book on NetGalley. I breezed through the sampler and look forward to the whole book being released. The tease I had from the sampler leads me to believe the second book will live up to the expectations readers would have from reading the first. I cannot wait to go on the wild ride that is promised for the next segment of this saga.