All I can say after finishing this book is "How could you, Margaret?!" The characters are even more complex in this book, and the ending tore my heart out.

I loved the first book in this series so I was really excited to read the second. The character development was great. It was fun to Vanya's journey from the first book to the second book and how her moral compass changed. I liked that the romance was realistic and the story was very original. Definitely excited for the next book.

I cannot convey how much I enjoyed Little Thieves other than to share that I immediately started rereading it as soon as I finished it. The book was an absolute breath of fresh air! This fairytale retelling that did something interesting with the source material: exploring why a maid might have been motivated to steal the identity of the princess other than sheer wickedness and greed. There's a bit of those two things though— Vanja is a marvelous, morally grey protagonist that was a perfect foil to the "vexingly scrupulous" Junior Prefect Emeric Conrad.

Painted Devils starts shortly after the conclusion to Little Thieves. Vanja, insecure about her faults and murky history, has lingered in a small village. A small lie leads to her accidentally creating a cult. When Emeric is assigned to investigate, he's marked by the made-up deity as a virgin sacrifice.

Like the first book, Painted Devils takes the bare bones of a fairy tale and a moral quandary and builds a new story around both, this one focused on an exploration of what family is. We get some great plot twists and some delectable scenes of Vanja and Emeric. I might not like it *quite* as much as the first book, but it is still a delight. I was worried to see such a brilliant standalone get a sequel, but this is worthy successor.

But now to wait on a third book!

“Once upon a time, there was a very little girl who ruined everything she touched. That was what her mother said, at least, and all good little children trust their mothers. (Her mother said that, too.)”

“Is this what it’s like, to see a road before you and want it? To want the impossible and find …—it’s actually within reach?”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co and NetGalley for a copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

content warnings(from storygraph): torture (flashbacks), blood, abandonment, classism, animal death (lambs), child abuse, sexism, sexual assault (mentioned/alluded to in past)

I not only requested Painted Devils the moment it was available on NetGalley, but was checking every single day for it leading up to release. 😂 Little Thieves was my favorite book of 2021, so I was so excited to continue this series, and it felt like coming home to old friends.

I struggle with how to explain this synopsis without spoiling anything from book 1, so I will say that much of this reads like a YA romantic comedy with a MC that reminds me a bit of Anne from Anne of Green Gables if living with the Cuthberts went terribly wrong and she ended up being a closed off rogue thief, and this book is a continuation of ridiculously hilarious or terrible situations that Vanja ends up needing to find her way out of? I laughed so hard and so often, but I also felt a knot in my throat as I struggled to not sob because this witty comedy also stripped my soul bare hitting hard on topics incredibly close to home so many times, but in a way that left me somehow feeling a little less weight on my shoulders for reading it and knowing I was never alone.

Review score wise, the characters and plot in this book were top tier and the writing and atmosphere made this one of my favorite books, probably my current favorite of 2023. I predicted one wild plot twist pretty early on, and it felt so satisfying to be right, but I didn’t see another one coming until right before it happened! The way every little element tied together in the end had me wanting to do a little round of applause. I only lost a little intrigue in the beginning-ish of the book when I hadn’t yet realized the full scope of the plot, and the only thing that confused were a couple of minor characters (specifically a prince and a goddess) because I couldn’t remember how they were connected, but I’m 85% sure I would if I reread or searched their names and stopped reading this past midnight haha.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this to anyone who loved Little Thieves, will absolutely read book 3, and can’t wait to go back and read The Merciful Crow, Owen’s debut, while I wait!

Let me just start off by saying I really loved the realism of the conversations Emeric and Vanya had about intimacy. I love that they both heard each other out and actually discussed things. I loved the communication between these two throughout this entire book, very heartwarming and lovely to see. This story was so much more then Vanya saving Emeric. Its about family, be it blood or found. It's about whether they have your best interests at heart and if just because they are blood, should you always forgive them no matter the cost. I loved how that theme stayed current within the book and the twists as always were very shocking and eye widening. I cannot wait for the last installment.

I adored Little Thieves so much and Vanja is one of my favorite FMCs, so I was thrilled with the announcement of this second installment. Imagine my excitement when NetGalley and the publisher approved me for an ARC! AND IT WAS SO GOOD! An easy 5 star rating for me. Our girl Vanja Schmidt during a drunken escapade accidentally starts a cult and potentially manifests a low god into existence called the Scarlet Maiden. Oops, right? With her biting wit and attitude, Vanja falls under investigation and is reunited with Emeric, her former enemy turned love interest. The Scarlet Maiden appears and claims Emeric as her virgin blood sacrifice. Determined to save him, Vanja is launched down a path that will set her back to her thieving ways and facing the family that she was torn away from 13 years ago. Dealing with the normal teenage emotions of first loves, losing your virginity, family issues, etc. the narrative is relatable while fantastical. Vanja is just so likable!

I absolutely love this world and the way that the gods and goddesses interact with the mortals. A quote straight from Painted Devils that describes this incredible world is, “The world of High Gods and Low, demons, grimlingen, spirits, and so on, which is where magic is drawn from. It exists in the same space as the mortal world and is shaped and empowered by the beliefs of mortals. In turn, they can influence and interact with our world in limited ways.” How amazing! I just adore this world where the magic feels so real and normal. I loved this story, great pacing, and I’m excited to say it looks like there will be a third installment! I have my physical copy pre-ordered, book drops May 18th!

I was a little worried about starting this because I don’t really remember the first one, but it was pretty easy to get back into. This is definitely one of the more unique series I’ve read, it’s kind of like I don’t always know what’s going on but I’m entertained anyway. Vanja and Ragne are still hilarious, I laughed a ton reading this. Although there are a lot of ridiculous things happening, there are so many sweet moments as well. Vanja and Emeric were really adorable and I loved how their relationship progressed. I thought the twist was really clever but I’m not sure about the ending, it kind of felt like a step backward. I’ll definitely read the next one to see how it plays out.

Thank you Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the ARC!

This is one of the best books I have ever read. I've read thousands - literally *thousands* - of books, and this book (and its sequel, "Little Thieves") has earned a venerated place in my top 10.

10 stars. 100 stars. I don't believe in magic, but if I DID, Margaret Owen certainly possess some form of it.

Edit: This review deserves more than a few short lines, so I've come back to add to it.

Everything that I loved about "Little Thieves" is replicated and even improved upon here. The plot is tight and dense, the pacing pitch perfect, and twists I truly never saw coming popping up left, right, and center. The writing itself is impressive - I've not known another author in recent memory who can balance SO much dry wit and humor with impressive descriptions and figurative language, while fully fleshing out characters who feel so incredibly *real* that it's breathtaking.

The world-building is Bavarian-inspired, which is incredibly unique and absolutely delightful. As a reader, you truly have a sense of this world as being enormous, fleshed-out, and filled-in. One can tell that the author did her research to capture that Medieval German essence, and I hope in the next book - the third in the trilogy - we get a glimpse of the empire's capital and the empress herself. Vanja's scope an (in)famy is only growing, and I'd like to see her take on ever-higher stakes.

The romance is handled refreshingly well. It is, I imagine, very difficult as an author to balance angst and drama in a teenage romance against writing about relationships in a healthy, natural, and mature way, but Owen manages to do so.

I truly cannot recommend this series enough. I will definitely be recommending it to everyone I know, and will be purchasing several copies myself when it comes out to fill my classroom library. I wait with bated breath to see what absolutely delightful sorcery this author brings us next.

Painted Devils is a fantastic follow-up to Owen's wild, witty Little Thieves. Readers will be equally delighted by all the hijinks, the snark, the humor and the lovely dose of heart this sequel brings. I especially adored how the budding romance between Vanja and Emeric was portrayed. There were necessary conversations about how to navigate both physical and emotional intimacy that were so refreshing to see on the page compared to all the insta-love in the YA realm right now. Owen's characters are as real as they come. Also, please give me the next book ASAP!

Painted Devils by Margaret Owen is a Bavarian-themed YA fantasy novel that delves into the consequences of a small lie that spirals out of control. Vanja, a reformed jewel thief, finds herself in trouble when she manipulates a remote village for help and accidentally starts a cult around a Low God, the Scarlet Maiden. Her nemesis-turned-suitor Emeric and a supervising prefect arrive to investigate the claim of godhood, and Vanja realizes she is in over her head. The Scarlet Maiden reveals herself but claims Emeric as her virgin sacrifice, and Vanja sets out to find an alternative. She decides to bring the Scarlet Maiden a drop of blood from each of seven brothers for the midsummer feast.

While they are on their journey, Emeric must determine whether Vanja has committed fraud as his final test for prefect-hood. As they travel through the Haarzlands, the harsh land far from the rules of the city, Vanja's past comes into full view, and she fears a future that does not require her to keep running. With vengeful apparitions, supernatural fraud, and ravenous hellhounds, readers will find themselves engrossed in this thrilling sequel to Little Thieves.

Margaret Owen has woven a captivating story with an intriguing cast of characters. The world-building is excellent, and the Bavarian setting is immersive, adding to the overall atmosphere of the book. The story is fast-paced, and the tension never lets up, keeping the reader engaged throughout the book. Owen's writing style is unique, and her use of language is evocative, bringing the story and the characters to life.

In conclusion, Painted Devils is an excellent YA fantasy novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Margaret Owen has created a complex and engaging story with fascinating characters that will leave readers wanting more. This book is highly recommended for fans of YA fantasy and those looking for an immersive and thrilling read.

Well, Margaret Owen has done it again. This book was an absolute masterpiece. Painted Devils, the second book in this series, starts off with our quick-thinking and witty protagonist, Vanja, accidentally starting a cult and quite possibly waking up a dormant god. From there, she is forced on a thrilling adventure of romance, thievery, and magic as the lives of her loved ones (or loved one *eyebrow wiggle*) are put at risk.

Firstly, THESE CHARACTERS. Vanja completely owns my heart, as brave and funny and kind as she is, and Emeric is absolutely adorable. Their relationship, and the way it developed over the course of this story, was so precious, and their constant back-and-forth banter was hilarious as always. One disappointment is that we didn’t get to see nearly enough of my favorite Little Thieves characters (Ragne’s absense felt illegal), but Margaret Owen made up for it with a new cast that was just as lively and lovable as the first. And, again, Vanja and Emeric could make up for anything. I loved them.

I also loved the way Margaret Owen wove more complicated themes into this book, from Vanja’s fear of abandonment, to the idea of beauty and recognizing it in yourself, to the value of family, whether found or blood. It was wonderful, too, to see the casual queer rep I’ve noticed in all of Owen’s books. There is plenty of talk about female characters having wives, a quick touch on a protagonist’s asexuality, and several trans and nonbinary characters. When characters’ queerness comes up in conversation, the others treat it with respect without making a huge deal of it, and it appears to be very normal in their society.

My one major complaint about Painted Devils is that some of the conflicts between characters (specifically Emeric and Vanja) got a little bit repetitive and annoying. It was great to see teenagers acting their age (weirdly rare in YA books) but it did feel as if they had the same conversation multiple times without ever actually solving the problem. (As evidenced, I feel, by the end of the book. But I shall say no more on that subject.)

Besides that, I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book. The action-packed adventures, the subplots and mini-heists, the fantastic characters, and the unique creatures and magic kept me on the edge of my seat, while the writing and dialogue had me cackling and crying. The ending left me with so many questions, and I look forward to seeing where the story goes next.

Thank you so much, NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

TW: grief, death

Vanja didn't want to start a cult around a Low God, The Scarlet Maiden, but when misfortune strikes she's "forced" to ask a remote village for help. Now, months after, the cult is more and more growing and her nemesis, now suitor Emeric, with a supervising prefect arrive to investigate the real nature of this cult. Only to be revealed as real and claiming Emeric as a virgin sacrifice. In order to save the only man she has ever cared for, Vanja is determined to do anything. Like obtaining a drop of blood from seven brother and appeasing her goddess and bring her down. While Emeric is forced to investigate if Vanja has committed fraud in order to become a prefect, they travel from city to city from brothers to sisters, while their feelings for each other grow and grow. Vanja has to stop escape from her past, now and face what the future want from her.

Between annoying supervisor, embarassing and hot moments, confessions and lots of feelings, new and old friends, gods and goddessses, Painted Devils is the perfect sequel of one of my favourite book, Little Thieves. This Bavarian-themed YA fantasy is absolutely brilliant and the reader is captured right away by the story, by Vanja and her wanting to become a different person for herself, for Emeric and his family. She started a journey in order to become more "deserving", but finds herself starting a cult, a new goddess targeting Emeric and an investigation that could put his whole career at risk. Now embroiled in vengeful apparitions, hellhounds, goddesses demanding blood and sacrifices and old stories becoming more and more real, Vanja has to do anything in her power to stop everything.
In Painted Devils Vanja starts a journey in order to discover herself, becoming more and more mature and confident in her feelings, wants and desires. Vanja and Emeric are a perfect duo, with their love and teasing, with their desires and affections, Vanja's relationship with him is the most beautiful in the book and I love how they become more and more involved, trusting each other more and more, even surrounded by dangers and their missions. I truly loved how the author explored their sexualities and how they talked, with embarassing moments and misunderstandings, about what they want and desire, what they like and how. I really appreciated how the asexuality is represented in this book.

I won't say anymore not to ruin some surprises, but there are so many beautiful and intense relationships in this book, with new and old friends and allies and I love the characters' journey and the whole setting, between cities, supernatural, apparitions and so much more, written so skillfully. I love how past and present connect and the way it does. I laughed, I was moved, I smiled and now I so want more and more of this story.
Margaret Owen, what did you do to me????

Many thanks to the publisher for generously providing me with an early copy of Painted Devils in exchange for an honest review.

Painted Devils is an excellent sequel to the first book, Little Thieves, and it has exceeded my expectations. The author continues to follow Vanja's story, as she journeys to find an honest profession before finding her biological family, all while unintentionally forming a cult. The opening of the book is filled with humour, which sets the tone for the rest of the story. However, soon after, the stakes are raised significantly, leading to a series of engaging quests that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the story is the development of Vanja and Emeric's relationship. Their bond is a breath of fresh air, and I appreciated how they shared their feelings, fears, and insecurities with one another. It was beautiful to see them grow together and support each other throughout the story. While there were many familiar characters from the first book, there were also many new ones. Unfortunately, I found it a bit overwhelming at times, and I struggled to keep up with all the new introductions.

Although the middle of the story did drag a bit due to the numerous quests, it still managed to hold my attention, and I found it to be thoroughly entertaining. One of the key elements that I particularly enjoyed was learning about Vanja's childhood through the little tidbits of information scattered throughout the book. It added a layer of complexity to her character, and I could not help but root for her throughout the story.

While the ending of the book was slightly disappointing, it did not detract from the overall quality of the book. In fact, the cliffhanger has left me eagerly anticipating the next instalment in the series. Overall, I highly recommend Painted Devils to anyone looking for a captivating and enjoyable read.

I’ve said before that LITTLE THIEVES felt like it was written for me, a fellow wicked gremlin girl like Vanja. But this time…this time if felt like Owen dug my soul out (the one with all the ugly past), sprinkled spice and herbs on it to make it somewhat pretty, and slammed it on a table for all to see.

I am speechless. This had everything I am and all I ever wanted to tell in my own stories: toxic family ties, the grey area between what’s justice, truth, and moral, the power of names, and how human desires can grow out of control, becoming something bigger than themselves like Gods. I don’t know what sorcery Owen does, but she broke open my heart onto these pages. What a masterful storyteller, who seamlessly weaves all subplots into one and writes the best midpoint plot twists/revelations that has me gasping, choking, and, of course, laughing throughout at this horny couple.

Many thanks to netgalley for the e-arc as well as the publisher for sending us a physical copy to my bookstore! I'm in the process of convincing all my coworkers to read this too

Painted Devils wasn’t quite the knock it out of the park five star book Little Thieves was, but it came damn close.
Continuing to follow Vanja’s journey and character development is so bittersweet. I feel such a connection with her specific struggles and I took a break for a cathartic cry several times over the course of the book. Especially toward the end. That reveal, whew. I would say there are two big reveals, and both were foreshadowed well. Enough hints that it made sense but not so much that I was sure right away.
I loved that we got to check in with a few beloved characters from the first book without it being too forced. I love that Vanja is widening her circle of friends and people she can trust and rely on (even if it doesn’t always feel comfortable or safe to her to do so). I love Joniza. So much.

The plot did drag a bit toward the middle--it started to feel like an endless fetch quest situation, but it wasn’t difficult to push through because I knew it would pick up again. I was also dissatisfied with the ending. I had to take a while to think about whether I actually had a good reason to dislike it or if I just didn’t like that it made me sad and I’ve decided I do have good reason to be irked by it. I’ll try to keep spoilers light, but stop reading here if you don’t want to be spoiled at all




I don’t like the ending because it leaves us exactly were we started. I am interested to see how they both deal with it this time, and what differences there will be, but still. It’s frustrating to go through this entire journey with Vanja slowly learning to trust only to end up in the exact same situation, albeit for slightly different reasons. I also feel like having a cliffhanger ending is a cheap way to convince people to read the next book. However, it’s also very common, so I don’t count that against Margaret Owen too much. I was going to read the next book anyway, so I guess we’ll see what plays out differently this time.

3.5 Stars rounded up

Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

Man, after how much I absolutely loved Little Thieves, I had high hopes for this one. And it just....did not really deliver for me. (I am sorry)

"I am a thief, a liar, a daughter, a sister, trouble, wanted.
And my name is Vanja Ros."

Comparing the story to the first, I liked the first a lot better. The idea of Vanja creating an actual cult intrigued me, but that was such a small aspect to the story. This book is also about saving Emric from unwanted sacrifice, and finding her own family, and potentially being convicted again for breaking the laws again. The cult is there, and always in the background, but this book is so much bigger than that.

Let me start with my least favorite aspect of this book. In book one, the author confirmed that the characters are Asexual, or at least one of them is (I don't remember the specifics), and I loved that. Neither character felt pressured to have sex, but they were able to take things at their own pace and slowly come together as a couple.

Then in this book, Emric is claimed by the Scarlet Maiden because he is a virgin, and a large portion of this book felt like it focused on the fact that the two characters haven't had sex, yet they are pressured to. They even do ~other~ stuff together, but that doesn't "satisfy" the "unclaimed" requirement that the Maiden put on Emric.....so the characters constantly felt like they were not doing enough and yet also felt pressured that they have to do this thing or he....well....dies. I hated that part of the book.

I am a strong believer that people, both real and fictional, should always take things at their own pace and should not feel pressured to do anything outside their comfort zone. I would have been perfectly content had this been left out of the book, especially considering that it was talked about throughout the entire book.

Other than that, I feel like Vanja looking for her family was kind of randomly thrown in during the second half of the book. She never explicitly said she was actively looking for her family, and then all of a sudden the pieces starting falling together and that became a joint quest (with the main one). I like how the whole family situation played out, and it did feel very wholesome and actually played a large role in the ending of the book, but I did not feel like it was the main focus of the story until way later in.

So, in short, this book felt a bit disjointed at times, like it was trying to tackle way too many topics at once. But, the story overall was good, and it kept me engaged. I did not have the same feelings as I did reading the first book, but I enjoyed it enough and look forward to seeing if there will be a third installment in the series.
Content warnings: body horror, broken bones, torture, abandonment, sexual content

Thank you a million times over to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC! I was SO excited to see that I had been approved for the "sequel" to Margaret Owen's first book in this world, Little Thieves. This follow up did NOT disappoint. I love that it's also a standalone but ties in really nicely to the groundwork that was laid out in Little Thieves. Formal review to come via GoodReads/Amazon and socials.

4/5 stars

This is going to be one of my favorite series ever, isn’t it.

Little Thieves was one of my favorite books of 2021, and I was cautiously excited for a sequel. Honestly, I thought the book worked perfectly as a standalone, so I was nervous that a sequel would ruin the world.

Thankfully, it did not. Painted Devils nicely follows Vanja in a brand new adventure where she accidentally creates a cult. The Scarlet Maiden has claimed Emeric as a sacrifice, and Vanja must find a way to defeat her before Emeric has to die.

Vanja might just be the most relatable protagonist I’ve ever read. It’s like Owen went into my brain and created a heroine. I love her.

Vanja has come a long way from how she was at the beginning of Little Thieves, but she still has a long way to go. Her struggles with insecurity and feeling wanted are so authentic and I love how Emeric handles it. While she leaves Emeric in the beginning of the book because of her intrinsic insecurity and fear, she leaves Emeric at the end of the book not because she doesn’t think he loves her, but because she thinks she cannot force him to choose her over and over. There’s a fine line that is so real to me, and I’m excited to read the third installment to see Vanja grow from that.

The plot is well-paced and I was at the edge of my seat throughout the twists. My only gripe is how focused the novel was on sex. Vanja grapples with her choice on “claiming” Emeric so he cannot be used as a sacrifice throughout the book, and they definitely do more than they did in the first book, but way more emphasis was placed on it than needed. I suppose it was another way to demonstrate Vanja’s growth, but it didn’t quite work.

I can’t wait until everyone can read this book.

A very good follow up book to the first. It was highly enjoyable! I would recommend if you like the first book.

Margaret Owen is a fantastic writer. Her books have wonderful pacing and are so much fun to read. I loved seeing what happened next with Vanja and Emeric and loved the character growth that happened within the novel. It was a beautiful read and so much fun. The cliffhanger ending definitely got me wanting the next one.