(I was given a Netgalley ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review)

As someone who had the privilege of first reading Little Thieves through a Netgalley arc as well, this feels like a fun little full circle moment. I love Vanja and am so glad this story ended this way.

Margaret Owen is one of those authors that is both so ridiculously good at what she does and yet equally mystifying. That dynamic is fully on display in HOLY TERRORS, a fast-moving adventure that ends a beloved series with a bang and a splash.

The twists and turns Owen took Vanja and Emeric are heartbreaking enough that I almost felt the need to skip ahead while reading to make sure I wasn’t heading into a sea of eternal heartbreak. (Stay for V & E, leave because of everything else.) A likely unpopular opinion here, if I may: this series, while delicious, really didn’t need to be a trilogy. The first two books were about flawless in their execution, while this one was lacking in original plot, fear-mongering antagonists (I almost couldn't believe it when You-Know-Who is revealed), and even, at times, consistency. My biggest gripe was the reasoning provided by certain characters (ahem Emeric ahem) when they made decisions that contradicted how they acted in the first two books.

Although Owen delivered on giving us an entertaining spectacle of a read (because of course), the storyline started feeling slightly repetitive and somewhat tired. All told, HOLY TERRORS did still manage to keep me on the edge of my seat. And truly what’s better than that?

Holy Terrors is an impossibly good ending to what has become an all-time favorite series for me, and the only complaint I have is that the era of knowing I have future adventures in this world with these characters seems to be over. Vanja is a masterclass in character work in my opinion. She is so deeply nuanced, so vulnerable, she is allowed to be selfish and loud and too much and yet she is so utterly and wholly human in a world of godly shenanigans. I can't begin to describe how much Vanja's journey means to me, and how deeply I love the characters in this series. Maybe in the future I'll have a better review, but for now all I can say is that this was stunning, heart-felt, action packed and everything I could have hoped for and more. I truly loved it.

My love for this trilogy truly knows no bounds. What an absolutely perfect ending. I’m forever in awe of Margaret Owen’s ability to craft such vivid, tightly paced worlds while remaining so heartbreakingly character driven in her plotting. Like its predecessors, Holy Terrors covers a vast amount of story and absolute breakneck speed - from an identity stealing serial killer to a time loop to mind control pearls - I was certainly never bored! As usual, the humour was absolutely wonderful, and I especially loved the addition of mischievous little Junior tagging alongside Vanja and Emeric’s antics. The longing and heartbreak between those two was so tangible, so very real that I found myself tearing up amidst the laughter. I love how they kept meeting each other where the other was at, kept forgiving, and kept learning how to love. Such a wonderful example of how to do romance in YA fantasy that doesn’t feel overly superficial or too pared back.

Overall, I just loved this story, these characters, and the gripping, inclusive world Margaret created. It’s one I’ll never grow tired of recommending and I’m so excited to have a beautiful hardcover on my shelf next to its siblings come release.

Great writing and character development. Those who read the first two books will be absolutely delighted. This doesn’t feel like it worked as a standalone, it really feels like the three need to be read in order.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing for the ARC.

Does anybody else have a frenemy book series, or is it just me?

This series has been an up-and-down ride for me. I adored book one. I thought it was fun, Emeric and Vanja's relationship was great, I loved Vanja's godmothers and Ragne, and Vanja's myriad and complex issues were handled with STANDOUT deft ability by the author. Every emotional rollercoaster Vanja went on, I was on as well seated right beside her. Excellent all around.

Book two, however, was a deeply frustrating experience. The reasons were twofold: 1) the SUFFOCATING emphasis placed on Vanja and Emeric's awkward, vacillating dance around having sex for the first time, and 2) the ending. As I've always said, I don't find Vanja's self-destructive tendencies or abandonment issues or intimacy struggles unrealistic at all. But I did find them deeply, profoundly annoying to have to experience in "Painted Devils."

All that said, I was hoping against hope that book three would catch us in free-fall and rocket us once again to the lofty heights of enjoyment found in "Little Thieves."

And it did! Mostly!

I generally liked this book a lot. I would have given it 4+ stars if it weren't for the last 25%.

The good:

• The elephant in every room, the single point upon which this whole book turns, is: what will happen to Vanja and Emeric? After Vanja's awful second-book betrayal, and all the growing they did in "The Fallow Year," CAN there be a future for them?

I am happy to report that I thought this was handled extremely well. They meet again right away, without too much faffing about, and of course it isn't pleasant. They both have a well-practiced abrasive dynamic, like a poisoned, bitter version of their more playful antagonism from book 1. The way that they struggle and stumble their way back around to forgiveness, understanding, and love is something that's not necessarily easy to write, but Margaret Owen pulled it off neatly.

• The tongue-in-cheek, snide narrative tone. I missed Vanja's signature first-person narration in "The Fallow Year," and am glad to have it back! In general, the humor was a win for me. (Even the lowkey meme references.) I also thought the way the cat's meows were transliterated was SO funny.

• I like Lilje a lot. I don't like Benno as much, but he plays a much smaller role than Lilje, who in general was a joy to have around.

• Death and Fortune were around a lot more! I also loved evolving lore of the Pfennigeist, and the double-sided sword of the people's belief. The bits of power Vanja got to use were great, but the unreliability and heavy downside of it made it seem like more than just a "get out of jail free" card.

• Ozkar is extremely noxious and I'm glad he got to come back as an antagonist. He deserves it.

• There are repeated tiny excerpts exploring Vanja's choices by showing all the lives she might have led, if she had done something different at various points in the past. These eventually get tied into the main narrative, but for me, even more important that this motif's relevance to the later story, was how it nearly convinced me that Vanja had really, truly done her best. These vignettes almost seemed to be saying that if Vanja had tried to make it work with Emeric earlier on in the story, they would have been doomed to failure. I'm not sure I believe that, but they certainly made me think about her seeming self-destructiveness in a different way.

• The pearls. Control and freedom to choose have always been huge themes in this series, and I thought the pearls were a great mechanism to continue to explore this, as well as being a scary, high-stakes problem to overcome.

Now. What didn't work as well.

First, a minor note: the team was WILDLY ineffective at solving the murder mystery. They almost solved it by default because there was no one but the team and the murderer left alive! The end of the book then almost makes it seem like this was a helpfully convenient way to butcher all of the country's nobility so as to leave space for reform. Which, okay? I guess "And Then There Were None" assassinations might be preferable to widespread political violence? But they were trying to stop the murders the entire book, mostly completely failed, and then at the end the narrative was like oh well! Maybe it's a good thing after all! Overall this just feels kind of weird.

Second, a major note: we were rocking and rolling throughout 75% of the book. Relationships were changing! Characters were growing! Mysteries were being solved! Resolution was nearly within our grasp! Then, at the point where I felt ready to wrap it all up, I noticed that there was still a fourth of the book left. This is never good.

What, after all, was there to explore that could possibly take THAT much more time?

Well, the answer to that question was apparently fever dreams. A massive time-construct of fever dreams controlled by the secret big bad who had been there in the background the entire time! This whole section was a miss for me. I was confused. Baffled. Frustrated. Annoyed. Over it.

I lost my grip on what, up until that point, had been a tightly-woven thread of harmonized plot and theme. The climax where Vanja extends compassion to herself and finds unity with all her different possible futures should have been hugely emotional and resonant, but it fell flat.

I liked the ending in general, with Vanja's new mission and Emeric's choice. I think it's a good compromise for them, honoring both of their natures. I really wanted to enjoy this! But the hallucinogenic final boss battle scenario took the wind out of the book's sails. The long-awaited resolution that should have had me jumping up and down and screaming just seemed like a footnote to the weird and ineffective hard left turn taken by the story in the final quarter of the book.

This and "The Fallow Year" still redeemed a LOT of what frustrated me about "Painted Devils." I still think this series is something special in many ways, and I've had a lot of fun across three books! I'm glad I read this, and I did enjoy it. I just wish the ending could have been a little bit tighter, and not left me feeling at sea.

I knew early on that this book was going to be too long, and quite honestly it was. There was so much setup and most of it got kind of repetitive (especially the Emeric / Lillje / Vanja dynamic) by the time we got to the actual climax after the false ending, I was kinda done with it, even though the last section was very interesting.

I love Vanja’s character - and especially her roguish humor. I wish there had been more of that, particularly in the beginning. I also very much liked Lillje. The other side characters didn’t stand out particularly though.

Overall it was a solid conclusion to a trilogy with much better first and second books. I would read more by Margaret Owen, if given the chance.

tl;dr
Bigger in scope that the previous books, Holy Terrors ties up all the the loose threads in a satisfying ending, even without the smaller, snugger tones that made me love the first book so much.

Thoughts
"Little Thieves" is one of my favorite books of all time. Its sequel "Painted Devils" is... not. So how does the third and final book in this trilogy stack up? I'm happy to say we're closer to first book energy, and it's excellent.

Buckle in folks, this is a long one! Yes, longer than the first two. Vanja's back, and she's doing her best to put good into the world the only way she knows how - by thieving and tricking her way through society, this time in service of the poor and needy instead of herself. Does it work? Mostly! Up until someone starts killing royalty, and leaving her calling card behind. To no one's surprise, a certain Prefect Conrad is on the case, and they're going to have to work together to find the real culprit before the entire kingdom falls apart (perhaps literally).

The stakes and the magic are significantly higher this time around, with magical items, spell-slinging, and multiple gods involved in a very twisty plot that connects all the loose threads from the previous two books. And when I call it a twisty plot, I mean it. This thing has got LAYERS, packed with red herrings, alternate pathways, and so many surprises. The scale of it as also much bigger. The first book felt like the fairy tale retelling that it is. A dash of magic, but a compact world with a single advancing plot. This book feels like we hit the gas HARD. In order, the books are basically Iron Man, Iron Man II, Avengers Endgame. It's big. It's epic. It doesn't hit the same vibes as before, but it does feel like the natural conclusion of the arc that the first two books set up. It's a satisfying end to the story, but the overall feel is definitely bigger.

And like Endgame, we have a huge cast of fan favorites! Ragne, Gisele, and Joniza are all very welcome returns, and several new characters are an absolute delight. The return of some less scrupulous characters is also at hand, all with machinations of their own.

And that just leaves our lovelorn heroes. Do they make up? Will they finally be honest with each other? Will they finally be honest with themselves? Will it be anything like all the frustrations of book 2 that made me so upset? Yes and no! The romantic drama continues to unfold, but unlike teen awkwardness of Book 2, we fall more into second chance romance patterns. Sniping, bickering, and all sorts of ~feelings~ are the order of the day, but unlike the previous volume, Vanja and Emeric remain focused on solving the mystery as well. The dreaded miscommunication rears its head more than I'd like, but they're at least smart enough to listen to other people this time around. They've both got a lot to unpack, and the unpacking begins with the help of friends and some frank self-reflection. Also a bit of familiar-sounding poetry. (Which makes me realize that... is Margaret Owen sneaking pop culture lyrics into all her books and I only just now noticed? Oops.) But yes, it turns out the kids are alright, and fans of this pairing should be pleased with the outcome.

ALSO. The illustrations in this one are my favorite so far. Beautiful work.

I loved this series so much. I’m sad it’s over. Vanja is such a wonderful character and to see her growth throughout the books was wonderful. This series had me laughing and crying. It is the story of learning to love oneself, and the power of friendship and love. Perfect ending to a wonderful series.

This is the book I never wanted to end. Luckily it’s a brick and took me forever.

The little thieves series has done something for my soul. And Holy Terrors did not fall short. This book is for the people who want to run away, it’s about standing up and sometimes finding out the biggest enemy is yourself, it’s about being afraid of love and fighting for it anyway, and most of all it’s about finding yourself instead of being who others think you are.

This was beautifully written. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It was the perfect conclusion in every way.

Special shoutout to Margaret Owen’s team for this ARC. And an even bigger shout out to Margaret Owen replying to every one of my screaming instagram messages this past week. It takes a special author to make readers feel so seen (and hurt by this emotional rollercoaster).

I cannot get enough of this series! Owen has an incredible gift of being able to develop a cast of characters while still maintaining a fast-paced plot. I binged these chapters in a few days.

Little Thieves is now officially one of my favorite series and Holy Terrors made for the perfect ending! I’m always nervous about the last book in a series I love, but I honestly can’t imagine a better ending for Vanja and Emeric! In Holy Terrors we see the culmination of the character development Vanja, Emeric and their friends undergo and I was all for it. It was especially nice to see Ragne and Gisela again after they were absent for most of book 2. As with the previous books, Holy Terrors was full of Vanja’s escapades, a host of surprises, gut wrenching moments and lots of humor. I wanted to savor this book, but I just couldn’t put it down!

I can’t recommend this book enough! If you enjoy heist books, Robin Hood vibes, found family trope, morally grey characters, snarky protagonist and nerdy love interests then I think you need to pick up this series

I went into Holy Terrors a little nervous. I loved the first two books in the trilogy (and Margaret Owen's AO3 story about the year between Painted Devils and Holy Terrors). I adore our main characters. I knew their road to the conclusion would be bumpy. How much would it hurt? A LOT. How much would I cry? A LOT. How much would I laugh? A LOT.

Buckle up, friends, this is quite a ride!

The first 50% of this book follows a rough format that anyone who is familiar with the previous books would be expecting. Vanja, our wounded heroine tries to carve out a life for herself after the events if the second book. She finds a way to help others while also nursing wounds left by abandoning Emeric. Despite the fact that she's a thief at heart, we see her righting wrongs and looking out for the underdogs she encounters. She dates a few people. And then Emeric shows up. It's no the satisfying reunion you expect. This early phase gives way to one where Vanja is a suspect and it's plunged into political intrigue while surrounded by royalty and prefects.

At 75%, you will think it's done. That the last 25% will be settling all your beloved characters into their happily ever afters. Oh, friend, you will be so wrong. The last 25% is when you'll be catapulted into a wild, what-is-even-happening-right-now dimension where the roller coast you were on from the first three quarters of the book will look like the It's a Small World ride. The last quarter is bonkers in all the best ways.

Yes, you will get your happily ever afters. Yes, you will be satisfied. But you will be gob smacked by the last quarter of this book. And the you'll want to read it again to make sure you understand what happened.

Also, there's an adorable kitten.

I was so excited to be approved for this novel! The first two books were wonderful and I was so excited to see where Owen would take us next in the world. Vanja is so complex and wonderfully morally grey. Seeing the fallout after book two really just showed the stakes Vanja is up against. Plus, who doesn't love a good murder mystery?

Things this book has, with spoilers but no context:

- divorce
- the plot of the film twister (1996)
- a dick-biting kitten
- a lesbian throuple
- hannah montana jokes
- the plot of the film cinderella 3: a twist in time
- miscommunication to an almost debilitating degree
- a roast of the concept of seasons
- retroactive justification for painted devils, a book i did not particularly care for
- the plot of the film conclave (2024)
- a meat throne
- emeric conrad's tramp stamp
- the wrong lessons learned from harrow the ninth
- what does, in fact, eat owls
- a remarkably satisfying emotional throughline and conclusion to a remarkably emotionally satisfying YA series

although this book is overlong, overcomplicated, and at times really REALLY repetitive (and broke my brain more than once), i was all in from the very first page. objectively, this book should not work. if i think about it for too long, i want to pick it apart, and it's structurally insane. but somehow, still, i loved it? like stayed up into the wee hours of the morning giggling and kicking my feet and blushing like a little kid loved it. thank you, margaret owen, for your human civics primer and the gremlin girl he loves. my life is much better for them.

Thank you to NetGalley, Henry Holt and Co, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for this advanced copy! You can pick up Holy Terrors on April 1, 2025.

I will say that from what I read it was very very good. Problem I have is that I didn't read the first two books. So I will need to read those books before this one.

I also feel like this might be a little too young for my liking. I love YA but this is firmly YA.

The final book in the Little Thieves trilogy does not disappoint.... bringing in all my favorite (and some despicable) characters for one final world ending epic showdown...
There was a LOT happening here. Vanya and Emeric are reunited.. sort of.... I mean they are back in the same city... and Emeric is engaged to another woman who is unfortunately wonderful. Somehow they manage to adopt a kitten, Junior, who is not at all relevant to the plot but also manages to be the most important character ever!

This is another absolute stunner from one of my favorite authors. It’s hilarious and heart-wrenching, and I love watching these babies learn and grow from their trauma while absolutely driving each other crazy. Definitely read the collection of short stories published by Margaret Owen on AO3 (called THE FALLOW YEAR) first.

I really, really don’t want to write this review because Holy Terrors was not what I was hoping it would be. I absolutely LOVED Little Thieves, it got me back into fantasy when I was in a rut, but Painted Devils didn’t wow me, and unfortunately neither did Holy Terrors. The bad thing is I can’t pinpoint why neither of those books worked for me when Little Thieves was in my top faves of the year that I read it.

"Holy Terrors" delivers a thrilling and satisfying conclusion to the "Little Thieves" trilogy. Margaret Owen masterfully weaves together political intrigue, forbidden romance, and supernatural elements to create a captivating and unforgettable story.

The plot is fast-paced and action-packed, with numerous twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. The mystery surrounding the killer is cleverly constructed, and the stakes are constantly raised, culminating in a dramatic and suspenseful climax.

The characters are complex and well-developed. Vanja, the enigmatic and rebellious protagonist, is a compelling figure who grapples with the consequences of her past actions and the weight of her responsibilities. Her relationship with Emeric, her former love and now her sworn enemy, is a central focus of the novel, adding a layer of emotional depth to the story.

What makes this book stand out:

Compelling World-Building: Owen's world is richly imagined and meticulously detailed, with a unique blend of magic, history, and political intrigue.
Intricate Plot: The plot is intricate and engaging, with numerous twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
Complex Characters: The characters are complex and well-developed, with compelling motivations and internal conflicts.
Themes of Redemption and Forgiveness: The novel explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the consequences of our choices, adding a layer of emotional depth to the story.
Minor Criticisms:

Some readers may find the pacing slightly uneven in the first half of the book.
The resolution of some subplots might feel a bit rushed.
Overall:

"Holy Terrors" is a thrilling and satisfying conclusion to the "Little Thieves" trilogy. Margaret Owen's masterful storytelling and captivating characters make this a must-read for fans of fantasy, historical fiction, and intricate political dramas.

Recommendation:

Highly recommended for readers who enjoyed the previous books in the "Little Thieves" series and are looking for a thrilling and emotionally resonant conclusion.