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.

Vanja is on the run again, and this time Owen is pulling no punches, dragging our delicate feelings backward through bramble. I cried BUCKETS reading this book and for those of you who know me, I'm a bit of a cold fish; this book make me feel feelings.

Is this the most mature YA to grace our shelves? Yes, 100% yes. The themes running through this book around self punishment, self forgiveness and self betterment are so well articulated without being 'preachy'.

Vanja and Emeric's relationship towards one another is navigated so well, alongside a frankly punishingly fast paced plot with peril at every page turn. I could not put this down.

For those wanting to delve into some of the time frame between this and the second installment, you might want to consider downloading The Fallow Year from AO3 that the author has made available. TFY gives some insights that isn't a necessity to the plot but is really nice extra to have context of the characters motivations going into Holy Terrors.

Have tissues on hand and be in a safe space when you venture into this finale. For those who need this book, as I did, this book will reach into parts of your soul you didn't know you needed healing. An absolutely beautiful and bittersweet ending to a masterpiece of a series.

Wow! That's all I can say is wow. I have been hooked since book 1 and this did not disappoint. I could not put it down. This is definitely a don't read before need or the mercy thing you know it's going to be 8am, you pulled an accidentally all nigher and now you gotta go be a sleepy adult and get to function after all the twists and turns.

I can’t even begin to put into words how incredible this book is.

Holy Terrors picks up two years after the events of Painted Devils, after Vanja placed her signature red penny on Emeric’s pillow and never looked back. Continuing her work as the Pfennigeist, she dodges the law and helps the poor, working alone all the while. Running away keeps it all at bay.

But when a serial killer begins using her token in their spree targeting the royalty, Vanja is forced to reunite with Emeric in order to clear her name and elect a successor to the Empress before the kingdom falls to ruin. Backed into a corner, Vanja must face conspiracies, sinister spells, and old enemies.

Diving back into this world felt like coming home. The balance of humor and heartbreak Margaret Owen conjures is absolutely unmatched! One moment Vanja is waxing poetic, the next she’s doodling crude things on Emeric’s notes, just like nature intended.

Holy Terrors releases on April 1, 2025, so don’t be an April Fool who doesn’t have a copy of it! Thank you to Macmillan Publishing and Netgalley for my e-arc, in exchange for this review!


Review is up on my Goodreads now and will be posted to my instagram tomorrow!

I will never get over this series and Holy Terrors being the perfect conclusion only heightens my love for this world and its characters.
I’d like to start by saying that Owen’s way of writing banter and humorous dialogue is top tier. While this book does deal with heavy themes throughout, I can always expect some comical relief that I live for.
This book was one that was impossible to put down. The plot only got more intense as it progressed and everything was so artfully executed. One of my favorite parts of the entire story was certain character arcs being fleshed out beautifully and coming to terms with themselves and finally accepting who they are.
Without giving too much away, this final book definitely pulled at the heart strings but I wouldn’t have it any other way. With all the plot twists and turns, it was easy staying engaged till the end. And my god, that ending was fabulous.
That being said, I do believe a character chart and even a map would be beneficial for this story as there is a lot of information described throughout that can be hard to memorize on a first read-through!

This was truly one of the best series finales I have ever read. It succeeded in delivering all of the things I loved about the first two books, broadened and fleshed out the established lore, developed an entirely new and engrossing plot while also wrapping up all of the themes and arcs in way that felt natural and true to the characters, and just completely nailed the ending. It was such a satisfying read. Which is not to say the book is a bunch of roses. It utterly broke me in parts (as in: had to put the book down and recover before I felt up to reading it again) but it also healed me--it's pain and beauty and heartache and love in equal measure. Dear reader, you will feel things.

I won't delve too much into the plot but basically our characters find themselves in the midst of a page-turning murder mystery thriller (the body count is high!) that might also determine the fate of all existence, and, oh yes, they are all still finding themselves and each other and coming to terms with what they really want out of life and who they want to be. The humor is still there, though, and Vanya's voice is every bit as engaging. Many of our favorites are back, and there are some truly great new characters. I love them all--even the ones I really, really hate.

So, yes, get hyped. This book exceeded my expectations and more than met its moment. A well done ending that is very much worth the ride.

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.

Such a great conclusion to the little thieves trilogy. Our favorites are back at it again but this time on some not so good terms. We go alongside Vanja and Emeric on this conclusion watching them grow out of their past mistakes and learn to forgive and forget from their many misunderstandings. Vanja and Emeric have always been on opposite sides of the law but on this conclusion we see them learn to accept the choices they make/made in life by realizing that "what if's" could have been just as painful and devastating as the paths they took. Highly recommend Holy Terrors, it is a wonderful ending for the characters we have come to love in the past two books.

It’s been nearly two years since Vanja left Emeric her token red penny— crown side up. Rather than stunt his endless potential and opportunities as a prefect, Vanja left, and has since been dedicating her time trying to help those who fall through Justice’s cracks. In this line of work, she’s gained some notoriety repurposing her guise as the Pfennigeist into a figure who helps those the law cannot. However, when the Pfennigeist’s red penny is left at the scene of a few murders of high profile politicians, the prefects are once again on Vanja’s trail, including a particular human protractor who had once promised to always find her.
Little Thieves and Painted Devils immediately became favorites after I first read them last year. When I first got approved for the ARC of Holy Terrors, I was first incredibly excited, then realized I wanted to get into it after reading The Fallow Year short stories (that have so far been released) and THEN decided that I might as well reread the first two while I was at it. This was my first time rereading them, but the emotional impact of both books was just as potent, if not more so, since I was looking for foreshadowing this time.
Now into Holy Terrors itself. This book broke my heart. Shattered it into little tiny pieces, but in the best way possible. I ached for these characters. I was constantly gasping, crying, and laughing. The story itself is packed full of action in more ways than one (yes I know how that sounds, and I didn’t necessarily mean it that way). To clarify— there are a lot of important things and events happening the entire time. Stakes are high and time is running out, but the emotional journey is also a roller coaster. Vanja as we meet her in book one is incredibly flawed, and though she’s grown, changed, and gone out of her way to heal and better herself, she also struggles to avoid falling into old patterns and reacting to her problems in the same way that she has before because the journey to healing trauma is not smooth. It is not always a positive, linear experience (I just helped my cousin with Algebra homework, can you tell?). There are pitfalls, bumps in the road, and days where the healing journey doesn’t feel worth the struggle and pain. Days where giving up feels easier and even right. And Vanja (and even other characters at times too) navigate their respective journeys in ways that feel so real and raw, despite it being a fantasy book with magic, gods, and enchanted items. I could rave about this book (and its predecessors) for hours, but I don’t want to spoil anything!
Just know in addition to the heavy, but touching material, there is also so much humor! Vanja and Emeric’s banter always brings a smile to my face (when it’s not making me cry because feelings) and I love the sass that other characters bring as well. And of course, I can’t mention these books without gushing about the queer representation in its pages! Queer relationships feel effortless in these books without ignoring the struggles of coming out and fearing familial reaction. It’s also never explicitly stated by name, but Emeric feels very demisexual to me, which I love seeing, as I’m demi as well.
I literally cannot recommend these books enough as a whole, but if you haven’t read them at all yet, now is the PERFECT time to pick them up since the final book, Holy Terrors, will be released soon!