An entertaining conclusion to the series, if a bit disappointing when weighed against the original book in the trilogy.

On the whole I think this was a good series, though there has been a notable slide from the first book to those that followed it, and I think it’s because the series migrated so far from its original premise. This was originally a Goose Girl reimagining, but that aspect of the plot is largely gone in the second and third novels, replaced by a lot of Will they/Won’t they romantic subplot nonsense that mostly annoyed me.

Romance readers might enjoy this, as it’s typical of the genre, but as these were originally fairy tale retellings, it winds up being a bit of a bait and switch for readers not looking for that specifically. It’s easy to root for Emeric and Vanja as a couple, but there’s a lot of manufactured drama that eats up pages and distracts from the better parts of the story.

There is also markedly less humor as the series progresses, which is too bad, as Owen really did well with this at the beginning. I think the whole series is still worth reading, but the first book is both differently plotted and far better in quality than those that follow.

While it was great to be back with Vanja and Emeric, I ended up enjoying this less than the previous two books. Those were very much favourites for me, and this one simply didn't live up to it. The character dynamics and the humour were once again so entertaining, but I wasn't as into the plot this time. I felt like everything was drawn out unnecessarily, and the longer the book went on, the more confusing everything became.

Oh, how I love the return to our favorite little menaces. Margaret Owen has quickly become an instabuy author for me, and this conclusion is no exception to that! I loved watching Vanja grow, but was so sad to see some of the more unfortunate happenstances occur. In the future, I will revise this review with more concrete thoughts, but for now, please know that I absolutely ADORED this series.

My only (very minor) complaint was that the pop culture references felt relatively out of place given the setting. It did detract from the immersion, but it was subtle enough that it didn't impact me for very long.

As always, all my thanks to both Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to review this ARC!

This is how you write the third book in a trilogy!
I was so lucky to have been granted an arc of both the ebook and audiobook, which made for a truly immersive reading that this story deserves.

Vanya'a life has taken a turn, and now she has to fight against things she's started herself.
The stakes are high, and especially in the last third of the story I could barely catch my breath.

There are twists and turns along the way - so much when I got whiplash at times. There's also a kind of multiverse and timey-wimey stuff. And boy,I do love a multiverse and timey-wimey stuff.

I have to admit, in book 2 I lost trust in the story for a while. But oh was I wrong.

There is so much character growth, heartache and pain. But also humor and a kind of tone that really got me.

If you haven't started this trilogy yet, now is the best time.

4,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio and @panmacmillan for the eARCs.

#HolyTerrors #Netgalley #Bookstagram

3.75 stars
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A much awaited sequel for me, I rushed into Holy Terrors. I went into this book with the highest of hopes, but left a little let down.

The things I loved about this book, I loved. This story is a wonderful continuation of Emeric and Vanja’s relationship. You get to see it grow and develop over the course of the series, but this book does something really special in how it handles it. I love the players in these books, and the world building is lush. The humor is top notch and I love Vanja as a narrator. You really get to see her grow as a character, but as a person, too. But what it fails to be, for me, is cohesive. Following the plot was near impossible and I held on for dear life, but was left more confused at every turn. Never did I fully grasp what was happening at any moment and while sometimes that works, I just found that even the conclusion left me with more questions. I feel like I needed a fourth book to really space out what was happening so there was more in depth explanation. The scope of what was trying to be accomplished and explained and the amount of players are stake was too much for one book.

Making this a more spaced out quartet of books would have made it so much better for me. But I did enjoy it.

I just finished Holy Terrors by Margaret Owen, and I absolutely loved it. This book has everything from magic, adventure, a heist vibe, and a slow-burn romance that had me totally invested. It’s the kind of story you want to take your time with, just soaking in all the details and getting lost in the world. If you're into books that blend fantasy, clever twists, and a little romance, this one’s a gem.

Margaret Owen's Holy Terrors is the third installment in the author's Little Thieves series. Holy Terrors forces Vanja to confront the full weight of her past choices—and decide who she’ll become when the dust settles. Set nearly two years after the events of Painted Devils, Holy Terrors finds Vanja operating solo as the Pfennigeist, a folk hero who robs the corrupt to aid the desperate across the Blessed Empire of Almandy. Her signature red penny has become a symbol of justice—until a serial killer begins leaving it at the scenes of royal murders, turning her legacy into a nightmare.

When even the Blessed Empress falls, the empire teeters on the brink of collapse, and the seven royal families must elect a successor within weeks or risk reality itself unraveling. Vanja’s forced back into the fray, reuniting with Journeyman Prefect Emeric Conrad—the boy whose heart she broke—to clear her name and save those she loves. What follows is a whirlwind of bloody conspiracies, sinister magic, and old enemies, all woven into a narrative that is as thrilling as it's poignant. The two years apart have changed them both—Vanja into a folk hero with a tarnished reputation, and Emeric into a more seasoned prefect—but their chemistry remains the beating heart of the series.

The central mystery of the killer framing Vanja unfolds with twists that are both shocking and satisfying, while the looming threat of reality’s collapse adds a cosmic urgency. The stakes feel personal, even as the fate of an empire hangs in the balance. And yet, it’s the more minor details—Vanja’s doodles on Emeric’s notes, the absurdity of a haunted doll, the sausage references—that keep the tone delightfully irreverent. Vanja’s journey from an abused, abandoned girl to a figure of legend is complete here, but not without cost. Owen doesn’t hand her a neat, happy-ever-after; instead, she earns a future shaped by her own hands, scars, and all.

It’s a conclusion that respects her complexity, refusing to sand down her edges. Complicated themes of choice, power, love, and freedom are expertly woven throughout this breakneck book. Unwanted by her own parents, raised by Death and Fortune, Vanja deals with so much in this story that it's a wonder that she can keep her wits about her. I loved the addition of Junior the cat, mainly because he made me smile with his antics and had to share custody between Vanja and Emeric. I loved the graphics between chapters, which show Vanja in different situations she has found herself in over the past 19 years. This book features numerous important characters, including Gisele, Ragne & Oskar, and a dangerous character from Vanja's past, so I had to use index cards to keep track of who was who and their significance.

Holy Terrors is the 3rd book of Margaret Owen's trilogy, which began with Little Thieves. We're following the story of Vanja Ros, the goddaughter of Death and Fortune, as she navigates self-discovery, geopolitical intrigue, love, friendship, and growing up.

I read Little Thieves, but not Painted Devils, and found that I could follow this 3rd installment pretty well, as most of the characters and true angst stemmed from characters in Book 1.

Vanja is nearly 19 now, doing her own brand of helping the poor and waffling about Emeric, until she finds herself as a suspect in a political murder. This turns into a political mess reminiscent of a papal conclave, with plenty of twists, turns, and surprises.

I found Vanja's cheekiness funny and endearing, and her bumbling through life felt realistic considering her history, although at times it bordered on annoying.

The writing was beautiful, with plenty of descriptives, lyrical moments, very dry banter, and just the thoughts of an irreverent teenager trying to figure the world out before it killed her.

I skated over much of the politics, and some of the grander action scenes, because this is a HUGE book, and I wanted to see who dun it already?

Overall, the story is a mix of fairy tales, parable, fable, and a fun house of mirrors.

*4.25 Stars*

What a great end to a great series. I was in from the first page to the last. I love these characters and the intrigue was so good. I really had no clue the entire time. It was a great time and I just wanted to find out more. I read this pretty much in one go. I was truly so into it. I just loved how the characters grew throughout the series and I would definitely read it again!

"Vanja Ros," Emeric tells me, "you are always worth the wait."

A big THANK YOU to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC of Holy Terrors! To say I was thrilled when I saw I'd been accepted for this ARC is an understatement. After Book 2's ending, I could not wait to learn the resolution of Vanja's (and hopefully Emeric's) story.

I INHALED this book, and hated when I had to put it down. I loved it so much. I loved the two preceding books as well, but this one made me FEEL things and is probably my favorite of this incredible trilogy. Needless to say, I will absolutely be returning to it in the future,

I was feeling REAL stressed about the state of Vanja and Emeric's relationship, but their resolution was 100% worth the wait. I'm a sucker for second chance romance, and I felt this was the perfect blend of second-chance/enemies-to-lovers(which is always a winner in romantasy). It was emotionally painful to get through some of those chapters when Emeric was being a total jerk to her, but with what he assumed her reasons for leaving him were...you can't blame him TOO much.

The storytelling, as is consistent with the other books in the trilogy, was fantastic. I was pulled into Vanja's world, seeing it through her outwardly sassy and inwardly vulnerable personality. The growth that she experienced was phenomenal. I also loved the fast-paced drama and investigation, and the mystery behind everything happening. And UGH. I love she and Emeric's love story SO much. I can't get enough of it.

On the other hand, I want to rate this book a 4.5, because there were a couple things that just had me feeling a little "ick". There was a bit more language than in the prior books, and lots of sexual references that made me feel a little uncomfy. These are just my personal preferences, but overall I ADORED this book. Can't wait to read more from Owen :)

I will love this series until my dying day. Margaret Owens has a fan for life. This is such a dynamic and amazing series.

4.25 stars -- Holy Terrors is the epic conclusion to the incredible Little Thieves trilogy. Painted Devils, the second book, left us on a pretty big cliffhanger so I was so excited to be immersed in this world once again.

Vanja and the whole team are back to figure out who is murdering royals while leaving a red penny as a calling card to impersonate Vanja. This time, the murders, danger, and chaos were even more personal for Vanja. The plot twists and turns were so well done I kept second-guessing myself every chapter.

If you're counting on the same trademark humor, magic, and character growth that make the first two books so special, you'll get it in spades in Holy Terrors! The cast of characters is diverse and humorous, but realistically flawed. Their motivations, arguments, and feelings were so relatable that I know YA readers will see themselves in these characters. Vanja is no saint but this book really shows her character striving to be better, despite the bleak events. She's trying to work through trauma, unlearn bad behavior, and be there for her friends as their entire empire is on the brink of political collapse (feel relatable, much?). I loved how so much of the first book was re-incorporated into this one and it felt like a great series wrap-up.

Vanja and Emeric's storyline? emotional damage. I was so invested since book one so this third book put me through the FEELS. In the beginning I was genuinely thinking "there's no way we can move on from this, we're at the bottom of the barrel here?" But, boy, does Margaret Owen know how to write her characters going through it™️ but also ensuring there's a HEA!

Overall I really enjoyed this story so much and thought the conclusion to this series was the right tone to hit. This is going to be a beloved YA trilogy for many future readers and I can't wait for more people to step into this world to meet Vanja!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy. It did not affect my reviews in any way!

It’s really rude to make me cry so many times. I am so sad to come to the end(?) of Vanja and Emeric’s story. I wish I could read about them forever and ever. My favorite red-headed gremlin girl and her intolerable filing cabinet. I will miss my favorite princess and her shape-shifting wife.
Holy Terrors was full of so many twists and surprises. I was on the edge of my seat (metaphorically, of course) the whole time. I gasped and cried more times than i would like to admit. This trilogy has been one of the most interesting reads I have ever encountered and I can’t wait to do a full series re-read.
Maragaret Owen’s story-telling is outlandish is the best possible way. She has made me fall in love with a wicked, morally grey girl and her (yes, HER) sanctimonious coatrack. In-between the snark and witty remarks, Owen uses her stories to explore so many different topics: What does justice look like, what does love look like, should love change a person, a person is not the decisions they make but how those decisions change them as a person, what does forgiveness look like. She has created an immersive world that is so fantastical and magical that feels incredibly real. I would read anything she wrote. Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing House for the eARC!

*Note I have received a free digital copy of this book and it will not affect my thoughts or feelings towards this title*

Oh my god, that is what I call a series conclusion!!! If you had any fears about how Owen was going to be able to wrap up this massive story cast them aside because this was perfection! Every character that we have grown to know and love have all their arch's completed in such lovely way. The dialogue and banter as always was top tier and had many laugh out moments to giggle at or think what the actual *BLEEP*. Vanja's character journey from book one to now is just so natural and tremendous it makes me feel proud of who she becomes after all she has suffered from. This book has everything from high stakes, real consequences, murder mysteries and the end of the world all wrapped up into this book with so many laughs sprinkled on top. If you were a fan of the previous installments to this series, this is the ending that feels deserved for all our favorite (and not so liked) characters. If you couldn't tell already I would definitely give this a five out of five stars and recommend anyone to give this series a try (especially since its now completed) and come for the chaotic ride known as the "Little Thieves" series.

*Side note: I would highly recommend rereading the past installments of the series prior to reading Holy Terrors as they are just so many callbacks that I feel are more rewarding with a fresher memory*

Holy Terrors picks up sixteen months after the end of Painted Devils with Vanja playing the role of the Pfennigeist: a vigilante who helps the helpless get the justice they need. She is recruited once again by the prefects as a consultant when its discovered an assassin is making their way through the royal houses while disguised as the Pfennigeist. This puts her back in contact with the boy she left, Emeric and they have to work together to find this assassin while dealing with the emotional fallout of their break up.

I loved this book and found it an almost perfect conclusion to a fantastic YA fantasy trilogy. Owen continues Vanja's coming of age story and via a unique take on the multiverse, shows how much she has grown over the three books. It is truly impressive to see how Vanja's own internal voice has changed since 'Little Thieves' as she has matured and Owen portrayed this so subtly but so well. (And while maintaining Vanja's trademark snark.) I am a sucker for a time travel/multiple timeline story and it is used masterfully here to illustrate the theme of choices and how one's choices change who they are. (And it was sweet to see how the choices that mainline Vanja makes results in character growth for other people and the ultimate resolution of the conflict.)

All of the initial scenes with Vanja and Emeric before they make up absolutely broke my heart and was such an accurate portrayal of an ugly break up. I liked that Owen showed that both Vanja and Emeric needed time apart to grow as individuals before they could really come together as a successful couple. Its a really well done example of love and relationships growing and changing over time that we don't get to see often in YA books.

As much as I enjoyed the reading experience, I do think the book was a little too long and moved too slowly in the middle. I felt that we should have spent more time with Vanja living alone as the Pfennigeist and being in a relationship with Benno so we can see more of how that changed her. It would have made certain events in the back of the book hit harder. Also, I found myself still confused by the end of how our villain was able to complete their plot within the established rules of the world. I just don't think it was adequately explained in a way that was satisfying and this undercut the events of the climax. (Also the climax felt a little rushed without enough supporting details again for everything to make sense).

Overall, I still highly recommend this book and the whole trilogy as they are an excellent example of YA fantasy.

Reviews going live on Goodreads, Storygraph and Fable on 4/1 and on Tiktok on 4/2.

I was ready for heartbreak and Owen really keeps us on the emotional roller coaster. I can't even fully express how many times I needed to continue to read to make sure my heart wouldn't shatter into a million pieces. Holy Terrors was perfection in a series ender. While the action continually forces you to read, the true star is, of course, Vanja. The action and cleverness in this series always astounds me. I love being stumped. Holy Terrors challenges everything you knew about this world and breaks it.

Vanja ran. She tried to make a life worth living but something keeps her life in ruin. She keeps hurting the ones she loves when all she wants is to protect them. As she tries to figure out the cause of her string of never-ending disasters someone frames her alter ego, the Pfennigeist, the Penny Phanom, for a string of royal murders. To save her name, and most likely the whole country, she has to team up with those she’s hurt the most. Together she discovers more about herself than she could ever dream.
I absolutely LOVED this book. The whole series is fantastically layered with capers, romance, family drama, fabulous side characters, fables made flesh, low gods trying their best, and an empire that’s one supernatural crisis away from utter collapse. Vanja and Emeric are a study in flawed characters learning about themselves so they can love fully and be loved fully. They are perfectly imperfect and the only problem I have with this series is that I didn’t read it sooner. What’s wrong with you self?!
The writing is fabulous. The story tackles deeply traumatic and terrible incidents with care, insight, and a slow and steady dose of support, healing, and reality. The whole world is wrapped in layers of magic, humanity, humor, banter, swoony moments, snark, folklore, heartache, and so much more. I think I felt every feeling with this series and Holy Terrors griped me in a way that only a few other books have.
Comp titles? I’m bad at this, I think. But it hit all the right notes so I was like what is this reminding me of… It’s right up there with Starling House with the life-altering relationship and personal growth. It has the flavor of Gilded & Cursed, the relationship drama of Heartless Hunter, the MCs are like all of the Six of Crows mashed into two people, and it has that build of plot within each book and the overall series like Holly Black. Basically, it’s word magic and I have been changed for good.

A very satisfying ending to one of my favorite series! I laughed, I cried, I finished this book within 24 hours of receiving the ARC. This book had a brick on the gas pedal because it did not slow down once. It is a very satisfying, emotionally charged ending, well-worth the wait. My only critique is that I wish there was a list of the imperial houses and members because the names were a lot to keep track of while reading (but that is a small critique). If you love Vanja, Emeric, and the little thieves crew, grab some tissues and prepare yourself for the ride!

Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) | Macmillan Young Listeners for this ARC Copy!

Such a great conclusion to such a wonderful series. I have enjoyed this series more and more with each book and I am so sad that is is over, but I am also really happy with the final conculsion to the characters that I have completely fallen for through this series.
I really enjoyed how much of the character growth that we saw in book 1-2 really comes into play in this final book. The characters truly grew immensely throughout the series and the author did such a great job of making sure that the growth was believable and really reflected in the characters behaviors and decisions.

Margaret Owen never misses! This was a delicious continuation of the series, so happy to be back with these beloved mischief-makers!