Audio Narration: 5/5 The narrator really brings this story to life and I thoroughly enjoyed my re-read via audio, this is one I will likely find myself re-listening to often!

<i>This series is everything. It’s hilarious, laugh out loud funny, it’s crazy at times, off the wall outrageous, raw and real, emotional, silly and just plain perfect. </i>

If you’ve not read Little Thieves yet, I need you to stop slacking and go have some fun (aka read it). It is hands down the funniest book I’ve ever read with the most lovable morally grey FMC ever. <i>imho</i>

Then you need to move on to Painted Devils, where our lovable and morally gray FMC accidentally starts a cult…

OK, all caught up?

Now that you’ve thoroughly immersed yourself in this world and you’re clearly in love with Vanja and Emeric it’s time to move on the final book.

<i>Holy Terrors is everything you’ve ever wanted in a series finale. </i>

The absolute epic growth that we see in both Vanja and Emeric will have you questioning if this is a YA book.

<i>and on that note, this is actually the perfect YA series</i>

It starts off silly and fun with a small lesson about learning to care for others more than yourself.

and then Vanja does what every young adult should do, she makes a mistake, albeit a big one, and from it she grows - she grows so much she learns it’s important to let go of things no matter how much you love them.

and to top it all off we get a series finale that feels grown up enough that if ages were adjusted it could certainly be a book for middle-aged adults, but as it stands its a phenomenal journey of self-discovery and learning how to accept and be loved as you are.

<i>…. I’m not crying writing this review I swear…</i>

Look - stop reading this review and go read the book - nothing I have to say is as important and amazing as this book is.

This is the third book in this series and Margate Owen is still just as strong in her writings and plot building. I think I had just as much fun reading this one as I did with the first two, which ( to me) points at a strong writer well worth the time to read the books. I will also say that I do believe you need to read the other books in this series to fully understand Vanja and Emeric's relationship, her relationship with her god mothers, and Vanja's past since they all come into play within this story.

In this story, Vanja has taken a path in her life which has lead her away from Emeric. Without talking t him, she makes the decision for both of them to move on from the relationship so they don't have to "change" to be in each other's lives. So a few years have passed since the end of the second book and we do not have a happily ever after, we have some fairly miserable people who are still haunted by their past choices. However, Giselle is possibly on the list to be the next emperor but she doesn't want it as would affect her ability to remain married to her wife.

There is a lot of magic, treachery and discussions of feelings at various points. It is such a good book and we are still left with the feeling we could potentially get more if she decides she wants to continue some various aspects. I know the summary says "final chapter", but I see potential. Though the characters have grown, I don't think they've matured much with respect to the way they keep secrets, lock away their feelings, and just in general don't talk to each other about the hard stuff.

Wow. Just wow. What a stunning conclusion to one of my favourite YA Fantasy series! It’s rare for me to feel like every book in a series is a five star read, and this truly is a trilogy of absolute bangers.

There’s such clear intention here in terms of the story’s internal and external conflicts, so SO MUCH deep character work being done, and an incredible action plot that keeps everything rolling. I am astonished at how effectively the stakes were escalated, and how vital elements from previous books were incorporated to make this feel like a reckoning we’ve been building to from the start. Pacing was solid, LOVED the way the interludes drew it all in together

Owen’s humorous prose is some of the best in the YA business. She’s just genuinely funny and it makes the novel absolutely shine. Vanja’s POV is always a delight, and this book is no different, despite the amount of serious business happening! There’s such a good balance struck.

Of course I’d still go to war for this motley assortment of idiots and tricksters. The old gang learns and grows, and the new gang settles into their ranks. The bad guys are awful, the gods are PHENOMENAL, I just. It’s all so good.

Saskia’s audiobook narration is, as usual, pitch-perfect. Equally dry and heartfelt, delivering humour and heartbreak with precision. A few editing errors still exist—some pauses and restarts got missed in cutting here and there. Could use one more pass.